The year in review

Yes, time for the obligatory look back at the past year.

I found these questions on a fellow library school student's blog a couple years ago and answered the questions at the end of 2003, when the landscape was much different for me than it it now. I thought it would be interesting to post those answers and then answer the questions again to reflect my current thoughts. Even I find the responses interesting and I lived it. It's so true how things can change so quickly and alter your feelings and perspectives.

1. What did you do in 2003 that you'd never done before?

2003: Private, sorry.

2005: Live in another state besides Wisconsin.

2. Did you keep your new years' resolutions, and will you make more for next year?
2003: I quit making them years ago, because I never kept a one.

2005: Ditto.

3. Did anyone close to you give birth?

2003: Yes! Pam gave birth to her third child, Tatum, in April.

2005: Yes! Pam gave birth to her fourth child, Max, in June.

4. Did anyone close to you die?

2003: Yes, my wonderful Aunt Elaine died of ALS. I hate, hate, hate this disease!

2005: Yes, my sweet doggie, Chester.

5. What countries did you visit?

2003: Nada

2005: Zip

6. What would you like to have in 2004/2006 that you lacked in 2003/2005?

2003: My master's degree and a full-time job.

2005: To feel at peace with every aspect of my life. I'm thrilled to say I now have both my master's and a full-time position.

7. What date from 2003/2005 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?

2003: April 24, the day my aunt died.

2005: April 3, the day when I realized Chester was asking for my help to end his suffering. It was so sad, but I'm also proud that I kept my promise to him that when his time came, I would be with him. He died with me holding him, which is exactly what I know he wanted.

8. What was your biggest achievement of the year?

2003: Can't think of anything, I'll have to mull it over.

2005: Finding my first professional position and even better, being able to remain a news librarian.

9. What was your biggest failure?

2003: Not being able to get another part-time job.

2005: That it took me nine months after graduation to find a job.

10. Did you suffer illness or injury?

2003: Thankfully, no.

2005: No, I'm very lucky and thankful for that.

11. What was the best thing you bought?

2003: A laser printer.

2005: A new car.

12. Whose behaviour merited celebration?

2003: My dog Chester, he never gives up.

2005: Not to sound arrogant, but me. The first six months of the year were very tough for me, with lots of upheavals in my personal life, but I survived and feel good about the direction my life is headed in.

13. Whose behaviour made you appalled and depressed?

2003: W.

2005: The ex. I didn't realize he could be so cruel. I deserved much better than being blown off with the silent treatment.

14. Where did most of your money go?

2003: Tuition and rent

2005: Rent, car payment, credit card bill, electric bill, ridiculously high gas bills ....

15. What did you get really, really, really excited about?

2003: Movies

2005: Feeds

16. What song will always remind you of 2003/2005?

2003: "Bring Me to Life," Evanescence.

2005: "My Old Friend the Blues," Patty Loveless.

17. Compared to this time last year, are you happier or sadder?

2003: Definitely sadder.

2005: Definitely happier.

ii. thinner or fatter?

2003: About the same.

2005: No change here.

iii. richer or poorer?

2003: Poorer.

2005: Richer.

18. What do you wish you'd done more of?

2003: Exercise

2005: More exploring around Central Ohio.

19. What do you wish you'd done less of?

2003: Procrastinating

2005: Procrastinating. Old habits die hard.

20. How will you be spending Christmas?

2003: Working.

2005: I spent this year in Madison, Wisconsin with my family.

22. Did you fall in love in 2003?

2003: I stayed in love, which is something to be proud of.

2005: I fell out of love with not only the ex, but the idea of love. As Greta Garbo once said, from now on,"I vant to be alone."

23. How many one night stands?

2003: Zero.

2005: I have to stop laughing before I'll be able to answer this one.

24. What was your favourite TV programme?

2003: Law and Order, Law and Order: Criminal Intent, Law and Order: SVU

2005: Law and Order, CSI and Nancy Grace.

25. Do you hate anyone now that you didn't hate this time last year?

2003: Unfortunately, yes.

2005: Yes.

26. What was the best book you read?

2003: The Lovely Bones.

2005: In Cold Blood.

27. What was your greatest musical discovery?

2003: Evanescence.

2005: Johnny Cash, whom I rediscovered.

28. What did you want and get?

2003: My own apartment.

2005: A professional position.

29. What did you want and not get?

2003: Another job, more money.

2005: A promotion at my previous job.

30. What was your favourite film of this year?

2003: The Hours.

2005: Capote.

31. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you?

2003: 33, I had a summer school class and then I went home and did nothing.

2005: 35, I worked, went out to dinner and then watched a DVD.

32. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?

2003: Finding an additional (and legal) source of income. (Seeing a pattern?)

2005: Being able to have dumped the ex before he dumped me.

33. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2003?

2003: Comfort all the way.

2005: I still choose comfort every time.

34. What kept you sane?

2003: Routine. In many respects, school and work were my refuge.

2005: Work. It took my mind off what was going on at home.

35. Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most?

2003: Ioan Gruffudd.

2005: To tell the truth, no one. (Sorry, Ioan.)

36. What political issue stirred you the most?

2003: The upcoming presidential election.

2005: The talk of potential presidential candidates for 2008.

37. Who did you miss?

2003: Some of my friends.

2005: Chester.

38. Who was the best new person you met?

2003: One of my library school professors.

2005: A fellow librarian who has gone out of her way to make me feel welcome in my new surroundings.

39. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2003.

2003: Life isn't fair.

2005: Love hurts.

40. Quote a song lyric that sums up your year.

2003: "I've been sleeping a thousand years it seems, got to open my eyes to everything."

2005: "When the thought of you catches up with me."