2008 in Review
Inspired by my friend Noelle, here is a overview of the last year (that one that ended 18 days ago? Yes, that one). I sent the questions to Bart and we answered separately. I’ve resisted the temptation to comment on all his answers.
1. What did you do in 2008 that you’d never done before?
B: I taught Sunbeams in Primary. Loved it!2. Did you keep your New Year’s resolutions, and will you make more for next year?
J: Not very well; this year I will do better.
B: I made a lot of New Year’s resolutions but only kept a few. Those I kept were good ones, though! I’ve made resolutions for 2009 – goals, rather – and I plan to achieve all of them.
3. Did anyone close to you give birth?
J: Holly is the only person I can think of.
B: Yes. James and Angie had their first baby boy, Sam!
4. Did anyone close to you die?
J: Thankfully, no.
B: No.
5. What countries did you visit?
J: Only the good old USA – Texas, Utah, Nevada, California.
B: No foreign countries, sadly. But my parents and brother went to Israel, Egypt, and a few other countries. And Janssen’s parents went on a 25 year anniversary cruise in Eastern Europe. So 2008 was a year to be happy for others go to abroad.
6. What would you like to have in 2009 that you lacked in 2008?
J: Just one single solitary job.
B: A steady paycheck.
7. What dates from 2008 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?
J: May 15th – the day Bart heard back from the UT MBA program and he decided for certain to do accounting.
B: The day I found out I didn’t get into the MBA program at UTexas. It confirmed my decision to do the MPA program in a very decisive way.
8. What was your biggest personal achievement of the year?
J: Getting a 4.0 both summer and fall of graduate school.
B: I got the job I wanted in the location I wanted!
9. What was your biggest failure?
J: Continuing to lose my temper too easily. And I’m embarrassed to admit how upset I was about my lone A- in my first semester.
B: Wow. That’s a little personal. But I’ll tell you, nonetheless, for your interest and possible benefit: Day trading.
10. Did you suffer illness or injury?
J: Nope.
B: Surprisingly, no. Usually (like right now) I get a cold that lasts for at least a couple of weeks. The cough lasts longer. But 2008 was cold and cough free!
11. What was the best thing you bought?
J: Two nights at the Marriott in San Francisco through Priceline.
B: Tickets to San Francisco
12. Whose behavior merited celebration?J: Bart’s for picking a career path. Mom’s for throwing a giant successful party for my Dad’s 50th. And I know you shouldn’t toot your own horn, but seriously? I rocked it this fall. Two jobs and a full-time graduate program.
B: Janssen’s. She really stepped up to the plate to try to minimize our school debt when I quit my job to do school full-time.
13. Whose behavior made you appalled and depressed?
J: Frankly, every presidential candidate at one point or another.
B: Stockholders everywhere.
14. Where did most of your money go?
J: We just opened our end of year house tax thing. It appears all of our money went to paying interest on our mortgage. Vomit.
B: Tuition
15. What did you get really, really, really excited about?
J: Getting asked to write for the ALA READ blog (in hindsight, it hasn’t been quite so thrilling, but whatever).
B: I don’t do really, really, really excited. But I did get really excited about my job offers.
16. What song will always remind you of 2008?
J: I’m Yours – Jason Mraz.
B: Maybe Bubbly by Colbie Caillat because it was the first my new band decided to cover.
17. Compared to this time last year, are you: a) happier or sadder? b) thinner or fatter? c) richer or poorer?
J: Happier, Thinner (oh my heavens, I just saw a picture of me from last Christmas, and almost died), and poorer.
B: Happier, same physical, poorer (student debt).
18. What do you wish you’d done more of?
J: Just closing the computer and going to bed at a reasonable time.
B: Writing
19. What do you wish you’d done less of?
J: Stressing about money. But I know I will continue to do it. I will probably be on my death bed at 95 wondering how my 401(k) is doing and worrying that it’s dropped half a percentage that day.
B: Arguing
20. Did you fall in love in 2008?
J: With Twilight all over again. I said it.
B: I stayed in love with Janssen and fell in love with camping with family in the Uintas.
21. What was your favorite TV program?
J: 2008 will be remembered as the year of LOST
.
B: Heroes
.
22. What was the best book you read?
J: The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins
B: John Adams
23. What was your greatest musical discovery?
J: YouTube, I suppose. Repeat, repeat, repeat.
B: Andrew can play the guitar!
24. What did you want and get?
J: Some grant money. And a denim skirt.
B: Good grades.
25. What did you want and not get?
J: A nice bed frame. Someday.
B: A truck.
26. What was your favorite film of this year?
J: North & South
. Love.
B: Iron Man
27. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you?
J: I turned 23. We (okay, embarrassingly, I had to look up what we did) went to lunch at an Indian restaurant which has turned into a favorite, saw Get Smart, and had a little cake and ice cream with B and Ralphie.
B: Watched Iron Man the night before and went to lunch with Janssen, Landen, and their dad. 28
28. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?
J: Getting my own job offer in Boston, like Bart did.
B: Janssen not being worried about money.
29. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2008?
J: Old Navy Clearance Rack
B: Jeans, t-shirt, sweater in cooler weather
30. What kept you sane?
J: Kayla. And three trips to Las Vegas.
B: The stability and direction my master’s program brought to my future career prospects
I love that. I’m gonna try and get Mike to do it with me.
I can’t imagine that you were ever “Oh my Heavens” overweight! This time last year I was 5 months pregnant!
Hey! I made it on to the list!
I love that your “Personal fashion concept” was the Old Navy Clearance Rack. And I also love that, had someone asked me what your personal fashion concept was, I probably could have come up with the same answer.
You guys had a great year! I enjoyed reading about it. And I want to copy this post idea also. 🙂
Hmmm, I like Bart even more now that I know he likes Heroes. rad. Yes, I said rad. I think that word should most definatley come back.
I really wanted to do this with Logan. His response? “Absolutely not.” Dang.
I LOVED Hunger Games. The only part I didn’t like was that a- it had to end, and b – it’s a series. But more too look forward to!
I loved this! Hunger Games was also my favorite book. And lots of my friends gave birth. I’m so lucky to get to hear all the details 😉
My favorite part of this list is that both of you thought SF was worth it! Brad is in the midst of busy season, but he will get plenty of vacation days as a result after April–I am thinking a visit is in order…
Bummed about an A-? You and Monica should hang out more.
I think the Old Navy clearance rack would also describe my fashion concept. I cannot stay away from their bargains!