- What did you do in 2011 that you'd never done before? Had my first mammogram. It wasn't as bad (or scary) as I was expecting it to be.
- Did you keep your New Years' Resolutions, and will you make more for next year? I didn't make any resolutions at this time last year. I knew I wouldn't keep them, so why bother? Same for this year.
- Did anyone close to you give birth? My cousin Alex and his girlfriend Crystal had a baby girl, Molly. My friend/co-worker Shellie and her husband Ramon had their fourth child (and first son), Ramon, in May.
- Did anyone close to you die? My student, Michael, passed away in October. My Aunt Annie died in November at the age of 102.
- What countries did you visit? None. I barely left Illinois.
- What would you like to have in 2012 that you lacked in 2011? Organization. Physical energy. Financial stability. Significant weight loss. Less credit card debt. A new car. A relationship with a good man.
- What date from 2011 will remain etched upon your memory? January 16 (the Penguin Project show). February 1 (beginning of Snowmageddon). April 29 (The Royal Wedding). June 18th (the NKOTBSB concert in Chicago). November 12 (St.Louis Blues and Tampa Bay Lightning game in St.Louis).
- What was your biggest accomplishment? Finally got up the nerve to go to the dentist after 10 years of chickening out. I was lucky that I only needed one small filling.
- What was your biggest failure? Continuing to gain weight. Giving in to depression, self-doubt, anxiety, and other negative feelings. Wasting time.
- Did you suffer any illness or injury? I was pretty healthy this year, thank God.
- What was the best thing you bought? I didn't buy it, but my parents and stepmom gave me a portable ice maker for Christmas. I love it!
- Whose behavior merited celebration? The Occupy protestors all over the country (viva the 99%!). Anyone involved in the effort to recall Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker. The Navy Seals who brought down Osama bin Laden. President Obama.
- Whose behavior made you appalled? Charlie Sheen. Vancouverites who rioted after the Stanley Cup finals. Republicans in Congress who are more concerned with destroying President Obama than with the welfare of their constituents. The Casey Anthony jury. Kim Kardashian.
- Where did most of your money go? The gas tank.Credit card bills. Groceries.
- What did you get really, really, really excited about? The NKOTBSB concert in June. The Blues vs. Lightning game in November.
- What song will always remind you of 2011? "Rolling In The Deep" by Adele. "Party Rock Anthem" by LMFAO. "Six Foot Seven Foot" by Lil Wayne and Cory Gunz.
- Compared to this time last year, are you: i. happier or sadder? neither /ii. thinner or fatter? fatter /iii. richer or poorer? richer.
- What do you wish you'd done more of? Saved money. Controlled my eating. Exercised. Stood up for myself.
- What do you wish you'd done less of? Let my feelings get hurt. Sleep. Worry excessively. Overeat. Analyze other peoples' words or actions. Jump to conclusions.
- Did you fall in love in 2011? Yeah, right. LOL.
- How many one night stands? Gross.
- What was your favorite TV program? True Blood. Being Human. American Horror Story. The Walking Dead. My Strange Addiction. Dance Moms. The Real Housewives of New Jersey. United States of Tara (R.I.P) Wilfred. Hot In Cleveland.
- Do you hate anyone now that you didn't hate at this time last year? Hate is a strong word, so let's just say that there are certain people in my life right now whom I'm not pleased with... and leave it at that.
- What was the best book that you read? 11.22.63 by Stephen King. The Hunger Games trilogy by Suzanne Collins. What The Night Knows by Dean Koontz. Smokin' Seventeen and Explosive Eighteen by Janet Evanovich. The Rizzoli and Isles novels by Tess Gerritsen.
- What was your greatest musical discovery? Adele. I have a girl crush on her.
- What did you want and get? See #11.
- What did you want and not get? A lottery win. The St.Louis Blues making it into the Stanley Cup playoffs. A decent Chicago Cubs team. A new car (I was saving up for one, but decided against it during the annual pink slip scare). Weight loss.
- What was your favorite film of this year? Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part Two; The Help; The King's Speech; Bridesmaids; The Fighter.
- What did you do on your birthday? On the Saturday before, my mom and best friend took me to the Cracker Barrel for lunch and then to a matinee of The Fighter. On my actual birthday, my brother and one of his friends came up for a visit. They surprised me with a beautiful bouquet of flowers, and then we had lunch at Couri's.
- What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying? A longer summer break. It sucked getting out of school on June 14th, only to have to turn around and go back August 18th. Oh, and significant weight loss.
- How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2011? Comfy and casual.
- What kept you sane? My mother. My best friends (Kelly and Larry). Chocolate. Caffeine. Blues hockey.
- What celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most? I have a mad crush on my St.Louis Blues boys. And Danny Briere of the Philadelphia Flyers.
- What political issue stirred you the most? Health care reform. Quality medical care should be a basic human RIGHT, not a PRIVILEGE!
- Who do you miss? My grandfathers. Uncle Jerald. Andy. Michael.
- Who was the best new person you met? Erin.
- Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2011. People change and things go wrong, but always remember, life goes on.
- Quote a song lyric that sums up your year:
I am what I am
And what I am needs no excuses
I deal my own deck
Sometimes the ace, sometimes the deuces
