Welcoming in 2012

I am welcoming 2012 with open arms.  I hope that this year is finally the year to usher in good health and a little good luck that this house needs!  So in honor of that, let's sum up 2011!

1. What did you do in 2011 that you'd never done before?

I allowed my creative side to develop....the side of me that's essentially been dormant since I was 14.  I was always one of the better students in art classes going through school but I stopped doing anything creative when I decided to become a scientist. 

2. Did you keep your new years' resolutions?

I did not have any - just a New Years' wish to get better.  This year I hope to live a healthier lifestyle regardless of my limitations.

3.  Did you do any traveling this year?

Not exactly, but I did get to spend a night in Boston for a friends wedding.  Michael and I went to the Boston of Museum of Science the next day.  I also spent several other nights in Boston, but those were for medical tests....nothing fun!

4. What would you like to have in 2012 that you lacked in 2011?

#1 of course, would be my health! #2 would be for Michael to be able to find a job and #3 would be for just a little luck!

5. What dates from 2011 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?

September 24th when Michael and I had our commitment ceremony. 

6. What was your biggest achievement(s) of the year?
Getting the guts to develop that creative side of mine and display my work.

7. What was your biggest failure?
Not being as careful about my health as I should be.

8. Did you suffer illness or injury?
Duh. lol

9. What was the best thing you bought?

My sewing machine :-)

10. Whose behavior merited celebration?
Michael and the rest of my family and friends.  They have provided me with tons of love and support.  Michael especially has stood by me through thick and thin and really took care of me (sometimes too much!)

11. Whose behavior made you appalled and depressed?
The medical community as a whole.  However, I am encouraged to see the last few months more information/attention/research coming out about lyme.

12. Where did most of your money go?
What money? lol

13. What did you get really, really, really excited about?
I am still really, really, really excited about the prospect of feeling better and having a normal life again....this one is ongoing ;-)

14. What song will always remind you of 2011?
David Gray's "This Year's Love" because it's mine and Michael's song.

15. What do you wish you'd done more of?
Pushed myself to exercise more.  It is so hard when you barely have the energy to get off the couch but I'm not doing myself any favors by not doing it at all.

16. What do you wish you'd done less of?
Taking my stress out on Michael!!!!!!!

17. How will you be spending Christmas?
Close family friends Christmas Eve, my parents' house Christmas Day and my aunt and uncle the following weekend.

18. Did you fall in love in 2011?
With my Michael of course!

19. What was your favorite TV program?
I watch too much TV!

20. What was the best book you read?
Well with the brain damage reading is not my strong suit so it's mostly magazines, but I did read the Hunger Games and I enjoyed reading the trilogy.

21. What was your greatest musical discovery?
Adele, duh.

22. What did you want and get?
Michael and I to show our commitment to eachother in front of our friends and family.  It wasn't the way I wanted it to happen, but we did it.

23. What did you want and not get?
My health and a job for Michael (I sound like a broken record!)

24. What was your favorite film of this year?
No idea.  I can't for the life of me remember what movies I saw. lol

25. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you?
I turned 31 this year.  Everything is a blur....I don't remember what I did yesterday nevermind what happened last January. I'm sure I had dinner with the family. 

26.What was one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?
Guess....lol

27. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2011?
Lazy....definitely not the usual.

28. What kept you sane?
Who says I'm sane?????

29. What political issue stirred you the most?

Lyme disease!  It may not seem like a political issue to most but it is.  Luckily there are some politicians out there who are on the side of the lymies and have introduced assorted legislation to help us.  Of course there's also the Keystone XL pipeline....

30. Who did you miss?
I miss being near the majority of my friends and family. 

31. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2011.
Sometimes you need to roll with the punches.  If you fight against everything it will consume you.  It certainly isn't one I have mastered by any means, but it's something I am working on.

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

"Don't stop believing" - Journey