Year-End Meme

I'm a little behind on the whole year-end review and New Year goals, I know. Honestly, it snuck up on me a bit. It seems like the end of 2007 passed me by in a tornado of happenings. Thankfully, I'm feeling like all of that end-of-the-year busy-ness will pay off in the New Year and beyond. As for the "2007 In Review" portion of the required New Year contemplation, this meme that I got from sognatrice over at bleeding espresso should take care of it. I'll be back soon to update you on the whittled down list of goals and objectives for 2008. It's gonna be a big one!

1. What did you do in 2007 that you’d never done before?

Bought a house; joined in on NaNoWriMo and wrote almost 39,000 words for a single story; got into a serious car accident

2. Did you keep your new year’s resolutions, and will you make more for next year?

After reviewing my blog and any other places I might have stuck a list for 2007, it appears that no official goals or resolutions were made. I do remember goals to do more writing (check) and submitting (no check), maintain my weight and get back into an exercise routine (no check on either count), completing the first draft of my novel (partial check) and network more to increase freelance opportunities (check).

3. Did anyone close to you give birth?

One of my close friends had a baby boy (her third child) and so did my sister's best friend (also a boy and also her third).

4. Did anyone close to you die?

Thankfully, no.

5. What countries did you visit?

*cricket*

6. What would you like to have in 2008 that you lacked in 2007?

More focus on the things that I'm passionate about.

7. What dates from 2007 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?

January 17th - the day I signed the papers and became a new home owner

8. What was your biggest achievement of the year?

38,918 words

9. What was your biggest failure?

Not completing that first draft

10. Did you suffer illness or injury?

Minor injuries from the accident and minor colds

11. What was the best thing you bought?

My house

12. Whose behavior merited celebration?

All those working passionately to make this world a better place

13. Whose behavior made you appalled and depressed?

I try not to let other people's behaviors influence me, but if I'm honest, Mr. President hasn't been on my Nice List for a long time.

14. Where did most of your money go?

The house, yet again.

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

Writing that book!

16. What song will always remind you of 2007?

Umbrella by Rhianna...If they played it once, they played it a million times.

17. Compared to this time last year, are you: (a) happier or sadder? (b) thinner or fatter? (c) richer or poorer?

(a) I'd say the same; happy and hopeful; (b) Unfortunately, not thinner, not even the same size; (c) Richer, thanks to some job shuffling.

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

Writing, exercising, spending time with My Love and my family, making friends

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

Watching television, procrastinating

20. How did you spend Christmas?

With most of my family in my hometown

21. Did you fall in love in 2007?

I stayed in love, does that count?

22. What was your favorite TV program?

Lost

23. Do you hate anyone now that you didn’t hate this time last year?

My mama taught me to never hate.

24. What was the best book you read?

Grace Eventually by Anne Lammott (followed closely by Harry Potter and the Deathly Hollows if I can count books on CD).

25. What was your greatest musical discovery?

I didn't really venture out musically this year.

26. What did you want and get?

My house, a new car (although this wasn't planned or expected), a game night, a promotion/raise

27. What did you want and not get?

An engagement ring, a size 8 body and three more inches in height, a book deal/agent/publisher (although this is clearly my own fault)

28. What was your favorite film of this year?

I can barely remember all the movies I've seen. I remember thinking many of them were very good, but none of them are standing out right at this moment.

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

Had dinner with a couple I know. I turned 31 (and will be 32 on Saturday!)

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

I think my year was pretty satisfying, but I think I would be more satisfied if I had done better at keeping my health (eating and exercise) a top priority and if I had finished that book.

31. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2007?

Uh, I'm not even sure I could call it a concept...professional but relatively casual???

32. What kept you sane?

Having loving people and animals around me to bring me back from the ledge.

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

Wentworth Miller and Shamar Moore

34. What political issue stirred you the most?

Environmental preservation and ending the war.

35. Who did you miss?

Tasha, Mandi and my mom

36. Who was the best new person you met?

The people in my writing group

37. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2007.

Happiness, success and accomplishment aren't things that just happen. It's my responsibility to make sure that I get what I want and need.

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

I'm bringing sexy back?