1. What did you do in 2008 that you’d never done before?
I started off the academic year (Fall 2008) with greater confidence in my teaching abilities.
2. Did you keep your new years’ resolutions, and will you make more for next year?
Well, I've kept some of my resolutions. A couple of them include: following up with a fertility specialist in regards to blocked fallopian tubes, consistently attending bellydance classes, and changing my immediate family's last name to better reflect our cultural heritage. For 2009, my main focus is spiritual and personal growth, especially being impeccable with my word.
3. Did anyone close to you give birth? No.
4. Did anyone close to you die? Not this year.
5. What countries did you visit? None. This will change in 2009/2010.
6. What would you like to have in 2009 that you lacked in 2008?
This year, I would like to have clarity in my purpose and peace of mind that I am on the right path.
7. What date from 2008 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?
Late May 2008—that's when we found out that we're pregnant after trying for 4-5 years!
8. What was your biggest achievement of the year? Having a relatively healthy pregnancy.
9. What was your biggest failure? Not letting the little things go!
10. Did you suffer illness or injury? Besides pregnancy related symptoms, no.
11. What was the best thing you bought? 6 CD Lecture series--“Ask your Guides” by Sonia Choquette.
12. Whose behavior merited celebration?
My husband's behavior merits celebration because he has rode with me through many storms and still loves me despite my many faults.
13. Whose behavior made you appalled and depressed?
My own behavior makes me appalled and depressed at times because honestly I feel like so much is out of my control... I find it hard to "let go and let God".
14. Where did most of your money go? Bills and paying off credit card and student loan debt.
15. What did you get really, really, really excited about?
Finding out that I am pregnant! Also, having money saved going into the summer months (especially important since my school district doesn't pay its teachers during the summer) and being able to afford a doula.
16. What song will always remind you of 2008? Beyonce' “Single Ladies (Put a Ring on It)”
17. Compared to this time last year, are you: happier or sadder? thinner or fatter? richer or poorer?
Happier, Fatter, Richer, ha!
18. What do you wish you’d done more of? I wish I did more traveling.
19. What do you wish you’d done less of? I wish that I did less complaining.
20. How did you spend Christmas? I spent Christmas at home with my immediate family.
21. Did you fall in love in 2008? Yes, most especially with the new life growing inside me :).
22. How many one-night stands? None! Happily married, thank goodness!
23. What was your favorite TV program? Heroes (although this season sucked goat balls).
24. Do you dislike anyone now that you didn’t dislike this time last year? No.
25. What was the best book you read? The Measure of a Man by Sidney Poiter
26. What was your greatest musical discovery? Chanda Rule
27. What did you want and get? GPS, a healthy pregnancy
28. What did you want and not get? Different career path
29. What was your favorite film of this year? Iron Man
30. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you? I went out to eat for my birthday and I turned 28.
31. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying? Changing career paths.
32. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2008? Flattering and functionality
33. What kept you sane? The Internet and my public library!
34. Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most? Tina Fey
35. What political issue stirred you the most? Health care & education
36. Who did you miss? My paternal grandmother
37. Who was the best new person you met? My husband's brother's family
38. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2008? Why worry when you can pray!
39. Quote a song lyric that sums up your year:
Rachelle Ferrell--”Satisfied”
Lemme tell a story 'bout an old man and woman I know
They were in the desert so dry, diggin' ditches…deep
Waitin' for the rain to flow
Well, the people came from miles around
Wantin' to know why they did what they did and how
"Faith is the key" he said, "to what can't yet be seen"
Then he looked at the sky, winked at his wife and said,
"That's why baby, baby, baby…"
Chorus:
I'm so satisfied
I know that this joy can't be denied!
Make me sing in the morning
Make me smile at night
Laugh for no particular reason
Just 'cause everything's alright!
I'm so satisfied
Verse 2:
No doubt about it, there's a higher power working in here!
There's a way to anything, anytime, anyway and anywhere
But it won't work if there's fear
If we put our trust in what we feel
Instead of what we think in our heads, hmm
Then we'll remember to keep it real
So the soul will be nourished and the spirit is fed!
Baby, baby, baby, baby
Repeat Chorus
Bridge:
Life is only what we allow it to be
There are no accidents and no mistakes
It really just depends on the choices we choose to make
Everything is everything anyway!
Repeat Chorus
