Reflecting on 2008

A friend posted this end-of-year meme on her blog, so I thought I'd do the same. Enjoy!

1. What did you do in 2008 that you'd never done before? There were 2 biggies...1) I had a baby, and 2) For the first time in my adult life I did not earn an income...I refuse to say I'm jobless because I still work to earn my keep every day ;)

2. Did you keep your new year's resolutions, and will you make more for next year? I've never been one for resolutions, but this year will be different (I'll expand on this in another blog).

3. Did anyone close to you give birth? I knew 12 people that had a baby last year...All but 2 were boys! Of course, the fact that my cousin had her son Benny only 1 month after I had Isaiah was ubber cool in my book. I can't wait to see them grow up and create mischeif together.

4. Did anyone close to you die? I lost my grandmother and was very sad to see people close to me lose loved ones as well. :(

5. What countries did you visit? None.

6. What would you like to have in 2009 that you lacked in 2008? ENERGY!

7. What dates from 2008 will remain etched upon your memory, and why? August 28th - gave birth to my son. Nov 3rd - my grandmother passed. Dec 4th - found out my mom has cancer.

8. What was your biggest achievement of the year? Being a mommy!

9. What was your biggest failure? Not sticking to a healthy diet and consistent exercise.

10. Did you suffer illness or injury? I had some difficulties with my pregnancy, but I wouldn't call that illness or injury.

11. What was the best thing you bought? Nutramigen!!!!

12. Whose behavior merited celebration? Mark!!! He worked looong days 6-7 days a week, helped around the house when I was on bedrest, stayed up all night with the baby when I was recovering from a c-section, and was always supportive...whether I wanted to go back to work or stay home with our son. Currently, I'm staying home with Isaiah.

13. Whose behavior made you appalled and depressed? I won't name names, but a few people win this award for the year. This is unusual since I can only think a handful of people that have disappointed me over my entire life.

14. Where did most of your money go? Hospital Bills!!!!

15. What did you get really, really, really excited about? Definitely having a healthy baby boy who I love more and more every day.

16. What song will always remind you of 2008? That Cher song that they play on the Biggest Loser shows...Only because I hear it all the damn time...I keep watching Biggest Loser marathon shows. How sad is that?!

17. Compared to this time last year, are you:
a) happier or sadder? Happier!
b) thinner or fatter? Fatter, way fatter!
c) richer or poorer? Poorer financially but richer in love and family. (This was Sam's answer and I think its perfect so I'm keeping it :)

18. What do you wish you'd done more of? I wish I'd done more writing and working toward career goals.

19. What do you wish you'd done less of? Watching TV. We plugged in for the first time in a long time...its evil, so evil.

20. How did you spend Christmas? With my parents in the afternoon...with Mark's best friend and his family in the evening.

21. Did you fall in love in 2008? Oh yes...I love you, Isaiah!

22. What was your favorite TV program? Top Chef!!!

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

24. What was the best book you read? hmm...Probably "Birth: The Surprising History of How We are Born" by Tina Cassidy.

25. What was your greatest musical discovery? Putamayo Kids series

26. What did you want and get? A healthy baby

27. What did you want and not get? a stress-free existence. :) haha

28. What was your favorite film of this year? I think this was the year of shitty movies...that being said I really liked Eagle Eye, but that might be because it was the last movie I watched.

29. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you? I turned 32 and honestly do not remember. Isaiah was only 2 weeks old at the time so I'm sure I was on zombie, new mommy mode.

30. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying? A easier pregnancy...maybe next time. :)

31. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2008? FASHION?! haha. Elastic waistbands and oversized shirts...I think I lose the fashion contest.

32. What kept you sane? My blog and crafty projects.

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

34. What political issue stirred you the most? Oh that would have to be the Palin factor. Her views, and more importantly, the manner in which she promoted her views were offensive, close-minded, ignorant, hypocritical (she is a Christian is she not, but were her actions Christlike? I think not), and un-American (America is not about rallying a self-righteous "moral" majority to reign over the rest of us, I believe that was a motivating factor in fighting for independence).

35. Who did you miss? My sister. She did visit for several weeks, but sadly returned to East Africa in November.

36. Who was the best new person you met? my son

37. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2008. We are all stronger than we think we are.

38. Quote a song lyric that sums up your year. I couldn't think of a song lyric so I chose this instead, "The secret of health for both mind and body is not to mourn for the past, worry about the future, or anticipate troubles, but to live in the present moment wisely and earnestly.” - Buddha.