The new year always throws me for a loop. I spent yesterday at home, off work, in a miserable mood, lashing out anytime Daniel so much as spoke to me. I guess a new year makes me feel obligated: to change bad habits, develop good ones, get motivated, achieve everything at once. In the final weeks of a year, I’m in full relaxation mode; not enough time to worry about accomplishing major goals or making significant decisions. It’s the only time, possibly all year, that I feel at ease and live day by day. All that being said, I don’t think I gave myself enough time for closure, and I’m hoping this list will help me sort 2012 out, close the book, and move forward.
Five events that have been the best this year?
- getting my name in the company newsletter at work
- my last summer adventures with Florida friends
- St. Augustine for our anniversary (even though it was brief)
- seeing Obama in downtown Charlottesville
- exploring Virginia
Five events that have been the worst this year?
- dealing with corporate crap at my former jobs
- getting poison ivy
- moving away from close friends and family
- my bad attitude during Thanksgiving
- doubting myself so often
What have you learned this year?
- I am surprised by my own selflessness and selfishness. The pressure to figure out life really got to me this year, but I think I’ve settled into a more moderate temperament, trying to take opportunity as it comes and not be too hard on myself lest I completely destroy myself with internal verbal harassment.
Was it the year that you had in mind?
- I was so wrapped up in self doubt and work drama at the beginning of 2012 that I don’t really think I envisioned what the year would be like. I knew we might move, but I didn’t think too hard about it. If I had anything in mind, it was that I would become a successful fashion blogger and adored internet presence by the end of the year. It was my temporary solution to being miserable with my non-virtual life. Things were better than that, though, and I’m glad I moved.
What clothes did you wear the most?
- My oatmeal colored Mossimo cardigan, like, every day.
What music did you listen to the most?
- the Sherwood CD Jenny left in my car
- Mates of State
- Sufjan Stevens’ Illinoise album (I listen to it a lot every year)
- various Bluegrass music
- the Simon & Garfunkel Pandora channel
What have you watched?
- TV: Friday Night Lights, The Office, The Middle, My So-Called Life, The Cosby Show
- Movies: Bernie, Take This Waltz, Perks of Being a Wallflower…
Which people did you hang out with most?
- Andrea and Mike in Tallahassee, a little group of church goers/PhD students here.
What new people did you come to know?
- Many, many new people. We’ve met a lot of great people here: Daniel’s colleagues, church friends, small group friends, and my coworkers.
What is the best thing you’ve read?
- Fiction: Ender’s Game and The Hunger Games triology.
- Nonfiction: Still by Lauren Winner
Did you do anything this year that you’ve never done before?
- I traveled to Virginia for the first time, moved far away from family for the first time, and became a barista.
Did some of your friends become parents this year?
- Yes, but not close friends.
What was your biggest achievement in 2012?
- Managing to make money selling vintage online.
Best bargain?
- A limited edition print of Jacob’s Ladder from Israel that I got for .50.
What did you spend the most money on?
- the U-Haul truck.
What do you wish you’d done more?
- woken up earlier.
- practiced the banjo.
Favorite video of the year?
What did you do on your birthday in 2012?
- ate Chinese food at home and felt sad.
How would you describe your style in 2012?
- uncertain. I spent a lot of time over-thinking my personal style. I think it’s settled down into a sort of casual-girly-grunge thing.
(list from happy, honey, & lark; from Rodeo)
Leah Wise 