1. What did you do in 2007 that you’d never done before?
Learned to negotiate, not always successfully, with a two-year-old.
2. Did you keep your new year’s resolutions, and will you make more for next year?
Allow me to quote New Kid: "I probably made some half-assed ones, and did nothing to keep them." For 2008, see my post 101 things in 1001 days.
3. Did anyone close to you give birth?
A couple of students in my grad program did, yes--both of them from the same cohort of six people. And the same fertile cohort has another one on the way in 2008. Must be something about being ABD in the humanities. . . (Actually, now that I think of it, two of them had/have AAUW fellowships. Maybe that's the ticket.)
4. Did anyone close to you die?
Thankfully, no.
5. What countries did you visit?
Just this one. I'm recovering financially from grad school.
6. What would you like to have in 2008 that you lacked in 2007?
More quality time with Mr. Trillwing.
7. What dates from 2007 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?
None in particular--just a vague sequence of Lucas's developmental milestones.
8. What was your biggest achievement of the year?
Getting my current job. I really enjoy it.
9. What was your biggest failure?
Not getting fit. In fact, getting less fit.
10. Did you suffer illness or injury?
Oh god, yes. I have a child in daycare. On Christmas night, Mr. Trillwing had to clamp himself to me under the covers because I had a fever that was so bad I couldn't stop trembling--I could barely breathe. Thanks, daycare!
11. What was the best thing you bought?
Not sure. Probably something to keep Lucas entertained--art supplies. The most significant thing we acquired is my parents' old Toyota Avalon.
12. Whose behavior merited celebration?
Mr. Trillwing, who deserves a medal for parenting.
13. Whose behavior made you appalled and depressed?
I was disappointed by the behavior of the backstabber mentioned in this post. Also, just about the entire U.S. Congress and the Bush administration. And this week, the more I read about the SF Zoo's current director, the less thrilled I am with him. (I'm following the tiger story closely. Check out this article for more astonishing who-knew-what-when news.)
14. Where did most of your money go?
Rent, daycare, food, credit cards.
15. What did you get really, really, really excited about?
Going back to visit Grinnell for alumni volunteer weekend. Also: watching Mr. Trillwing become an even more awesome father.
16. What song will always remind you of 2007?
Once again I return you to "The Highwayman." I really like the theme of rebirth, especially (as I'm interpreting it at this moment) of professional rebirth.
17. Compared to this time last year, are you: a) happier or sadder? b) thinner or fatter? c) richer or poorer?
Happier, the same, slightly wealthier. I've also had more sleep.
18. What do you wish you’d done more of?
Reading, writing, exercise, hanging out with Mr. Trillwing.
19. What do you wish you’d done less of?
Procrastinating, facilitated by my RSS feed addiction.
20. How will you be spending Christmas?
I spent it with my extended family in Long Beach. It's very, very stressful for Mr. Trillwing, so unless one of us has a terminally ill family member, we're very likely to spend next Christmas day here. Luke and I will fly down to see my family just after Christmas so that they don't feel deprived.
21. Did you fall in love in 2007?
Again and again, with Mr. Trillwing and Lucas.
22. How many one-night stands?
I do not know this "one-night stand" you speak of. And hello? I'm happily married.
23. What was your favorite TV program?
Lost, Big Love, Flight of the Conchords, Studio 60, Weeds (on DVD).
24. Do you hate anyone now that you didn’t hate this time last year?
I don't think I can hate anyone. But see #13 for resentments.
25. What was the best book you read?
Probably a tie between Water for Elephants and A Thousand Splendid Suns. Usually I'm not so impressed with books on the bestseller lists, but these were terrific.
26. What was your greatest musical discovery?
Not sure. Lucas's, however, was definitely Johnny Cash. I guess I rediscovered The Highwaymen.
27. What did you want and get?
A job at the teaching resources center.
28. What did you want and not get?
A job at the humanities institute. But that's OK. I'm happy where I am.
29. What was your favorite film of this year?
I think I saw all of two films in the theater this year: Dan in Real Life and Superbad. I think Dan wins out.
30. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you?
I can't remember what we did. But I turned 32.
31. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?
Moving sooner into my current job.
32. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2007?
Pushing the edges of business casual into frumpiness.
33. What kept you sane?
Not sure. Maybe motherhood, out of necessity.
34. Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most?
Not sure.
35. What political issue stirred you the most?
Climate change. Though why it should be a political issue is beyond me. The earth is fucked up. Could we please take steps to remediate it, already?
36. Who did you miss?
My grandfathers. I wish they could watch Lucas navigate the full flower of his toddlerhood.
37. Who was the best new person you met?
Coworkers.
38. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2007.
Professionally, to be proactive (office settings can render folks passive, you know?). Personally, I didn't know I had so much love in me--but Lucas keeps bringing it out.
39. Quote a song lyric that sums up your year.
Seriously? Is this, like, seventh grade? Should I be dedicating a Tiffany song to someone?
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