End of the Year Survey – 2009

See last year’s survey here.

1. What did you do in 2009 that you’d never done before? I took an ESL class, I got nervous spoke in front of a crowd, I went to Pittsburgh, Seattle and Vegas, I worked for two start-ups (TPB & Border Stylo), I went to Universal Studios, I went to Chicago’s Gay Pride Parade, I met Chuck Bass, and I moved to California.
2. Did you keep your new year’s resolutions, and will you make more for next year? I never follow through with resolutions. I keep goals in mind throughout the year, but last year I didn’t make a list of tasks. My only resolution for 2009 was “Don’t Suck.” I’m quite happy with the way 2009 turned out, so I’d say I kept it. I have high hopes for 2010. So in addition to not sucking, I hope to laugh more and to inspire/be inspired.
3. Did anyone close to you give birth? My friend Jen gave birth to a beautiful baby girl, Lilia, in the spring.
4. Did anyone close to you die? Unfortunately there have been a couple of deaths this year.
5. What countries did you visit? Is California a country? No? Well then I guess I stayed in the U.S. in 2009. I’m hoping to change that in 2010 (Someone send me on a cruise!)
6. What would you like to have in 2010 that you lacked in 2009? I’d LOVE to have more time and money to travel.
7. What date from 2009 will remain etched upon your memory and why? I guess that would be Halloween because of the move. Nothing else stands out because I’m bad with numbers.
8. What was your biggest achievement of the year? I’m pretty happy about adding some new cities to the list of places I traveled in 2009 (San Francisco, Orlando, Pittsburgh, Los Angeles, Seattle, Las Vegas, etc.) I’d also like to applaud myself for traveling 2,000+ miles in a car with my father without attempting to jump out or drive into a mountain.
9. What was your biggest failure? Not putting more effort into school and ultimately leaving UIC. I blame chemistry. I’ll be back!
10. Did you suffer illness or injury? Nope, just my pulled psoas
11. What was the best thing you bought? My bookcase:

I finally have room for all of my books and have an excuse to buy more!
12. Whose behavior merited celebration? Phil and Nico! They were incredibly helpful and welcoming when I moved to LA. I still owe you guys drinks!
13. Whose behavior made you appalled and depressed? Same as last year, my dad. Surprised? Not really.
14. Where did most of your money go? A majority was spent on the move, books and Target.
15. What did you really, really, really get excited about? The 20SB meet-up in Chicago and the Nintendo Enthusiast dinner at BlogHer. Beatles LOVE. And I’m currently excited about a trip I’ll be taking in January (where am I going?!)
16. What song will always remind you of 2009? Say Hey (I Love You) by Michael Franti
17. Compared to this time last year are you:
Happier? Definitely.
Thinner? Definitely not.
Richer? So close.
18. What do you wish you’d done more of? I wish I spent more time writing for myself instead of a job, saved more money, traveled more places, and held less grudges.
19. What do you wish you’d done less of? Worry.
20. How did you spend Christmas? I flew home from LA on Christmas Eve and spent the evening with family. It was wonderful.
21. How will you be spending new years? Drunk. What?
22. Did you fall in love in 2009? I fell in love with experiences and friends.
23. How many one-night stands? Who made this survey?
24. What was your favorite TV program? Bones, Psych and Monk.
25. Do you hate anyone now that you didn’t hate this time last year? I’d like to add Brett Favre to that list.
26. What was the best book you read? GOOD question! I’m going to go with “Teasing Secrets from the Dead” by Emily Craig
27. What was your biggest musical discovery? I really got into the Beatles this year, but a new discovery was Coconut Records, Paolo Nutini and Pomplamoose.
28. What did you want and you got? A job I absolutely love.
29. What did you want and not get? My dad to stop being a d-bag.
30. What was your favorite film of this year? (500) Days of Summer
31. What did you do on your birthday, and how old did you turn? I turned 25 and spent the evening with an amazing group of friends at Wilde.
32. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying? Less moving. More traveling. A travel buddy.
33. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2009? Comfortable.
34. What kept you sane? My mom, my friends, my blog.
35. Which celebrity did you fancy the most? Not Taylor Lautner…
36. What political issue stirred you the most? Bailouts…
37. Who did you miss? Dan-o!
38. Who was the best new person you met? Phampants, Doni and Blog Crush.
39. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2009: People are meant to live, not simply exist.
40. Quote or Song Lyric that sums up your year: A Personal Revolution