Life on the West Side

Call me a sheep, I’m following all the others in blog land. I actually found and modified this year-end survey from Life of a Doctors Wife

1. What did you do in 2012 that you’d never done before?

2012 was a BIG year for me! Finished grad school and started a new career were the biggies.

2. Did you keep your New Year’s resolutions, and will you make more for next year?

I don’t do New Years Resolutions. I’m of the mindset that if you’re going to make a change, do it NOW. I do make yearly goals, but those start in August with my birthday.

However, this year after a few too many cookies and a realization I’m softer (eek!), I might jump on the “Exercise More! Eat Healthy! Lose Weight!” bandwagon. On that note, I had an interesting convo with BIL about setting 30-day challenges. My first challenge: No-Sugar-January. I’m already 3 days in (I’m not counting the champagne from last night… besides it was magical sugar-free, carb-free bubbly) and ALL I WANT IS SUGAR! Sigh… this will be a long month.

3. Did anyone close to you give birth?

Hot dang, EVERYONE’S babies came into existence this year. Seems 2012 was the year of late-20 something’s to procreate. Merrick and I deliberately missed that memo.

4. Did anyone close to you die?

Unfortunately, Yes. But he made it to Jesus and his wife just in time for Christmas, so that’s good news right? Although we’re still reeling from that one… sigh. That’s been a hard lesson to learn – accepting the fragility of life.

5. Where did you visit?

For some reason, this year did not stand out as much of a jet-setting year as our previous years have been. Only made it to Michigan ONCE. But we had a number of visitors come to US this year, which was nice. I will always choose hosting for a week than being a guest for a week.

Other places that made the list: Las Vegas, Dallas, and of course our EPIC Caribbean Cruise. That was probably a highlight there.

6. What dates from 2012 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?

June 15- graduation!

August 16 – passed my boards!

September 28 – new job!

November 9 – found out some great family news!

7. What was your biggest achievement of the year?

As mentioned before, completing my masters degree as well as starting my new career were the biggies this year.

8. What was your biggest failure?

Not being kinder to people.

9. Did you suffer illness or injury?

The Fatty-Footy incident last January that put me out for about a month. But other than that, I’ve been pretty healthy.

10. What was the best thing you bought?

There’s not really a purchase that stood out this year. Our cruise was probably the most memorable way we spent money this year.

11. Where did most of your money go?

Nothing exciting. Mostly grad school. Darn it.

12. What did you get really, really, really excited about?

It’s rare that I only feel really, really, really excited about something without the equal accompaniment of really, really, really scared of the same thing. This year those feelings came through about my new career. Told you this was the year for that.

13. Compared to this time last year, are you:

a) happier or sadder? Happier!

b) thinner or fatter? Let’s say softer.

c) richer or poorer? Eh, poorer.

14. What do you wish you’d done more of?

Exercising. Listening. Being fully present. Loving more.

15. What do you wish you’d done less of?

Worrying. It’s the old adage that worry is like a rocking chair – it gives you something to do, but doesn’t get you anywhere. Plus, doesn’t everything always work out anyway?

16. How did you spend Christmas?

The same as we always do – in the Frozen Tundra surrounded by both our families. Freezing our tails off, but with warm and full hearts.

17. Did you fall in love in 2012?

I didn’t fall in love this year, but perhaps a deeper love with my SCB, especially after our marriage retreat.

18. What was your favorite TV program?

Still not so big on TV, but I guess this year was the year of the Kardashians (ah kill me) and I really dug The Voice.

19. What was the best book you read?

I LOVED the Hunger Games series!

20. What did you want and get?

A new career. Beautiful and fulfilling friendships.

21. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you?

I turned 27 and my SCB made it the BEST.BIRTHDAY.EVER! That whole week in August was amazing. He done good.

22. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?

It was a very satisfying year, but also one of big change, which I don’t dig so much. So more acceptance of the changes would have made it more satisfying. Also, more love always makes anything immeasurably more satisfying. Tis the year of more love!

23. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2012?

I traded in my scrubs and Danscos for real, live, big girl clothes! Blouses, slacks, accessories, oh my! High heels every day? I never would’ve thought I’d be one of them, But here I am, standing tall with blisters on my feet and looking all kinds of fly and professional!

24. What kept you sane?

My Merrick. That man is the best thing that’s ever happened to me, and I’m even more convinced after everything we went (and are going) through this year. Exercising. Coffee dates with girlfriends.

25. What political issue stirred you the most?

Oh my, too many! Of course an election year is certain to stir up some controversies and we all have our certain feelings over them, but they’re to be discussed on said coffee dates. Plus, I got a Starbucks gift card for Christmas! Who wants a coffee date with me?!

26. Who did you miss?

I saw all members of my family and half the members of Merrick’s family this year through various visits, so I never went too long missing our families. However, I did miss terribly my sweet nieces and nephews as well as some key girlfriends. Why does everyone I love have to be all spread out? Why can’t we ALL live down the street from each other?

27. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2012.

A few life lessons really stuck out to me this year: 1. Embrace the change. Wholeheartedly embrace it and go after it. 2. Love each other deeply and fully. 3. Kindness matters.

… And onto ‘13!

Tell me one life lesson you learned in 2012

This entry was posted on Tuesday, January 1st, 2013 at 4:11 pm and is filed under About me, Holidays, Life. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.