Ah, what better time for a little reflection than the last day of the year? I saw this questionnaire on All & Sundry, a blog I read daily, and decided to join in on the fun. You’re invited to play too — just let me know so I can read your responses as well, ok?
1. What did you do in 2007 that you’d never done before? I started my own private voice studio. Actually, I’ve taught voice before, but this is the first time I’ve done it with any consistency and with a paid accompanist. It’s so much fun — I’m really enjoying it!
2. Did you keep your new year’s resolutions, and will you make more for next year? I don’t usually make new year’s resolutions — I figure, instead of waiting for January 1, any day is a good time to resolve to improve myself or my life.
3. Did anyone close to you give birth? My cousin Rob’s wife, Sarah, gave birth to a beautiful baby boy; they named him Finnegan.
4. Did anyone close to you die? Thankfully, no.
5. What countries did you visit? None. I’m still holding out for France, specifically Paris…
6. What would you like to have in 2008 that you lacked in 2007? This is a hard question… maybe a more rewarding, more well-paying job? (Note to self: keep growing the voice studio!) Oh, and a newly-renovated kitchen!
7. What dates from 2007 will remain etched upon your memory, and why? 7-7-07 — my sister-in-law’s wedding date. And 10-15-07 when I had surgery.
8. What was your biggest achievement of the year? Probably starting my voice studio.
9. What was your biggest failure? If it’s my biggest failure, why would I talk about it on the internet?
10. Did you suffer illness or injury? I had laparoscopic surgery to remove an ovarian cyst. Surgery kind of sucks — if I never had to have it again, that would be just fine with me.
11. What was the best thing you bought? It’s not very exciting, but we bought a new (to us) car back in February/March when our old one died — it’s a Honda Civic, so it’s great on gas and wicked reliable. Yay, for reliable cars!
12. Whose behavior merited celebration? All the men and women of the U.S. military who left their families, friends, homes, lives to defend freedom in other parts of the world — they deserve our gratitude and our respect.
13. Whose behavior made you appalled and depressed? Paris Hilton, Lindsay Lohan, Britney Spears, Amy Winehouse, Sen. Hillary Clinton, MoveOn.org (slandering an American general in the New York Times in the middle of a war = not cool), Congresswoman Nancy Pelosi, Sen. Harry Reid, Sen. Jack Murtha…I could go on.
14. Where did most of your money go? The mortgage. And shoes. 
15. What did you get really, really, really excited about? Honestly, I can’t think of anything…how sad is that?
16. What song will always remind you of 2007? Um, probably the entire catalog of The Shins to date.
17. Compared to this time last year, are you:
a) happier or sadder? happier about some things, sadder about others (how’s that for a cop-out answer?)
b) thinner or fatter? thinner
c) richer or poorer? poorer
18. What do you wish you’d done more of? Singing, working on the house, exercising and taking care of myself, making things (crafting, sewing)
19. What do you wish you’d done less of? Worrying
20. How did you spend Christmas? I spent time with my brother, sister-in-law, neice, nephew, aunt and uncle before Christmas and spent Christmas Day with my in-laws in New Hampshire and then at home with my husband.
21. Did you fall in love in 2007? Yes.
22. What was your favorite TV program? Hm, I’m not that into TV… Over the summer, I really enjoyed So You Think You Can Dance.
23. Do you hate anyone now that you didn’t hate this time last year? I hope I don’t hate anyone at all, ever.
24. What was the best book you read? The only book I remember reading is The Time Traveler’s Wife, which was really good, but I know there are others… I do read a bunch of blogs on a daily basis. That’s kind of like a book, right?
25. What was your greatest musical discovery? That I really enjoy teaching voice lessons! Oh, and I also found some new bands I’m pretty excited about: The Shins, Camera Obscura, Feist, She Wants Revenge.
26. What did you want and get? Diamond earrings from my husband.
27. What did you want and not get? A newly renovated kitchen.
28. What was your favorite film of this year? Probably The Bourne Ultimatum, although I haven’t seen Sweeney Todd yet, so that answer isn’t set in stone…
29. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you? I turned 33 and I spent the weekend of my birthday antique shopping with Joel, eating Thai food, and celebrating with family — it was great.
30. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying? Who makes up these questions?! This is impossible to answer, so I’m going to skip it — it’s my blog, I can do that.
31. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2007? My personal fashion concept? I don’t know what that even means… Hm, maybe vintage funky? No, more likely all black, all the time… Hahaha!
32. What kept you sane? This blog (thankyouthankyouthankyou to all of you for reading!) and my handwritten journal, my family (although they sometimes keep me sane AND make me crazy), my friends, and my trusty i-pod.
33. Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most? Fancy? Well, Matt Damon is pretty nice to look at… And, I don’t have a crush on him or anything, but I’m very impressed with Mitt Romney these days.
34. What political issue stirred you the most? National security, life issues (stem cell research, abortion law, etc.) and illegal immigration.
35. Who did you miss? I always miss my Dad and my Mom, who have been gone 12 years and four years respectively, and my grandparents. I also miss my friend Elizabeth who lives waaay over on the other coast.
36. Who was the best new person you met? Tara — she’s one of Joel’s co-workers and we seem to have *a lot* in common. I’m hoping Joel and I will hang out with her and her husband some in the future and that we’ll get to know each other better…
37. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2007. Don’t stop taking pain medication two days after surgery just because you feel better — it’s *because* of the pain medication that you feel better.
38. Quote a song lyric that sums up your year.
(from Whether You Fall by Tracy Bonham)
Maybe all eyes are on you as you finish the race
And the world sees you struggling for last place
Whether you fall means nothing at all
It’s whether you get up…
And that’s a great message with which to close out the year — it’s whether you get up, friends. Hope you have a safe, fun New Year’s celebration! See you in 2008!!
