#32: End of the Year

Holy buckets, where has the time gone since Thanksgiving?


Over the last few months, I have become very apathetic and sad.  I'm overwhelmed and tired.  I think that I am officially depressed.


But then I found this on the internets the other day and it made me feel a tiny bit better.

I agree with this statement.  This is exactly how I feel. 

My Poppa died on December 17.  He was sick and it was the right thing for him at the time.  It brought our family together in California.  But when big things happen in my life, I start thinking about where I am in my life and how I am not totally thrilled.  There is never a good time for a death in the family but Christmas is probably the worst.  Ugh.


Here is my End of Year Survey to sit and reflect on my year.

What did you do in 2011 that you'd never done before? Work out!

Did you keep your new years' resolutions, and will you make more for next year? 

1. Cut out sweets- for the most part, yes I kept this one.  I did lose about 20 pounds this year so I'd say that's a success!

2. Take Jazz for a walk every day- I did for a while... I was better about this than I thought I'd be.
3. Be more positive/find some sort of faith- I think what shook me the most was Poppa's death.  I have a lot of thinking to do about my faith now (the calendar didn't do it).

4. Cut out the crap in my life.  I think this went okay.  I can't help getting sucked in to the drama of my friends but I'm getting better at dealing with it.

And I'm working on making more.  I have to finish my list of things to do before I turn 25 first!  Oh my! 

Did anyone close to you give birth? Michelle at work just had her baby on Christmas eve!  He's adorable!

Did anyone close to you die? Poppa.  

What countries did you visit? Just the USA but I did go to Vegas and California twice!

What would you like to have in 2012 that you lacked in 2011? Love.

What date from 2011 will remain etched upon your memory, and why? December 22 because it was Poppa's memorial service.

What was your biggest achievement of the year? Working out (almost) weekly!

What was your biggest failure? Not getting into grad school.

Did you suffer illness or injury? I am getting a lot of paper cuts and bruises.  That's pretty normal.

What was the best thing you bought? Everything I've purchased from Vera Bradley (which is A LOT).

Where did most of your money go? Dear Vera Bradley.

What did you get really, really, really excited about? Las Vegas with my mom!

What songs will always remind you of 2011? Panic! at the Disco, Trampled by Turtles, Maroon 5, Matt Nathanson!  All the concerts I saw this year.

Compared to this time last year, are you:

i. happier or sadder? Sadder.

ii. thinner or fatter? Thinner and healthier!

iii. richer or poorer? Poorer.

What do you wish you'd done more of? Work on my grad school applications when I still had time/was still excited about it.

What do you wish you'd done less of? Purchased things at VB.

How will you be spending Christmas? I was in California for the 2 days before Christmas and then back home without Mom for Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.  It was an odd holiday.

Did you fall in love in 2011? No.

How many one-night stands? 0.

What was your favorite TV program? New Girl! and 2 Broke Girls.  Love it!

Do you hate anyone now that you didn't hate this time last year? I make it a point not to hate but there is one person in particular I cannot stand.  She shall remain unnamed.

What was the best book you read? American Wife.  You can read my review here.

What was your greatest musical discovery? Matt Nathanson

What did you want and get? Healthy!  I feel so much better physically than I did a year ago.  Mentally is another story but I am feeling very fit!

What did you want and not get? Into grad school.  Blah.

What was your favorite film of this year? It had been "Crazy Stupid Love" until I saw "Morning Glory" yesterday.  Now it may be a tie.

What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you? I turned 23 and Liz surprised me with a birthday dinner with all my friends!  It was WONDERFUL and I will remember it forever.

What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying? If my cupcake master plan had worked...

How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2011? Finally cute dresses!  I love working at VB because I can buy and wear cute clothes again.

What kept you sane? Baking cupcakes.  Its therapeutic.

Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most? Ryan Gosling.  Yes please. 

What political issue stirred you the most? The MN state shutdown.

Who did you miss? My grandparents.

Who was the best new person you met? The sexy chiropractor.

Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2011. Love unconditionally. 

Quote a song lyric that sums up your year:

"I wanna feel a car crash
I wanna feel a capsize
I wanna feel the bomb drop, the earth stop
'Til I'm satisfied
I wanna feel a car crash
'Cause I'm dyin' on the inside
I wanna let go and know
That I'll be alright, alright."

- "Car Crash" by Matt Nathanson