Reflections on 08

Since everyone else seems to be doing it… (Thanks, Julie.)

1. What did you do in 2008 that you’d never done before? (I’m taking a page out of your book, Julie.) Tried Wild Boar, Ostrich, Springbok and Turtle soup.

2. Did you keep your new year’s resolutions, and will you make more for next year? I would have to guess no. But this year is an entirely different story.

3. Did anyone close to you give birth? It was the year of giving birth: Jenna, Lori, Jeanne, and Cindy.

4. Did anyone close to you die? My Grandfather.

5. What countries did you visit? Africa

6. What would you like to have in 2009 that you lacked in 2008? Peace of mind.

7. What date from 2008 will remain etched upon your memory and why? June 21st, 2008. I got married to the man of my dreams.

8. What was your biggest achievement of the year? Conquering my biggest fear…flying… and making it through an eighteen hour plane flight.

9. What was your biggest failure? My intuition. I didn’t listen to it enough.

10. Did you suffer illness or injury? Yes.

11. What was the best thing you bought? My wedding dress.

12. Whose behavior merited celebration? My husband.

13. Whose behavior made you appalled and depressed? Rene on True Blood. LOL!

14. Where did most of your money go? The wedding and honeymoon.

15. What did you really, really, really get excited about? Our African safari at Shamwari.

16. What song will always remind you of 2008? ”I Only Have Eyes for You”- The Flamingos

17. Compared to this time last year are you: Happier? Ridiculously. Thinner? Yup! Richer? Yup!

18. What do you wish you’d done more of? I wish I spent more time enjoying myself instead of worrying so much.

19. What do you wish you’d done less of? Driving myself crazy.

20. How did you spend Christmas? At my Mother’s house with her entire side of the family, my new husband and my In-Laws. We spent the day eating appetizers and gambling with the game LCR. It was insanely fun.

21. How did you spend New Years? I spent New Years at home with my husband. We had Taco Night and drank a plethora of Coronas while wearing festive 2009 garb. We stayed up until 4 am talking about life and our dreams. It was a night I won’t soon forget.

22. Did you fall in love in 2008? Over and over again.

23. How many one-night stands? Hmrph.

24. What was your favorite TV program? True Blood

25. Do you hate anyone now that you didn’t hate this time last year? Yes.

26. What was the best book you read? Eat. Pray. Love. It got me through a really tough time in my life.

27. What was your biggest musical discovery? Joshua Radin

28. What did you want and you got? A dream wedding… an unforgettable honeymoon… and a husband that loves me unconditionally.

29. What did you want and not get? Reconciliation with a few loved ones.

30. What was your favorite film of this year? The Pursuit of Happyness

31. What did you do on your birthday, and how old did you turn? 27 on 10/6. It was an amazing night in the city with my husband. We had a romantic candlelit dinner with a bottle of South African wine from our honeymoon. It ended with us sipping scotch and smoking cigars on a rooftop bar overlooking Manhattan. Magic!

32. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying? If I lost ten more pounds.

33. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2008? Cute and casual.

34. What kept you sane? My Mom and Brian.

35. Which celebrity did you fancy the most? Angelina.

36. What political issue stirred you the most? A woman’s right to choose.

37. Who did you miss? My family.

38. Who was the best new person you met? Lori.

39. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2008: To always trust my instincts and to be true to my feelings.

40. Quote or Song Lyric that sums up your year: ”Live each season as it passes; breathe the air, drink the drink, taste the fruit, and resign yourself to the influences of each.-Henry David Thoreau