A New Year's Meme

1. What did you do in 2007 that you have never done before?

Go on a cruise.  In general, I didn't really expect to like it, and I wasn't wrong about that expectation.  But, I traveled with four women I love (Mom, Anne Kirchmier, Linda Ricketts, and Liz Tunney) and that was terrific and worth all the things about the cruise I didn't care so much about (too many people, too much trying to sell me stuff I didn't want to buy).

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

I'm not much for New Year's Resolutions, but I did want to try to live healthier in 2007.  I think I did fairly well in some regards.  Food allergies caused me to give up pop (soda to those of you living elsewhere!) and I've been getting more exercise.  I've vowed to continue this in 2008, as well as to get more in touch with my body.  I've signed up for a Yoga class.

3. Did anyone close to you give birth?

No, though good friends did take in some foster children.

4. Did anyone close to you die?

Sadly, yes.  I'm still deeply mourning my friend and bishop Jim Kelsey.  Additionally, Fran Robertson and Larry Livingston in Little Lake.

5. What countries did you visit?

I made several passes through Canada in 2007, and on the cruise, visited Jamaica, the Cayman Islands, Mexico, and the Bahamas, and all those (except Canada) were new to me.

6. What would you like to have in 2008 that you lacked in 2007?

And end to the war in Iraq.  

7. What dates from 2007 will remain etched in your memory, and why?

April 17th - my first date with Michelle; June 3rd - the day that Jim died; November 12th - the day Michelle agreed to spend the rest of her life with me.

8. What was your biggest achievement of the year?

I can't think of one thing - but realizing that I had gained the trust and acceptance of the people with whom I live and work.  And hearing one individual telling me that I had exceeded his expectations for what an intern could do was very rewarding.

9. What was your biggest failure?

Rather than thinking of one specific instance - I learned over the course of this year, that I was not always speaking the truth.  Rather, I was deferring to those who seemed wiser or had more experience.  And on several occasions, that led to some disasters down the road, that might have been circumvented, if I'd spoken up in the first place.  Learning to better trust my instincts is one of my goals for 2008.

10. Did you suffer from illness or injury?

I developed migraines this year.  Yuck.  In the midst of trying to sort those out, I discovered food allergies - Dairy and Egg.  Blech.  I love Dairy.  And I love Eggs.  

11. What was the best thing you bought?

I new MacBook - with 2 gig of RAM and a huge hard drive.  YAY!

12. Whose behaviour merited celebration?

My church's, as it took on the Millennium Development Goals with seriousness.

13. Whose behaviour made you appalled or depressed?

My country's and my president's.

14. Where did most of your money go?

For gasoline.  Now, I must say, that while this statement is factually true, if I lived anywhere else in the world, even more of my money would have gone for gasoline, so this isn't really a complaint.  It's simply reality.  

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

The fact that more and more people seem to coming to an understanding about climate change and our responsibility to do something about it.

16. What song will always remind you of 2007?

Save the Last Dance for Me

17. Compared to this time last year, are you: a) happier or sadder? b) thinner or fatter? c) richer or poorer?

Happier, Thinner, and Poorer - but I'll take best 2 out of 3.

18. What do you wish you had done more of?

Relaxed.  Read fun novels.  Played.  I spent much of this year working way too hard.

19. What do you wish you'd done less of?

Goofed off on the internet.  Attended meetings.

20. How did you spend Christmas?

With my Mama and with our good friends (and my colleagues) Manuel and Peggy.

21. Did you fall in love in 2007?

Yes, and it was absolutely wonderful.  

22. What was your favourite TV program?

I'm not much of a TV watcher, but I take some  delight in watching Ninja Warrior on G-4 and cheering on those who are challenging themselves with that course.

23. Do you hate anyone now that you did not hate at this time last year?

I try very hard not to hate.  It's not an emotion I feel comfortable with.  But there are some people who evoke strong feelings of dislike in me.  When I can, I do try to effect reconciliation. That being said, there is a person I find terribly difficult and whom I avoid at all costs.

24. What was the best book you read?

I read a number of great books.  Certainly Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows was wonderful - I read it twice, because it was so good.  I also adored Eat, Pray, Love and A Thousand Splendid Suns.

25. What was your greatest musical discovery?

Michelle turned me on to Joel Plaskett Emergency.  I'm not sure that I'd call them a musical discovery, but I really like them.  And, they have some really rockin' hummin' tunes that you'll find bopping around in your head.

26. What did you want and get?

A wonderful woman to love.  A dog.  A computer that works.

27. What did you want, and not get?

An end to this senseless war.

28. What was your favourite film of this year?

Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix.  In a more serious vein, I thought that Blood Diamond was wonderful.

29. What did you do for your birthday, and how old were you?

I had dinner with my friend Ginny.  I turned 41.

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

This year was actually quite satisfying.  I met the girl of my dreams.  I do work I love.  I enjoy my life on most days.  It's hard for me to imagine one thing whose magical application would make my life immeasurably more satisfying.

31. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2007?

Blue jeans.  

32. What kept you sane?

Michelle.

33. Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most?

Barak Obama.  But not in that schoolgirl crush kind of  way, which is what the word "fancy" makes me think of. Rather, I believe the man has integrity.  Or, at least as much integrity as you can manage to hold on to and be a political candidate in the year 2008.

34. What political issue stirred you the most?

Climate change.  Global poverty.  Consumerism.

35. Who did you miss?

Jim Kelsey.  But in terms of those who simply live where I don't get to see them very often, but thankfully get to email, and chat with and see periodically: the residents of Wayfarer House.  

36. Who was the best new person you met?

Michelle - and the very interesting group of people that she hangs out with.   

37. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2007.

Life is short and we do not have too much time to gladden the hearts of those who travel the way with us - so make haste to love and be swift to be kind.  This was one of Jim's favourite blessings.  I think it makes good sense.  It's a good idea to make sure that the folks you love know that you love them.  

38. Quote a song lyric that sums up your year.

"Hey Good lookin' Why the frown? 

It always looks better when it's upside down,

You say you got nowhere that you're going to

Can I go nowhere with you?"

-From "Nowhere with You" by Joel Plaskett Emergency

It was a good year.  But I shed alot of tears, too.  Grief sucks.  And I'm still in the midst of it.  We sang this song alot.  And it always made me laugh, even in the midst of tears.