kdiddy.org

1. What did you do in 2003 that you'd never done before?\
Graduated from college, took my driving test (twice), failed my driving test (twice), managed to enjoy myself and my life as it is (sometimes). Published large(ish) articles in Pulp and in the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Became a staff member of one of the coolest online \
art zines( http://www.wintermittens.com ). Took that emergency contraception stuff for a drive. Kept a regular journal after vowing to do so for…well, my whole life.\
\
2. Did you keep your new years' resolutions, and will you make more for next year?\
On January 20th, I made an entry outlining what were basically my resolutions. They were:\
Get a job, get my driver's license, lose weight, get a haircut, work on getting day care for the baby, organize my crap. Well, as of December 22, I am a CMU employee. I have made two valiant attempts at getting my driver's license, which is a big step for me since my fear of tests is one of the main reasons I didn't just get it when I was 16. Since February of this year, I have lost somewhere around 25 pounds, which feels great. I've had my hairs cut twice this year (wow, what a tough resolution). The day care thing has been pretty much dependent \
on whether or not I would be looking at regular employment, and as of right now I'm not positive what our child care needs will be. Organizing my crap happens in slow increments, but overall I really haven't worked toward that one too much. So, the driver's license, the child care, and the organization will carry over into next year. I also plan to resolve to work much harder on my writing and to not let my fear of rejection prevent me from trying.\
\
3. Did anyone close to you give birth?\
Some LJ people, namely , had babies but nobody that I personally know.\
\
4. Did anyone close to you die?\
We weren't extremely close, but my cousin's husband died suddenly at the young age of 49. His death was such a shock and a true loss for our family. He was a very nice and funny man and I have many great memories of him. He lived a hard life and I can only hoped that he died peacefully and satisfied with his short time on the planet.\
\
5. What countries did you visit?\
None. Wah.\
\
6. What would you like to have in 2004 that you lacked in 2003?\
Articles in national publications (ie, magazines). A therapy session with my mom.\
\
7. What date from 2003 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?\
February 14. The boyfriend and I had a fabulous Valentine's Day. Typically, it ended in arguments and threats to break up but all of the stuff leading up to that was lovely. ;-p\
Also, February 15. The baby weaned himself from breastfeeding. Kind of trivial, I know, but I really enjoyed nursing him. /mushy mom moment\
\
8. What was your biggest achievement of the year?\
The articles that I had published, my new job, and, of course, my little family continues to thrive and be awesome.\
\
9. What was your biggest failure?\
Doubting myself.\
\
10. Did you suffer illness or injury?\
No injuries, but on New Year's Eve the boyfriend and I had the puking-and-pooping virus, which was a shitty (no pun intended) way to start off the year. Other than that, it's been pretty healthy.\
\
11. What was the best thing you bought?\
My laptop, birth control, food.\
\
12. Whose behavior merited celebration?\
The U.N., France, and anyone else who told The Shrub to take his war and stick it. J'accuse! The baby, just for being awesome; the boyfriend for being an excellent father and partner; my mom, for being the rock on which I build my life (I know I bitch about her antics a lot, but I'd be lost without her).\
\
13. Whose behavior made you appalled and depressed?\
The Shrub; some of my friends; humans in general.\
\
14. Where did most of your money go?\
Credit card bills, my new laptop (which still makes me drool and I still haven't found a better price for it anywhere! yes!), birth control, food.\
\
15. What did you get really, really, really excited about?\
Every single time my words appeared in print; my new job; every little thing that my son did.\
\
16. What song will always remind you of 2003?\
Nature Boy. I just started singing it to the baby one day and he fell in love with it. He's able to sing most of the song by himself.\
\
17. Compared to this time last year, are you\
i. happier or sadder?: happier.\
ii. thinner or fatter? much thinner.\
iii. richer or poorer? richer, I suppose, since I have some income, but still quite poor.\
\
18. What do you wish you'd done more of?\
Writing. I can always write more than I do. \
\
19. What do you wish you'd done less of?\
Arguing with my mom.\
\
20. How will you be spending/did you spend Christmas?\
Running hither and thither to various relatives' house so that they can ogle my son.\
\
22. Did you fall in love in 2003?\
Of course. I fall in love with the boyfriend and the baby every day. gush gush gush\
\
24. What was your favorite TV program?\
Six Feet Under. I'm pretty sure that I cried once every episode this season. But that probably has something to do with the fact that I'm a big puss. Also, Carnivale. I'm just completely fascinated with that show.\
\
25. Do you hate anyone now that you didn't hate this time last year?\
I don't truly hate anyone, I don't have that in me. I am on the outs with a few people but I maintain hope that we'll find our way back to each other.\
\
26. What was the best book you read?\
\
Fast Food Nation by Eric Schlosser.\
\
27. What was your greatest musical discovery?\
It was a re-discovery, but Michael Jackson's Thriller and Off the Wall albums are two of the greatest albums ever produced.\
\
28. What did you want and get?\
A good job, my writing published, time with my little family\
\
29. What did you want and not get?\
My driver's license, photo albums (I'm in dire need).\
\
30. What was your favorite film of this year?\
\
Lost in Translation. I've been thinking about it since I saw it.\
\
31. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you?\
I had my friends and family over for dinner and cake, got a little tipsy, passed out candy to trick-or-treaters, and had to keep changing outfits because I was dressed too warmly. Later, the boyfriend and I went to the Projekthaus for Sauce. I turned 25.\
\
32.What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?\
Up until a few days ago it would have been finding a job, but now that I have one I'd have to say getting my driver's license. That whole situation is just so frustrating to me. Fuck driving.\
\
33. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2003?\
Ha! Um, probably “bottom of the barrel” or “any port in a storm.” I wore whatever would cover me and would fit somewhat properly. What with my weight loss and my lack of money, clothing was pretty much for the sole purpose of covering my body this year.\
\
34. What kept you sane?\
My son. Any time I felt like being completely self-involved and flipping out, I knew that I had to keep it together for him.\
\
35. Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most?\
I don't know. I watched a lot of Oprah this year…\
\
36. What political issue stirred you the most?\
The war and the realization that we, the people, mean nothing to them, the powers that be.\
\
37. Who did you miss?\
Stacey. I don't see or talk to her enough.\
\
38. Who was the best new person you met?\
I had met her before, but this year was the first time that I really got to know . She's a great person and I'm so glad to know her.\
\
39. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2003:\
Remain calm and try not to let your emotions rule your every action (my emotions can be kind of…um…rash).\
\
40. Quote a song lyric that sums up your year:\
\
“The greatest thing\
You'll ever learn\
Is just to love\
And be loved in return.”

This entry was posted on Friday, December 26th, 2003 at 5:03 pm and is filed under Uncategorized. 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.