1. What did you do in 2009 that you'd never done before?
Bought a MacBook and dove into the Apple world...
2. Did you keep your new year's resolutions, and will you make more for next year?
I don't think so. To be honest, I don't remember what resolution it was...
This year I finally realized that my resolution should involve permanent character development or weight loss instead of some impossible promise aimed only to looking better to everyone else.
3. Did anyone close to you give birth or get pregnant?
A couple. But not me, hurrah!
4. Did anyone close to you get married?
Not that they told me about.
5. Did anyone close to you die?
Not in 2009.
6. Travel?
Oh yeah. We've been everywhere, man...
7. Did you move anywhere?
No. Thank goodness no...
8. What was the best month?
I don't think I can pick one out, really... The month of the Sydney to Merbourne Great Cycling Event comes to mind...
9. What would you like to have in 2010 that you lacked in 2009?
Patience.
10. What date(s) from 2009 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?
December 19. MonaVale hospital visit - and this time, for myself.
11. What was your biggest achievement of the year?
Keeping myself and those dependent on me alive.
12. What was your biggest failure?
Losing my cool and perspective sometimes. (Um, this is more of an ongoing one.)
13. Did you suffer illness or injury?
It was an exceptionally healthy year for me, until the Big Foot Event of Dec 19.
14. What was the best thing you bought?
My car.
15. Whose behavior merited celebration?
My husband's incredible insistence in becoming a serious cyclist.
16. Whose behavior made you appalled and/or depressed?
Oh I try not to bring these feelings with me. If they happened (surely did) they were left behind in the moment.
17. Where did most of your money go?
If one only knew . . .
18. What did you get really, really, really excited about?
Not moving.
19. What song will always remind you of 2009?
Fun House
20. Compared to this time last year, are you:
i. happier or sadder?
ii. richer or poorer?
i. Happier, I think ...
ii. Poorer for the present.
21. What do you wish you'd done more of?
I think I've done enough, thanks.
22. What do you wish you'd done less of?
Worried. But I worry I will never be able to worry less...
23. How will you be spending New Year's Eve/Day?
Went to Manly for the fireworks and then back home in time to see the big one on the big TV.
24. What was an unexpected surprise?
Someone I know arriving last at the race during the Master's Game is close to my brother running a marathon !!
25. Did you fall in love in 2009?
Daily.
26. What was the best concert you've been to this year?
My son's end of the year school show.
27. What was your favorite TV program?
Um... NCIS
28. Do you dislike anyone now that you didn't dislike this time last year?
It takes a lot for me to dislike someone. No one has worked hard enough at it lately.
29. What was the best book you read?
I re-read Erma Bombeck. I cannot get tired of her.
30. What was your greatest musical discovery?
Sharing eclectic musical taste with my son.
31. What did you want and get?
A new car.
32. What did you want and not get?
Finding a way to bridge the gap between what I like to do and what I have to do.
33. What was your favorite film of this year?
Up.
34. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you?
I was 44 and I spent the day with my boys who took me to the movies and dinner.
35. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?
More work, more money.
36. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2009?
Whaddya mean "fashion" ?
37. What kept you sane?
The view from my deck.
38. What political issue stirred you the most?
Wall Street took a lot of our money...
39. Who did you miss?
Friends and family from overseas, not being there when both my nephews were born.
40. Random Memories from 2009?
A son becoming a pre- adolescent. Starting to write a book by the fireplace in the winter. Driving a Camper Truck and stick sitting on the right side (thus having to use my left hand);
what they think…