2008 in review...

1. What did you do in 2008 that you’d never done before?

Went to West Palm Beach and started classes at USC.

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

I didn't make any last year. This year I'm making two -- seeing more baseball and keeping in better touch with old friends.

3. Did anyone close to you give birth?

Yes, one of the gals at work

4. Did anyone close to you die?

Yes, one of my parents' friends, who was always around when I was a child.

5. What countries did you visit?

England and France -- ooh la la!

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

I can't say I lacked anything this year...

7. What dates from 2008 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?

Election Day.

8. What was your biggest achievement of the year?

Moving on from a horrible boss and the residual from that.

9. What was your biggest failure?

Hanging on to bad feelings too long (mainly due to that horrible boss).

10. Did you suffer illness or injury?

Yes, I fell in May and hurt my knee. It's been a nightmare trying to get it 'right' -- here we are at the end of the year and it's still not right.

11. What was the best thing you bought?

Has to be my car. Love my car. Love.

12. Whose behavior merited celebration?

My daughter, at times...last night she told me her life's work will be to ensure "everyone in the world has adequate housing." She's 10.

13. Whose behavior made you appalled and depressed?

My daughter, at times...she's 10 and wow, I'm not looking forward to the teenage years!

14. Where did most of your money go?

My gorgeous car and TRAVEL!!!

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

Paris in April. London in November. Watching my daughter decide to take piano lessons and synchronized swimming, but not play volleyball.

16. What song will always remind you of 2008?

Something by the Ting Tings -- reminding me of West Palm Beach this summer...

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

Happier. Same. Richer.

18. What do you wish you’d done more of?

Reveling in the moment. Sleeping in. Just being with my daughter.

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

Stressing about things I have no control over.

20. How will you be spending Christmas?

Christmas was spent with my family.

21. Did you fall in love in 2008?

Oh yeah, with places!

22. How many one-night stands?

Not a one.

23. What was your favorite TV program?

The Office. Cardinals baseball games. USC football games.

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

No, but I have a strong dislike for someone who has hurt one of my friends.

25. What was the best book you read?

The First Hour I Believed

26. What was your greatest musical discovery?

The alternative music station on Sirius.

27. What did you want and get?

That gorgeous car!

28. What did you want and not get?

Can't think of a thing, unless a trip to Morocco...hmm, maybe in 2009!

29. What was your favorite film of this year?

Sex and the City

30. What did you do on your birthday?

I went to dinner with friends, spent a weekend in NYC...all the fun things!

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

Not falling and hurting my knee.

32. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2008?

A lot less casual than in the past.

33. What kept you sane?

A new boss. Lots of long walks. Good friends.

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

Hands down, Obama.

35. What political issue stirred you the most?

The presidential election.

36. Who did you miss?

I missed Carol, not working with her every day. And I missed Heather, for a while.

37. Who was the best new person you met?

I met Cara, at work. And re-met some people from my past. Very cool.

38. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2008.

Bad situations aren't forever.

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

I can't think of a single one right now!

Holidays

Just cannot shake the holiday blues...there's really no reason to be blue. Had a lovely Christmas, surrounded by my family. I'm not sick, my daughter isn't sick. I'm off work for another week. Have tickets to the Rose Bowl to see my favorite team. But for whatever reason, I'm....blah. Down in the dumps. Curled up in a ball with a book, not wanting to do much. Is it the season? Maybe. Is it the weather? Maybe, it's colder at my parents' house than at my house in Southern California.

Madison had a nice Christmas, got just about everything on her list. Santa found her even though we were away from home (whew!). My parents hosted our annual Christmas Eve party and the food was fabulous, the holiday nog (complete with brandy) flowed, and there was plenty of laughter. Christmas itself was nice, surrounded by more family.

Still not back at home...maybe we'll hit the road tomorrow. We need to be back in Southern California by Wednesday, in time for the Rose Bowl -- that's the only time frame.

Hope you all had a lovely and peaceful holiday!