2010!

I posted one of these in 2008, and just realized that I completely skipped 2009. So here is the 2010 version. I'd love to see what my friends' resposes are too!

1. What did you do in 2010 that you'd never done before? Drove along the Pacific Coast Highway, took a week-long vacation (we usually only take 4 days), painted my parents' kitchen cabinets and floated out their paneling, let other people choose what I will eat for dinner, ate grilled oysters in New Orleans, took a trip with my college girlfriends

2. Did you keep your new years' resolutions, and will you make more for next year? I somewhat stuck to the resolution I made last year, which was to 'Be better at Birthdays'. The friends whose birthdays are in the beginning of the year did the best, they got handmade cards and usually a gift certificate- on time! When I got to September, everyone's cards were late, not homemade, and didn't have any extras. And my year-long worst was mom- whose card was a month late! So sorry!

3. Did anyone close to you give birth? Not this year! But watch out for next year!

4. Did anyone close to you die? Thank goodness no. I don't think I went to one funeral this year.

5. What countries did you visit? I stayed in the US.

6. What would you like to have in 2011 that you lacked in 2010? The ability to shut my mouth when I need to. The ability to stop worrying about everything!

7. What date from 2010 will remain etched upon your memory, and why? The day Liz got engaged because it was a complete shock. She called around noon on a Friday, and when I answered she sounded crazed and said, "Allison! I have to tell you something!" and I said, "What?" and she said, "Guess!" and I knew. We went back and forth and started crying and then while she got a masssage I got to talk to Louis and hear his side of it, which was even better! I was in a daze all day long thinking about how excited she was and how happy I was for her. I love surprises!

9. What was your biggest failure? Sending mom's birthday card late.

10. Did you suffer illness or injury? Only foot pain during the 3-Day and swelling afterward
11. What was the best thing you bought? Plane tickets to California, rented Mustang, all of the hotels and food and activities. Double tickets to Hearst Castle. Bridesmaid dress for Elissa's wedding. Maid of Honor dress for Liz's wedding.

12. Whose behavior merited celebration? Louis for putting that huge rock on Liz's finger

13. Whose behavior made you appalled and depressed? One who shall remain nameless. And maybe the aftermath and everything related to it.

14. Where did most of your money go? First, paying the mortgages and bills, then to paying off my last student loan and the new car

15. What did you get really, really, really excited about? Elissa and Joey's Wedding! She was one of the most beautiful brides I've ever seen, and I have a lot of pretty friends. I loved the traditional ceremony and the photobooth.

16. What song will always remind you of 2010? The opera-style duet from Elissa and Joey's wedding. We were all surprised when they started singing and yours truly could not keep the giggles under control. That was a fail.

17. Compared to this time last year, are you happier or sadder? more content
ii. thinner or fatter? FATTER! I've gained 10 lbs since college! Gross.
iii. richer or poorer? Richer! Gotta love the yearly promotions and bonuses.

18. Is there anything you wish you'd done more of? Pilates


19. Is there anything you wish you'd done less of? eating fast food
*Note to self: the answers to 18 and 19 are essentially the same every year!


20. Where will you be spending Christmas? The week before Christmas was in Houston and Baton Rouge, Christmas Eve in Houston at two different parties, Christmas Day was spent in the car and in Bogata. Next year we will spend less time driving!


21. Any athletic achievements? (Confession: I made this one up just now, so I could tell you about:) Yes! I walked in the Breast Cancer 3-Day for the 2nd time this year. It went much better than the first time and I ended up with only minor swelling.

22. Did you fall in love in 2010? I was already in love. California made it even better.

23. How many one-night stands? none- not this year or ever!

24. What was your favorite TV program? I watch too much TV. Favorites are: 90210, Toddlers & Tiaras, Say Yes to the Dress, The Little Couple, Modern Family, Parenthood, and 19 Kids and Counting.

25. Do you hate anyone now that you didn't hate this time last year? Hate is a very strong word, so I don't hate anybody. But I gave up trying to have a relationship with one person this year, which was really hard because I've been trying to build one for the last few years. One thing I do hate is having to act fake around people to keep the peace- although I will continue to do it to make everyone happy.

26. What was the best book you read? The Glass Castle by Jeanette Walls...really good book! I'm thinking about reading it again already.

27. What was your greatest musical discovery? I don't really have a discovery, but I really like Eli Young Band.

28. What did you want and get? Sapphire jewelry, but I only mentioned it in passing a couple of times. Bean got the hint!

29. What did you want and not get? A new coat, I need to pick one out and buy it!

30. What was your favorite film of this year? Black Swan comes to mind.

31. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you? My birthday was one of the best days of the year! I turned 27, we were in California, and we drove all day and stayed the night in Monterey. It was the best hotel of the trip, the best dinner of the trip, and just a wonderful night. We had free wine, champagne with dessert, and ocean views. I wish I could go back!

32. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying? If we made the final payments on the last student loan and the car. I'm really looking forward to that day. We were able to make one extra mortgage payment on each house, which felt pretty good. I can't wait to have only house payments!

33. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2010? This year I worked on buying more clothes. I really love The Limited but I don't have a reason to wear the clothes very often. I also tried super high heels and skinny jeans.

34. What kept you sane? Bean. And Jess, for giving good, straight up advice.

35. Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most? I guess Prince William and Kate; probably because of her engagement ring.

36. What political issue stirred you the most? The Arizona Immigration law.

37. Who did you miss? Donna, of course. I think about her every day. I also missed Pop Paw Hanna during the holidays because he always seemed happy we were there.

38. Who was the best new person you met? Sarah, my brother's girlfriend. I'd already met her a couple of times before this year, but I got to know her better this year and I really like her.

PS...To get to this, I had to pull out my old Xanga page and copy and paste it from there, when I started to write one for 2007. It was tough to read, and I had a few private posts that were very emotional but fairly well written. I wish I could go back to that place to get some good writing, but there's no way I'd ever want to go through all of that again.

Things to look forward to in 2011:
January: Liz's Shower
February: Liz's Bachelorette Extravaganza
March: Liz's Wedding
2nd Quarter: Trip to Calgary
3rd Quarter: Trip to Peru