2009 in review (a few days late)

Even thought it's past the end of 2009, I saw this meme on a friends blog and remembered I did it last year. I like how it lets me reflect on the year. So, I'm doing it now, 3 days after the fact. 

1. What did you do in 2009 that you'd never done before? Went to SeaWorld.
2. Did you keep your new years' resolutions, and will you make more for next year? I've had the same one for multiple years now.  I tweaked it for 2010 to work specifically on keeping my cool when I really just want to blow it.
3. Did anyone close to you give birth? New babies in 2009?  My niece Lyndsay, friends Shelly and Melanie all welcomed little boys into the world.  Of course there were lots of babies born in my ward, and a few people I knew on the internet.  I love it when people bring little ones into the world!
4. Did anyone close to you die? Shane's sweet grandma died in May.  I cried this year when I opened my Christmas presents from his grandpa because they reminded me of her.  She is missed.
5. What countries did you visit? No countries, but I went to Idaho, Nevada, Arizona, and California.  That's saying something for this family.
6. What would you like to have in 2010 that you lacked in 2009? More time.  Could I grow an extra hour in each day? Maybe just once a week, like say on Fridays?  Thanks.
7. What date from 2009 will remain etched upon your memory, and why? October 3, when we went to some dear friend's wedding in Zion.  It was our first ever get-a-way since having kids.  Yeah, I know.
8. What was your biggest achievement of the year? I went through the Old Testament.  It was eye-opening, and I learned a lot.  Especially that if God kept giving those Isrealites that many chances with as bad as they were being, maybe he can be patient with me, too.
9. What was your biggest failure? I probably spent far too much time on the computer.  Maybe I'll learn...
10. Did you suffer illness or injury? I had a cold in June that made me want to die, but other than that I felt pretty good. I did finally overcome the sciatic nerve pain that started in 2008, but it took a whole year to go away.  I'm still amazed that it doesn't hurt anymore.
11. What was the best thing you bought? I really like my laptop that has a working battery.  And, even though I didn't buy it this year, I fell in love with my iPod in 2009. 
12. Whose behavior merited celebration? I don't know how to answer this question.  Sorry.
13. Whose behavior made you appalled and depressed? I think that the Tiger Woods situation is really, really lame.  I usually assume that people like that are behaving badly, but seriously, his was way over the top.
14. Where did most of your money go? Groceries.  I guess that's good, because we have food, right?
15. What did you get really, really, really excited about?  Being at the beach.
16. What song will always remind you of 2009? Airborn Toxic Event's "Sometime around Midnight." Shane and I like to analyze it.  It is exaclty how a drunk guy would act at a bar when seeing his ex, but I think that he assumes too much about the girl.  See, there I go again.
17. Compared to this time last year, are you: Much happier, richer, nicer. Yes, happier.  Richer? About the same.  Nicer? Well, not to the lady at Nordstrom on Saturday, but I generally try. The problem was that I felt ignored by the salesperson when she finished helping others at the counter and didn't come over to see if we needed help, but went and helped the cute skinny knee-high-boots chick who came after us.  Shane had to remind me to be nice, and I definitely needed the reminder.
18. What do you wish you'd done more of? I wish our vacation had been a little longer.
19. What do you wish you'd done less of? Sitting in traffic.  It sucks.
20. How did you spend Christmas? Opening presents, visiting my family and Shane's.  It was a great day! Christmas Eve was my favorite.  We went to Walmart at 7pm, just me and Shane. It was total chaos, but we were just there for random, non-essential items.  Loved that moment alone with him.
21. Did you fall in love in 2009? Yes, with the beach.  And so did my family, which is awesome because it means we have vacations in our future.  Squee!
22. How many one-night stands? None.  Seriously?
23. What was your favorite TV program? Lost and Glee.  I also really liked Grey's this year.  We honestly don't spend a lot of time watching TV, but it's enjoyable when there is something good on to watch.
24. Do you hate anyone now that you didn't hate this time last year? No. I don’t think I hate anyone.
25. What was the best book you read this year? The Forgotten Garden. I read it twice.
26. What was your greatest musical discovery? Airborn Toxic Event. I also realized that most songs from Snow Patrol are really, really good.  I liked a few songs from Glee, especially "Don't Stop Believing."
27. What did you want and get?  Shane would say I get most things I want. :)  I did get my living room and hall painted.  Love, love, love it.
28. What was your favorite film of this year? Time Traveler's Wife. 
29. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you? I turned 34.  It was Sunday, so I went to church.  But after we went to the Jordan Parkway and went on a run.  It was fun.
30. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?  I can't think of one.
31. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2009?  A Shade-type shirt under another shirt every day.  Lots of jeans and flip flops.  I wear make-up on my days off more than I used to. Shocker!
32. What kept you sane?Same answer as last year.  Running. I love it.
33. Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most? I still have a crush on Sawyer from Lost.
34. What political issue stirred you the most? Not political.  But healthcare reform makes me nervous.
35. Who did you miss? Shane's grandma.
36. Who was the best new person (people) you met? I met a few nice people in 2009. A few were in real life, but others were bloggers.  It's amazing how small (and large) the world is now.
37. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2009:  I let a grudge go that had lasted for a few years.  I barely rememeber how I used to feel about this person, which is really liberating. It's good to learn that when you face things head on, tell someone that they hurt you, and move on it really works.  There are some other relationships I wish I could fix in the same way, but I don't think it will happen any time soon.
38. Quote a song lyric that sums up your year:  Nothing that sums up the year, but one I really like is: Then she leaves with someone you don't know but she makes sure you saw her she looks right at you and bolts.  As she walks out the door your blood boiling your stomach in ropes. And when your friends say what is it, you look like you've seen a ghost....