2018: A Year in Review
Dec. 30th, 2018 09:34 am![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
bearshorty2018 was a pretty calm and mostly uneventful year, especially after all the personal changes in 2017. It was a steady year. I got settled in my job, weaned Olivia who is now sleeping through the night (so I get to sleep and have my sanity back), took Tanya to her first day of pre-K, had a vacation with Bear. We did go to the Aquarium and Museum of Natural History as a family and had a great day at Coney Island celebrating Tanya's 4th birthday. We met my friend Marianna and her family much more this year, which was great. There were some stressors, mostly with my parents' health and worrying about my elderly grandparents. My co-worker was really sick and out for 6 months. And of course my "adventure" in falling and breaking my nose. But still, overall, it was a quiet year, which I'm grateful for.
1. What did you do in 2018 that you'd never done before?
Went under the general anesthesia. Saw Jefferson's and Madison's historical houses. Really explore the Financial District in Manhattan on my lunch hour. Worked a full time job for a whole year including the summer (I worked on contract basis, semester by semester, before).
2. Did you keep your new years' resolutions, and will you make more for next year?
I don't really make them. Write more and read more and find more time with friends I guess for next year.
3. Did anyone close to you give birth?
A few people on LJ.
4. Did anyone close to you die?
No, thankfully.
5. What countries did you visit?
None. Bear and I did go to Virginia - that was our only trip.
6. What would you like to have in 2019 that you lacked in 2018?
More time to spend with friends and socializing and more outings in general. There were more outings in 2018 than in 2017 but I would like to increase it.
7. What date from 2018 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?
Oct 10 - the date of my minor surgery to correct my broken nose - because it was my first general anesthesia and I was extremely d nervous.
8. What was your biggest achievement of the year?
Managing to pump at work until Olivia was one year old and then weaning her at a year and three months - I was lucky enough to nurse for the time I wanted to.
9. What was your biggest failure?
Not writing enough.
10. Did you suffer illness or injury?
Yes. I fell at the rocky outlook at Shenandoah National Park and broke my nose. And colds last winter and this winter.
11. What was the best thing you bought?
I don't think I spent my money on stuff this year - just lunches for me. Oh, I know - my new gloves. They are warm and very pretty.
12. Whose behavior merited celebration?
Everyone was pretty much themselves.
13. Whose behavior made you appalled and depressed?
Republicans
14. Where did most of your money go?
Mortgage, maintenance, dance class.
15. What did you look forward to most this year?
Olivia sleeping through the night; my vacation in September.
16. What song will always remind you of 2018?
Beatles music - since Tanya loves them and wants us to play it on repeat so she can have a Beatles dance parties.
17. Compared to this time last year, are you:
i. happier or sadder? The same
ii. thinner or fatter? The same
iii. richer or poorer? Richer, since I worked a full year of the full time job.
18. What do you wish you'd done more of?
Gone to more outings and managed to meet friends more.
19. What do you wish you'd done less of?
Be calmer with the kids when they don't listen and drive me crazy.
20. How did you spend Christmas?
With Bear's family as usual.
22. Did you fall in love in 2018?
No. Still in love with Bear and I love Tanya and Olivia even more.
23. How many one-night stands?
None.
24. What was your favorite TV program?
Fuller House, Season 4 - it was just so nice and sweet.
25. Do you hate anyone now that you didn't hate this time last year?
Not really. I don't really hate anyone.
26. What was the best book you read?
It's a three way tie between: Crucible of Gold by Naomi Novik, Ancillary Mercy by Ann Leckie and Murder on the Orient Express by Agatha Christie.
27. What was your greatest musical discovery?
I didn't really listen to music much this year. I did really like "Star is Born" soundtrack.
28. What did you want and get?
A bunch of little things on my Amazon wish list for birthday and December holidays.
29. What did you want and not get?
can't think of anything
30. What was your favorite film of this year?
Thor: Ragnarok
31. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you?
I turned 38. I spent it at home. My Mom and I made a cake for Olivia's 1st birthday for the next day. We had cake my Dad bought in Kiev Bakery. Went to the courtyard and playground with the girls. Low key really. I did watch the best episode of season 1 of Star Trek Discovery that evening and that was pretty perfect.
32. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?
Spending more time with my friends.
33. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2018?
Casual clothes and work clothes of black pants and nice sweaters.
34. What kept you sane?
Bear, always.
35. Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most?
I didn't have one this year.
36. What political issue stirred you the most?
Too many and nothing I want to talk about.
37. Who did you miss?
My friends, whom I want to see more often.
38. Who was the best new person you met?
The hikers, park rangers and hospital staff who helped me after my accident. Everyone was super helpful and nice and reassuring.
39. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2018.
Things can change in a moment.
40. Quote a song lyric that sums up your year.
I can never think of the right one.
1. What did you do in 2018 that you'd never done before?
Went under the general anesthesia. Saw Jefferson's and Madison's historical houses. Really explore the Financial District in Manhattan on my lunch hour. Worked a full time job for a whole year including the summer (I worked on contract basis, semester by semester, before).
2. Did you keep your new years' resolutions, and will you make more for next year?
I don't really make them. Write more and read more and find more time with friends I guess for next year.
3. Did anyone close to you give birth?
A few people on LJ.
4. Did anyone close to you die?
No, thankfully.
5. What countries did you visit?
None. Bear and I did go to Virginia - that was our only trip.
6. What would you like to have in 2019 that you lacked in 2018?
More time to spend with friends and socializing and more outings in general. There were more outings in 2018 than in 2017 but I would like to increase it.
7. What date from 2018 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?
Oct 10 - the date of my minor surgery to correct my broken nose - because it was my first general anesthesia and I was extremely d nervous.
8. What was your biggest achievement of the year?
Managing to pump at work until Olivia was one year old and then weaning her at a year and three months - I was lucky enough to nurse for the time I wanted to.
9. What was your biggest failure?
Not writing enough.
10. Did you suffer illness or injury?
Yes. I fell at the rocky outlook at Shenandoah National Park and broke my nose. And colds last winter and this winter.
11. What was the best thing you bought?
I don't think I spent my money on stuff this year - just lunches for me. Oh, I know - my new gloves. They are warm and very pretty.
12. Whose behavior merited celebration?
Everyone was pretty much themselves.
13. Whose behavior made you appalled and depressed?
Republicans
14. Where did most of your money go?
Mortgage, maintenance, dance class.
15. What did you look forward to most this year?
Olivia sleeping through the night; my vacation in September.
16. What song will always remind you of 2018?
Beatles music - since Tanya loves them and wants us to play it on repeat so she can have a Beatles dance parties.
17. Compared to this time last year, are you:
i. happier or sadder? The same
ii. thinner or fatter? The same
iii. richer or poorer? Richer, since I worked a full year of the full time job.
18. What do you wish you'd done more of?
Gone to more outings and managed to meet friends more.
19. What do you wish you'd done less of?
Be calmer with the kids when they don't listen and drive me crazy.
20. How did you spend Christmas?
With Bear's family as usual.
22. Did you fall in love in 2018?
No. Still in love with Bear and I love Tanya and Olivia even more.
23. How many one-night stands?
None.
24. What was your favorite TV program?
Fuller House, Season 4 - it was just so nice and sweet.
25. Do you hate anyone now that you didn't hate this time last year?
Not really. I don't really hate anyone.
26. What was the best book you read?
It's a three way tie between: Crucible of Gold by Naomi Novik, Ancillary Mercy by Ann Leckie and Murder on the Orient Express by Agatha Christie.
27. What was your greatest musical discovery?
I didn't really listen to music much this year. I did really like "Star is Born" soundtrack.
28. What did you want and get?
A bunch of little things on my Amazon wish list for birthday and December holidays.
29. What did you want and not get?
can't think of anything
30. What was your favorite film of this year?
Thor: Ragnarok
31. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you?
I turned 38. I spent it at home. My Mom and I made a cake for Olivia's 1st birthday for the next day. We had cake my Dad bought in Kiev Bakery. Went to the courtyard and playground with the girls. Low key really. I did watch the best episode of season 1 of Star Trek Discovery that evening and that was pretty perfect.
32. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?
Spending more time with my friends.
33. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2018?
Casual clothes and work clothes of black pants and nice sweaters.
34. What kept you sane?
Bear, always.
35. Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most?
I didn't have one this year.
36. What political issue stirred you the most?
Too many and nothing I want to talk about.
37. Who did you miss?
My friends, whom I want to see more often.
38. Who was the best new person you met?
The hikers, park rangers and hospital staff who helped me after my accident. Everyone was super helpful and nice and reassuring.
39. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2018.
Things can change in a moment.
40. Quote a song lyric that sums up your year.
I can never think of the right one.