This past year was one of the most difficult years of my life but also one of the most amazing years of my life. Here's a quick recap of 2010 in the form of a questionnaire I found online:
1. What did you do in 2010 that you’d never done before?
Gave birth to a child.
2. Did you keep your new years’ resolutions, and will you make more for next year?
I honestly can't remember what my New Year's resolutions were other than to go to graduate school, which I did. Yes, I am in the process of making resolutions for this year. I haven't solidified them yet but I'm working on a short, meaningful list that won't be too overwhelming.
3. Did anyone close to you give birth?
Other than me, I had several friends give birth this year.
4. Did anyone close to you die?
Wendel's grandmother died in June. We went to Arizona for her funeral. Though it was sad to see her go, the funeral was a beautiful tribute to her life.
5. What countries did you visit?
None
6. What would you like to have in 2011 that you lacked in 2010?
A MSW degree
7. What dates from 2010 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?
March 2nd, the day Oliver was born. Being a mother is incredible.
8. What was your biggest achievement of the year?
Making it through the quarter right after Oliver was born - passing my Biology class and getting an A in my Research class - both of which were incredibly difficult, especially while adjusting to motherhood, dealing with nursing issues, hives, shingles, post-postpartum depression, and lack of sleep. Having made it through that, I feel like I can make it through almost anything.
9. What was your biggest failure?
No big regrets
10. Did you suffer illness or injury?
Nothing serious
11. What was the best thing you bought?
It is a toss up between our baby monitor, our glider, and our minivan (which we have yet to pick up but we did purchase it in 2010).
12. Whose behavior merited celebration?
Oliver's, of course. We love celebrating each of his milestones.
13. Whose behavior made you appalled and depressed?
Political leaders - elections depress me with all of the lying candidates do about each other.
14. Where did most of your money go?
Graduate school
15. What did you get really, really, really excited about?
The birth of our son
16. What song will always remind you of 2010?
Little Sack of Sugar by Elizabeth Mitchell
17. Compared to this time last year, are you:
a) happier or sadder?
Happier. Oliver has brought so much happiness to us.
b) thinner or fatter?
Fatter but it's worth it.
c) richer or poorer?
Richer, both with money and with blessings.
18. What do you wish you’d done more of?
My family history (scrapbooking, journaling, blogging, etc.). Prioritizing family and school leaves little time for much else. I'm okay with it but I'm pretty excited to get back to it when I'm done with school.
19. What do you wish you’d done less of?
Nothing. No regrets.
20. How did you spend Christmas?
With my family in a condo in Deer Valley, Utah. It was perfect.
21. Did you fall in love in 2010?
Yes, with my sweet son.
22. What was your favorite TV program?
Parenthood
23. What was the best book you read?
The Hunger Games series by Suzanne Collins (I actually haven't read the third book yet...no time but I can't wait to read it).
24. What was your greatest musical discovery?
Mumford & Sons is pretty cool and I really like Dustin Kensrue's Christmas album.
25. What did you want and get?
A baby
26. What did you want and not get?
To be done with school
27. What was your favorite film of this year?
I didn't see any amazing movies. Sad, but true. I didn't see many movies at all, so that's not saying much.
28. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you?
I turned 31. Wendel got me a treadmill (two actually - one for each of us so we can work out at the same time). My mom was in town so I got to go out for Thai food with my mom, brother, Wendel, and Oliver.
29. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?
Not having to take Biology.
30. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2010?
Hmm. Lacking.
31. What kept you sane?
Wendel.
32. Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most?
None of them really.
33. What political issue stirred you the most?
Health Care was a big one.
34. Who did you miss?
My family.
35. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2010:
To sacrifice is to make something sacred
36. Quote a song lyric that sums up your year:
"'Cause when push comes to shove you find what you're made of, you might bend till you break 'cause it's all you can take, on your knees you look up, decide you've had enough, you get mad, you get strong, wipe your hands, shake it off, then you stand, yeah, you stand" - Rascal Flats [It was a rough year but we made it through and we're stronger for it. My schooling experiences have really brought us together and I'm so grateful for that. They have given us numerous opportunities to serve each other, have in-depth discussions, unite in prayer and fasting, and appreciate the sacredness of the struggles and accomplishments.]
I'm looking forward to 2011. There are so many great things to look forward to. I will be done with classes in June! Oliver turns one in March. I will only have a part-time internship after June - no job and no classes. Amazing! It's going to be a great year.
[Photos taken by
Kali Lu Photography]
