List

Shamelessly stolen from the Voix.

1. What did you do in 2005 that you hadn't done before?
Got a poem published. Started helping people in a more hands-on way.

2. Did anyone close to you give birth?
Sort of. My cousin's wife had a baby and my friend Erin's due any minute.

3. Did anyone close to you die?
No.

4. Did you travel? Where did you go? Best holiday memory?
Yes. Portland, Oregon, NYC, Italy, France, Monaco, Spain. Best memories: Thunderstorm while camping on the Oregon Coast, Hiking through olive fields in Cinque Terre, Lying on the beach with an expensive cocktail in Monaco, the soccer game in Spain and, lastly, coming home. Ah.

5. Best thing you bought?
Boots in Spain. My education.

6. Where did most of your money go?
School, life and travel.

7. What do you wish you had done more of?
Reading. Working.

8. What do you wish you had done less of?
Putting up with men's shit. I was too optimistic and loving, if that's possible. I usually have a good dating life, but this was an insanely bad dating year.

9. What kept you sane?
Friends, school, books, writing, my friends' inexhaustible patience, my own inner strength. Tequila. Just kidding.

10. What drove you mad?
The way a few "loved" ones treated me--the confusion and hurt. At times, I really didn't like the person that turned me into.

11. What made you celebrate?
Starting a creative writing program for refugees, and all the support I've received from that. My student's reading was amazing. My friends' successes.

12. What made you sad?
War, human suffering.... Heartbreak and disappointment.

13. How was your birthday this year?
Awesome. It was beautiful outside. I was surrounded by friends. The Voix threw me a fabulous party and I went to a comedy club and dancing. Love birthdays.

14. What political issue stirred you the most this year?
If it counts as politics, all the suffering from war. All of it. It's atrocious. A disaster.

15. Where you in love in 2005?
I thought I was, but now I'm not sure if that was love at all.

16. What would you like to have in 2006 that you didn't have this year?
More inner peace. A job that's worth my time. A healthier outlook on dating, whether I'm single or not. More discipline to do creative work.

17. What date from 2005 will be etched in your memory and why?
October 21. I was in a gorgeous town in Italy with someone who made me really happy then.

18. What song will remind you of 2005?
Probably a song by the Killers--can't remember the name of it.

19. Compared to this time last year are you happier?
On this exact date last year, I was probably happier then, but I didn't know that shit was about to hit the fan. Last year by the end of December, my answer would be that I'm happier now. By FAR. I have absolutely purged my life of several toxic people and situations, but this time last year I didn't know some of them were toxic yet.

20. Biggest achievement this year?
My success in school and teaching writing.

21. Biggest disappointment this year?
A job I was thrilled about didn't work out at ALL. Also, a few people really disappointed me. Some other people also really, really came through for me. It was definitely a year that showed me who is devoted and authentically cares versus those who needed to get lost. I was surprised--pleasantly and unpleasantly--many times.

22. What is the one thing that would have made you more satisfied?
A solid job where I can give and contribute and be treated well and have financial security.

23. Best new person you met this year?
Michelle, Lorissa, Jessi & Michele (who I technically met last year, still), Alison, Dan M., Emily, all the people at FIRE.

24. A valuable life lesson you learnt this year?
To be more protective of myself. Not to let in anything toxic--a person, relationship, job or situation. I knew this before intellectually, but it was really tested this year.