1. What did you do in 2010 that you’d never done before?

I swam in the Mediterranean Sea.
I went to Switzerland.
I learned how to ski.
I drank a cold brew iced coffee.
I sprained my knee and my ankle.
I spent a lot of time in hospitals.
I did a yogi headstand.
I learned musical improv.

2. Did you keep your new year’s resolutions, and will you make more for next year?

Um. Things started off so great until my dad fell down and then the rest of the year went to crap.

In fact, I didn’t even join the library.

I mean, how awful is that? LAME. Let’s see how the rest played out:

HEALTH

I was super healthy this year! Had a regular alternating Bikram yoga and Vinyasa practice! Ate less sugar! Ate less soy! Roaring success!

CAREER

I DID join an improv practice group!
I took a musical improv class which was not a resolution but OH how I enjoyed it!
Did not book a commercial or get legit representation or write a new show. Fail.

SPIRITUALITY

Did not join a church.
Did meditate more regularly.

MONEY

I did NOT pay off credit card debt!
Though I made significant gains, I had more setbacks – car repairs, classes, etc.
Did NOT gain in the savings account department either, I blame a trip to Italy. I don’t regret it.

FRIENDSHIP

I DID work on my friendships, investing more time in them and feel really wonderful about that. GIRL TIME! For 10 months, I also had the most incredible roommate of all time who recently moved away so that was devastating but so incredibly fulfilling when she was here. She = made my life complete.

RANDOM

I learned conversational Italian! And continue to study it!
I did not join the library.
I did not read a single book that was on the Modern Library List of 100 Best Novels.
I got to work on time for about a month and then I gave up.
BUT – I did cook more and learn new recipes! In fact, over the summer and fall, I cooked my dad a new dinner every single Sunday! Lemon fusilli with arugula! Sweet potato and brie flatbread! Sesame noodles! Minestrone soup!

THE END.

3. Did anyone close to you give birth?

Regina gave birth! Pretty sure that’s it.

4. Did anyone close to you die?

No.

5. What countries did you visit?

Italy! Switzerland! The Belgian Airport!

6. What would you like to have in 2010 that you lacked in 2009?

Career guidance. I’m slowly shifting into something a little different, perhaps a new plan of attack or a new set of goals or a complete revamping of what I thought I wanted to do with my life. It’s a little bit scary but I’m taking it slow. I suppose I’d like a little validation in some way, some kind of progress or momentum with whatever it is I choose to attempt.

I could use some guidance with my romantic life too. I feel ready to maybe kinda wanna find My Person so I can maybe kinda sorta fall in love with them and kiss their face off. I think I need some guidance but mostly courage to take such a leap. Particularly because last time it ended rather badly and I’m still slightly wounded.

Also, I could use some more cash money. Actually, more prudence with my cash money. I made more this year than I ever have and I have way less of it so…METHINKS I AM THE PROBLEM HERE.

Also, I’d like health insurance.

7. What dates from 2010 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?

I don’t really have specific dates. My trip to Italy in July was probably the highlight of my year. But various points throughout the rest of it are sort of etched permanently because of my father and his illness. This whole year will probably always stand out for me for that reason.

8. What was your biggest achievement of the year?

Keeping my shit together when my dad got sick. Stepping up and supporting my family. Doing things I didn’t want to do but had to. I wasn’t always perfect. I dropped the ball several times. But I learned that in moments of crisis, I can pull it together. I surprised myself because I always wanted to be that kind of person but wasn’t sure that I was.

9. What was your biggest failure?

My career always gives me a sense of failure. Even though I feel progress and movement, it’s never enough, I’m never satisfied. Until I am able to pay my bills doing what I love to do OR have some attainable sense of productivity and success, I will feel a sense of failure. I’m proud of the work I’ve done, of course I am. I have so many examples this year of people cheering me on, giving me positive feedback, letting me know I’m on the right path. Sadly for me personally, with the career, I can’t buy the whole ‘journey not the destination’. I want a destination. Even a tiny one. GIVE IT TO ME.

10. Did you suffer illness or injury?

Knee sprain. Ankle sprain. Ow.

11. What was the best thing you bought?

Pizza and pasta and wine in Italy! Italian lessons! A new bed, new bedding and new mattress! Improv class! 5″ leopard print peep toe Michael Kors high heels! Glasses of Prosecco! Iced Blood Orange Hibiscus Tea! A sports bra that actually makes me look like I have a chest instead of a small uniboob! THIS LIST COULD GO ON AND ON…

12. Whose behavior merited celebration?

My answer from last year still applies:

“Um. Mine? For…being…awesome?”

No, but seriously folks! I think my father’s, naturally. And mom too. My entire family, I think. All of us rallying around a sick man and the sick man was rallying for us and it was the circle of life.

13. Whose behavior made you appalled and depressed?

The surgeon who almost killed my dad a few times and then made one of his legs shorter than the other. KISSES!

14. Where did most of your money go?

my rent, my student loans, my credit card, trip to Italy, trip to Los Angeles & San Francisco, Thai vegetable dumplings, impulse buys at various retail locations. (This last one must be curbed in 2011. No matter how pretty and shiny the object in question might be.)

15. What did you get really, really, really excited about?

ITALYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYY! I went on some dates too! And got super girly excited about them too!

16. What song will always remind you of 2010?

Probably that Cee Lo “F*ck You” song.

I also got really into The National, Vampire Weekend, Allie Moss, Ben Folds’ album with Nick Hornby, new Sara Bareilles, new Maroon 5 because it made me want to bump and grind, new Ray LaMontagne, la la la this was a good music year. I also like certain selections from Glee because I can walk down the streets of Manhattan pretending I am singing with Mr. Schuster and the gang.

17. Compared to this time last year, are you:
a) happier or sadder? Happier
b) thinner or fatter? A bit fatter. I blame knee/ankle injury and the 10,000 Christmas cookies I ate.
c) richer or poorer? Hm. The same? I make more money now but have more debt. AMERICAN DREAM, Y’ALL.

18. What do you wish you’d done more of?

Dancing in the kitchen! Helping out my parents. Calling my friends back on time. Ballet class! Meditating. Carving out free time for myself. Writing. Being a better friend to certain people.

19. What do you wish you’d done less of?

Showing up late to work, spending money on stupid stuff, overthinking every single damn decision I made about EVERYTHING.

20. How did you spend Christmas?

I slept in! I exchanged gifts! We ordered Indian food for dinner. We played Yahtzee. I…forgot the rest.

21. Did you fall in love in 2010?

I did not! Well. With my roommate, I did. In a platonic girl love kind of way.

22. What was your favorite TV program?

I barely watched TV this year. Sad. But true.

23. Do you hate anyone now that you didn’t hate this time last year?

What the hell kind of question is that? Shut up.

24. What was the best book you read?

I got super into the Stieg Larsson trilogy but wouldn’t call them THE! BEST! Just sort of…addictive pageturners. I discovered Jonathan Tropper and decided I REALLY love his novels. Also, Little Bee! That was good. Disturbing but…oh, so good.

25. What was your greatest musical discovery?

Didn’t I already answer this question? Delete. Goodbye.

26. What did you want and get?

A trip to Italy! My dad to survive a raging staph infection? A raise at work? (Which I didn’t even know I wanted until it was offered to me and then I was all UM I GUESS YES OKAY GREAT!) I learned Italian! I learned to ski! I GOT ALL THOSE THINGS YO! THOSE MAD MAD SKILLZ!

27. What did you want and not get?

I…have no idea. Babiez?

28. What was your favorite film of this year?

The Fantastic Mr. Fox! Toy Story 3! The King’s Speech! Waiting for Superman! I also rented The Lives of Others which, WOAH SO GOOD.

29. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you?

I turned 27. I went out to Vintage, a martini bar, as per usual and then went out to a diner for some grilled cheese. I actually think this is the same exact thing I wrote last year. I AM PREDICTABLE.

30. What’s the one thing that made your year immeasurably more satisfying?

Meditating. Hands down. The end.

31. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2010?

Um. For some reason I got really into those open cardigans? I think to my detriment. I am wearing one right now. (I am always wearing one.) Also, don’t tell anyone, but several times I wore jeggings as pants. In my defense, I believe they are jean leggings rather than legging jeans. The distinction is important. Also, for some reason, everything I own this year is from Gap. Gap! When did you get so awesome at filling out my wardrobe?

32. What kept you sane?

My family! Yoga! Meditation! Learning improv, doing improv, watching improv! I had so many laughs this year. More than usual, I think. Which is interesting considering how rocky this year was.

33. Who was the best new person you met?

I have two – my crazy hilarious sweet wonderful roommate who moved out and this guy. Makes me die laughing every single day. (You should follow him on Twitter if you aren’t already.)

34. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2010.

Staph infections can kill yo. Don’t get one.

IT’S OVER!!!