, but it's coming. I decided to fill this out tonight because I wanted something easy to do. It ended up being way more thought-provoking than I thought it would be. My brain is rather tired right now, but I tried my best. Thanks, Melissa, for this great survey!1. What did you do in 2012 that you had never done before? I had a real, true job interview for something other than just a part-time job. And, of course, I started teaching!!
2. Did you keep your New Year's resolutions, and will you make more for next year? I've never made New Year’s resolutions. Maybe I should… My goal for this year is to worry less (what our sermon was about last Sunday) and trust in God more. To find contentment in my life.
3. Did anyone close to you give birth? Yeah! My “sister” Toby had my third niece Makayla on June 29!
4. Did anyone close to you die? Yes, my great aunt Esther. She was an amazing, amazing, amazing woman of God. She was the great aunt that I was the closest to, even though I have only actually seen her a few times in my life since she lived in Iowa. But, she was always so interested and involved in my life. What a sweet woman.
5. What countries and/or states did you visit? No countries outside the US. States- Michigan and Indiana mostly. We did drive to Florida for the first time (we usually fly), so whatever states we drove through to get to FL (I wasn't paying attention- I was reading and doing homework!). The only states we spent the night in coming and going were Kentucky and Tennessee- both of which I’ve been in before.
6. What would you like to have in 2013 that you lacked in 2012? A boyfriend. Ha! Seriously, though, I can’t think of anything big that I really want. Other than a job since my current one is temporary.
7. What date from 2012 will remain etched in your memory, and why? July 14, 2012- Alicia’s wedding day. It was such an emotional, amazing, special day. I can’t wait to blog more about it.
8. What was your biggest achievement of the year? Graduating college!! What a long time coming.
9. What was your biggest failure? Procrastinating/not staying on top of things.
10. Did you suffer illness or injury? Just the usual-allergies/asthma/sinus issues year-round.
11. What was the best thing you bought? My iPhone- I am so disappointed in myself. I was NOT going to get one. I was trying to avoid the darn things, but I gave in to peer pressure (aka my family) and bought one with all of them. Hahaha.
12. What was the best thing someone gave you? The bookshelf full of books that were left in my classroom for me to KEEP- not just use this year but actually take with me! I already had hundreds of books, but that was seriously amazing.
13. Were you lucky in love or lucky in cards? Ummm, neither???
14. Where did most of your money go? My classroom! Do you know how many hundreds of dollars it takes to start up a classroom??? It’s ridiculousness!
15. What did you get really, really, really excited about? My teaching job!!! Getting the first job I interviewed for!
16. What song will always remind you of 2012? Oh golly. I don’t know. I’ll decide that on April 20th when I do the next edition of My Life in Songs.
17. Compared to this time last year, are you:
Happier or Sadder? Happier!
Older or wiser? Hmm, I’d say both.
Thinner or fatter? I really don’t know. I stay about the same all the time.
Richer or poorer? Both. Ha. I make waaaaaaaaaay more money than I was last year, but now I have all those lovely things called student loans that I’m having to pay on now.
18. What do you wish you'd done more of? Spend more time with God. Hands down.
19. What do you wish you'd done less of? Procrastinating. As Melissa said, wasting time on the computer.
20. How did you spend Christmas? Dec. 23 with the Gehrkes. Dec. 24 with Dad’s huge extended family. Dec. 25 with my family in the morning and Nana and Boppa in the evening. Dec. 26 with our “adopted family”- Carly and Mallory’s family.
21. How did you spend New Year's Eve? I had dinner with Nathan and Alicia while they were in town. Then they came back to our house for dessert, where my parents and sister were entertaining a whole houseful of people from church! There were 21 of us with Nathan and Alicia included.
22. Did you fall in love in 2012? Nope.
23. Did you fall out of love in 2012? Negative.
24. What was your favorite TV program? Dancing with the Stars, Castle, Body of Proof, NCIS.
25. Do you hate anyone now that you didn't hate this time last year? I sure hope not.
26. What was the best book you read? Ohhhhh don’t ask me that. I read a couple new books every week. How could I possibly choose?!
27. What was your greatest musical discovery? Discovery?! I don’t know! I can’t remember what I’m listening to now that I wasn’t last year. Whatever is on the radio. Lol.
28. What did you want and get? An electric pencil sharpener for my classroom. Seriously. The hand-crank one in my room is a piece o’ crap. Even the adults that walk into my room and try to use it complain about it.
29. What did you want and not get? Nothing really.
30. What was your favorite film of this year? I didn’t see any movies in theater. Pathetic. I don’t even think I saw any new movies, as in “newly released”. I don’t have time for movies anymore! Ohh, this winter break I did get to watch some Hallmark Christmas movies, though!
31. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you? I’m 22. My birthday was my last day of student teaching, so it was rather bittersweet. I spent it celebrating my last day with the awesome people in the special ed room and saying good-bye to all my kidlets.
32. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying? I suppose if I had fallen in love. I can’t really think of anything else. I am so extremely blessed to have gotten a job so quickly!!
33. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2012? Teaching clothes. Haha. I’m really big into accessories right now-leggings, scarves, rings, bracelets, and headbands are my latest obsessions.
34. What kept you sane? My family and friends.
35. Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most? I agree with Melissa- I don’t follow celebrities. I’m so out of the loop!
36. What political issue stirred you the most? Oh boy, I don’t know. I suppose anything with the election. I viewed it through a whole new set of eyes this year as I had to teach my kiddos about it as we went through the whole thing.
37. Who did you miss? My friends who have moved away. Growing up can really stink.
38. Who was the best new person you met? Evan- Jen’s friend. I didn’t really make any new friends this year outside of her. I mean, I have truly enjoyed getting to know all the teachers at the school I’m at, but I don’t feel super close to any of them. Well, I do enjoy Maria, the lady I work with and have definitely gotten to know her the best!
39. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2012: I’d say the whole graduating/interviewing/preparing for teaching/starting teaching process. It’s been a very humbling experience. I have learned all over again that even when I feel completely unworthy and inadequate, God sees so much more and has far greater things planned for me.
40. Quote a song lyric that sums up your year:
“Be strong in the Lord and,
Never give up hope,
You're going to do great things,
I already know,
God's got His hand on you so,
Don't live life in fear,
Forgive and forget,
But don't forget why you're here,
Take your time and pray,
These are the words I would say.”
