The 2013 Survey

The Year-End Survey

1. What did you do in 2013 that you'd never done before?

Took an online, community-oriented writing course; ran a 5K in just over 34 minutes, and an under-11-minute mile; shopped at Trader Joe's; got preview access to a few big-time book releases; met one of my favorite authors; grew a very successful vegetable garden!



2. Did you keep your New Year's resolutions, and will you make more for next year?

I didn't make resolutions, but I chose a One Word for the year: Focus. I'll talk about it and my 2014 word in another post.

3. Did anyone close to you give birth?

My college BFF Emily, and my church friends Nell and Stacey.

4. Did anyone close to you die?

No, but an alarming number of my friends and acquaintances lost loved ones. It was a rough year for a lot of people – I have a smidge of survivor guilt.



5. What countries did you visit?
No new countries or states.

6. What would you like to have in 2014 that you lacked this year?

Peace.



7. What dates from 2013 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?
None in particular.



8. What was your biggest achievement of the year?

Becoming a LOT more comfortable with taking chances, putting myself out there, and potentially failing.

9. What was your biggest failure?
Not eliminating frantic overactivity from my life… despite multiple attempts. I need to buckle down and deal with this, but I'm finally forced to admit that I just don't know how.



10. Did you suffer illness or injury?

Once I recovered from the Eternal Sickness that bled into January, I had a healthy year... aside from my recent eye problems. 



11. What was the best thing you bought?
New flooring; my Dyson vacuum; my Madewell military jacket; and my faux Clarisonic.



12. Whose behavior merited celebration?

My sister's, as usual, for moving to a new state and taking all kinds of difficulties in stride.



13. Whose behavior made you appalled and depressed?
A lot of people on the internet.



14. Where did most of your money go?

Travel? It definitely went somewhere in a hurry. My main post-holiday goal is to get a better handle on my financial situation.

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

Getting new flooring; my cat getting a second lease on life; March Madness; going to Colorado; my garden; the Grizzlies going to the playoffs; my niece's first birthday and dedication; meeting D.J. Stephens; reuniting with my best friend from seventh grade; my birthday dinner at Flight.

16. What song will always remind you of 2013?

Blurred Lines.

17. Compared to this time last year, are you:
a) happier or sadder? Slightly happier.
b) thinner or fatter? About the same.
c) richer or poorer?
 Poorer. 



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

Writing, reading, and resting.



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

Cleaning up my cats' messes. In that sense, I am totally equipped for motherhood.



20. How did you spend Christmas?

With my parents and brother here in Memphis.



21. Did you fall in love in 2013?

No.

22. What concerts did you attend this year?

Other than several Myla shows, it looks like Hanson at Minglewood Hall was my only 2013 concert! Wow.

23. What was your favorite TV program?

My consistent faves are How I Met Your Mother, New Girl, and The Mindy Project. This year I also picked up The Mentalist and Project Runway.



24. Do you dislike anyone now whom you didn't dislike this time last year?
No, thankfully.



25. What was the best book you read?

My Favorite Fiction and Non-Fiction of 2013

26. What was your greatest musical discovery?

I liked a lot of songs by new and new-to-me artists, but I haven't gone crazy over anyone in particular.



27. What did you want and get?
See 11 and 15.



28. What did you want and not get?

A date.

29. What was your favorite film of this year?

In theaters: Catching Fire and Now You See Me. DVD: Seeking a Friend for the End of the World and The Perks of Being a Wallflower.



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

I turned 34, and it was the best birthday I've had in a long time. I took the day off work, rode the Greenline with my mom, lunched at McAlister's with Elizabeth and her kids, relaxed in the afternoon, and went to dinner at Slider Inn with several friends followed by cake at Caroline's.

31. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?

A greater sense of achievement and more obvious "progress" in my life.



32. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2013?

I'm starting to prefer fewer well-made, loved pieces to a closet full of meh bargains. My wardrobe is slowly adjusting to reflect this. Also: I am currently ALL ABOUT hosiery for some reason. Tights and leggings, woo! (NEVER AS PANTS.)



33. What kept you sane?

My family, friends, and excellent counselor. Shoutout to Alanna and Esther for doing more than their share this year. Thankful for you. ♥



34. Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most?
My favorite celebrities remain consistent: Jimmy Fallon, Justin Timberlake, and Katy Perry.

35. What political issue stirred you the most?



Let's not go there. :P

36. Who did you miss?

My siblings and niece.



37. Who was the best new person you met?

My neighbor Elizabeth! I'd seen her at Sunday School, but we actually met at the park down the street from my house. I've prayed for a fellow church member nearby for a long time (the majority of our congregation lives in the same pocket of East Memphis, nowhere near my house). 



38. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2013.

I learned a lot of life lessons, but here's one of the biggies: Adrenaline brain and creative brain cannot coexist. (How will I respond to this knowledge? TBD.)



39. Quote a song lyric that sums up your year.
Sometimes it seems that the going is just too rough
And things go wrong no matter what I do.
Now and then it seems that life is just too much
But you've got the love I need to see me through.
When food is gone, you are my daily meal.
When friends are gone, I know my Savior's love is real.
You know it's real.
 - Florence + The Machine