2012: A redux

What did you do in 2012 that you've never done before? 

Gave birth 

Learned to be a mom (in progress)

Learned basic programming

Did you keep your New Year's resolution and will you make one for this year? 

Yes!  I resolved to get as much sleep as possible, and I did that.  (Note the key use of the words "as possible.")

2013:  Take on as little extra stuff as possible.  Stay hopeful that life will suck less.

Did anyone close to you give birth?

Basically everyone I know gave birth this past year, including me.

Did anyone close to you die?

No.

Did anyone close to you get hitched?

No.

What countries did you visit? 

None

What date(s) from 2012 will remain etched upon your memory?

The day my daughter was born.
A bachelorette party I attended (it was the only time I went out with a group of friends all year, and they all ditched me since I was running late because I had to pump.  Bitches.)

The day my daughter started daycare.

My trip to SF with the fam, and the talk I gave. 
When I planned to go out with some friends to celebrate a dissertation defense and my husband (knowing about the event well in advance) "forgot" and arrived home almost too late for me to go

My husband's and my first date night in over a year, which ended with horrible gastro. 

What would you like to have in 2013 that you lacked in 2012?

A life

Freedom

What's your biggest achievement this year? 

Getting published (again)
Giving my first talk at an international conference

Getting a f-ton of work done despite having a baby this year with very little personal or professional help from the people who were supposed to provide it

Realizing that I would never want to be a SAHM

Biggest failure?

Failing to take repeated disappointment in stride like a good woman would

Did you suffer illness or injury? 

Repeated URIs thanks to good old daycare

What was the last thing you bought?

Probably some baby stuff

Whose behavior merited celebration?

My biostatistician.  I would not have survived this year without her.

Where did most of your money go?

Baby (childcare, new car, baby stuff)

What did you really get excited about? 

Baby!  

Daycare!

Talk in SF! 

What song will remind you of 2012?

You mean new music came out this year?  Huh.  I must have missed that. 

Dancing in the moonlight by King Harvest

Compared to this time last year, are you happier or sadder? 

I don't remember.  In general 2012 was less happy than 2011, but compared to THIS time specifically last year, it's probably about the same.  

What do you wish you'd done more of?

Socializing with people I like.

What do you wish you'd done less of?

Breastfeeding

Pumping

Wiping snotty noses (mine and my daughter's)

Listen to my husband complain about everything

What was your favorite TV show?

Dexter

Weeds

HIMYM

What were the best books you read? 

I didn't read any good books this year, though I read a fair # of bad ones 

What was your best musical discovery?

How to make a mix on an MP3 player (please don't make fun of me) 

What did you want and got? 

Baby 

Publication

Award for manuscript

What movies did you see in cinema? 

None

What did you do on your birthday? How old did you turn?

Nothing special.  I probably went to bed early.  I turned 35. 

What one thing would have made this year more satisfying? 

More help from my husband, my family, and the people at school who are supposed to be mentoring me

Some sort of acknowledgement from someone who matters of my professional accomplishments
More social interaction

 

How would you describe your personal fashion?

Target T-shirt, Lucky jeans, sneakers, and a hoodie.  

What kept you sane?

Sleeping

Complaining to the internet

Miss Boo

Who was the best new person you met?

C -- technically I met her a few years ago, but we hung out a lot this year and I don't think I would have survived without her.  

S -- a fellow daycare mom who is a really sweet person

What was a valuable lesson you've learned?

1/2 of what people say to you is them looking for validation of their past decisions

When the going gets tough, most of the time there's nobody to rely on besides yourself

Get your butt in gear