End of year wrap-up
1. What did you do in 2005 that you'd never done before?
Bought alcohol legally.

2. Did you keep your New Year's resolutions and will you make more for next year?
The only one I made was to spend more time with Ben, which was easier once he moved back home. My resolutions are to lose weight, get some stuff published for my portfolio and go to church more often.

3. Did anyone close to you give birth?
My sister Lorrie gave birth to her second daughter, Hannah Mae on September 28th

4. Did anyone close to you die?
My sister Lorrie’s childhood friend Elizabeth lost her mother in January

5. What countries did you visit?
None.

6. What would you like to have in 2006 that you lacked in 2005?
Motivation.

7. What date from 2005 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?
May 21st, when Ben graduated from college.

8. What was your biggest achievement of the year?
Finishing a beautiful baby blanket for my new niece (I set my standards low!)

9. What was your biggest failure?
Getting the lowest grade I’ve ever received in college.

10. Did you suffer illness or injury?
Colds and stuff, nothing serious.

11. What was the best thing you bought?
My car!

12. Whose behavior merited celebration?
All the wonderful people I met through Soliya (check it out on soliya.net)

13. Whose behavior made you appalled and depressed?
My bitchy former roommate, who cheated me out of money.

14. Where did most of your money go?
Car, rent, gas, school, food, yarn, clothes, alcohol.

15. What did you get really, really, really excited about?
Hannah Mae! Since Lorrie announced she was pregnant in January we’ve all been trying to guess the sex of the baby. What a wonderful surprise!

16. What song will always remind you of 2005?
All You Need Is Love by The Beatles

17. Compared to this time last year, are you:
More mature, more confident, and just plain happier!

18. What do you wish you'd done more of?
Hanging out with my girlfriends, exercising, enjoying the outdoors.

19. What do you wish you'd done less of?
Being a bum, sitting inside, fighting with Ben, worrying about money.

20. How will you be spending Christmas?
At home with family.

21. Did you fall in love in 2005?
Umm… yes with Hannah and stayed in love with my Ben.

22. What was your favorite TV program?
Grey’s Anatomy

23. Do you dislike anyone now that you liked this time last year?
Tom Cruise, seriously what is his deal??

24. What was the best book you read?
It’s a tie: The Good Earth by Pearl S. Buck and Memoirs of a Geisha by Arthur Golden.

25. What was your greatest musical discovery?
Old country songs I used to love as a kid and the old Michael Jackson stuff (before he got weird).

26. What did you want and get?
I wanted to live in a better house with nice people and I got WAY more than I expected!

27. What did you want and not get?
I wanted an ipod for Christmas…kind of a pipe dream, though.

28. What was your favorite film of this year?
ummm… maybe Sin City, but I can't remember any others...

29. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you?
Got really REALLY drunk with my best girlfriend and a few others for my 21st!!

30. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?
Not having to live with my old roommate and/or winning the lottery.

31. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2005?
Same as last year: clean, classic, mostly modest and lots of sweatshirts for school days.

32. What kept you sane?
KNITTING and my wonderful boyfriend.

33. Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most?
umm….

34. What political issue stirred you the most?
The fact that our president is an idiot.

35. Who did you miss?
Jennifer, my best girlfriend and old roommate, who I never get to see as often as I’d like!

36. Who was the best new person you met?
I’ve got two: Austen, who has become my best house buddy and George, my Soliya partner from Egypt.
37. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2005.
George taught me that different doesn’t mean wrong.

38. Quote a song lyric that sums up your year.
There's nothing you can do that can't be done.
Nothing you can sing that can't be sung.
Nothing you can say but you can learn how to play the game
It's easy.
There's nothing you can make that can't be made.
No one you can save that can't be saved.
Nothing you can do but you can learn how to be in time
It's easy.All you need is love, all you need is love

Five things that 2005 taught me:
1. Acceptance is a bigger issue than I had previously thought.
2. School is harder than I thought.
3. Managing money is harder than I thought.
4. I need my girlfriends for more than just future bridesmaids.
5. Treating others as you would be treated does not guarantee they will treat you the same way.

Five personally significant events of 2005:
1. March 24th, our 1 year anniversary
2. May 9th, my 21st birthday
3. May 21st, Ben’s graduation
4. July 23rd, the day I got my new car!
5. September 28th, Hannah’s arrival

Five things I want to do in 2006:
1. Lose some weight.
2. Balance my checkbook.
3. Graduate!!
4. See more of my friends.
5. Get a “real” job after graduation!

Five things I don't want to do in 2006:
1. Gain weight.
2. Balance my checkbook.
3. Say goodbye to more friends.
4. Play it safe.
5. Have regrets