Linda on Sundry posted a New Year’s survey, and it seems like a good way to wrap up the year.

1. What did you do in 2008 that you’d never done before?

Got married. 🙂 Check out wedding photo blog posts from the last couple days.

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

I think my New Year’s resolution was to get published, so no. I did however finish my first novel, so I can’t be too disappointed. Next year… maybe.

3. Did anyone close to you give birth?

Yes! Two of Matt’s groomsmen have new little girls, plus another baby girl from Matt’s cousin. My friend Adam had a son. Actually this was a year of many babies, but those were probably those closest to us.

4. Did anyone close to you die?

My great uncle Jim died in June, a month and a half before I could make it out to Oregon to visit. My thesis adviser, teacher and friend Sheila Schwartz died of cancer in November, about a week after we got back from the honeymoon. Still processing.

5. What countries did you visit?

Just this one, but we got to see more of it than usual. For our honeymoon, we took the Empire Builder (train) to Seattle, where we stayed for 6 days, then the Coast Starlight down to San Fran (two days) then the California Zephyr back to Cleveland (well Chicago actually, but I don’t know the name of the train we took from Chicago to Cleveland). I’ll get around to blogging this at some point.

6. What would you like to have in 2009 that you lacked in 2008?

A publishing contract would be nice. Beyond that, there are little things I’d like, but I’m happy, so I won’t bother too much about them right now.

7. What dates from 2008 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?

Redundant: October 18th, got married. October 6: finished my first draft.

8. What was your biggest achievement of the year?

See above.

9. What was your biggest failure?

Hmm… general procrastination? Oh yeah, and thank you notes aren’t out yet.

10. Did you suffer illness or injury?

Got food poisoning at least once, and a couple bad colds, but otherwise I can’t complain.

11. What was the best thing you bought?

Maybe organizing supplies for my desk and studio. Though it’s still a mess so I can’t claim they’ve made a monumental impact.

12. Whose behavior merited celebration?

Uhm, what? I dunno, friends? Family? It’s been a good year.

13. Whose behavior made you appalled and depressed?

If I can’t say something nice, I’m definitely not going to type it on the internet.

14. Where did most of your money go?

Wedding, living.

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

Redundant: Wedding. Honeymoon. Visiting family.

16. What song will always remind you of 2008?

Anything by the Mickeys.

17. Compared to this time last year, are you:

a) happier or sadder?

Happier!

b) thinner or fatter?

Thinner!

c) richer or poorer?

Er… both?

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

Drawing.

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

Nothing. I mean nothing as in, doing nothing.

20. How did you spend Christmas?

With family on Matt’s side, watching the nieces open presents.

21. Did you fall in love in 2008?

Every day. Ewww! That grosses even me out, I’m so sorry.

22. What was your favorite TV program?

Firefly, I don’t care if it WAS canceled years ago.

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

Only when I’m driving.

24. What was the best book you read?

Lying by Lauren Slater.

25. What was your greatest musical discovery?

Quantum Cello a la Radio Lab.

26. What did you want and get?

Matt. Time. Peace.

27. What did you want and not get?

Nothing important.

28. What was your favorite film of this year?

Zombie Strippers!

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

I turned 27, went out for Hibachi with a bunch of my friends and maybe something after but I can’t remember..?

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

I can’t say because I think Dick Cheney would hunt me down and shoot me in the face.

31. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2008?

Heeheehehe… what? I think I bought new jeans.

32. What kept you sane?

Matt. Friends. Sleep.

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

President Elect About Freaking Time.

34. What political issue stirred you the most?

Is frustration a political issue?

35. Who did you miss?

Bernadette in Florida. Sheila.

36. Who was the best new person you met?

Some awesome people on the train.

37. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2008.

Break big things into little things and it’s easier to get them done. Obvious to everyone but me I guess.

38. Quote a song lyric that sums up your year.

No.