Since 2011, I’ve used this list to help reflect back on the year. I really enjoy looking back while preparing to move forward. So…
1. What did you do in 2019 that you’d never done before?
Successfully completed the Krispy Kreme Challenge! Guest poster on the blog (SMS)! Straightened my teeth! Visited my sister and her family in Japan! Went to Harry Potter World! Ate at a restaurant specializing in sardines! Voted Teacher of the Year! Promoted to Commander! Drove cross-country with SMS! SMS and I were YouTube stars (“stars” is used very, very loosely)! Threw a 40th Birthday Party! I was a Maid of Honor! Went to a State Fair! Lost a parakeet (sorry to end on a sad note).
2. Did you keep your new year’s resolutions, and will you make more for next year?
I was so-so on the resolutions from last year’s list. I did not do a triathlon, I only made marginal improvements in Spanish, and I was good at wellness habits the first half of the year but not as good after my move.
I do have a lot of resolutions and thoughts about the upcoming year. I think the combination of 2020, turning 40, and a general feeling that I’m setting up for the second half/stage of my life and career is inspiring these thoughts. For now, these goals are in my paper planner but maybe they’ll make an appearance in a post. Maybe. Don’t want to get too feeling-y on the blog!
3. Did anyone close to you give birth?
My sister!
4. Did anyone close to you die?
No. My good luck continues.
5. What countries did you visit?
Japan
US (Cross Country Road Trip documented on YouTube and (slightly) on the blog!)
6. What would you like to have in 2020 that you lacked in 2019?
A completed clinical study.
7. What dates from 2019 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?
2/2: Krispy Kreme winner (haha, jk, sort of)
8/9-8/12: Tahoe Vacation for SMS’ birthday
9/1: Sister’s wedding celebration!
8. What was your biggest achievement of the year?
I was really, really proud to be voted Teacher of the Year by the residents. It was also nice to finally promote to Commander.
9. What was your biggest failure?
Still no clinical trial and this Fall, three papers I’m on as an author were rejected. Ugh. Time for resubmissions! Always forward!
10. Did you suffer illness or injury?
From September on, I’ve had a few mild musculoskeletal issues which just reinforces the fact that yoga is good for me and I need to get back into it. Nothing major though.
11. What was the best thing you bought?
Plane tickets! (repeat)
12. Where did most of your money go?
Rent/Two Households. Plane Tickets. Savings account.
13. What did you get really excited about?
I was/am really happy I finally got back to San Diego. The Tahoe party for Mark was really awesome.
14. What song will always remind you of 2019?
“ME!” by Taylor Swift. Although I like other songs better from the album, that song was everywhere this past Summer. The same goes for “Old Town Road” by Lil Nas X. I also really liked his NBD, “thought I made it obvious” coming out over the Summer.
“Good as Hell” by Lizzo. I’m not a hipster- I didn’t know about Lizzo prior to everyone and their mother this past year.
15. Compared to this time last year, are you:
– happier or sadder? Same. Pretty happy.
– thinner or fatter? Fatter, will be thinner by 40!
– richer or poorer? Richer (continuing to save)
16. What’s one thing you wish you had done more of?
Yoga!
17. What do you wish you’d done less of?
Phone-scrolling. Gossip site reading during the second half of the year- I was so good the first half!
18. How did you spend Christmas?
SMS and I spent Christmas Eve and Day in Newport Beach with his family. It was mellow and really enjoyable.
19. What was your favorite TV program?
FLEABAG, far and away. I also liked Killing Eve (Hulu), Bodyguard (Netflix) and Big Little Lies, Season 2 (HBO). I don’t think I love Schitt’s Creek as much as most people do but it is funny.
20. What were your favorite books of the year?
Fiction: The Overstory by Richard Powers, Olive Kitteridge by Elizabeth Strout, A Little Life by Hanya Yanahigara
Non-fiction: Maybe You Should Talk to Someone by Lori Gottlieb
21. What was your favorite music from this year?
The Highwomen album, Taylor Swift Lover album, Lizzo Cuz I Love You
SMS and I also saw Hamilton in SF and we loved it! I also liked soundtracks to the Netflix movies I watched (Always Be My Maybe and Someone Great)
I saw some great concerts: Anderson East with Lucy Silvas; Avett Brothers with Lake Street Dive; Lizzo
22. What were your favorite films of the year?
The Favourite. FYRE: The Greatest Party That Never Happened. Always Be My Maybe. Someone Great. The Biggest Little Farm. These five are also the only movies I watched during the year.
23. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you?
39. A long California weekend that was wonderful! SMS is the best planner. I also had a memorable Korean spa experience that was my own doing/fault.
24. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?
It’s been a hard transition between jobs. Even though I very much wanted to move to San Diego, it was harder than I expected to leave the clinical practice I developed and start from the ground up in a new place. It’s getting better, but it was definitely a source of mixed feelings and frusteration.
25. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2020?
I am really struggling with the idea of being fashionable in a time where all the worst trends from the 1990s are back in full force- velvet, scrunchies, crop-tops, super-weird and unflattering-on-everyone jean cuts although this time, instead of super low-cut, it’s super high-waisted causing an epidemic of long-butts and poochy bellies.
26. What kept you sane?
SMS and my family! Definitely not the parakeets. They are making me talk aloud to myself…wait, wait! This is not really true.
27. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2019
You can tell a lot about a person by his/her reaction to the fact that I ran five miles and ate a dozen donuts in under an hour.