I borrowed this survey from Dani over at Ok,Dani
1. What did you do in 2013 that you’d never done before?
Hmm… I got a couple’s massage with Mr. S during our anniversary celebration that was AWESOME!
Oh and I started a business… crazy right?
2. Did you keep your new years’ resolutions, and will you make more for next year?
I don’t really make new year’s resolutions, but last year I set out to take 365 pictures with Sesame and failed. Although, I did take A LOT more pictures of the two of us together. I also set out to take a chance and I totally did with my etsy shop, Hook Smart. I already made goals for next year, but on my 30th birthday.
3. Did anyone close to you give birth?
Yes, one of my younger sisters had a baby boy in October. I’m going to meet him next week and I’m very excited about it 🙂
4. Did anyone close to you die?
No and for that I am very grateful!
5. Did you visit anywhere exciting?
Does Navy Pier in Chicago count? I seriously had a great time during our Chicago trip this summer.
6. What would you like to have in 2014 that you lacked in 2013?
My driver’s license lol.
I LOVE BIRTHDAYS!!!
7. What date from 2013 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?
March 10, 2013: Sesame’s very first birthday.
April 19, 2013: Receiving a text message from my committee chair that I passed my doctoral exams 🙂
8. What was your biggest achievement of the year?
Passing my doctoral exams while taking care of a toddler!!!
Oh, and surpassing 50 sales in my Etsy shop during my very first year.
9. What was your biggest mistake?
Not doing enough research about starting a small business.
10. Did you suffer illness or injury?
Does sleep deprivation count? Because yea that made me feel pretty sick…
11. What was the best thing you bought?
Hmm… the best thing I bought for myself was a Keurig. Oh, and Shaun T’s Focus T25 workout plan.
12. Whose behavior merited celebration?
Hmmm… I would say my husband and of course the tiny human. Mr. S was incredibly supportive this year. From helping me get through exams to pushing me to start this small business.
Sesame was definitely a winner because he’s just so awesome. I mean have you ever spent a whole year watching someone learn new things for the first time. He never ceases to amaze me with how quickly he picks up on things.
14. Where did most of your money go in 2013?
- Household bills
- Clothes (me and the tiny human)
- Yarn stores
- Amazon Prime (…is the DEVIL)
15. What did you get really, really, really excited about?
- Passing my doctoral exams
- Sesame learning to walk
- The flowers and chocolate covered strawberries Mr. S sent me for my birthday.
16. What song will always remind you of 2013?
Sweetest song ever: All of Me by John Legend
Catchiest song ever: All of Beyonce’s new album lol
- Stronger
- More confident
- In shape
18. What do you wish you’d done more of?
Ugh… I NEED to read more for novels.
More writing…
19. What do you wish you’d done less of?
Wasting time on Facebook instead of writing!
20. How did you spend Christmas?
- Watching Sesame play with all his gifts
- Playing with Sesame and his gifts
- Relaxing
21. Did you fall in love in 2013?
I fall in love with Mr. S and Sesame more and more each day 🙂
22. What was your favorite TV program?
SCANDAL!!!! Seriously, the best show on television.
23. Do you hate anyone now that you didn’t hate this time last year?
Uhhh no… I don’t have the time or energy to spend on hating folks.
24. What was the best book you read?
Hmmm… probably every bell hooks book on my exam reading list.
25. What was your greatest musical discovery?
So, I really can’t think of anything besides Beyonce’s new cd. It’s seriously the only music coming to mind at the moment, but considering it’s only been out like two weeks I know there’s someone else.
26. What did you want and get?
More alone time…
27. What did you want and not get?
Uhhh more sleep…
28. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you?
I turned 30. I went to the Vortex with the girls and then home for cake and ice cream w/ the tiny human. Also, had a nice soul food dinner with family and friends on Sunday.
29. What’s one thing that would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?
More sleep and more time to work on my dissertation
30. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2013?
Comfy chic— I was all about print leggings and bright bottoms in 2013.
31. What kept you sane?
Crocheting has seriously saved me from a mental breakdown.
32. Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most?
- Kerry Washington
- Beyonce
33. What political issue stirred you the most?
The Trayvon Martin tragedy… (see my post Fears of Raising a Brown Boy)
34. Who do you miss the most?
Hmmm… my nephews. I wish I got to spend more time with them.
35. Who was the best new person you met?
Idk… I didn’t really meet that many new people this year.
36. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2013?
To pursue my dreams even if they look different from the old ones.
I also truly learned the meaning of people being in your life for seasons. It’s been very hard adjusting to feeling even more alone in academia now that I’m a mom, but it’s making me so much more resilient.
37. What are your new years resolutions for 2014?
Finish everything on my 30 for 30 list before my 31st birthday.
