A Pretty Good Year

Looking back on 2007, I can't help but think that this was a pretty good year.  I lived fully, accomplished much and grew as a person.  I will watch the year 2007 pass with a hint of nostalgia and a lot of gratitude.

1. What did you do in 2007 that you'd never done before?
Traditional Ashtanga yoga in a six-day-a-week practice.  I was deeply skeptical when I started but I've grown to appreciate the discipline of this style of yoga and the many benefits it has brought to my yoga practice as a whole.

2. Did you keep your New Year's resolutions, and will you make more for next year?
Yes, I did and yes, I have.

3. Did someone close to you give birth?
Nope.

4. Did anyone close to you die?
Nope.

5. What countries did you visit?
I visited my mum down in the States, but that was the extent of my travels.

6. What would you like to have in 2008 that you lacked in 2007?
A relationship, but one of the lessons that I've learned this year is that romance will come when the time is right.

7. What dates from 2007 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?
January 10th.  It was the date of a Very Important Event for The Office.  I helped with a project related to the event and was very proud to see it through.

8. What was your biggest achievement of the year?
Losing the 'muffin weight' I gained last year.

9. What was your biggest failure?
I had hoped to achieve Hanumasana (splits) by the end of the year, but I don't yet have the flexibility.   It wasn't a complete failure however - I worked on this pose with great dedication and I'm closer to the full posture than I've ever been.

10. Did you suffer illness or injury?
Nothing, aside from a cold I had this fall.  I experienced some very uncomfortable side effects from a medication I was on, but that was self-inflicted.

11. What was the best thing you bought?
Three things make this list: My MacBook, my Bose noise reduction headphones and my folding bicycle.

12. Whose behavior merited celebration?
A secret crush of mine, who treated me with great gentleness and kindness when the crush was found out.

13. Whose behavior made you appalled and depressed?
Slick Lilly.

14. Where did most of your money go?
Rent.

15. What did you get really, really, really excited about?
My home yoga practice, for the first time in years.  When friends ask me what was special about 2007, yoga is what I think of.  I've really come to a very comfortable and inspired place in my practice - it's become a thing that sustains me.

16. What song will always remind you of 2007?
Songtario by Henry and Clare

17. Compared to this time last year, are you:
i. happier or sadder? definitely happier
ii. thinner or fatter?  *much thinnner*
iii. richer or poorer? technically, I'm poorer, but I think 2008 is going to be a landmark year for me in my business life.

18. What do you wish you'd done more of?
Reading.

19. What do you wish you'd done less of?
Wasting time on my computer.

20. How will you be spending Christmas?
I spent it with friends.

22. Did you fall in love in 2007?
Yes.

23. Any one-night stands?
Never.

24. What was your favorite TV program?
Grey's Anatomy.

25. Do you hate anyone now that you didn't hate this time last year?
No.

26. What was the best book you read?
Eat Pray Love by Elizabeth Gilbert

27. What was your greatest musical discovery?
I know I'm very late to this party, but The Arcade Fire

28. What did you want and get?
A MacBook.

29. What did you want and not get?
A digital SLR camera.  A girl can dream...

30. Favorite film of this year?
Harry Potter - sadly, it's the only one I saw.

31. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you?
I was 37.  I didn't do anything special, but I'm determined to plan something with friends this year.

32. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?
Someone to share it with.

33. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2007?
I transitioned from quasi-slob casual to slender fashionista.  My weight loss required me to buy new clothes, so I bought nice things that updated my look.

34. What kept you sane?
Yoga, yoga and yoga.

35. Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most?
Ellen Pompeo.

36. What political issue stirred you the most?
I can't think of a single one.  This is sad, because I used to be one of the most political people I know.

37. Who do you miss?
Leslie.

38. Who was the best new person you met?
All of the people at the soup kitchen meals I volunteer at.

39. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2007: Work hard and good things will happen. I've always know this but this year it bore real fruit.