Jenna's House of Idiosyncrasies Version 10.0 [Focus.]

I'm way late this year on this, but as I'm fairly confident no one even reads here anymore, I'm just making sure to get it under the wire for myself.

1. What did you do in 2011 that you'd never done before?
   • I took my first long distance Amtrak train to Washington, DC, which I had never visited before. My older sister and brother-in-law live in the area and they put me up for over a week and treated me like a queen. I saw all the monuments on the Mall and spent like a whole day in the National Museum of Natural History. Plus I took the Metro from the 'burbs into the district all alone and didn't get totally lost.
   • I took a full time contract gig that came with a 90 minute commute (each way!).
   • I went to my first professional conference (DrupalCampATL, yo) and had an entire hotel room to myself for the first time ever in my life.

   

2. Did anyone close to you give birth?
   Nope.
3. Did anyone close to you die?
   Not this year.
4. What would you like to have in 2012 that you didn't have in 2011?
   My own place, or at least my own bathroom. That is a long shot but most good things that have come to me so far have seemed like long shots at first.
5. What date from 2011 will remain etched upon your memory and why?
   The day that my brother-in-law Steve took me around all the monuments on the National Mall. We walked from the Lincoln to the Jefferson and back. We both ended up sun burned but more importantly we talked and talked and really bonded.
6. What was your biggest achievement of the year?
   Landing a full time gig based on a interview that I only knew was happening like 3 hours before and that I completely froze up in. Of course I probably actually owe my success to my excellent references.
7. What was your biggest failure?
   I don't know exactly how much it is, but I feel like I have gained a lot of weight this year.
8. Did you suffer illness or injury?
   I have had at least three hardcore colds this year, one of which I exacerbated by taking a road trip to Nashville to visit my baby sister and see her play out in her new habitat. I'm happy I did it but it made me much sicker.

   

9. What was the best thing you bought?
   I bought a special issue magazine just called "Christmas Cookies" (I think from Better Homes and Gardens?) and it gave me the inspiration and opportunity to look talented and be popular with every one around me this Christmas.
10. Whose behavior merited celebration?
    My little sister Sarah is a total inspiration. She got the company she works for to create a part time position so she could continue to have a job but make more time for music. She also went to Europe again for the second year in a row, somehow doing it with nearly no money and once again having an amazing time, and is in general totally fearless.
11. Whose behavior made you appalled and depressed?
    I am lucky enough to be surrounded by awesomeness this year.
12. Where did most of your money go?
    Besides the normal boring bills I also spent a ton of money getting my car road worthy and bringing my wardrobe up to date for my new job. I also do not want to dwell too much on how much I spent on Christmas magazines, Christmas baking paraphernalia, Christmas wrapping supplies, Christmas breakfast and dinner, and of course Christmas presents—but I know it was a lot.
13. What did you get really, really, really excited about?
    Visiting Heather and Steve in DC. Taking the train long distance. Starting my new job in Atlanta. Christmas!
14. What song will always remind you of 2011?
    Day Drunk by Butch Walker
15. Compared to this time last year, are you happier or sadder?
    Happier. Things are getting better.

    ii. Thinner or fatter?
    Fatter.

    iii. Richer or poorer?
    Much richer. I'm not exactly rolling in it but I am currently getting a regular paycheck, which is a big deal if you come from freelancing.

16. What do you wish you'd done more of?
    Listening to music, reading books, and taking photographs.
17. What do you wish you'd done less of?
    Commuting.
18. How will you be spending Christmas?
    Christmas Eve day I baked two batches of cookies, one which was almond cutouts, meant to be decorated with icing. That was a neat activity for the family and extended family. My cousin Sabrina is especially skilled at cookie decorating. Mom said we should make cookie decorating a new tradition. I spent Christmas Eve down the street at the neighbors as per their usual holiday party, then made my family watch Prep and Landing with me, which is my favorite Christmas special. The next day I got up before everyone to make breakfast and start dinner, then we opened presents—so many presents!— and ate prime rib. I zonked out on the couch at like 6:30.
19. Did you fall in love in 2011?
    Nope.
20. How many one night stands?
    None.
21. What was the best book you read?
    I still haven't finished it but I have read a lot of Ladies and Gentlemen, The Bible! by Jonathan Goldstein, and so far it has been great. Funny and poignant and sad.
22. What was your greatest musical discovery?
    I was late to the party because I followed Donald Glover on Twitter for ages and completely ignored his Childish Gambino posts, which I now know made me kind of an idiot.
23. What did you want and get?
    Some full time contract work to jump start my career.
24. What did you want and not get?
    I've been wanting a new mobile phone for awhile but I can't find one that I like enough to spend hundreds of dollars on, and I don't want to sign up for a new contract anywhere.
25. What was your favorite film of this year?
    I normally don't go in much for cartoons but I loved Rango. It was fantastic.
26. What did you do on your birthday and how old were you?
    Mom and Dad took me to see The Adjustment Bureau and then to dinner. I was 28.
27. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?
    Maybe buying a new(er) car? Mostly I feel like I more or less have everything I need right now.
28. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2011?
    At some point this year I quit wearing blue jeans, which used to be my standard uniform. I don't know why.
29. What kept you sane?
    Getting to cuddle up in my room and be left alone. Lots of podcasts on my commute. Finally being able to buy things I need (like shampoo) without worrying too much that it will destroy my budget.
30. What political issue stirred you the most?
    Politics just seem like a big circus this year.
31. Who did you miss?
    I sort of resolved to let him slip away from my life, because our relationship is probably not healthy, but I still miss the hell outta E. Edward Grey all the time.
32. Who was the best new person you met?
    Every person on my small team at my current full time gig is a gem.
33. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2011.
    Don't talk so much. Let other people fill in the silence. Better to remain silent and be thought a fool, than to open your mouth and remove all doubt.
34. Quote a song lyric that sums up your year.
    Any minute now my ship is coming in
    I'll keep checking the horizon
    And I'll check my machine
    There's sure to be that call
    It's gonna happen soon, soon, oh so very soon
    It's just that times are lean