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2010 - Joelle's misc
December 31st, 2010
09:38 am
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Back with the little quiz I've posted the last six years. 2010 was a better year than the last three, thank God! But unlike 2009 and (hopefully) 2011, it was a more middle-of-things sort of year, with no big anniversaries or novels finished, just a wonderful overall word total.

1. What did you do in 2010 that you'd never done before? Go to Crater Lake (and Oregon), and see Redwoods, and potter about with tidepools at low tide--three dreams fulfilled!
2. Did you keep your new years' resolutions, and will you make more for next year? Yes! My resolution for 2010 was to write a happy story, and my result was 'Resurrection,' of which I am quite fond. But none for 2011, since I want to focus on finishing both book 5 and 'Delarun,' I don't need extraneous resolutions slowing me down.
3. Did anyone close to you give birth? My sister-in-law gave birth to Elijah in August.
4. Did anyone close to you die? My great-aunt Carmen died at the age of 91, and I'm glad I was able to make it to the funeral.
5. What countries did you visit? None but my own.
6. What would you like to have in 2011 that you lacked in 2010? Extra income!
7. What date from 2010 will remain etched upon your memory, and why? Don't think I really have anything that really stands out. Turning 35 and doing my bookmark giveaway was fun.
8. What was your biggest achievement of the year? As mentioned above, this wasn't a year for big milestones and dramatic achievements, just a plugging away at the middle of things sort of year. So for my biggest achievement, it's nothing more dramatic than just how well I did at that plugging away--that my final word totals reached 141,800, second best ever!
9. What was your biggest failure? Oh, boy, a biggie, and one I'll be pretty irked at myself for quite some time yet. Got a virus on my pc in June that took out my OS. That wasn't my failure so much as my gaps in my backup precautions, and my lack of understanding how Poser and Vue files linked to other files, and weird mistakes I failed to catch leading to other big losses. Ugh, now I remember why I spend weeks in the moving process whenever I get a new pc. I certainly learned a lot, and lost a LOT of time in remaking stuff, a job that still isn't complete. Me bad.
10. Did you suffer illness or injury? My fourth consecutive year of perfect attendance at work! However, I may begin 2011 with a visit to the doctor, because of this vertigo that cropped up down in Santa Barbara and has lasted for days, stomach trouble also. Still, I'm grateful the other 51 weeks of 2010 were quite healthy.
11. What was the best thing you bought? Hardly expensive, but it made a huge difference for my coping with summer heat and poor sleep: an air mattress! Wish I'd bought it five years earlier!
12. Whose behavior merited celebration? I'm sure there's a few who should be listed here, like my new boss for giving up his planned week off so Greg and I could go on our scheduled after-Christmas trips/commitments...but the crowning entry has to be my wonderful aunt, who is a paragon of generosity, a blessing, an encouragement, and a wonderful inspiration as well.
13. Whose behavior made you appalled and depressed? Politicians. Enough said.
14. Where did most of your money go? Trips and airfare and presents, feels like. The Oregon trip was quite expensive, but certainly worth it.
15. What did you get really, really, really excited about? Can't say there was anything in 2010 that merited three 'really's! But I did get quite excited about my birthday bookmark giveaway, and also the 'Legend of the Guardians' movie. Both a lot of fun.
16. What song will always remind you of 2010? Probably none, unless the song I mention in question 27 gets linked with 2010.
17. Compared to this time last year, are you:
i. happier or sadder? About the same?
ii. thinner or fatter? Fatter, probably, with all the great food my mom & sister-in-law are spoiling me with!
iii. richer or poorer? Equally broke, I'm guessing!
18. What do you wish you'd done more of? A little more writing, sure, and a lot more art, but I'm pretty content with my accomplishments in 2010.
19. What do you wish you'd done less of? Work? ;) But I'm very, very grateful for my job.
20. How did you spend Christmas? Flew out to California for two weeks to visit family, for Christmas itself, my parents and I went over to my brother and sister-in-law's for a nice meal and goodies, and spoiled their kids with loads of gifts. Christmas Eve had our traditional 'picnic' while watching The Grinch between two church services.
21. How will you spend New Year's Eve? The plan was to go over to my brother and sister-in-laws and stay for the weekend, but with how I'm feeling, I'm not sure what will happen.
22. Did you fall in love in 2010? Not with anybody new, unless falling in love with a new book/author counts!
23. How many one-night stands? Same answer as the last years: Never have, never shall.
24. What was your favorite TV program? Watched the first two seasons of 'House' during the summer, and quite enjoyed them.
25. Do you hate anyone now that you didn't hate this time last year? Nope, same as the last six years.
26. What was the best book you read? Can't pick just one, but I'm so glad I found the four bat books by Kenneth Oppel--they were simply fabulous!
27. What was your greatest musical discovery? 'You Wouldn't Cry' (Andrew's Song) by Mandisa, which was played at my great-aunt's funeral. Fell head over heels in love with it, and would LOVE it if it could be played at my own funeral.
28. What did you want and get? Lots of progress with 'Delarun' and book 5, visiting the state of Oregon for the first time, seeing Redwoods and Crater Lake.
30. What was your favorite film of this year? For in the theatre, I think that will have to be 'Legend of the Guardians' at least for the sheer eye-candy factor and lots & lots of wings! But there were some movies on Netflix I'm really glad I saw as well, like 'Soylent Green,' 'Moon,' 'The Butterfly Effect,' and 'Food, Inc.'
31. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you? I turned 35, and went to work on my birthday. But it was a lot of fun despite that, because I brought in treats, and did my birthday bookmark giveaway I'd spent weeks doing the picture for. And yes, got treated out to Boca Chica by some wonderful coworkers, phone-calls from various people, and a free stomachache thanks to the horrid heat/humidity walking home. Great day!
32. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying? More feedback on novellas, stories, and novels.
33. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2010? Same answer as the last years: I just keep on hating fashion, as I have since elementary school.
34. What kept you sane? Same answer as the last years: t'DoL keeps me both sane and insane. =)
35. Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most? I did have some fun with a few Denzel Washington movies this year, so that will have to suffice.
36. What political issue stirred you the most? The elections in general, and finally getting to throw some scumbags out of office who should be chucked straight into jail, in my opinion.
37. Who did you miss? My mom, and lunches with Christi in much of 2010.
38. Who was the best new person you met? Definitely the most important new person of the year was my new boss, Bill. Great guy, and an interesting new experience to have a male boss who's some 11 years younger than me!
39. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2010: Probably not 'learned,' but reinforced: slow and steady wins the race. Might not feel like I'm making tremendous progress with my life's work, but if I just keep plugging away at it, I'll look back one day and be amazed how far I've come.
40. Quote a song lyric that sums up your year: Don't have one for 2010, though I did find one that fits the last decade rather nicely, but...since I'm far from home and rather sick at present, maybe I'll add it in later...
The song is 'Hold My Heart' by Tenth Avenue North
How long must I pray, must I pray to You
How long must I wait, must I wait for You
How long 'till I see Your face
See You shining through

I'm on my knees
Begging You to notice me
I'm on my knees
Father, will You turn to me?

One tear in the dropping rain
One voice in a sea of pain
Could the Maker of the stars
Hear the sound of my breaking heart?

One life is all I am
Right now I can barely stand
If You're everything You say You are
Would You come close and hold my heart?

I've been so afraid, afraid to close my eyes
So much can slip away before I say goodbye
But if there's no other way
I'm done asking why

So many questions without answers
Your promises remain
I can't see but I'll take my chances
To hear You call my name
To hear You call my name

Hold my heart
Could You hold my heart?
Hold my heart

Current Location: Sacramento, CA

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