-- What did you do in 2010 that you'd never done before?
Eat chicken and pig feet, live with a Chinese roommate, get a frequent flier miles card, wear jeggings
-- Did you keep your New Year's resolutions, and will you make more for next year?
I have no idea what my resolutions were last year and thought I might make some new ones with high hopes and good intentions (study more Chinese, run more, get up earlier, watch less TV and movies) but I’ll probably forget them soon after I make them
-- Did anyone close to you give birth?
My college roommate, Mary and childhood friend Kim. Elementary classmates Mandy and Meryl and college dormmate Corrie
-- Did anyone close to you die?
I don't think so
-- What countries did you visit?
Thailand, Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia and South Korea
-- What would you like to have in 2011 that you lacked in 2010?
1) To earn more than $600/month 2) a crown for one of my teeth - my dentist says it's absolutely essential but it costs over a grand ...see #1, 3) health/dental insurance.....see #s 1 and 2
-- What dates from 2010 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?
The day Sean proposed. I don’t remember the actual date. I have a horrible memory (seriously) but I know it was definitely in July or August
-- What was your biggest achievement of the year?
Getting my students to think critically and creatively (haha, yeah, that didn't happen, but I tried), I was pretty excited to spend about an hour writing an essay for a study abroad/teaching contest and winning a $500 Amazon card
-- What was your biggest failure?
After writing a letter to United concerning customer service and receiving two free travel vouchers worth $200 each, I didn't use them before they expired. Fail.
-- Did you suffer illness or injury?
Unless you count the occasional and invariable bouts of Montezuma from living in China, then nope
-- What was the best thing you bought?
A netbook with the gift certificate from Amazon. Love it. Also a long down-filled parka that I, literally, wear all the time.
-- Whose behavior merited celebration?
My mom and dad for being so patient with me and helping me in every way possible to plan a wedding while I am half a world away
-- Whose behavior made you appalled and depressed?
Corrupt Chinese government officials - I hear new stories from brave students all the time, the whole Nobel Peace Prize situation is crazy considering nobody in China even knows that one of their own won (it's kept pretty much a secret/downplayed/viewed very negatively), North Korea's actions were pretty ridiculous as of late
-- Where did most all of your money go?
Plane tickets/traveling
-- What song will always remind you of 2010?
Any Korean/Chinese/Japanese pop song, Lady Gaga, Taylor Swift, Katy Perry, Miley, Beiber (he's huge in China), Love the Way You Lie, Ke$ha
-- Compared to this time last year, are you:
a) happier or sadder?
b) thinner or fatter?
c) richer or poorer?
happier, fatter and poorer
-- What do you wish you'd done more of?
Study Chinese, take the bus instead of taxis, work out, keep in touch with family and friends better
-- What do you wish you'd done less of?
Napping, watching TV series on DVD, watching movies, sleeping in
-- How will you be spending Christmas?
This year with Chinese friends, foreign friends and Sean, next year hopefully with family
-- Did you fall in love in 2010?
Yes - with Chinese food, it was just ok last year but this year I think my tastes have changed because I love it and crave it. Either that or my body had developed an addiction to MSG.
-- What was your favorite TV program?
I currently love watching Dexter (now on Season 4), How I Met Your Mother (now on Season 5) and I wish I could get a hold of Glee (saw Season 1 last year and loved it)
-- Do you hate anyone now that you didn't hate this time last year?
Nope
-- What was the best book you read?
I really enjoyed reading books from former profs at Hope College this year. Two that were fantastic were: Mennonite in a Little Black Dress (Rhoda Janzen) and You Don't Look Like Anyone I know (Heather Sellers). Also I have enjoyed several books by Anne Lamott - she's awesome!
-- What was your greatest musical discovery?
The Givers (Saw You First), Lenka (The Show)
-- What did you want and get?
An engagement ring and a gym membership - one of the private students that I tutor surprised me with one
-- What did you want and not get?
A Kindle - because Kristin surprised me with a Nook instead!
-- What was your favorite film of this year?
Eat, Pray, Love, Social Network
-- What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you?
I turned 29 and went on a date to Pizza Hut with Sean (to be fair, it's considered fine dining in China)
-- What's one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?
If I were fluent in Mandarin
-- How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2010?
Nonexistent, or whatever concept occurs to me 10 minutes before I'm supposed to be at class while I'm ripping off my pajamas
-- What kept you sane?
Baking American treats like brownies, cupcakes, muffins and cookies (and all the packages and goodies sent from home!)
-- Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most?
Ryan Reynolds. Love him.
-- What political issue stirred you the most?
Health Insurance
-- Who did you miss?
My family. Skype just doesn't cut it.
-- Who was the best new person you met?
Ariana - the new female foreign teacher here who is a godsend
-- Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2010:
Discipline/motivation doesn't just happen on it's own
-- Quote a song that sums up your year:
Glee's version: "Don't Stop Believin'/Hold on to that feelin'"