End of the year post

1. What did you do in 2010 that you'd never done before?
Lots of things! I went to Denmark, did new and raw forms of self-care, to name a couple.

2. Did you keep your new years' resolutions, and will you make more for next year?
I don't make resolutions once yearly. I do them on a short term as-needed basis, and continue to re-evaluate them for relevance, so not really, but I stuck to most of the ones I made.

3. Did anyone close to you give birth?
yes!

4. Did anyone close to you die?
Our neighbors were victims of a murder-suicide, but we weren't close friends. Still, it obviously affected our neighborhood.

5. What countries did you visit?
Denmark.

6. What would you like to have in 2011 that you lacked in 2010?
Not sure. This was an abundant year on many levels.

7. What date from 2010 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?
November 28, our anniversary and the day our neighbors murdered themselves.

8. What was your biggest achievement of the year?
The aforementioned self care, and writing a short story to be published in an anthology.

9. What was your biggest failure?
Not finishing Fisherman's Wife, although I gained a new perspective on what it needs. Was unable to get my blodpudding into the country.

10. Did you suffer illness or injury?
I'm sick today, and have been for the past few days. Also, two months I couldn't get a handle on my migraines.

11. What was the best thing you bought?
A new computer.

12. Whose behavior merited celebration?
My students.

13. Whose behavior made you appalled and depressed?
The Islamophobes, 60% of people online, BP, politicians, Oklahoma, people who perpetuate violence and opression in the world.

14. Where did most of your money go?
Where it belonged!

15. What did you get really, really, really excited about?
Going to Denmark, Intercon, and Dreamation. And Honk Fest in Somerville.

16. What song will always remind you of 2010?
"Paradise Circus" by Massive Attack.

17. Compared to this time last year, are you:
feeling safer in my relationships.

18. What do you wish you'd done more of?
Exercizing and speaking out against the things that hurt the world.

19. What do you wish you'd done less of?
worrying

20. How will you be spending Christmas?
At home with my mom, kids, husband, and friends.

22. Did you fall in love in 2010?
Sort of.

23. How many one-night stands?
None.

24. What was your favorite TV program?
True Blood

25. Do you hate anyone now that you didn't hate this time last year?
I don't hate anyone, but I am at peace with my dislike of some people.

26. What was the best book you read?
Can't remember the name of it!

27. What was your greatest musical discovery?
Mos Def and Joanna Newsome. Muslim hip-hop. Also discovered that there's a name for my favorite genre of music: Freak Folk.

28. What did you want and get?
A path out of my perennial toxic crazy.

29. What did you want and not get?
Two weeks off.

30. What was your favorite film of this year?
True Grit? Too many others to name, thanks to Netflix.

31. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you?
40. Played croquet with friends and family.

32. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?
I started getting my meat from the halal butcher sooner, went to more zikr, focused on strengthening my dīn.

33. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2010?
same old same old: jeans only for work, long skirts, mary janes, lace up boots, black, patchwork, a merger between goth and hippie, modest.

34. What kept you sane?
12 Steps, writing, music, tea, my vice.

35. Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most?
Takeshi Kaneshiro

36. What political issue stirred you the most?
Institutionalized, widespread hate against Muslims, which sounds increasingly like the racism of the 60's.

37. Who did you miss?
Many people.

38. Who was the best new person you met?
Several new people who will remain anonymous.

39. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2010.
I'm worth it.

40. Quote a song lyric that sums up your year.
"One shot to your heart without breaking your skin
No one has the power to hurt you like your kin
Kept it inside, didn't tell no one else
Didn't even wanna admit it to yourself
And now your chest burns and your back aches
From 15 years of holding the pain
And now you only have yourself to blame
If you continue to live this way" India Arie "Get it Together"