2016 Year in Review

So I've pretty much given up on blogging.  I'm not sure why really - just haven't felt the need to write.  I sometimes wish I did blog more.  It helps me to be able to go back and look at previous posts to remember things that happened.  Maybe I'll make an effort in 2017.  If not, I may just archive my blog and let it go wherever blogs go to die or something like that.

I did feel the need, however, to post my annual year in review so if you're not my facebook friend, you can at least get a general idea of how my year went.

1. What did you do in 2016 that you'd never done before?

Worked as a high school librarian

2. Did you keep your new years' resolutions, and will you make more for next year?

I met my Goodread’s goal of reading 40 books this year.  I am really going to have to start losing weight this year.  

3. Did anyone close to you give birth?

Nope – we’re all getting old but my cousin is pregnant at the age of 43.

4. Did anyone close to you die?

Thankfully, no.  

5. What countries did you visit?

Still pretty much land locked.  I only got out of Texas a few times this year – went to New Orleans in January for a Scrabble tournament, drove to Atlanta for vacation this summer, and went to Albuquerque for Thanksgiving.

6. What would you like to have in 2017 that you lacked in 2016?

More energy to get more things done and to lose weight. 

7. What date from 2016 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?

Going to the Tall Texans Leadership Institute in June - it was an incredible experience and I made a lot of great friends and connections.

8. What was your biggest achievement of the year?

Being accepted into the Tall Texans Class of 2016 which is a Texas Library Association Leadership group.

9. What was your biggest failure?

Not losing any weight this year.

10. Did you suffer illness or injury?

Had a bout with asthma for over a month at the beginning of school.  Sprained my ankle at school in March – had to wear a walking boot for a week and another brace for a week.

11. What was the best thing you bought?

My new car – Toyota Rav 4 Hybrid.  It’s the fanciest car I’ve owned and I love driving it!

12. Whose behavior merited celebration?

Not sure – Matt has still been a good husband and Josh is doing well with his job in Houston.

13. Whose behavior made you appalled and depressed?

The students at my former middle school (aside from my Scrabble club kids).  Most behaved badly and having moved to high school – it’s like a breath of fresh air.

14. Where did most of your money go?

Bills, Scrabble tournaments, eating out.  

15. What did you get really, really, really excited about?

Making it into Tall Texans

16. What song will always remind you of 2016?

Can't think of any.

17. Compared to this time last year, are you:

happier or sadder? About the same as last year – generally happy.
- richer or poorer? About the same – got a standard raise, but lost some stipends when I went to a new campus.
- thinner or fatter? Fatter – really, really need to work on that.

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

Losing weight, organizing the house.  

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

Procrastinating

20. How did you spend the holidays?

New Years (2016) – at home with Matt
Valentine’s Day – with Matt – had dinner at Maggiano’s 

Easter – with Matt - can't even remember what church we went to this year.
4^th of July – with Matt – didn’t really do much – listened to Josh’s live radio interviews.

Thanksgiving – With Matt and Josh in Albuquerque visiting my aunt and uncle.

Christmas – stayed home.  Josh came in on the 23^rd.  Matt grilled steaks on the 24^th and we went to see a movie (La La Land) and opened presents on Christmas morning.  Josh left by 11:00 to spend Christmas with his girlfriend’s family. 

New Year's Eve (today) - went to ta Scrabble part at a friend's house north of Austin.

21. Did you fall in love in 2016?

Still in love with Matt.

22. How many one-night stands?

Do I have to answer this question every year?  I'm a married woman!

23. What was your favorite TV program?

Big Bang Theory is still a favorite.

24. Do you hate anyone now that you didn't hate this time last year?

Nope - still like everyone I know.

25. What was the best book you read?

Notable books: Ready Player One andThe Magic Strings of Frankie Presto.  You can see my list of books here:  https://www.goodreads.com/user/year_in_books/2016/15978192

26. What was your favorite film of this year?

Didn’t really go out to the movies much.  Did enjoy Sully and Arrival. 

27. Whom did you miss?

Some of the staff at my former school.  It was harder to get to know a bigger staff at the high school.  

27. Who was the best new person you met?

All of my Tall Texan colleagues.  

29. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2016.

Go with your instinct when considering a new job.