Current mood:

hopeful

what did you do in 2007 that you’d never done before?
Got medical benefits that weren't connected with my parents. "Resigned" from a job (twice). Got a tattoo.

did you keep your new year’s resolutions, and will you make more for next year?
I didn't make real resolutions, but there were certain things I wanted to accomplish, all of which I did. No resolutions next year besides to stay healthy and happy in any way I can.

did anyone close to you give birth?
No, both of my nieces were born in 2006 and all of my friends are still in the relationship/getting engaged/getting married/being bitterly single stage.

did anyone close to you die?
No.

what countries did you visit?
I hate to admit this, but none. It was mainly New York and Cleveland this year, with assorted other US cities tossed in at certain points.

what would you like to have in 2008 that you lacked in 2007?
Nothing that I can think of at the moment. All of the essentials were covered this year. Maybe a little more leg room in terms of my parents but they've been really good about not smothering me lately so I'm hoping it will stay that way. Oh, and maybe an apartment in Brooklyn with a roommate and a living room.

what date from 2007 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?
April 2 - when I started at News & Docs and immediately felt happiness that I hadn't since I left my internship there.

what was your biggest achievement of the year?
Becoming an AP. Completing my grad school application (knock on wood).

what was your biggest failure?
Not knowing when to tone my snark down sometimes. Not controlling my competitive streak (but I've gotten better with that).

did you suffer illness or injury?
Serious flu in July that left me bedridden for a week. I also lost my voice 2 weeks ago from trying to imitate Elaine in the Seinfeld episode 'The Pen' when SHE imitates Brando in A Streetcar Named Desire.

what was the best thing you bought?
The 'Seinfeld: The Complete Series' boxed set. My new bag that I'm carrying to work. My tattoo. And, even though it's not a THING, my bangs.

whose behavior merited celebration?
Sloan, for putting up with ALL of my crap, all the time, even though he mocks me for it (Zahra, this goes for you too!). Musetta, for getting her masters, for being so much stronger than she would ever give herself credit for, and for being there when I needed her. Lianna, for starting her journey to becoming Dr. Heidt (and for not forgetting about me even though she's halfway across the country).

whose behavior made you appalled and depressed?
If I was, I don't remember.

where did most of your money go?
RENT, food, clothes and toys for myself, alcohol. That said, I really didn't spend that much this year. A month after I got my raise my dad commented that this was the first time that more money had gone into my account in a month than had gone out.

what did you get really, really, really excited about?
Working at News & Docs. Harry Potter 7. Applying to journalism school. The Hold Steady @ Prospect Park. Still totally excited about seeing the Magnetic Fields in Feb. for the first time in 3 years.

what song will always remind you of 2007?
Anything off of 'Boxer' by The National.
'Stronger' by Kanye West and 'Drivin' Me Wild' by Common.
'Umbrella' by Rihanna because it was EVERYWHERE this summer.

compared to this time last year, are you:
happier or sadder? Much, much happier. This time last year I felt really, really emotionally empty.
thinner or fatter? Ah, who the hell knows.
richer or poorer? Richer.

what do you wish you’d done more of?
Gone out between January and April. Met more people.

what do you wish you’d done less of?
Moped in my apartment through the first half of the year.

how will you be spending christmas?
Currently, with my dad eating good food and relaxing. I have to go back to work tomorrow so I don't want to do anything exhausting or crazy.

did you fall in love in 2007?
Not in the romantic sense, but I did finally realize that Sloan is and probably will always be one of the best friends that I've ever had.

how many one-night stands?
One (but we're still on good terms so I'm hoping it won't stay that way).

what was your favorite tv program?
The Office. I rediscovered my obsession with Seinfeld. I swore off Grey's Anatomy after the disaster that was the Season 3 finale. And I think I have finally gotten over my trashy VH1 dating shows guilty pleasure from last year.

do you hate anyone now that you didn’t hate this time last year?
No.

what was the best book you read?
'Franny and Zooey' by JD Salinger. Although right now I'm reading 'The Razor's Edge' by Maugham, which Sloan claims is in his top 5 books of all time.

what was your greatest musical (re)discovery?
Discovery: The National. Kimya Dawson / The Moldy Peaches. I also listened to A LOT of The Hold Steady but they don't count because I found them in 2006.
Rediscovery: Yeah Yeah Yeahs (because of their new EP, which is STELLAR). Common (his new album isn't as great as 'Be' was, but his live show definitely made up for it - right Sukanya?). Tegan and Sara (I didn't like 'The Con' much at first but it steadily grew on me). The Magnetic Fields (thanks to a much-appreciated leak of their new album).

what did you want and get?
A fulfilling job. A way to manage my curly hair when I don't want to destroy it with my flatiron.

what did you want and not get?
Stability (but I've accepted that I'd hate it if I did have it - instability makes life interesting).

what was your favorite film of this year?
'No Country For Old Men' - hands down, a perfect movie. Distant runner up: 'Juno'.
ETA: I TOTALLY FORGOT ABOUT 'SUPERBAD.' Michael Cera, I am so, so sorry. At least I still had a movie of yours in there initially.

what did you do on your birthday, and how old were you?
#23: Second in my five year apology for not getting shitfaced on my 21st. Started out with a LOT of beer at Loreley, then headed to the LES and finally blacked out at St. Jerome after Musetta's boyfriend gave me a shot of god knows what and I sassed Sloan for leering obscenely at a cage dancer.

what one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?
More crazy adventures, but there's still a week left!

how would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2006?
Wifebeaters, gray t-shirts, dark jeans and Converse. Colorful sweaters and funky jackets. Big earrings (especially my doorknockers) and pendants. I dressed in men's clothing and/or very simple stuff this year, I think in response to the (in my opinion, overplayed) dresses and leggings fad.

what kept you sane?
My friends. Working (ironically). My music collection (duh).

which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most?
Barack Obama. Dave Grohl (but he's always been my hero).

what political issue stirred you the most?
Ahmedinejad @ Columbia (and not in the way that most people were stirred. I hate what he stands for but I think that a prestigious and liberal institution shouldn't be so quick to shut down any opinion or speaker that doesn't mesh with its ideologies (also see: John McCain @ Class Day 2006). We had a great opportunity to knock the guy down intellectually, and we totally blew it). Campaigns for the primaries. And as always, HIV/AIDS and sexual health.

what did you miss?
School (A LOT). My now out-of-state friends. My mom (she's in India until February).

who was the best new person you met?
Everyone at 770 and the people I've met through them. Working in that office (and our department) is like working for a small company instead of MTV.

tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2007.
Things WILL work out the way they are supposed to (although I'm still struggling to accept this).

quote a song lyric that sums up your year.
Yeah I can't do this.