2013 Year in Review

I have started a bit of a tradition with this post, and traditionally enjoy the retrospective.   The thing is, I feel like I have blogged less and less over the years and therefore forget what I have done!   Boo hiss.   Maybe 2014 is the year to turn that around.

1. What did you do in 2013 that you'd never done before?

Saw Indians spring training in ARIZONA-  So fun

Ran - and finished! - two half marathons!    They were challenging and fun.   I'll be doing more of this in 2014

Ran a 5k obstacle course

Rode Harry Potter Forbidden Journey with Hannah

Rode around in a little boat in Bay Lake

Got an iPhone [better late than never?]

Flew into tiny NY (Ithaca & Westchester) airports - I actually liked it

Walked across the Brooklyn Bridge [heck, went to Brooklyn at all!]
Bought skinny jeans GOD HELP ME

Flew on an airplane with a cat [he did beautifully I must say]

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

As always, I don't really make resolutions.    I blame impatience.  I tend to make a change whenever the spirit moves me.  You know, hair cut, rearrange the furniture, enter in a race, etc.  

That said, I'm going to set a few goals here to compare in a year (you may see this later in the list too!)

1) Read consistently [not necessarily MORE, but keep the books going]

2) Blog more- at least weekly, maybe even a month of daily posts, like Leah did in November.

3) Take and share more photos.   The iPhone should allow me to do this with relative ease

3. Did anyone close to you give birth?
Yes! Cousin Anthony's wife, Nikole, had Mason on November 20
A few high school and college friends had babies too, and so did Holly, one of my favorite bloggers.  She's not close to me but I love her writing!   Was 2013 the year of the baby?

4. Did anyone close to you die?
No, thankfully.  

5. What countries did you visit?
Zero!  I was stateside once again.   Hoping I can jet off somewhere in 2014.   Suggestions?

6. What would you like to have in 2014 that you lacked in 2013?
As always, for the Indians to win the World Series!  Last year they had a decent playoff run, so I am really hoping there is momentum for this year.  Fingers crossed!

An open, functioning, successful restaurant franchise.    This is taking forever!

7. What dates from 2013 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?
February 24 - Princess Half!
May 8 - my birthday blast
November 2 - Marissa got married!  
November 9 - Wine and Dine Half!
December 13 - flight with Oliver that was so much better than I thought he would be

8. What was your biggest achievement of the year?
Shaving more than 10 minutes off my 1/2 marathon time from February to November was pretty kick-ass.   I'm still not as fast as I want to be, but it's awesome to see those times go down.   Apologies for sounding like a broken record - I run a lot. 

9. What was your biggest failure?

Oh this is depressing isn't it.  I try to learn from my failures and not necessarily RANK them.  That said…. I do have an answer ;)

Posting photos to the photo site in 2013.    I posted just one album and it was of the Princess race back in February.  It's been almost 12 months since I posted!   Yikes.

10. Did you suffer illness or injury?
Yes.  Another running injury, this time worse than the elbow.  I was jogging at sunrise, triped and fell on my face, scraped my lip and leg, bashed back my front teeth and chipped one of them.  It was a disaster.   I got the teeth bonded, my scrapes healed and I kept running.  All is well.

11. What was the best thing you bought?
Probably race registrations and running shoes.   And continual vet visits for Oliver were good because he's still around!

12. Where did most of your money go?
The vet!  Also dining establishments in central Florida and a lot went to the restaurant franchise which, again, I hope to talk more about soon!

13. What did you get really excited about?
My 30th birthday celebration and all the fun stuff that came with it
Al visiting us in Florida
Running my first distance races
 

14. What song will always remind you of 2013?
Blurred Lines.  Thank you Robin Thicke and Miley Cyrus

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

- happier or sadder? About the same
- thinner or fatter? Thinner!  Woot!!!  Two years in a row.   Let's go for a hat trick!
- richer or poorer? Poorer thanks to Ollie and the restaurant

16. What do you wish you'd done more of?  
In December 2012 I said swam and read a few more books.   I think those are both good targets for the coming year.   Now that we're in Ohio and my parents have a pool I would not be surprised if I swim more in 3 months than I did allllll year in Florida.

Now that I am in Ohio and it's darn cold out, I wish I had spent even more time outside in Florida.   Don't get me wrong, I had a lot of outdoor moments.  But you can't bottle them up and take them to January in Ohio.   Alas

17. What do you wish you'd done less of?
WILL I EVER LEARN!?    Last year I said comparing myself to others.  I still do this.  

I also should stop thinking about the future and what comes next at the expense of enjoying the present moment.   What can I say?  I am a planner at times.   So maybe 2014 should be the year of less planning on my part, and more delegating.  I like the sound of that.

18. How did you spend Christmas?
We were in Ohio, as usual, with our families, but this time we were not heading back to Ohio and were not living out of suitcases. Christmas Eve Mass, ML's lasagna with a few late arrivals this time around!  Michael's grandparents were in town as well, so that added to the family tally.

Christmas day we woke up at my parents' house [which I had not done since 2008!] and made breakfast together.   It was delish    The day included lots of gifts at both parents' houses as well as the Lasky bash, but Erica ONCE AGAIN had the flu and her presence was greatly missed.  It was ridiculous.

19. What was your favorite TV program?
Nashville!  Soapy and full of good music.  What more could you ask for?!

20. What was the best book you read?

Sadly my list from which to choose has shrunk over the last few years.  Perhaps a goal for 2014 should be to read more books.  Since I am totally OCD I keep a list of all the books I have ready over the year, and after taking a look, there were some good ones, so I guess I got a lot of bang for my buck.  If I have to choose just one, the BEST one was probably The Art of Fielding.

21. What was your greatest musical discovery?
My favorite may be all the a cappella groups I heard on The Sing Off in December.   Probably not a great discovery, but I liked it!   I also became an even bigger Justin Timberlake fan, which I did not honestly know was possible.

22. What was your favorite film of this year?
Recently saw Saving Mr Banks in the theater, which was quite enjoyable
On the Netflix front, I FINALLY saw Rocky.   I know, I know.   It's really good.

23. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you?
I turned 30!  We celebrated over a several day stretch, including two dinners and a 5k.  May 8 included Disney fun and cake.

24. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?

World Series win for the Tribe
Overall, though, 2013 was good to me.   I was not necessarily immeasurably dissatisfied! 

25. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2012?
Consistent?  Needs improvement?  

Working from home allows me to pretty much do whatever I want in the fashion department.  I did wear a lot of baseball caps for video meetings!
If I ventured out of the house it was often to a theme park decked out in a tank top and shorts, or I was running in athletic gear.  

26. What kept you sane?
SAME AS LAST YEAR!  Many many cups of tea and many miles of running.   And probably some ice cream, too.

27. Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most?
Same as always: Matt Damon and Morgan Freeman. I mean, who else is there?  Actually I take that back.   I'd like to add a third.  Mr. Chris Pine.   Hellooooo Captain Kirk.

28. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2013.

I am capable of conquering various challenges, and feel best when I am prepared for them.   This is not revelatory but was reaffirmed throughout the year.  

What's the Best Decision You've Ever Made?

I've been in a bit of a blog funk.  My days are routine, and I do enjoy a routine for some aspects of my life.  But it sure makes for uninspired blogging.  Florida summers are the epitome of routine. Each and every day from about mid-May to late September is the same.  Highs near 90, chance of afternoon storms.  Like clockwork.   Quite frankly, I don't know why the weather segment evens airs on TV.  What's the point?  We know exactly what they're going to say.

A few weeks ago, I came across Bring Back the Words Prompts via Leah's blog.   Leah's blog is one of my favorites and I was intrigued.    The first week of the prompt series, there were actually two prompts:


Prompt 1:
Why’d you start blogging?
Prompt 2:
What’s the best decision you ever made?

My answer for #1 is not that exciting for me to write about.  Hannah had started a blog and it was fun.   I figured this was a good way to show my family, scattered around the country, what I had been up to, while also creating a sort of journal of my escapades.  So I was thinking about #2.   At 30 years old, I feel like I still have some big decisions in front of me, but at this point in my life, I also think I have a decent answer.   It's a long one.  Grab a glass of something and get comfy.

My senior year of high school I was convinced I was going to be a broadcast journalist.   I considered schools with strong journalism programs, specifically those with broadcasting options.  The number of schools who fit the bill were few, and I had narrowed my list down to two: American University, in DC and Ohio University, in Athens, Ohio.  

Mom and I visited AU first (in August 2000) and I fell in love with the relatively small but diverse campus, nestled into NorthWest DC.   We were minutes from the center of the city, but the campus was distinctly its own.  I was hooked and decided this was my place.

In the fall of my senior year, I learned I had been nominated to be a Manasseh Cutler Scholar, a prestigious scholarship opportunity at Ohio University.  Not only was this essentially a 4-year FULL RIDE to Ohio University, but it also included summer opportunities between each school year, including a summer abroad internship.   I still loved what AU had to offer, but this was a big deal.   I asked teachers for recommendations, submitted required essays, and I waited.   I don't remember how many people were nominated, but there was a decent sized group of us.   After some time, I found out I was a finalist.   It was between me and one other guy from the county.   Very exciting

The two of us were then invited to visit the campus and participate in a panel 'discussion' which was basically a table of 10 - 12 adults asking each of us [separately] all KINDS of questions.  I drove to southern Ohio with my parents and Auntie, an alumna of Ohio U.  She was excited to go back to campus, and was excited that I might become a Bobcat as well.   We enjoyed a campus tour, and I participated in the discussion - aka was grilled.    I felt great about it.   As Student Council president, aka "Suzie High School" to Pannie, I was used to talking to all sorts of people in all sorts of situations.   I wouldn't say I enjoyed the interview, but I felt confident.   It went very well and after meeting the other guy, who reminded me of Minkus on Boy Meets World, I felt like I had it in the bag.

I forget how long it took for me to hear the decision, but when the decision came, I was shocked.   The other guy was awarded the scholarship.   I was offered a 'consolation prize' which was generous but no where near what I lost out on.   I was legitimately surprised, and also a bit upset.   On paper I looked good enough to invite me to campus.   In person, I felt great talking to everyone.   What could have happened in his interview that landed him the prize?  Obviously, I have no idea.

But then I had a decision to make.  Ohio University, a public, in-state school, had a much lower price tag than AU.   Plus they were offering me a decent scholarship.  AU offered me a scholarship as well, but it covered much less of the tuition than OU's did.  I was torn.  Where should I go to school?   In some ways they were very similar - two of the best journalism programs in the country, I had been accepted to both programs, and would have done well in either school.  Their differences were perhaps a bit more obvious.  AU is located in our nation's capital, a stone's thrown from the White House, Capital Hill, and countless museums, among other things.  There was never a shortage of things to do.  OU, on the other hand, is located in rural Ohio.  Its somewhat isolated campus has, some would say, turned OU into quite a party school.

The decision sort of consumed my life.  I thought abut it at school, at home, while falling asleep.   I called Auntie to talk to her about OU.   It had obviously changed since she attended, but she could provide insight into some things.  I really was torn.

Finally, and here's the answer to the prompt up there, I chose American University.

At this point in my life, it is if not THE best decision I have made, certainly one of them.    Up until 2001, I had lived in the same house my whole life.  I had attended the same school, K-12.  Ohio was my place.  I had been to DC just twice, once in 9th grade for a long weekend, and again to visit AU's campus, during which time we did not get south of Ward Circle.  It was a brand new place with a lot of unknowns.   I was not used to that and it was kind of scary, but it was important.

Full disclosure- Michael and I were dating in high school and decided NOT to intentionally go to the same school.  Junior year, our college counselor [who was not still there for our senior year!] told everyone and their uncle to look at American University.   So we both did, and we both liked it.   Hmm.   As it would turn out, Michael was at AU and so was I.   He was the only person on campus I knew, but we lived in separate dorms on the opposite side of campus and had no classes together.

As with many people, college was an impressionable time.   I lived by myself for the first time, met people totally different than those I'd known back home.   I loved my new stomping grounds and immediately became involved in the ambassador program and served as a tour guide.  In keeping with the familiar, I joined the choir and met my two best friends.   If I had not gone to AU, I would not have met Ash and Pannie.   That is HUGE!   When I really think about it, I get sort of panicky.   What would my life be like without them?   Not to be dramatic, but I literally cannot think about it.

After a choir concert

Low quality scan from 2003

Ash's 30th [yes these are costumes]

But during my time at AU I experienced some big happenings that no one ever could have predicted.   I was in DC during 9/11 and we could see the Pentagon burning from the campus parking garage.  We also had an arson scare.  The following year, the DC sniper kept everyone on edge.

Ironically, after nearing the end of the journalism program, I decided I did not want to live that life.  Being a broadcast journalist was not for me.  I got my degree in broadcast journalism, but was not going go pursue those types of jobs.


After graduation in 2005, I decided I'd like to work in DC in some capacity.   I applied for many jobs, and finally got hired at Inside Higher Ed in an entry level communication-type role.   It was my first real job.   I had an amazing boss (we are still in touch!) and worked with a fantastic group of people.   While at IHE, I learned SalesForce, a CRM used among many many sales departments.  And, most importantly, I was good at it.

Flash forward to 2010.  Michael is studying at Cornell, and I am looking for a temp position.  The temp agency has heard about a job where the supervisor would love to get someone with SalesForce knowledge.  I get a call less than 24 hours later setting up an interview and am hired as a temp on the spot.   Over time, as longtime readers know, I was hired for a full time position at the same company, and continue to work for them today, from my home in Florida.  I am happy to report that I once again have an amazing boss and work with a fantastic group of people.   It's truly remarkable that in less than 10 years working I can say that about two separate institutions.

Sure you can argue that I might have become a broadcaster after OU's program [I highly doubt it] or that I would have found another job that taught me a valuable skill that I could employ after I became a traveling spouse.  And that may be the case.  But for me, the combination of the skills I developed, and most importantly, the people I have met, cannot be questioned.  

What would my life look like today without these people?  I made, and kept, some wonderful friends at AU.  I did not have a ton of friends while I was there, but the ones I had I still have.

What would my life look like today had I not dated my now-husband during that time?  The hopeless romantics may say we'd have ended up together no matter what.   The realists may disagree.

What would my life look like without my first boss?  I still see her every time I am in DC.   She has also written me some fantastic job references, for which I am forever grateful.

What would my life look like without my temp job?  A one-year stint in Ithaca would have felt a lot different without my first gig.  But would I have even been in Ithaca with Michael?

What would it look like today?   Nobody knows.

In retrospect, I don't think there was a -wrong- decision to be made during my senior year of high school.  I certainly would have done well, met new friends, etc.   But these specific people are special, and have truly impacted the last 12 years of my life.  

So, the best decision I have ever made?   To attend American University.

Turning 30 Wasn't So Bad

As I mentioned earlier this month, we had a whole festival planned to celebrate 30 years of my life on this earth.   The Yeti Run was fantastic.  Update on the rest:

Flying Fish was tasty.  

YAY for dinner with good company and good wine AND a Happy Birthday pin

BOO for the special NOT being Surf and Surf with rock shrimp -and- for the kitchen goofing up our order.  ML and Michael's dishes were a bit dry.  I think the chefs messed up my scallops so their plates had to wait. 

YAY for the palate cleansing sorbet we got after the appetizers, while we waited for the main event.

YAY for my free dessert.   It was peanut butter and jelly creme brulee.

As a general rule, creme brulee does not excite me too much.  But this was peanut butter and jelly creme brulee so what could go wrong?   Even more exciting was the pipet of melted chocolate I got to drizzle on top.   It was a cute presentation but the execution left something to be desired.

After dinner we headed back home where ML had a peanut butter PIE waiting.  Y'all.  Two peanut butter desserts in a matter of hours.  I was definitely not seeing why 30 was bad.  

The pie was DELISH but I had a bit of trouble getting the first piece out.   Dessert plating FAIL.   

I ate it anyway.  It tasted great.   I said to Michael once I had set scooped it onto my plate "I did OK!" which for some reason cracked him up.

Wednesday May 8 I took the day off work and we headed to….. SPACE MOUNTAIN.    What can I say I am a kid at heart.      I even got the front seat of the rocket.  Life is good.  After just a couple rides, we were hungry so we shared a cinnamon role - which was the size of my face - and a "LeFou's Brew" which is basically frozen apple juice with liquid marshmallow fluff on top.   It seems like a Marissa drink for sure with the marshmallow!

Michael and I were in "Gaston's Tavern" and sadly you can only see glimpses of the fantastically themed antler decor as well as a portrait of him above the fireplace.  Hilarious.

We rode the "Mountain Trifecta" which is my nerdy way of lumping together Space Mountain, Splash Mountain, and Big Thunder Mountain.   Big Thunder is my favorite so we did that twice . Dare I say it was a "Mountain Superfecta"?

One can only spend so many hours in the beloved Magic Kingdom, so we high tailed it over to the Polynesia via monorail.  Highly recommended.  Full service restaurants and alcohol await at the resorts!  The Kona Cafe is a favorite lunch option and they even brought me a cupcake - how nice

After lunch we hopped back on the monorail to rent a boat and doodle around in the lagoon in front of Magic Kingdom and also the lake to the east of the park.  Michael and I have been to Magic Kingdom countless times and have ridden the park's Staten Island style ferry frequently, but had never driven our own boat around.  The big guys have the right of way, but being in a small water craft allows you to see the area in a new way.   New experience for US at Disney World?  You bet!   We encountered a fellow Tribe fan, too!  A deck hand?  Sailor?   I don't know his official title, but he said "I love your hat by the way"  as I walked toward our boat.  The hat is an old spring training hat that doesn't even have Chief Wahoo on it - this guy is a super fan.   I make friends everywhere I go- but I am nothing compared to my mother.

They told us not to take pictures while we were out on the water, but Michael was driving so I snapped away!   I made him nervous.  

"Jules you are not supposed to take pictures"  

"What difference does it make?  You're driving"  

"The boat rangers are going to see you"  

"I look innocent.  They can't see a camera from far away.  Anyway, if they notice, I'll just say I thought that rule applied to drivers.  Easier to ask forgiveness than permission!"

The boat ride was super fun, and I have covertly taken photos to prove it!   

Magic Kingdom from the water!  The green awnings are boat docks, and the steel beam is the monorail track

Ferry boat, with Space Mountain behind it

What remains of River Country, an old school "Swimming Hole" that closed in 2001.  

I would love to be able to see this up close.

We would love to do a boat ride again, any time!  

Since the only thing better than one new Disney experience is two, we headed over to Downtown Disney to redeem a Groupon for the tethered hot air balloon ride.  

I do love a deal.  It was essentially buy 1 get 1 free and offered us a unique view of our stomping grounds.  

After heading home for dinner, we ate some cake.   (Oliver, our large tabby, is in the window, oblivious to the goings on)

Seriously this thing is a monster.   No peanut butter, but I was ok with it.  This is a Chocolate Zuccotto cake, which includes an Amaretto soaked cake, which is filled with both chocolate and vanilla mousse.   The Dessert Lady then covers it with ganache.  Oh boy.   I am sure there are no calories on your birthday right?   Ok good.

It was a busy, fun-filled day, which are my favorite kind!   A great way to usher in my next decade.

Celebrating 30 Years of Jules

My 30th birthday is fast approaching.    The above photo was obviously not taken the day I was born, but it's darn close.   It was definitely taken in 1983, and that was 30 years ago!   Mom's hair has changed approximately 30 times since then.  (No joke)

A few years ago we had what Hannah dubbed "Festival of Jules" which was basically several days of me having lots of fun with family and friends and eating lots of cake.    I am happy to report that my 30th is shaping up to be a similar celebration.

Saturday May 4
Kentucky Derby
which only means that I am drinking a mint julep and singing My Old Kentucky Home [the only song my Dad taught me] and rooting for a horse with a funny name.

Expedition Everest Challenge
aka "The Yeti Run"
I will be running a 5K obstacle course with Mary Lynn (my mother-in-law) in Disney's Animal Kingdom at 10pm - the park is gorgeous at night and we are excited
Look what we get when we cross the finish line!

source

Sunday May 5
Dinner at Flying Fish with Michael & Mary Lynn
Last summer I ate what is probably the best meal of my entire life.  No exaggeration.   Surf & Surf special.  Fingers crossed they have it again

source

Wednesday May 8
My birthday!
I took the day off work and have not yet decided what we will do to celebrate.  Decisions decisions!

Friday May 10
Dinner at Victoria & Albert's
This is a joint birthday gift for Michael and I.   He turned 30 in April and I did not give him a gift because this is our gift to ourselves.   It is an experience that we enjoyed in 2011 and will certainly enjoy the second time around.    We are so lucky to be able to do this!


Maybe I will actually blog about these things.   I have been on hiatus partially because of laziness and I will try to be better.   a "new year" resolution for turning 30?!

Year In Review

I have started a bit of a tradition with this post, and it's a nice way to remember what the heck we did the past 365 days!  But some of the questions were driving me crazy so I eliminated them.  May I present a shorter (better?) list for 2012.

1. What did you do in 2012 that you'd never done before?
*I had forgotten about some of these until I looked at the blog archives!  Including the mundane because why not?!

Went to California- Twice!  Napa Valley, and Sonoma for wine tasting, and San Francisco in March 
Los Angeles (including DISNEYLAND!) in October [side note did I really not blog about this?  No I did not.  I have lots of photos too..... and they are not posted to my photo sight.  SLACKER!)
Took a comprehensive backstage tour of the Walt Disney Resort
Attended the Great American Pie Festival and ate lots of pie
Swam with Dolphins 
Hosted my sister twice - so fun!
Watched a baseball game in a dome 


Signed up for a 1/2 marathon [hopefully FINISHING a 1/2 marathon will be on this here list next year]
Dressed up in 20's garb
Adopted a cat!  (well, technically my family did this in 1994 but Michael and I together did it, so it counts, right?)

2. Did you keep your new year's resolutions, and will you make more for next year?
I don't make resolutions - I tend to make a change whenever the spirit moves me.  So I guess "yes" because I did not make them...?  and "no I won't make any now"

3. Did anyone close to you give birth?
Yes! Cousin Anthony's wife, Nikole, had Aubri on January 9

4. Did anyone close to you die?
Yes. Dad's older sister, Charlotte Decker passed away in May

5. What countries did you visit?
Zero!  I was stateside all year.  I did go to California twice after having NEVER been before!  San Francisco and Los Angeles.  This summer included flights to Chicago, Cincinnati, and Lexington, Kentucky.  Also- I was in St. Louis this November, and of course, I was in DC for the Nutcracker in early December, and the Cleveland area for Christmas.

6. What would you like to have in 2013 that you lacked in 2012?
As always, for the Indians to win the World Series!  Maybe the Tribe will pull through for me?  And I suppose more time for myself.  I work a lot of hours, and while I LOVE my flexible schedule and have no commute, I still have long days.  When you live in a vacation destination, friends and family are often around, which is lovely.  Seriously- it is fun!  But with that comes the fact that many evenings instead of unwinding with a book or a TV show or even organizing the pantry, I am out meeting a loved one who is here for a few days.  Maybe my lack of pop culture knowledge can be blamed on my visitors?! 

7. What dates from 2012 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?
May 8th - my birthday celebration (see below)
December 3rd - we adopted a cat!

8. What was your biggest achievement of the year?
Maybe not the biggest, but one that I am proud of regardless: Being nominated to chair my high school's alumni council in the coming year.

9. What was your biggest failure?
Probably multi-tasking.   Keeping my home in "Martha Stewart" shape which is always sort of an unattainable goal for those working as many hours as I do.  Writing on the blog regularly.  Booooo for being busy after work so frequently and not having time to write.

10. Did you suffer illness or injury?
As in 2011, no stitches, broken bones, etc. but I did take a nasty fall while running in March, from which I still have a nasty scar on my elbow.

11. What was the best thing you bought?
We won't know if it was the best thing until a few things unfold in 2013, but tentatively, a restaurant franchise!  But we're thinking it will be AWESOME!    More on this in the coming year.  Otherwise, running shoes.  If I cannot run, I cannot function

12. Where did most of your money go?
To our AmEx bill!  Most likely to travel and restaurants and the Disney corporation  And as always, to the Osceola County tax collector.

13. What did you get really excited about?
Swimming with dolphins!  Going to Disneyland for the first time was pretty awesome too.   I promise I am not 7 years old.
 

14. What song will always remind you of 2011?
Call Me Maybe.  Carly Rae Jepsen sang a catchy little tune, and then the US Olympic team (and everyone else on the planet) had to make a parody.  Some Nights and We Were Young by Fun. are also strong contenders.

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

- happier or sadder? About the same
- thinner or fatter? Thinner!  Not by much, but YAY
- richer or poorer? Poorer (see also: buying franchise in #1)

16. What do you wish you'd done more of?  Swam. Read a few more books

17. What do you wish you'd done less of?
Self-appointed busy work.  Comparing myself to others.

18. How did you spend Christmas?
We were in Ohio, as usual, with our families. Cleveland Orchestra concert, Christmas Eve Mass, ML's lasagna with both nuclear families.  Christmas day included lots of gifts and the Lasky bash, but Erica had the flu and her presence was greatly missed.  It was so sad.

19. What was your favorite TV program?
I am so lame I barely watch TV.  Once Upon A Time keeps me watching, though!

20. What was the best book you read?
A Kiss Before Dying by Ira Levin was definitely the most exciting.  Written in the 1950s, it's often described as the first modern psychological suspense story.

Truthfully, I am sad about the small number of books I read this past year, but thanks to Kindle Daily Deals I have a lot of material lined up for 2013.

21. What was your greatest musical discovery?
Ah another question where I can show my hopelessly lame musical self.  I do not recall having one.  Perhaps I should read Entertainment Weekly more closely and buy some new music!

22. What was your favorite film of this year?
Did I see any movies this year?  I saw Men In Black III in a "Dine-In" theater where you have a little tray table and waiters bring you over-priced food which you cannot see because it's dark [obviously, this is a movie theater] but also because it is a 3-D movie that requires you to wear glasses that mess with your depth perception.  I wouldn't say it was my favorite movie ever, though I do absolutely love Will Smith.

23. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you?
I turned 29 and Michael and I SWAM WITH DOLPHINS oh my gosh.  (I cannot stress this enough, I recommend taking the DAY OFF FROM WORK if you can swing it)  We also ate an Oreo ice cream cake and I opened a few gifts.

24. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?
REPEAT ANSWER ALERT:
 I am a glass is half-full person and plead the 5th.

25. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2012?
Something tells me only those with serious style - aka fashion bloggers- can answer this seriously.  You recall that I work from home right?  I don't even own work clothes.  My fashion concept in 2012?  Running shorts and sports bras at 6 am.  It's not necessarily PRETTY but it's what I have. 
Though I must say I did branch out with some sequined tops for holiday parties, so I feel like that should count.

26. What kept you sane?
Many many cups of tea and many miles of running.

27. Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most?
Same as always: Matt Damon and Morgan Freeman. I mean, who else is there?

28. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2012.
Live if short; don't get too caught up in little things.  But also, Life goes on.  No matter what sort of life you're leading, things will work out.