my 2009

I did this last year, and decided to do it again.

1. What did you do in 2009 that you’d never done before?
Taught a drama class with my daughter in it.
Was thrown over someone else's head on stage. In front of a live audience. And we all lived to tell about it.
Lost 20 pounds without giving birth to another being.
Adopted a kitten.

2. Did you keep your new year’s resolutions, and will you make more for next year?
I made no resolutions last January, although this summer I decided to buckle down and stop whining (to myself, I never really did it outloud much) about my weight and lose some... and I lost over 20 pounds. I'm immensely proud of myself. I've also managed to stay at this weight through the holidays, which is no small feat (she says, as she takes another swig of mimosa...) Now that I've lost the weight I'd really like to exercise more to tone up... but I dare not think of that as a new year's resolution or it will never happen.

3. Did anyone close to you give birth?
Oh yes. My best friend from college gave birth to twins, and a dear friend from days in LA gave birth, after many years of hoping and praying and medical help, to a beautiful baby boy, for whom I will be a godmother.

4. Did anyone close to you die?
Not in 2009, knock on wood.

5. Where did you travel?
Cabo. Michigan. The mountains of Tennessee and North Carolina. Orlando for Disney.

6. What would you like to have in 2010 that you lacked in 2009?
More organization and less clutter. (oh my, even I can't help laughing at that one...)

7. What dates from 2009 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?
January 21st. The inauguration. This year has not been all I'd hoped it would be, and President Obama has not done everything that I had hoped he would, and yet I still believe that we are heading in a better direction than we were, and that we would be if a different president were in office.
There are moments, too, that don't need a specific date, but that are dear to me. Like the sound of my daughter's laughter the first time she saw me on stage.

8. What was your biggest achievement of the year?
Losing over 20 pounds. Yippee!

9. What was your biggest failure?
Oy. I am going to keep this one to myself.

10. What was the best thing you bought?
I have to agree with Aunt Becky, and say my iPhone. How did I live before I could check my e-mail from ANYWHERE, and answer just about any question with a visit to google? That Lose It! app came in pretty handy, too. I also have this fabulous scarf that I get complimented on every time I wear it. Oh. And skinny jeans. Because I CAN.

11. What song will always remind you of 2009?
I'm going to have to go with Single Ladies by Beyonce. From the cast of Beast learning the moves backstage to my terrible rendition at a Mardi Gras parade to the football team on glee dancing on the field, Single Ladies seemed to keep reappearing in 2009. 10 years from now when I hear the song I will think of these things, and this year.

12. What do you wish you’d done more of?
Scrapbooking. I'm now over a year behind.

13. What do you wish you’d done less of?
Snapping at my child.

14. What was your favorite TV program?
glee!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! (I love it. Can you tell? oh please, please, please don't cancel this show!)

15. What was your favorite movie?
probably Julie and Julia

16. What was the best book you read?
I really should keep a list of what I read, because I can never seem to think of what I've read, let alone what was the best. Maybe The Bean Trees by Barbara Kingsolver.

17. What one thing would have made your year measurably more satisfying?
The answer I gave last year still holds true, unfortunately: Close friends nearby. I have lots of friendly acquaintances, but not a close friend nearby, and I really feel that hole. I keep wanting to cultivate it, but it just never seems to happen.

18. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2009?
Concept? How about... trying not to look too old but at the same time trying not to look like I'm trying to look like a teenager.

19. What kept you sane?
Diet Cherry Coke.

20. Who did you miss?
Again last year's answer: Way too long of a list... I have too many friends and family that are scattered about.

21. Who was the best new person you met?
It's so hard to answer this one, since I meet so many great people working on shows. If I have to whittle it down, I might go with my director for Proof. He was a wonderful director, one of the best I've worked with, which was such a pleasant surprise at this small suburban theatre. He has continued to be very supportive of my work, and I hope to have the chance to work with him again.

22. Tell us a valuable lesson you learned in 2009.
I can turn down offered parts, and other stuff will still come along. (The jury is still out on whether that theatre will ever cast me again or not, though)

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Your Monday Mission, should you choose to accept it, is to write a post in the style of a performance review (inspired by Heather at In Te Domine's clever Year End Self Evaluation (hint: feel free to steal her format. She's given us permission!). See you then!