Revisiting 2018

What did you do in 2018 that you’ve never done before?

Visited Seattle.

Aerial Yoga, which I do not believe I will be partaking in again. Seriously, this frame is not meant to be held by silk ribbons. I had bruises just above my ass for several days.

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

Here’s the thing: I do not remember if I made any resolutions next year, and knowing myself, they were some loose suggestions for living at best.

Did anyone close to you give birth?

All three of my parents’ goats had babies this year. While you may be thinking, “That does not count silly lady!” I have been waiting for someone to make me an aunt for a long time, and I will be happy to settle for goats. Baby goats are cuter than baby humans. Fight me.

Did anyone close to you die?

No… let’s keep this streak going, shall we.

What places did you visit?

Portland, OR

Cannon Beach, OR

San Diego, CA

Montrose, CO

Seattle, WA

NYC

What would you like to have in 2019 that you didn’t have in 2018?

I’m sometimes concerned that my general feeling of contentment is actually just laziness. I’m mostly fine, I would like to be able to say that I accomplished something at the end of next year.

What dates from 2018 will be etched in your memory forever?

February 14^th – The Parkland shooting

August 12^th – The day we finally moved into an apartment that doesn’t suck.

December 13th – The day I’ve been referring to as Michelle Obama day. I went to her book tour at a packed Pepsi Center and I’ll start the new year reading her book.

What was your biggest achievement this year?

That baked tofu dish I made. Do you know how hard it is to make non-weird tofu?

I also read 25 books this year, which I feel is am important accomplishment to note, due to the nose-in-air scoffs I get from people upon learning how much television I watch. I WILL NOT BE SHAMED. This is the golden age of television and I AM ALSO VERY LITERATE.

What was your biggest failure?

I currently hold the same position that I did a year ago…and the year before that. It’s not all bad. I work with good people, I don’t have much of a commute, I’m considered a leader (albeit without the title or pay) and holding a job for this long has provided me with financial stability I never knew as a child or in college, despite my Kilimanjaro size mountain of student loans. I am really just tired of feeling like I have someone looking over my shoulder constantly. I’m ready for more autonomy and to have more control over my time. I don’t want to have to make sure my boss knows that occasionally I cut out of work a little early to get to yoga class. I’m an adult, and I’m good at my job. I’d like to not be on a leash to a cubicle anymore. To be continued…

Did you suffer from illness or injury?

Ever heard of a ganglion cyst? Not technically an injury, but very annoying.

What was the best thing you bought?

I got an antique school desk for a STEAL at a shop on South Broadway. I adore it.

Where did most of your money go?

Food. Always food.

What did you get really, really excited about?

The T.LT. at True Food Kitchen

Harbor Seals

Lizzo

A St. Bernard named Apollo

What song will always remind you of 2018?

If anyone claims the song of this year is not Bohemian Rhapsody, I would like for them to explain themselves.

Compared to this time last year, are you a) happier or sadder, b) thinner or fatter, c) richer or poorer?

I’m equally happy. Although if you had asked me like 6 months ago, that answer would be much different

I might be barely thinner. My pants are falling off of me, but one pant size smaller is still too small.

Okay, I think actually richer. Maybe. I’m bad at this. We have more in savings, and I have been making coffee at home since we moved. That makes a huge difference over time. Also, do you have any idea how much less you spend on groceries over a year when you don’t eat meat?

What do you wish you’d done more of?

Hmmm… Yoga. I’ve been a pretty consistent yoga practitioner for the last couple of years. I think my next step is to work on a better home practice.

What do you wish you’d done less of?

I wish I had done less beating myself up. I spent a lot of time doing that.

How did you spend Christmas?

We made our annual trek to New York to see Harrison’s family.

What was your favorite TV program?

Nothing makes me laugh as much as Will & Grace does. Nothing.

What was the best book you read?

It’s a tie. “All Over The Place” by Geraldine DeRuiter and “Tragendy plus Time” by Adam Cayton-Holland.

What did you want that you got?

An apartment that isn’t falling apart and doesn’t feel like a dungeon. It is amazing what some big windows can do for a mood. With our move, we also got a new mattress.

What did you want and not get?

A new job.

What was your favorite film of 2018?

Oh man. It was a good movie year for me. I have to say Blindspotting, which I’m disappointed did not get more attention. Obama put it on his list. He knows what’s up.

What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you?

32! I woke up and went to work. Unfortunately. I did take the next day off to relax before going to Michelle Obama’s book tour.

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

What’s happening with this Mueller thing? Can we get that show on the road please? I mean, WHAT IS TAKING SO LONG?

Who kept you sane?

Harrison. Always Harrison. Although, there were a few times this year that he contributed to a decrease in sanity.

Who did you miss?

I really wish my brother and sister-in-law were closer. Maybe someday.

Who was the best new person you met?

I’ll just call her the other Whitney. She’s a sister of a long-time acquaintance, and for some reason, she seems to enjoy me. She’s a good influence and makes me do outside my comfort zone shit.

Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2018.

Alone can be kinda nice and not at all lonely.

Show us one of your favorite photos from the year.

This moment was just joy for me. Joy.