Farewell, 2014

I've always loved Christmas break (duh). But New Year's Eve has always been bittersweet for me.
As a child, my parents had friends come to our house to celebrate. The occasion was always marked by grilling out steaks, a huge salad bar, and many delicious deserts. We would try to stay awake until midnight - something that has only been easy for me in my teenage years. There were even times that the kids, four of us altogether, would create these wonderfully terrible plays and perform them for our parents. Poor adults. They had to endure the awkwardness of our talent (or perhaps even the absence thereof!). My father even kept the contract we signed agreeing to no more play. Truthfully, they were horrible.

But along with the great celebration with friends came the harsh realization that things were changing. New Year, but the same school year. No more Christmas to look forward to. And, most depressingly, the return to school.

As an adult, though, I look at NYE a little differently. Although I'm not entirely eager to relinquish the freedom of Christmas break, I do look forward to getting back to work. (Weird.) I'm excited about a fresh 12 months to wade into, to set goals in, to experience life. However, I love looking back at what I've done, what I've accomplished over the last year.

Waaay back in 2011, I happened upon a lady's blog. Ok, ok. I was blog stalking her because she was training for a marathon and read a lot of cool books and I kinda wanted to be her. She completed this interesting questionnaire at the end of the year. So, wanting to be her, I copied. 

The Year 2014

1. What was the single best thing that happened this past year?
For once, this question is remarkably easy. Many discussions, thoughts, plans, fears, and tears went into getting to this point. But we couldn't be more excited about it.

2. What was the single most challenging thing that happened?
Giving up coffee. For serious. That is challenging. 

3. What was an unexpected joy this past year?
Adam and I took a spontaneous vacation. We never do anything without careful thought and well laid plans. Booking a cruise three days before it departs was pretty spontaneous for us!

4. What was an unexpected obstacle?
Late in the summer, Adam had surgery on his nose. He's a pretty good patient, but I'm a terrible nurse. Thankfully, his parents came to the rescue. They're the best. 

5. Pick three words to describe 2013

Quick.
Calculated.
Exciting.

Just like last year, we ate a lot of bacon in 2014.
Still not ashamed.6. Pick three words your spouse would use to describe your 2014 (don’t ask them; guess based on how you think your spouse sees you).
Busy.
Stressful.
Exciting.

7. Pick three words your spouse would use to describe their 2014 (again, without asking).
Goal-achieving.
Fun.
Memorable.

8. What were the best books you read this year?

Paper Towns by John Green
Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn

9. What was your biggest personal change from January to December of this past year?

While I haven't perfected it yet and certainly never will, I've been working on my patience. Adam will be the first to tell you that I'm one of the worst people at waiting. Waiting is hard stuff. Even if I haven't gotten any better at being patient, at least I'm working on it, right? ;)

10. What was biggest thing you learned this past year?

Failing to plan is planning to fail.
For reals.