Yes, I was going to do it too

sum up 2006, that is. I wanted to do this new years meme since I saw it at
Dr. Crazy's days ago, but something kept getting in the way. I am struggling a bit at the moment to figure out how to fit in blogging when i am super busy at work (and in a relatively controlled work environmenent compared to where I was this fall). But here it is:


1.What did you do in 2006 that you'd never done before?

Got an article published, learned cross-country skiing, created and taught my own course, got engaged.

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

I don’t really do New Years resolutions, but I did settle down in a new country, find my place in my new job and pay off most of my debt – all high priorities last year. My priorities for this year more time with Fiancé, get out more, exercise again and loose a bit of weight (I know, not unlike the goals of many other people).

3.Did anyone close to you give birth?

My sister gave birth to my third nephew and one of my best friends had twins

4.Did anyone close to you die?

No, everybody’s still alive as far as I know

5.What countries did you visit?

Russia (several times), Finland, Germany, Sweden, Denmark, Norway

6.What would you like to have in 2007 that you lacked in 2006?

Friends who live where I live

7.What date from 2006 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?

March 30 and October 22 for professional and personal milestones and one of them for the birth of my nephew.

8.What was your biggest achievement of the year?

Professionally: creating a very successful course at my favorite university and establishing future professional contact with said institution. I am also happy and proud to have grown from a newcomer in my department a year ago to head of the group (even if it’s just temporarily)

Personally: I could say getting engaged, but I am not sure that can be considered an achievement. Actually 2006 has been very much about professional development and my personal life has been quite a bit neglected

9.What was your biggest failure?

I don’t like the word failure. It seems too dramatic to describe my relatively mundane existence. If I rephrase the question to “What could you have done differently” I’d say spend more time making friends and socialising.

10. Did you suffer illness or injury?

No, I have been very lucky in that respect

11. What were the best things you bought?

Skies, a ticket to Argentina for spring 2007, new laptop and lots of plane tickets when Fiancé and I were still living apart.

12. Where did most of your money go?

Pay off loans, ridiculously high heating bills, plane tickets

13. What did you get really, really, really excited about?

Professionally: My job and all the possibilities it brings
Personally: Getting engaged and moving in with Fiancé

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

a. happier or sadder? Happier
b. thinner or fatter? The same (dieting in spring was worth nothing after chocaholic fall)
c. richer or poorer? Richer

15. What do you wish you'd done more of?

Socialising and having fun

16. What do you wish you'd done less of?

errr….nothing I can think of

17. How did you spending Christmas?

In my home country with my family

18. Did you fall in love in 2006?

I have been in love for years

19. How many one-night stands?

none

20. What was your favorite TV program?

After six months without TV I love any TV program. If people move on a screen I like it! But I did watch the first three seasons of Gilmore Girls on DVD obsessively during the TV-free months away.

21. Do you hate anyone now that you didn't hate this time last year?

No, I don’t think I hate anybody – not now and not last year.

22. What was the best book you read?

I know I am a geek but I guess the book I have been talking most about (while reading) was a book about medieval European history written in a wonderful language and focusing on the average people rather than kings and queens. I don’t remember the name of the author, but it is written in a Scandinavian language and is the first book in a series of five about the history of Europe.

I also liked Umberto Eco: On literature

23. What did you want and get?

Everything!

A teaching position, a home, enough money to stop worrying about how to pay off loans, a grant

24. What did you want and not get?

Nothing

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

I turned 32 and spent the morning getting vaccinations for never-ending series of trips to Russia. I was also treated to lunch by my colleagues/vaccination buddies, Fiancé made me birthday cakes and my dad was visiting.

26. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfied?

Nothing: 2006 has been a truly extraordinary year and I cannot imagine how one thing could have made it much better.

27. What kept you sane?

My Fiancé. Without him I have no idea how I would have dealt with everything.

28. What political issue stirred you the most?

The government in my home country

29. Who did you miss?

My friends and my family

30. Who was the best new person you met?

Many. I have met at least a handful of new people who I think will be in my professional network for many years to come.

31. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2006:

Everything is possible