****

I traveled to the Netherlands and Spain – two countries I’d yet to see in my journey.  I also got my nose pierced and left behind a career I’d spent almost a decade working toward. 

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

I don’t typically make New Year’s resolutions since I’m the kind of person who’s constantly making new plans and setting new goals throughout the year.  But this year, for whatever reason, it seems like a good idea.  So, here we go:

1.  I will try to write something new every day.

2.  I will finish a draft of the poetry manuscript I’m working on.

3.  I will finish a draft of the memoir I’m working on.

4.  I will start, in earnest, the anthology project I’ve had in my head for ten years.

5.  I will work to become more involved in editing and publishing.

6.  I will exercise “regularly” instead of “sporadically”

7.  I will recycle and compost in an effort to lesson my footprint

8.  I will find a good organization in need of volunteers and volunteer my time

9.  I will continue to search for quietness and peace in my life

10.  I will continue to work on my relationships with friends and family

That seems like a lot.  But I have a whole year, right??  Wish me luck.

3. Did you reconnect with anyone or make new friends this year? 

This year has been a big one for me in terms of reconnecting with my older brother.  I’m also, very recently, reconnecting with one of my younger brothers.  I’ve also been making some new friends here in Oxford – not a small feat since Oxford is a university town and a large number of its residents are transient.  Connecting with the “stable” Oxford population is a bit more challenging but important to me since I’ve decided to build my life in this small town.

4. Did anyone close to you die?

On this very day last year, we lost a good friend, Connie Toigo.  The town of Oxford (indeed, the world) also lost Barry Hannah in March of this year. 

5. What countries did you visit?

Not a big year for travel – but I did manage to get to the Netherlands twice this year and was able to spend a week in Spain (Madrid and Salamanca).  I hope to get back to Australia and to see Italy in 2011.

6. What would you like to have in 2011 that you lacked in 2010?

A stronger work ethic for the things that are important to me and a willingness to let go of the things that aren’t.  I’d also like to have more quality time with friends and family and, above all else, more inner quietude and balance.

7. What dates from 2010 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?

Well, June 16th stands out because that’s the day we closed on Angelwood.  Also, May 10th – my last day of full-time teaching.  And, of course, some day in August (can’t remember the actual date) – the month Buford came to live with us.

8. What was your biggest achievement of the year? 

Oddly enough, I think leaving my career behind was my biggest achievement.  It was a torturous decision – to choose writing (which promises nothing) over teaching (which at least promises some level of stability…sort of…these are trying days for academia).  But in the end, and even though I’ve accomplished very little thus far, I think it was one of the greatest decisions I’ve ever made.  Following through with it was an actual achievement.  I also published a little this year – including my first creative nonfiction essay (forthcoming).  A small achievement, and by no means my “biggest,” but worth mentioning since it’s been a little while since I’ve had any presence at all in print.

9. What was your biggest failure?

It’s funny – but my biggest failure is also part of my biggest achievement 😉  It’s true that I finally got back on the publishing horse, but I didn’t do it nearly as much as I needed to or should have.

10. Did you suffer illness or injury?

Other than the annual bout of bronchitis, I was pretty healthy this year.  No injuries…knock on wood!

11. What was the best thing you bought?

Angelwood.  Without a doubt.

12. Where did most of your money go?

Angelwood.  Without a doubt.  😉

13. What did you get really excited about?

I see a repeating pattern here:  leaving my job and buying the house.

14. What song will always remind you of 2010?

I don’t have a song, per se.  But I spent the first half of 2010 commuting from Oxford to Cleveland (1 hr. 40 min. one way) every day.  There were two albums that I listened to REPEATEDLY.  Taylor Swift’s Fearless (I know, I know, mock away!) and KT Tunstall’s Eye to the Telescope.

15. Compared to this time last year, are you:
– happier or sadder?   Definitely happier.
– thinner or fatter?  A little thinner.
– richer or poorer?  About the same. 

16. What do you wish you’d done more of?

Reading, writing, playing the piano, meditating, exercising, and cooking.  Sigh.

17. What do you wish you’d done less of? 

Worrying and stressing.

18. How did you spend Christmas? 

In Pigeon Forge, Tennessee with the White family.

19. What was your favorite TV program?

I finally got around to watching ER this year (about ten years late, I know) – also discovered Fringe and Breaking Bad.

20. What were your favorite books of the year?

Since I commuted so much the first part of this year, I listened to a lot of books on CD.  I loved ALL of David Sedaris’ works – I think I’m just missing one of his collections.  I also listened to some amazing poets including Stanley Kunitz about whom I’d forgotten – wonderful.  The second half of the year was pretty sparse – I read Tom Franklin’s Poachers and am about 2/3 of the way through Justin Cronin’s The Passage (although, I would NOT call that a favorite book – more on this later).

21. What was your favorite music from this year? 

Taylor Swift, KT Tunstall, Amy Winehouse, Joss Stone, Amos Lee

22. What were your favorite films of the year?

I saw quite a few movies this year, but strangely, nothing is standing out as a “favorite” – unless you count Avatar – but that was technically a 2009 film…. 

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

I was 39 this year (gulp) – dinner, hanging out with friends, the usual.

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

Actually finishing the renovation on Angelwood.

25. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2010? 

I’m a comfort girl.  I’m all about the comfort.  Jeans, t-shirts, docs or boots.  It’s the accessories that I’m working on – the perfect belt, the right jewelry, that kind of thing….

26. What kept you sane? 

My friends.  My family.  My partner.

27. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2010. 

If you want something, you have to make it happen.  No one’s going to hand you your life on a silver platter.  Believe it can be done.  Then go after it.

Happy New Year, Everyone!