Finish This: Year in Review

{Sorry for the delay in posting and in the technical difficulties earlier. Craziness was the story of my life for several days, and then Blogger decided to throw a tantrum. All is well now, though, so enjoy!}

Happy New Year! THIS is the Year in Review post that I've been working on for so long! A huge thank-you to Nicole at Three 31 for hosting this - she sent out the prompts several months ago so that we could start preparing early. And boy did this post require preparation! Are you ready!?

What did you do in 2014 that you’d never done before? I bought a dining room table, saw the Alamo, lived with someone I didn't know {very well}, and hosted a Thanks-mas Party with my young adult group.

Did you keep your New Year’s resolutions? Will you make more in 2015? I kept all my resolutions except for the recipe goal, and yes, I did set some goals for 2015.

Did anyone close to you give birth? No, but I got to cuddle a lot of freshly-born babies.

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Did anyone close to you die? My roomie's mom passed away in March. I had the privilege of meeting Nellie twice, and we spoke over Google Chat whenever I was in the room. Our conversation was "Hi, Catherine's mom!" "Hi, Catherine's roomie!" She was a wonderfully spunky lady.

What countries did you visit? I stayed domestic this year, but I did get to visit Kentucky, Oregon, and Texas!

What would you like to have in 2015 that you lacked in 2014? I would like to have a better budget in 2015... After reading this inspiring post, I'm going to be tracking my spending more closely and creating more parameters for myself.

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What date from 2014 will remain etched upon your memory? This day in February when I surprised my bosom friend; this day in June when I decided to work towards doula certification; this week in July when I watched "The Fall" three times; this day in October when I started doula certification; this Halloween weekend I spent with two of my best friends; and New Year's Eve, with a fantastic gathering of friends at my place.

What was your biggest achievement of the year? Completing Bradley Birth classes {all 12 weeks!} and beginning the more formal, less structured doula certification process.

What was your biggest failure? While I did get into a great exercise routine {Zumba 4x a week!}, my eating habits did not much improve, and some days were just plain awful. This is one of my areas of improvement for 2015.

Did you suffer illness or injury? I had some health challenges in the summer, and that brought financial challenges as well, but all is right as rain now!

What was the best thing you bought? A dining room table, a lamp that I made-over, more essential oils, plane tickets to Kentucky, Ina May Gaskin's Guide to Childbirth, Pierce Brown's Red Rising, and lots and lots of yarn.

Whose behavior merited celebration? My sisters'! One sister graduated from college and got a full-time job; one sister conquered transferring craziness and is now kicking butt as a junior; and my baby sister is leading her Model United Nations group {and like 6 other groups} in international competitions. Also, all three of them ran a half marathon. My sisters are awesome!

Where did most of your money go? Besides the boring stuff like gas and house payments? Doula certification, Zumba classes, DIY stuff for making my house beautiful.

What did you get really excited about? Have I mentioned doula certification enough? :) I also got really excited about reading {and buying} good books, visiting friends near and far, and hosting Thanksmas and NYE parties.

What song will always remind you of 2014? Taylor Swift's "Shake It Off"

Compared to this time last year, are you:

           Happier or sadder? Happier!
           Thinner or fatter? Thinner, or at least more fit
           Richer or poorer? Hmm, richer in community, richer in career, richer in blessings. I'm gonna go with richer :)

What do you wish you’d done more of? I wish I'd spent more time with my sisters.

What do you wish you’d done less of? I wish I'd spent less time worrying about other people's opinions of me.

How will you be spending Christmas? With my family, at my parents' house, in traditional new pajamas {except this year I got a bathrobe and it is plush and luxurious and I'm never taking it off!}.

Did you fall in love in 2014? I fell more deeply in love with life!

How many one-night stands?

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Who were your best friends? Samara, Cami, Rebecca, Julie, AJ, Dahlia

What thing did you do that was meaningful to others? I got a lot of positive feedback from new parents in the hospital where I baby cuddle. One new dad saw me rocking a baby and upon learning that I was not a new mom but a volunteer, said with a sigh of exhaustion and gratitude, "Oh, I could hug you right now. Thank you!"

What were your favorite TV shows? "Pushing Daisies," "The Mindy Project," "The Office," "Gilmore Girls," "Firefly," and of course the Brits: "Doctor Who," "Sherlock," and "Call the Midwife."

all images taken from IMDB.com

Do you hate anyone now that you didn’t hate this time last year? I try not to hate people... I've stopped caring about the opinions of a couple people, but I don't hate them.

What was the best book you read in 2014?
Non-fiction: Ina May Gaskin's Guide to Childbirth, Doris Kearns Goodwin's Team of Rivals, and Laura Hillenbrand's Unbroken
Fiction: Elizabeth Wein's Code Name Verity and Pierce Brown's Red Rising

What was your greatest musical discovery? Birdy - both her albums are hauntingly beautiful. And Amy Stroup... nonstop listening to her gorgeous voice and style.

What did you want and get? I wanted to get through Team of Rivals and 39 other books...and I did! Actually, I exceeded my initial goal of 40 books and read 55!

What did you want but did not get? I wanted to win a trip to Rwanda, but it didn't happen. Guess I'll go another time.

What were your favorite films this year? I know I'm late to the party, but "The Fall" is the perfect film and I saw it just this year.

Of films actually released in 2014, my faves are:
"Mockingjay: Part 1" was absolutely fantastic
"The Imitation Game" - gawd, such an amazing film. Sad story, beautiful film.
"Exodus: Gods and Kings" was really good. The whole Plagues sequence... whoa.

What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you? I celebrated with my family and sangria at an Italian restaurant, got rear-ended {I sure know how to have a good time}, hosted a Sherlock party, and wrote about 25 life lessons since I turned 25.

What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying? Being able to click my heels and instantly visit my friends.... as soon as that magic is invented, let me know!

What kept you sane? My friends who are so awesome - they encouraged me, chased away my doubts and fears, and brought wine :)

Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most? Like in a "hey baby" kind of way? Um, that would be Lee Pace, yes please thank you kindly here's to you.

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What political issue stirred you the most? I don't think this will ever stop stirring me. The pro-life movement and all that it encompasses is one of my passions and it directs my dollars and vote.

Who do you miss? I've missed my grandpa more this year than last year, probably because time has lessened the pain of loss and because I'm better able to remember him pre-Alzheimer's.
I also miss my Kentucky families and am planning a visit very soon.
Samara, I miss living with you!

Who are the best new persons you met this year? I made a new friend at Notions! She is super sweet and funny and brilliant, and we hung out over turkey-and-stuffing sandwiches - mmm!

Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2014.

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Quote that sums up the year: {I love this one especially because it talks about a birth!}

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There you go! Goodbye, 2014, and hello, new adventures of 2015!