The New Year Tag for 2018

What did you do in 2018 that you’d never done before?
I’m a hobbit, especially this year. I can’t think of anything major.
Did you keep your New Year’s resolutions, and will you make one this year?
I made a ton of goals and while I met some parts of the goals, overall I don’t think I made a success. Yes, I’m definitely having goals. I’m trying to make them more general upfront, and then I will break them down into more achievable steps and plans.
My resolutions were…
I posted them around this time last year if you really want to see them.
Did anyone close to you give birth?
Yes, my sister-in-law to my first niece (first niece or nephew, is there a group word for that?).
Did anyone close to you die?
No.
What countries/states did you visit?
Florida (the states we drove through to get there don’t count). In other words, back to normal; so much for my dreams (I missing the key ingredient of bravery, since I apparently cannot drive 2 hours in my own state to see the total solar eclipse, over a year, and I’m still disgusted with myself). I’ve been made aware that around this area there are two states, the one you live in and Florida.
What would you like to have in 2019 that you lacked in 2018?
Financial independence.
What date from 2018 will remain etched upon your memory?
My niece’s birthday.
Did you move anywhere?
No.
What was the best month?
All the ones after my niece has been born (the last 3.5).
What was your biggest achievement of the year?
I’m not sure. Maybe spending more time with family.
What was your biggest failure?
All things financial and career (per usual).
Did you suffer illness or injury?
No.
What was the best thing you bought?
I didn’t have major purchases, but I bought a lot of unique handmade and vintage items. I posted about the art fair already. I think I have yet to post about some of the other trips.
Whose behavior merited celebration?
Anyone who didn’t do or say anything awful.
Whose behavior made you appalled and depressed?
Everyone who did.
Where did most of your money go?
School and make-up and skincare, I think.
What did you get really, really, really excited about?
My niece.
What was the best concert you’ve been to this year?
I don’t go to concerts.
What song/album will always remind you of 2018?
I’m so not a music person, should probably work a bit on that. I have listened to the Greatest Showman music, probably the most current music.
Compared to this time last year, are you:
1. happier or sadder? Happier or more positive at least, I hope, I think?
2. thinner or fatter? Ouch, definitely fatter.
3. richer or poorer? Um, less in debt.
What do you wish you’d done more of? 
Saved money.
What do you wish you’d done less of?
Spent money. Shared too many words and emotions at work (i.e. trust no one).
What was your greatest musical discovery?
Like I said, not a huge music person. But I have enjoyed learning about Christmas carols in Stories Behind the Best Loved Songs of Christmas by Ace Collins. And as folk music is definitely my favorite genre, I enjoyed watching and listening to this bluegrass clogging video.
How did you spend Christmas?
With family, I’ll probably post about it soon.
How are you spending New Year’s?
Well, typing this post, I opted not to go with my family to friends. Tomorrow, per usual we have people over (to avoid people having run-ins with drunk drivers) for homemade doughnuts, ping-pong, and board games.
Who did you spend the most time on the phone with?
Social media.
What were the best books you read?
The best books were old favorites for fiction. I did enjoy starting Stephen Lawhead’s Pendragon Cycle and Diana Wynne Jones’ Crestomanci books as well as a few others, but no loves there. I appreciated a lot of the health and disease books I read and Sleep Smarter which I want to buy and use like a manual.
What were the best movies you watched?
I Am Dragon, Spiderman: Homecoming, Thor: Ragnarok, Bringing Up Baby, and Monkey Business.
Did you fall in love in 2018?
No.
What was your favorite TV show?
Yeah, I’m NOT a television person.
Do you hate anyone now that you didn’t hate this time last year?
What did you want and get?
Spiderman: Homecoming, The Hollow Crown, and The Magic of Ordinary Days.
What did you want and not get?
Books with beautiful covers on my wishlist.
How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2018?
Apathetic.
What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you?
Probably watched a movie? And later we did a family month birthday (we have 5 in that month). Apparently I didn’t do a birthday post, not sure why. But I need to work better at documenting memories, it’s disturbing what I can’t remember. I turned 28.
What kept you sane?
Easy books, funny movies, my room.
What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?
Financial and career security.
Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most?
Hmm, I think I did more fawning on old favs (including really old ones like Gregory Peck and Gary Cooper), Tom Hiddleston, oh, wait. I know a good one. When we watched She’s the Man, my sister and I were drooling over young Channing Tatum (let’s be real, the major reason I wanted to watch that). I also fancied the men in I Am Dragon. But I can’t think of anything that matched my Richard Armitage, Benedict Cumberbatch, and Tom Hiddlestown rages (those later two, especially Hiddleston were more like “real” crushes, cringy I know).
What political issue stirred you the most?
We don’t do politics here.
Who did you miss?
No one.
Who was the best new person you met?
Most new people I’ve met have been work people.
Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2018.
Always have an emergency fund.
Quote a song lyric that sums up your year.
Five things I want to do in 2019:
Achieve financial stability
Implement patterns to make my life easier
Travel more
Maybe get out of my shell more (that’s not really a want but a should)
Develop my talents more.