This is a meme I’ve done for two years now: at the end of 2009 and the end of 2010.

1. What did you do in 2011 that you’d never done before?
- Became a French citizen (dual US citizenship)
- Finished my Masters degree in comparative literature at the Université de Nice… with honors! (I still can hardly believe I managed it)
- Started sewing seriously, for my own wardrobe, rather than just one or two pieces a year
- Subscribed to the opera in Monaco Monte-Carlo

2. Did you keep your New Year’s resolutions, and will you make more for next year?
I don’t make New Year’s resolutions, I decide things as I go.

3. Did anyone close to you give birth?
Yes, a childhood friend! Also, more colleagues had babies. All are happy and in good health, though one delivery was a bit scary.

4. Did anyone close to you die?
A grade school classmate early in the year, yes.

5. What countries did you visit?
Italy, but only briefly, and only Ventimiglia, which is on the border with France.

6. What would you like to have in 2012 that you lacked in 2011?
Last year I answered “peace”, which was abundant in 2011, I’m happy to say. Right now I’m at a place where I genuinely don’t feel I’m lacking anything important. I do hope that others missing that peace could experience it.

7. What dates from 2011 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?
The day I freed myself from a man who turned out to have been dishonest all along. As happens with that sort, his false self fell apart all at once. Having experienced that before (not in such a close relationship, though), I knew to just let him drop and move on. I’ve been terrifically relieved since then, thankful for friends and happy for my independence.

8. What was your biggest achievement of the year?
Clearly, finishing my Masters degree with honors, in French, while working full time. I was so nose-to-the-grindstone that three months after my thesis defense, I’m still cleaning up piles that formed in my apartment!

9. What was your biggest failure?
Due to school expenses, again I didn’t manage to get my bathroom water damage repaired. This is a priority for 2012.

10. Did you suffer illness or injury?
2011 was remarkably healthy for me.

11. What was the best thing you bought?
Sewing patterns and fabric. I’m set for the next few years. Also, my new cycling shoes. They’re so great, it’s like having a new bike.

12. Whose behavior merited celebration?
Definitely, without a doubt, the same as last year: my friends’. Their presence, sincerity and kindness meant a great deal to me. I feel blessed to know so many neat people, who value empathy and trust.

13. Whose behavior made you appalled and depressed?
Appalled – he knows who he is and why. Depressed – not for very long, paradoxically. It reassured me of the value of honesty, responsibility, and empathy. Seeing people who are so fundamentally dishonest that they can convince you of sincerity for a short while (with a well-practiced false self), is more depressing for their own account. They’ll never know what it is to trust another, nor what it is to trust themselves, even. Any joy and attachment they may display are naught but a camouflage for profound alienation.

14. Where did most of your money go?
Mortgage, food, and books.

15. What did you get really, really, really excited about?
Finishing my degree and riding my bike!

16. What song will always remind you of 2011?
This one, posted by a friend in response to a joke I made about being a cannibal (my Oregon university’s mascot is the Duck, and I baked a free-range duck for Christmas):

17. Compared to this time last year, are you:
a) happier or sadder? Much happier.
b) thinner or thicker? Same.
c) richer or poorer? Richer, again, though that’s not saying much :)

18. What do you wish you’d done more of?
Bicycling and playing my digital piano, but that would have meant spending less time on my studies.

19. What do you wish you’d done less of?
I’m thinking about this and can’t come up with anything. Everything contributed to healthy growth, even the negative.

20. How did you spend Christmas?
At home alone, but surrounded by Christmas cards and well-wishes from friends :) And not entirely alone, thanks to my two feline sweethearts.

21. Did you fall in love in 2011?
I thought I was falling for a bit, but nope. Instead I learned to better appreciate trustworthy friendships; the love that already exists in life.

22. How many one-night stands?
I’ve never had a one-night stand and dare say I never will. I think I’ll delete this question next year, it’s kind of pointless.

23. What was your favorite TV program?
“Sense and Sensibility” (the BBC miniseries, which I only just watched this year, and loved).

24. What was the best book you read?
Roots of Survival: Native American Storytelling and the Sacred by Joseph Bruchac.

25. What was your greatest musical discovery?
1980s punk rock. I missed a lot of it as a kid.

26. What did you want and get?
An excellent graduate education.

27. What did you want and not get?
I suppose this could have an obvious answer, but it doesn’t, really. Sometimes, when you don’t “get” something that you thought you wanted, you discover that you’re surrounded by things that are just as wonderful, in different ways.

28. What was your favorite film of this year?
I didn’t really pay attention to movies, what with my studies.

29. What did you do on your birthday?
Relaxed a bit from work and studies.

30. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?
The year was immeasurably satisfying as it was; I’m happy with it.

31. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2011?
Independent

32. What kept you sane?
Friends and creativity, as well as Kanoko and Susu (my cats).

33. What political issue stirred you the most?
The Occupy movement.

34. Who did you miss?
Faraway friends

35. Who was the best new person you met?
Sue! We need to meet IRL too :)

36. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2011:
Being responsible, compassionate and assertive is very invigorating.

38. Quote a song lyric that sums up your year:
Who needs lyrics when you have rock, a muscle car chase, explosions, and CATS? (There is also a dog.)

This is a meme I did last year, that I thought I’d do again this year. A touch early, since I plan to write and play piano over the holidays, so would probably forget about the meme otherwise!

1. What did you do in 2010 that you’d never done before?
- Applied for French citizenship (will be dual with my US citizenship).
- Applied for and was accepted into a Masters degree program.
- Checked in passengers on Air France flights. I’m still like a kid when it comes to airplanes. My current job is as a contractor at Air France, testing airline ticketing agreements. Part of that was learning how to operate their check-in system. Not a huge thing, but still, whee! (I only do it for testing, though, not for real-life flights.)

2. Did you keep your New Year’s resolutions, and will you make more for next year?
I don’t make New Year’s resolutions, I decide things as I go.

3. Did anyone close to you give birth?
Like last year, yes, several colleagues had babies! They’re all adorable, though to the difference of last year, a few have had some worrisome health problems (they’re okay, but it’s stressful).

4. Did anyone close to you die?
Yes, my paternal grandmother, early this year. I’ll always remember her for her delicious pies, smart humor, and the love she had for my grandfather (who passed away several years ago). My dear cat Grey also passed away.

5. What countries did you visit?
This was the first year I didn’t leave France.

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

7. What dates from 2010 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?
My grandmother’s passing, Grey’s passing, and December 1st, which is when I met a neat man.

8. What was your biggest achievement of the year?
Despite innumerable financial setbacks, nonetheless managing to scrape up enough to finally purchase a digital piano. I’ve wanted a piano (real, or realistic digital) to play for over a decade now, and am really looking forward to it. (I ordered it a few days ago, it was shipped right away, so I should receive it soon. Background: I studied piano from age 5 through to a year as a UOregon School of Music piano performance student, age 20.)

9. What was your biggest failure?
Not managing to get my bathroom water damage repaired… still… I should be able to afford it in a couple of months though!

10. Did you suffer illness or injury?
Goodness yes. 2010 was the worst year of my life for that. (I hope it stays the worst, I wouldn’t want any worse.)

11. What was the best thing you bought?
The Korg digital piano I mentioned in 8!

12. Whose behavior merited celebration?
My friends’. Their presence, sincerity and kindness meant a lot. I feel terrifically lucky to know so many neat people.

13. Whose behavior made you appalled and depressed?
This isn’t really a question that can be answered in public, is it.

14. Where did most of your money go?
Mortgage, food, and DIY supplies.

15. What did you get really, really, really excited about?
Being accepted to the Masters program in comparative literature and going to classes for it!

16. What song will always remind you of 2010?
Not a song, but the Old Spice Man phenomenon:

17. Compared to this time last year, are you:
a) happier or sadder? All told, happier!
b) thinner or fatter? Same.
c) richer or poorer? Richer, though that’s not saying much :)

18. What do you wish you’d done more of?
Bicycling and sewing

19. What do you wish you’d done less of?
Being ill…!

20. How will you be spending Christmas?
At home alone with Kanoko, books, and a delicious home-cooked meal.

21. Did you fall in love in 2010?
I think I’m falling, yes :)

22. How many one-night stands?
I’ve never had a one-night stand and dare say I never will.

23. What was your favorite TV program?
“Mad Men”

24. Do you hate anyone now that you didn’t hate this time last year?
Same as last year… I don’t do hate. Such a pointless waste of energy. I should just change this question.

25. What was the best book you read?
Coyote Was Going There: Indian Literature of the Oregon Country

26. What was your greatest musical discovery?
Not really a “discovery” per se, but going to the opera was really nice.

27. What did you want and get?
Again, the Korg digital piano!

28. What did you want and not get?
Relief from illness, though it is finally getting better these last couple of months.

29. What was your favorite film of this year?
It wasn’t a great year for films, but I did like “Inception”. I don’t think it’s great, mind, but it was nice.

30. What did you do on your birthday?
I forget!

31. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?
Can’t really say

32. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2010?
US West Coast hippy mixed with French chic.

33. What kept you sane?
Getting home every evening and opening my front door to the sight of Kanoko, purring and excited to see me.

34. Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most?
Eh. I’ve never really fancied famous people, because I know that I don’t know who they really are. I should change this question too, my answer is always the same.

35. What political issue stirred you the most?
Everything surrounding Sarkozy and Woerth, argh. Roma, retirement, Bettencourt, what a year.

36. Who did you miss?
Faraway friends

37. Who was the best new person you met?
Finn :)

38. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2010:
Same as last year, confirmed even more: sincerity, integrity, and compassion earn respect, and even when overlooked, give you an inner strength that keeps you going during the worst of times.

39. Quote a song lyric that sums up your year:
“This is ponderous, man. Really ponderous.”

A meme that’s been making the rounds:
1. What did you do in 2009 that you’d never done before?
Called French national police (gendarmes) to my home due to a dangerous, mentally ill neighbor (glad I’ve only had to do that once); painted my walls (had never done home painting before).

2. Did you keep your New Years’ resolutions, and will you make more for next year?
I don’t make resolutions.

3. Did anyone close to you give birth?
Yes, several colleagues had babies! They’re all adorable and healthy.

4. Did anyone close to you die?
Last year was one of the first years I can remember in which no one close to me passed away.

5. What countries did you visit?
Italy and Switzerland

6. What would you like to have in 2010 that you lacked in 2009?
Better physical shape: I didn’t bike as much as I wanted to, and am starting a simple upper-body strength program (push ups and sit ups).

7. What dates from 2009 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?
It was an eventful year, I could name many things; but seeing kabuki performed by highly talented actors and musicians was incredible.

8. What was your biggest achievement of the year?
Restoring the beautiful original “tomettes” floor in my apartment, on my own.

9. What was your biggest failure?
Not managing to get my bathroom water damage repaired

10. Did you suffer illness or injury?
I came down with swine flu, which was the worst illness I’ve had since my childhood

11. What was the best thing you bought?
Paint for my walls

12. Whose behavior merited celebration?
My brother’s. He’s awesome.

13. Whose behavior made you appalled and depressed?
I plead the Fifth

14. Where did most of your money go?
Mortgage and food

15. What did you get really, really, really excited about?
Coming home every evening to my dear, sweet kitties and a comfy bed. Simple pleasures are often the best.

16. What song will always remind you of 2009?
None in particular

17. Compared to this time last year, are you:
a) happier or sadder? Happier
b) thinner or fatter? Same, but in a bit worse shape
c) richer or poorer? Less in debt, so “richer” :)

18. What do you wish you’d done more of?
Seeing friends, sewing, writing, biking

19. What do you wish you’d done less of?
Reading websites (even if they are informative)

20. How will you be spending Christmas?
Spent it at home with Kanoko, Grey, and a delicious home-cooked meal

21. Did you fall in love in 2009?
No, but friendships deepened, which was great

22. How many one-night stands?
My reading lamp is on the same one nightstand I’ve had for a while now. (Yeah, I’ve never had a one-night stand and never will.)

23. What was your favorite TV program?
Mad Men

24. Do you hate anyone now that you didn’t hate this time last year?
I don’t do hate. Such a pointless waste of energy.

25. What was the best book you read?
Ise Monogatari

26. What was your greatest musical discovery?
Old university friends sharing videos from when we were in marching band 14-16 years ago. (For instance, Oregon Marching Band at the 1995 Rose Bowl!)

27. What did you want and get?
Adopted a second cat, earned a raise, and got a small oven

28. What did you want and not get?
I’d have liked to find someone neat with whom to start a relationship.

29. What was your favorite film of this year?
Up

30. What did you do on your birthday?
I forget

31. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?
Can’t really say

32. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2009?
Chic French hippy business

33. What kept you sane?
Getting home every evening and opening my front door to the sight of my two cats, purring and excited to see me

34. Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most?
Eh. I’ve never really fancied famous people, because I know that I don’t know who they really are.

35. What political issue stirred you the most?
Health care for the US, the ridiculous “identité nationale” so-called “debate” in France

36. Who did you miss?
My brother and my cousins!

37. Who was the best new person you met?
I didn’t get to know any new people very well

38. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2009:
One I’ve long known, that keeps getting confirmed as life goes on: sincerity and integrity, along with compassion, earn respect, and even when overlooked, give you an inner strength that keeps you going during the worst of times.

39. Quote a song lyric that sums up your year:
Encore un matin, ami, ennemi (Another morning, friend, enemy)
Entre la raison et l’envie (Between reason and desire)
Matin pour agir ou attendre la chance (Morning to act or to wait for luck)
Ou bousculer les évidences (Or to shake up things taken for granted)
Matin innocence, matin intelligence (Morning innocence, morning intelligence)
C’est toi qui décide du sens (You’re the one who chooses the meaning)
- Jean-Jacques Goldman, Encore un matin