New Kid on the Hallway has a great year-end wrap-up meme. Here's my version (with spelling adjusted to Canadian norms) -- I deleted the questions that were a) irrelevant to my life/situation or b) ones I didn't want to answer --

1. What did you do in 2007 that you’d never done before?
Devoted most of my time to writing. Usually, I fit writing around the other things I'm doing (like work). To have almost an entire year devoted to writing was great. Oh yes, and I was a stage manager for the first time (officially) in my life this past year.

2. What countries did you visit?
We'd intended on driving to/through New England this Fall and didn't. That's as good as it got.

3. What would you like to have in 2008 that you lacked in 2007?
Decisiveness, our own home, a dog, perhaps even a little Inkslinger.

4. What was your biggest achievement of the year?
Getting into PhD school, or being awarded an arts grant. Either one is pretty exciting. Although, I didn't achieve either all by myself. I have great support.

5. What was your biggest failure?
Not completing that pesky novel. It's still languishing. The poetry manuscript, on the other hand, is purring along.

6. Did you suffer illness or injury?
A bad head cold in the spring was about it . . . though Mr. Inkslinger dragged me off to the doctor in the autumn due to concerns that were, thankfully, unwarranted.

7. What was the best thing you bought?
Books. Always. Though the medicine for my cat is probably high up on the list, too.

8. Whose behaviour merited celebration?

• My friend Susie. She behaved with integrity and courage and I respect and celebrate that.
• My sister Elizabeth. She held down two jobs and went to school full time this past term . . . and did well at all three.
  
• My brother Jonathan. He learned that boxes bite. Also, his generosity and creativity never fail to impress me.
  
• And my Mr. Inkslinger, who constantly amazes me with his endurance, courage, and resourcefulness. Plus, he lovingly navigates the oft-choppy waters of young married dissonance with more resilience than I can often muster.
  

9. Whose behaviour made you appalled and depressed?
A former colleague whose behaviour merely buttressed my fears about the future.

10. Where did most of your money go?
Bills. Bills. Bills. Loans. Loans. Loans. Rising gasoline prices. Potatoes.

11. What did you get really, really, really excited about?
Jonathan sent Mr. Inkslinger and I a present. I got really, really, really excited about that. And it wasn't even a book.

12. What song will always remind you of 2007?
This is a tough one. Probably Sarah Harmer's Oleander. I listened to that a lot while writing.

13. Compared to this time last year, are you: a) happier or sadder? b) thinner or fatter? c) richer or poorer?
a). about the same, I think. b). about the same, alas. The Christmas cooking hasn't kicked in yet so I may even be a little thinner than this time last year (though that is less thin than I was the summer previous to this time last year). c). maybe a little richer (we made a dent in some of those bills).

14. What do you wish you’d done more of?
Writing my novel. Writing in general. All that time for writing and I feel I've too little to show for it. And exercising. The summer could have used more time for exercising.

15. What do you wish you’d done less of?
Worrying. Fretting. Panicking.

16. What was your favorite TV program?
Flight of the Conchords. Ugly Betty. So You Think You Can Dance?

17. Do you hate anyone now that you didn’t hate this time last year?
I don't really hate anyone. I dislike intensely a couple of people I only disliked generally last year. I have a big problem tolerating rampant stupidity and rudeness.

18. What was the best book you read?
This will be addressed in a much more detailed post to come (must be separated into categories, etc.)

19. What was your greatest musical discovery?
It wasn't really my discovery, but I think Flight of the Conchords would have to take the prize.

20. What did you want and get?
A place in a good PhD school.

21. What did you want and not get?
A little Inkslinger. Or a small dog. No, I honestly don't confuse having children with having pets. It just looks that way because of the questions and how I'm answering them.

22. What was your favorite film of this year?
Another tough one. Perhaps Hot Fuzz for comedy. And for drama? I haven't really seen too many good movies this year that were actually released this year. That's not to say I haven't seen a good number of movies. Just not a good number of good movies from this year. Offside and Fay Grim are both 2006 films. As were A Good Year and Stranger Than Fiction. Hmm. I haven't yet seen Waitress, Sweeney Todd, or the new Coen brothers film so can't really comment, though all three have come highly recommended. I guess I'll stick with Hot Fuzz.

23. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you?
I actually don't remember. Probably nothing special as I don't like celebrating my birthday. I was 36. I was in the midst of reading Byatt's The Virgin in the Garden so I must have been enjoying myself.

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

25. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2007?
Affordable.

26. What kept you sane?
Sanity is overrated.

27. Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most?
Mr. Inkslinger doesn't exactly count as a public figure so I guess I'd have to say Johnny Depp. Naturally.

28. What political issue stirred you the most?
A post-secondary education report that expressed initially disturbing recommendations about the future of post-secondary institutions in this province.

29. Who did you miss?
My mum. Every day.

30. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2006.
Just because you think you're doing the best thing for those you love, doesn't mean you are doing the best thing. A balance between living for others and remembering what you require to maintain your own sense of self is essential.

31. Quote a song lyric that sums up your year.
Now that it's raining more than ever
Know that we'll still have each other
You can stand under my umbrella