2014 is almost over...we need questions!

Re: 2014 is almost over...we need questions!

• [Deleted User] member

  

  December 2014

  What three words best describe the past year for you?

  Change, scary, busy

  What is the biggest risk you took? Was it worth it?

  Dating my current boyfriend. He was worth it.

  How have your important relationships changed this year?

  Nothing changed between me and my best friend - we're still best friends. My other very close friend became my boyfriend.

  What did you do to become healthier? What, if anything, has been holding you back?

  Not a damn thing. I like food too much, is the problem.

  What are you celebrating as this year ends and a new one approaches?

  Getting by. Managing.

  What is one thing you have especially loved about yourself this year?

  The thing was hard, but I did the thing anyway.

  What is your biggest piece of unfinished business from this year?

  My recovery. I need to keep at it and work harder to drop my anxiety disorder like a hot rock!

  What single event has had the biggest impact on you from the past 365 days? Could be a personal event or something broader.

  Definitely deciding to start dating again. Being a girlfriend wasn't on the agenda and hadn't been for years, but I thought I'd give it a try. It changed a lot!

  Favorite book, movie, and/or TV show of 2014:

  I didn't watch a lot of TV/movies, or even read much, this year. I zoomed through a lot of Doctor Who, though. Maybe that.

  What was the biggest waste of time for you over 2014? What do you wish you had done instead?

  Panicking. I wish I could have gotten a grip.

  What unexpected joy did you find this year? Unexpected obstacle?

  My boyfriend again! The obstacle was, as always, myself. I need to work to keep this relationship strong, and to keep myself strong. It's very hard.

  If you could guarantee one thing to happen in 2015, what would it be?

  I overcome my anxiety!

  What do you want to do more of next year? Any special plans ahead?

  I want to just do a lot of super fun things with the people I love. That's what I want to do. No plans yet!

  Three personal predictions/hopes for 2015:

  • I become more confident in my ability to fight my anxiety.
    
  • As we become more accustomed to each other, the relationship between my boyfriend and I solidifies and we grow to love each other more and never get sick of each other.
    
  • I get to spend lots of time with my favorite people!
    

  Three predictions/hopes for other NEYers in 2015:

  • All your relationship dreams come true!
    
  • Tragedy never strikes you.
    
  • You love yourselves, always.
    

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• KeptInStitches member

  

  December 2014

  What three words best describe the past year for you? Ugh, I hate these questions. Busy, not-productive-enough (I'm cheating with a word phrase), stressful

  What is the biggest risk you took? Was it worth it? I bought a house with FI - stay tuned on "worth it" financially, but it is so nice to have a place of our own.

  How have your important relationships changed this year? I got engaged to FI! I also had a major fight with my brother that we're still resolving.

  What did you do to become healthier? What, if anything, has been holding you back? Ugh. I am so bad at being healthier. I like food and I'm scared of exercise/eating better because I'm worried I'd be one step away from anorexia given my personality. I don't even own a scale because I'm afraid I'd obsess over the number. That's way more than I've ever admitted here...

  What are you celebrating as this year ends and a new one approaches? Exactly that. This year is ending and a new one is starting, and I get married at the end of April! And hopefully I'm making a good impression with the new job thing and they decide to keep me.

  What is one thing you have especially loved about yourself this year? I've been willing to take risks (buying a house, switching jobs during grad school).

  What is your biggest piece of unfinished business from this year? Oh that one's easy. My dissertation.

  What single event has had the biggest impact on you from the past 365 days? Could be a personal event or something broader. I suppose either starting my new job or getting engaged.

  Favorite book, movie, and/or TV show of 2014: I'm out of touch with recent or current things, but perhaps I can count Divergent.

  What was the biggest waste of time for you over 2014? What do you wish you had done instead? The things I thought would be the biggest waste of time (continuing my research) turned out okay! The research sorted itself out and I got results worth writing about.

  What unexpected joy did you find this year? Unexpected obstacle? FI and I were able to buy a house, but switching jobs was/has been an obstacle. A good one, though.

  If you could guarantee one thing to happen in 2015, what would it be? I get married ... oh wait! I love self-fulfilling prophecies. Maybe that the cats finally start to get along?

  What do you want to do more of next year? Any special plans ahead? Honeymoon! I want a honeymoon. FI is planning one for August, but I don't know the details.

  Three personal predictions/hopes for 2015: 
  1.) I get my Ph.D.
  2.) I get a stable job.
  3.) The house finally starts to look like a home.

  Three predictions/hopes for other NEYers in 2015:
  1.) @bethsmiles gets engaged.
  2.) @cu97tiger gets KU.
  3.) @phira gets her Ph.D. (I'm not sure how close to done you are, but here's hoping!)

  

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• CLoGreenEyes member

  

  December 2014 edited December 2014

  What three words best describe the past year for you? Challenging, independent, tumultuous.

  What is the biggest risk you took? Was it worth it? Leaving the organization I've worked at for the past three and a half years, and starting a career in psychiatric nursing. I think that even if I end up disliking this particular job, I'll be glad I tried something new.

  How have your important relationships changed this year? C went from my archenemy to my friend to a total stranger throughout 2014. My relationships with my parents and brothers have improved; I actually genuinely LIKE my family now as well as love them. I lost a few friends this year, some due to the break-up (and good riddance; people I thought cared about me went silent and walked away from what I thought were real friendships), and some just due to growing up and apart. The few friendships I have left are incredibly strong and supportive, and I feel lucky to have them. 

  What did you do to become healthier? What, if anything, has been holding you back? I started running this year, and have made an effort to just enjoy exercising and focus on becoming stronger. That is going well. What holds me back is the way I eat. Even though I exercise fairly regularly, I have gained 15 pounds since August, and I suspect it has a lot to do with how much I love sweets, soda, and fast food.

  What are you celebrating as this year ends and a new one approaches? The blessing of a full-time job, unfamiliar and scary though it may be. A truly connected and loving family. The possibilities the next year will bring for my life.

  What is one thing you have especially loved about yourself this year? This was a year of starting over for me in professional and personal ways. Reinventing myself as a single person was tough because I spent over five years seeing myself primarily as someone's girlfriend. I love that I didn't go running back to C due to loneliness or fear, and that I worked to get a sense of who I could be without him. I'm a lot more resilient and courageous than I ever gave myself credit for during our relationship, and I dig that majorly. Also, even though I did gain that weight and know for a fact it's NOT muscle, I think I still look pretty freakin' fantastic. It was hard at first to see myself as attractive without a significant other to validate that for me, but in taking care of myself by exercising, I've been able to appreciate my body for what it does, and not the attention it gets or doesn't get.

  What is your biggest piece of unfinished business from this year? Financial stuff, mostly. Due to some MAJOR payroll issues at the new job and unexpected car troubles, plus being in generally poor shape from nursing school, I haven't met a lot of the goals I had set for myself for 2014. So unfortunately that's the first order of business for next year.

  What single event has had the biggest impact on you from the past 365 days? Could be a personal event or something broader. Deciding to leave the organization I have been with for years and try a new specialty. I love my old co-workers, I felt content with the work I was doing, and I had a job there if I wanted it. Like I said, even if I end up hating psychiatric nursing and eventually go back to hospice (or try something else altogether), I am happy I tried something new and scary. I have already learned a lot that I can carry with me for as long as I'm a nurse.

  Favorite book, movie, and/or TV show of 2014: Book - Listening to Whales by Alexandra Morton. Movie - Tucker and Dale vs. Evil (yes, I know it's not a new thing, but I saw it for the first time this year). TV show - Walking Dead.

  What was the biggest waste of time for you over 2014? What do you wish you had done instead? ETA: Along with just being a general couch potato, trying to maintain a friendship with my ex was utterly a waste of time and energy. We had totally exhausted whatever goodwill and forgiveness was there before, and I wish I had put those things into my family and friends a lot sooner. I also wish I'd spent more time outside, exercising or just exploring.

  What unexpected joy did you find this year? Unexpected obstacle? Unexpected joy...I'm surprised at how much I absolutely LOVED my former job during the last couple of months there. Without worrying about all this other stuff in the back of my mind (broken relationship, school, etc.), I did so much better at it than ever before. I loved using what I had learned in school to take even better care of my patients, and I could see that I was really good at it. That felt amazing.

  Unexpected obstacle was around the one-year mark for breaking up with C. I got very depressed in the weeks leading up to it. I'll be real honest with you guys, I was totally jealous because he had started dating somebody and I was verrrrryyyyy much not. But since getting past that day, I feel fine again. Our love lives are not a competition, I hope we both make it, and if I have to wait a little longer than he does to find a good partner, it'll be worth it. (And bonus, at least he's not MY problem anymore!)

  If you could guarantee one thing to happen in 2015, what would it be? Um. Despite the last paragraph, I would love to meet a new boo thang. Failing that, developing a genuine love, passion, and skill for my new job would be AMAZING, since it mostly scares the crap out of me right now.

  What do you want to do more of next year? Any special plans ahead? I want to dance more next year, and I want to go outside a LOT more. My friend A and I are making huge plans for marathons and various trips (skiing, kayaking, etc.), so that will be awesome. And to make up for the past two years, I really hope to travel more. There will be a trip to Seattle in the spring, and MAYBE Sicily if it winds up being affordable.

  Three personal predictions/hopes for 2015: How sad is it that my hopes are different from what I actually predict??

  I hope to be a kickass psych nurse, to meet a great guy who treats me wonderfully, and to get really good at SOMETHING either musical or athletic (aka, get a hobby).

  I predict that I will move out of my mom's house by March, that after six months I will beg my former boss for a job (which I further predict she will give me), and that I'll have at least a few humorous online dating experiences (I told myself I would give it a shot when I get my finances together).

  Three predictions/hopes for other NEYers in 2015:

  I hope for and predict beautiful weddings for @KeptInStitches, @GoldenPenguin, @TwoDimes, @beanbot2002, @eilis1228 and the gajillion other ladies who are getting married!

  I predict that @peaseblossom55 will get KTFU and have a baby girl by next fall.

  And I predict that @bethsmiles's BF will be like, "Eff this job and grad school thing, I want to marry Beth!" and will pop the question, and all of their future plans will fall into place shortly thereafter because that would be the darndest thing. And NEY will subsequently explode with celebratory GIFs.

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• CLoGreenEyes member

  

  December 2014

  @ourladyofpotato, anxiety is the worst! I'm sorry it's been a rough year in that respect. I know when I struggled with it, talking to a counselor every couple of weeks helped me sort out some of the things I was worried about and gave me a lot of good ways to cope. I also went through THIS workbook, and it was helpful as well.

  Also, I LOLed (not unkindly) at hoping you and your BF "never get sick of each other." I'm sure we all wish that for our relationships! If I get someone who annoys me in only minor ways, I'll consider that close enough, haha.

  @KeptInStitches, I love how your year was both busy and not productive enough. Haha. I haaaaate that feeling of working so hard but doing a whole lot of nothing (though it sounds like you did more than you give yourself credit for!).

  I'm excited for your surprise-ish honeymoon! You get married in April, right?

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• phira member

  

  December 2014

  What three words best describe the past year for you? Inconsistent, interesting, and long

  What is the biggest risk you took? Was it worth it? The biggest risk I took was deciding to stay in my PhD program

  How have your important relationships changed this year? I have a much, much, much better relationship with my siblings than I have in a long time. And I turned J from a fiancé into a husband

  What did you do to become healthier? What, if anything, has been holding you back? I actually managed to lose a lot of weight very easily in a short period of time by exercising regularly and just monitoring my meals. But I fell off the wagon pretty hard. What holds me back is that I can't seem to make lifestyle changes more permanent.

  What are you celebrating as this year ends and a new one approaches? I'm celebrating my marriage, but I'm also celebrating some success in the lab

  What is one thing you have especially loved about yourself this year? I feel like I did a really amazing job planning the damn wedding. We've been getting tons of compliments, even a month later, and I managed to avoid bridezilla territory

  What is your biggest piece of unfinished business from this year? Work stuff, mostly, and getting this apartment into decent shape

  What single event has had the biggest impact on you from the past 365 days? Could be a personal event or something broader. Obviously the wedding, but less obviously, failing a course in the spring (C+ grade isn't passing in my program). It was incredibly stressful to deal with, and the repercussions have been significant. I'm still dealing with the aftermath

  Favorite book, movie, and/or TV show of 2014: Favorite book is Passage by Connie Willis, which is not from 2014 but that's when I read it. Favorite movie I saw was Pacific Rim, but favorite movie I saw that's actually from 2014 was Veronica Mars. Favorite TV show was easily Once Upon a Time.

  What was the biggest waste of time for you over 2014? What do you wish you had done instead? Biggest waste of time was the course I took and failed. I didn't actually learn anything useful from it, which meant that it was entirely a waste of time. Instead, I should have looked harder for a more relevant course

  What unexpected joy did you find this year? Unexpected obstacle? Once Upon a Time was, weirdly enough, an unexpected joy. I absolutely love fairy tales, and have for a long time, and so I'm not sure why I waited so long to watch the show. I began watching the show during my bad fight with J over the summer, and it helped me cope a lot. The unexpected obstacle was dealing with that class I failed, and having a really bad fight with J so soon before the wedding

  If you could guarantee one thing to happen in 2015, what would it be? I wish I could guarantee that my best friend would find a job that she absolutely loves

  What do you want to do more of next year? Any special plans ahead? I want to do more traveling, and we're starting things off with our honeymoon in a couple weeks. I'm hoping to visit my sister in California, my friend in DC, and my friends in Florida.

  Three personal predictions/hopes for 2015:
  - That I will finally get in shape and stay in shape
  - That I will finally turn this apartment into a nice place to live (IKEA, here I come)
  - That I will make significant progress on my degree

  Three predictions/hopes for other NEYers in 2015:
  - @bethsmiles will get a pony and an amazing job
  - @cu97tiger gets a bun in the oven
  - @CLoGreenEyes meets the love of her life

  @keptinstitches I've just started my 4th year, so I've got about two years to go at this point

  

  now with ~* INCREASED SASSINESS *~
  
  

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• loves2shop4shoes member

  

  December 2014 edited December 2014

  What three words best describe the past year for you?

  Change, Lonely, Happy
  

  What is the biggest risk you took? Was it worth it?

  I became estranged from my family.  It was absolutely the right decision, though it still brings me to my knees regularly.
  

  How have your important relationships changed this year?

  Well my relationship with my mom, brother, and a cousin went from toxic to non-existent.  My relationship with DH had a bump or two, but is still going really strong.  My relationship with a lot of the girls on here only became stronger.  My relationship with my dad has become stronger.
  

  What did you do to become healthier? What, if anything, has been holding you back?

  I go through phases with healthy living.  The past few months, I've been really off the wagon due to the emotional exhaustion from my family.
  

  What are you celebrating as this year ends and a new one approaches?

  I am celebrating my health, my marriage, my friendships, and our upcoming move back to Boston.
  

  What is one thing you have especially loved about yourself this year?

  My ability to make smart, responsible, healthy decisions even if it has been hard.
  

  What is your biggest piece of unfinished business from this year?

  Some financial stuff.  Although that'll be finished very, very soon.
  

  What single event has had the biggest impact on you from the past 365 days? Could be a personal event or something broader.

  My brother destroying my 4th of July, which started the domino effect of becoming estranged.
  

  Favorite book, movie, and/or TV show of 2014:

  I'll say Mockingjay Part 1 because it's the most recent thing I saw that I loved.
  

  What was the biggest waste of time for you over 2014? What do you wish you had done instead?

  The job that I was working that I left for my current job in April.  No regrets because it was a good paycheck, but it was an epic waste of time.  I learned precisely nothing there.
  

  What unexpected joy did you find this year? Unexpected obstacle?

  Unexpected joy was definitely finding our second cat, Tessie, at the shelter I volunteer at.  Also, our trip to Tahiti was an unexpected joy.  Unexpected obstacle was obviously my family stuff blowing up.
  

  If you could guarantee one thing to happen in 2015, what would it be?

  We'll move back to Boston.  (It's scheduled for January 23rd!!)
  

  What do you want to do more of next year? Any special plans ahead?

  I want to exercise more.  I want to actually start doing races.
  

  Three personal predictions/hopes for 2015:

  • I predict I'll find a great apartment in Boston.
  • I predict I'll lose weight.  (Ok, that's a hope.)
  • I predict I'll become closer to my dad.  (Also, really a hope.)
    

  Three predictions/hopes for other NEYers in 2015:

  • I predict @minskat30 gets pregnant.
  • I predict @suzie211 gets pregnant with a second.
  • I preduct @goldenpenguin will make a gorgeous bride.
    

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• KeptInStitches member

  

  December 2014

  @clogreeneyes, yep, I get married April 25. Honeymoon is being deferred a few months so I can finish grad school first.

  

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• bethsmiles member

  

  December 2014

  What three words best describe the past year for you? Stress, Change, Frustration

  What is the biggest risk you took? Was it worth it? I wouldn't say I took any big risks this year.

  How have your important relationships changed this year? I think the biggest change is that BF seems as ready to get married as I am. He’s been ready for a while but also okay with waiting but now he’s just as sick of waiting as I am.

  What did you do to become healthier? What, if anything, has been holding you back? I joined a gym and have been training with a personal trainer. My weight loss is still going slowly because I need to get my diet under control but I can tell I've been getting a lot stronger which is cool to see. I can do a lot more than I could when I started!

  What are you celebrating as this year ends and a new one approaches? I’m celebrating the fact that I think next year is going to be full of a lot of really new fun adventures. This year has kind of been a dud but I have high hopes for next year.

  What is one thing you have especially loved about yourself this year? I've really been making progress on losing weight and getting healthier this year. I'm really proud of what I've accomplished and excited to see even more results next year!

  What is your biggest piece of unfinished business from this year? My damn thesis.

  What single event has had the biggest impact on you from the past 365 days? Could be a personal event or something broader. Graduating in the spring. It's the first time I've been out in the real world and I've done a lot of floundering since then but I'm hoping next year is the year I finally find my footing.

  Favorite book, movie, and/or TV show of 2014: The Maze Runner is my favorite book that I read this year. I really enjoyed the series! BF and I discovered Modern Family this year and now I'm totally addicted! So even though it's old, it's my favorite show of 2014. I don't know about a movie though...I think Mockingjay was probably the best one I saw this year.

  What was the biggest waste of time for you over 2014? What do you wish you had done instead? This semester of teaching feels like a really big waste of time. I wish I hadn't been so stuck on getting a teaching job. Even if I hadn't lost my job this week, financially it wasn't a great job and I should have been looking harder for something that would give me more security financially.

  What unexpected joy did you find this year? Unexpected obstacle? This semester of teaching was definitely unexpected. At first it was an unexpected joy but then it morphed into an unexpected obstacle.

  If you could guarantee one thing to happen in 2015, what would it be? Finding a great new job!

  What do you want to do more of next year? Any special plans ahead? I want to do a lot more hiking next summer. I'm getting in shape and I'm really excited to be able to do longer and more difficult hikes. I'm planning on doing my first 14er next summer and I'm really excited!

  Three personal predictions/hopes for 2015: 1) I hope to finish my thesis for spring 2) I hope to reach my goal weight 3) I hope BF and I will make a timeline work to get engaged and married next year. We are both really sick of waiting!

  Three predictions/hopes for other NEYers in 2015: There will be a lot of amazing/beautiful NEY weddings to celebrate and I’m so excited for that!

  
  

  
  

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• CLoGreenEyes member

  

  December 2014

  @KeptInStitches, that's my best friend's anniversary! April 25 is a great day to get married. And yeah, you'll probably have more fun on your HM if you don't have classes hanging over your head, lol.

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• bethsmiles member

  

  December 2014

  @CLoGreenEyes- Yay for moving out on your own! I know how much you've struggled with living at home at times.

  
  

  
  

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• CLoGreenEyes member

  

  December 2014 edited December 2014

  @Phira, you should definitely come to DC to see your friend, and while you're in town there should conveniently be a NEY G2G. *nods* Also, while fully admitting I don't know anything about PhD programs, I think it's a little much that a C+ isn't considered passing!

  @loves2shop4shoes, yay for Boston! I must have missed something...so things eventually worked out with your H's job there? I think I remember y'all were having trouble getting answers from them for a while. In any case, congrats!

  @bethsmiles, you have kicked ass this year at working out and getting fit! You are my role model and I'm sooo proud of you! (Also, what's a 14er?)

  ETA: And yeah...it is definitely time to move. LOL. Although my mom and I have been getting along MUCH better since I graduated, so at least it's not super miserable at the moment.

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• loves2shop4shoes member

  

  December 2014

  CLoGreenEyes said:

  @Phira, you should definitely come to DC to see your friend, and while you're in town there should conveniently be a NEY G2G. *nods* Also, while fully admitting I don't know anything about PhD programs, I think it's a little much that a C+ isn't considered passing!

  @loves2shop4shoes, yay for Boston! I must have missed something...so things eventually worked out with your H's job there? I think I remember y'all were having trouble getting answers from them for a while. In any case, congrats!

  @bethsmiles, you have kicked ass this year at working out and getting fit! You are my role model and I'm sooo proud of you! (Also, what's a 14er?)

  My bad.  I didn't make an official announcement around here.  Things ended up working out with the company that offered DH a job in Boston.  We got everything official about two weeks ago.  And we move on January 23rd.
  

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• KeptInStitches member

  

  December 2014

  @loves2shop4shoes, best of luck with the move!

  

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• bethsmiles member

  

  December 2014

  @CLoGreenEyes - Aw, thanks! Oh and doing a 14er means climbing to the top of one of Colorado's 58 highest peaks which are all 14,000+ feet. Hiking them is a big thing here

  
  

  
  

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• Peaseblossom55 mod

  

  December 2014

  @CLoGreenEyes I love love love your prediction,  I will fill this out after some sleep.

  
  

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• Hummingbird125 member

  

  December 2014 edited December 2014

  What three words best describe the past year for you?

  Fun, Busy, Stable

  What is the biggest risk you took? Was it worth it?

  The biggest risk I took was flying to TX for an NEY gtg where I only knew one other person before going. I was more excited than nervous, but only by a little bit! By the end of the long weekend, I felt like I had made a bunch of new wonderful friends, and it was 1000% worthwhile.

  How have your important relationships changed this year?

  For FI and I, being engaged this whole year has meant that we've been much more focused on the future. We;ve had a bunch of discussions about where we might want to move one day, where/when we'll buy a home, and how soon we'll start TTC. We've started combining our finances in some ways, and have learned how to save together. 

  I don't think any other relationships have changed too much for me this year.

  What did you do to become healthier? What, if anything, has been holding you back?

  It didn't really "stick" until the middle of the year, but I've FINALLY gotten on track with exercising regularly. For a few months now I've been going to the gym about 4 days a week, and tracking my calories almost every day. I've also lost 14lbs since the beginning of the year, and just have another 8lbs to go until I reach my goal weight.

  What are you celebrating as this year ends and a new one approaches?

  My life was pretty great this time last year, but it's even better now. I have a stable job that gives me more free time than ever before. FI has gotten a raise, and his future is looking more promising than ever before, and our wedding planning has been going great.

  What is one thing you have especially loved about yourself this year?

  I've been proactive about making plans with friends. It made for a busy year where I  had fun things to look forward to almost every weekend. 

  What is your biggest piece of unfinished business from this year?

  Just finishing my wedding planning.

  What single event has had the biggest impact on you from the past 365 days? Could be a personal event or something broader.

  Definitely the NEYTXGTG!

  Favorite book, movie, and/or TV show of 2014:

  Broadchurch was the best show I watched this past year, I highly recommend it.

  What was the biggest waste of time for you over 2014? What do you wish you had done instead?

  Stressing about finding a wedding venue. I cried a few too many times.

  What unexpected joy did you find this year? Unexpected obstacle?

  Unexpected Joy? My amazing new NEY friends - it's only been a little over a year, but I don't know what I'd do without them. 

  Obstacle? I actually can't think of one at this time!

  If you could guarantee one thing to happen in 2015, what would it be?

  I'll have a kick-ass wedding.

  What do you want to do more of next year? Any special plans ahead?

  I want 2015 to be as fun as 2014 was. This past year has definitely been my busiest year, socially, and I loved it! I hope we have plans that keep us busy throughout the year.

  Three personal predictions/hopes for 2015:

  1) I hope/predict that FI's company will get sold, and he'll get a bonus and still get to keep his job and get a raise.

  2) I hope/predict that by the time we get married, or shortly after, we'll decide that we are definitely in a good enough place financially to begin TTC.

  3) I hope/predict I will continue to learn new things at my job, and become more and more valuable to the company.

  Three predictions/hopes for other NEYers in 2015:

  1) @Buddysmom80 will get KTFU 

  2) @Swazzle will move into her new home and open her cat sanctuary

  3) @Goldenpenguin will add another furbaby to her family

  
  

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• ChemFanatic25 member

  

  December 2014

  What three words best describe the past year for you? Spontaneous, enthusiastic, adventerous

  What is the biggest risk you took? Was it worth it? My ex-FI and I broke up. It was worth it. We recognized we have different goals in life and are better as friends. Since then I have found an amazing boyfriend who I am much more compatible with and love spending every moment I can with him.

  How have your important relationships changed this year? I have become closer to my best friend from college. We talk on the phone at least 3 times a week and I have seen her about 4 (going to be 5 this weekend) times this year even though she lives in SC and I live in NY.

  What did you do to become healthier? What, if anything, has been holding you back? Mentally? I have been seeing a therapist, recognizing I need to take care of myself before I can take care of others. (Which is partially why my ex and I broke up), communication has been much better as well. I'm trying to eat better as well but that has not been going great since right before Halloween.

  What are you celebrating as this year ends and a new one approaches? My relationship with my beloved boyfriend, a new future where I am going to be more adventurous, and my new job! I have so much to be thankful for.

  What is one thing you have especially loved about yourself this year? I have been stepping out of my comfort zone. God, I hate meeting new people and I panic about traveling. I have gone to NOLA this year, I have joined a bowling league where I only knew one person, I finally found a new job (I had been considering sabotaging my interview because I was panicking so much but obviously I did not).

  What is your biggest piece of unfinished business from this year? Well physically, a lot of things at my boyfriend's house. We have a list of things to do and I love helping him.

  What single event has had the biggest impact on you from the past 365 days? Could be a personal event or something broader. Breaking up with my ex-FI and then later choosing to date my boyfriend. Breaking up with my ex helped me to work on finding my own happiness and not to depend on others for it. Because of that I have traveled and am already planning on either going to Scotland or taking a road trip across America next year.

  Favorite book, movie, and/or TV show of 2014: Djinn (I can't remember the author, it's a horror/action book). Really liked American Horror story and I have loved the Hobbit.

  What was the biggest waste of time for you over 2014? What do you wish you had done instead? To be honest, not really anything unless you count my current job. I've been so bored here and I feel like I've been wasting everyone else's time :-/ Thankfully that is coming to an end though. Besides that I have been sooooo busy so when I do have "time to waste" I have been watching shows and doing TONS of crafts.

  What unexpected joy did you find this year? Unexpected obstacle? Traveling! My fear that everything will go wrong. I didn't realize it was as bad as I thought it was. It was worse. Almost stopped me from traveling to NOLA.

  If you could guarantee one thing to happen in 2015, what would it be? Taking another trip!

  What do you want to do more of next year? Any special plans ahead? There are a lot of chores around my boyfriend's house we need to get done. I am going to push and motivate to help get them done. No real special plans though.

  Three personal predictions/hopes for 2015: - For my next trip, I will be more mentally prepared. - I will be stronger in standing up to my family and recognizing that "family comes first" doesn't always mean my siblings and mom but also includes my boyfriend. - I hope that my SO will become more well adjusted around my pup. He is already doing an amazing job.

  Three predictions/hopes for other NEYers in 2015: Hopefully everyone is still continuing to find happiness one way or another. 

  

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• minskat30 member

  

  December 2014

  What three words best describe the past year for you?

  Change, scary, exciting

  What is the biggest risk you took? Was it worth it?

  Leaving my job of 8 years, uprooting H and me to a new city, buying a fixer-upper, starting a new job...ummm, yeah, lots of risks.  Ask me in a year if it is worth it but I think it will be.

  How have your important relationships changed this year?

  H and I have fought quite a bit but it is mostly caused by all the above-mentioned change.  We are getting stronger for it.

  What did you do to become healthier? What, if anything, has been holding you back?

  I've lost some weight.  Still have quite a bit to go.  Honestly, the stress of changes has held me back

  What are you celebrating as this year ends and a new one approaches?

  New beginings.

  What is one thing you have especially loved about yourself this year?

  I've become even more patient than I already was.

  What is your biggest piece of unfinished business from this year?

  The house...gah, its a nightmare.

  What single event has had the biggest impact on you from the past 365 days? Could be a personal event or something broader.

  My mentor of 8 years just completely leaving me in the dust...regressed me back to my childhood a LOT

  Favorite book, movie, and/or TV show of 2014:

  Alias

  What was the biggest waste of time for you over 2014? What do you wish you had done instead?

  Stressed about things that can't be changed....wish I would have found better ways around it

  What unexpected joy did you find this year? Unexpected obstacle?

  Joy- free time.  Obstacle - weight

  If you could guarantee one thing to happen in 2015, what would it be?

  I will love H more than ever

  What do you want to do more of next year? Any special plans ahead?

  Just focus on our marriage, lose the weight I've gained and be a better person.

  Three personal predictions/hopes for 2015:

  H and I will be stronger than ever

  The kitchen and basement remodel will be done

  KTFU?

  Three predictions/hopes for other NEYers in 2015:

  Happiness...lots of it. 

  I am hoping for a few of you ladies to get KTFU too....looking at you @cu97tiger and @Peaseblossom55 and @Hummingbird125

  @CLoGreenEyes will meet a great guy.

  @Loves2shop4shoes - You are going to move past the family crap amazingly well and you and J are going to have a wonderful year in Boston

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• labro member

  

  December 2014

  What three words best describe the past year for you? Best Year Ever

  What is the biggest risk you took? Was it worth it? Hiring my DJ. We didn't have any personal recommendations for him and I was really concerned about finding someone who'd give us a great party atmosphere. He ended up doing a phenomenal job!  

  How have your important relationships changed this year? I. Have. A. Husband.

  What did you do to become healthier? What, if anything, has been holding you back? Not much. I've recently started the Couch to 10K program again and I've been working to eat smaller portions and drink less during the week. I think I'm my own worst enemy and I haven't being push myself to try hard enough.

  What are you celebrating as this year ends and a new one approaches? My recent marriage for sure. Also celebrating a great year at my job.

  What is one thing you have especially loved about yourself this year? Looking and feeling more amazing and confident in myself than ever.

  What is your biggest piece of unfinished business from this year? None, I feel like I accomplished all my goals this year.

  What single event has had the biggest impact on you from the past 365 days? Could be a personal event or something broader. As if this hasn't been repeated enough - getting married!

  Favorite book, movie, and/or TV show of 2014: I really enjoyed Afterwards by Rosamund Lupton

  What was the biggest waste of time for you over 2014? What do you wish you had done instead? I spent a lot of time on TK. No regrets! 

  What unexpected joy did you find this year? Unexpected obstacle? Getting an opportunity to develop a closer relationships with one of my SILs was really nice. I don't know if I really had any obstacles.

  If you could guarantee one thing to happen in 2015, what would it be? To lose 60 lbs and reach my goal weight once and for all.

  What do you want to do more of next year? Any special plans ahead? Travel more. We're planning on visiting my grandparents in South Dakota in the fall next year. I'd also really like to visit our friends in Seattle again.

  Three personal predictions/hopes for 2015: Get better at saving money. Lose weight. Continue to build and develop my relationship with my husband. 

  Three predictions/hopes for other NEYers in 2015: @southernpeach89 and @peaseblossom55 are definitely getting KTFU! That @Hummingbird125 and @GoldenPenguin are going to have AMAZING weddings! Other hopes - for everyone to have a successful and beautiful year without any major catastrophes.

  
  

  
  

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• Peaseblossom55 mod

  

  December 2014

  @twodimes you know me well with all the pink!

  
  

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• AlPacina member

  

  December 2014

  What three words best describe the past year for you? Dog, Running, Stability

  What is the biggest risk you took? Was it worth it? I didn't take many risks. I did some of the hardest hikes/climbs I'd ever tried. They were worth it for the view, but coming down a mountain is not my cup of tea.  

  How have your important relationships changed this year? I let go my best friend of 10 years. It felt really good. I realized she was a manipulator. My family relationships haven't changed much. My relationship with my BF has only gotten stronger.

  What did you do to become healthier? What, if anything, has been holding you back? I started running regularly once I got my dog. Running made me hungry all the time, but I've been able to not keep snack foods around much. So overall I lost 15 pounds or so this year. And I quit smoking cigarettes at the new year and have kept that up! The only thing holding me back is how much BF loves ice cream, so we always have it.

  What are you celebrating as this year ends and a new one approaches? I'm celebrating making it through this entire year with relatively little bugging/discussion about engagement with BF. We had the timeline talk, and then I shut up. We have really become so comfortable with each other, and when I think of what 2015 will be like, he is always a part of it. I'm also almost to a year without smoking cigarettes!

  What is one thing you have especially loved about yourself this year? I adopted a dog with serious behavior issues, and have turned him into quite a decent pet. Once he gets out of the puppy phase I think he will be an amazing companion. I love that I put in all the time, effort, and money necessary to make him happy, and give him the tools/commands to keep me and BF happy as well. It was rough, considering he's my first dog.

  What is your biggest piece of unfinished business from this year? I was really hoping to buy a house this year.

  What single event has had the biggest impact on you from the past 365 days? Could be a personal event or something broader. The day I got my pup!

  Favorite book, movie, and/or TV show of 2014: After reading The Glass Castle I had to lend it to everyone to read. It is such an amazing memoir.

  What was the biggest waste of time for you over 2014? What do you wish you had done instead? There was a lot of lazy time this summer. I let BF talk me out of going for hikes too often. I wish I had just ignored how tired he was and made him go with me anyways. With enough bugging, I know he would have! 

  What unexpected joy did you find this year? Unexpected obstacle? An unexpected joy is probably how close of friends I became with one of my older co-workers. She has made my job so much more fun! An unexpected obstacle was the bullshit with employees at my work who were former students. Having to re-apply for jobs we had already been working for a year or more.

  If you could guarantee one thing to happen in 2015, what would it be? It's a tie between getting engaged and buying a house. I guess I would say get engaged, because the house thing is guaranteed to follow soon after.

  What do you want to do more of next year? Any special plans ahead? I want to travel. I want to travel and hike. I want to use my backpacking gear for a second time, ugh. No special plans, per se. I am trying to plan a trip to Costa Rica for me and BF.

  Three personal predictions/hopes for 2015: Take a vacation out of the country. Take a vacation within the country (hopefully visit my brother's family in AZ again). I HOPE to get engaged.

  Three predictions/hopes for other NEYers in 2015: Party like rock stars. Be treated like queens. Get money, get paid.

  

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• Peaseblossom55 mod

  

  December 2014

  What three words best describe the past year for you?

  really high strung

  What is the biggest risk you took? Was it worth it?

  We decided to go to Belize for our honeymooon, we were unsure about the location if it would a great vacation it was totally worth every penny.

  How have your important relationships changed this year?

  Not really. I don't talk to my mom as much because she has gotten really annoying with pressuring me for a grand child.

  What did you do to become healthier? What, if anything, has been holding you back?

  Nothing really, I feel I've fallen off the work out wagon quite a bit but rehearsals and shows have gotten in the way lately.

  What are you celebrating as this year ends and a new one approaches?

  Celebrating how amazing 2014 was and hoping 2015 is even better.

  What is one thing you have especially loved about yourself this year?

  I was able to plan a beautiful wedding and that we were able to celebrate and host our friends and family in an amazing party.

  What is your biggest piece of unfinished business from this year?

  trying to get pregnant

  What single event has had the biggest impact on you from the past 365 days? Could be a personal event or something broader.

  I think the wedding, it was a huge thing and one of the best days of my life

  Favorite book, movie, and/or TV show of 2014:

  I love Mockingjay.  Not sure about book I really liked The Maze Runner, TV show The Walking Dead

  What was the biggest waste of time for you over 2014? What do you wish you had done instead?

  Not sure really I did a musical in March and I didn't have any fun with it.

  What unexpected joy did you find this year? Unexpected obstacle?

  I don't know if there was any unexpected joy. Unexpected obstacle- small things during the wedding planning process, I don't know if it was an obstacle but putting down our kitty last month was by far the hardest thing we've had to to do I didn't expect it to upset me so much.

  If you could guarantee one thing to happen in 2015, what would it be?

  Get pregnant

  What do you want to do more of next year? Any special plans ahead?

  Nothing really it depends on getting pregnant, although we have already decided we are going back to the Bahamas mid March.

  Three personal predictions/hopes for 2015:

  Getting pregnant

  Health and happy family members( including my new niece)

  Continued financial success

  Three predictions/hopes for other NEYers in 2015:

  Babies for @cu97tiger and @southernpeach89

  a healthy baby boy for @allusive007

  @swazzle will move into her awesome home and we will finally get to hang out

  So so many beautiful NEY weddings I can't wait for them coming up!!!

  
  

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• speakeasy14 member

  

  December 2014

  What three words best describe the past year for you? Expensive, Lonely, and Exciting (hahaha makes it sound so odd, but lonely applies to the 3 months being in a cast)

  What is the biggest risk you took? Was it worth it? Bought and completely remodeled a 1930s house -- definitely worth it

  How have your important relationships changed this year? Grown stronger

  What did you do to become healthier? What, if anything, has been holding you back? My mom had to cut salt out of her diet, so my entire family did to support her.  I no longer can eat salt heavy food.  Holding back - too lazy to actually exercise

  What are you celebrating as this year ends and a new one approaches? Beginning a new chapter with my bf (moving in together)

  What is one thing you have especially loved about yourself this year? cutting out all toxic people

  What is your biggest piece of unfinished business from this year? Our house, but we're almost done! It's taken a year to get to this point, but we're hoping to move in around new years!

  What single event has had the biggest impact on you from the past 365 days? Could be a personal event or something broader. Breaking my foot.  Right before I fell I was lined up for a promotion within a different department.  Because I broke my foot I couldn't do the capabilities of the job, so now I've been wait listed for that job, but now other departments are fighting for me so I have options.

  Favorite book, movie, and/or TV show of 2014: Pillbillies by K.L. Randis -- I grew up with the author, and her writing is phenomenal which makes it a double perk for me.

  What was the biggest waste of time for you over 2014? What do you wish you had done instead? hmmmm not sure if I have one

  What unexpected joy did you find this year? Unexpected obstacle? Several close friends getting pregnant around the same time and now being surrounded by babies.  I love it because I get to be an "aunt."

  
  

  Obstacle: Discovering the house we bought needed more work than we thought.  Not a huge deal, just took a little longer than planned to remodel.

  If you could guarantee one thing to happen in 2015, what would it be? Move in and decorate my house!!!!!

  What do you want to do more of next year? Any special plans ahead?Travel.  I usually go on two or three mini trips a year, but next year I'd like to extend to 4-5.

  Three personal predictions/hopes for 2015: Finish my masters.  Get a promotion.  Callie is able to adjust from being in a house filled with other animals to being by herself. 

  Three predictions/hopes for other NEYers in 2015: Everyone getting married next year has the best day ever!  @swazzle gets to be reunited with her furbabies! And some snowflakes entertain us all!! 

  

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• eilis1228 member

  

  December 2014

  What three words best describe the past year for you? Exciting, sickly, expensive

  What is the biggest risk you took? Was it worth it? Going to the ENT to finally fix all my sinus/allergy issues. So far, no, it hasn't been worth it. The cost for the allergy shots has been astronomical, even though I do get reimbursed for the majority of the costs. Hopefully my surgery on Friday will fix everything though.

  How have your important relationships changed this year? I got engaged, which was pretty major. I don't know that much changed between FI and I though other than having a new title. 

  What did you do to become healthier? What, if anything, has been holding you back? I stopped obsessing as much about my diet and exercise. I was way too strict and overtraining way too much last year, and this year I was either on some sort of medication that prevented exercise, sick, or burnt out. It made me chill out and realize that working out 6 days a week and only consuming 1200 calories wasn't all that healthy, and the key to health and fitness is moderation on EVERYTHING.

  What are you celebrating as this year ends and a new one approaches? Being engaged and (hopefully) wiping out sinus issues.

  What is one thing you have especially loved about yourself this year? I've pushed my own boundaries quite a bit. I try food I normally wouldn't like, I've forced myself to be more sociable with new people and family members, I had to get a rental car and drive in an unfamiliar place (I haaaaaaaate driving. It gives me a lot of anxiety, and I avoid it as much as I can), and I made traveling a priority. 

  What is your biggest piece of unfinished business from this year?

  What single event has had the biggest impact on you from the past 365 days? Could be a personal event or something broader.

  Favorite book, movie, and/or TV show of 2014: Oh geez, no idea. I'm so bad at favorites. FI and I have really loved Downton Abbey... Big Hero 6 was a great movie, as was How to Train Your Dragon 2 and Guardians of the Galaxy... and I really loved the Dark Souls trilogy this year, even though it's totally a guilty pleasure and terribly written.

  What was the biggest waste of time for you over 2014? What do you wish you had done instead? ALLERGY SHOTS! I wish I'd insisted on surgery sooner than now.

  What unexpected joy did you find this year? Unexpected obstacle? Joy - bonding more with family members; Obstacle - confronting my stupid allergies and sinus problems 

  If you could guarantee one thing to happen in 2015, what would it be? Marriage! Yeah!

  What do you want to do more of next year? Any special plans ahead? Again, marriage! So ready to be a wife. I also want FI to be happier at work, and I hope he finds a more permanent position.

  Three personal predictions/hopes for 2015:

  -kick ass wedding

  -no more sinus infections

  - develop a less sporadic exercise routine because I won't be sick all the time

  Three predictions/hopes for other NEYers in 2015:

  -@Swazzle will move into her dream home

  -All of the engaged NEYers will have BEAUTIFUL weddings

  -@cu97tiger, @minskat30, @southernpeach89, @peaseblossom55, and anyone else TTC will get KTFU

  -This is 4, but I don't care. @AuroraRose41 and @bethsmiles will no longer be NEY!

  
  
  

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• justbeingme93 member

  

  December 2014 edited May 2015

  
  

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• bethsmiles member

  

  December 2014

  @justbeingme93 - I just discovered Reign! I've only watched season 1 but it is surprisingly entertainning!

  
  

  
  

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• justbeingme93 member

  

  December 2014

  @bethsmiles

  
  

  I found it on Netflix maybe a month or two ago, and I may or may not have watched all of the seasons on Netflix already. It is pretty addicting. 

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• bethsmiles member

  

  December 2014

  @justbeingme93 - Netflix is the best! That's how I discovered it as well!

  
  

  
  

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• AuroraRose41 member

  

  December 2014

  Aww you guys. I certainly hope you are right . BF seems to keep hinting that it will happen in the next few weeks, so I have been trying not to go BSC here.
  
  And onto the questions:
  
  

  What three words best describe the past year for you? Maturity, Travel, Adventure
  

  What is the biggest risk you took? Was it worth it? Taking the long way back to SFO from Sonoma Valley and missing our flight as a result. It was extremely worth it as we did get on a later flight, and have an amazing memory of exploring somewhere new with BF. The one road between Sonoma and Napa was insane, and BF and I still talk about it.
  

  How have your important relationships changed this year? I have gotten closer to many relatives and many members of BF's family, as well as made many new friends in San Diego. BF and I also grew together and learned a lot about one another during our first year living together.
  

  What did you do to become healthier? What, if anything, has been holding you back? I started seeing a nutritionist, creating my own diet plan, and trying to fit in more exercise. Unfortunately a crazy work schedule has made that very difficult.
  

  What are you celebrating as this year ends and a new one approaches? I'm celebrating that my father is still alive after all of his recent health issues (including a heart attack), and that my grandfather is also alive still despite coping with depression after losing my grandmother last year. I am so lucky to have two strong role models like that in my life, and will cherish the time that I have with them and the rest of my loved ones.
  

  What is one thing you have especially loved about yourself this year? I loved that I became wiser with my money and created a savings plan for both me and BF, and started contributing to a 401k plan.
  

  What is your biggest piece of unfinished business from this year? Definitely not losing as much weight as I had hoped. That will change in the next year.
  

  What single event has had the biggest impact on you from the past 365 days? Could be a personal event or something broader. Having my father have a heart attack when I was on the opposite side of the country. That was one of the hardest things that I had to deal with, and I still don't like being so far away from everyone, but at least BF is here with me.
  

  Favorite book, movie, and/or TV show of 2014: My favorite new TV show is Gotham
  

  What was the biggest waste of time for you over 2014? What do you wish you had done instead? Starting the year living 30 miles away from work. We did move closer in the summer (broke our lease to do so), but I wish that I hadn't moved that far away from work in the first place.
  

  What unexpected joy did you find this year? Unexpected obstacle? Unexpected joy was becoming close friends with many of my coworkers. The unexpected obstacle was finding out that the two couples that are in long term relationships who I looked up to are both having relationship issues that may lead to divorce and calling off an engagement. While I will be a supportive friend, it kind of hit me that the couples that I respected are not as well off as it seems, and that hopefully BF and I do not have similar things happen. We keep trying to talk it out and he reassures me every time that we are different and it will work because we both work hard to keep each other happy.
  

  If you could guarantee one thing to happen in 2015, what would it be? That I could be engaged!
  

  What do you want to do more of next year? Any special plans ahead? I want to travel more and explore more of the West Coast. BF and I have been talking about possibly taking a train trip down the coast from Seattle back to San Diego. We also want to discover more of San Diego, and we are talking about all the things that we have yet to do and plan to do on our weekends.
  

  Three personal predictions/hopes for 2015: That I get engaged, lose weight, and get into the patent law training program at my company.
  

  Three predictions/hopes for other NEYers in 2015: I have four.
  

  -@bethsmiles will get engaged

  -@LabLove86 will also get engaged

  -@swazzle will move into a beautiful home

  -all the NEY's getting married will make beautiful brides and will AW ALL the pictures .
  

  
  

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• AuroraRose41 member

  

  December 2014

  @bethsmiles and @justbeingme93 BF and I LOVE Reign. I recently got my parents into it too. We are all hooked. The second season is great so far.
  

  
  

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