An introspective look back on 2008

1. What did you do in 2008 that you'd never done before?
In 2008 I held a newborn baby for the first time. Wow. And I learned all about being a new dad. That's something I had always known was coming, but never realized all the niceties and things that are associated with becoming a new dad.
2. Did you keep your new year's resolutions, and will you make more for next year?
I don't recall making new year's resolutions last year because I have this dumb habit of not writing them down. I think will make some for this year, and I'll post them where I can always see them.
3. Did anyone close to you give birth? Yup. Kristen. My sister, Kelli, and a lot of other good friends. Some off the top of my head...the Palmers, the Knutsons, and a few others. Like, when we were in the Springs in Logan, there were like 35 women in the ward pregnant at any given time. It was crazy! Sheesh--we have some friends that are our age with their 2nd kid already! Where does the time go?
4. Did anyone close to you die? My friend from high school died in a boating accident on the 4th of July, and my grandpa's brother passed away a few weeks ago.
5. What countries did you visit?
Are you kidding? With what money?
6. What would you like to have in 2009 that you lacked in 2008?
A few master's classes under my belt and a couple more sport coats. That's all, really. I could wish for more money, but who doesn't?
7. What dates from 2008 will remain etched upon your memory and why?
April 23rd--that's the day Josh was born! And September 22nd--that's the day I was hired to teach full-time.
8. What was your biggest personal achievement of the year?
My biggest? Like single? I don't know. I graduated, I got a full-time job with benefits, you take your pick.
9. What was your biggest failure?
Well, another year, another year with my comics not being syndicated! :)
10. Did you suffer illness or injury?
I threw out my back right before school started--that wasn't fun. I had the sniffles here and there, but nothing too major.
11. What was the best thing you bought?
Our new computer! It has the adobe suite on it so I can put my book together. Which I actually got like 40 pages done over the break. It's easy when you have 95% of the material done, and you just need to scan it in and put it in order...
12. Who did you have the most fun with?
Definitely Kristen and Josh and the family. We always have fun when we get together with the fam. I really want to go more places though this year. I think a trip to Texas to visit my brother will be nice, and maybe a Disneyland excursion should be in the works. But again, this is all family!
13. Whose behavior made you appalled and depressed?
OJ Simpson's. I mean, come on!
14. Where did most of your money go?
Paying off our car and to the bank to save towards a house. Hooray for discipline!
15. What did you get really, really, really excited about?
When Josh was born, obviously, and when I got a new job. Also when I found out that some of my churchy comics got accepted by the New Era! (Although Kristen doesn't think I showed as much enthusiasm as I should have...)
16. What song will always remind you of 2008?
What kind of question is this? Well, if I had to pick one, it would probably be something by Hootie and the Blowfish since I recently got on a Hootie kick.
17. Compared to this time last year, are you: a)happier or sadder? b) thinner or fatter? c) richer or poorer?
Definitely happier--how could I not be with Josh as happy as he is all the time? I'm about the same weght. (Dang it!) and with a new job, just a tad bit richer than last year. But it's a teacher's salary, so don't get too excited about it.
18. What do you wish you'd done less of? Nothing. I say that as less of NOTHING because I think I may have wasted some time (something I actually hate to do). I'm going to try to be a bit more productive. I have to echo my friend Aliese on this.
19. Did you fall in love in 2008?
Only with our new, loveable little boy Josh!
20. What was your favorite TV program?
"The Office" by far. Which is why I have the Dwight bobblehead in my classroom! Yes!
21. Do you hate anyone now that you didn't hate this time last year? I don't hate anyone. Hate is something I don't feel the need to "leave room for" in my life. Do I get upset with people? Of course! Do I avoid seeing certain people? Definitely. But it's never really out of hatred; more out of love and respect for other people I may be around. Again, I'm going with Aliese's answer on this one.
22. What was the best book you read?
I read a lot. I'm an English teacher--that's what I do. But there have been a few books that have piqued my interest more than others. Like when I read Sense and Sensibility and Pride and Prejudice for the first time this summer, or the new Brisingr book, or The Westing Game, or Esperanza Rising, or Jerry Spinelli's Stargirl--of all the books I read this year, this last one was by far the most interesting. I'd definitely recommend it to anyone. That's why I teach it!
23. What was your greatest musical discovery?
That you can get 4 teachers at the middle school to sing a'capella and the whole student body thinks they're the best act of the show. Good times.
24. What did you want and not get?
It was actually a good thing. I interviewed for a job at the high school to start as an intern, but they gave the job to someone else. I started my student teaching at said high school, and within a month, was more prepared to take the job at the middle school instead. I'm glad things worked out like they did, and I even got the experience of having that interview.
25. What was your favorite film of this year?
I'm not going to lie. I love those comic book movies, since I grew up with them and all. So, it's a toss-up between Iron Man and the Dark Knight (although the latter was terrifyingly intense). But you can't forget the fabulously great Mamma Mia!
26. What did you do on your birthday and how old were you?
I turned 25 on the 25th this last January! I made a cake with Hostess chocolate cupcakes and we played the wii. Good times! Kristen turned 24 and we had a surprise dinner for her with all the family in Provo.
27. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?
Winning the lottery. But you have to acutally buy lotto tickets for this to happen. Oh, well.
28. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2008?
I got hooked into sport coats. They seriously make any ensemble look a lot better. And most of them you can wear with jeans! My principal's evaluation marked me as "above average" on the "dresses professionally" category thanks to these babies!
29. What kept you sane?
Knowing that graduation was near. Holy schlamoly. Never take 18 credits with 3 part time jobs with a pregnant wife. It's not a good thing. But I did manage to pull a 4.0 that semester! Yeah!
30. When you think about 2008 what sticks out in your mind?
Realizing that I will always be a father. I will be Josh's dad forever, and no matter how old I get, he will always be my son. That's a pretty amazing thing to think about.

Every year we look back and say, "Wow, that was a year to remember." This one truly was as well. And I'm proud to say that there aren't many things I'd change about it. Let's make 2009 a year to remember too!