End of the Year Non-Political Q&A

2. Did you keep your New Years' Resolutions, and will you make more for next year?
I didn't make any. Each year I take the worst happenings and memories and write them on scraps of paper. Once they are written down, I burn them and let them go. 

3. Did anyone close to you give birth?
Yes, but the child was stillborn. I was called in when the family found out that the child would not be born alive because I unfortunately have been through that type of grief. I am thankful that I was allowed to be there for support in such a private moment, but wish I could have changed the outcome.

4. Did anyone close to you die?
Yes. There have been several deaths this year. Some were just people I knew in passing, others were people I had come to know well and love. If I were the type of make New Year resolutions, I think I would resolve to spend time more wisely so I could better learn the lessons that others can teach.

5. What countries did you visit?
None. There was an opportunity to cross into Canada, but it didn't work out.

6. What would you like to have in 2009 that you lacked in 2008?
Self-confidence. The truth is that I rarely see anything I do as being good enough. I'd like to be able to write something without second-guessing it or wondering if I researched it enough or if my analysis was good enough.

7. What date from 2008 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?
May 12 -- the date of the immigration raid at Agriprocessors in Postville. I was in the hospital with my husband on that day when I spoke with my editor, who asked if I wanted to follow-up on the story. Little did I know that following up on the happenings in Postville would keep me reporting and typing well into 2009.

Also, June 12 -- the day I walked through the Cedar Rapids skywalks to arrive in the 1st Street parking ramp and take photographs of unprecedented flooding. I've been in Iowa for more than a decade, but as I watched the devastation from the floods this summer and did what I could before, during and after, I knew beyond all doubt that this is my home.

8. What was your biggest achievement of the year?
Being relentless. Throughout the year I kept reciting the "I am only one, but still I am one" quotation in my head.

9. What was your biggest failure?
Finances. The move from small business owner back to reporter has taken a significant toll on my checking account. Although I doubt writing will ever match my previous bottom line, I'm going to pitch more freelancing gigs in 2009. And, when I have to pass by that great plush leather handbag, I'll remind myself how much happier I am now that I'm able to receive a paycheck from my passion.

10. Did you suffer illness or injury?
I'm the woman who can walk down the sidewalk and break her toe. In other words, if I get into every injury I had in 2008, this post will be a monster. Notably, I had my hand smashed between two bowling balls and, earlier in the year, was layed up for several days with intense back pain.

11. What was the best thing you bought?
I love the iPod that was given to me for Christmas in 2007. Throughout the year I listened to podcasts and audiobooks while I traveled back and forth from Postville and Des Moines. It remains one of my favorite gadgets -- but please don't tell my Blackberry.

12. Whose behavior merited celebration?
My oldest daughter continues to inspire and amaze me. I admire her ability to approach life in such a logical way. I know that she will continue to make decisions in her life that are best for her, hell be damned what the rest of us think.

13. Whose behavior made you appalled and depressed?
The personal answer to this question was burned away already and I won't go there again.

Publicly, however, I think the person who appalled me the most was John McCain. There was a time, back in 2000, that I would have had no qualms in voting for him as president. His actions since that time, however, have been beyond the pale. His selection of Sarah Palin as a running mate will go down in history as one of the worst political decisions ever made. This is obviously not because Palin is a woman, but because she was chosen not on merit but simply as a political tool. I also think McCain's push of Palin into the national spotlight will have an overall detrimental impact on women in politics.

14. Where did most of your money go?
Re-roofing the house, and into the gas tank.

15. What did you get really, really, really excited about?
The professional opportunities that presented themselves in December. (I don't want to say more because I'm afraid I'll jinx it.)

16. What song will always remind you of 2008?
Because of my girls, the soundtrack to High School Musical. 

17. Compared to this time last year, are you:
i. happier or sadder? Happier, although I am a bit worried about the economy.
ii. thinner or fatter? Fatter. Dammit. I'm still in search of some low-impact things to do that won't harm/aggravate my aforementioned back problems.
iii. richer or poorer? Poorer, although being so has contributed to being happier.

18. What do you wish you'd done more of?
Writing, meditating, taking time for me.

19. What do you wish you'd done less of?
Worrying about the roof as it was being fixed. Worrying in general.

20. How did you spend Christmas?
At home.

21. What online people did you meet?
I've met a ton of reporters that I previously only knew by their byline. Other than that, I've not really been hanging around in chat rooms or searching eHarmony.

22. Did you fall in love in 2008?
Fall in love? Sure, with Yo-Yo.

23. How many one-night stands?
Ahh... none.

24. What was your favorite TV program?
Dancing with the Stars -- "Winner, Winner, Chicken Dinner"

25. Do you hate anyone now that you didn't hate this time last year?
I don't hate anyone. There are people I distrust more now than I did a year ago.

26. What was the best book you read?
I've been into chick lit this year, and I can't name just one. Janet Evanovich's Stephanie Plum series is always one of my favorites. Thanks to a friend, I also discovered Fern Michael's Sisterhood series this year. 

27. What was your greatest musical discovery?
I didn't have one.

28. What did you want and get?
A newer Blackberry with GPS.

29. What did you want and not get?
The winning lottery numbers.

30. What was your favorite film of this year?
Again, I don't know that I had one. I loved seeing Bolt in 3D with the kids. We all looked extra handsome in our geeky 3D glasses. 

31. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you?
I am and will forever be 39. I don't know that I did much to speak of on my birthday. My middle daughter's birthday is only two days before mine, so we often combine them. 

32. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?
The feeling that there was real family support for my writing.

33. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2008?
Must have pockets.

34. What kept you sane?
The dog and the kids.

35. Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most?
I don't think I discovered any new heart-throbs in 2008.

36. What political issue stirred you the most?
Ha-Ha -- like I can name just one!

I did have someone speak to me about politicians and tell me: "Eventually they all break your heart." I'm pretty sure that was a lightbulb moment for me.

37. Who did you miss?
The southern family, especially my sisters. Good news is there is a family reunion coming up in June.

38. Who was the best new person you met?
I've met so many people this past year that I can't name just one.

39. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2008.
See number 36: "Eventually they all break your heart."

40. Quote a song lyric that sums up your year.