2017 in Questions

Though I'm certainly the only one who reads this, it's fun for me to look back on. And, so, for the twelfth year in a row, the end-of-year questions.

1) What did you do in 2017 that you'd never done before?
Went to Portland, was my own windshield wiper, went to the elephant orphanage in Kenya, saw Hamilton, Dear Evan Hansen, Waitress (with Sara Bareilles!) and the New York City Ballet, attended a balloon festival (after years of trying and failing to do so!), spent 8 months intentionally homeless (mostly housesitting and couch-hopping), wrote a script for and orchestrated an overnight video shoot in Del Taco, flew to San Francisco to see a live taping of my favorite podcast with Aaron Sorkin and surprise guest appearances by Allison Janney AND Melissa Fitzgerald, took a road trip through Missouri, Iowa, Nebraska, and Kansas, attended to CCDA in Detroit, visited the DYM Kentucky offices, STOOD ON THE GREAT WALL OF CHINA and TABOGGANED DOWN!, bought a moviepass, walked through the National Civil Rights Museum in Memphis, got my ears double-pierced, had personalized sweatshirts made as family Christmas gifts. Saved a ton of money.

2) Did you keep your New Year's Resolutions and will you make more next year?
My goal for the year was to stand on the Great Wall for my 35th birthday...and I did it!

3) Did anyone close to you give birth?
Sammy had sweet baby Zion. Katie had darling Oliver.

4) Did anyone close to you die?
Thankfully, no one really close to me.

5) What countries did you visit?
Kenya (of course) and China.

6) What would you like to have in 2018 that you lacked in 2017?
I would like to have an under 10-minute mile time.

7) What date(s) from 2017 will remain etched in your memory and why?
I went to Portland over Super Bowl, San Diego over Valentine's, Kenya over Easter, the midwest over Labor Day, China over my birthday... all-in-all, a good year for travel. I also had someone profess his love for me on 4th of July weekend...that'll stick with me for a while.

8) What was your biggest achievement of the year?
I mean...standing on the Great Wall of China on my birthday was pretty amazing. Seeing Hamilton on Broadway--also pretty incredible.

9) Did you suffer illness or injury?
Nope, praises.

10) What was the best thing you bought?
Hamilton tickets. I really loved my three weeks in Kenya--especially with my cousin Sunny. Have I mentioned China was pretty rad?

11) Whose behavior merited celebration?
My dear friends, Cathi and Emily. Fadi's generosity is unmatched. My bosses are pretty incredible as well.

12) Where did most of your money go?
Starbucks. Airfare. Luna Grill.

13) What did you get really, really excited about?
Leading at VBS, crossing items off my 35 by 35 list, spending a weekend in New York with my mom, working to start a ministry for families with children with special needs at MV.

14) What song will always remind you of 2017?
Despacito. The Game of Thrones theme song. Manhattan by Sara Bareilles.

15) Compared to last year are you:
Wiser? Healthier? Richer?
For sure. Yes. Definitely.

16) What do you wish you'd done more of?
Read.

17) What do you wish you'd done less of?
Worried. Self-criticizing.

18) How did you spend Christmas?
We had a great pre-Christmas celebration at my mom's...really, really fun. Christmas Eve, I laid in bed most of the day before going to a service at MV, dinner with the Bachmans, Salhanis, and Morgans, then leading at the MV Candlelight before catching the 11pm candlelight at Irvine. Christmas Day I went for breakfast at Papa and Gina's, then the movies (All the Money in the World) and dinner (Maestros) with my dad and Zac.

19) Did you fall in love in 2017?
Who's to say?! I think so...

20) What was your favorite new TV program?
The Great British Baking Show

21) What was the best book you read?
Just Mercy

22) What was your greatest musical discovery?
Billie Eilish, probably.

23) What did you want and get?
In-ear monitors, a second piercing in each ear.

24) What did you want and not get?
A trip to London over Thanksgiving.

25) What was your favorite film this year?
Lion. or The Big Sick.

26) What did you do on your birthday--how old did you turn?
I turned 35. And, though I cried every day for nearly two weeks leading up to my birthday, on my birthday, I celebrated by climbing to the top of the Great Wall of China, eating longevity noodles in a restaurant overlooking the wall, and eating a big scoop of ice cream in a local mall with Shara. About a week later, I had an amazing dinner with my dear friends: the Maguires, Hays, and Cathi.

27) What celebrity figure did you like most?
I really freaking love Allison Janney.

28) How would you describe your personal fashion style in 2017?
Comfort.

29) What kept you sane?
My church. My people. At work?! Ashley.

30) Who did you miss?
My friends at Precious Kids Center.

31) What valuable life lesson did you learn this year?
God is a God who provides. How much space I need, how much stuff I need, how many great friends I have.

32) What did you gain this year?
Weight. Wisdom.

33) What did you lose this year?
Weight. A few friendships.

34) Who was the best new person you met this year?
Lots of great DYM100 friends. I had a ton of fun with my friend Jake, too.

35) What song lyric sums up 2017 for you?
God of Your promise / You don't speak in vain / No syllable empty or void
or
I've spent my whole life searching desperately / To find out that grace requires nothing of me.

Want to see the last 11 years' worth?! (My favorite details are the songs that marked each year...)
2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016