My Top 11 in 11

Happy New Year!! 

Now, originally I was going to reflect on the past year and my last New Year's resolutions, but then I went back to look at those and realized that I sort of sucked at them. I made a little bit of progress in most areas, specifically the housewife-y ones. I actually cook sometimes and our house is usually sort of clean. Ooh oooh! Anyway, I thought this would be a little more fun than getting all down on myself.... :)

11. Favorite movie you watched: 

 This has to be a tie between Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2 and Bridesmaids.

My #2s would be The Help and Horrible Bosses.

HP was epic. It was only slightly different from the book in a few areas, and the changes they made didn't bother me (for once! I've always been on of those "The book is wayyy better and way different" movie-goers). In fact, the changes added emotion a lot of the time and they were definitely successful in keeping the non-HP reader in the loop, while still catering to the fans of the book.

Bridesmaids was HILARIOUS, though it surely isn't for the easily offended. I need to own this movie for these reasons: 1. Kristin Wiig is hilarious. 2. Melissa McCarthy is AMAZING. and 3. I totally cried when it got sentimental.

 

10. Favorite TV series:

 That'd have to be Parenthood. It's one of the best dramas I've seen on TV lately, and the storyline(s) actually compels me to watch every week. 

My #2s include: New Girl, Glee, Up All Night, 30 Rock, Big Bang Theory, and The Office.

I'm a quirky-comedy-sitcom kind of girl. ;)

 

9. Favorite restaurant:

 Red Lobster. I always leave with a smile on my face and left-overs.

 

8. Favorite new thing you tried:

Reading non-fiction literature, though I'm not done with the two books I started... haha.
Typically, I ONLY read fiction. Usually I am drawn to the funny, chick-lit type of stuff, but I also like historical fiction, adolescent lit (partly because I'm a teacher and want to know what kids are reading, and partly because I like it... haha), fantasy (HP!!), and drama/suspense/mystery (but nothing too scary).  Sometimes I read a funny memoir, but so far Tina Fey and Jen Lancaster are the only two authors who's memoirs I loved. And they have to be funny ones.

Anyway, my two non-fiction books:
I read am still reading Cold Tangerines by Shauna Niequist, which is a collection of short stories written to celebrate God in daily life. It's actually sort of memoir-ish since she's writing about her experiences, but it is still really good. It's the only "Christian" book that I've really enjoyed reading the whole way through.
I am also reading The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People by Stephen Covey. Maybe this doesn't count though, since it's a book study the staff is doing at school. Either way, I'm not a self-help/inspirational book kind of girl, and I think this one is too wordy, but the guy definitely has a lot of good points, even if some of them are common sense. Take initiative, prioritize, be positive, build quality relationships.


7. Favorite gift you got:

 The earrings and watch that Justin got me for Christmas.

 

6. Favorite thing you pinned:

 A beautiful picture of a built in bookshelf and window seat.. I've always wanted a library/reading room with a window seat. :)

 

5. Favorite blog post:
Mmmmm.... this one. It feels cheesy to say, but I just love that song, and it really speaks to me.
Or maybe the post about my mom. It felt good to get all of that out, even though I don't really like the flow of the writing...

4. Best accomplishment:
Getting a job teaching reading and math intervention to elementary school kids.
I love that I love what I do.

3. Favorite Photo:
I actually didn't take many pictures last year. My camera died last Christmas, and I still haven't replaced it so I've only got a few that I took from other people. My fave is definitely Justin's fire academy photo, but he'd kill me if I put that on here. So, of the one's on my computer that I didn't already post I would say these are my fave:



Playing in the photobooth at at wedding... Justin got so into this one that I'm practically falling over.



Crazy face!

The Sister and me playing photobooth.

2. Favorite memory:

I had a really great summer... it was super busy with Justin going through the fire academy and everything, so we didn't get to do as much "fun stuff." But, that made the fun stuff we did that much better.
Spending time up north a Houghton Lake with Justin's family.
Camping over the weekend.
Going out on the lake in our little boat.
Going out with friends.

 

1. Goal for 2012:
Be healthy, cook instead of going out, and spend less.