Holiday Hiatus & 2009 Wrap-Up

As per my usual posts this time of year, it's time for me to take a break from this blog and enjoy the holidays.

Although, I did take the time to fill out the 2009 Wrap-Up Survey that I received from multiple people (thanks guys) and posted it below. Also, over the next few weeks, I will try to post some holiday pictures on my picture page, so feel free to check back and peruse through those when they're up.

Happy Holidays!



2009 Wrap-Up Survey

1) Was 2009 a good year for you?
Yes, yes it was.

2) What was your favorite moment of the year?
I have too many favorite moments from 2009 to pick just one.

3) What was your least favorite moment of the year?
Hmm…probably most of July.

4) Where were you when 2009 began?
New York.

5) What were you doing when the clock struck 12?
I was watching the ball drop in Times Square.

6) Where will you be when 2009 ends?
I haven't decided yet.

7) Who will you be with when 2009 ends?
Not sure yet.

8) Did you keep your new years resolution of 2009?
Oh yeah.

9) What was your new years resolution?
I wanted to travel more and be happy.

10) Are you looking forward to next year?
Bring it on.

11) Do you have a new years resolution for 2010?
I’m working on some.

12) Did you fall in love in 2009?
Yes.

13) Did you make new friends in 2009?
Yes.

14) Did you lose any friends in 2009?
Hmm…not that I know of.

15) What was your favorite month?
It’s always March.

16) What was your favorite movie of 2009?
StarTrek.

17) What was your least favorite movie of 2009?
Year One...stupidest movie ever.

18) What was your favorite song of 2009?
My Life Would Suck Without You - Kelly Clarkson

19) What was your favorite album from 2009?
Black Eyed Peas – The E.N.D.

20) What is the most overplayed song of 2009?
Anything by Michael Jackson.

21) Did you lose anybody close to you in 2009?
Fortunately no.

22) Did you miss anybody in the past year?
Yes, my grandmother.

23) Did you do anything out of character in 2009?
Went clubbing and I haven't done that since my early college days. I know, I'm so ashamed.

24) Do you have any regrets from this year?
Nope. Not a single one.

25) What was the biggest lie you told someone in 2009?
Oh boy, I can't answer that. I'm only going to get myself into trouble.

26) What was your proudest moment of 2009?
The ability to let it all go and move on.

27) What was your most embarrassing moment of 2009?
Haha...if you don't know what it is, I'm definitely not going to remind you.

28) What was your biggest mistake of 2009?
Making decisions based on other people versus just for me.

29) If you could go back in time to any moment of 2009 and change something, what would it be?
Hmm...well changing one thing might result in a lot of things changing...so let’s just leave everything the same.

30) What are your plans for 2010?
Have fun and be happy.

31) What did you do in 2009 that you’d never done before?
Um...I don't know.

32) What would you like to have in 2010 that you lacked in 2009?
A stronger sense of self.

33) What would you like to do in 2010 that you didn’t do in 2009?
Travel internationally.

34) What did you get really, really, really excited about this year?
Hmm...well I tend to get excited really easily. So I guess I got overly excited about all my vacations.

35) What song will always remind you of 2009?
Just Dance - Lady Gaga

36) What color best represents your 2009?
What kind of question is this?...Red, I guess.

37) What slogan best represents your 2009?
...Just Do It.

38) What could you have not lived without in 2009?
My circle of support.

39) What could you have lived without in 2009?
Heartbreak.

40) What do you wish you’d done more of?
Um...cook.

41) What do you wish you’d done less of?
Be sad.

42) What was your favorite tv program?
Hell’s Kitchen.

43) What was your favorite holiday?
It's always Thanksgiving.

44) What was the best gift you received in 2009?
Friendship and love...omg that's so cheesy. Haha.

45) What did you want and get?
To see more of the world.

46) What did you want and not get?
A million dollars.

47) What are you most thankful for?
The people around me...challenging and pushing me to be a better person.

48) How did you celebrate your birthday, and how old are you?
I turned 28 this year. I was in Scottsdale…watching the Giants during Spring Training.

49) What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?
The ability to teleport.

50) What is the most valuable life lesson you learned in 2009?
I'm happy being me.

Letter to Santa

Dear Santa,

Since Christmas is only a week away, I figure I better get my letter in like all those other pipsqueaks. I know it has been awhile since I’ve written you, so I thought I’d change that by sending you a quick letter to let you know that I’d appreciate a pit-stop at my place this year. Plus, I figure it couldn’t hurt to ask if you could help me make some of my Christmas wishes come true.

Just so we’re clear, I’m not writing for anything that I need (because I have everything I need), I’m writing to see if you could help me with what I want. Let me caution that I’m not looking for things that I can necessarily find in my stocking…although, I’m sure a list with tangible items is something that you would find much more useful, but hey, I’ve always been known to be difficult so just bear with me on this one.

Let’s start big, I could really use some more patience this coming year. As the years go by, I find that my patience and tolerance is taking quite a hit. It is getting harder and harder for me to deal with all the slow, oblivious, and obnoxious people in the world. Considering the nature of my job, I need to dig deep and get this under control. So if you could put an extra pint of patience in my stocking this year, that’d be much appreciated.

Next on my list, I would like to request some positive thoughts and some extra happy energy. Now, I’m not talking about being hyped up and super duper cherry all the time (because I know that being too happy and bubbly would drive me totally insane), but I’ve been noticing that too many people I encounter are negative, stressed out, and just downright depressing. And you know what? I don’t want to be around all that negative energy all the time. I want to be happy. I like being happy. What’s wrong with that? So if you have some extra positive thoughts or happy energy just lying around, stick some of that in my stocking too…or better yet, put some in other peoples’ stocking.

Lastly, and most importantly, I would like a pair of real world glasses. I know this request may seem a little weird at first, but…hear me out. I find that, more often than not, I get so caught up in the details that I lose sight of the bigger picture…or vice versa for that matter. And I need to change that. I would like to be able to keep things in perspective, and what better way to do that than to get a pair of real world glasses? So if you could provide me with one or two of those (you know, multiple pairs for me to keep in different places just in case I misplace one), that’d be great.

OK that wraps up my list of Christmas wishes for this year. I appreciate all the help since I guess I probably should be wishing for something more practical like…world peace, the end of global warming, or for the Niners to win the Super Bowl…but alas, there’s always next year.

Give a kiss to Mrs. Clause, an extra carrot stick to the reindeers, and an extra pat on the head to those hard-working elves up at the North Pole. Enjoy the holidays and have a happy new year.

Thanks so much!

Your Buddy, Kristina

Random Observation

I have a random story to share…ok, well maybe it’s not so random, but I’m going to share it anyway.

‘Tis the season…I have been attending my share of holiday parties this year…some work-related, but most for personal enjoyment. At these parties, I have been finding myself having to make small talk with people I haven’t seen in ages…and as you can imagine, some of the most random conversations and observations get discussed. Let me set the scene from last Friday evening.

I was at a party hosted by one of my ex-coworkers, from a job I held almost right after college (it seems like ages ago). Anyway, I noticed that…let’s call him…Sam, was also at this party (Sam was one of my ex-coworkers, who happened to be one of the best-looking guys I have ever laid eyes on…can you tell I had just a tiny crush? Hehe). Anyway, we struck up a conversation…of course, starting with how long it has been since we’ve seen each other, chit-chatting about our other random ex-coworkers, and just entertaining ourselves with some good conversation. The night went much better than I had expected and we agreed to get together soon just to catch up and hang out. Well, towards the end of the night, he turned to me and said (and I quote)…”Wow, you’ve really changed from what I remember...” Hmm…interesting…

Before I could get myself all worked up, I had to admit that there was some truth to the statement he made. Since he apparently meant the observation to be a compliment…I had to cut Sam some slack and not totally rip his head right off. Because, I do agree, I have really changed. I’m not the same person I was when we used to know each other…I mean, it seems like a lifetime ago when I think back on it. I don’t think I’m the exact same person I was 5 months ago…much less 5 years ago. To think of how naïve, self-righteous, and awkward I used to be, makes me cringe with shame. But seriously, life, in general, is about changing, evolving, and maturing. Sure, we all have our morals, ethics, and principles that may remain unchanged, but, in general…things change...people change, right? And who can say they are the same person now as they were when they were 23? Definitely not me. So yeah, I was a little disturbed by his observation, much less his need to point it out like…some sort of back-handed compliment to me.

I’m not mad about the observation…I guess, I’m more self-reflective and curious. I mean, what does he remember about me from years ago? What has changed about me? And how is it a good thing? Well…I guess I’m going to have to ask him the next time I see him.

Best Night

I find myself smack in the middle of the holiday season and my time being pulled in a million directions (as usual for me during this time of year)…trying to tie up loose ends at work before the holiday break, trying to see as many of my friends before the end of the year, trying to finish up the last of my holiday shopping before the crazy people take everything in sight, and trying to attend all the holiday parties that I RSVPed for…without completely losing my mind. I know, I know…you all are crying me a river. Whatever.

But, anyway, let me tell you about the best, and most relaxing, night that I got the pleasure of enjoying. With last night being my only evening free for the next…like...I don’t know how long (unless I get inspired to ditch a few of my plans…), I enjoyed a nice, quiet, night in. Get this…I made myself a cup of hot chocolate, baked some chocolate chip cookies, popped in my all-time favorite holiday movie ("Love Actually"…big surprise, I know…but what’s not to love about that movie), jumped into my pjs, and climbed into bed with my cozy flannel sheets. I know, I know, it’s totally lame…but it was so completely awesome and relaxing. I think these activities were all totally made acceptable because it was so freaking cold last night…and provided the perfect backdrop for a nice evening to stay in. So yeah, whatever. Like I said, it was the most relaxing night I’ve had in awhile.

Oh, and during these cold nights…there is nothing I’m more thankful for than my new flannel sheets. Sure, I mean the hot chocolate and the warm chocolate chip cookies were awesome, but a few nights ago, I changed my sheets from my single layer “summer” sheets…to my super warm flannel sheets. And let me tell you that the difference is quite amazing, so I am as happy as a….bug in a rug. For the past few mornings, it has been quite difficult to bring myself to get out of my warm bed and start the day. It’s so tempting to just curl up, roll over, and go back to sleep. But I’m sure I’m not telling you anything you don’t already know.

Changing the subject…you know, as I was watching "Love Actually" last night I wondered if I had enjoyed the movie as much as I did last year…and you know what? It’s weird, but "Love Actually" seems to get better and better every year that I watch it. Sure, I have other favorites…"White Christmas," "A Christmas Story," "Elf," are all good ones…but "Love Actually" is by far…my favorite holiday movie. And since I only watch it a couple of times a year (well, ok, to be perfectly honest, I watch it a few times every week from Thanksgiving until Christmas…so it’s more than just a couple times…hehe), but it seems to get better every year. I don’t know why, but it does. Shesh…ok, that sounds so corny. I better end this post before I end up talking about the meaning of Christmas and the greatness that can be found by listening to the Nsync Christmas CD over and over and over again during the holiday season. Yes…must wrap this up now...for the sake of all humanity. :-)

Ode To Tiger

I was one of your devoted fans,
Partly because I thought you were such a great man.
Sure, you know how to hit a little golf ball,
But now your public image is taking a big fall.
I thought you were one of the few good guys,
Since you looked to be incapable of telling any lies.
Things started to unravel for you with that infamous crash,
Which will end up costing you more than just cash.
You had your reputation and family to think about,
But now you’ve caused everyone to have nothing but doubt.
You threw everything away for some trampy, dirty, whore,
She looks like someone who would work at a local WalMart store.
You have such a hot and good-looking wife,
You must know that this choice will forever change your life.
How can you live with being a man who would ever cheat?
There is no excuse and I wouldn’t blame her for breaking both your feet.
I didn’t think that you’d ever be classified as a complete and total ass,
Because I always thought that you were so great and had much more class.
So I regret to say that I can’t love you like before,
Because you will never be one of those good guys anymore.