We’re near the finish line of 2024, so I’m getting as caught up as possible. Only two days to go after today, so I think I can make it.

Dec. 11 – which body part of yours would talk back to you about this past year and what would it say?

As usual, I have a list.

1. My thumb – Thank you for getting that biopsy done.
2. My lungs – Thank you for completing that pulmonary lung function test done. And also, thanks for getting your CPAP prescription refilled.
3. My face – Thank you for asking about the topical Spironolactone when the oral one didn’t work. Truly, a lifesaver/game changer.
4. My left leg, especially my knee and IT band – Thanks for actually resting after finding out about your bursitis and IT band syndrome and other specific diagnosis for the inflammation. I know it has been hard, but you did it. I know it sucked missing your tap show, but you did the right thing by taking care of your physical needs first instead of feeding your ego.
5. My right ankle – WHAT DID YOU DO???

Dec. 12 – Make a list of experiences from this past year, big and small – Already did this 😀

Dec. 13 – What was one (or more) of your favorite finds this year?

I feel like I already covered this in the best buys section of this post. But! Since then, I found the PERFECT onesie for a Christmas holiday pajama party I went to. Namely Ralphie’s pink bunny suit from A Christmas Story (see featured pic).

No one at the party got it, but it still delighted me to no end.

Dec. 14 – Something you lost that you’ll miss— an obituary for a thing, an event, a person, a part of yourself

Trust in a friend. No, I will not be elaborating.

Dec. 15 – What did you like most about yourself this past year?

Honestly, my willingness to start being honest with myself and, by extension, the people I care about. It still does not come naturally, but I am trying. And maybe one day I’ll say exactly what I want/think the first time I’m asked.

Dec. 16 – What was the best gift you received in 2024?

I would have to say my friend inviting me to go to Greece would have to be the best gift.

Dec. 17 – Did you have a special quote from 2024 or a quote that encapsulates the year for you?

From one of my students:

I would spend more time completing the whole assignment instead of caving in to
incompletion.

“Caving into incompletion” is my new favorite. So dramatic!

Dec. 18 – What was your best “overheard” of the year?

“Oh, every day until March 7.” — a guy complaining about how early it gets dark saying how long he’ll be complaining about how early it gets dark. Same, dude, same.

Dec .19  – A strength you didn’t know you had, a muscle you stretched and worked

Hello, it’s me, your neighborhood obsessive-compulsive who likes clear rules and schedules who flew standby (notoriously unreliable) and had to go with the flow more than once and hated every minute of it. I will continue to fly standby and deal, and I will continue to have to go with the flow because of it. It will continue to be one of my least favorite things in the world.

Dec. 20 – Describe your year in weather or types of terrain or regions or forms of motion etc.

Mostly sunny with a (literal) hurricane thrown in as a treat.

Dec. 21 – Reflect on an important anniversary you experienced this year.

Twenty years ago I taught my first comp class as a TA (teaching assistant) and knew I had found my calling. Because of my sabbatical, I entered my twentieth year of teaching refreshed and with renewed purpose.

Also, I turned 45, and my daughter turned 25, so.

Dec. 22 – President Obama came out with his lists of faves! What were your favorite songs, books, movies, TV shows this year? 

I’ll post about these separately, but off the top of my head: Agatha All Along has eaten my brain. ???? DOWN DOWN DOWN THE ROAD / DOWN THE WITCHES’ ROAD????

Dec. 23 – Who do you need to thank from this past year and for what? Consider also sending a thank you card, text, or email.

I’m so glad this was included as a prompt. I will, indeed, be sending out a few thank you cards. Thank you for this reminder.

Dec. 24 – Your year in 5 words

???? Back to life, back to reality ????

I had to do it, which means that’s six words instead of five. The five word version would be “Back to life and reality.”

Dec. 25 – This is a perfect day to reflect and list the big and small gratitudes you have from 2024

I am forever grateful for my friends and community who really supported me in several unplanned ways over this year.

Dec. 26 – Think about different roles you played this past year— spouse, parent, sibling, etc. Which “role” did you play this year that you were most proud of?

I would probably say scholar, just because of the complete overhaul I did to my curriculum, and the fact that I had to write a whole sabbatical report.

Dec. 27 – What’s the title of your 2024 Memoir and why? What are some of the chapter subtitles?

Title: How Not to Get Scammed in Cancún and Other Lessons Learned While Traveling Internationally

Subtitles: Don’t Make Decisions on Fewer than Three Hours Sleep, Stay Where You Are Already Secured, Don’t Wait Until the Last Minute to Prep Your Online Classes Even If You’ve Taught Them Before, Trust Your Instincts, MasterCard/Visa or Bust, and You Can’t Outsmart a Hurricane,

Dec. 28 – Write a letter to your 2024 self

I’ll do this offline.

Dec. 29 – Describe a memorable experience with a stranger or the delight of making a new friend

Ah, okay, so when my friend and I went to Greece, we actually ran into this woman more than once. The first time was at the bakery we went to every single day. She was sitting next to us, and we noticed her accent (American-ish [Canadian, actually]), so started asking her questions and chatted for a while. Then, we ran into her again when we to get pizza, so all sat together and ate food and talked. We exchanged info with her and hung out with her on our last-ish day when we went to the museum. AND since my friend was there for a conference, she connected with a guy who hung out with us a few times as well. So all of that was delightful, and talking about them was a wonderful way to end this post!