2003 in review.

[rivka]

I liked this thing that droewyn did: LJ year in review, month-by-month.

2003 was a rough, rough year. Michael was out of work for most of the year. I finished my dissertation, through much labor and tears. We each had a major parental health crisis. We moved. I developed mental health problems and wound up in therapy.

But good things also happened in 2003: We left the suburbs and started living a richer and more satisfying life downtown. therealjae went from being my pre-girlfriend to being my real girlfriend. I became deeply involved in the Howard Dean campaign. And after eight years of toil, I earned my Ph.D.

In a lot of ways, I hope that 2004 will be simpler. I know that's not likely. My top three wishes for 2004:

(1) I want Michael to get a job he feels good about.
(2) I want to get pregnant and have a healthy baby.
(3) On November 2, 2004, I want Dean to defeat Bush in the general election.

May it be so.


January
I wanted to buy a house, but didn't. (Then my boss bought it.)

I got sucked into an insane case of LJ drama. (friends-locked)

I hosted a fascinating discussion about what makes a good cook.

February
Michael was laid off. (friends-locked)

I learned some things about how I react to ability and disability.

I got snowed in.

March
I learned frightening things about the world of fanfiction.

I hated the war, and discovered Howard Dean.

I analyzed my dissertation data for the first time. (Later I had to re-do all the analyses using a different statistical technique, but you know. It still counts.)

April
My mother had a terrifying health crisis.

I learned how to make New Orleans-style barbecued shrimp, which subsequently replaced grilled fish with tropical fruit salsa as the recipe I use to impress people.

I went to Banff and spent lots of lovely time with therealjae.

May
I had a terrible, terrible respiratory illness that scared the hell out of me.

I outlined the Results section of my dissertation, this time using the right statistical methods.

June
We left apartment living, hopefully forever, and rented a beautiful rowhouse downtown.

My brother got married.

I read Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, which, incidentally, I am re-reading now.

July
Finishing my dissertation was hard.

No, really hard.

I'm not kidding. It was hard.

August
Eventually, I did finish my dissertation.

I defended successfully, and had fun doing so.

Also in August, I saw Howard Dean in person for the very first time.

And got a lot deeper into the Dean-supporter thing.

September
I didn't really have a sense of perspective about the whole dissertation thing, afterward.

Hurricane Isabel didn't turn out to be much.

October
I started working for the national Dean campaign, instead of just helping out locally.

We had an outrageously wonderful Chinese banquet.

I'm still proud of this LJ poll.

Things got rough at work. (friends-locked)

I admitted that I was having emotional problems, and got some help.

November
We made a foolhardy decision to paint the bathroom.

Michael's father had a terrifying health crisis...

...which led to an emergency last-minute trip to Memphis.

December
We had a lovely party.

Christmas was pretty eventful.

Comments

[therealjae.livejournal.com]

*grinning* Your *real* girlfriend is happy to be getting to see you tomorrow! *bouncebouncebounce*

-J

[rivka.livejournal.com]

Meee toooo yoooou!

The cheese place doesn't open until 10am tomorrow. Would you rather wait an extra hour to see me, or go on a cheese-buying exposition together?

Also, shall I bring my fondue pot?

[therealjae.livejournal.com]

Let's take a risk and try to buy the cheese here. There must be *some*place. And yes! to the fondue pot!

-J

[wcg.livejournal.com]

And through all of it you've continued to be so genuinely you. I know it has been very hard for you sometimes this year, and I hope 2004 is better for you. I look forward to sharing it with you.

[rivka.livejournal.com]

Hopefully in 2004 we'll have more time together than we did in 2003. I know I haven't been the best of partners through all of this drama and angst.

[wcg.livejournal.com]

I haven't been the best of partners

Not up to your own past standards, perhaps, but still a very dear, very loving, and very caring partner whom I cherish and with whom I intend to see the turning of many more years.

[tammylc.livejournal.com]

Very cool post. I was lying in bed this morning pondering doing something like this myself, so I hope you don't mind if I steal the idea...

And if you want to both get pregnant _and_ have a baby in 2004, then you'd better get working on that one...

[papersky.livejournal.com]

You want to have a baby! That's so sweet!

I'll put some elderflower tea in with the extremely late birthday present I still haven't posted. I know they don't have it in the US and I couldn't have got through pregnancy without it.

Did I tell you Zorinth compared you to Miles Vorkosigan the other day?