Twenty Eleven Review

Stole this from my friend Cassie's blog. Yes, I am still wrapping up 2011 in my mind! 

What did you do in 2011 that you'd never done before?
Got pregnant and had a baby. 

Tried a criminal case.

Did you keep your new years' resolutions, and will you make more for next year?
Yes. My goal was to survive Practice Court. And I did.

Did anyone close to you give birth?
Yes. I can't even count then all, but I will note my BFF Tiff had her baby. Lots of babies in 2011.

Did anyone close to you die?
Yes. Aunt Jeanne.

What countries did you visit?
I stayed in the US all the year long! But I did go to DC, Chicago, and Utah.

What would you like to have in 2012 that you lacked in 2011?
I guess go to more music concerts. Oh, and attend a ACL filming. We tried to go last year but came too late. Curse you Randy Newman for have seating space only.

What date from 2011 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?
Dec. 19, 2011. The day my Phoenix was born.

What was your biggest achievement of the year?
Again, Phoenix takes the cake for achievements. But finishing PC and trying my first cases are also pretty important.

What was your biggest failure?
Mmm.... I had Christmas cards made this year and a Christmas letter.  I spent a bunch of money to have them made and I never got to send them out. I guess it was a pretty good year if that's my biggest failure!

Did you suffer illness or injury?
I had surgery in March.

What was the best thing you bought?
Probably my couch. And my rug in my living room. Makes the space capable of a lot more friends to be in our house.

Where did most of your money go?
Health Care. Between my surgery, Russ's teeth, and Phoenix we are single-handedly trying to fix the recession.

What did you get really, really, really excited about?
Two trips to Utah, the last Harry Potter Movie, visiting Orange and Russ's mission.

What song will always remind you of 2011?
That Fire song by Adele. Seriously I heard it every time I turned on the radio.

Compared to this time last year, are you: much happier, richer, nicer.
Happier: TENfold. I'm a mom, almost done with law school, done with PC, back to living with Russ. MUCH HAPPIER!

Richer: Nope. Poorer. Probably tenfold poorer. HA!

Nicer: I think so. I think I am more compassionate after having Phoe in the NICU.

What do you wish you'd done more of?   
I wish I had spent more time at the gym.

What do you wish you'd done less of?
Worrying. Driving.

How did you spend Christmas?
In the NICU in Austin.

Did you fall in love in 2011?
Yes. Reached a whole new level with parenthood.

Do you hate anyone now that you didn't hate this time last year?
I don't think so. I haven't seen a lot of people this past year.

What was the best book you read this year?
Hands down Gerald Powell's "Texas Rules of Evidence". Seriously. But I also didn't read a lot outside law school...

What was your greatest musical discovery?
Young the Giant

What did you want and get?
I wanted to finish Practice Court and I did it!

What was your favorite film of this year?
The last Harry Potter movie. Sirius makes me cry every time. I love tragic love.


What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you?
27: I went to church, spoke in church, and it was Easter Sunday. I think we fed the missionaries. I talked with my family on the phone. It was a simple, but very fun day.

What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?
Being able to teleport from Waco to San Marcos.

How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2011?
"What is clean?" "What fits my pregnant body?"

What kept you sane?
Mumford & Sons

Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most?
I guess RGIII. I don't know. I didn't pay much attention. Didn't someone famous that I cared about die? Was it Michael Jackson?

What political issue stirred you the most?
The thought that Newt Gingrich could be president. If he get the Republican nomination I might have to go all Captain Moroni on this election.

Who did you miss?
I had clear moments where I missed my mom and my grandma Sherwood.

Who was the best new person (people) you met?
Chelsea and Jeremy. Brittany and Jeff. Paul. Phoenix. Phoenix probably takes the cake.

Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2011.
Love is never wasted. Our existence is not based on how many people are aware of us. A person can exist as a whisper, just like Phoenix did when she was in the NICU.

New Year!

How about it's 2012 already? And February at that!

The end of the year is always crazy. Throw a new baby into the mix and it's crazier. Top it off with being in law school and it is madness.

But I am glad to say I feel that life is calming down a bit.

2011 was a fantastic year! There were so many things that I loved about it.

And I a looking forward to a great 2012. There is so much to look forward to!

Before I leave 2011 to the history books, I wanted to belatedly blog about two other baby showers I was able to enjoy. Yes, I realize I am spoiled to be surrounded by wonderful loved ones. I feel like I will spend the rest of my life reciprocating the love I've felt.

The first shower I wanted to mention was a small, intimate shower with some work friends, neighbor friends, and close friends. I really enjoyed how small this shower was because it enabled me to talk one on one with everyone and just relax together.

A huge thanks to Jess, and in part Hil, for so much love. I could not ask for better friends!

Things that must stay...

A few weeks ago I did a list of things that must go. After a tough day, I want to count the things that must stay. The things in life that I want to keep enjoying, so when bad days (like today) creep up on me (which seems to happen often), I remember what I got in my life.

• Yoga classes
• Granola Bars
• Good Husband ( Should be #1. But I planned out the yoga class and ate the granola bar before I talked to him)
• Good Friends (Jess, Tiff, Josh)
• Chick-Fil-A
• Nature
• A chance to get away from people that make me feel crazy, weird, or like I'm a bad person.
• Nighttime
• Good movies
• Wedding rings. And pretty much weddings in general.
• Cookie dough
• That thing when people see you and think you're dressed cute, but they don't know you, so they just smile.
• Stefon on SNL
• The Sassy Gay Friend
• Winston Churchill speeches
• Hobbits

Time for yoga!

2011: The Year of the Law School

As I wrote my blog for yesterday, I realized something about 2011: I will spend the bulk of it in law school. That thought is depressing. Because that means I won't be spending it with friends. Or with Russ. But, it does mean that 2012 will be a lot more enjoyable.

With that in mind, here are my goals for 2011:

• Law School
• Keep up the workout schedule I started last year
• Finish Team of Rivals

Mostly I want to feel like I got a lot of work done when 2011 is done. It's not going to be a 'fun' year. It's a preparatory year for the rest of my life and my career. But I am optimistic that there will be glimmers of joy, friendship, and craft-food-er-noons.

My resolutions this year are simple. But it is with good cause. I remember in last Sunday's RS lesson we talked about what a tree does when there's a drought. It doesn't do anything. Just maintains. Well, 2011, I plan on just maintaining this year.

2010: What happened?

Before I dive into resolutions for 2011, I thought I should look back at what did happen in 2010. I mean, that last post looked like 2010 was uneventful. But here's a look at how eventful it was:

• Sunday Lunch: So at the beginning of 2010 I decided to try an 'experiment'. Russ and I decided to hold a standing Sunday Lunch for our friends from church every Sunday. I have to say, it was a LOT of fun. I think I became closer to a lot of good people this way. But... 2011 is shaping up to be busy with law school. So the 'experiment' has come to an end.

• Finished my first year of law school.

• Met some of my dearest friends: Jessica, Rebecca, Victoria, Kelsi, and so so many more. 2010 could be dubbed "The Year of the Friends"!

• My little brother got married

• I started my second year of law school!

• I took 3rd place in the Moot Court competition

• Took 1st place in Client Counseling competition

• Traded in a vehicle- from an X-terra to a Fit

• Became a Yoga instructor!

• Taught ballet, put on a full-on ballet performance! Directed the lighting, costuming, program design... everything! It was fantastic!

• Dyed my hair brown. It was also an experiment

• Traveled to: DC, Chicago, Dallas, Utah

There were a lot of downtimes in 2010. But I'd rather not relive those sad moments. But I think 2011 will be a good year. I am amazed about the optimism I feel about it. I haven't made my resolutions yet, but here's what I'm planning to look forward to:

• Finishing my 2nd year of law school!
• Going back to being blonde
• Starting and finishing the dreaded "Practice Court"

Believe it or not that is it. Hopefully we get through the bulk of law school this year....hopefully.

A Year of Free Movies Comes to an End

Last May Russ and I attended the Cattle Baron's Ball for Hays County. Basically those with money in Hays County get together at Texas Old Town

We get in because Russ's Work (Time Warner) sponsors the event.

Anyway last year we bid in the silent auction and WON!

Free Movies for Year.

It's been fun. We were able to see all the 3-D movies for free.

We saw some duds:

And Some Winners:

It's been a fun year. Now to do all those home improvement projects we were working on a year ago...

Thanks, 2009

Chow's New Year Thoughts...

So! Here's looking back at 2008, the parts to remember:

Moving into our first house! I will never forget the first few nights and how weird it felt to wake up in our own place.

Kayo and Troy's wedding! Such a special day! The airline lost my luggage, but it was such a special day to be part of! Love you two!

Dad and D's visit for Easter. Good memories.

Graduating from SUU. Finally! Felt good to finish.

Meeting Hilary and C Whitesides. Love those guys.

Having Richy visit. CUPCAKES!!!

Having our moms visit.

Finally have a group of friends that are girls. It's a miracle! They are so smart, and I love them.

Beginning to teach ballet! I love the classes and to see the girls learn to improve.

Finally getting a good score on the LSAT! This one slid in at the last second but I'm grateful for it.

Things to forget about 2008:

Working in Kyle, Texas.

Taking the LSAT the first time. The tears, stress, drives to Austin.

That one weird fight Russ and I had in the summer. I think it was over laundry. And no one said anything, but it seemed like a fight.

SO! Now to look forward to 2009, the resolutions!

1. Dance more

2. Get to bed by 10:30 at least four nights a week.

They are simple but I am sure I'll think of more.

What to look forward to in '09:

Seeing my little brother for the first time in two years!

President Bush going back to Crawford and President-elect Obama taking office!

Picking a law school!

Starting law school!

Did I mention LAW SCHOOL???

I am so excited. I have a feeling '09 is going to be the BEST YEAR EVER!

A new year

2008 was pretty eventful:

• It was our first full year together. 
• We moved into our home. 
• Chow graduated. 
• We had several visitors. 
• Chow quit the bank and started a handful of new jobs. 
• She also took the LSAT twice, did great and is now applying to law schools.
• Russ worked. Saw a lot of new exciting things. Covered the former, current, and next President of the United States. 
• He played in a hurricane, met up with some old polygamous friends and met a bunch of interesting people along the way.
• What will 2009 bring? Who knows. 

That's why we're starting the year off like we do every year, eating black eyed peas... For luck.