With that said, I thought it would be fun to give everyone a look at how 2011 was for me. I have to admit that, despite a few hang ups, it was one of the best years of my life!
1. What did you do in 2011 that you’d never done before?
Most of what I did for the first time in 2011 is NASCAR-related. I have always wanted to a track other than Bristol Motor Speedway, and I was fortunate enough to go to Nashville Superspeedway in April for the Camping World Truck Series and Nationwide Series race. I also attended the Coca Cola 600 in May at Charlotte Motor Speedway and the Bank of America 500 in October as well.
One of the things I’ve always wanted to do is ride with a driver (It didn’t matter who) around any track. In July, I met Austin Dillon at Bristol while he was there promoting the Truck Series race that would be run at the track in August. The fans who came to the track that day were able to ride with Austin for about 15 laps in a Chevrolet Silverado. Granted, it wasn’t the actual racetruck, but what did I care? I got to ride with a driver, now a Truck Series champion, around the World’s Fastest Half-Mile!
2. Did you keep your new year’s resolutions and will you make more for next year?
I never make new year’s resolutions. I just look at every new year as a chance to improve from the year before.
3. Did anyone close to you give birth?
My uncle Hobie’s girlfriend Christy gave birth to their son Everett in June, just one day before my birthday!
4. Did anyone close to you die?
Not people I was close with, but a few people I’ve known for years passed away.
5. What countries did you visit?
None. Stayed in the United States. I really have no desire to leave the country.
6. What would you like to have in 2012 that you lacked in 2011?
Hmm. Tough question. There wasn’t really anything I truly lacked last year that I need this year.
7. What date from 2011 will remain etched upon your memory and why?
July 2. I have been a David Ragan fan since 2006, and on July 2 he finally got his first win in the Sprint Cup Series.
8. What was your biggest achievement of the year?
I’d have to say it is the fact I was able to help a few people have a better Christmas by mailing them surprise gifts.
9. What was your biggest failure?
Starting the spring semester off last January on the wrong foot while I thought I wanted to be a Computer Science major. I started with four classes, finished the semester with just one because I had to drop the other three due to the fact I was failing them. I tried to get my grades up and keep those classes, but it just didn’t work out.
10. Did you suffer illness or injury?
No injuries other than minor bruises or scrapes. Only illness was a cold.
11. What was the best thing you bought?
Other than some new NASCAR gear, I would have to say the best thing I bought was a new phone. It’s no iPhone or Android phone, but it serves its purpose. Plus, it works so much better than the phone I had before it!
12. Whose behavior merited celebration?
My friends’ and family. Through my bouts of depression in dealing with having to drop those classes in the spring to having to take a semester off in the fall, they stood by me and did their best to cheer me up.
13. Whose behavior made you appalled and depressed?
Not naming names, but there is someone who comes to mind. She definitely needs an attitude adjustment, and I try to be nice to her, but sometimes that’s just hard to do.
14. Where did most of your money go?
Other than gas for my car, most of it went toward the races I attended and the merchandise I purchased.
15. What did you get really, really, really excited about?
When I was in Charlotte in May, and I got a Twitter update on my phone saying that Ricky Stenhouse, Jr. would be making his Cup Series debut that Sunday, which ironically enough was the first race I had ever attended at Charlotte!
16. What song will always remind you of 2011?
Hmm… I’d have to say both Run Run Rudolph and Johnny B. Goode. There’s a hilarious backstory/inside joke with that between me and my best friend Jordan. Not going to give the details, because well, it wouldn’t be an inside joke anymore, would it? All I’ll say is it’s the result from a “You had to be there” moment.
17. Compared to this time last year, are you:
i. happier or sadder? Definitely happier!
ii. thinner or fatter? Slightly thinner!
iii. richer or poorer? Neither, really. Financial status is about the same.
18. What do you wish you’d done more of?
Just gotten out more.
19. What do you wish you’d done less of?
Spending less time lying around the house, doing nothing.
20. How did you spend Christmas?
Well, for the first time in my life, I spent all of Christmas day at my mamaw Pat’s house. I normally spend the day at home with my parents, but last year they went to Florida for that week.
21. What was the most embarrassing thing that happened to you in 2011?
Oh geez. I did a lot of embarrassing things. Slipped on ice on the sidewalk at ETSU one morning and fell in front of everyone while walking to class. Yelled out “Go Ricky! Ride ‘em,
cowboy!” at Nashville during the driver intros. Actually yelled it loud enough that a friend who was down by the stage heard me!
22. Did you fall in love in 2011?
Depends on the definition of love you want to use, but yes, I did!
23. How many one-night stands?
None! I’m not that kind of girl.
24. What was your favorite TV program?
Survivor, The Big Bang Theory, Criminal Minds, and more!
25. Do you hate anyone now that you didn’t hate this time last year?
Nah. I don’t hate anyone. There might be a few people I strongly dislike though.
26. What was the best book you read?
I really didn’t read much in 2011. But I’d have to say Phantom Waltz by Catherine Anderson.
27. What was your greatest musical discovery?
The song Somebody Will Miss You by Stone Parade.
28. What did you want and get?
There were a few things, from certain NASCAR merchandise to certain electronics.
29. What did you want and not get?
Nothing, really. I got pretty much everything I wanted last year. Well, except for a couple diecast cars, but that’s not a big deal.
30. What was your favorite film of the year?
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2. I’m a huge Harry Potter fan so I had been waiting for a while to see the second half of the final movie!
31. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you?
Well, I turned 21. I went to Kingsport and met up with my dear friend Brianne at O’Charlies. She and I knew each other via Twitter, and had never met until that day! We ate lunch, went to Bristol Motor Speedway, then we went fishing for a little while.
32. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?
Tough to answer that. Other than my troubles at school, 2011 was a great year and rewarding enough that I can’t think of anything that could have made it any better.
33. Who you describe your personal fashion concept in 2011?
I have no style. I’m a simple girl who wears blue jeans and t-shirts most of the time. It’s very rare that you see me dressed up.
34. What kept you sane?
Technically, that should be who kept me sane. The answer? My friends and family. They kept me grounded when I found myself getting caught up in my struggles.
35. Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most?
It should come as no surprise that the answer to that is David Ragan and Ricky Stenhouse, Jr. Can’t choose between the two though.
36. What political issue stirred you the most?
None, honestly. I know, at my age, I should be concerned about politics, but I just didn’t pay much attention to any of it last year.
37. Who did you miss?
My mamaw Jo. She passed away in 2005 after a battle with breast cancer. She was my best friend.
38. Who was the best new person you met?
I met too many to name just one! I met so many new friends either on Facebook or Twitter. And even made new friends at the races!
39. What was a valuable life lesson you learned in 2001?
I learned that all good deeds are rewarded in due time. I did numerous good deeds throughout the year, and seeing the result of those has been amazing. Plus, I’ve made some great friends because of it.
40. Quote a song lyric that sums up your year.
This song can be applied to the numerous times I found myself down, wondering just how I was going to turn things around. The song is Get Back Up by Tobymac. The part that fits my year is:
We lose our way, we get back up again
It’s never too late to get back up again
One day, you’re going to shine again
You may be knocked down, but not out forever
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