2012 End of Year Meme
1. What did you do in 2012 that you'd never done before?
Started taking sleeping tablets occasionally
Started working full-time as a paramedic
Finished my paramedic degree
2. Did you keep your new years' resolutions, and will you make more for next year?
I made two out of three of them. I got a full-time job as a paramedic and I had success with my novel... If not quite in the way I'd envisioned - in fact much better when The Matchstick Girl was shortlisted for an international prize.
My resolutions for next year are a permanent (non-intern) position and to get back to Nelson - preferably both together.
3. Did anyone close to you give birth?
A couple of new little people are in the world now who weren't last year. No one especially close to me, but my brother and his family are expecting a new addition in April.
4. Did anyone close to you die?
My grandfather this time last year (I miss you, Grandpa) and one of my uncles last week. My mum respiratory arrested but they got her back in a timely fashion, thank goodness! Also my favourite dialysis patient, who I visited in hospital before she died.
5. What countries did you visit?
New Zealand, Canada and Australia.
6. What would you like to have in 2013 that you lacked in 2012?
To live with Aldi again in our house.
A permanent paramedic position, preferably in Nelson (see above)
A published novel
7. What dates from 2012 will remain etched upon your memory?
Staying at Port Ligar at the end of April.
June 15 - starting my internship with Wellington Free Ambulance
September 15 - Wade and Phyo's wedding and incidentally my 30th birthday.
The day I got the amazing news that my novel was being shortlisted for the Dundee International Book Prize.
November 4 - Presenting my paper at the Paramedics Australasia conference.
Then end of November when I finished my paramedic degree.
8. What was your biggest achievement of the year?
Being shortlisted for the book prize. (This event may come up a lot.)
9. What was your biggest failure?
I didn't do as well as I should have on my cardiology exam.
10. Did you suffer illness or injury?
A few colds laid me low. I certainly suffered other people’s illness and injury :p Who calls an ambulance for a cockroach bite?!
11. What was the best thing you bought?
My iPhone (with someone else's money ahem)
12. What merited celebration?
Many of the above accomplishments! It has been a successful year.
13. What made you appalled and depressed?
Massacres. The life situations of some of the people I see on the job and/or speak to on helpline. Youth suicide. The death penalty for being gay.
14. Where did most of your money go?
Besides mortgage and bills, I invested in flights and many many books.
15. What did you get really, really, really excited about?
Dundee International Book Prize!
16. What song will always remind you of 2012?
"Forever Young" - Youth Group
Click to view17. Compared to this time last year, are you:
i. happier or sadder? Happier
ii. thinner or fatter? Same
iii. richer or poorer? Richer
18. What do you wish you'd done more of?
Eat. Write. Spent time in Nelson.
19. What do you wish you'd done less of?
Given in to bullying personalities. Exerted myself on behalf of people who don't reciprocate.
20. How will you be spending New Year's?
BBQ and drinks at a friend's house.
21. Did you fall in love in 2012?
With my job, with Wellington, with Nelson, with New Zealand's natural beauty. With Aldi again and again.
22. How many one-night stands?
None. Why the implication that most people have at least one a year?
23. What was your favorite TV program?
Doctor Who. I finally understand all the hype. So much love for its personality, its cleverness, its high epic drama, its tragedy, its imagination, its hope. So many great characters! So much evolution.
24. Do you hate anyone now that you didn't hate this time last year?
Not hate but there's definitely one co-worker I solidly dislike.
25. What was the best book you read?
I didn't manage to read many, so my list of possibles is pretty short. I have to go with The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern. Exquisite.
26. What was your greatest musical discovery?
As far as me discovering an artist on my own, Emily Wolfe. As for recs by a friend / most-listened-to bands, those would be Remy Zero and Youth Group.
27. What did you want and get?
Paramedic internship! Paramedic degree! To be upgraded to a youth facilitator.
28. What did you want and not get?
Permanent paramedic job. To have won the Dundee International Book Prize (I aim high lol).
29. What was your favorite film of this year?
Got to be The Hunger Games - there aren’t many movies I’d watch three times in cinemas!
30. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you?
I turned 30, and spent the day celebrating Wade and Phyo’s wedding. The day started in a hotel room writing my speech for them until 4am. The rest of it was an emotional, lovely reunion at my old uni campus in a Canadian autumn. I celebrated for myself when I came back from Canada, with a beautiful day consisting of coffee, cake, bookstores, sushi, a movie in 3D at my favourite cinema, drinks with friends, more cake, and a lesbian dance night at a gay sauna that didn’t end until 4am. (Hmm there seems to be something about 4am and my 30th birthday.)
31. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?
The ability to teleport. For the most part, it has been an immeasurably satisfying year already.
32. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2013?
Besides bright green uniform and pyjamas? Jeans, funky t-shirt, blazer overtop.
33. What kept you sane?
I’m not sure I was. Old Mout boysenberry cider. Tarot cards. Tiny Buddha. Oddly enough, spending time with 15 year olds during youth group. They give me perspective :)
34. Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most?
Emily Van Camp comes to mind - mrow.
35. What political issue stirred you the most?
The rights and life situations of youth.
36. Who did you miss?
Aldi. Grandpa. A few friends from Nelson.
37. Who was the best new person you met?
Hard to choose. I’ve met so many great new people now that I’m a full-timer at work. I’ll just put Brown Shift and go with that.
38. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2012.
Goodness, tell me a life lesson I didn’t learn.
To borrow from GGK: “Sometimes fear is proper. It is what we do that matters.”
It’s worth taking chances, and it’s the ones I can’t plan, prep or rationalise for that will be the most valuable, because those will be the ones that change me.... if I stop thinking and just act.
This one is good too: “My EMT instructor told me the emergency ends when you arrive on scene, or at least that’s what you have to make the patient believe.” Peter C, from Street Watch: Notes of a Paramedic.
39. Quote a song lyric that sums up your year.
rom “Lovers in a Dangerous Time”, The Barenaked Ladies.
Don't the hours grow shorter as the days go by?
We never get to stop and open our eyes.
One minute you're waiting for the sky to fall
Next you're dazzled by the beauty of it all.
...
Nothing worth having comes without some kind of fight
You gotta kick at the darkness till it bleeds daylight.