There Goes 2010
It's time for the yearly survey! And I actually didn't go on a blog-erasing rampage so I have ONE year to compare my answers to. Hello, 2009. (It was actually taken from my old journal, nilubol, which I have been debating migrating to this journal. I copied it over to here for accessibility's sake anyway.)
1. What did you do in 2010 that you'd never done before?
I got my first apartment (although not the first time living on my own), went to a casino for the first time (and broke even!), got blatantly hit on (to the point where I had to block the person's number), and followed my heart instead of my brain (not literally, of course - but it worked well enough).
2. Did you keep your new year's resolutions, and will you make more for next year?
I actually made new year's resolutions and kept most of them - shocking! I might try to, but I don't feel the need to make resolutions like I did last year. Right now I'm just content with letting things take their own course.
3. Did anyone close to you give birth?
Someone close to me got pregnant and some more distant friends gave birth.
4. Did anyone close to you die?
Lots of amazing people passed this year - namely my aunt and great-grandmother.
5. What countries did you visit?
I didn't travel to other countries at all! I am overdue!
6. What would you like to have in 2011 that you lacked in 2010?
Last year I said motivation, and this year I could really use some direction.
7. What dates from 2010 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?
I don't do dates, but I can vividly remember the day my aunt passed. Mainly because of my experience with the body (it was at home) and everything about that day did not fulfill my expectations of death and dying. I learned a lot about people.
8. What was your biggest achievement of the year?
I can't think of any noteworthy achievements this year and, uncharacteristically, I don't mind that.
9. What was your biggest failure?
Failure to communicate. I spent the better half of my summer angry at my parents because I forgot to tell them a few simple details about my move and school transfer.
10. Did you suffer illness or injury?
No major physical illness or injury, but I am STILL trying to work with my mental illness. I tried a different doctor who was definitely more caring, but we didn't get very far before I moved out of state.
11. What was the best thing you bought?
My laptop, since I use it for school and work. My old one was literally falling apart and would make noises that were comparable to airplane sounds. My dad gladly took it in though, probably because it has a ferret sticker on the cover.
12. Whose behaviour merited celebration?
My boyfriend's! He's done a complete turnaround with his financial situation and his business is going really well and I'm proud of him! I am also kind of envious that he has a well-paying job that he loves, but he didn't even need to get a degree for it. Hence, no debt!
13. Whose behaviour made you appalled and depressed?
I can't name anyone in particular, but several people who have become so self-centered that even as a person is dying, they do not allow their wishes to be respected.
14. Where did most of your money go?
Rent and eating out. Travelling would also be in that list but my parents covered those expenses for me (yay, my parents!). Last year's answer was: Booze, clothes, crafting supplies, and food for me and Mike. Does that mean I'm growing up?
15. What did you get really, really, really excited about?
I got really, really, really excited about moving into an apartment with three of my really good college friends and my boyfriend! Unfortunately that didn't work out - I moved from Vermont to Ohio and got an apartment with my boyfriend instead. Definitely not as fun, but there are some perks here too.
16. What song will always remind you of 2009?
I don't do songs. Sorry!
17. Compared to this time last year, are you:
a) happier or sadder? Happier. Last year I couldn't get out of bed or say a word. This year I can function.
b) thinner or fatter? Fatter, for sure! I am at an all-time high. I'm not too worried about it though - I'm still healthy.
c) richer or poorer? I feel poorer, but I think I am richer. I wouldn't be anywhere without my parents and boyfriend though.
18. What do you wish you'd done more of?
Socializing, especially around the latter half of the year after my move to Ohio. A lot of it wasn't completely my fault, but I still could have gone out and socialized more.
19. What do you wish you'd done less of?
Obsessing over getting things EXACTLY how I'd envisioned them, because it's never going to happen! When things didn't go my way I was kind of grumpy over it and I spent a lot of my time wasting away over trying to get things perfect.
20. How will you be spending Christmas?
Seeing as how I've already celebrated Christmas, the future tense is not necessary. I did, however, spend Christmas morning opening presents with my boyfriend's family (which included his twin brothers and their girlfriends) and went to his grandparents' house afterwards to make crafts - a new tradition. I also got to hang out with his great-grandmother, a cute old lady with a dirty little mouth!
21. Who did you spend the most time on the phone with?
My mom, of course! (This is the same as last year.)
22. Did you fall in love in 2010?
Yes! Well, more like stayed in love! (This is the same as last year.)
23. How many one-night stands?
None. Oh, monogamy. (This is also the same as last year...I am so exciting.)
24. What was your favourite TV programme?
It pains me to admit it but I got hooked to True Blood. It was just so uncensored and addicting, and I'd never seen an HBO series before! It's a guilty pleasure and there are few people I would admit it to, though. I also watched a lot of Lie To Me, which I hated the first time it came out but it's grown on me. Mainly Tim Roth has grown on me, but that's cool too.
25. Do you hate anyone now that you didn't hate this time last year?
I can't think of anyone that I hate, ever!
26. What was the best book you read?
Hands down, the complete Sherlock Holmes series by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. I randomly picked it up in a bookstore and was so HOOKED. Obviously it has its flaws, but I was so obsessed with the stories and characters that I couldn't stop reading. I'm a bit sad that I'm done with them!
27. What was your greatest musical discovery?
I don't know about greatest, but I have been listening to a lot of different things lately. I think the most interesting would be pirate metal, courtesy of my badass brother.
28. What did you want and get?
I wanted an apartment of my own and a place where I could settle down without having to worry about packing all of my things into a tiny little car or some luggage. I got it, but now I feel so lame and domesticated. I do enjoy my apartment though.
29. What did you want and not get?
I wanted to go back to school and finally (for the third time in a row) start studying seriously. I didn't get this because the school that I transferred to had some issues with my transfer credits that didn't happen until mid-semester, so I had to drop out of all of my classes. This has also affected the second semester, since I missed out on the prerequisites from the first semester. It's been a valuable lesson, though.
30. What was your favourite film of this year?
If I could remember which films I'd seen, that would be great! I remember really enjoying Alice in Wonderland, The Karate Kid, and TRON: Legacy, but I am pretty sure I can count all of the movies I've seen this year on both of my hands.
31. What did you do on your birthday?
My friends tried to take me out to a house party, but it turned out to be a three-man dance party (not including us, who were just sitting on the couch staring at the dancers). It was hilarious and no one got drunk.
32. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?
Getting a pet! I've been yearning for a dog and/or cat for ages, but we just haven't been able to get around to it. Right now we're looking at shelters though, so hopefully the beginning of 2011 will be spent with a fuzzy friend!
33. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2010?
I have somehow acquired loads of sweaters, but I'm kind of bored with sweaters. Right now I am digging red, sequins, and obnoxiously sparkly things. Of course, this changes with my mood. Soon I'll be a sweater person again.
34. What kept you sane?
Web design kept me sane, after nearly driving me to the brink of insanity.
35. Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most?
To bang: Alexander Skarsgård, who totally plays Eric from True Blood. I realize that admitting this publicly will greatly decrease my already-minute chances of ever banging this dude, but have you ever seen him?! CALL ME. To admire: Olivia Wilde. I love her with such a jealous fervor - she is super sexy and brilliant to boot.
36. What political issue stirred you the most?
Gosh, me and politics. Well, the health reform was pretty great! As far as stirring me up the most, I think the burqa ban was wonderful at that. I obviously don't follow politics much - I only bothered with the burqa issue because of a slight interest in it that led me to write my portfolio piece on it.
37. Whom did you miss?
I missed my family. I went home sometime this year and was really sad when I noticed three placemats at the dining table, as it was then that it really hit me that I don't live there anymore.
38. Who was the best new person you met?
I met a lot of amazing people in the zine scene, and I can't pick just one! I don't think I've met anyone knew in my real life, or at least anyone memorable (and if I did, I left). I have been boring lately.
39. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2010:
Don't spend too much time trying to get things "perfect." Spend that energy enjoying it instead!
40. Quote a song lyric that sums up your year:
Again, I don't do lyrics. Have a great new year!
1. What did you do in 2010 that you'd never done before?
I got my first apartment (although not the first time living on my own), went to a casino for the first time (and broke even!), got blatantly hit on (to the point where I had to block the person's number), and followed my heart instead of my brain (not literally, of course - but it worked well enough).
2. Did you keep your new year's resolutions, and will you make more for next year?
I actually made new year's resolutions and kept most of them - shocking! I might try to, but I don't feel the need to make resolutions like I did last year. Right now I'm just content with letting things take their own course.
3. Did anyone close to you give birth?
Someone close to me got pregnant and some more distant friends gave birth.
4. Did anyone close to you die?
Lots of amazing people passed this year - namely my aunt and great-grandmother.
5. What countries did you visit?
I didn't travel to other countries at all! I am overdue!
6. What would you like to have in 2011 that you lacked in 2010?
Last year I said motivation, and this year I could really use some direction.
7. What dates from 2010 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?
I don't do dates, but I can vividly remember the day my aunt passed. Mainly because of my experience with the body (it was at home) and everything about that day did not fulfill my expectations of death and dying. I learned a lot about people.
8. What was your biggest achievement of the year?
I can't think of any noteworthy achievements this year and, uncharacteristically, I don't mind that.
9. What was your biggest failure?
Failure to communicate. I spent the better half of my summer angry at my parents because I forgot to tell them a few simple details about my move and school transfer.
10. Did you suffer illness or injury?
No major physical illness or injury, but I am STILL trying to work with my mental illness. I tried a different doctor who was definitely more caring, but we didn't get very far before I moved out of state.
11. What was the best thing you bought?
My laptop, since I use it for school and work. My old one was literally falling apart and would make noises that were comparable to airplane sounds. My dad gladly took it in though, probably because it has a ferret sticker on the cover.
12. Whose behaviour merited celebration?
My boyfriend's! He's done a complete turnaround with his financial situation and his business is going really well and I'm proud of him! I am also kind of envious that he has a well-paying job that he loves, but he didn't even need to get a degree for it. Hence, no debt!
13. Whose behaviour made you appalled and depressed?
I can't name anyone in particular, but several people who have become so self-centered that even as a person is dying, they do not allow their wishes to be respected.
14. Where did most of your money go?
Rent and eating out. Travelling would also be in that list but my parents covered those expenses for me (yay, my parents!). Last year's answer was: Booze, clothes, crafting supplies, and food for me and Mike. Does that mean I'm growing up?
15. What did you get really, really, really excited about?
I got really, really, really excited about moving into an apartment with three of my really good college friends and my boyfriend! Unfortunately that didn't work out - I moved from Vermont to Ohio and got an apartment with my boyfriend instead. Definitely not as fun, but there are some perks here too.
16. What song will always remind you of 2009?
I don't do songs. Sorry!
17. Compared to this time last year, are you:
a) happier or sadder? Happier. Last year I couldn't get out of bed or say a word. This year I can function.
b) thinner or fatter? Fatter, for sure! I am at an all-time high. I'm not too worried about it though - I'm still healthy.
c) richer or poorer? I feel poorer, but I think I am richer. I wouldn't be anywhere without my parents and boyfriend though.
18. What do you wish you'd done more of?
Socializing, especially around the latter half of the year after my move to Ohio. A lot of it wasn't completely my fault, but I still could have gone out and socialized more.
19. What do you wish you'd done less of?
Obsessing over getting things EXACTLY how I'd envisioned them, because it's never going to happen! When things didn't go my way I was kind of grumpy over it and I spent a lot of my time wasting away over trying to get things perfect.
20. How will you be spending Christmas?
Seeing as how I've already celebrated Christmas, the future tense is not necessary. I did, however, spend Christmas morning opening presents with my boyfriend's family (which included his twin brothers and their girlfriends) and went to his grandparents' house afterwards to make crafts - a new tradition. I also got to hang out with his great-grandmother, a cute old lady with a dirty little mouth!
21. Who did you spend the most time on the phone with?
My mom, of course! (This is the same as last year.)
22. Did you fall in love in 2010?
Yes! Well, more like stayed in love! (This is the same as last year.)
23. How many one-night stands?
None. Oh, monogamy. (This is also the same as last year...I am so exciting.)
24. What was your favourite TV programme?
It pains me to admit it but I got hooked to True Blood. It was just so uncensored and addicting, and I'd never seen an HBO series before! It's a guilty pleasure and there are few people I would admit it to, though. I also watched a lot of Lie To Me, which I hated the first time it came out but it's grown on me. Mainly Tim Roth has grown on me, but that's cool too.
25. Do you hate anyone now that you didn't hate this time last year?
I can't think of anyone that I hate, ever!
26. What was the best book you read?
Hands down, the complete Sherlock Holmes series by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. I randomly picked it up in a bookstore and was so HOOKED. Obviously it has its flaws, but I was so obsessed with the stories and characters that I couldn't stop reading. I'm a bit sad that I'm done with them!
27. What was your greatest musical discovery?
I don't know about greatest, but I have been listening to a lot of different things lately. I think the most interesting would be pirate metal, courtesy of my badass brother.
28. What did you want and get?
I wanted an apartment of my own and a place where I could settle down without having to worry about packing all of my things into a tiny little car or some luggage. I got it, but now I feel so lame and domesticated. I do enjoy my apartment though.
29. What did you want and not get?
I wanted to go back to school and finally (for the third time in a row) start studying seriously. I didn't get this because the school that I transferred to had some issues with my transfer credits that didn't happen until mid-semester, so I had to drop out of all of my classes. This has also affected the second semester, since I missed out on the prerequisites from the first semester. It's been a valuable lesson, though.
30. What was your favourite film of this year?
If I could remember which films I'd seen, that would be great! I remember really enjoying Alice in Wonderland, The Karate Kid, and TRON: Legacy, but I am pretty sure I can count all of the movies I've seen this year on both of my hands.
31. What did you do on your birthday?
My friends tried to take me out to a house party, but it turned out to be a three-man dance party (not including us, who were just sitting on the couch staring at the dancers). It was hilarious and no one got drunk.
32. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?
Getting a pet! I've been yearning for a dog and/or cat for ages, but we just haven't been able to get around to it. Right now we're looking at shelters though, so hopefully the beginning of 2011 will be spent with a fuzzy friend!
33. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2010?
I have somehow acquired loads of sweaters, but I'm kind of bored with sweaters. Right now I am digging red, sequins, and obnoxiously sparkly things. Of course, this changes with my mood. Soon I'll be a sweater person again.
34. What kept you sane?
Web design kept me sane, after nearly driving me to the brink of insanity.
35. Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most?
To bang: Alexander Skarsgård, who totally plays Eric from True Blood. I realize that admitting this publicly will greatly decrease my already-minute chances of ever banging this dude, but have you ever seen him?! CALL ME. To admire: Olivia Wilde. I love her with such a jealous fervor - she is super sexy and brilliant to boot.
36. What political issue stirred you the most?
Gosh, me and politics. Well, the health reform was pretty great! As far as stirring me up the most, I think the burqa ban was wonderful at that. I obviously don't follow politics much - I only bothered with the burqa issue because of a slight interest in it that led me to write my portfolio piece on it.
37. Whom did you miss?
I missed my family. I went home sometime this year and was really sad when I noticed three placemats at the dining table, as it was then that it really hit me that I don't live there anymore.
38. Who was the best new person you met?
I met a lot of amazing people in the zine scene, and I can't pick just one! I don't think I've met anyone knew in my real life, or at least anyone memorable (and if I did, I left). I have been boring lately.
39. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2010:
Don't spend too much time trying to get things "perfect." Spend that energy enjoying it instead!
40. Quote a song lyric that sums up your year:
Again, I don't do lyrics. Have a great new year!