[Meme] 2017 in Review
Another year, another meme.
1. What did you do in 2017 that you'd never done before?
Took my family (including the boy) to Hawaii and, during that trip, visit a Mormon temple lol; spend Christmas with the boy's family; eat caviar; play with kittens at a cat cafe; make a soy candle; visited Six Flags Great America; watch an entire Game of Thrones episode; read Xianxia light novels. I'm sure there were other things, but those are the ones that really come to mind as I write this.
2. Did you keep your New Year's resolutions, and will you make more for next year?
Let's see:
- TAKE A VACATION (or two), somewhere overseas.
Kind of happened? Well, technically speaking, the Hawaii trip was supposed to be my 2016 vacation, but it did happen in 2017. So, semi-success. I guess. TBH, my goal this year was to go somewhere else later in the year, but the boy changed jobs (basically losing however many weeks of paid vacation), and that just didn't happen. (/muffled sob)
- Become an artist alley vendor again.
Didn't happen. Not sure when, if ever, will happen again.
- Find a fandom to play in again.
I-I think this may be happening?? Basically found myself plowing through a bunch of isekai-type manga a little while back, which then phased into Xianxia manhua and light novels. The crowning glory of all this that has given me a potential new series to play in/with is 魔道祖师 (mo dao zu shi / Grandmaster of Demonic Cultivation, as translated by Exiled Rebel Scanlations). There's a manhua being published for it, and it's slated for a dong hua/anime in 2018. *_* I'M SO FUCKING STOKED FOR THIS GUYS.
- Get some abdominal definition IDEK
Fucking lol. Nope, didn't happen.
- Teach the boy how to play mahjong and/or enjoy an anime series (even though he isn’t all that interested in fiction/fantasy, I’m going to do this gdi).
This happened! Not only did I teach the boy to play mahjong, I also got him to watch the first season of Shingeki no Kyojin with me. He was kind of intrigued at one point, but the fact that the series ended on a cliffhanger of sorts, and given his general disinterest in manga, that intrigue didn't last long.
- Get better/faster internet service for all that my building is fucking wired as if it’s stuck in the bloody 20th century.
This will only happen if my building fucking finally allows ATT to run fiber optics through the halls. Or if I switch to Comcast/Xfinity. Which... no.
- Watch Wonder Woman in theatres.
This also happened! :D :D :D I also saw the Hitman's Bodyguard in theatres and it was a glorious good time. :D
So let's do this again. Goals for 2018:
- Visit Vegas again (to see O and eat at Bally's Sterling Brunch).
- Draw at least one piece of fanart for 魔道祖师.
- Paint something with traditional media.
- Go to the gym at least once a month.
- Have a vacation at an all-inclusive resort/cruise.
- Renovate my kitchen.
- Reactivate my Canadian passport in the unfortunate likelihood that Trump actually does doom this nation to WW3.
3. Did anyone close to you give birth?
I may actually be off... but one of my law school classmates gave birth earlier this year. I think.
4. Did anyone close to you die?
No.
5. What countries did you visit?
The beautiful nation state of Hawaii lol.
6. What would you like to have in 2018 that you lacked in 2017?
A trip to an all-inclusive resort somewhere, where all I do is eat, sleep, and drink. Lofty aspirations, I know.
7. What date from 2017 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?
2017/12/25. Two acquaintances (the boy's dad, a dude friend) ended up spending Christmas in the hospital. Yikes.
8. What was your biggest achievement of the year?
Completing my holiday card artwork in time to be sent to at least some recipients before year's end.
9. What was your biggest failure?
I guess, getting into a huge row with my mother regarding the boy, of which affected my relation with her for an unfortunately decent period of time.
10. Did you suffer illness or injury?
Nope! I think I dodged a bullet after the trip to Six Flags though. We went a few weeks before Thanksgiving (early November), during a period that saw temperatures steadily dropping and gross on-and-off showers. Hurtling through the air on multiple rollercoasters in that sort of weather probably wasn't the best for one's health. Go figure, the boy comes down with what was probably a cold. Having learned from last year, I quarantined him. But it wasn't a true quarantine, since I still had to actively nurse him back to some semblance of health. On the third day after Six Flags, I woke up with a weird niggle in my throat and thought "Oh hell no," and proceeded to attempt to drown whatever nascent infection with lemon honey tea. Surprisingly, it worked, and I remained illness free for 2017.
11. What were the best things you bought?
Bags upon bags of flaming hot funyuns. When I get cravings, I tend to clean out the entire display at whichever Walgreens I'm at. |D Other than that, Skyrim for PS4 kept me entertained for a while, and my christmas gift for the boy turned out to be 100x better received than anticipated (for better or for worse, hahaha).
12. Whose behaviour merited celebration?
Black voters in Alabama. Thank you.
13. Whose behaviour appalled you?
The GOP and the portion of its morally crippled masses that is just so shackled to tribal mentality that helped make Roy Moore's continued political presence even a thing.
14. Where did most of your money go?
Same as last year: Mortgage, furniture, and diversification of my financial portfolio.
15. What did you get really, really, really excited about?
WONDER WOMAN. And getting to witness firsthand how an European family spends Christmas (lol).
16. What song will always remind you of 2017?
IDK. I'm currently in my Chinese singers phase right now. Don't think there's any one song that has branded 2017 for me.
17. Compared to this time last year, are you:
i. happier or sadder? More events that made me morose and rage happened this year. Let's go with sadder.
ii. thinner or fatter? No change.
iii. richer or poorer? Probably richer.
18. What do you wish you'd done more of?
Rest and relaxation.
19. What do you wish you'd done less of?
Being angry with my mother, and similarly, getting pissed off at certain other people.
20. How did you spend Christmas?
Spent it with the boy's family--got his dad a super classy whiskey globe decanter; his mother a handpainted silk yukata robe thing; his brother a variety of pusheen paraphernalia hahahaha; and the boy some clothes and a monocular (with which he can now view the accidents that happen nonstop on the S-curve outside our window in HD). The boy and I also got my parents a Nest thermostat after trying and failing to find a new microwave with correct dimensions.
21. Where did you ring in 2017? How will you ring in 2018?
2017: I went to two new year’s eve parties--the first was at the house of one of my friends, where DBZ abridged played in the background, there were kitties running around the apartment, lots of wine, and where Cards Against Humanity was brought out JUST AS WE HAD TO LEAVE >:( The second was then at the boy’s best friend’s place, where it was like a somewhat toned-down frat party come to life, and where during the 12 seconds counting down to midnight, I found myself shoving 12 grapes into my mouth (one for each second) per the Spanish tradition and trying not to choke. The hilarious backstory to that? The boy was sick the entire day, and earlier that day had asked me to buy grapes. No explanation, just “you must listen to me Cyn, I need grapes. You have to buy grapes. You think I’m crazy, but I’m telling you, I need grapes.” And just as I was about to search for “Spain” and “grapes,” I suddenly recalled a Hetalia doujinshi that involved New Years eve, countdowns, and eating grapes. And oh, it was also France/Spain. Thank you, Micromacro.
This year: We're going to ring in the new year at the boy's coworker's house party. Go figure, I asked the boy about the grapes yesterday (Dec. 30) and he was like "OH SHIT." LOLOL (ETA: There was a short-lived game of Cards Against Humanity, forced shots of Malort, and ridiculous surge prices on Uber/Lyft that forced us to partially take public transit/walk back in arctic conditions on the new year yay).
22. Did you fall in love in 2017?
Still identify as ace, but am also still dating the same boy because emotional attachments and all that. :3
23. How many one-night stands?
None.
24. What was your favorite TV program?
BINGED SEASON 2 OF STRANGER THINGS. ALL HAIL STRANGER THINGS AND SINGLE MOM STEVE HARRINGTON. I also somehow binge watched a bunch of A Great Big Story vids on YT.
25. Do you hate anyone now that you didn't hate this time last year?
In a general sense? Trump, and everything he stands for.
26. What was the best book you read?
Do light novel translations count? If not, again, no actual books for 2017.
27. What was your greatest musical discovery?
No new musical discoveries. Just revisiting oldies but goodies.
28. What did you want and get?
Wanted a fitbit--the boy got me a fitbit. :)
29. What did you want and not get?
Hard to say, since there's one more gift exchange I'm taking part of in January. :P
30. What was your favourite film of this year?
WONDER WOMAN and the Hitman's Bodyguard were absolutely enjoyable. Also saw and enjoyed Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children.
31. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you?
Thank you 2016 self again for having self-serving notes. Last year's birthday was spent in Hawaii "as a walking mucus machine, and celebrated by hiking up to some mountain falls and being taken out to a revolving restaurant by the boy."
... I'll definitely need to come back to this post and ETA what happens this year. Else 2018's meme will be a true struggle.
32. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?
Spending some time off at an all-inclusive resort? orz
33. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2017?
Didn't change much from 2016--more asian styled fashions choices though. Amazon is just chock full of third party chinese sellers nowadays with pretty nifty styles to choose from.
34. What kept you sane?
Binge-reading manga and playing Skyrim on PS4? Also, discovering some truly beautiful series. Might I recommend 长歌行 (Chang Ge Xing / Song of the Long March). &heart;
35. Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most?
None.
36. What political issue stirred you the most?
Fuck Trump and everything he stands for. Fuck the alt-right, and the GOP, Fox News, and all those other shit-stirring asshole excuses for human beings.
37. Who did you miss?
Online peeps because I am a terrible friend who disappeared from everything. orz
38. Who was the best new person you met?
One of my new coworkers is super fun, a great baker, and equally nerdy/geeky.
39. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2017.
Being rational and not purposefully vindictive/viciously calculating when in serious arguments is easier said than done.
40. Quote a song lyric that sums up your year:
Hello darkness my old friend.
Bonus. What was your favorite moment of the year?
Random moment: LUZIA. LUZIAAAA. It was so beautiful and the three cacti were flkjasdfh HILARIOUS. I'M PRETTY SURE ONE OF THE CACTI HAD A DONG THAT THE COSTUME WEARER KEPT PLAYING WITH. Ended up purchasing a completely useless but exquisitely beautiful monarch-butterfly motif'd mini carnival mask on an impulse after the show. ^^;
1. What did you do in 2017 that you'd never done before?
Took my family (including the boy) to Hawaii and, during that trip, visit a Mormon temple lol; spend Christmas with the boy's family; eat caviar; play with kittens at a cat cafe; make a soy candle; visited Six Flags Great America; watch an entire Game of Thrones episode; read Xianxia light novels. I'm sure there were other things, but those are the ones that really come to mind as I write this.
2. Did you keep your New Year's resolutions, and will you make more for next year?
Let's see:
- TAKE A VACATION (or two), somewhere overseas.
Kind of happened? Well, technically speaking, the Hawaii trip was supposed to be my 2016 vacation, but it did happen in 2017. So, semi-success. I guess. TBH, my goal this year was to go somewhere else later in the year, but the boy changed jobs (basically losing however many weeks of paid vacation), and that just didn't happen. (/muffled sob)
- Become an artist alley vendor again.
Didn't happen. Not sure when, if ever, will happen again.
- Find a fandom to play in again.
I-I think this may be happening?? Basically found myself plowing through a bunch of isekai-type manga a little while back, which then phased into Xianxia manhua and light novels. The crowning glory of all this that has given me a potential new series to play in/with is 魔道祖师 (mo dao zu shi / Grandmaster of Demonic Cultivation, as translated by Exiled Rebel Scanlations). There's a manhua being published for it, and it's slated for a dong hua/anime in 2018. *_* I'M SO FUCKING STOKED FOR THIS GUYS.
- Get some abdominal definition IDEK
Fucking lol. Nope, didn't happen.
- Teach the boy how to play mahjong and/or enjoy an anime series (even though he isn’t all that interested in fiction/fantasy, I’m going to do this gdi).
This happened! Not only did I teach the boy to play mahjong, I also got him to watch the first season of Shingeki no Kyojin with me. He was kind of intrigued at one point, but the fact that the series ended on a cliffhanger of sorts, and given his general disinterest in manga, that intrigue didn't last long.
- Get better/faster internet service for all that my building is fucking wired as if it’s stuck in the bloody 20th century.
This will only happen if my building fucking finally allows ATT to run fiber optics through the halls. Or if I switch to Comcast/Xfinity. Which... no.
- Watch Wonder Woman in theatres.
This also happened! :D :D :D I also saw the Hitman's Bodyguard in theatres and it was a glorious good time. :D
So let's do this again. Goals for 2018:
- Visit Vegas again (to see O and eat at Bally's Sterling Brunch).
- Draw at least one piece of fanart for 魔道祖师.
- Paint something with traditional media.
- Go to the gym at least once a month.
- Have a vacation at an all-inclusive resort/cruise.
- Renovate my kitchen.
- Reactivate my Canadian passport in the unfortunate likelihood that Trump actually does doom this nation to WW3.
3. Did anyone close to you give birth?
I may actually be off... but one of my law school classmates gave birth earlier this year. I think.
4. Did anyone close to you die?
No.
5. What countries did you visit?
The beautiful nation state of Hawaii lol.
6. What would you like to have in 2018 that you lacked in 2017?
A trip to an all-inclusive resort somewhere, where all I do is eat, sleep, and drink. Lofty aspirations, I know.
7. What date from 2017 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?
2017/12/25. Two acquaintances (the boy's dad, a dude friend) ended up spending Christmas in the hospital. Yikes.
8. What was your biggest achievement of the year?
Completing my holiday card artwork in time to be sent to at least some recipients before year's end.
9. What was your biggest failure?
I guess, getting into a huge row with my mother regarding the boy, of which affected my relation with her for an unfortunately decent period of time.
10. Did you suffer illness or injury?
Nope! I think I dodged a bullet after the trip to Six Flags though. We went a few weeks before Thanksgiving (early November), during a period that saw temperatures steadily dropping and gross on-and-off showers. Hurtling through the air on multiple rollercoasters in that sort of weather probably wasn't the best for one's health. Go figure, the boy comes down with what was probably a cold. Having learned from last year, I quarantined him. But it wasn't a true quarantine, since I still had to actively nurse him back to some semblance of health. On the third day after Six Flags, I woke up with a weird niggle in my throat and thought "Oh hell no," and proceeded to attempt to drown whatever nascent infection with lemon honey tea. Surprisingly, it worked, and I remained illness free for 2017.
11. What were the best things you bought?
Bags upon bags of flaming hot funyuns. When I get cravings, I tend to clean out the entire display at whichever Walgreens I'm at. |D Other than that, Skyrim for PS4 kept me entertained for a while, and my christmas gift for the boy turned out to be 100x better received than anticipated (for better or for worse, hahaha).
12. Whose behaviour merited celebration?
Black voters in Alabama. Thank you.
13. Whose behaviour appalled you?
The GOP and the portion of its morally crippled masses that is just so shackled to tribal mentality that helped make Roy Moore's continued political presence even a thing.
14. Where did most of your money go?
Same as last year: Mortgage, furniture, and diversification of my financial portfolio.
15. What did you get really, really, really excited about?
WONDER WOMAN. And getting to witness firsthand how an European family spends Christmas (lol).
16. What song will always remind you of 2017?
IDK. I'm currently in my Chinese singers phase right now. Don't think there's any one song that has branded 2017 for me.
17. Compared to this time last year, are you:
i. happier or sadder? More events that made me morose and rage happened this year. Let's go with sadder.
ii. thinner or fatter? No change.
iii. richer or poorer? Probably richer.
18. What do you wish you'd done more of?
Rest and relaxation.
19. What do you wish you'd done less of?
Being angry with my mother, and similarly, getting pissed off at certain other people.
20. How did you spend Christmas?
Spent it with the boy's family--got his dad a super classy whiskey globe decanter; his mother a handpainted silk yukata robe thing; his brother a variety of pusheen paraphernalia hahahaha; and the boy some clothes and a monocular (with which he can now view the accidents that happen nonstop on the S-curve outside our window in HD). The boy and I also got my parents a Nest thermostat after trying and failing to find a new microwave with correct dimensions.
21. Where did you ring in 2017? How will you ring in 2018?
2017: I went to two new year’s eve parties--the first was at the house of one of my friends, where DBZ abridged played in the background, there were kitties running around the apartment, lots of wine, and where Cards Against Humanity was brought out JUST AS WE HAD TO LEAVE >:( The second was then at the boy’s best friend’s place, where it was like a somewhat toned-down frat party come to life, and where during the 12 seconds counting down to midnight, I found myself shoving 12 grapes into my mouth (one for each second) per the Spanish tradition and trying not to choke. The hilarious backstory to that? The boy was sick the entire day, and earlier that day had asked me to buy grapes. No explanation, just “you must listen to me Cyn, I need grapes. You have to buy grapes. You think I’m crazy, but I’m telling you, I need grapes.” And just as I was about to search for “Spain” and “grapes,” I suddenly recalled a Hetalia doujinshi that involved New Years eve, countdowns, and eating grapes. And oh, it was also France/Spain. Thank you, Micromacro.
This year: We're going to ring in the new year at the boy's coworker's house party. Go figure, I asked the boy about the grapes yesterday (Dec. 30) and he was like "OH SHIT." LOLOL (ETA: There was a short-lived game of Cards Against Humanity, forced shots of Malort, and ridiculous surge prices on Uber/Lyft that forced us to partially take public transit/walk back in arctic conditions on the new year yay).
22. Did you fall in love in 2017?
Still identify as ace, but am also still dating the same boy because emotional attachments and all that. :3
23. How many one-night stands?
None.
24. What was your favorite TV program?
BINGED SEASON 2 OF STRANGER THINGS. ALL HAIL STRANGER THINGS AND SINGLE MOM STEVE HARRINGTON. I also somehow binge watched a bunch of A Great Big Story vids on YT.
25. Do you hate anyone now that you didn't hate this time last year?
In a general sense? Trump, and everything he stands for.
26. What was the best book you read?
Do light novel translations count? If not, again, no actual books for 2017.
27. What was your greatest musical discovery?
No new musical discoveries. Just revisiting oldies but goodies.
28. What did you want and get?
Wanted a fitbit--the boy got me a fitbit. :)
29. What did you want and not get?
Hard to say, since there's one more gift exchange I'm taking part of in January. :P
30. What was your favourite film of this year?
WONDER WOMAN and the Hitman's Bodyguard were absolutely enjoyable. Also saw and enjoyed Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children.
31. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you?
Thank you 2016 self again for having self-serving notes. Last year's birthday was spent in Hawaii "as a walking mucus machine, and celebrated by hiking up to some mountain falls and being taken out to a revolving restaurant by the boy."
... I'll definitely need to come back to this post and ETA what happens this year. Else 2018's meme will be a true struggle.
32. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?
Spending some time off at an all-inclusive resort? orz
33. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2017?
Didn't change much from 2016--more asian styled fashions choices though. Amazon is just chock full of third party chinese sellers nowadays with pretty nifty styles to choose from.
34. What kept you sane?
Binge-reading manga and playing Skyrim on PS4? Also, discovering some truly beautiful series. Might I recommend 长歌行 (Chang Ge Xing / Song of the Long March). &heart;
35. Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most?
None.
36. What political issue stirred you the most?
Fuck Trump and everything he stands for. Fuck the alt-right, and the GOP, Fox News, and all those other shit-stirring asshole excuses for human beings.
37. Who did you miss?
Online peeps because I am a terrible friend who disappeared from everything. orz
38. Who was the best new person you met?
One of my new coworkers is super fun, a great baker, and equally nerdy/geeky.
39. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2017.
Being rational and not purposefully vindictive/viciously calculating when in serious arguments is easier said than done.
40. Quote a song lyric that sums up your year:
Hello darkness my old friend.
Bonus. What was your favorite moment of the year?
Random moment: LUZIA. LUZIAAAA. It was so beautiful and the three cacti were flkjasdfh HILARIOUS. I'M PRETTY SURE ONE OF THE CACTI HAD A DONG THAT THE COSTUME WEARER KEPT PLAYING WITH. Ended up purchasing a completely useless but exquisitely beautiful monarch-butterfly motif'd mini carnival mask on an impulse after the show. ^^;