posting this a little early.
Despite the funk I've been in the last few weeks, I managed to remember how awesome my life really is and how small the changes need to be to make it exponentially more amazing. So here we are, for the fourth year in a row and the fifth year in total, the END OF YEAR ROUNDUP MEME!
2004 ; 2007 ; 2008 ; 2009
2010: New things all around!
1. What did you do in 2010 that you'd never done before?
Took Japanese lessons. Eaten lots of new foods (sea cucumber, birds nest soup, blowfish, abalone, etc). Had my family in China. Met lots of Australian politicians. Got a Chinese bank account. Met a famous Chinese artist. Met a diplomat. Went to a networking event. Spent Chinese New Year with a Chinese family. Appeared on a radio show.
2. Did you keep your New Year's resolutions, and will you make more for next year?
Last year's resolutions were to speak Chinese and study Japanese. Pretty sure I did that! Even though the Japanese study sort of petered out mid-year, but... I bought a lot of textbooks? lol. I'm thinking of making some resolutions (go to the gym, write my blog more, read more, etc), but I'm not sure I'll keep them haha
3. Did anyone close to you give birth?
Clearly nobody super close to me, because I can't remember anyone giving birth. That said, I've got a shocking memory.
4. Did anyone close to you die?
Not this year! Woo-hoo!
5. What countries did you visit?
Australia, China, Korea (for like a night, lol), England (with a stop-over in Thailand, lol, but I only saw the airport twice).
6. What would you like to have in 2011 that you lacked in 2010?
Some sort of routine. Beijing and my job does not encourage that sort of behavior, but I'm going to try very hard to have a routine.
7. What dates from 2010 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?
I'm terrible with dates, so it'll have to be music festival dates, which coincide with Chinese holidays: May 1-3 for Strawberry, 8&9 for Ditan Folk Festival, October 2-5 for Modern Sky but especially October 5 for Vasco Era afterwards. Chinese New Year. My two weeks in Australia for work. September 3-14 when my parents were here...
8. What was your biggest achievement of the year?
Keeping the Beijing Gig Guide and Blog running. I need to bring it up to the next step but keeping it running is a pretty big achievement.
9. What was your biggest failure?
I don't think I had that many? Probably failure to care about my job that much, but I don't think that's that big of a big failure.
10. Did you suffer illness or injury?
Illness, not anything in particular really. A flu and a stomach thing that took me out but nothing incredible. Injury, I can't think of anything either; even getting a wisdom tooth out didn't really take me out of it that much.
11. What was the best thing you bought?
With my own money? Probably my new iPhone. The old one was getting insanely slow, and the new one is just so goddamned pretty. But my boss bought me my computer and that was amazing.
12. Whose behaviour merited celebration?
I honestly can't think of anything so let's say Dan Savage, one for being Dan Savage in general and two for the It Gets Better project.
13. Whose behaviour made you appalled and depressed?
hmm, I can't really think of anyone. I'm sure there were douches out there doing shitty things, but that's the reason I don't read the news.
14. Where did most of your money go?
Who the hell knows. I spent a good chunk of money on my trip to London, which was entirely worth it for two days celebrating two friends' union. I probably spent a similar amount on my iPhone so that probably didn't help. Otherwise, it just goes on concerts and nights out. And a lot of clothes shopping, I think...
15. What did you get really, really, really excited about?
haha lots, my life is exciting. There were some great concerts and festivals to get excited about, my new Apple products were understandably squee-worthy, and of course the trip to London was exciting as well.
16. What songs will always remind you of 2010?
"I Like All The Beers" by Pacalolo. No I am not kidding.
17. Compared to this time last year, are you:
i) ...happier or sadder?
Probably a little sadder, but mostly because it's my second year in a city that keeps changing and challenging and it's difficult to keep up.
ii) thinner or fatter?
lol I don't monitor my weight that much, but fatter probably. Around the waist, not around the boobs, unfortunately.
iii) richer or poorer?
hmm, if I had $800AUD to my name last year... haha, only a little bit richer. I have 7500RMB in my account, which is about $1120AUD. Admittedly, it's mostly because I have taken out my rent money (due in February), but still. When I get paid next month, it'll be 16800RMB, but then I'm planning to go to Japan, so... do you see how my funds work, now? ;)
18. What do you wish you'd done more of?
Not much... well, sure, I could have done a lot more things - gone to more gigs, made more Chinese friends, done better at work - but the balance wasn't too bad this year, I don't think.
19. What do you wish you'd done less of?
Last year I said "Complaining. My life is awesome; if I quit my bitching and did what I wanted, life would be awesome." That's definitely advice I'm taking into next year. But this year I wish I'd done less procrastinating.
20. How will you be spending Christmas?
What I did this Christmas was sit around eating and watching TV with my sister and, occasionally, my housemate. It was glorious~
22. Did you fall in love in 2010?
Nope, not even with a boyband.
23. How many one night stands?
huh, none! That's a record!
24. What were your favourite TV programs?
I got back into American TV this year and came out loving the old favourites: How I Met Your Mother, Doctor Who, House MD, Survivor, Supernatural... probably some other stuff. I wasn't into a lot of Japanese TV this year, though Natsuniji was pretty adorable (even though I haven't seen the last ep) and Kaibutsu-kun was pretty fun too.
25. Do you hate anyone now that you didn't hate this time last year?
Again, hating people isn't worth my time. Bored and frustrated by some people, but not hate.
26. What was the best book you read?
haha I don't read. What did I even read this year? The other two Malcolm Gladwell, probably... OH, Bill Bryson! At Home was absolutely amazing, it was so interesting. Let's pick that! I'm not sure I read anything else, lol
27. What was your greatest musical discovery?
Pacalolo was great, Su Yang, my continued and furthered love for Shanren... hmm, nobody else I can think off the top of my head.
28. What did you want and get?
My parents to come to China finally!
29. What did you want and not get?
eh, nothing too desperate I suppose, since I don't feel lacking in anything I don't control.
30. What was your favourite film of this year?:
hahahaha Inception.
31. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you?:
On my 26th birthday, my parents took me to Capital M, a very fancy restaurant that overlooks Qianmen and Tiananmen Square. It was a nightmare to get to but it was lovely once we were there, and I was there with my whole family and Garth and had some amazing food and we caught a taxi over to Drum & Bell bar, where Lauren met us and we had some nice cocktails for a few hours. It was great and I spent it with the people I care about which is the most important thing.
32. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?:
If some of my friends would stay in the damned city!
33. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2009?:
Jeans and a t-shirt again, but hopefully with a bit of an update.
34. What kept you sane?:
Family, friends, Arashi. Possibly not in that order.
35. Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most?:
Well, if we take my infatuation with Arashi as a constant, I'd say the entire cast of Inception but especially Joseph Gordon Levitt. I fell in love with that man all over again this year, it was lovely.
36. What political issue stirred you the most?:
K-Rudd getting kicked out of office, I guess, and the ensuing "election" debacle. It was pretty fun in Australian politics this year!
37. Who did you miss?:
Again, nobody. My family came to visit - not to mention Hannah being here pretty near all year - and I've kept in pretty good touch with people. I don't write everyone every week, but every few months something reminds me of someone and I'll send an email.
38. Who was the best new person you met?
Probably Yang, who I really need to see more of. He's a cool German Chinese guy who's big into the music scene. He's basically amazing. And I guess, too, Guo Cheng, the music store guy who I properly talked to on January 1 last year, after the Mao NYE gig, even if that relationship has gone a little bit haywire. And if I met Kristen last year, I'm going to pretend I met her boyfriend Lei this year, and honestly I don't know who to be more jealous of in that couple because they are both amazingly awesome people.
39. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2010:
Getting out and doing shit - no matter what that is - is usually more enjoyable (and if not, a better story) than sitting around at home watching television. Even though I did plenty of that this year too, haha.
40. Quote a song lyric that sums up your year:
巡り 巡る 季節の 途中で 何色の / In the midst of the changing seasons
明日を 描きますか / What color will we paint tomorrow?
強く 強く 信じ 合えた なら / If we can strongly, strongly believe in each other
何色の 未来が 待っていますか / What color future will be waiting?
(Arashi, "Ashita no Kioku")
Yep, two years in a row, these lyrics still get me.
41. What was your favorite moment of the year?
Probably having my parents in Beijing. That was pretty amazing.
42. What was your least favourite moment of the year?
eh, the way things ended with A. I was pretty stupid about it, and it was all pretty awkward. But I think in the end I was as adult about it as I could be.
43. Where were you when 2010 began?
Mao Livehouse.
44. Who were you with?
Sammy, and some dude from Kentucky whose name was probably John, who gave us cheek-kisses, lololol
45. Where will you be when 2010 ends?
Probably at Dos Kolegas. Part of me wants to be at D-22, but nobody will go there with me and Dos Kolegas is a pretty good second choice lineup.
46. Who will you be with when 2010 ends?
Hannah, probably Leslie, and hopefully my friend Pride and maybe one or two of his friends.
47. What was your favourite month of 2010?
September, May and October were all pretty awesome.
48. Did you drink a lot of alcohol in 2010?
"Yes, indeed yes. Not all at once, but I drank a lot overall. 2005 was worse, so I think I use that as a benchmark. Not As Boozy As 2005." <--- Answer from 2007 still stands! Lots of beer, lots of cocktails at Mao Mao Chong's, but I'm not entirely sure that it was as bad as 2005. Certainly not in how bad it felt, haha
49. Did you do a lot of drugs in 2010?
Never~
50. How many people did you sleep with in 2010?
Just the one.
51. Did you do anything you are ashamed of this year?
"Ashamed of? Not really... I mean, I did some stupid stuff, and some things I'm not proud of or kinda wish I could take back, but I'm not really ashamed of them." <--- Answer from 2008 is still good.
52. What was the worst lie someone told you in 2010?
Well, if someone told me a lie I haven't found out about it yet.
53. Did you treat somebody badly in 2010?
Awkwardly, perhaps, but not badly. I hope not anyway.
54. Did somebody treat you badly in 2010?
I don't think so. Clearly not that wounded me so much as to bear mentioning.
56. How much money did you spend in 2010?
haha, all of it?? Minus rent and internet, I made 74580RMB, and I only have 7300 left, so... LOTS. But it was all worth it.
57. If you could go back in time to any moment of 2010 and change what?
"I can't think of anything. There are a few gigs I wish I'd gone to, but nothing that would have changed my life." <--- Last year's answer holds true!
58. What are your plans for 2010?
Updating the Beijing Gig Guide and Blog and kicking them up a notch. Writing more of anything that I can make the time for. And probably going to the gym a bit more than once a week for pilates, haha.
2004 ; 2007 ; 2008 ; 2009
2010: New things all around!
1. What did you do in 2010 that you'd never done before?
Took Japanese lessons. Eaten lots of new foods (sea cucumber, birds nest soup, blowfish, abalone, etc). Had my family in China. Met lots of Australian politicians. Got a Chinese bank account. Met a famous Chinese artist. Met a diplomat. Went to a networking event. Spent Chinese New Year with a Chinese family. Appeared on a radio show.
2. Did you keep your New Year's resolutions, and will you make more for next year?
Last year's resolutions were to speak Chinese and study Japanese. Pretty sure I did that! Even though the Japanese study sort of petered out mid-year, but... I bought a lot of textbooks? lol. I'm thinking of making some resolutions (go to the gym, write my blog more, read more, etc), but I'm not sure I'll keep them haha
3. Did anyone close to you give birth?
Clearly nobody super close to me, because I can't remember anyone giving birth. That said, I've got a shocking memory.
4. Did anyone close to you die?
Not this year! Woo-hoo!
5. What countries did you visit?
Australia, China, Korea (for like a night, lol), England (with a stop-over in Thailand, lol, but I only saw the airport twice).
6. What would you like to have in 2011 that you lacked in 2010?
Some sort of routine. Beijing and my job does not encourage that sort of behavior, but I'm going to try very hard to have a routine.
7. What dates from 2010 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?
I'm terrible with dates, so it'll have to be music festival dates, which coincide with Chinese holidays: May 1-3 for Strawberry, 8&9 for Ditan Folk Festival, October 2-5 for Modern Sky but especially October 5 for Vasco Era afterwards. Chinese New Year. My two weeks in Australia for work. September 3-14 when my parents were here...
8. What was your biggest achievement of the year?
Keeping the Beijing Gig Guide and Blog running. I need to bring it up to the next step but keeping it running is a pretty big achievement.
9. What was your biggest failure?
I don't think I had that many? Probably failure to care about my job that much, but I don't think that's that big of a big failure.
10. Did you suffer illness or injury?
Illness, not anything in particular really. A flu and a stomach thing that took me out but nothing incredible. Injury, I can't think of anything either; even getting a wisdom tooth out didn't really take me out of it that much.
11. What was the best thing you bought?
With my own money? Probably my new iPhone. The old one was getting insanely slow, and the new one is just so goddamned pretty. But my boss bought me my computer and that was amazing.
12. Whose behaviour merited celebration?
I honestly can't think of anything so let's say Dan Savage, one for being Dan Savage in general and two for the It Gets Better project.
13. Whose behaviour made you appalled and depressed?
hmm, I can't really think of anyone. I'm sure there were douches out there doing shitty things, but that's the reason I don't read the news.
14. Where did most of your money go?
Who the hell knows. I spent a good chunk of money on my trip to London, which was entirely worth it for two days celebrating two friends' union. I probably spent a similar amount on my iPhone so that probably didn't help. Otherwise, it just goes on concerts and nights out. And a lot of clothes shopping, I think...
15. What did you get really, really, really excited about?
haha lots, my life is exciting. There were some great concerts and festivals to get excited about, my new Apple products were understandably squee-worthy, and of course the trip to London was exciting as well.
16. What songs will always remind you of 2010?
"I Like All The Beers" by Pacalolo. No I am not kidding.
17. Compared to this time last year, are you:
i) ...happier or sadder?
Probably a little sadder, but mostly because it's my second year in a city that keeps changing and challenging and it's difficult to keep up.
ii) thinner or fatter?
lol I don't monitor my weight that much, but fatter probably. Around the waist, not around the boobs, unfortunately.
iii) richer or poorer?
hmm, if I had $800AUD to my name last year... haha, only a little bit richer. I have 7500RMB in my account, which is about $1120AUD. Admittedly, it's mostly because I have taken out my rent money (due in February), but still. When I get paid next month, it'll be 16800RMB, but then I'm planning to go to Japan, so... do you see how my funds work, now? ;)
18. What do you wish you'd done more of?
Not much... well, sure, I could have done a lot more things - gone to more gigs, made more Chinese friends, done better at work - but the balance wasn't too bad this year, I don't think.
19. What do you wish you'd done less of?
Last year I said "Complaining. My life is awesome; if I quit my bitching and did what I wanted, life would be awesome." That's definitely advice I'm taking into next year. But this year I wish I'd done less procrastinating.
20. How will you be spending Christmas?
What I did this Christmas was sit around eating and watching TV with my sister and, occasionally, my housemate. It was glorious~
22. Did you fall in love in 2010?
Nope, not even with a boyband.
23. How many one night stands?
huh, none! That's a record!
24. What were your favourite TV programs?
I got back into American TV this year and came out loving the old favourites: How I Met Your Mother, Doctor Who, House MD, Survivor, Supernatural... probably some other stuff. I wasn't into a lot of Japanese TV this year, though Natsuniji was pretty adorable (even though I haven't seen the last ep) and Kaibutsu-kun was pretty fun too.
25. Do you hate anyone now that you didn't hate this time last year?
Again, hating people isn't worth my time. Bored and frustrated by some people, but not hate.
26. What was the best book you read?
haha I don't read. What did I even read this year? The other two Malcolm Gladwell, probably... OH, Bill Bryson! At Home was absolutely amazing, it was so interesting. Let's pick that! I'm not sure I read anything else, lol
27. What was your greatest musical discovery?
Pacalolo was great, Su Yang, my continued and furthered love for Shanren... hmm, nobody else I can think off the top of my head.
28. What did you want and get?
My parents to come to China finally!
29. What did you want and not get?
eh, nothing too desperate I suppose, since I don't feel lacking in anything I don't control.
30. What was your favourite film of this year?:
hahahaha Inception.
31. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you?:
On my 26th birthday, my parents took me to Capital M, a very fancy restaurant that overlooks Qianmen and Tiananmen Square. It was a nightmare to get to but it was lovely once we were there, and I was there with my whole family and Garth and had some amazing food and we caught a taxi over to Drum & Bell bar, where Lauren met us and we had some nice cocktails for a few hours. It was great and I spent it with the people I care about which is the most important thing.
32. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?:
If some of my friends would stay in the damned city!
33. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2009?:
Jeans and a t-shirt again, but hopefully with a bit of an update.
34. What kept you sane?:
Family, friends, Arashi. Possibly not in that order.
35. Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most?:
Well, if we take my infatuation with Arashi as a constant, I'd say the entire cast of Inception but especially Joseph Gordon Levitt. I fell in love with that man all over again this year, it was lovely.
36. What political issue stirred you the most?:
K-Rudd getting kicked out of office, I guess, and the ensuing "election" debacle. It was pretty fun in Australian politics this year!
37. Who did you miss?:
Again, nobody. My family came to visit - not to mention Hannah being here pretty near all year - and I've kept in pretty good touch with people. I don't write everyone every week, but every few months something reminds me of someone and I'll send an email.
38. Who was the best new person you met?
Probably Yang, who I really need to see more of. He's a cool German Chinese guy who's big into the music scene. He's basically amazing. And I guess, too, Guo Cheng, the music store guy who I properly talked to on January 1 last year, after the Mao NYE gig, even if that relationship has gone a little bit haywire. And if I met Kristen last year, I'm going to pretend I met her boyfriend Lei this year, and honestly I don't know who to be more jealous of in that couple because they are both amazingly awesome people.
39. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2010:
Getting out and doing shit - no matter what that is - is usually more enjoyable (and if not, a better story) than sitting around at home watching television. Even though I did plenty of that this year too, haha.
40. Quote a song lyric that sums up your year:
巡り 巡る 季節の 途中で 何色の / In the midst of the changing seasons
明日を 描きますか / What color will we paint tomorrow?
強く 強く 信じ 合えた なら / If we can strongly, strongly believe in each other
何色の 未来が 待っていますか / What color future will be waiting?
(Arashi, "Ashita no Kioku")
Yep, two years in a row, these lyrics still get me.
41. What was your favorite moment of the year?
Probably having my parents in Beijing. That was pretty amazing.
42. What was your least favourite moment of the year?
eh, the way things ended with A. I was pretty stupid about it, and it was all pretty awkward. But I think in the end I was as adult about it as I could be.
43. Where were you when 2010 began?
Mao Livehouse.
44. Who were you with?
Sammy, and some dude from Kentucky whose name was probably John, who gave us cheek-kisses, lololol
45. Where will you be when 2010 ends?
Probably at Dos Kolegas. Part of me wants to be at D-22, but nobody will go there with me and Dos Kolegas is a pretty good second choice lineup.
46. Who will you be with when 2010 ends?
Hannah, probably Leslie, and hopefully my friend Pride and maybe one or two of his friends.
47. What was your favourite month of 2010?
September, May and October were all pretty awesome.
48. Did you drink a lot of alcohol in 2010?
"Yes, indeed yes. Not all at once, but I drank a lot overall. 2005 was worse, so I think I use that as a benchmark. Not As Boozy As 2005." <--- Answer from 2007 still stands! Lots of beer, lots of cocktails at Mao Mao Chong's, but I'm not entirely sure that it was as bad as 2005. Certainly not in how bad it felt, haha
49. Did you do a lot of drugs in 2010?
Never~
50. How many people did you sleep with in 2010?
Just the one.
51. Did you do anything you are ashamed of this year?
"Ashamed of? Not really... I mean, I did some stupid stuff, and some things I'm not proud of or kinda wish I could take back, but I'm not really ashamed of them." <--- Answer from 2008 is still good.
52. What was the worst lie someone told you in 2010?
Well, if someone told me a lie I haven't found out about it yet.
53. Did you treat somebody badly in 2010?
Awkwardly, perhaps, but not badly. I hope not anyway.
54. Did somebody treat you badly in 2010?
I don't think so. Clearly not that wounded me so much as to bear mentioning.
56. How much money did you spend in 2010?
haha, all of it?? Minus rent and internet, I made 74580RMB, and I only have 7300 left, so... LOTS. But it was all worth it.
57. If you could go back in time to any moment of 2010 and change what?
"I can't think of anything. There are a few gigs I wish I'd gone to, but nothing that would have changed my life." <--- Last year's answer holds true!
58. What are your plans for 2010?
Updating the Beijing Gig Guide and Blog and kicking them up a notch. Writing more of anything that I can make the time for. And probably going to the gym a bit more than once a week for pilates, haha.