Reflections on 2003
1. What did you do in 2003 that you'd never done before?
Graduated from high school. Had a relaxing and indulgent summer. Went to a concert with a guy unaccompanied by a parent (more than once). Started college. Took responsibility for my actions. Was open with my feelings (extremely). Allowed myself to get hurt (quite a few times). Got over a guy without hooking up or rebounding. Casually dated multiple guys during the same period of time. Questioned my morals. Asserted myself. Admitted I'm resistant to change. Tried to do something about it. Let go. Severed ties. Made new connections. Adapted to my surroundings. Closed the gap. Reinvented myself. Gained a best friend.
2. Did you keep your new years' resolutions, and will you make more for next year?
Yes and no; I kept three out of five, which isn't so bad considering my past record. I plan to keep up these resolutions, and I might make a few more, depending on how I feel come January 1.
3. Did anyone close to you give birth?
No.
4. Did anyone close to you die?
Yes.
5. What countries did you visit?
United States. Oh wait, I live here.
6. What would you like to have in 2004 that you lacked in 2003?
Happiness. Stability. A steady boyfriend.
7. What date from 2003 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?
June 13, Graduation. August 25, my first day at USC.
8. What was your biggest achievement of the year?
Getting into USC. Starting USC. Earning straight As.
9. What was your biggest failure?
Not being true to myself.
10. Did you suffer illness or injury?
Right about now.
11. What was the best thing you bought?
Myself? Peter Cincotti's self-titled debut album. By my mom? An old school record player with AM/FM radio functions and a cassette and CD player as well.
12. Whose behavior merited celebration?
Scott Hoch, Brian Tauber, Brian Skarin, Arthur Hoffmann, Byron Aram. Christy Joo, Othello Silla. Charlotte Bashner, Kim Rountree, Jenn Sanett. Nicole Shidlovitsky. Armand DiCarlo, Martin Greenfield, Greg Finklestein. Jake Kale. Skyler Onken, Kolin Taylor, Clay Chroust. Mike Kallen. Michelle Danieli, Ashley Mee.
13. Whose behavior made you appalled and depressed?
Dana Green (we're friends again, thankfully!), Sarah Bernstein (I think we're okay now though). Kallan Aftergood. Mike Gelles. Matt Cohen. Alex Conner. Nicole Klepper (but we worked it out). Rodney Moreh.
14. Where did most of your money go?
Weekends.
15. What did you get really, really, really excited about?
Being accepted to USC. Graduating and going off to college. Thursday night bowling with Michelle. Dating Brendon Liner (what a disappointment it was!). Dating Mike Gelles (it's over, by the way). Meeting new people (not that I have, really). Earning all As first semester.
16. What song will always remind you of 2003?
Anything by Nathaniel's Endeavors. Guster's Keep It Together - the whole album.
17. Compared to this time last year, are you:
i. happier or sadder? Happier.
ii. thinner or fatter? Fatter.
iii. richer or poorer? Both.
18. What do you wish you'd done more of?
Taking a stand about being independent. Paying more attention to my wants and needs instead of always doing what everyone else wanted. Being more open and not-so anti-social.
19. What do you wish you'd done less of?
Second-guessing myself. Not being who I really am to please others. Fading into the background hoping no one noticed.
20. How will you be spending the Winter Solstice?
At a Nathaniel's Endeavors show.
22. Did you fall in love in 2003?
No, but crushes abounded.
23. How many one-night stands?
I think about four or five. Plus a bunch of two or three nighters.
24. What was your favorite TV program?
American Dreams, Queer Eye For The Straight Guy, Nip/Tuck, Everwood.
25. Do you hate anyone now that you didn't hate this time last year?
I don't hate anyone. I strongly dislike people, but that doesn't need to be reiterated.
26. What was the best book you read?
The Loved One by Evelyn Waugh. The Kandy-Kolored Tangerine-Flake Streamline Baby by Tom Wolfe.
27. What was your greatest musical discovery?
Nathaniel's Endeavors. Seriously. Oh, and the reemergence of punk and ska.
28. What did you want and get?
An acceptance to USC. A few scholarships. A new car. A chance with Mike Gelles (don't go there). A possible and promising relationship. A record player. Amazing memories.
29. What was your favorite film of this year?
Love Actually. The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King.
30. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you?
Went to lunch with Brooke Horn. Got flowers from Avi and Amy Bialo. Went to Musso & Frank Grill, or was it Arnie Morton's of Chicago? Don't remember. I was 17.
31. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?
The consummation of a relationship. My $57 that Brendon owes me.
32. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2003?
Nonexistent, though not for lack of trying. Next year shall be different. Do I sense a resolution?
33. What kept you sane?
Music. Going to shows and concerts. Writing for Kiwibox (sometimes).
34. Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most?
Greg Smith.
35. What political issue stirred you the most?
The recall and election of the "Governator". Sadly.
36. Who did you miss?
My friends from high school. My friends who are still in high school.
37. Who was the best new person you met?
It's a tough decision, and I don't want to cause drama, so this one's a pass.
38. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2003:
"Be who you want to be. Don't let other people control you. Be yourself. Love yourself. Trust yourself." I'm keeping what Dori wrote.
39. Quote a song lyric that sums up your year:
"Today is the first day of the rest of our lives...I hereby solemnly swear to tell the whole truth / And nothing but the truth is what I'll ever hear from you / Trust is a dirty word that comes from such a liar / But respect is something I will earn if you have faith..." - "Church On Sunday, Green Day, Warning
In the past month, have you...
-- Drank alcohol: No.
-- Smoked: No.
-- Done a drug: No illegal ones.
-- Had sex: In a way, depending on whether or not you agree with Bill Clinton.
-- Made out: Yes.
-- Gone on a date: Yes.
-- Gone to the mall?: Yes.
-- Eaten an entire box of Oreos: I wish.
-- Eaten sushi: Yes.
-- Been on stage: Not really.
-- Been dumped: I suppose not.
-- Gone skating: No.
-- Made homemade cookies: Yes, out of the package.
-- Gone skinny dipping: No.
-- Dyed your hair: No.
Cheers!
<3 and M3 (and Z3),
Ashley
Graduated from high school. Had a relaxing and indulgent summer. Went to a concert with a guy unaccompanied by a parent (more than once). Started college. Took responsibility for my actions. Was open with my feelings (extremely). Allowed myself to get hurt (quite a few times). Got over a guy without hooking up or rebounding. Casually dated multiple guys during the same period of time. Questioned my morals. Asserted myself. Admitted I'm resistant to change. Tried to do something about it. Let go. Severed ties. Made new connections. Adapted to my surroundings. Closed the gap. Reinvented myself. Gained a best friend.
2. Did you keep your new years' resolutions, and will you make more for next year?
Yes and no; I kept three out of five, which isn't so bad considering my past record. I plan to keep up these resolutions, and I might make a few more, depending on how I feel come January 1.
3. Did anyone close to you give birth?
No.
4. Did anyone close to you die?
Yes.
5. What countries did you visit?
United States. Oh wait, I live here.
6. What would you like to have in 2004 that you lacked in 2003?
Happiness. Stability. A steady boyfriend.
7. What date from 2003 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?
June 13, Graduation. August 25, my first day at USC.
8. What was your biggest achievement of the year?
Getting into USC. Starting USC. Earning straight As.
9. What was your biggest failure?
Not being true to myself.
10. Did you suffer illness or injury?
Right about now.
11. What was the best thing you bought?
Myself? Peter Cincotti's self-titled debut album. By my mom? An old school record player with AM/FM radio functions and a cassette and CD player as well.
12. Whose behavior merited celebration?
Scott Hoch, Brian Tauber, Brian Skarin, Arthur Hoffmann, Byron Aram. Christy Joo, Othello Silla. Charlotte Bashner, Kim Rountree, Jenn Sanett. Nicole Shidlovitsky. Armand DiCarlo, Martin Greenfield, Greg Finklestein. Jake Kale. Skyler Onken, Kolin Taylor, Clay Chroust. Mike Kallen. Michelle Danieli, Ashley Mee.
13. Whose behavior made you appalled and depressed?
Dana Green (we're friends again, thankfully!), Sarah Bernstein (I think we're okay now though). Kallan Aftergood. Mike Gelles. Matt Cohen. Alex Conner. Nicole Klepper (but we worked it out). Rodney Moreh.
14. Where did most of your money go?
Weekends.
15. What did you get really, really, really excited about?
Being accepted to USC. Graduating and going off to college. Thursday night bowling with Michelle. Dating Brendon Liner (what a disappointment it was!). Dating Mike Gelles (it's over, by the way). Meeting new people (not that I have, really). Earning all As first semester.
16. What song will always remind you of 2003?
Anything by Nathaniel's Endeavors. Guster's Keep It Together - the whole album.
17. Compared to this time last year, are you:
i. happier or sadder? Happier.
ii. thinner or fatter? Fatter.
iii. richer or poorer? Both.
18. What do you wish you'd done more of?
Taking a stand about being independent. Paying more attention to my wants and needs instead of always doing what everyone else wanted. Being more open and not-so anti-social.
19. What do you wish you'd done less of?
Second-guessing myself. Not being who I really am to please others. Fading into the background hoping no one noticed.
20. How will you be spending the Winter Solstice?
At a Nathaniel's Endeavors show.
22. Did you fall in love in 2003?
No, but crushes abounded.
23. How many one-night stands?
I think about four or five. Plus a bunch of two or three nighters.
24. What was your favorite TV program?
American Dreams, Queer Eye For The Straight Guy, Nip/Tuck, Everwood.
25. Do you hate anyone now that you didn't hate this time last year?
I don't hate anyone. I strongly dislike people, but that doesn't need to be reiterated.
26. What was the best book you read?
The Loved One by Evelyn Waugh. The Kandy-Kolored Tangerine-Flake Streamline Baby by Tom Wolfe.
27. What was your greatest musical discovery?
Nathaniel's Endeavors. Seriously. Oh, and the reemergence of punk and ska.
28. What did you want and get?
An acceptance to USC. A few scholarships. A new car. A chance with Mike Gelles (don't go there). A possible and promising relationship. A record player. Amazing memories.
29. What was your favorite film of this year?
Love Actually. The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King.
30. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you?
Went to lunch with Brooke Horn. Got flowers from Avi and Amy Bialo. Went to Musso & Frank Grill, or was it Arnie Morton's of Chicago? Don't remember. I was 17.
31. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?
The consummation of a relationship. My $57 that Brendon owes me.
32. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2003?
Nonexistent, though not for lack of trying. Next year shall be different. Do I sense a resolution?
33. What kept you sane?
Music. Going to shows and concerts. Writing for Kiwibox (sometimes).
34. Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most?
Greg Smith.
35. What political issue stirred you the most?
The recall and election of the "Governator". Sadly.
36. Who did you miss?
My friends from high school. My friends who are still in high school.
37. Who was the best new person you met?
It's a tough decision, and I don't want to cause drama, so this one's a pass.
38. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2003:
"Be who you want to be. Don't let other people control you. Be yourself. Love yourself. Trust yourself." I'm keeping what Dori wrote.
39. Quote a song lyric that sums up your year:
"Today is the first day of the rest of our lives...I hereby solemnly swear to tell the whole truth / And nothing but the truth is what I'll ever hear from you / Trust is a dirty word that comes from such a liar / But respect is something I will earn if you have faith..." - "Church On Sunday, Green Day, Warning
In the past month, have you...
-- Drank alcohol: No.
-- Smoked: No.
-- Done a drug: No illegal ones.
-- Had sex: In a way, depending on whether or not you agree with Bill Clinton.
-- Made out: Yes.
-- Gone on a date: Yes.
-- Gone to the mall?: Yes.
-- Eaten an entire box of Oreos: I wish.
-- Eaten sushi: Yes.
-- Been on stage: Not really.
-- Been dumped: I suppose not.
-- Gone skating: No.
-- Made homemade cookies: Yes, out of the package.
-- Gone skinny dipping: No.
-- Dyed your hair: No.
Cheers!
<3 and M3 (and Z3),
Ashley