Looking back on 2008
Here's a fun little survey that I stole from nanet:
EDIT: Here's a link to a similar survey I did at the end of 2007. I was a lot bubblier back then. Is "bubblier" even a word? Hmm. Firefox says it is, so I guess it must be. ANYWAY. On to 2008:
1. Where did you begin 2008?
At Bob's friend Emma's house, where I was unfortunately hit on by this weird guy named Adam from Michigan.
2. What was your status by Valentines Day?
Single.
3. Were you in school anytime this year?
I graduated from the U of C in June with my master's degree, so that means I was in school for about half of the year.
4. Did you have to go to the hospital?
Does the emergency room count?
5. Did you have any encounters with the police?
Unlike last year, no.
6. Where did you go on vacation?
Nowhere.
7. What did you purchase that was over $100?
Probably a few other things that I can't recall at the moment, but the first and only thing that comes to mind now is my sofa. I bought it from Deepak right before he left Chicago and moved to San Francisco in September.
8. Did you know anybody who got married?
Shannon, my chemistry lab partner from freshman year.
9. Did you know anybody who passed away?
Fortunately, no.
10. Did you move anywhere?
In June, I moved out of I-House and into Laura's apartment, which I subletted for a couple of months. Then in August, the unit directly above hers became vacant, and I was fortunate enough to be able to sign the lease and move right upstairs.
11. What sporting events did you attend?
A Cubs game at Wrigley Field. I think they were playing the Phillies... or was it the Pirates?
12. What concerts/shows did you go to?
Far too many classical music concerts to list here, but the clear standout for me was a performance of Rachmaninoff's Piano Concerto No. 3 at the CSO. I saw Death Cab for Cutie earlier this year, and Peggy and I also saw B.B. King perform live at the Chicago Blues Fest over the summer. I'm sure there were plenty more, but my memory is drawing a blank.
13. Describe your birthday.
Simply wonderful.
14. What is the ONE thing you thought you would not do, but did, in 2008?
Umm. I'll mention this one in another entry, in due time.
15. What have been your favourite moments?
Hanging out with Victoria and Sheena in New York. Having long-distance phone calls with Sumit while he was in India. Seeing rula for the first time in over two years. Singing the "Hannah Montana" theme song with my eight-year-old cousin at Thanksgiving dinner.
16. Any new additions to your family?
No.
17. What was your best month?
December, and it keeps getting better.
18. Who has been your best drinking buddy?
N/A
19. Made new friends?
Yes.
20. Favourite night out?
That would have to be the night that Deepak, Alaina, and I went to Berlin, a dance club here in Chicago. We went there at 7 on a Friday night, so needless to say, we had the entire place to ourselves. We spent hours talking to Jason the bartender, who treated us to several haikus inspired by his transvestite roommate. After checking our IDs, Jason proclaimed us to be "DOA" (Deepak, Olivia, and Alaina). When we finally left Berlin, we walked out onto Belmont, saw a hopscotch grid drawn on the sidewalk, and played that for a while before getting back on the Red Line and going home. We weren't drunk... we were just all so happy to be together.
Hands down, that would have to be my favorite night out during 2008.
21. Other than home, where did you spend most of your time?
At work, and on the #6 bus while going to and from work.
22. Have you lost any friends this year?
It all depends on how you want to define "lost," but for simplicity's sake, I'll say yes.
23. Change your hairstyle?
Briefly during the summer, but then I reverted back to my usual style.
24. Have any car accidents?
Nope.
25. How old did will you turn this year?
Read that again. How old DID WILL you turn this year. Uh, okay. I did turn 24 this year, so I will turn 25 next year.
26. Do you have a New Years resolution?
Not currently.
27. Do anything embarrassing?
Where do I even begin with this? Oh yeah, in my answer to the next question.
28. Buy anything from eBay?
The non-sketchy answer: My laptop case and keyboard cover.
The very sketchy answer: My laundry tokens. I was able to get them for half of what my landlady charges!! And they came from Quebec, so I even got a Canadian stamp out of the deal, too. Score!
29. Get married or divorced?
Not even on Facebook, so no.
30. Get hit on?
Oh goodness yes. It all started on January 1 (see my answer to #1 above) and kept on going from there.
31. Been snowboarding?
Never.
32. Did you get sick this year?
Surprisingly less frequently than I usually do.
33. Are you happy to see 2008 go?
Absolutely yes. I've learned a lot this year, but I'm ready for a fresh new beginning.
34. Been naughty or nice?
Mostly nice.
35. What are you looking forward to most in 2009?
Seeing where all of this goes, for better or for worse.
EDIT: Here's a link to a similar survey I did at the end of 2007. I was a lot bubblier back then. Is "bubblier" even a word? Hmm. Firefox says it is, so I guess it must be. ANYWAY. On to 2008:
1. Where did you begin 2008?
At Bob's friend Emma's house, where I was unfortunately hit on by this weird guy named Adam from Michigan.
2. What was your status by Valentines Day?
Single.
3. Were you in school anytime this year?
I graduated from the U of C in June with my master's degree, so that means I was in school for about half of the year.
4. Did you have to go to the hospital?
Does the emergency room count?
5. Did you have any encounters with the police?
Unlike last year, no.
6. Where did you go on vacation?
Nowhere.
7. What did you purchase that was over $100?
Probably a few other things that I can't recall at the moment, but the first and only thing that comes to mind now is my sofa. I bought it from Deepak right before he left Chicago and moved to San Francisco in September.
8. Did you know anybody who got married?
Shannon, my chemistry lab partner from freshman year.
9. Did you know anybody who passed away?
Fortunately, no.
10. Did you move anywhere?
In June, I moved out of I-House and into Laura's apartment, which I subletted for a couple of months. Then in August, the unit directly above hers became vacant, and I was fortunate enough to be able to sign the lease and move right upstairs.
11. What sporting events did you attend?
A Cubs game at Wrigley Field. I think they were playing the Phillies... or was it the Pirates?
12. What concerts/shows did you go to?
Far too many classical music concerts to list here, but the clear standout for me was a performance of Rachmaninoff's Piano Concerto No. 3 at the CSO. I saw Death Cab for Cutie earlier this year, and Peggy and I also saw B.B. King perform live at the Chicago Blues Fest over the summer. I'm sure there were plenty more, but my memory is drawing a blank.
13. Describe your birthday.
Simply wonderful.
14. What is the ONE thing you thought you would not do, but did, in 2008?
Umm. I'll mention this one in another entry, in due time.
15. What have been your favourite moments?
Hanging out with Victoria and Sheena in New York. Having long-distance phone calls with Sumit while he was in India. Seeing rula for the first time in over two years. Singing the "Hannah Montana" theme song with my eight-year-old cousin at Thanksgiving dinner.
16. Any new additions to your family?
No.
17. What was your best month?
December, and it keeps getting better.
18. Who has been your best drinking buddy?
N/A
19. Made new friends?
Yes.
20. Favourite night out?
That would have to be the night that Deepak, Alaina, and I went to Berlin, a dance club here in Chicago. We went there at 7 on a Friday night, so needless to say, we had the entire place to ourselves. We spent hours talking to Jason the bartender, who treated us to several haikus inspired by his transvestite roommate. After checking our IDs, Jason proclaimed us to be "DOA" (Deepak, Olivia, and Alaina). When we finally left Berlin, we walked out onto Belmont, saw a hopscotch grid drawn on the sidewalk, and played that for a while before getting back on the Red Line and going home. We weren't drunk... we were just all so happy to be together.
Hands down, that would have to be my favorite night out during 2008.
21. Other than home, where did you spend most of your time?
At work, and on the #6 bus while going to and from work.
22. Have you lost any friends this year?
It all depends on how you want to define "lost," but for simplicity's sake, I'll say yes.
23. Change your hairstyle?
Briefly during the summer, but then I reverted back to my usual style.
24. Have any car accidents?
Nope.
25. How old did will you turn this year?
Read that again. How old DID WILL you turn this year. Uh, okay. I did turn 24 this year, so I will turn 25 next year.
26. Do you have a New Years resolution?
Not currently.
27. Do anything embarrassing?
Where do I even begin with this? Oh yeah, in my answer to the next question.
28. Buy anything from eBay?
The non-sketchy answer: My laptop case and keyboard cover.
The very sketchy answer: My laundry tokens. I was able to get them for half of what my landlady charges!! And they came from Quebec, so I even got a Canadian stamp out of the deal, too. Score!
29. Get married or divorced?
Not even on Facebook, so no.
30. Get hit on?
Oh goodness yes. It all started on January 1 (see my answer to #1 above) and kept on going from there.
31. Been snowboarding?
Never.
32. Did you get sick this year?
Surprisingly less frequently than I usually do.
33. Are you happy to see 2008 go?
Absolutely yes. I've learned a lot this year, but I'm ready for a fresh new beginning.
34. Been naughty or nice?
Mostly nice.
35. What are you looking forward to most in 2009?
Seeing where all of this goes, for better or for worse.