2011 - the year that was
So, it's New Year's Eve. Where did this year go?
1. What did you do in 2011 that you'd never done before? - tried internet dating. Not particularly successfully, mainly because I just don't log in often enough. Oh, and I raced at Henley Royal Regatta, which was awesome, with an Olympic silver medallist in our boat, which was possibly even more awesome (she certainly is).
2. Did you keep your new years' resolutions, and will you make more for next year? - Well, I resolved to sign up to an internet dating site, and did so (in July), so I suppose the logical resolution is to do more with it, but I'm not hopeful.
3. Did anyone close to you give birth? - Yes. One of my best friends from school, in the summer, had a beautiful little girl who is adorable. It was extra-special because she'd previously had a premature baby boy who battled through six months of life before succumbing to a kidney infection, and while the new baby won't replace him, it's amazing that she's here.
4. Did anyone close to you die? - No.
5. What countries did you visit? - Spain for a rowing training camp. Belgium, Monaco, Switzerland and Russia for work. The US for Christmas with family.
6. What would you like to have in 2012 that you lacked in 2011? - maybe a longer, proper holiday instead of short breaks - training camp doesn't quite count.
7. What date from 2011 will remain etched upon your memory, and why? - Friday 24th June. Henley Royal qualifiers, and we qualified; plus I found out I had got a job for the Olympics.
8. What was your biggest achievement of the year? - probably getting the Olympics job. Woo.
9. What was your biggest failure? - no major ones.
10. Did you suffer illness or injury? - a few colds and such like, and I did my back in and didn't look after it properly so have spent the last three months trying to get it mended. Nearly there.
11. What was the best thing you bought? - a sculling boat. Then I got injured so haven't been able to really make the most of it yet.
12. Whose behavior merited celebration? - those who survived disasters with such bravery, generosity and humanity, all over the world.
13. Whose behavior made you appalled and depressed? - as a journalist, the phone hacking revelations depressed me. Not reflective of what the bulk of the profession do.
14. Where did most of your money go? - on my boat, on a new bathroom, and generally on food and everyday living.
15. What did you get really, really, really excited about? - the Olympics. Even though they're still six months away.
16. What song will always remind you of 2011? - not sure.
17. Compared to this time last year, are you:
i. happier or sadder? - about the same.
ii. thinner or fatter? - thinner, woo! Our rowing coach was very hot on everyone losing some weight, and I succeeded in losing (to date) six kilos I really didn't realise I had to lose.
iii. richer or poorer? - poorer.
18. What do you wish you'd done more of? - socialising.
19. What do you wish you'd done less of? - work.
20. How will you be spending Christmas? - I spent it in the US with my brother's girlfriend's family, as they moved out there earlier this year. Her mum was a wonderful hostess, cooking a feast and organising games for all of us. It was fun.
21. How will you be spending New Years? - at a house party with rowing friends.
22. Did you fall in love in 2011? - sadly, no.
23. How many one-night stands? - none. Yes, I'm boring.
24. What was your favorite TV program? - Overall, probably Doctor Who, with honourable mentions for Merlin, Being Human, Frozen Planet and The Choir (I am a little in love with Gareth Malone).
25. Do you hate anyone now that you didn't hate this time last year? - no. I don't think there's anyone I actively hate, although there are plenty of people who annoy me.
26. What was the best book you read? - I've read far too many to think of a favourite, but I've just reread Neal Stephenson's Anathem and was reminded what an absolute masterpiece it is.
27. What was your greatest musical discovery? - our work choir. Such fun.
28. What did you want and get? - a pay rise. Wooo.
29. What did you want that you didn't get? - another Henley medal. Not for want of trying.
30. What was your favorite film of this year? - like the books, I saw quite a few, but I think I saw The King's Speech this year and that was good. So was Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy. And lots of other stuff.
31. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you? - I was 31, and my parents came down and took me out for dinner. I think. It wasn't especially memorable as birthdays go.
32. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying? - nothing stands out.
33. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2011? - replacing old clothes far too late ... I don't think I have a personal fashion concept.
34. What kept you sane? - rowing. It kind of drives me insane too, but without it I get irritable and depressed.
35. Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most? - still Johnny Depp.
36. What political issue stirred you the most? - I really wanted the electoral referendum to succeed and was very disappointed (although not especially surprised) that it didn't.
37. Who did you miss? - nobody in particular.
38. Who was the best new person you met? - all the novices at rowing, who are a very keen and nice bunch of people.
39. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2011. - not to expect that everything will happen the way you expected.
40. Quote a song lyric that sums up your year: I really can't think of one.
1. What did you do in 2011 that you'd never done before? - tried internet dating. Not particularly successfully, mainly because I just don't log in often enough. Oh, and I raced at Henley Royal Regatta, which was awesome, with an Olympic silver medallist in our boat, which was possibly even more awesome (she certainly is).
2. Did you keep your new years' resolutions, and will you make more for next year? - Well, I resolved to sign up to an internet dating site, and did so (in July), so I suppose the logical resolution is to do more with it, but I'm not hopeful.
3. Did anyone close to you give birth? - Yes. One of my best friends from school, in the summer, had a beautiful little girl who is adorable. It was extra-special because she'd previously had a premature baby boy who battled through six months of life before succumbing to a kidney infection, and while the new baby won't replace him, it's amazing that she's here.
4. Did anyone close to you die? - No.
5. What countries did you visit? - Spain for a rowing training camp. Belgium, Monaco, Switzerland and Russia for work. The US for Christmas with family.
6. What would you like to have in 2012 that you lacked in 2011? - maybe a longer, proper holiday instead of short breaks - training camp doesn't quite count.
7. What date from 2011 will remain etched upon your memory, and why? - Friday 24th June. Henley Royal qualifiers, and we qualified; plus I found out I had got a job for the Olympics.
8. What was your biggest achievement of the year? - probably getting the Olympics job. Woo.
9. What was your biggest failure? - no major ones.
10. Did you suffer illness or injury? - a few colds and such like, and I did my back in and didn't look after it properly so have spent the last three months trying to get it mended. Nearly there.
11. What was the best thing you bought? - a sculling boat. Then I got injured so haven't been able to really make the most of it yet.
12. Whose behavior merited celebration? - those who survived disasters with such bravery, generosity and humanity, all over the world.
13. Whose behavior made you appalled and depressed? - as a journalist, the phone hacking revelations depressed me. Not reflective of what the bulk of the profession do.
14. Where did most of your money go? - on my boat, on a new bathroom, and generally on food and everyday living.
15. What did you get really, really, really excited about? - the Olympics. Even though they're still six months away.
16. What song will always remind you of 2011? - not sure.
17. Compared to this time last year, are you:
i. happier or sadder? - about the same.
ii. thinner or fatter? - thinner, woo! Our rowing coach was very hot on everyone losing some weight, and I succeeded in losing (to date) six kilos I really didn't realise I had to lose.
iii. richer or poorer? - poorer.
18. What do you wish you'd done more of? - socialising.
19. What do you wish you'd done less of? - work.
20. How will you be spending Christmas? - I spent it in the US with my brother's girlfriend's family, as they moved out there earlier this year. Her mum was a wonderful hostess, cooking a feast and organising games for all of us. It was fun.
21. How will you be spending New Years? - at a house party with rowing friends.
22. Did you fall in love in 2011? - sadly, no.
23. How many one-night stands? - none. Yes, I'm boring.
24. What was your favorite TV program? - Overall, probably Doctor Who, with honourable mentions for Merlin, Being Human, Frozen Planet and The Choir (I am a little in love with Gareth Malone).
25. Do you hate anyone now that you didn't hate this time last year? - no. I don't think there's anyone I actively hate, although there are plenty of people who annoy me.
26. What was the best book you read? - I've read far too many to think of a favourite, but I've just reread Neal Stephenson's Anathem and was reminded what an absolute masterpiece it is.
27. What was your greatest musical discovery? - our work choir. Such fun.
28. What did you want and get? - a pay rise. Wooo.
29. What did you want that you didn't get? - another Henley medal. Not for want of trying.
30. What was your favorite film of this year? - like the books, I saw quite a few, but I think I saw The King's Speech this year and that was good. So was Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy. And lots of other stuff.
31. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you? - I was 31, and my parents came down and took me out for dinner. I think. It wasn't especially memorable as birthdays go.
32. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying? - nothing stands out.
33. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2011? - replacing old clothes far too late ... I don't think I have a personal fashion concept.
34. What kept you sane? - rowing. It kind of drives me insane too, but without it I get irritable and depressed.
35. Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most? - still Johnny Depp.
36. What political issue stirred you the most? - I really wanted the electoral referendum to succeed and was very disappointed (although not especially surprised) that it didn't.
37. Who did you miss? - nobody in particular.
38. Who was the best new person you met? - all the novices at rowing, who are a very keen and nice bunch of people.
39. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2011. - not to expect that everything will happen the way you expected.
40. Quote a song lyric that sums up your year: I really can't think of one.