goodbye 2006
For some context: last year's meme
1. What did you do in 2006 that you'd never done before?
I got Lasik done - scary but thrilling.
2. Did you keep your new years' resolutions, and will you make more for next year?
I think I was awful at keeping up with the resolutions. I think the only one I want to make for next year is to be healthier.
3. Did anyone close to you give birth?
Yes - and both babies are bouncy and bubbly! They're now at the cute stage, thankfully.
4. Did anyone close to you die?
No.
5. What countries did you visit?
Good ol' Malaysia (Penang, KL); Budapest-Vienna-Prague; Bangkok; Hong Kong.
6. What would you like to have in 2007 that you lacked in 2006?
Less procrastination, and a healthier lifestyle.
7. What date from 2006 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?
Probably Christmas Eve, because it was such a strangely happy and upsetting night. A weird mixture. (See Q20.)
8. What was your biggest achievement of the year?
Going back to school and actually doing well in the programme, on most aspects (I'd like to think). Success in academia is very different from success in the corporate world.
9. What was your biggest failure?
Eating four desserts in one sitting (albeit sharing them with friends) - when I knew I should have known better. It sounds like a triviality, but it actually captures how little self-control I have over some stupid impulses.
10. Did you suffer illness or injury?
Hello, inhaler!
11. What was the best thing you bought?
My joyous Macbook, Lola.
12. Whose behaviour merited celebration?
My parents, for picking up the slack in the care of my sick grandmother, and fighting for a better quality of life for her.
13. Whose behaviour made you appalled and depressed?
My uncle's - because his lack of true concern for my grandmother is evident even to the domestic helper that assists them. And this despite him being the first-born son and the apple of her eye. Also - some of the men that my friends have been involved with.
14. Where did most of your money go?
Technology - on eyeball-directed laserbeams, and to Apple Computers.
15. What did you get really, really, really excited about?
The premiere of Singapore Dreaming. Watching 6 weeks of hard work come to fruition, and your name fade in-out in foot-high letters on the cinema screen feels amazing.
16. What song will always remind you of 2006?
Can it just be Belle and Sebastian's 'The Life Pursuit' album?
17. Compared to this time last year, are you happier or sadder?
Much happier in a more fulfilled way. There were sad bits, but overall I am very happy with life right now.
ii. thinner or fatter?
Too much fatter. I don't even want to look at a bar of chocolate right now.
iii. richer or poorer?
Greatly poorer. But I think it was worth it.
18. What do you wish you'd done more of?
Exercise.
19. What do you wish you'd done less of?
Zoning out and daydreaming when my time could have been better spent.
20. How did you spend Christmas?
Listening about my friend's breakup, followed by carnivorous dinner and laughter with good friends, and no-holds-barred charades till past midnight. It sounds messy, and it was strange to transit from anger and empathy (for my friend) to laughing till I cried (my friend included), but that was the way my night evolved.
21. If you could relive one thing in 2006 so that you could have acted differently, what would that be?
Apart from those four desserts eaten, not much else comes to mind. And I like it that way.
22. Did you fall in love in 2006?
Am already in love, although I can't say people have so much 'fallen' as they continue 'falling'. It's a verb.
23. How many one night stands?
Erm, none.
24. What was your favourite TV programme?
Prison Break - oooh Wentworth. And Project Runway.
25. Do you hate anyone now that you didn't hate this time last year?
I have grudges, but 'hate' is too strong a word for them right now.
26. What was the best book you read?
It's a hard fight but the winner is 39 Microlectures: In Proximity of Performance by Matthew Goulish. It's not quite an academic text, not quite a personal memoir, and not quite even a book sometimes. I read it over and over again because each time I reread any random page, there is always something new to think about. I highly recommend it even if you're not of the arty-farty drama persuasion.
From the book's back cover:
A series of accidents has brought you this book. You may think of it not as a book, but as a library, an elevator, an amateur performance in a nearby theatre.
Open it to the table of contents.
Turn to the page that sounds the most interesting to you.
Read a sentence or two.
Repeat the process.
Read this book as a creative act, and feel encouraged.
27. What was your greatest musical discovery?
This is going to be so out of character, but I think Mr Justin Timberlake has done very well for himself this year. Even for my jaded old ears.
28. What did you want and get?
My Macbook. And my lovely new camera for Christmas. And on the less materialistic side, time.
29. What did you want and not get?
Overall health and stability in the family. I hope 2007 is a better year. And on the materialistic side, a black leather bag that I really like. I've been hunting for one for months!
30. What was your favourite film of this year?
That surreal Hong Kong animated film, Macdull, Prince de la Bun.
31. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you?
J 'kidnapped' me by whisking me off to the airport, passport and barely-packed bag in hand. We went to Penang, a city that I haven't been to since I was 15. (Not much has changed.) We ate a lot, basked in the time-warp that Penang seems to be locked in, and baked in the sun. I turned twenty-eight.
32. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?
The entire Prison Break trilogy on DVD and three days to myself with no phonecalls or anything to distract me. Even though I know that production of the series hasn't even ended yet! I just want to watch it ALLLLL.
33. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2006?
Denim and cotton. Short short hair. Mascara.
34. What kept you sane?
My rock, J. On bad days, I take comfort in the knowledge that at night, the bed becomes a hideaway for just the two of us, and the next morning, things always look a little better.
35. Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most?
Wentworth Miller, who has haunted many dreams of late.
36. What political issue stirred you the most?
Not so much political: but the way in which this country seems to forget so easily.
37. Who did you miss?
No one really, although going to my secondary school reunion yesterday makes me yearn to properly catch up with my best friends from twelve years ago.
38. Who was the best new person you met?
Darlene the photographer.
39. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2006.
Appreciate the small happinesses - a really good sleep, a comfy pair of shoes for a song, kisses from your dog, the way your grandmother smiles at you, utter comfort in the company of friends, a hug.
40. Quote a song lyric that sums up your year.
You've got the essence, dear
If I could have a second skin
I'd probably dress up in you
~ Belle & Sebastian