rounding up 2010
As far as memes go, this is one of the most meaningful. I always spend a lot of time on them thinking and reviewing the year. Previous years here: 2009, 2006, and 2005. I really should to make an effort to do this every year. I just looked back on 2005's entry - what a difference!
1. What did you do in 2010 that you'd never done before?
Tried Traditional Chinese Medicine (ugh bitter!) for my bad cough in February. Put deep blue hightlights in my hair on impulse.
2. Did you keep your new years' resolutions, and will you make more for next year?
In 2009 I said I'd like to take better care of myself (well, only in some aspects), stop rubbing my eyes (nope), and lose the rest of the baby weight (not quite). But I AM working on a creative project - producing a play at The Esplanade next April. But seriously, I can't be bothered to make or keep resolutions - I'll do things when I want to.
3. Did anyone close to you give birth?
Various babies arrived, but none from close friends or family.
4. Did anyone close to you die?
An aunt passed away on Christmas Eve. We weren't close, but it sent shockwaves through my life nonetheless.
5. What countries did you visit?
Malaysia and Hong Kong.
6. What would you have liked to have in 2010 that you lacked in 2009?
A more chill and go-with-the-flow attitude.
7. What date from 2010 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?
Christmas Eve, perhaps? Because it is the first date that comes to mind right now, and because all my future Christmases will always carry a remembrance of my aunt.
8. What was your biggest achievement of the year?
Re-developing a module in the university and returning to teach, despite the rusty cogs in my brain. And reading 77 books this year - I keep a list, but don't count books I read for research and work.
9. What was your biggest failure?
Not preparing as much as I could have for my teaching. It all worked out fine in the end, but I feel like I shortchanged myself and my students.
10. Did you suffer illness or injury?
Nothing spectacular.
11. What was the best thing you bought?
Tickets to see Belle and Sebastian live when they came to Singapore in August. I can only wish I bought front-row tickets, but C and I ran past the barrier and squeezed our way to the front, where we bounced and grinned like teenagers.
12. Whose behaviour merited celebration?
My sister, who put in tremendous effort to raise money ($1,400 in all) to save a stray mother cat and her three kittens, and eventually got them all adopted. She has an unflagging moral compass and the will to see it all through, which is more than I can say for myself.
13. Whose behaviour made you appalled and depressed?
My sister-in-law, but for J's sake I shall not air dirty linen here.
14. Where did most of your money go?
To food and The Bun.
15. What did you get really, really, really excited about?
The Belle and Sebastian concert! After the gig was over I was so hyper I could hardly sleep. And C and I were total groupies, running (yes running) to join the queue for autographs right after the lights went up.
16. What song will always remind you of 2010?
'Judy and the Dream of Horses' by Belle and Sebastian.
17. Compared to this time last year, are you happier or sadder?
Happier, thankfully.
ii. thinner or fatter?
Fatter. I always have this answer, which does not bode well.
iii. richer or poorer?
No real change here.
18. What do you wish you'd done more of?
Being more willing to step out of my comfort zone. Now that The Bun is in my life, I find this very difficult to do.
19. What do you wish you'd done less of?
Procrastinating. Snarking (especially to J, who hardly deserves it). And snacking.
20. How did you spend Christmas?
On Christmas Eve my friends and I gathered at another friend's cafe with food, drinks and gifts. We ate, talked, and played some silly charades, as we usually do. I left early because The Bun was unusually upset - turns out he was afraid of the headless mannequins in the dark shop next door. On Christmas Day we had a simple lunch with my parents after the unwrapping bonanza, and J and I rounded off the night with some Japanese food at Sakuraya.
21. If you could relive one thing in 2010 so that you could have acted differently, what would that be?
I would not have put blue highlights in my hair. They looked good in the first couple of weeks, but after that they rapidly became a pain to upkeep (especially with time and money that I didn't really have) and the damage from the bleaching wasn't pretty, either.
22. Did you fall in love in 2010?
My answer never changes - next!
23. How many one night stands?
Plenty of standing at night (thanks to The Bun), but no actual one night stands.
24. What was your favourite TV programme?
I hardly watch TV, although I must confess to an ongoing fascination (in a terrible way) with that Taiwanese soap opera, 'Love'. J and I say that we're going to make a mindweb linking all the characters together. The show is so ridiculous it's amazing.
25. Do you hate anyone now that you didn't hate this time last year?
Hate is a strong word. I harbour dislike and resentment (and I can bear grudges for decades), but I don't hate.
26. What was the best book you read?
I read a ton of memoirs this year. Outstanding: The Glass Castle by Jeanette Walls, The Year My Son and I Were Born by Kathryn Lynard Soper, and It Sucked and Then I Cried by Heather B. Armstrong. For fiction, it would be Unsticky by Sarra Manning, which seems at first to be classic chick-lit (and Manning is otherwise known as a 'teen queen' writer who has churned out several popular titles for teenaged readers) but the depth of the characters and the complexity of their relationship is beautifully wrought. When I really like a book, I want to buy it and display it on my bookshelf like a trophy. (I am too cheap to buy books otherwise; and I live opposite a library!) I am a great, great admirer of Manning.
27. What was your greatest musical discovery?
Not exactly a discovery, but I am so happy that one of my favourite bands ever, James, has reunited and are touring! (Now if they would only come to our tiny island.)
28. What did you want and get?
A healthy and happy child. I just realised I wrote the same thing last year. Although I complain about The Bun often, this is testimony to the unshakeable truth that if anything awful happened to him, my world would come crashing down. On a more superficial (and material) level, I finally upgraded my ancient 2G iPhone to a 4G one, and I love it so much, it's practically attached to my side.
29. What did you want and not get?
More couple time for J and myself. This is something that I'll have to work through to resolve - it's not impossible, but the biggest obstacle here is myself, and my reluctance to depend on anyone for anything.
30. What was your favourite film of this year?
I saw exactly two films this year: the penultimate Harry Potter film and Departures, a Japanese film by Yojiro Takita, which is not new (it was from 2008). Neither really moved me although I was impressed by how neat and elegant Departures was. I think that in 2011, I should really make an effort to see more films in the cinema. But J hardly ever goes to the cinema (he watches everything when he flies) and I hate the crowds in the cinemas anyway, so there you go...
31. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you?
For some reason this year I felt like I just wanted to hide away from everyone and not have any sort of big celebration. Whatever celebrations there were involved food. J and I had a blowout meal at Kuriya at Orchard Central that was very memorable. My family and I ate a lot of dimsum. My friends and J organised a very nice Bun-less brunch at Relish, followed by a special sponge cake by my friend C. No cream, adornments or any frills, just good old cake made with love and in the company of my best friends. That's more than enough, really. I turned thirty-two.
32. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?
The ability to let go.
33. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2010?
Breathable comfort (when at home) and smarty-arty (when at work).
34. What kept you sane?
Reading = escapism = sanity. Time alone and the opportunity to stretch myself at work also felt good.
35. Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most?
Ha ha.
36. What political issue stirred you the most?
Let's not go there.
37. Who did you miss?
A couple of my friends - I think of them often but I don't talk to them as often as I should or would like to.
38. Who was the best new person you met?
I met various new people but no one qualifies as 'best'.
39. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2010.
Being deliberately negative and spiteful may feel good at first, but you're basically cutting off your nose to spite your face.
40. Quote a song lyric that sums up your year.
Oh, I’ll settle down with some old story
About a boy who’s just like me
Thought there was love in everything and everyone
You’re so naive!
They always reach a sorry ending
They always get it in the end
Still it was worth it as I turned the pages solemnly, and then
With a winning smile, the poor boy
With naivety succeeds
At the final moment, I cried
I always cry at endings
~ 'Get Me Away From Here I'm Dying', by Belle and Sebastian.
1. What did you do in 2010 that you'd never done before?
Tried Traditional Chinese Medicine (ugh bitter!) for my bad cough in February. Put deep blue hightlights in my hair on impulse.
2. Did you keep your new years' resolutions, and will you make more for next year?
In 2009 I said I'd like to take better care of myself (well, only in some aspects), stop rubbing my eyes (nope), and lose the rest of the baby weight (not quite). But I AM working on a creative project - producing a play at The Esplanade next April. But seriously, I can't be bothered to make or keep resolutions - I'll do things when I want to.
3. Did anyone close to you give birth?
Various babies arrived, but none from close friends or family.
4. Did anyone close to you die?
An aunt passed away on Christmas Eve. We weren't close, but it sent shockwaves through my life nonetheless.
5. What countries did you visit?
Malaysia and Hong Kong.
6. What would you have liked to have in 2010 that you lacked in 2009?
A more chill and go-with-the-flow attitude.
7. What date from 2010 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?
Christmas Eve, perhaps? Because it is the first date that comes to mind right now, and because all my future Christmases will always carry a remembrance of my aunt.
8. What was your biggest achievement of the year?
Re-developing a module in the university and returning to teach, despite the rusty cogs in my brain. And reading 77 books this year - I keep a list, but don't count books I read for research and work.
9. What was your biggest failure?
Not preparing as much as I could have for my teaching. It all worked out fine in the end, but I feel like I shortchanged myself and my students.
10. Did you suffer illness or injury?
Nothing spectacular.
11. What was the best thing you bought?
Tickets to see Belle and Sebastian live when they came to Singapore in August. I can only wish I bought front-row tickets, but C and I ran past the barrier and squeezed our way to the front, where we bounced and grinned like teenagers.
12. Whose behaviour merited celebration?
My sister, who put in tremendous effort to raise money ($1,400 in all) to save a stray mother cat and her three kittens, and eventually got them all adopted. She has an unflagging moral compass and the will to see it all through, which is more than I can say for myself.
13. Whose behaviour made you appalled and depressed?
My sister-in-law, but for J's sake I shall not air dirty linen here.
14. Where did most of your money go?
To food and The Bun.
15. What did you get really, really, really excited about?
The Belle and Sebastian concert! After the gig was over I was so hyper I could hardly sleep. And C and I were total groupies, running (yes running) to join the queue for autographs right after the lights went up.
16. What song will always remind you of 2010?
'Judy and the Dream of Horses' by Belle and Sebastian.
17. Compared to this time last year, are you happier or sadder?
Happier, thankfully.
ii. thinner or fatter?
Fatter. I always have this answer, which does not bode well.
iii. richer or poorer?
No real change here.
18. What do you wish you'd done more of?
Being more willing to step out of my comfort zone. Now that The Bun is in my life, I find this very difficult to do.
19. What do you wish you'd done less of?
Procrastinating. Snarking (especially to J, who hardly deserves it). And snacking.
20. How did you spend Christmas?
On Christmas Eve my friends and I gathered at another friend's cafe with food, drinks and gifts. We ate, talked, and played some silly charades, as we usually do. I left early because The Bun was unusually upset - turns out he was afraid of the headless mannequins in the dark shop next door. On Christmas Day we had a simple lunch with my parents after the unwrapping bonanza, and J and I rounded off the night with some Japanese food at Sakuraya.
21. If you could relive one thing in 2010 so that you could have acted differently, what would that be?
I would not have put blue highlights in my hair. They looked good in the first couple of weeks, but after that they rapidly became a pain to upkeep (especially with time and money that I didn't really have) and the damage from the bleaching wasn't pretty, either.
22. Did you fall in love in 2010?
My answer never changes - next!
23. How many one night stands?
Plenty of standing at night (thanks to The Bun), but no actual one night stands.
24. What was your favourite TV programme?
I hardly watch TV, although I must confess to an ongoing fascination (in a terrible way) with that Taiwanese soap opera, 'Love'. J and I say that we're going to make a mindweb linking all the characters together. The show is so ridiculous it's amazing.
25. Do you hate anyone now that you didn't hate this time last year?
Hate is a strong word. I harbour dislike and resentment (and I can bear grudges for decades), but I don't hate.
26. What was the best book you read?
I read a ton of memoirs this year. Outstanding: The Glass Castle by Jeanette Walls, The Year My Son and I Were Born by Kathryn Lynard Soper, and It Sucked and Then I Cried by Heather B. Armstrong. For fiction, it would be Unsticky by Sarra Manning, which seems at first to be classic chick-lit (and Manning is otherwise known as a 'teen queen' writer who has churned out several popular titles for teenaged readers) but the depth of the characters and the complexity of their relationship is beautifully wrought. When I really like a book, I want to buy it and display it on my bookshelf like a trophy. (I am too cheap to buy books otherwise; and I live opposite a library!) I am a great, great admirer of Manning.
27. What was your greatest musical discovery?
Not exactly a discovery, but I am so happy that one of my favourite bands ever, James, has reunited and are touring! (Now if they would only come to our tiny island.)
28. What did you want and get?
A healthy and happy child. I just realised I wrote the same thing last year. Although I complain about The Bun often, this is testimony to the unshakeable truth that if anything awful happened to him, my world would come crashing down. On a more superficial (and material) level, I finally upgraded my ancient 2G iPhone to a 4G one, and I love it so much, it's practically attached to my side.
29. What did you want and not get?
More couple time for J and myself. This is something that I'll have to work through to resolve - it's not impossible, but the biggest obstacle here is myself, and my reluctance to depend on anyone for anything.
30. What was your favourite film of this year?
I saw exactly two films this year: the penultimate Harry Potter film and Departures, a Japanese film by Yojiro Takita, which is not new (it was from 2008). Neither really moved me although I was impressed by how neat and elegant Departures was. I think that in 2011, I should really make an effort to see more films in the cinema. But J hardly ever goes to the cinema (he watches everything when he flies) and I hate the crowds in the cinemas anyway, so there you go...
31. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you?
For some reason this year I felt like I just wanted to hide away from everyone and not have any sort of big celebration. Whatever celebrations there were involved food. J and I had a blowout meal at Kuriya at Orchard Central that was very memorable. My family and I ate a lot of dimsum. My friends and J organised a very nice Bun-less brunch at Relish, followed by a special sponge cake by my friend C. No cream, adornments or any frills, just good old cake made with love and in the company of my best friends. That's more than enough, really. I turned thirty-two.
32. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?
The ability to let go.
33. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2010?
Breathable comfort (when at home) and smarty-arty (when at work).
34. What kept you sane?
Reading = escapism = sanity. Time alone and the opportunity to stretch myself at work also felt good.
35. Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most?
Ha ha.
36. What political issue stirred you the most?
Let's not go there.
37. Who did you miss?
A couple of my friends - I think of them often but I don't talk to them as often as I should or would like to.
38. Who was the best new person you met?
I met various new people but no one qualifies as 'best'.
39. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2010.
Being deliberately negative and spiteful may feel good at first, but you're basically cutting off your nose to spite your face.
40. Quote a song lyric that sums up your year.
Oh, I’ll settle down with some old story
About a boy who’s just like me
Thought there was love in everything and everyone
You’re so naive!
They always reach a sorry ending
They always get it in the end
Still it was worth it as I turned the pages solemnly, and then
With a winning smile, the poor boy
With naivety succeeds
At the final moment, I cried
I always cry at endings
~ 'Get Me Away From Here I'm Dying', by Belle and Sebastian.