2012 in review
Better late than never: that end-of-year meme that I try to complete every year, if only for posterity.
I haven't made resolutions for years, but I hope that for 2013 I will be able to release my inner control freak and cut myself some slack. I hope to have more patience, especially with those closest to me. I hope to be able to accept change and even enjoy it - sometimes!
1. What did you do in 2012 that you'd never done before?
Visit an aircraft carrier, hold live worms in my hand, eat a (grilled) cockscomb.
2. Did you keep your new years' resolutions, and will you make more for next year?
I didn't make any resolutions in 2011, but at the new year's eve party then I did say that I wanted to spend my time in 2012 more constructively and creatively. I think the focus was not as creative, but the year certainly was quite constructive. Look at Bao!
3. Did anyone close to you give birth?
My cousin, and er, me!
4. Did anyone close to you die?
No.
5. What countries did you visit?
Thailand (Bangkok), Switzerland (Zurich, Bern and Geneva), and Malaysia (Langkawi).
6. What would you have liked to have in 2012 that you lacked in 2011?
More patience, especially with The Bun.
7. What date from 2012 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?
17 November, Bao's birth date.
8. What was your biggest achievement of the year?
Toilet-training The Bun, haha. It's not complete yet because he still needs a diaper for naps and bedtime, but otherwise he's reliably dry all the time. We went slow and steady and I feel so proud of him (and myself)!
9. What was your biggest failure?
Not taking better care of my body. Little exercise, poor nutrition, and a complete disregard for vitamins and supplements, even when pregnant with Bao. I know my osteopenic bones are suffering for this. I'm going to try to improve on this in 2013.
10. Did you suffer illness or injury?
Beyond the usual coughs and colds, no. I'm also very happy that I got through the entire pregnancy with Bao safely and healthily, without any illness whatsoever, considering how badly I took care of myself.
11. What was the best thing you bought?
My air ticket to Switzerland to take a trip there with J sans The Bun. I felt guilty about it at first, leaving The Bun behind, but it was worth it and J and I really appreciated the time together.
12. Whose behaviour merited celebration?
My mother, who helped watch The Bun several times so that I could have date nights with J, and also so that our Swiss babymoon could happen. And also for helping out with my confinement and making it more relaxed.
13. Whose behaviour made you appalled and depressed?
Olive. And my hairstylist.
14. Where did most of your money go?
Food (this answer never seems to change), tech stuff (hello new Macbook!), and kiddie stuff.
15. What did you get really, really, really excited about?
The babymoon to Switzerland. Probably the best decision I made in the year.
16. What song will always remind you of 2012?
Adele's 'Rolling in the Deep', mostly because I kept hearing it when I was on my girls-only trip in Bangkok this year. Most memorable was a live recording blasting in the cutest vintage kids' store in Chatuchak Market.
17. Compared to this time last year, are you happier or sadder?
Sadder, mostly because I'm so stressed (thanks to The Bun) and sleepy (thanks to Bao).
ii. thinner or fatter?
Baby weight fatter.
iii. richer or poorer?
Not much difference. Probably poorer.
18. What do you wish you'd done more of?
Taken care of my body more. I'm not eighteen anymore, and it shows.
19. What do you wish you'd done less of?
Eating junk food, especially during my pregnancy.
20. How did you spend Christmas?
We didn't really do anything special, it was very low-key. We opened presents, went out for burgers, napped in the afternoon, and had a small family dinner nearby that evening.
21. If you could relive one thing in 2012 so that you could have acted differently, what would that be?
I wouldn't have snapped at my mother over a little remark during my confinement. I could see that she was hurt and angry and even though I apologised later, it still made me feel guilty. She put in so much effort to look after me and I should have controlled my petty temper better.
22. Did you fall in love in 2012?
Although I didn't expect to, I gave a little bit of my heart to Switzerland. Although I'm stressed and apprehensive about the move, a part of me is really looking forward to discovering and enjoying the country.
23. How many one night stands?
Zzzz.
24. What was your favourite TV programme?
Discovering the magic of Charlie and Lola with The Bun!
25. Do you hate anyone now that you didn't hate this time last year?
No.
26. What was the best book you read?
Emma Donahue's Room. An amazing story, a superb narrator, and totally recommended.
27. What was your greatest musical discovery?
None this year. This must be a sign that I'm really getting old.
28. What did you want and get?
A healthy amount of personal time to just be with my friends and by myself - traveling, eating, catching my breath. Now that my life revolves around a baby again, I know this level of personal time will drop again, but at least I know that in a few years, I'll slowly get my life back. Also, I wanted Bao to be born safely and healthily, and she was. I never under-appreciate this simple fact.
29. What did you want and not get?
More sleep, but that's to be expected, really.
30. What was your favourite film of this year?
I only saw a few, which is a lot more than what I saw in previous years. Jiro Dreams of Sushi, which made me sigh and drool all at once. I saw it twice.
31. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you?
I didn't want to make a big deal out of my birthday this year, and didn't organise a gathering with all of my friends in one place. Instead, I took my time and met them individually or in small groups, and enjoyed eating and talking properly with them. It was a lot more quality time with each of them compared to having a big party and not getting to talk that much. For my actual birthday I spent time with J and The Bun, and had a big fat steak dinner to end it all. I turned thirty-four.
32. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?
Nothing, actually. I think 2012 was a pretty good year for me.
33. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2012?
Trying to stay cool in the constant heat. Unglam, but necessary when you have the lifestyle that I have.
34. What kept you sane?
Writing in this journal. Eleven years and counting!
35. Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most?
Nobody.
36. What political issue stirred you the most?
The Newtown shootings. My heart aches when I think about those kids and their teachers.
37. Who did you miss?
No particular person, but this year there were a fewer big gatherings with everyone in one place, catching up and laughing together. I miss that.
38. Who was the best new person you met?
Again, not really a new person, but my cousin who lives in NYC had her first baby a couple of months before Bao was born, and we've reconnected with each other over whatsapp and email, discussing baby-related stuff but also growing closer again. We spent a large portion of our childhood together but as adults, lost that closeness through the hubbub of working life, especially after she moved to NYC. It has been so good to be able to share things together again.
39. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2012.
Not a new lesson, but one in progress: all things must pass. Cherish the good times, and for the bad ones, just keep your head down and let it pass.
40. Quote a song lyric that sums up your year.
Sorry, this year my head is too foggy from sleep deprivation to come up with anything for this question.
I haven't made resolutions for years, but I hope that for 2013 I will be able to release my inner control freak and cut myself some slack. I hope to have more patience, especially with those closest to me. I hope to be able to accept change and even enjoy it - sometimes!
1. What did you do in 2012 that you'd never done before?
Visit an aircraft carrier, hold live worms in my hand, eat a (grilled) cockscomb.
2. Did you keep your new years' resolutions, and will you make more for next year?
I didn't make any resolutions in 2011, but at the new year's eve party then I did say that I wanted to spend my time in 2012 more constructively and creatively. I think the focus was not as creative, but the year certainly was quite constructive. Look at Bao!
3. Did anyone close to you give birth?
My cousin, and er, me!
4. Did anyone close to you die?
No.
5. What countries did you visit?
Thailand (Bangkok), Switzerland (Zurich, Bern and Geneva), and Malaysia (Langkawi).
6. What would you have liked to have in 2012 that you lacked in 2011?
More patience, especially with The Bun.
7. What date from 2012 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?
17 November, Bao's birth date.
8. What was your biggest achievement of the year?
Toilet-training The Bun, haha. It's not complete yet because he still needs a diaper for naps and bedtime, but otherwise he's reliably dry all the time. We went slow and steady and I feel so proud of him (and myself)!
9. What was your biggest failure?
Not taking better care of my body. Little exercise, poor nutrition, and a complete disregard for vitamins and supplements, even when pregnant with Bao. I know my osteopenic bones are suffering for this. I'm going to try to improve on this in 2013.
10. Did you suffer illness or injury?
Beyond the usual coughs and colds, no. I'm also very happy that I got through the entire pregnancy with Bao safely and healthily, without any illness whatsoever, considering how badly I took care of myself.
11. What was the best thing you bought?
My air ticket to Switzerland to take a trip there with J sans The Bun. I felt guilty about it at first, leaving The Bun behind, but it was worth it and J and I really appreciated the time together.
12. Whose behaviour merited celebration?
My mother, who helped watch The Bun several times so that I could have date nights with J, and also so that our Swiss babymoon could happen. And also for helping out with my confinement and making it more relaxed.
13. Whose behaviour made you appalled and depressed?
Olive. And my hairstylist.
14. Where did most of your money go?
Food (this answer never seems to change), tech stuff (hello new Macbook!), and kiddie stuff.
15. What did you get really, really, really excited about?
The babymoon to Switzerland. Probably the best decision I made in the year.
16. What song will always remind you of 2012?
Adele's 'Rolling in the Deep', mostly because I kept hearing it when I was on my girls-only trip in Bangkok this year. Most memorable was a live recording blasting in the cutest vintage kids' store in Chatuchak Market.
17. Compared to this time last year, are you happier or sadder?
Sadder, mostly because I'm so stressed (thanks to The Bun) and sleepy (thanks to Bao).
ii. thinner or fatter?
Baby weight fatter.
iii. richer or poorer?
Not much difference. Probably poorer.
18. What do you wish you'd done more of?
Taken care of my body more. I'm not eighteen anymore, and it shows.
19. What do you wish you'd done less of?
Eating junk food, especially during my pregnancy.
20. How did you spend Christmas?
We didn't really do anything special, it was very low-key. We opened presents, went out for burgers, napped in the afternoon, and had a small family dinner nearby that evening.
21. If you could relive one thing in 2012 so that you could have acted differently, what would that be?
I wouldn't have snapped at my mother over a little remark during my confinement. I could see that she was hurt and angry and even though I apologised later, it still made me feel guilty. She put in so much effort to look after me and I should have controlled my petty temper better.
22. Did you fall in love in 2012?
Although I didn't expect to, I gave a little bit of my heart to Switzerland. Although I'm stressed and apprehensive about the move, a part of me is really looking forward to discovering and enjoying the country.
23. How many one night stands?
Zzzz.
24. What was your favourite TV programme?
Discovering the magic of Charlie and Lola with The Bun!
25. Do you hate anyone now that you didn't hate this time last year?
No.
26. What was the best book you read?
Emma Donahue's Room. An amazing story, a superb narrator, and totally recommended.
27. What was your greatest musical discovery?
None this year. This must be a sign that I'm really getting old.
28. What did you want and get?
A healthy amount of personal time to just be with my friends and by myself - traveling, eating, catching my breath. Now that my life revolves around a baby again, I know this level of personal time will drop again, but at least I know that in a few years, I'll slowly get my life back. Also, I wanted Bao to be born safely and healthily, and she was. I never under-appreciate this simple fact.
29. What did you want and not get?
More sleep, but that's to be expected, really.
30. What was your favourite film of this year?
I only saw a few, which is a lot more than what I saw in previous years. Jiro Dreams of Sushi, which made me sigh and drool all at once. I saw it twice.
31. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you?
I didn't want to make a big deal out of my birthday this year, and didn't organise a gathering with all of my friends in one place. Instead, I took my time and met them individually or in small groups, and enjoyed eating and talking properly with them. It was a lot more quality time with each of them compared to having a big party and not getting to talk that much. For my actual birthday I spent time with J and The Bun, and had a big fat steak dinner to end it all. I turned thirty-four.
32. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?
Nothing, actually. I think 2012 was a pretty good year for me.
33. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2012?
Trying to stay cool in the constant heat. Unglam, but necessary when you have the lifestyle that I have.
34. What kept you sane?
Writing in this journal. Eleven years and counting!
35. Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most?
Nobody.
36. What political issue stirred you the most?
The Newtown shootings. My heart aches when I think about those kids and their teachers.
37. Who did you miss?
No particular person, but this year there were a fewer big gatherings with everyone in one place, catching up and laughing together. I miss that.
38. Who was the best new person you met?
Again, not really a new person, but my cousin who lives in NYC had her first baby a couple of months before Bao was born, and we've reconnected with each other over whatsapp and email, discussing baby-related stuff but also growing closer again. We spent a large portion of our childhood together but as adults, lost that closeness through the hubbub of working life, especially after she moved to NYC. It has been so good to be able to share things together again.
39. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2012.
Not a new lesson, but one in progress: all things must pass. Cherish the good times, and for the bad ones, just keep your head down and let it pass.
40. Quote a song lyric that sums up your year.
Sorry, this year my head is too foggy from sleep deprivation to come up with anything for this question.