It's the end of the fucking year!
Time to fill out the meme, which is basically the only thing I ever post on here anyway. I fail. So hard.
Post the first sentence of the first entry each month this year.
January: I always think talking about my grades or schoolwork sounds obnoxious and braggy, but I did it last year, so might as well keep it up.
February: That's right, folks. (referring to the apocalyptic blizzard we had in Chicago).
March: The important thing to discuss is the Amon Amarth concert dates that are coming up in the next couple months.
April: I am completely falling apart and can't keep it together.
May: SO. I haven't updated in a while. (technically that's two sentences but otherwise it would have been confusing :p).
June: I have been on the phone a million different times today with the people who are helping me get my apartment.
July: My dad's been in the hospital for the last few days.
August: I'm having some issues with the summer camp I'm working this week, not feeling confident about certain things.
September: I'll make a real entry about classes and whatnot some time later, but first, the obligatory "Allie whores herself on the webcam for all to see" video must be posted.
October: But you know how it goes.
November: I DIDN'T MAKE ANY ENTRIES THIS MONTH. :(
December: Apparently, it's like the ice-breaker I need to get back into posting for actual real entries.
And the questions!
1. What did you do in 2011 that you'd never done before?
Let's seeeeee. Went to a stand-up comedy performance. Took public transportation into New York on my own. Bought an apartment. Paid rent/bills. Bought alcohol. That's pretty much all I can come up with. Ugh, how lame.
2. Did you keep your New Year's resolutions for 2011? Will you make more for 2012?
Apparently for this year my only main resolution was to stop biting my nails. So NO I didn't keep it. That still stands though, because it's become worse recently and I'm just getting so sick of not having nice, girly looking fingers and nails. Oh, and the whole "overcome my anxiety and become more confident" resolution also counts.
3. Did anyone close to you give birth?
My friend and old gymnastics teammate, Lauren.
4. Did anyone close to you die?
I don't think so.
5. What countries did you visit?
NONE. Heartbroken. :(
6. What would you like to have in 2012 that you lacked in 2011?
Money. But that's standard for every year always. Um, I don't know. This is going to sound really tacky, but I'd like to be published? I know it's not something I can hinge on, but it'd be nice to finally get some acknowledgement that my education is going in the right direction. :p
7. What date from 2011 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?
November 22, because it was my 21st birthday. December 20, because it was when I went to see Stephen Merchant and was able to meet him after the show. July 15, the day the final Harry Potter movie came out, and consequently my last midnight HP premiere.
8. What was your biggest achievement of the year?
Even though I can't mark "published" as one of these, I really feel like my writing as a whole has moved up a level in regards to quality and commitment. I kept up with my writing over the summer through a little 500 words a day exercise, and this past semester I worked diligently on one piece for fifteen weeks, and it's probably the first thing I've ever really felt truly proud of. My teacher thinks it's ready to be sent out, and although I know that doesn't mean it won't get accepted or anything, I'm actually proud to send it out and show it to the others for the first time. I would say all that's an achievement in a sense.
9. What was your biggest failure?
Ummmm. I guess just maybe being very lackadaisical? Even as I'm answering these questions there's not a lot of significant things coming to me, and I feel like it was just a very lackluster year for me, in which I didn't do much, just kind of kept on the same track with the same mentality, and didn't really progress to anywhere. I barely got any work so I was broke for the majority of the time and therefore couldn't go out and do as much as I would have liked, like going to concerts or seeing movies or whatever. So just failing to really to ANYTHING would be my biggest failure, I guess.
Oh, and being incredibly stupid when it comes to guys, my feelings, and my appearance. But I guess that's something I can unpack later.
10. Did you suffer illness or injury?
Nothing major. I did have another fainting spell like a few weeks before I came home. I passed out on the train and had to be dragged off the car and onto the platform. Luckily my friend was with me, but it took us longer to get home and there were some friends of hers that were riding back with us who I had just met, so that was there first impression of me. I wouldn't think too much of it, but this is like the fourth time this kind of thing has happened within the last couple years, and they've become more frequent recently. I might just be overthinking it, but I lived eighteen years without ever having this as an issue, and suddenly since I started college, ever few months or so, I'll get horrible pains and be double over and realize "oh shit it's happening." And I don't know what the fuck my problem is, and I need it to stop because they keep hitting me at the most inopportune times. I'm going to try and see a doctor before I go back for the spring just to see if there's any sense I can put to this whole deal.
11. What was the best thing you bought?
My apartment! Despite the shitty area that it resides in (and the fact that I'll be moving out of it come senior year) it was my first REAL ADULT purchase, so that's gotta count for something. Also when I bought the ticket to see Stephen Merchant, I literally was bouncing after I placed the checkout order, I was so psyched. :D
12. Whose behavior merited celebration?
My grandmother, for being a strong woman and continuing to be an incredibly admirable person. My parents, for all their hard work and sacrifices they make for me every year. My cousin Caitlyn, who started her freshman year at Penn State in September and was really nervous and upset about some situations that came up but managed to pull through them. Ricky Gervais, for his constant work and awareness in regards to animal rights.
13. Whose behavior made you mad and ill-willed?
My sister's. She's still my absolute best friend and I love her, but she did some things that really upset me, and it was made even worse when they occurred while I was at school, so I only learned of them through tearful conversations on the phone with my mom. She worries me so much sometimes, and it's impossible for me to just sit back and allow her to learn things for herself. She's going to get hurt and I'll hate myself for not being able to stop it.
Honorable mentions: Ricky Perry. Michele Bachmann. Incredibly religious fundamentalists and bigots.
14. Where did most of your money go?
My rent and my bills that I have to pay because I AM A BIG GIRL LIVING IN A BIG GIRL APARTMENT NOW. Also books, both for pleasure reading and for school. If I was given an infinite amount of Barnes & Noble gift cards, my life would probably be a lot better off.
15. What did you get really, really, really excited about?
STEPHEN MERCHANT ugh it's retarded how fucking excited I was for him. Ridiculous. The final Harry Potter movie was another biggie. Oh, and my birthday, when I finally turned 21.
16. What song will always remind you of 2011?
Born This Way - Lady Gaga
Slaves Of Fear - Amon Amarth
Party Rock Anthem - LMFAO
The View - Metallica & Lou Reed
Courtyard Apocalypse - Alexandre Desplat (Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Pt. 2)
Exile Vilify - The National
Switchback - Celldweller
Siamese - Nahemah
Immigrant Song - Karen O, Trent Reznor & Atticus Ross (The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo)
If You Don't Know Me By Now - David Brent (lolllllll)
I APOLOGIZE. I'm just being obnoxious now. But also completely honest. I could put more, they just keep coming to me, lol. This is the easiest question of the whole damn meme. :p
17. Compared to this time last year, are you:
Happier or sadder? About the same, but I'm leaning more towards happy.
Thinner or fatter? Thinner. I just keep losing weight each year.
Richer or poorer? Poorer. So, so poor.
18. What do you wish you'd done more of?
I wish I'd kept better track of my money so that I would be able to go and visit some people that I haven't seen in a long time. There were so many opportunities to get together and I always had to drop at the last second, and I still feel awful about that.
19. What do you wish you'd done less of?
Being down on myself in every way, which kept me from going out and just having fun.
20. How did you spend Christmas?
Basically the same way I've spent it the last several years. My grandmother comes over on Christmas Eve, we go to Mass, and she stays over and we all open gifts on Christmas morning. Then we go over to my cousin's house for dinner, where Lauren and I usually spend the night.
21. How will you be spending New Year's Eve?
Omg I have no idea. It sounds so pathetic, but I feel like I'll probably be doing whatever my parents are doing. The same thing happened last year, where none of my friends were doing anything so I had no plans. Something came up at the last second so I went to that, and I guess I'm kind of waiting for the same thing to happen. But that's looking pretty unlikely at this point, so I'll probably just be spending it alone. lol. So sad. :(
22. Did you fall in love in 2011?
I fell in love with Stephen Merchant. I just wish he had fallen in love with MEEEEE. augh.
23. How many one-night stands?
LOL OH MEME YOU SO FUNNY you know I never get any. <3
24. What was your favorite TV program?
My oldies: It's Always Sunny In Philadelphia. Boardwalk Empire. Archer. Metalocalypse. Psych.
My new ones: The Ricky Gervais Show. An Idiot Abroad (2). American Horror Story. Person Of Interest. The Killing.
25. Do you hate anyone now that you didn't hate this time last year?
Does Rick Perry count?
26. What was the best book you read?
Goldengrove by Francine Prose. I just discovered her this past year and this was the first book I read by her. I really love her style and this story was incredibly tragic and something I could relate to.
Nine Stories by J.D. Salinger. He's probably my favorite writer, and reading those stories awoke something within myself and my writing. If I ever get discouraged with one of my stories, I can read one of his and I immediately feel inspired to pick up my pen again and give it another go.
Once Upon A River by Bonnie Jo Campbell. Another beautiful read with lovely characters and lovely scenery. The places and details in this were so sensory and palpable.
As far as reading goes, I think next year I'll have more stuff to add. It's so difficult to try and balance the books I want to read on own with the books I have to read for school, but I joined Goodreads recently and it's helped me to sort of organize all that, and I'm really going to try to better manage my time so I can get through the books I want to read and not fall behind in my schoolwork. So I'm looking forward to that. :p
27. What was your greatest musical discovery?
This sounds awful, but I don't think I had any great big musical discoveries like I've had in the past. I think it makes sense though, considering how I mentioned I was in a pretty stagnant place for the most of this year. As far as new bands that I discovered and really enjoyed, Nahemah and In Mourning are both absolutely beautiful. Ghost is also really interesting and unique, they have a very distinguished and individual sound to them. I've also actually been listening to a lot of soundtracks recently, because of all the reading and writing I have to do.
28. What did you want and got?
A place to live off campus aka my apartment. The chance to meet Stephen Merchant. A new printer. The Ricky Gervais Show and Extras on DVD.
29. What did you want and not get?
I could go for a new iPod because the one I have now keeps dying and coming back, and eventually it's going to give out completely. I just don't have the money for it right now. STORY OF MY LIFE.
Also Stephen Merchant reciprocating my feelings waaaaah
30. What was your favorite film of this year?
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2. Scream 4!!! Black Swan. The Lion King 3D omg made my entire childhood. The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo, even though I haven't seen it yet, I'm seeing it tomorrow and I just have a feeling I'd be putting that on here.
31. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you?
I turned 21! I had class from 1:00 - 5:20, but I got texts and calls throughout the day, so that was nice. I also was able to redeem my free birthday drink at Starbucks and Argo Tea! The best. After class I went home, got changed into fancy adult clothes, and then went out with my roommate for dinner at Hard Rock Cafe. My other friend Alex joined us towards the end, when I bought my first drink (Fruitypalooza!), then we headed back to our place, where I tried ANOTHER drink recipe that my mom got for me lol. Sarah went to bed while Alex and I stayed up listening to old XFM clips from when Ricky Gervais, Stephen Merchant, and Karl Pilkington worked on the same radio show. It was pretty mild as far as 21st birthdays go, and I'm still a little bitter that my birthday happens while I'm at school so I can't celebrate it with my family, but it was still nice and I enjoyed myself.
32. What's one thing would have made 2011 immeasurably more satisfying?
Money. A proper job. Both.
33. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2011?
I've been really trying recently to start dressing more like a young woman and not like a dirtbag. That doesn't always work when I'm in school, because it's so easy to just roll out of bed, throw on sweatpants and a hoodie and then hop on the train, but if I have the opportunity to dress nicely I'll usually take it. I actually wear a pair of shoes that aren't my dirty old sneakers. lol.
34. What kept you sane?
My friends, my music, my books, my cats. <3
35. Which celebrity did you fancy the most?
Stephen Merchant, but he might be there for a while. Ricky Gervais. Karl Pilkington. All three of them, let me just spend one day hanging out with them please omfg.
I also have quite a few lady!boners for Natalie Portman, Kelly MacDonald, Rooney Mara, and Emma Watson. And I have a massive girl crush on Jennifer Lawrence. She's my gal.
36. What political issue stirred you the most?
SOPA. Any and all the internet censorship acts. The No Tax Payer Funding For Abortion Act disgusted me, along with the idea to try and "redefine rape." Actually, pretty much anything having to do with conservative efforts usually got my blood boiling.
37. Who did do you miss?
Justin, who I haven't seen since the day we first met, despite our many efforts to try and see each other. Same thing for KADY, but it's ten times worse because we haven't met yet AT ALL and it sucks, I want to meet her so badly. I also miss my sister a lot when I'm at school.
38. Who was the best new person you met?
Stephen Merchant lolol no I'm sorry for real I'll stop. Jackie, who I had two classes with this semester. Some people in my writing classes. I think that might be it.
39. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2011.
To stop being so hard on myself and my writing. The only way I'm going to improve is by reading and writing every day, dedicating time to it even if I don't feel like it. It's not just a hobby, it's my job, and sometimes writing is going to be hard, mentally draining work. But if I keep up with it and keep at it, I'll begin to see improvement, enough that when people tell me I'm a good writer, I can start believing them.
40. Quote or Song Lyric that sums up your year:
"You have options. You can either continue to be miserable or you can just stop being angry at everyone and accept the way things are. Allow yourself to live." - Ricky Gervais
Post the first sentence of the first entry each month this year.
January: I always think talking about my grades or schoolwork sounds obnoxious and braggy, but I did it last year, so might as well keep it up.
February: That's right, folks. (referring to the apocalyptic blizzard we had in Chicago).
March: The important thing to discuss is the Amon Amarth concert dates that are coming up in the next couple months.
April: I am completely falling apart and can't keep it together.
May: SO. I haven't updated in a while. (technically that's two sentences but otherwise it would have been confusing :p).
June: I have been on the phone a million different times today with the people who are helping me get my apartment.
July: My dad's been in the hospital for the last few days.
August: I'm having some issues with the summer camp I'm working this week, not feeling confident about certain things.
September: I'll make a real entry about classes and whatnot some time later, but first, the obligatory "Allie whores herself on the webcam for all to see" video must be posted.
October: But you know how it goes.
November: I DIDN'T MAKE ANY ENTRIES THIS MONTH. :(
December: Apparently, it's like the ice-breaker I need to get back into posting for actual real entries.
And the questions!
1. What did you do in 2011 that you'd never done before?
Let's seeeeee. Went to a stand-up comedy performance. Took public transportation into New York on my own. Bought an apartment. Paid rent/bills. Bought alcohol. That's pretty much all I can come up with. Ugh, how lame.
2. Did you keep your New Year's resolutions for 2011? Will you make more for 2012?
Apparently for this year my only main resolution was to stop biting my nails. So NO I didn't keep it. That still stands though, because it's become worse recently and I'm just getting so sick of not having nice, girly looking fingers and nails. Oh, and the whole "overcome my anxiety and become more confident" resolution also counts.
3. Did anyone close to you give birth?
My friend and old gymnastics teammate, Lauren.
4. Did anyone close to you die?
I don't think so.
5. What countries did you visit?
NONE. Heartbroken. :(
6. What would you like to have in 2012 that you lacked in 2011?
Money. But that's standard for every year always. Um, I don't know. This is going to sound really tacky, but I'd like to be published? I know it's not something I can hinge on, but it'd be nice to finally get some acknowledgement that my education is going in the right direction. :p
7. What date from 2011 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?
November 22, because it was my 21st birthday. December 20, because it was when I went to see Stephen Merchant and was able to meet him after the show. July 15, the day the final Harry Potter movie came out, and consequently my last midnight HP premiere.
8. What was your biggest achievement of the year?
Even though I can't mark "published" as one of these, I really feel like my writing as a whole has moved up a level in regards to quality and commitment. I kept up with my writing over the summer through a little 500 words a day exercise, and this past semester I worked diligently on one piece for fifteen weeks, and it's probably the first thing I've ever really felt truly proud of. My teacher thinks it's ready to be sent out, and although I know that doesn't mean it won't get accepted or anything, I'm actually proud to send it out and show it to the others for the first time. I would say all that's an achievement in a sense.
9. What was your biggest failure?
Ummmm. I guess just maybe being very lackadaisical? Even as I'm answering these questions there's not a lot of significant things coming to me, and I feel like it was just a very lackluster year for me, in which I didn't do much, just kind of kept on the same track with the same mentality, and didn't really progress to anywhere. I barely got any work so I was broke for the majority of the time and therefore couldn't go out and do as much as I would have liked, like going to concerts or seeing movies or whatever. So just failing to really to ANYTHING would be my biggest failure, I guess.
Oh, and being incredibly stupid when it comes to guys, my feelings, and my appearance. But I guess that's something I can unpack later.
10. Did you suffer illness or injury?
Nothing major. I did have another fainting spell like a few weeks before I came home. I passed out on the train and had to be dragged off the car and onto the platform. Luckily my friend was with me, but it took us longer to get home and there were some friends of hers that were riding back with us who I had just met, so that was there first impression of me. I wouldn't think too much of it, but this is like the fourth time this kind of thing has happened within the last couple years, and they've become more frequent recently. I might just be overthinking it, but I lived eighteen years without ever having this as an issue, and suddenly since I started college, ever few months or so, I'll get horrible pains and be double over and realize "oh shit it's happening." And I don't know what the fuck my problem is, and I need it to stop because they keep hitting me at the most inopportune times. I'm going to try and see a doctor before I go back for the spring just to see if there's any sense I can put to this whole deal.
11. What was the best thing you bought?
My apartment! Despite the shitty area that it resides in (and the fact that I'll be moving out of it come senior year) it was my first REAL ADULT purchase, so that's gotta count for something. Also when I bought the ticket to see Stephen Merchant, I literally was bouncing after I placed the checkout order, I was so psyched. :D
12. Whose behavior merited celebration?
My grandmother, for being a strong woman and continuing to be an incredibly admirable person. My parents, for all their hard work and sacrifices they make for me every year. My cousin Caitlyn, who started her freshman year at Penn State in September and was really nervous and upset about some situations that came up but managed to pull through them. Ricky Gervais, for his constant work and awareness in regards to animal rights.
13. Whose behavior made you mad and ill-willed?
My sister's. She's still my absolute best friend and I love her, but she did some things that really upset me, and it was made even worse when they occurred while I was at school, so I only learned of them through tearful conversations on the phone with my mom. She worries me so much sometimes, and it's impossible for me to just sit back and allow her to learn things for herself. She's going to get hurt and I'll hate myself for not being able to stop it.
Honorable mentions: Ricky Perry. Michele Bachmann. Incredibly religious fundamentalists and bigots.
14. Where did most of your money go?
My rent and my bills that I have to pay because I AM A BIG GIRL LIVING IN A BIG GIRL APARTMENT NOW. Also books, both for pleasure reading and for school. If I was given an infinite amount of Barnes & Noble gift cards, my life would probably be a lot better off.
15. What did you get really, really, really excited about?
STEPHEN MERCHANT ugh it's retarded how fucking excited I was for him. Ridiculous. The final Harry Potter movie was another biggie. Oh, and my birthday, when I finally turned 21.
16. What song will always remind you of 2011?
Born This Way - Lady Gaga
Slaves Of Fear - Amon Amarth
Party Rock Anthem - LMFAO
The View - Metallica & Lou Reed
Courtyard Apocalypse - Alexandre Desplat (Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Pt. 2)
Exile Vilify - The National
Switchback - Celldweller
Siamese - Nahemah
Immigrant Song - Karen O, Trent Reznor & Atticus Ross (The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo)
If You Don't Know Me By Now - David Brent (lolllllll)
I APOLOGIZE. I'm just being obnoxious now. But also completely honest. I could put more, they just keep coming to me, lol. This is the easiest question of the whole damn meme. :p
17. Compared to this time last year, are you:
Happier or sadder? About the same, but I'm leaning more towards happy.
Thinner or fatter? Thinner. I just keep losing weight each year.
Richer or poorer? Poorer. So, so poor.
18. What do you wish you'd done more of?
I wish I'd kept better track of my money so that I would be able to go and visit some people that I haven't seen in a long time. There were so many opportunities to get together and I always had to drop at the last second, and I still feel awful about that.
19. What do you wish you'd done less of?
Being down on myself in every way, which kept me from going out and just having fun.
20. How did you spend Christmas?
Basically the same way I've spent it the last several years. My grandmother comes over on Christmas Eve, we go to Mass, and she stays over and we all open gifts on Christmas morning. Then we go over to my cousin's house for dinner, where Lauren and I usually spend the night.
21. How will you be spending New Year's Eve?
Omg I have no idea. It sounds so pathetic, but I feel like I'll probably be doing whatever my parents are doing. The same thing happened last year, where none of my friends were doing anything so I had no plans. Something came up at the last second so I went to that, and I guess I'm kind of waiting for the same thing to happen. But that's looking pretty unlikely at this point, so I'll probably just be spending it alone. lol. So sad. :(
22. Did you fall in love in 2011?
I fell in love with Stephen Merchant. I just wish he had fallen in love with MEEEEE. augh.
23. How many one-night stands?
LOL OH MEME YOU SO FUNNY you know I never get any. <3
24. What was your favorite TV program?
My oldies: It's Always Sunny In Philadelphia. Boardwalk Empire. Archer. Metalocalypse. Psych.
My new ones: The Ricky Gervais Show. An Idiot Abroad (2). American Horror Story. Person Of Interest. The Killing.
25. Do you hate anyone now that you didn't hate this time last year?
Does Rick Perry count?
26. What was the best book you read?
Goldengrove by Francine Prose. I just discovered her this past year and this was the first book I read by her. I really love her style and this story was incredibly tragic and something I could relate to.
Nine Stories by J.D. Salinger. He's probably my favorite writer, and reading those stories awoke something within myself and my writing. If I ever get discouraged with one of my stories, I can read one of his and I immediately feel inspired to pick up my pen again and give it another go.
Once Upon A River by Bonnie Jo Campbell. Another beautiful read with lovely characters and lovely scenery. The places and details in this were so sensory and palpable.
As far as reading goes, I think next year I'll have more stuff to add. It's so difficult to try and balance the books I want to read on own with the books I have to read for school, but I joined Goodreads recently and it's helped me to sort of organize all that, and I'm really going to try to better manage my time so I can get through the books I want to read and not fall behind in my schoolwork. So I'm looking forward to that. :p
27. What was your greatest musical discovery?
This sounds awful, but I don't think I had any great big musical discoveries like I've had in the past. I think it makes sense though, considering how I mentioned I was in a pretty stagnant place for the most of this year. As far as new bands that I discovered and really enjoyed, Nahemah and In Mourning are both absolutely beautiful. Ghost is also really interesting and unique, they have a very distinguished and individual sound to them. I've also actually been listening to a lot of soundtracks recently, because of all the reading and writing I have to do.
28. What did you want and got?
A place to live off campus aka my apartment. The chance to meet Stephen Merchant. A new printer. The Ricky Gervais Show and Extras on DVD.
29. What did you want and not get?
I could go for a new iPod because the one I have now keeps dying and coming back, and eventually it's going to give out completely. I just don't have the money for it right now. STORY OF MY LIFE.
Also Stephen Merchant reciprocating my feelings waaaaah
30. What was your favorite film of this year?
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2. Scream 4!!! Black Swan. The Lion King 3D omg made my entire childhood. The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo, even though I haven't seen it yet, I'm seeing it tomorrow and I just have a feeling I'd be putting that on here.
31. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you?
I turned 21! I had class from 1:00 - 5:20, but I got texts and calls throughout the day, so that was nice. I also was able to redeem my free birthday drink at Starbucks and Argo Tea! The best. After class I went home, got changed into fancy adult clothes, and then went out with my roommate for dinner at Hard Rock Cafe. My other friend Alex joined us towards the end, when I bought my first drink (Fruitypalooza!), then we headed back to our place, where I tried ANOTHER drink recipe that my mom got for me lol. Sarah went to bed while Alex and I stayed up listening to old XFM clips from when Ricky Gervais, Stephen Merchant, and Karl Pilkington worked on the same radio show. It was pretty mild as far as 21st birthdays go, and I'm still a little bitter that my birthday happens while I'm at school so I can't celebrate it with my family, but it was still nice and I enjoyed myself.
32. What's one thing would have made 2011 immeasurably more satisfying?
Money. A proper job. Both.
33. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2011?
I've been really trying recently to start dressing more like a young woman and not like a dirtbag. That doesn't always work when I'm in school, because it's so easy to just roll out of bed, throw on sweatpants and a hoodie and then hop on the train, but if I have the opportunity to dress nicely I'll usually take it. I actually wear a pair of shoes that aren't my dirty old sneakers. lol.
34. What kept you sane?
My friends, my music, my books, my cats. <3
35. Which celebrity did you fancy the most?
Stephen Merchant, but he might be there for a while. Ricky Gervais. Karl Pilkington. All three of them, let me just spend one day hanging out with them please omfg.
I also have quite a few lady!boners for Natalie Portman, Kelly MacDonald, Rooney Mara, and Emma Watson. And I have a massive girl crush on Jennifer Lawrence. She's my gal.
36. What political issue stirred you the most?
SOPA. Any and all the internet censorship acts. The No Tax Payer Funding For Abortion Act disgusted me, along with the idea to try and "redefine rape." Actually, pretty much anything having to do with conservative efforts usually got my blood boiling.
37. Who did do you miss?
Justin, who I haven't seen since the day we first met, despite our many efforts to try and see each other. Same thing for KADY, but it's ten times worse because we haven't met yet AT ALL and it sucks, I want to meet her so badly. I also miss my sister a lot when I'm at school.
38. Who was the best new person you met?
Stephen Merchant lolol no I'm sorry for real I'll stop. Jackie, who I had two classes with this semester. Some people in my writing classes. I think that might be it.
39. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2011.
To stop being so hard on myself and my writing. The only way I'm going to improve is by reading and writing every day, dedicating time to it even if I don't feel like it. It's not just a hobby, it's my job, and sometimes writing is going to be hard, mentally draining work. But if I keep up with it and keep at it, I'll begin to see improvement, enough that when people tell me I'm a good writer, I can start believing them.
40. Quote or Song Lyric that sums up your year:
"You have options. You can either continue to be miserable or you can just stop being angry at everyone and accept the way things are. Allow yourself to live." - Ricky Gervais