Year in review: 2014
1.What one event, big or small, are you going to tell your grandchildren about?
Hm. I suppose the biggest story of the year was having some rather serious housing & roommate issues, but finding a way to plow through them and emerge triumphant on the other side.
2.If you had to describe your 2014 in 3 words, what would they be?
Full of change
3.What new things did you discover about yourself?
That I'm not a terrible negotiator. There is much room for improvement, but I can do it and I want to do it more going further.
4.What single achievement are you most proud of?
There were some rather challenging moments in the beginning of the year involving my roommate and housing, but I mustered my strength and did what I had to do in order to set things in order. I also learned how to paint furniture and walls and do various house repair tasks. I'm quite proud of myself for taking a challenging time and turning it into an opportunity for growth.
5.What was the best news you received?
I suppose that I'd get to keep my apartment after a slightly precarious situation due to circumstances beyond my control.
6.What was your favourite place that you visited in 2014?
Alcatraz Island in San Francisco, California was excellent. Loved the Ai Wei Wei exhibit there.
7.Which of your personal qualities turned out to be the most helpful this year?
I don't love confrontation, but I don't fear it. I think that lack of fear--courage, perhaps--has served me best this year in a multitude of situations. Personal and professional.
8.Who was your number one go-to person that you could always rely on? This year, my BFF J.
9.Which new skills did you learn?
How to Skype and train people remotely. Sounds a bit dry, but actually quite helpful.
10.What, or who, are you most thankful for?
I've built a wonderful support network of friends, both online and off. It's a blessing, truly.
11.If someone wrote a book about your life in 2014, what kind of genre would it be? A comedy, love story, drama, film noir or something else?
Indie movie drama, most definitely. So many fantastic filmable moments this past year.
12.What was the most important lesson you learnt in 2014?
Sometimes people surprise you--in both good ways and bad. I could learn to be more suspicious of people as a result, but after much reflection, I determined that's not how I want to live my life. Being afraid to trust will hurt me far more than trusting someone who turns out to be untrustworthy will. The risks of trust and vulnerability are worth it.
13.Which mental block(s) did you overcome?
Sometimes you just have to have difficult conversations and there's no way around it. No alternatives. Sometimes it's only path. And honestly, it's usually never as bad as I might have imagined.
14.What 5 people did you most enjoy spending time with?
Quite a few new friends this year, so I won't go into detail here.
15.What was your biggest break-through moment career-wise?
Sometimes there is no way up, so you have to move diagonally, and that diagonal is often challenging to figure out. But that's where networking comes in, because no one is going to step in and give it to you.
16.How did your relationship to your family evolve?
I think it's improving, actually. On all fronts.
17.What book or movie affected your life in a profound way?
I read and watch a lot of great things, most of which I promptly forget except for a few nuggets here and there. I'm trying to read more fiction, and I found Kazuo Ishiguro's Remains of the Day really moved me.
18.What was your favourite compliment that you received this year?
Several people have complimented me on my hospitality, which is very lovely to hear.
19.What little things did you most enjoy during your day-to-day life?
My apartment is now decorated and furnished to my liking. I'm quite pleased by that, by the feeling of coming home to something that is mine.
20.What cool things did you create this year?
Threw a successful holiday party, painted a wall, painted some furniture, rearranged my apartment, and had a year full of growth and learning, overall.
21.What was your most common mental state this year (e.g. excited, curious, stressed)?
Calm and optimistic, I believe.
22.Was there anything you did for the very first time in your life this year? Painted a wall and furniture. Changed a lock. Sold furniture on Craigslist.
23.What was your favourite moment spent with your friends?
I had an excellent time in Scotland with motetus, but honestly I had so many wonderful moments with friends this past year it's impossible to name favorites.
24.What major goal did you lay the foundations for?
Moving on to my next job.
25.Which worries turned out to be completely unnecessary?
That I wouldn't be able to find a suitable new roommate quickly.
26.What experience would you love to do all over again?
Scotland was a lot of fun!
27.What was the best gift you received?
Hm, difficult to say. But I did adore all the art motetus has drawn for me.
28.How did your overall outlook on life evolve?
I feel more confident and self assured, in part because of some of the difficult times I faced. I now feel more capable, like I can handle unexpected rough winds that life throws at me. And they are sure to come, so in some ways it is a relief to know I can make it on my own.
29.What was the biggest problem you solved?
Getting a new roommate in a rather short amount of time.
30.What was the funniest moment of your year, one that still makes it hard not to burst out laughing when you think about it?
Nothing comes to mind, really. There were a few rather surreal moments in my trip to California.
31.What purchase turned out to be the best decision ever?
Travel is always my best purchase. I went to Scotland, Las Vegas to see Cirque du Soleil--which I adore. Now, all I really want is experiences, not so much things. Oh, and art.
32.What one thing would you do differently and why?
Nothing, really. I'm content with how the past year played out.
33.What do you deserve a pat on the back for?
Handling the difficulties at the beginning of the year with, what I believe were, grace and dignity. Patting myself at the moment.
34.What activities made you lose track of time?
Writing. Travel. Shows. All the things I usually love.
35.What did you think about more than anything else?
Probably naked men.
36.What topics did you most enjoy learning about?
The Middle East, its cultures and conflicts, interestingly enough.
37.What new habits did you cultivate?
I've become much better at inviting my friends to various shows/events that I am attending.
38.What advice would you give your early-2014 self if you could?
It'll be okay. You can handle it.
39.Did any parts of your self or your life do a complete 180 this year?
Not that I know of.
40.What or who had the biggest positive impact on your life this year?
Strangely enough, some of the difficulties I went through at the beginning of the year were most instructive. I learned about some things I am capable of, as well as what other people are capable of, good and bad.
YOUR 2015
41.What do you want the overarching theme for your 2015 to be?
Growth and strong relationships. I'm hoping to host more parties as a way of strengthening my current relationships, and meeting new people/spending more time with people to develop new friendships.
42.What do you want to see, discover, explore?
I'd like to visit the south of Spain to see Alhambra and other Moorish art/architecture. I'd like to visit Antarctica (though the prices are so high on that front, that may be more a long term goal than a short term one). I'd like to visit Alaska to see the Northern Lights (waiting on a good airfare for that).
43.Who do you want to spend more time with in 2015?
Friends, both old and new.
44.What skills do you want to learn, improve or master?
Event planning/hosting. Public speaking.
45.Which personal quality do you want to develop or strengthen?
I'd like to practice negotiating and become better at it.
46.What do you want your everyday life to be like?
Serene, joyful, playful.
47.Which habits do you want to change, cultivate or get rid of?
Time to get back into the gym exercise habit. Perhaps I should start swimming as well. It's such an efficient form of exercise, maybe I can do it once a month.
48.What do you want to achieve career-wise?
I'd like to advance to a new and higher level position by the end of the year.
49.How do you want to remember the year 2015 when you look back on it 10/20/50 years from now?
A time of great parties, a new job, as well as general growth and expansion.
50.What is your number one goal for 2015?
Grow and write. My goals for most years, really.
Hm. I suppose the biggest story of the year was having some rather serious housing & roommate issues, but finding a way to plow through them and emerge triumphant on the other side.
2.If you had to describe your 2014 in 3 words, what would they be?
Full of change
3.What new things did you discover about yourself?
That I'm not a terrible negotiator. There is much room for improvement, but I can do it and I want to do it more going further.
4.What single achievement are you most proud of?
There were some rather challenging moments in the beginning of the year involving my roommate and housing, but I mustered my strength and did what I had to do in order to set things in order. I also learned how to paint furniture and walls and do various house repair tasks. I'm quite proud of myself for taking a challenging time and turning it into an opportunity for growth.
5.What was the best news you received?
I suppose that I'd get to keep my apartment after a slightly precarious situation due to circumstances beyond my control.
6.What was your favourite place that you visited in 2014?
Alcatraz Island in San Francisco, California was excellent. Loved the Ai Wei Wei exhibit there.
7.Which of your personal qualities turned out to be the most helpful this year?
I don't love confrontation, but I don't fear it. I think that lack of fear--courage, perhaps--has served me best this year in a multitude of situations. Personal and professional.
8.Who was your number one go-to person that you could always rely on? This year, my BFF J.
9.Which new skills did you learn?
How to Skype and train people remotely. Sounds a bit dry, but actually quite helpful.
10.What, or who, are you most thankful for?
I've built a wonderful support network of friends, both online and off. It's a blessing, truly.
11.If someone wrote a book about your life in 2014, what kind of genre would it be? A comedy, love story, drama, film noir or something else?
Indie movie drama, most definitely. So many fantastic filmable moments this past year.
12.What was the most important lesson you learnt in 2014?
Sometimes people surprise you--in both good ways and bad. I could learn to be more suspicious of people as a result, but after much reflection, I determined that's not how I want to live my life. Being afraid to trust will hurt me far more than trusting someone who turns out to be untrustworthy will. The risks of trust and vulnerability are worth it.
13.Which mental block(s) did you overcome?
Sometimes you just have to have difficult conversations and there's no way around it. No alternatives. Sometimes it's only path. And honestly, it's usually never as bad as I might have imagined.
14.What 5 people did you most enjoy spending time with?
Quite a few new friends this year, so I won't go into detail here.
15.What was your biggest break-through moment career-wise?
Sometimes there is no way up, so you have to move diagonally, and that diagonal is often challenging to figure out. But that's where networking comes in, because no one is going to step in and give it to you.
16.How did your relationship to your family evolve?
I think it's improving, actually. On all fronts.
17.What book or movie affected your life in a profound way?
I read and watch a lot of great things, most of which I promptly forget except for a few nuggets here and there. I'm trying to read more fiction, and I found Kazuo Ishiguro's Remains of the Day really moved me.
18.What was your favourite compliment that you received this year?
Several people have complimented me on my hospitality, which is very lovely to hear.
19.What little things did you most enjoy during your day-to-day life?
My apartment is now decorated and furnished to my liking. I'm quite pleased by that, by the feeling of coming home to something that is mine.
20.What cool things did you create this year?
Threw a successful holiday party, painted a wall, painted some furniture, rearranged my apartment, and had a year full of growth and learning, overall.
21.What was your most common mental state this year (e.g. excited, curious, stressed)?
Calm and optimistic, I believe.
22.Was there anything you did for the very first time in your life this year? Painted a wall and furniture. Changed a lock. Sold furniture on Craigslist.
23.What was your favourite moment spent with your friends?
I had an excellent time in Scotland with motetus, but honestly I had so many wonderful moments with friends this past year it's impossible to name favorites.
24.What major goal did you lay the foundations for?
Moving on to my next job.
25.Which worries turned out to be completely unnecessary?
That I wouldn't be able to find a suitable new roommate quickly.
26.What experience would you love to do all over again?
Scotland was a lot of fun!
27.What was the best gift you received?
Hm, difficult to say. But I did adore all the art motetus has drawn for me.
28.How did your overall outlook on life evolve?
I feel more confident and self assured, in part because of some of the difficult times I faced. I now feel more capable, like I can handle unexpected rough winds that life throws at me. And they are sure to come, so in some ways it is a relief to know I can make it on my own.
29.What was the biggest problem you solved?
Getting a new roommate in a rather short amount of time.
30.What was the funniest moment of your year, one that still makes it hard not to burst out laughing when you think about it?
Nothing comes to mind, really. There were a few rather surreal moments in my trip to California.
31.What purchase turned out to be the best decision ever?
Travel is always my best purchase. I went to Scotland, Las Vegas to see Cirque du Soleil--which I adore. Now, all I really want is experiences, not so much things. Oh, and art.
32.What one thing would you do differently and why?
Nothing, really. I'm content with how the past year played out.
33.What do you deserve a pat on the back for?
Handling the difficulties at the beginning of the year with, what I believe were, grace and dignity. Patting myself at the moment.
34.What activities made you lose track of time?
Writing. Travel. Shows. All the things I usually love.
35.What did you think about more than anything else?
Probably naked men.
36.What topics did you most enjoy learning about?
The Middle East, its cultures and conflicts, interestingly enough.
37.What new habits did you cultivate?
I've become much better at inviting my friends to various shows/events that I am attending.
38.What advice would you give your early-2014 self if you could?
It'll be okay. You can handle it.
39.Did any parts of your self or your life do a complete 180 this year?
Not that I know of.
40.What or who had the biggest positive impact on your life this year?
Strangely enough, some of the difficulties I went through at the beginning of the year were most instructive. I learned about some things I am capable of, as well as what other people are capable of, good and bad.
YOUR 2015
41.What do you want the overarching theme for your 2015 to be?
Growth and strong relationships. I'm hoping to host more parties as a way of strengthening my current relationships, and meeting new people/spending more time with people to develop new friendships.
42.What do you want to see, discover, explore?
I'd like to visit the south of Spain to see Alhambra and other Moorish art/architecture. I'd like to visit Antarctica (though the prices are so high on that front, that may be more a long term goal than a short term one). I'd like to visit Alaska to see the Northern Lights (waiting on a good airfare for that).
43.Who do you want to spend more time with in 2015?
Friends, both old and new.
44.What skills do you want to learn, improve or master?
Event planning/hosting. Public speaking.
45.Which personal quality do you want to develop or strengthen?
I'd like to practice negotiating and become better at it.
46.What do you want your everyday life to be like?
Serene, joyful, playful.
47.Which habits do you want to change, cultivate or get rid of?
Time to get back into the gym exercise habit. Perhaps I should start swimming as well. It's such an efficient form of exercise, maybe I can do it once a month.
48.What do you want to achieve career-wise?
I'd like to advance to a new and higher level position by the end of the year.
49.How do you want to remember the year 2015 when you look back on it 10/20/50 years from now?
A time of great parties, a new job, as well as general growth and expansion.
50.What is your number one goal for 2015?
Grow and write. My goals for most years, really.