I haven't done a EOY meme since 2011!
These are actually really good records of what happened in my life... :) Should remember to do one next year end! This particular version is gacked from trumpeterofdoom.
1. What did you do in 2013 that you'd never done before?
Woah. Loads of stuff, a lot of it work-related. Represented Singapore in an international negotiation, including twice as a lead negotiator. Travelled to South America. Changed my job.
2. Did you keep your new year's resolutions, and will you make more for next year?
I actually don't really remember whether I made any new year's resolutions (checks Twitter/LJ/Facebook) Oh! Apparently I said I would focus more during work and procrastinate less... Lol actually I think I fulfilled that one through and through, I have been totally not-slacky this whole year.
Yeah! I've already made one (and started keeping it), and that is to save money! >_<
3. Did anyone close to you give birth?
Yes! Quite a few friends and a few colleagues. :)
4. Did anyone close to you die?
Yes. My last surviving grandparent, my maternal grandmother, passed away when I arrived (after 30 hours of travelling) in Peru for a 10 day international negotiation. I couldn't get back home in time for the wake or the funeral. I wish that somehow I could have been there, but she had a long and fulfilling life and got to see three of her grandchildren get married and 4 great-grandchildren born.
5. What countries did you visit?
Wow. *deep breath* Bangkok (Thailand), Geneva (Switzerland), Lima (Peru), Kota Kinabalu (Malaysia), Bandar Seri Bagawan (Brunei), London (UK), Tokyo (Japan), Salt Lake City (US) and lastly Bangkok again. Out of which, only London was for a personal trip. I just compared and I went to almost as many countries in 2011, but a lot of those trips were for leisure...
6. What would you like to have in 2014 that you lacked in 2013?
Self-discipline. 2013 is the year where I still didn't manage to save much money, and I still didn't manage to keep in shape. Also, sleep.
7. What dates from 2013 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?
4 Jan, when I started my new job. I'm generally bad with dates lol. 4 Dec again, for our 2 year anniversary. :)
8. What was your biggest achievement of the year?
Wow. Generally work-related again I guess. Getting to be so good at my job that I am regularly mistaken to be legally trained/lawyer by both overseas government officials and people in my own office. Non-work-related, I managed to keep up with my $10 a day squirrelling away money idea for the whole year.
9. What was your biggest failure?
Personally I feel like being in a new office brought out both the best and the worst in me, I know I complain a lot about my colleagues, definitely way more spiteful than I should be. I really need to curb that.
There was also that incident during my birthday where my boyfriend had hinted that he had a surprise present for me but he didn't know whether it would arrive on time and whether I would like it, and I had somehow mistakenly thought he might be proposing, and then on the actual day because obviously he didn't, I was so momentarily disappointed I couldn't bring myself to really enjoy the lovely day he had planned for me. I've apologised to him and we talked properly about it later, but that incident, specifically how badly I behaved to my understanding boyfriend, will always plague me.
10. Did you suffer illness or injury?
Not really, though the ache in my back sometimes worries me. Ah, I still fall sick every time I come back from a trip, and for the London trip both Litong and I were sick. =_=
11. What was the best thing you bought?
Oooh. My Michael Kors worktote, complimented by almost everyone who saw it, and way cheaper than it would have been if I had bought it in Singapore. Other than that, my Xbox on which I use to play Zumba and Dance games. If presents count, boyfriend's gift of Doctor Who DVDs for seasons 5 to 7! And Nat's christmas gift of a notebook and pen for my bullet journalling!
12. Whose behaviour merited celebration?
This one always stumps me. I appreciate and value everyone's behaviour, but nothing jumps out at me as being super-duper amazing.
13. Whose behaviour made you appalled?
Sometimes my fellow citizens when I chance upon some online post (usually about the Government). My ex-colleague who was clever but cunning and lazy.
14. Where did most of your money go?
Oh my I wish I knew. Kickstarter and other online shopping places mostly. I had to buy a new phone in the middle of the year when I dropped my phone on the bus. Loads of meaningless shopping during work trips. I really need to stop. Surprisingly my personal trip to London cost less than expected/budgeted.
15. What did you get really, really, really excited about?
My London trip! It was the first long break I had in the whole year. Doctor Who episodes when they came out, esp the 50th anniversary and the christmas special.
16. What song will always remind you of 2013?
Any of the opening/ending themes of anime I watched this year - Kyoukai no Kanata ending song for example. Also possibly 庾澄慶's 情非得已 because Litong and I sang that together for a christmas party at IDA.
17. Compared to this time last year, are you (a) happier or sadder, (b) thinner or fatter? (c) richer or poorer?
(a) happier I think, mostly because this is the year I feel more fulfilled at work, (b) sadly I think I'm actually fatter, (c) I think just slightly richer, in the black at least!
18. What do you wish you'd done more of?
Exercise, sleep, save money. Spend more time with my niece and nephews.
19. What do you wish you'd done less of?
Spend money. Lol. Part of me wonders whether I would have liked to travel less, but actually not really.
20. How did you spend Christmas?
Went to Litong's best friend's home for a Christmas lunch with his sisters and cousin, which, creepily enough, I knew from three different places (I knew his cousin as she works at the reception of my Japanese school, I knew his younger sister because we were in the same classes at university, and I knew his youngest sister from being in the same chinese dance group in primary school!). Then we went to my boyfriend's house to relax and watch Rurouni Kenshin anime. <3
21. Did you fall in love in 2013?
Again and again with my boyfriend. Okay I'd stop now. :P
22. What was your favourite TV programme?
Doctor Who. :D This was an exciting year for the show. Also Kotoura-san, Gin no Saji and Kyoukai no Kanata.
23. Do you hate anyone now that you didn't hate this time last year?
I rarely hate people per se. Strongly dislike yup.
24. What was the best book you read?
Hmm. Sangatsu no Lion as a manga made me cry and laugh so much, so voting that as best manga. As for a book, Letters of Note is pretty amazing, though it's more of a compilation of letters than a real book.
25. What was your greatest musical discovery?
Tokyo Ska Paradise. My boyfriend was just picking and choosing from Mosaic and I've heard of them vaguely previously, but it was SUCH an amazing experience being at their concert.
26. What did you want and get?
New learning experiences from work. Hell yeah, I got a ton more work experience than I had ever imagined.
27. What did you want and not get?
Technically that proposal I guess. But it's not a real "want". More discipline I guess.
28. What was your favourite film of this year?
Hmm. No real stand-out. Pacific Rim probably! I liked it that much I have the DVD now.
Plays/Musicals wise, I think The Book of Mormon has to be the best musical I've watched, Musashi the most enjoyable play (unexpectedly hilarious), and Everything But The Brain the most thought-provoking touching play.
29. What one thing made your year immeasurably more satisfying?
The work I do and the recognition that I'm contributing. The relationship I have with my boyfriend, given that this is the first year we are not working in the same company and have to make efforts to meet each other.
30. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2013?
I am getting fat and I have to accept it. Lol.
31. What kept you sane?
My boyfriend and sodiumion. My soft toy Pooky and his various adventures. 45 minute bus ride commutes in the morning when I can sleep on the bus. Staycations, vacations.
32. Quote a song lyric that sums up your year.
私の力で進む/果てしないこの道を
Using my own strength/to go forward along this endless road.
(Cardcaptor Sakura's Tooi Kono Machi de)
1. What did you do in 2013 that you'd never done before?
Woah. Loads of stuff, a lot of it work-related. Represented Singapore in an international negotiation, including twice as a lead negotiator. Travelled to South America. Changed my job.
2. Did you keep your new year's resolutions, and will you make more for next year?
I actually don't really remember whether I made any new year's resolutions (checks Twitter/LJ/Facebook) Oh! Apparently I said I would focus more during work and procrastinate less... Lol actually I think I fulfilled that one through and through, I have been totally not-slacky this whole year.
Yeah! I've already made one (and started keeping it), and that is to save money! >_<
3. Did anyone close to you give birth?
Yes! Quite a few friends and a few colleagues. :)
4. Did anyone close to you die?
Yes. My last surviving grandparent, my maternal grandmother, passed away when I arrived (after 30 hours of travelling) in Peru for a 10 day international negotiation. I couldn't get back home in time for the wake or the funeral. I wish that somehow I could have been there, but she had a long and fulfilling life and got to see three of her grandchildren get married and 4 great-grandchildren born.
5. What countries did you visit?
Wow. *deep breath* Bangkok (Thailand), Geneva (Switzerland), Lima (Peru), Kota Kinabalu (Malaysia), Bandar Seri Bagawan (Brunei), London (UK), Tokyo (Japan), Salt Lake City (US) and lastly Bangkok again. Out of which, only London was for a personal trip. I just compared and I went to almost as many countries in 2011, but a lot of those trips were for leisure...
6. What would you like to have in 2014 that you lacked in 2013?
Self-discipline. 2013 is the year where I still didn't manage to save much money, and I still didn't manage to keep in shape. Also, sleep.
7. What dates from 2013 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?
4 Jan, when I started my new job. I'm generally bad with dates lol. 4 Dec again, for our 2 year anniversary. :)
8. What was your biggest achievement of the year?
Wow. Generally work-related again I guess. Getting to be so good at my job that I am regularly mistaken to be legally trained/lawyer by both overseas government officials and people in my own office. Non-work-related, I managed to keep up with my $10 a day squirrelling away money idea for the whole year.
9. What was your biggest failure?
Personally I feel like being in a new office brought out both the best and the worst in me, I know I complain a lot about my colleagues, definitely way more spiteful than I should be. I really need to curb that.
There was also that incident during my birthday where my boyfriend had hinted that he had a surprise present for me but he didn't know whether it would arrive on time and whether I would like it, and I had somehow mistakenly thought he might be proposing, and then on the actual day because obviously he didn't, I was so momentarily disappointed I couldn't bring myself to really enjoy the lovely day he had planned for me. I've apologised to him and we talked properly about it later, but that incident, specifically how badly I behaved to my understanding boyfriend, will always plague me.
10. Did you suffer illness or injury?
Not really, though the ache in my back sometimes worries me. Ah, I still fall sick every time I come back from a trip, and for the London trip both Litong and I were sick. =_=
11. What was the best thing you bought?
Oooh. My Michael Kors worktote, complimented by almost everyone who saw it, and way cheaper than it would have been if I had bought it in Singapore. Other than that, my Xbox on which I use to play Zumba and Dance games. If presents count, boyfriend's gift of Doctor Who DVDs for seasons 5 to 7! And Nat's christmas gift of a notebook and pen for my bullet journalling!
12. Whose behaviour merited celebration?
This one always stumps me. I appreciate and value everyone's behaviour, but nothing jumps out at me as being super-duper amazing.
13. Whose behaviour made you appalled?
Sometimes my fellow citizens when I chance upon some online post (usually about the Government). My ex-colleague who was clever but cunning and lazy.
14. Where did most of your money go?
Oh my I wish I knew. Kickstarter and other online shopping places mostly. I had to buy a new phone in the middle of the year when I dropped my phone on the bus. Loads of meaningless shopping during work trips. I really need to stop. Surprisingly my personal trip to London cost less than expected/budgeted.
15. What did you get really, really, really excited about?
My London trip! It was the first long break I had in the whole year. Doctor Who episodes when they came out, esp the 50th anniversary and the christmas special.
16. What song will always remind you of 2013?
Any of the opening/ending themes of anime I watched this year - Kyoukai no Kanata ending song for example. Also possibly 庾澄慶's 情非得已 because Litong and I sang that together for a christmas party at IDA.
17. Compared to this time last year, are you (a) happier or sadder, (b) thinner or fatter? (c) richer or poorer?
(a) happier I think, mostly because this is the year I feel more fulfilled at work, (b) sadly I think I'm actually fatter, (c) I think just slightly richer, in the black at least!
18. What do you wish you'd done more of?
Exercise, sleep, save money. Spend more time with my niece and nephews.
19. What do you wish you'd done less of?
Spend money. Lol. Part of me wonders whether I would have liked to travel less, but actually not really.
20. How did you spend Christmas?
Went to Litong's best friend's home for a Christmas lunch with his sisters and cousin, which, creepily enough, I knew from three different places (I knew his cousin as she works at the reception of my Japanese school, I knew his younger sister because we were in the same classes at university, and I knew his youngest sister from being in the same chinese dance group in primary school!). Then we went to my boyfriend's house to relax and watch Rurouni Kenshin anime. <3
21. Did you fall in love in 2013?
Again and again with my boyfriend. Okay I'd stop now. :P
22. What was your favourite TV programme?
Doctor Who. :D This was an exciting year for the show. Also Kotoura-san, Gin no Saji and Kyoukai no Kanata.
23. Do you hate anyone now that you didn't hate this time last year?
I rarely hate people per se. Strongly dislike yup.
24. What was the best book you read?
Hmm. Sangatsu no Lion as a manga made me cry and laugh so much, so voting that as best manga. As for a book, Letters of Note is pretty amazing, though it's more of a compilation of letters than a real book.
25. What was your greatest musical discovery?
Tokyo Ska Paradise. My boyfriend was just picking and choosing from Mosaic and I've heard of them vaguely previously, but it was SUCH an amazing experience being at their concert.
26. What did you want and get?
New learning experiences from work. Hell yeah, I got a ton more work experience than I had ever imagined.
27. What did you want and not get?
Technically that proposal I guess. But it's not a real "want". More discipline I guess.
28. What was your favourite film of this year?
Hmm. No real stand-out. Pacific Rim probably! I liked it that much I have the DVD now.
Plays/Musicals wise, I think The Book of Mormon has to be the best musical I've watched, Musashi the most enjoyable play (unexpectedly hilarious), and Everything But The Brain the most thought-provoking touching play.
29. What one thing made your year immeasurably more satisfying?
The work I do and the recognition that I'm contributing. The relationship I have with my boyfriend, given that this is the first year we are not working in the same company and have to make efforts to meet each other.
30. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2013?
I am getting fat and I have to accept it. Lol.
31. What kept you sane?
My boyfriend and sodiumion. My soft toy Pooky and his various adventures. 45 minute bus ride commutes in the morning when I can sleep on the bus. Staycations, vacations.
32. Quote a song lyric that sums up your year.
私の力で進む/果てしないこの道を
Using my own strength/to go forward along this endless road.
(Cardcaptor Sakura's Tooi Kono Machi de)