annual survey 2015
1. What did you do in 2015 that you'd never done before?
Rented a car, held a wombat, saw wild koalas, dolphins, and seals, felt silica sand between my toes, snorkeling, rode a race horse, drove on the left side of the road, used Tinder, ran 13 miles, saw the inside of a real cave, went to New Zealand
2. Did you keep your new years' resolutions, and will you make more for next year?
I’m actually really proud of myself on this. Two years ago I fulfilled my resolutions for 2014, and now that I look back, I see that I have fulfilled them again this year, and the strange thing is that I don’t even think about them again throughout the year, they just happened.
Last year, I wanted to establish a good running routine, and not go months without running. I also wanted to continue to read lots of books like I did in 2014. I wanted to embrace Lucas’ philosophy of FEBUII more. I did quite well with the running, although I did go a couple months without running when I was between Cairns and Sydney, and especially during the job in Sydney because the hours were long and I didn’t have the energy. I was all signed up for the Sydney Harbor 10K, but they I decided to leave Sydney earlier than planned. In Melbourne I got my mileage up to averaging 9 miles per run, and put in a handful of 11-13 mile runs. While in Melbourne I ran a total of 432 miles in the 5 months I was there, and put in a total of 608 in 2015. Thanks mostly to my days off at the Hammock Cafe in Cairns, I read 12 books in 2015. As for FEBUII, I was quite social in Cairns, especially my last week there when we went out a lot. I was only social in Sydney in regards to Tinder. I was extremely social while in Melbourne, meeting people from Tinder, chatting with customers at the cafe, and on nights out at the bar and in the street. I definitely did not get stuck in the house while I was in Melbourne. I’d say I’ve done quite well for myself. :o)
Now that I’m 30, I’ve decided to take on one self improvement habit each birthday, which are basically like resolutions, so I’ll mention them here. This year I want to get in the habit of brushing my teeth twice a day and flossing daily. I want to practice my German and Chinese whenever I get the chance, so I don’t lose those skills. I want to continue to be as social as I can handle. :o) I want to try and save some money for when I move on from New Zealand.
3. Did anyone close to you give birth?
Cousin Greg and Tam had a baby girl. (Elin)
4. Did anyone close to you die?
Grandma passed away in July this year.
5. What countries did you visit?
I was in Australia most of the year, and now I am in New Zealand.
6. What would you like to have in 2016 that you lacked in 2015?
I still want a couple dogs, just like I said last year, but that dream keeps getting further and further away. It’d be nice to have a boyfriend this year, but if it’s anything like Australia…
7. What date from 2015 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?
July 1, the day I arrived in Melbourne. December 5, the day I arrived in New Zealand.
8. What was your biggest achievement of the year?
Running 13 miles.
9. What was your biggest failure?
Mariano.
10. Did you suffer illness or injury?
No, thank goodness. Knock on wood, I’ve stayed quite healthy this year.
11. What was the best thing you bought?
A hammock. Teva mushy flip flops.
12. Whose behavior merited celebration?
No behavior was warranted, but I remember celebrating with brownie sundaes from Max Brenner when either Marielle, Agness, or I got a job.
13. Whose behavior made you appalled and depressed?
My father’s, as always. It’s never directed at me, though. Usually my mom or my sister.
14. Where did most of your money go?
Errr… clothes and shoes. A LOT went to alcohol, too.
15. What did you get really, really, really excited about?
Maybe excited isn’t the word. Shocked is more like it. But Ben finally contacted me and came to visit. I was also pretty excited about holding a wombat.
16. What songs will always remind you of 2015?
“Shut Up and Dance” by Walk the Moon
“Jealous” or “Chains” by Nick Jonas
“See You Again” by Whiz Kalifa and Charlie Puth (unfortunately)
“Want To Want Me” by Jason Derulo
“Love Me Like You Do” by Ellie Goulding
“Jackie and Wilson” by Hozier
17. Compared to this time last year, are you:
i. happier or sadder? happier
ii. thinner or fatter? ugh, fatter, but working on the farm last year kept me thin. (59kg)
iii. richer or poorer? about the same
18. What do you wish you'd done more of?
Not much… I lived a pretty good life in 2015. In Cairns, I wish I could have enjoyed the night life a little more, but it would have been by myself. In Melbourne, it would’ve been nice to eat out more, but I got so much free food from work that it didn’t make much sense. I probably could have explored Melbourne’s suburbs a little more, but I’m alright. ;o) I wish I had made more hang out friends in Melbourne, too.
19. What do you wish you'd done less of?
Haha, working in isolated areas. Shooting my mouth off and having a big ego.
20. How will you be spending Christmas?
Mom came to New Zealand for two weeks. I think we sat around reading books, and then she flew out that afternoon.
21. What did you purge?
Almost Tinder. Almost.
22. Did you fall in love in 2015?
Yes, I believe that I did. I probably could have mentioned it in last year’s survey, because I think I fell in love with Ben that first conversation we had on my birthday. Because of it, I better understand love at first sight/conversation, and true chemistry. That crush set a precedent.
23. How many one-night stands?
Despite being active on Tinder most of the year, surprisingly none. Two short lived casual relationships.
24. What was your favorite TV program?
I watched a surprisingly small amount of television in 2015, or at least not many new shows. Maybe Mr. Robot…?
25. Do you hate anyone now that you didn't hate this time last year?
Hate is still petty, and it’s a strong word. I still strongly dislike children, and have for a long time now. I never mentioned that before in these surveys I think.
26. What was the best book you read?
The Hunger Games trilogy. Divergent is a close second.
27. What was your greatest musical discovery?
Oh my God, HOZIER. I listened to his album once a day, sometimes twice a day, every day for almost three weeks straight. I listened to One Direction way too much. They’re a guilty pleasure. I think I just want to understand the phenomenon better, and I think I do. Walk The Moon. Amber Isles. Young the Giant. Ed Sheeran. The Paper Kites. Because I can never name just one.
28. What did you want and get?
Ben (sort of). Saved lots of money. I always found a horse job easily. Attention. Continued validation and a sustained ego boost were still bonuses. Salsa lessons.
29. What did you want and not get?
MARIANO. A job in Sydney (in the city). Hozier tickets. Skinny back.
30. What was your favorite film of this year?
Train Wreck. What We Do in the Shadows.
31. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you?
I turned 31 this year, and I’m already imagining what it might feel like to turn 40, and I dread it. My mom and I went to Hot Water Beach, and it was a let down. We drove all afternoon back to Auckland. It was just another day, wah wahhhhh.
32. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?
It’s sometimes hard to choose just one. More beach time. An Australian boyfriend (not that I didn’t try). It was a good year though, so I would omit “immeasurably” from that question.
33. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2015?
This year, I put more of a focus on dressing more like a woman, especially when going out. I got hooked on dresses, wearing make-up, and finding the easiest way to curl my hair (turns out it’s with socks!). I’ve gotten much better at putting on make-up. I’m okay with wearing thongs. I bought a miniskirt. I bought two pairs of wedges, and I love them, and I’m actually making space for them in my luggage. I became a little addicted to necklaces from local markets. I actually rocked my western boots on a couple nights out. The culmination was the outfit for Derby Day, which ended up being the outfit for part of my secret bar tour: the white body con dress, black wedges, and perfectly curled hair. I looked kinda schlubby most days for work and after work, but I made up for it on the weekends in Melbourne. I hope to keep it up.
34. What kept you sane?
When something is really bothering me, there isn’t much that can talk me out of it until I can rationalize it out for myself, but I definitely put more into my Live Journal than I have in the past couple years.
35. Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most?
I don’t think I fancied a celebrity too much. I fancied more people in real life than I did of celebrities. I dug into Hozier pretty deep, but it wasn’t because I fancied him for his looks. I’m currently a little hung up on One Direction, but also not because I fancy them. I just wanted to understand them and their fame (which could possibly be applied to any boy band, but they just happen to be “it” right now). I admire them for being down to earth and grateful to their fans, as well as not going through crazy phases in the tabloids like Miley Cyrus and Justin Bieber.
36. What political issue stirred you the most?
Trump seriously running for president. It might not be political, but the increasing police violence. Gun control is really hot right now, but I don’t really care about it.
37. Who did you miss?
Ben, but I got over it. Steve a little bit.
38. Who was the best new person you met?
Dom. Tristan. Nico. Peter. Zee. Wish I could say Mariano.
39. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2015?
When renting a car, always reduce your excesses, kids, because you never know when you’ll hit a wallaby, possum, or a pademelon in Tasmania. Always make him wear a condom, girls. Have a sense of self preservation, not selfishness.
I don’t know if it’s a life lesson, but this seems like the best place to put it, and I kinda want to put it in here in case I need the reminder next year. Hey. You. Yeah, you. You’re not getting any younger. If you don’t want to look back and wish you had made different decisions despite reading that you “had a really good year”, it CAN be better. The only reason I decided to come to New Zealand is simply because I can, which is probably not good enough. I didn’t come because I was interested in New Zealand and wanted to check it out. It’s been more like… why not? Sit yourself down and ask yourself what you want right now. Go out and get your happiness right NOW. I know you have dreams of all these other countries that you want to visit, and that you have the freedom to see them now for as long as you want, and you want to do it before it feels too late. All I can tell you to do right now is trust. Trust that finding your happiness is the best decision for you in this moment, and that if you still want to see those countries later, you will find a way. The plan will work itself out. If you know what kind of life you want right now, then go get it. Stop putting it off!
40. Quote a song lyric that sums up your year.
“I need love, love, to ease my mind. I need to find, find, someone to call mine. But mama said you can’t hurry love, no, you just have to wait. She said love don’t come easy, it’s a game of give and take. You can’t hurry love, no, you just have to wait. You got to trust, give it time, no matter how long it takes. But how many heartaches must I stand before I find a love to let me live again? Right now the only thing that keeps me hanging on, when I feel my strength, yeah, it’s almost gone, I remember mama said you can’t hurry love.”
Rented a car, held a wombat, saw wild koalas, dolphins, and seals, felt silica sand between my toes, snorkeling, rode a race horse, drove on the left side of the road, used Tinder, ran 13 miles, saw the inside of a real cave, went to New Zealand
2. Did you keep your new years' resolutions, and will you make more for next year?
I’m actually really proud of myself on this. Two years ago I fulfilled my resolutions for 2014, and now that I look back, I see that I have fulfilled them again this year, and the strange thing is that I don’t even think about them again throughout the year, they just happened.
Last year, I wanted to establish a good running routine, and not go months without running. I also wanted to continue to read lots of books like I did in 2014. I wanted to embrace Lucas’ philosophy of FEBUII more. I did quite well with the running, although I did go a couple months without running when I was between Cairns and Sydney, and especially during the job in Sydney because the hours were long and I didn’t have the energy. I was all signed up for the Sydney Harbor 10K, but they I decided to leave Sydney earlier than planned. In Melbourne I got my mileage up to averaging 9 miles per run, and put in a handful of 11-13 mile runs. While in Melbourne I ran a total of 432 miles in the 5 months I was there, and put in a total of 608 in 2015. Thanks mostly to my days off at the Hammock Cafe in Cairns, I read 12 books in 2015. As for FEBUII, I was quite social in Cairns, especially my last week there when we went out a lot. I was only social in Sydney in regards to Tinder. I was extremely social while in Melbourne, meeting people from Tinder, chatting with customers at the cafe, and on nights out at the bar and in the street. I definitely did not get stuck in the house while I was in Melbourne. I’d say I’ve done quite well for myself. :o)
Now that I’m 30, I’ve decided to take on one self improvement habit each birthday, which are basically like resolutions, so I’ll mention them here. This year I want to get in the habit of brushing my teeth twice a day and flossing daily. I want to practice my German and Chinese whenever I get the chance, so I don’t lose those skills. I want to continue to be as social as I can handle. :o) I want to try and save some money for when I move on from New Zealand.
3. Did anyone close to you give birth?
Cousin Greg and Tam had a baby girl. (Elin)
4. Did anyone close to you die?
Grandma passed away in July this year.
5. What countries did you visit?
I was in Australia most of the year, and now I am in New Zealand.
6. What would you like to have in 2016 that you lacked in 2015?
I still want a couple dogs, just like I said last year, but that dream keeps getting further and further away. It’d be nice to have a boyfriend this year, but if it’s anything like Australia…
7. What date from 2015 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?
July 1, the day I arrived in Melbourne. December 5, the day I arrived in New Zealand.
8. What was your biggest achievement of the year?
Running 13 miles.
9. What was your biggest failure?
Mariano.
10. Did you suffer illness or injury?
No, thank goodness. Knock on wood, I’ve stayed quite healthy this year.
11. What was the best thing you bought?
A hammock. Teva mushy flip flops.
12. Whose behavior merited celebration?
No behavior was warranted, but I remember celebrating with brownie sundaes from Max Brenner when either Marielle, Agness, or I got a job.
13. Whose behavior made you appalled and depressed?
My father’s, as always. It’s never directed at me, though. Usually my mom or my sister.
14. Where did most of your money go?
Errr… clothes and shoes. A LOT went to alcohol, too.
15. What did you get really, really, really excited about?
Maybe excited isn’t the word. Shocked is more like it. But Ben finally contacted me and came to visit. I was also pretty excited about holding a wombat.
16. What songs will always remind you of 2015?
“Shut Up and Dance” by Walk the Moon
“Jealous” or “Chains” by Nick Jonas
“See You Again” by Whiz Kalifa and Charlie Puth (unfortunately)
“Want To Want Me” by Jason Derulo
“Love Me Like You Do” by Ellie Goulding
“Jackie and Wilson” by Hozier
17. Compared to this time last year, are you:
i. happier or sadder? happier
ii. thinner or fatter? ugh, fatter, but working on the farm last year kept me thin. (59kg)
iii. richer or poorer? about the same
18. What do you wish you'd done more of?
Not much… I lived a pretty good life in 2015. In Cairns, I wish I could have enjoyed the night life a little more, but it would have been by myself. In Melbourne, it would’ve been nice to eat out more, but I got so much free food from work that it didn’t make much sense. I probably could have explored Melbourne’s suburbs a little more, but I’m alright. ;o) I wish I had made more hang out friends in Melbourne, too.
19. What do you wish you'd done less of?
Haha, working in isolated areas. Shooting my mouth off and having a big ego.
20. How will you be spending Christmas?
Mom came to New Zealand for two weeks. I think we sat around reading books, and then she flew out that afternoon.
21. What did you purge?
Almost Tinder. Almost.
22. Did you fall in love in 2015?
Yes, I believe that I did. I probably could have mentioned it in last year’s survey, because I think I fell in love with Ben that first conversation we had on my birthday. Because of it, I better understand love at first sight/conversation, and true chemistry. That crush set a precedent.
23. How many one-night stands?
Despite being active on Tinder most of the year, surprisingly none. Two short lived casual relationships.
24. What was your favorite TV program?
I watched a surprisingly small amount of television in 2015, or at least not many new shows. Maybe Mr. Robot…?
25. Do you hate anyone now that you didn't hate this time last year?
Hate is still petty, and it’s a strong word. I still strongly dislike children, and have for a long time now. I never mentioned that before in these surveys I think.
26. What was the best book you read?
The Hunger Games trilogy. Divergent is a close second.
27. What was your greatest musical discovery?
Oh my God, HOZIER. I listened to his album once a day, sometimes twice a day, every day for almost three weeks straight. I listened to One Direction way too much. They’re a guilty pleasure. I think I just want to understand the phenomenon better, and I think I do. Walk The Moon. Amber Isles. Young the Giant. Ed Sheeran. The Paper Kites. Because I can never name just one.
28. What did you want and get?
Ben (sort of). Saved lots of money. I always found a horse job easily. Attention. Continued validation and a sustained ego boost were still bonuses. Salsa lessons.
29. What did you want and not get?
MARIANO. A job in Sydney (in the city). Hozier tickets. Skinny back.
30. What was your favorite film of this year?
Train Wreck. What We Do in the Shadows.
31. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you?
I turned 31 this year, and I’m already imagining what it might feel like to turn 40, and I dread it. My mom and I went to Hot Water Beach, and it was a let down. We drove all afternoon back to Auckland. It was just another day, wah wahhhhh.
32. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?
It’s sometimes hard to choose just one. More beach time. An Australian boyfriend (not that I didn’t try). It was a good year though, so I would omit “immeasurably” from that question.
33. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2015?
This year, I put more of a focus on dressing more like a woman, especially when going out. I got hooked on dresses, wearing make-up, and finding the easiest way to curl my hair (turns out it’s with socks!). I’ve gotten much better at putting on make-up. I’m okay with wearing thongs. I bought a miniskirt. I bought two pairs of wedges, and I love them, and I’m actually making space for them in my luggage. I became a little addicted to necklaces from local markets. I actually rocked my western boots on a couple nights out. The culmination was the outfit for Derby Day, which ended up being the outfit for part of my secret bar tour: the white body con dress, black wedges, and perfectly curled hair. I looked kinda schlubby most days for work and after work, but I made up for it on the weekends in Melbourne. I hope to keep it up.
34. What kept you sane?
When something is really bothering me, there isn’t much that can talk me out of it until I can rationalize it out for myself, but I definitely put more into my Live Journal than I have in the past couple years.
35. Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most?
I don’t think I fancied a celebrity too much. I fancied more people in real life than I did of celebrities. I dug into Hozier pretty deep, but it wasn’t because I fancied him for his looks. I’m currently a little hung up on One Direction, but also not because I fancy them. I just wanted to understand them and their fame (which could possibly be applied to any boy band, but they just happen to be “it” right now). I admire them for being down to earth and grateful to their fans, as well as not going through crazy phases in the tabloids like Miley Cyrus and Justin Bieber.
36. What political issue stirred you the most?
Trump seriously running for president. It might not be political, but the increasing police violence. Gun control is really hot right now, but I don’t really care about it.
37. Who did you miss?
Ben, but I got over it. Steve a little bit.
38. Who was the best new person you met?
Dom. Tristan. Nico. Peter. Zee. Wish I could say Mariano.
39. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2015?
When renting a car, always reduce your excesses, kids, because you never know when you’ll hit a wallaby, possum, or a pademelon in Tasmania. Always make him wear a condom, girls. Have a sense of self preservation, not selfishness.
I don’t know if it’s a life lesson, but this seems like the best place to put it, and I kinda want to put it in here in case I need the reminder next year. Hey. You. Yeah, you. You’re not getting any younger. If you don’t want to look back and wish you had made different decisions despite reading that you “had a really good year”, it CAN be better. The only reason I decided to come to New Zealand is simply because I can, which is probably not good enough. I didn’t come because I was interested in New Zealand and wanted to check it out. It’s been more like… why not? Sit yourself down and ask yourself what you want right now. Go out and get your happiness right NOW. I know you have dreams of all these other countries that you want to visit, and that you have the freedom to see them now for as long as you want, and you want to do it before it feels too late. All I can tell you to do right now is trust. Trust that finding your happiness is the best decision for you in this moment, and that if you still want to see those countries later, you will find a way. The plan will work itself out. If you know what kind of life you want right now, then go get it. Stop putting it off!
40. Quote a song lyric that sums up your year.
“I need love, love, to ease my mind. I need to find, find, someone to call mine. But mama said you can’t hurry love, no, you just have to wait. She said love don’t come easy, it’s a game of give and take. You can’t hurry love, no, you just have to wait. You got to trust, give it time, no matter how long it takes. But how many heartaches must I stand before I find a love to let me live again? Right now the only thing that keeps me hanging on, when I feel my strength, yeah, it’s almost gone, I remember mama said you can’t hurry love.”