a meme stolen from icanseenow...
Five events that have been good this year?
1. My trip to London in october.
2. Having artwork up in a gallery, dad and Libby coming up to see it, and them befriending Simon's parents.
3. When i found out about Favourite Toddler's improved prognosis.
4. Simon moving to Lincoln.
5. Winning the ESA appeal and me becoming financially independent from my dad again.
Five events have been bad this year?
1. Not getting the job at the hospital.
2. Being diagnosed with CFS/ME. It's also a good event, because it gives some possible answers, but i hoped answers=solutions+hope! Though, i do have a bit more hope than before i suppose.
3. BF being raped.
4. Losing my DLA and having to drop my pride and ask for money.
5. Can't really think of a last bad 'event', so i'll just say my continuing ill-health.
What have you learned this year?
I don't know really. I'd like to say something profound, like about the meaning of life or something.
I've learnt to cook quite well though...!
I guess i've also learnt the importance of connecting to other people. My automatic 'mode' in life is to isolate myself, but i'm learning that having people around you is one of the most rewarding things you can have.
Was the year that you expected it to be?
I suppose so. I was hoping that i'd have made more progress concerning improving my health and returning to a more 'normal' life, but not managing that hasn't surprised me particularly either - progress is so slow for me. But i haven't gone backwards - that's very good.
What clothes did you wear mostly?
In colder weather - jeans, boots, a top, a cardi and a scarf. In hotter weather - shorts or linen trousers with a top and sandals.
What's your most listened to music?
Probably all of City and Colour's albums. Plus Adele more recently. And earlier in the year it was probably Bloc Party.
What have you watched?
On TV... nothing in particular really. The constant moving between my house, Simon's house and Simon's parents means that i can't keep up with any series. I'll watch cookery programmes (Jamie Oliver is prob my favourite, and i half-watch Come Dine With Me constantly), health-and-diet-related things (aka, triggering shit, such as The Food Hospital), and any programme involving the emergency services. Actually, i typically half-watch TV whilst messing around on my laptop in the evening.
One series i have watched is My Transexual Summer. I felt it was really good.
What is the best book you've read?
Ooohh, probably One Good Turn by Kate Atkinson. Though Blueeyedboy by Joanne Harris was captivating. Both i would strongly recommend.
What is the most beautiful thing you got this year?
Erm, i don't know really. I feel like the answer to this is meant to be "a diamond necklace" or something! I suppose the thing that's most precious to me is having Simon with me almost all the time.
What did you do on your birthday in 2011?
On my actual birthday i didn't do all that much because Simon and BF were busy. I pottered around town a bit, and had coffee and cake in Waterstones, where MF and FT came to meet me from hospital with the good news about FT's prognosis. And that evening we went out to dinner at an Italian.
To celebrate my birthday properly we went to London for a lovely two days. We saw City & Colour, explored the Camden Markets, met up with jumpinggene, looked round some galleries, ate some delicious food, went to the London Dungeons, smoked a shisha pipe and drank bubble tea!
Did you do anything this year that you've never done before?
Awful as this is, i can't think of anything! I feel quite horrified...
What was your biggest success in 2011?
Not sure really. I suppose managing to keep myself at a stable level of health and functionality, as opposed to self-destructing in some way.
Best buy?
Erm, probably my sandals. £45 is a huge amount to spend on them, but they're so comfy and practical it was worth it.
And the money i spent on going to London too; i had an amazing time.
Favorite video of the year?
I don't know really. I don't watch videos much. Though this made me giggle; it's so clever.
Are you happy 2011 is over?
Yeah. Not that it was a particularly bad year or anything, but i kinda like a new year because of the illusion of a new start. I know realistically that new starts don't really happen overnight like that, but i like the idea that a new year might help bring a new slate and a new me.