I still get to use the xmas icon 'til January 6th! SO THERE!
Well, HAPPY NEW YEAR, Livejournal!
After debating attending many exciting (and often expensive) events for the midnight celebration, I decided to go for a general "screw this" and spend the evening with close friends. =) So me, Jess P, Steph P, Mishy, Lekkie, Sanchy, and Amy all visited the city and watched the fireworks together. We got a really good spot: clear views, and not too crowded. Plus, we saw an "interesting" dinosaur show. During which I proved I have a lot of residual dinosaur memories that I have no idea where came from. Much gross food was eaten, many loo-trips and fart jokes were made, and many (ok, just Jesses) boobs went on public display. =P Many joyous photos were taken.
As soon as the fireworks finished (about 12:08), we began making our way to the station. At about 12:15, we got onto Swanston Street. At about 12.50, we managed to get on a train to Belgrave. Which we had to get off of at Ringwood to change to the Lilydale line. Then a few of us stayed at Jess's farm house overnight. I slep on a bed made of couch cushions, and woke to find I'd slipped into the crack like the proverbial coin from jeans pocket. But it was cosy like a nest, so I stayed. =D
The next day, Jess, Steph and I (Amy and Lek had left) spent virtually the whole of today lying on couches and snuggling on beds, occasionally getting up to eat unhealthy food, w00t w00t. We made a break to go to a winery/cafe for lunch, which was SO GOOD (I had some delicious gnocci and a blondie, among other things, for dessert), even though I virtually rolled home afterwards and was very nearly sick. Dad picked me up at around five, and we went on a quest for fresh cherries. And then I drove home, and I drove home awesomely. LICENCE HERE I COME!!! (Date is booked for test: 25TH OF JANUARY!!!).
Then I greeted my sister home from the Murray Marathon (Her team came first in it's division!!! YAY!), and proceeded to watch DVDs all night, and eat a single carrot and slice of plum pudding for dinner. Then I went on the internet and typed it all up. ^.^ ~Fin~
All in all, I feel like it was a much better (and much more positive) New Year to last year, wherein my baby got lost. He was fine this year: there were hardly any fireworks locally, and mum and dad locked him and Lucy in the laundry overnight as an extra precaution. All good, and still very cuddly.
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That's all for the "entry". Now for the quintessential New Years meme, which was stole'd from elvenpiratelady. Please read! It's under here.
1. What did you do in 2006 that you'd never done before?
Completed my VCE and subsequently, high school, =P , got a lead role in a musical, got a job, bought myself real jewellery (with discount from said job), learnt to use my keycard and wasted my money (earnt from said job), resisted Harry Potter fandom, learnt things about myself (which I think I've never really done before.
2. Did you keep your new years' resolutions, and will you make more for next year?
I can't even remember whether I made resolutions last year, so probably not.
YES: My resolutions for 2007 are - 1: Never eat a hot dog again, unless extreme situation, ie starving to death. 2: Eat healthier, eat smaller portions, and eat less often. 3: Not waste all of paycheque on shoes/food. 4: Keep bedroom and bathroom tidy and organised. 5: Practise singing more often, and properly (instead of just kareokeing to Broadway soundtracks). 6: Study and do well in Uni. 7: Get a solo-speaking/singing role in an ameuter theatre production (or better!). 8: Exercise often, and enjoy it! and 9: Don't be reckless with other people's hearts. Don't put up with people who are reckless with my own. (paraphrased from The Sunscreen Song).
3. Did anyone close to you give birth?
No, but the frogs in our pond mated and made tadpoles.
4. Did anyone close to you die?
...No.
5. What countries did you visit?
Australia, La-la-land, the Land of Boredom, Fantasy Island... no shit, I stayed at home.
6. What would you like to have in 2007 that you lacked in 2006?
Clarity, a source of income. A boy. A duck. =P
7. Which dates from 2006 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?
Yeah, too many to count. The days I sung on stage. =D Days I got my heart broken. Fun, happy days with friends. Personal reasons. Emotional reasons.
8. What was your biggest achievement of the year?
Just one? =D How do I pick? I feel pride. My ENTER score, being Polly in The Boy Friend, getting accepted into Monash music. Starting to eat salads - oh yes everyone, baby steps. Some more existential acheivements include learning to love myself and learning to forget what others think and just be myself (which earnt me a few "what a weirdo"s, but also earnt me some new friends =). )
9. What was your biggest failure?
I don't know: disappointing myself with Studio and German. Disappointing my parents. Occasionally being socially inept. Getting er, swept away in a fantasy, I suppose.
10. Did you suffer illness or injury?
A lot of colds and some stress-related (I reckon) flus and viruses, nothing serious. And my toenail came off on Schoolies =( .
11. What was the best thing you bought?
My blue shoes: and yes, I know I haven't got them yet, but theoretically, since I've been wanting them since October, and I placed my order in December, they count! That and my flowery dress with the detailed black straps: It really suits/flatters me, I can wear it to almost any occasion, AND it only cost $10.
12. Whose behavior merited celebration?
Meh. MINE!!! =P YOURS. Everyone's! What an odd question.
13. Whose behavior made you appalled and depressed?
A lot of people... but a specific case is a certain school "friend" who seems to live her life a certain way because she loves attention, and doesn't care how hurtful or rude she is to anyone else. Plus, she thinks shes shit-hot, and she's shit-not. Oh no I didn't! Oh Yes I did! Boo-ya!!!
14. Where did most of your money go?
=( Canteen food. Chocolate. Food. DVDs. Clothes. Food.
15. What did you get really, really, really excited about?
Avenue Q!!!!! Plus a million other things... Lost bears mentioning, as does Something Positive. I also got excited about the school Formal, and alcohol (more so than I used to be =P ). Driving!
16. What song will always remind you of 2006?
Don't Stop Me Now, by Queen, because it reminds me of my Tintern years in at least three ways, four if you wanna be existential. Forever Young, by Youth Group, (don't judge me) because it er... featured a lot this year. And in a lot of ways was fitting for what was going on in my life and the world around me. And probably True Blue, by John Williamson, because it's not a song I'm likely to hear a lot, and it will always remind me of my home, and of the tragedy of Steve Irwin's death.
17. Compared to this time last year, are you:
Happier or sadder? I think I'm happier. I feel like I've grown to understand myself and the world more. I have a lot more clarity.
Older and wiser? Older, yes. Maybe wiser. Like I said, I understand more now. And I know how to deal with more.
Thinner or fatter? Thinner for the first 6 months, fatter for the last 6 months. I was gonna say it's about both evenly, except I think today's lunch tipped me over the "fatter" end of the scale. Ah well.
Richer or poorer? Richer! I did spend a lot on Xmas gifts, but it was the first year I was able to buy them all MYSELF, and I'm proud of that. Yay for having a job!
18. What do you wish you'd done more of?
Exercise, Study (maybe), Music Theory lessons. Quality time with people I love and things that enrich me. I'm sounding so Zen right now. =P
19. What do you wish you'd done less of?
Wasting time on the Internet. Snacking/Boredom eating.
20. How will you be spending Christmas?
I spent 2006 Christmas with my family. Nice day. Warm and cosy, literally (at least inside the heated houses) and metaphorically. Next year will probably be the same, although we hope to do it at the new Torquay house!
22. Did you fall in love in 2006?
-.- let's call it an infatuation.
23. How many one-night stands?
I totally broke Michele's heart after sleeping with her on Schoolies and then leaving the next day. ;) Zero, duh.
24. What was your favorite TV program?
Lost, Scrubs and Futurama, although I got REALLY into Doctor Who =P . Something about David Tennant. I will keep watching it next year to see if it's still awesome.
25. Do you hate anyone now that you didn't hate this time last year?
No, hate is such a strong word. They "frustrated" me, in many ways. But I don't be hatin'.
26. What was the best book you read?
I didn't read much, but The Great Gatsby is a clear winner. It was so beautiful, tragic, and even sometimes incongruously comic. Plus, it invoked a lot of amusing discussions in Lit class. It has reached the honor of being put on my 'Favourite Books' list. This is the short, exclusive list. =P It only includes ONE of the six Harry Potter books.
27. What was your greatest musical discovery?
Lily Allen, Avenue Q, and Aretha Franklin. She's more than just RESPECT! =D
28. What did you want and get?
Red Satin shoes. Lead in the musical. A higher ENTER than my sister =P .
29. What did you want and not get?
Do blue shoes count? =P More free time. DVDs. Reciprocated love from a certain someone.
30. What was your favorite film of this year?
Trying to remember what I've seen... Walk the Line was beautiful, Happy Feet was cute and amusing. I LOVED Pirates 2 (not quite as much as the first, but still loved). X-Men 3 was quite good too. Worst movie I saw this year was Just My Luck. It was the biggest pile of crap I've ever seen (except for Kevin and Perry). It was Just. Awful. Don't bother seeing it. It's not even "so bad it's good". It's just bad.
31. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you?
I was 18, and I do believe I was on holiday. Maybe went out to dinner with parents? Can't remember. I had a biggish party a few weeks later with friends. We had kareoke. =D
32. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?
A fairly satisfactory ENTER. Friends and friendships. Oh sorry, I thought it said what DID make it satisfying!!! =P I don't know... confidence? Somebody to Love? =P
33. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2006?
Quirky, Comfy, Casual. A lot of boots, stockings, and empire line clothing was worn.
34. What kept you sane?
"Friends and family, and a livejournal which I can write rants and which can't answer back." I'll stick with Jen's answer! Also Boost bars, and Scrubs DVDs.
35. Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most?
<3 <3 <3 Zooey Deschanel. <3 Pictured in my current Xmas icon (among other icons). <3 <3 <3 All hail 2006, the year of Amanda's First Girlcrush! But a very, very close second is Josh Holloway (aka Sawyer from Lost).
36. What political issue stirred you the most?
Just one? Nah! Climate change, the "obesity epidemic" and homosexual marriage/unions/adoption rights. But the clear winner is censorship and the axing of The Glasshouse. AND YES, TO ME, THAT IS A POLITICAL ISSUE!!!
37. Who did you miss?
Kristen, Jess W, and Tegan. More Mrs Mathers. The boys from Queer As Folk. =P
38. Who was the best new person you met?
Very hard to choose. Tara I've known for a long time but only became friends with this year, really, and she's great. Kayley I also befriended this year, and she's awesome. So funny! But yeah, tons of others. Oh, and Jake's girlfriend Marie is one of the sweetest girls I've ever met! Certainly not the vicious she-devil I was led to believe she was!
39. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2006:
You'll get over it.
also,
Don't be afraid to jump.
Actually, I'll do it in the words of one of Tashi's famous proverbs:
If you reach for the sky, the treetops will catch you, but if you reach for the treetops, you'll fall to the ground.
40. Quote a song lyric that would sum up 2006:
Let's dance in style, let's dance for a while. Heaven can wait, we're only watching the stars. Hoping for the best but expecting the worst, are you gonna drop the bomb or not? - Forever Young (Youth Group version). The whole thing is a very summy-uppy-lyric.
You've gotta go after the things you want while you're still in your prime: There's a fine, fine line between love and a waste of time. - There's a Fine, Fine Line; Avenue Q. Actually, all of Avenue Q just sums up most of my life and elements of it. Sigh. What do you do with a BA in English? What is my life going to be? ...It sucks to be me!
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Zat is all. It took me 2 hours. I should add a resolution not to waste so much time on the internet.
AH WELL!
GOODBYE, 2006!
Hello, future.
After debating attending many exciting (and often expensive) events for the midnight celebration, I decided to go for a general "screw this" and spend the evening with close friends. =) So me, Jess P, Steph P, Mishy, Lekkie, Sanchy, and Amy all visited the city and watched the fireworks together. We got a really good spot: clear views, and not too crowded. Plus, we saw an "interesting" dinosaur show. During which I proved I have a lot of residual dinosaur memories that I have no idea where came from. Much gross food was eaten, many loo-trips and fart jokes were made, and many (ok, just Jesses) boobs went on public display. =P Many joyous photos were taken.
As soon as the fireworks finished (about 12:08), we began making our way to the station. At about 12:15, we got onto Swanston Street. At about 12.50, we managed to get on a train to Belgrave. Which we had to get off of at Ringwood to change to the Lilydale line. Then a few of us stayed at Jess's farm house overnight. I slep on a bed made of couch cushions, and woke to find I'd slipped into the crack like the proverbial coin from jeans pocket. But it was cosy like a nest, so I stayed. =D
The next day, Jess, Steph and I (Amy and Lek had left) spent virtually the whole of today lying on couches and snuggling on beds, occasionally getting up to eat unhealthy food, w00t w00t. We made a break to go to a winery/cafe for lunch, which was SO GOOD (I had some delicious gnocci and a blondie, among other things, for dessert), even though I virtually rolled home afterwards and was very nearly sick. Dad picked me up at around five, and we went on a quest for fresh cherries. And then I drove home, and I drove home awesomely. LICENCE HERE I COME!!! (Date is booked for test: 25TH OF JANUARY!!!).
Then I greeted my sister home from the Murray Marathon (Her team came first in it's division!!! YAY!), and proceeded to watch DVDs all night, and eat a single carrot and slice of plum pudding for dinner. Then I went on the internet and typed it all up. ^.^ ~Fin~
All in all, I feel like it was a much better (and much more positive) New Year to last year, wherein my baby got lost. He was fine this year: there were hardly any fireworks locally, and mum and dad locked him and Lucy in the laundry overnight as an extra precaution. All good, and still very cuddly.
-----
That's all for the "entry". Now for the quintessential New Years meme, which was stole'd from elvenpiratelady. Please read! It's under here.
1. What did you do in 2006 that you'd never done before?
Completed my VCE and subsequently, high school, =P , got a lead role in a musical, got a job, bought myself real jewellery (with discount from said job), learnt to use my keycard and wasted my money (earnt from said job), resisted Harry Potter fandom, learnt things about myself (which I think I've never really done before.
2. Did you keep your new years' resolutions, and will you make more for next year?
I can't even remember whether I made resolutions last year, so probably not.
YES: My resolutions for 2007 are - 1: Never eat a hot dog again, unless extreme situation, ie starving to death. 2: Eat healthier, eat smaller portions, and eat less often. 3: Not waste all of paycheque on shoes/food. 4: Keep bedroom and bathroom tidy and organised. 5: Practise singing more often, and properly (instead of just kareokeing to Broadway soundtracks). 6: Study and do well in Uni. 7: Get a solo-speaking/singing role in an ameuter theatre production (or better!). 8: Exercise often, and enjoy it! and 9: Don't be reckless with other people's hearts. Don't put up with people who are reckless with my own. (paraphrased from The Sunscreen Song).
3. Did anyone close to you give birth?
No, but the frogs in our pond mated and made tadpoles.
4. Did anyone close to you die?
...No.
5. What countries did you visit?
Australia, La-la-land, the Land of Boredom, Fantasy Island... no shit, I stayed at home.
6. What would you like to have in 2007 that you lacked in 2006?
Clarity, a source of income. A boy. A duck. =P
7. Which dates from 2006 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?
Yeah, too many to count. The days I sung on stage. =D Days I got my heart broken. Fun, happy days with friends. Personal reasons. Emotional reasons.
8. What was your biggest achievement of the year?
Just one? =D How do I pick? I feel pride. My ENTER score, being Polly in The Boy Friend, getting accepted into Monash music. Starting to eat salads - oh yes everyone, baby steps. Some more existential acheivements include learning to love myself and learning to forget what others think and just be myself (which earnt me a few "what a weirdo"s, but also earnt me some new friends =). )
9. What was your biggest failure?
I don't know: disappointing myself with Studio and German. Disappointing my parents. Occasionally being socially inept. Getting er, swept away in a fantasy, I suppose.
10. Did you suffer illness or injury?
A lot of colds and some stress-related (I reckon) flus and viruses, nothing serious. And my toenail came off on Schoolies =( .
11. What was the best thing you bought?
My blue shoes: and yes, I know I haven't got them yet, but theoretically, since I've been wanting them since October, and I placed my order in December, they count! That and my flowery dress with the detailed black straps: It really suits/flatters me, I can wear it to almost any occasion, AND it only cost $10.
12. Whose behavior merited celebration?
Meh. MINE!!! =P YOURS. Everyone's! What an odd question.
13. Whose behavior made you appalled and depressed?
A lot of people... but a specific case is a certain school "friend" who seems to live her life a certain way because she loves attention, and doesn't care how hurtful or rude she is to anyone else. Plus, she thinks shes shit-hot, and she's shit-not. Oh no I didn't! Oh Yes I did! Boo-ya!!!
14. Where did most of your money go?
=( Canteen food. Chocolate. Food. DVDs. Clothes. Food.
15. What did you get really, really, really excited about?
Avenue Q!!!!! Plus a million other things... Lost bears mentioning, as does Something Positive. I also got excited about the school Formal, and alcohol (more so than I used to be =P ). Driving!
16. What song will always remind you of 2006?
Don't Stop Me Now, by Queen, because it reminds me of my Tintern years in at least three ways, four if you wanna be existential. Forever Young, by Youth Group, (don't judge me) because it er... featured a lot this year. And in a lot of ways was fitting for what was going on in my life and the world around me. And probably True Blue, by John Williamson, because it's not a song I'm likely to hear a lot, and it will always remind me of my home, and of the tragedy of Steve Irwin's death.
17. Compared to this time last year, are you:
Happier or sadder? I think I'm happier. I feel like I've grown to understand myself and the world more. I have a lot more clarity.
Older and wiser? Older, yes. Maybe wiser. Like I said, I understand more now. And I know how to deal with more.
Thinner or fatter? Thinner for the first 6 months, fatter for the last 6 months. I was gonna say it's about both evenly, except I think today's lunch tipped me over the "fatter" end of the scale. Ah well.
Richer or poorer? Richer! I did spend a lot on Xmas gifts, but it was the first year I was able to buy them all MYSELF, and I'm proud of that. Yay for having a job!
18. What do you wish you'd done more of?
Exercise, Study (maybe), Music Theory lessons. Quality time with people I love and things that enrich me. I'm sounding so Zen right now. =P
19. What do you wish you'd done less of?
Wasting time on the Internet. Snacking/Boredom eating.
20. How will you be spending Christmas?
I spent 2006 Christmas with my family. Nice day. Warm and cosy, literally (at least inside the heated houses) and metaphorically. Next year will probably be the same, although we hope to do it at the new Torquay house!
22. Did you fall in love in 2006?
-.- let's call it an infatuation.
23. How many one-night stands?
I totally broke Michele's heart after sleeping with her on Schoolies and then leaving the next day. ;) Zero, duh.
24. What was your favorite TV program?
Lost, Scrubs and Futurama, although I got REALLY into Doctor Who =P . Something about David Tennant. I will keep watching it next year to see if it's still awesome.
25. Do you hate anyone now that you didn't hate this time last year?
No, hate is such a strong word. They "frustrated" me, in many ways. But I don't be hatin'.
26. What was the best book you read?
I didn't read much, but The Great Gatsby is a clear winner. It was so beautiful, tragic, and even sometimes incongruously comic. Plus, it invoked a lot of amusing discussions in Lit class. It has reached the honor of being put on my 'Favourite Books' list. This is the short, exclusive list. =P It only includes ONE of the six Harry Potter books.
27. What was your greatest musical discovery?
Lily Allen, Avenue Q, and Aretha Franklin. She's more than just RESPECT! =D
28. What did you want and get?
Red Satin shoes. Lead in the musical. A higher ENTER than my sister =P .
29. What did you want and not get?
Do blue shoes count? =P More free time. DVDs. Reciprocated love from a certain someone.
30. What was your favorite film of this year?
Trying to remember what I've seen... Walk the Line was beautiful, Happy Feet was cute and amusing. I LOVED Pirates 2 (not quite as much as the first, but still loved). X-Men 3 was quite good too. Worst movie I saw this year was Just My Luck. It was the biggest pile of crap I've ever seen (except for Kevin and Perry). It was Just. Awful. Don't bother seeing it. It's not even "so bad it's good". It's just bad.
31. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you?
I was 18, and I do believe I was on holiday. Maybe went out to dinner with parents? Can't remember. I had a biggish party a few weeks later with friends. We had kareoke. =D
32. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?
A fairly satisfactory ENTER. Friends and friendships. Oh sorry, I thought it said what DID make it satisfying!!! =P I don't know... confidence? Somebody to Love? =P
33. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2006?
Quirky, Comfy, Casual. A lot of boots, stockings, and empire line clothing was worn.
34. What kept you sane?
"Friends and family, and a livejournal which I can write rants and which can't answer back." I'll stick with Jen's answer! Also Boost bars, and Scrubs DVDs.
35. Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most?
<3 <3 <3 Zooey Deschanel. <3 Pictured in my current Xmas icon (among other icons). <3 <3 <3 All hail 2006, the year of Amanda's First Girlcrush! But a very, very close second is Josh Holloway (aka Sawyer from Lost).
36. What political issue stirred you the most?
Just one? Nah! Climate change, the "obesity epidemic" and homosexual marriage/unions/adoption rights. But the clear winner is censorship and the axing of The Glasshouse. AND YES, TO ME, THAT IS A POLITICAL ISSUE!!!
37. Who did you miss?
Kristen, Jess W, and Tegan. More Mrs Mathers. The boys from Queer As Folk. =P
38. Who was the best new person you met?
Very hard to choose. Tara I've known for a long time but only became friends with this year, really, and she's great. Kayley I also befriended this year, and she's awesome. So funny! But yeah, tons of others. Oh, and Jake's girlfriend Marie is one of the sweetest girls I've ever met! Certainly not the vicious she-devil I was led to believe she was!
39. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2006:
You'll get over it.
also,
Don't be afraid to jump.
Actually, I'll do it in the words of one of Tashi's famous proverbs:
If you reach for the sky, the treetops will catch you, but if you reach for the treetops, you'll fall to the ground.
40. Quote a song lyric that would sum up 2006:
Let's dance in style, let's dance for a while. Heaven can wait, we're only watching the stars. Hoping for the best but expecting the worst, are you gonna drop the bomb or not? - Forever Young (Youth Group version). The whole thing is a very summy-uppy-lyric.
You've gotta go after the things you want while you're still in your prime: There's a fine, fine line between love and a waste of time. - There's a Fine, Fine Line; Avenue Q. Actually, all of Avenue Q just sums up most of my life and elements of it. Sigh. What do you do with a BA in English? What is my life going to be? ...It sucks to be me!
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Zat is all. It took me 2 hours. I should add a resolution not to waste so much time on the internet.
AH WELL!
GOODBYE, 2006!
Hello, future.