LJ meme: 2013 evalution questionnaire
From the same LJ-meme I did this time in 2012, 2011, 2010, 2009, 2008, 2007, 2006, 2005, 2004 and 2003.
NOTE: Those answers marked with an asterisk have not changed since last year.
1. What did you do in 2013 that you'd never done before?
2013 was similar somewhat to 2012, slowly plodding along the path to naturalisation, but after swearing an oath to the British crown in May (and then finally winning my British passport to prove it), I officially became a citizen of another country. Travel-wise, I saw the Caspian Sea for the first time (August) and the southern half of the Atlantic Ocean (December).
2. Did you keep your New Years' resolutions, and will you make more for next year?
Yes, I kept my New Years resolution, and as usual, will only be making one for next year. *
3. Did anyone close to you give birth?
My sister's due-date is actually around now: I'm waiting with bated breath for news from Australia any minute now about when I officially become an uncle!
4. Did anyone close to you die?
Narelle/trippr, an online friend and ex-gf, sadly succumbed to cancer earlier this year. And I just received word, only a few hours ago, my maternal Belgian grandfather passed away in Melbourne earlier today, at 86. :(
5. What countries did you visit?
In order? Germany (again), Poland (again), back to Germany (yet again), Belgium (again), Germany (yet again), Croatia (again), Slovenia (again), Italy (again), Andorra, France (again), Switzerland (again), Italy (yet again), Armenia, Georgia, Azerbaijan, France (yet again), Argentina, Uruguay, Brazil, France (yet again) and Germany (yet again). And that scratches up another new continent I've visited!
6. What would you like to have in 2014 that you lacked in 2013?
Probably decent payrise (or work environment, for that matter)!? Otherwise, I can't think of anything else.
7. What date from 2013 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?
Amongst a few others, I'll go with:
1) May 28th: after swearing an oath to the British monarch and my first-ever attempt to sing "God save the Queen", I officially become a citizen of the United Kingdom, after nearly 8 years of long bureaucratic struggle, in London;
2) August 21st: after a 1.5hr walk in drizzly weather, to finally reach the isolated mountain Kazbegi monastery majestically perched high in the peaks of the Greater Caucasus, in Georgia;
3) September 20th: seeing Soundgarden, one of my absolute favourite teenage bands, live in front of my face for an unforgettable night, in London;
4) December 16th: staring awestruck from the viewing balconies of the Corcovardo across the Guanabara Bay and over the suburban sprawl of Rio de Janeiro.
8. What was your biggest achievement of the year?
Becoming a British citizen! And later finally receiving my British passport as international proof. I was also able to finally get VMware-certified as well, my first new qualification in over two years (despite attending the training course well over a year ago).
9. What was your biggest failure?
I think this year has been pretty damn successful, considering. I can't think of any one, devastating failure, to be honest. *
10. Did you suffer illness or injury?
Apart from the odd sniffle, thankfully this year as been relatively healthy. *
11. What was the best thing you bought?
A (forced) upgrade to a Samsung Galaxy S3 smartphone, in November.
12. Whose behaviour merited celebration?
No one I can immediately think of: with all the highs and lows of my particular life currently, I wouldn't single mine out specifically for praise. *
13. Whose behaviour made you appalled and depressed?
Like I'd name anyone for such in a journal. ;) *
14. Where did most of your money go?
The usual: international travel! And attempting to slowly get rid of my credit card debt, to which I've been mostly successful, despite the eye-watering bills finally winning my citizenship racked up.
e
15. What did you get really, really, really excited about?
I drove to Eastern Europe for the first time, was finally able to take Aoife overseas with me, visited Joseph Stalin's home-town, and mustered cattle on horseback on a northern Uruguayan ranch. And became a British citizen (notice a pattern here?).
16. What song will always remind you of 2013?
Soundgarden's "Been away for too long".
17. Compared to this time last year, are you:
i. happier or sadder? Probably happier, I'd say.
ii. thinner or fatter? Both: my figure has been yoyoing due to spells of not much exercise behind computer monitors on poor-quality British food, only to lose most of it when I go on physically-active holidays in warmer weather with a better local diet.
iii. richer or poorer? Definitely poorer: while living in London is generally expensive, and obtaining citizenship has not been cheap, I've continued with my efforts this year to start getting rid of my debts.
18. What do you wish you'd done more of?
Travel, of course! It's an addiction! There's never enough time to go and see everything you want to! *
19. What do you wish you'd done less of?
Second-guess myself. A few situations this year would not have been as difficult if I'd just followed my instincts more. *
20. How will you be spending Christmas?
Working, meh. At least I was able to attend another marvellous German Xmas-market this year just beforehand!
22. Did you fall in love in 2013?
No. *
23. How many one-night stands?
None. *
24. What was your favourite TV program?
Like the old place, there's no terrestrial TV at my current place, so most of my TV has been by download-only (strangely enough, this means my new housemates have been raiding my collection for a change), mostly "The Tunnel", "The Newsroom", "Borgen", "Game of Thrones" and a final catch-up of the entire 7 series of the revived "Doctor Who" in time for its 50th anniversary this year.
25. Do you hate anyone now that you didn't hate this time last year?
No. *
26. What was the best book you read?
Sad as it is to say, nothing really sticks in my memory: I appear to be listening to far more music in my down-time than I am reading this year. *
27. What was your greatest musical discovery?
Not so much a discovery as a rediscovery, falling back in love with the haunting sounds of Icelandic post-rock band Sigur Rós after a long gap. That and finally rocking out to Soundgarden live in concert this year!
28. What did you want and get?
Wait for it......yes, British citizenship!
29. What did you want and not get?
Meh, too much to ramble on about here again; scroll back through my journal and you'll get an idea. *
30. What was your favourite film of this year?
While not having much time to watch anything as usual, work has allowed us to watch terrestrial TV in the office: specific highlights were the first Hobbit film (yes, I liked it), Star Trek into Darkness, Despicable Me 2, and RED 2.
31. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you?
Overseas as usual! I found myself in the tiny micro-state of Andorra on the day of my birthday, turning 34.
32. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?
Besides one or two things, I've had a pretty good year this year, compared to most. *
33. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2013?
Pretty much boringly practical, with all the travelling I did, although the kilt came out once or twice. Not even a side-step into the occasional alternative/cybergoth outfit from time to time like years past.
34. What kept you sane?
Distraction through travel mostly, and my friends to distract me on the odd occasion otherwise. *
35. Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most?
None really. *
36. What political issue stirred you the most?
This year saw the sad continuation of the Arab Spring further tear Syria apart and claim another ruler in Egypt; the resignation of the pope; the ongoing eurozone crisis; Snowden's electronic bombshell of US mass surveillance, and the recent passing of Nelson Mandela.
37. Who did you miss?
Mostly my family (Australian and Belgian) and all my Australian and Belgian friends: I was able to visit Belgium again this year, but having visited Australia in 2011 just makes me miss the place more. I still miss you all! *
38. Who was the best new person you met?
I met a few new people this year, I don't want them to regret doing so if I rank them here! *
39. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2013:
Nothing I can really recall at the moment: the problem with taking life at a more sensible pace for a change. :) *
40. Where were you and who were you with when 2013 began?
Working: talk about depressing. We brought in some cider to toast in the New Year a little later though.
41. Where will you be when 2013 ends?
Up North in Manchester with all my friends!
42. Did you drink a lot of alcohol in 2013?
Not really. *
43. Did you do a lot of drugs in 2013?
Not really. *
44. How many people did you sleep with in 2013?
Heh, now that would be telling. ;) *
45. Did you do anything you are ashamed of this year?
Not that I can recall. *
46. What was the worst lie someone told you in 2013?
"Getting a British passport really isn't that difficult."
47. How much money did you spend in 2013?
While not as much as previous years (and actively trying to kill my credit card debt), I really should be saving something. *
48. If you could go back in time to any moment of 2013 and change something, what would it be?
I'm fairly happy with the way this year went, nothing really much I can think to change! *
49. What are your plans for 2014?
The usual: work, and travel. Maybe it will be time for another change though....?
50. Quote a song lyric that sums up your year.
"You can walk a million miles and get nowhere / I got no where to go and it seems I came back"
This entry was originally posted at http://mnemonia.dreamwidth.org/331957.html. Comments may be left on either entry.
NOTE: Those answers marked with an asterisk have not changed since last year.
1. What did you do in 2013 that you'd never done before?
2013 was similar somewhat to 2012, slowly plodding along the path to naturalisation, but after swearing an oath to the British crown in May (and then finally winning my British passport to prove it), I officially became a citizen of another country. Travel-wise, I saw the Caspian Sea for the first time (August) and the southern half of the Atlantic Ocean (December).
2. Did you keep your New Years' resolutions, and will you make more for next year?
Yes, I kept my New Years resolution, and as usual, will only be making one for next year. *
3. Did anyone close to you give birth?
My sister's due-date is actually around now: I'm waiting with bated breath for news from Australia any minute now about when I officially become an uncle!
4. Did anyone close to you die?
Narelle/trippr, an online friend and ex-gf, sadly succumbed to cancer earlier this year. And I just received word, only a few hours ago, my maternal Belgian grandfather passed away in Melbourne earlier today, at 86. :(
5. What countries did you visit?
In order? Germany (again), Poland (again), back to Germany (yet again), Belgium (again), Germany (yet again), Croatia (again), Slovenia (again), Italy (again), Andorra, France (again), Switzerland (again), Italy (yet again), Armenia, Georgia, Azerbaijan, France (yet again), Argentina, Uruguay, Brazil, France (yet again) and Germany (yet again). And that scratches up another new continent I've visited!
6. What would you like to have in 2014 that you lacked in 2013?
Probably decent payrise (or work environment, for that matter)!? Otherwise, I can't think of anything else.
7. What date from 2013 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?
Amongst a few others, I'll go with:
1) May 28th: after swearing an oath to the British monarch and my first-ever attempt to sing "God save the Queen", I officially become a citizen of the United Kingdom, after nearly 8 years of long bureaucratic struggle, in London;
2) August 21st: after a 1.5hr walk in drizzly weather, to finally reach the isolated mountain Kazbegi monastery majestically perched high in the peaks of the Greater Caucasus, in Georgia;
3) September 20th: seeing Soundgarden, one of my absolute favourite teenage bands, live in front of my face for an unforgettable night, in London;
4) December 16th: staring awestruck from the viewing balconies of the Corcovardo across the Guanabara Bay and over the suburban sprawl of Rio de Janeiro.
8. What was your biggest achievement of the year?
Becoming a British citizen! And later finally receiving my British passport as international proof. I was also able to finally get VMware-certified as well, my first new qualification in over two years (despite attending the training course well over a year ago).
9. What was your biggest failure?
I think this year has been pretty damn successful, considering. I can't think of any one, devastating failure, to be honest. *
10. Did you suffer illness or injury?
Apart from the odd sniffle, thankfully this year as been relatively healthy. *
11. What was the best thing you bought?
A (forced) upgrade to a Samsung Galaxy S3 smartphone, in November.
12. Whose behaviour merited celebration?
No one I can immediately think of: with all the highs and lows of my particular life currently, I wouldn't single mine out specifically for praise. *
13. Whose behaviour made you appalled and depressed?
Like I'd name anyone for such in a journal. ;) *
14. Where did most of your money go?
The usual: international travel! And attempting to slowly get rid of my credit card debt, to which I've been mostly successful, despite the eye-watering bills finally winning my citizenship racked up.
e
15. What did you get really, really, really excited about?
I drove to Eastern Europe for the first time, was finally able to take Aoife overseas with me, visited Joseph Stalin's home-town, and mustered cattle on horseback on a northern Uruguayan ranch. And became a British citizen (notice a pattern here?).
16. What song will always remind you of 2013?
Soundgarden's "Been away for too long".
17. Compared to this time last year, are you:
i. happier or sadder? Probably happier, I'd say.
ii. thinner or fatter? Both: my figure has been yoyoing due to spells of not much exercise behind computer monitors on poor-quality British food, only to lose most of it when I go on physically-active holidays in warmer weather with a better local diet.
iii. richer or poorer? Definitely poorer: while living in London is generally expensive, and obtaining citizenship has not been cheap, I've continued with my efforts this year to start getting rid of my debts.
18. What do you wish you'd done more of?
Travel, of course! It's an addiction! There's never enough time to go and see everything you want to! *
19. What do you wish you'd done less of?
Second-guess myself. A few situations this year would not have been as difficult if I'd just followed my instincts more. *
20. How will you be spending Christmas?
Working, meh. At least I was able to attend another marvellous German Xmas-market this year just beforehand!
22. Did you fall in love in 2013?
No. *
23. How many one-night stands?
None. *
24. What was your favourite TV program?
Like the old place, there's no terrestrial TV at my current place, so most of my TV has been by download-only (strangely enough, this means my new housemates have been raiding my collection for a change), mostly "The Tunnel", "The Newsroom", "Borgen", "Game of Thrones" and a final catch-up of the entire 7 series of the revived "Doctor Who" in time for its 50th anniversary this year.
25. Do you hate anyone now that you didn't hate this time last year?
No. *
26. What was the best book you read?
Sad as it is to say, nothing really sticks in my memory: I appear to be listening to far more music in my down-time than I am reading this year. *
27. What was your greatest musical discovery?
Not so much a discovery as a rediscovery, falling back in love with the haunting sounds of Icelandic post-rock band Sigur Rós after a long gap. That and finally rocking out to Soundgarden live in concert this year!
28. What did you want and get?
Wait for it......yes, British citizenship!
29. What did you want and not get?
Meh, too much to ramble on about here again; scroll back through my journal and you'll get an idea. *
30. What was your favourite film of this year?
While not having much time to watch anything as usual, work has allowed us to watch terrestrial TV in the office: specific highlights were the first Hobbit film (yes, I liked it), Star Trek into Darkness, Despicable Me 2, and RED 2.
31. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you?
Overseas as usual! I found myself in the tiny micro-state of Andorra on the day of my birthday, turning 34.
32. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?
Besides one or two things, I've had a pretty good year this year, compared to most. *
33. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2013?
Pretty much boringly practical, with all the travelling I did, although the kilt came out once or twice. Not even a side-step into the occasional alternative/cybergoth outfit from time to time like years past.
34. What kept you sane?
Distraction through travel mostly, and my friends to distract me on the odd occasion otherwise. *
35. Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most?
None really. *
36. What political issue stirred you the most?
This year saw the sad continuation of the Arab Spring further tear Syria apart and claim another ruler in Egypt; the resignation of the pope; the ongoing eurozone crisis; Snowden's electronic bombshell of US mass surveillance, and the recent passing of Nelson Mandela.
37. Who did you miss?
Mostly my family (Australian and Belgian) and all my Australian and Belgian friends: I was able to visit Belgium again this year, but having visited Australia in 2011 just makes me miss the place more. I still miss you all! *
38. Who was the best new person you met?
I met a few new people this year, I don't want them to regret doing so if I rank them here! *
39. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2013:
Nothing I can really recall at the moment: the problem with taking life at a more sensible pace for a change. :) *
40. Where were you and who were you with when 2013 began?
Working: talk about depressing. We brought in some cider to toast in the New Year a little later though.
41. Where will you be when 2013 ends?
Up North in Manchester with all my friends!
42. Did you drink a lot of alcohol in 2013?
Not really. *
43. Did you do a lot of drugs in 2013?
Not really. *
44. How many people did you sleep with in 2013?
Heh, now that would be telling. ;) *
45. Did you do anything you are ashamed of this year?
Not that I can recall. *
46. What was the worst lie someone told you in 2013?
"Getting a British passport really isn't that difficult."
47. How much money did you spend in 2013?
While not as much as previous years (and actively trying to kill my credit card debt), I really should be saving something. *
48. If you could go back in time to any moment of 2013 and change something, what would it be?
I'm fairly happy with the way this year went, nothing really much I can think to change! *
49. What are your plans for 2014?
The usual: work, and travel. Maybe it will be time for another change though....?
50. Quote a song lyric that sums up your year.
"You can walk a million miles and get nowhere / I got no where to go and it seems I came back"
This entry was originally posted at http://mnemonia.dreamwidth.org/331957.html. Comments may be left on either entry.