2012 in Review
Because everyone else is doing it and it's been far too long since I've done a proper update!
1.What did you do in 2012 that you’d never done before?
Tried snails and black pudding. Saw Prince live - and a few other artists too but he was the notable "first time" concert.
2. Did you keep your new year’s resolutions, and will you make more for next year?
I resolved to stress less. I had a few panic attacks, but I think on the whole I was successful in not spiralling as often, and getting out of an anxious state quicker. This year I'm resolving to yell less. I really have a problem with the yelling.
3. Did anyone close to you give birth?
Kellie and Charles had little Ariel.
4. Did anyone close to you die?
No, we had a lucky year in that regard. I did cry over Whitney Houston and Koko the dog though.
5. What countries did you visit?
None. I don't think there'll be any overseas travel for me for a long time.
6. What would you like to have in 2013 that you lacked in 2012?
A Matchbox 20 meet and greet? Fat chance they're touring again so soon, but Steve assures me next time we're forking out that cash.
7. What dates from 2012 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?
18 May - Prince - the man himself with Lisa to keep me company, perfect.
30 October - Matchbox 20 - any concert from my favourite band counts!
8. What was your biggest achievement of the year?
Developing what's becoming a really special bond with Miss Lily. Also making strides with work. Using the opportunity of not working for Chris to start declaring I'm not working for less than x and properly working smarter, not harder, as I've been planning for years.
9. What was your biggest failure?
Perhaps just a very general failure to communicate. I seem to become a crazy person that yells and screams and runs on emotion before I can get to the point where I can calmly sort something else. I'm really good at expressing myself once I'm past the crazy point.
10. Did you suffer illness or injury?
Nothing beyond a few colds and a persistant plantar wart.
11. What was the best thing you bought?
Dresses from Review! I'm really feeling like I'm getting a handle on my personal style thanks to this fantastic store. Bows, frills, and spots ahoy!
12. Whose behaviour merited celebration?
Steve continues to be awesome for the most part - he can be lazy and when he was unemployed he was less than stellar, but it was a bit of a blip in some serious awesomeness. The way Rob Thomas speaks out for gay marriage and abandoned animals also gets me. Also Barack Obama for having the guts to say things that aren't always popular.
13. Whose behaviour made you appalled and depressed?
My parents'. The way they dealt with Madelyn's desires to become a nanny or au pair is really galling me, and reminding me of the way things were when I was moving out of home.
14. Where did most of your money go?
Savings happily. And concert tickets.
15. What did you get really, really, really excited about?
That Matchbox concert. So excited I could barely see straight.
16. What song will always remind you of 2011?
Probably "She's So Mean." Not the best from North by any means, but it was everywhere and that was a bit special.
17. Compared to this time last year, are you: (a) happier or sadder? (b) thinner or fatter? (c) richer or poorer?
a) Happier, mostly because I'm working a bit less and not putting as much stress on myself, or Steve.
b) Slightly fatter. I haven't been so good with the exercise.
c) Richer, although ask me in 6 months when we put a deposit on a house and I'll say poorer!
18. What do you wish you’d done more of?
Reading. I've been taking time on Sundays to do it which has been really calming. I just wish I started sooner, and stopped feeling like I always had some work to do that was more important.
19. What do you wish you’d done less of?
In that case, probably working. I love it, but throwing myself in as much as I did this year probably hasn't made me the most balanced person.
20. How did you spend Christmas?
Same old same old. Up to the parents on Christmas Eve, parking ourselves there until December 27. On the day we did seafood, unusual for us but something Madelyn spearheaded. We also had Paul and Cheryl down from Macksville, and Pop. Unusual to spend it with that side of the family, but quite chilled and nice.
21. Did you fall in love in 2012?
I think I fell in love with my niece Lily. I always loved her in that way you love family, but I started to spend real time and create a bond and properly enjoy her this year. And always falling in love over and over again with the boy!
22. What was your favourite TV program?
I spend so much time on the couch! Probably Private Practice, but I also devoured Masterchef and My Kitchen Rules and The Voice and Grey's and Homeland and Mad Men and 90210 and The Secret Life of an American Teenager.
23. Do you hate anyone now that you didn’t hate this time last year?
I don't hate. It takes far too much energy.
24. What was the best book you read?
Loose Girl - a really interesting memoir of a promiscuous teen and how she grew to love herself and stop using sex for attention.
25. What was your greatest musical discovery?
Hmmm, maybe Jamie Hay?
26. What did you want and get?
Peter Alexander Bambi pyjamas. I've wanted them since the first Disney release. Thanks Steve!
27. What did you want and not get?
That massive OzLotto win. Ahh well.
28. What was your favourite film of this year?
Definitely The Perks of Being a Wallflower. See it people!
29. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you?
I was 32. I did lunch at the golf club in Wyong with the parents and dinner at Ettalong with Steve. Yes, I just ate.
30. What one thing made your year immeasurably more satisfying?
My husband, my job, cooking. And also spending some time in Brisbane with Lisa, taking time out and being a single girl for just a little while, seeing Christian performing again, realising that while I get older I can always go back to some degree. That was special.
31. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2012?
Retro and super girly.
32. What kept you sane?
"North." When life got bad I put that new Matchbox album on and realised the band is still like therapy for me.
33. Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most?
Still Rob Thomas. But he keeps posing with puppies and speaking out for gay rights and keeping his hair just a little too long. What's a girl to do?
34. What political issue stirred you the most?
Sam sex marriage.
35. Who did you miss?
John Mayer a little bit. His album "Born and Raised" was his most amazing yet, and I wish I could have seen him perform it.
36. Who was the best new person you met?
The people at Steve's new work. I feel he's in really good hands.
37. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2012.
I'm starting to feel like I didn't really learn anything! Perhaps that no matter how smoothly my relationship with my mother appears to travel, it can change in an instant if I disagree with her. That's quite sobering. I feel I've still got to fight and stand up for who I am and what I feel, but I know that's the way it will go. Always.
38. Quote a song lyric that sums up your year.
And you thought the world might end if you just looked the other way - Parade - Matchbox 20
1.What did you do in 2012 that you’d never done before?
Tried snails and black pudding. Saw Prince live - and a few other artists too but he was the notable "first time" concert.
2. Did you keep your new year’s resolutions, and will you make more for next year?
I resolved to stress less. I had a few panic attacks, but I think on the whole I was successful in not spiralling as often, and getting out of an anxious state quicker. This year I'm resolving to yell less. I really have a problem with the yelling.
3. Did anyone close to you give birth?
Kellie and Charles had little Ariel.
4. Did anyone close to you die?
No, we had a lucky year in that regard. I did cry over Whitney Houston and Koko the dog though.
5. What countries did you visit?
None. I don't think there'll be any overseas travel for me for a long time.
6. What would you like to have in 2013 that you lacked in 2012?
A Matchbox 20 meet and greet? Fat chance they're touring again so soon, but Steve assures me next time we're forking out that cash.
7. What dates from 2012 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?
18 May - Prince - the man himself with Lisa to keep me company, perfect.
30 October - Matchbox 20 - any concert from my favourite band counts!
8. What was your biggest achievement of the year?
Developing what's becoming a really special bond with Miss Lily. Also making strides with work. Using the opportunity of not working for Chris to start declaring I'm not working for less than x and properly working smarter, not harder, as I've been planning for years.
9. What was your biggest failure?
Perhaps just a very general failure to communicate. I seem to become a crazy person that yells and screams and runs on emotion before I can get to the point where I can calmly sort something else. I'm really good at expressing myself once I'm past the crazy point.
10. Did you suffer illness or injury?
Nothing beyond a few colds and a persistant plantar wart.
11. What was the best thing you bought?
Dresses from Review! I'm really feeling like I'm getting a handle on my personal style thanks to this fantastic store. Bows, frills, and spots ahoy!
12. Whose behaviour merited celebration?
Steve continues to be awesome for the most part - he can be lazy and when he was unemployed he was less than stellar, but it was a bit of a blip in some serious awesomeness. The way Rob Thomas speaks out for gay marriage and abandoned animals also gets me. Also Barack Obama for having the guts to say things that aren't always popular.
13. Whose behaviour made you appalled and depressed?
My parents'. The way they dealt with Madelyn's desires to become a nanny or au pair is really galling me, and reminding me of the way things were when I was moving out of home.
14. Where did most of your money go?
Savings happily. And concert tickets.
15. What did you get really, really, really excited about?
That Matchbox concert. So excited I could barely see straight.
16. What song will always remind you of 2011?
Probably "She's So Mean." Not the best from North by any means, but it was everywhere and that was a bit special.
17. Compared to this time last year, are you: (a) happier or sadder? (b) thinner or fatter? (c) richer or poorer?
a) Happier, mostly because I'm working a bit less and not putting as much stress on myself, or Steve.
b) Slightly fatter. I haven't been so good with the exercise.
c) Richer, although ask me in 6 months when we put a deposit on a house and I'll say poorer!
18. What do you wish you’d done more of?
Reading. I've been taking time on Sundays to do it which has been really calming. I just wish I started sooner, and stopped feeling like I always had some work to do that was more important.
19. What do you wish you’d done less of?
In that case, probably working. I love it, but throwing myself in as much as I did this year probably hasn't made me the most balanced person.
20. How did you spend Christmas?
Same old same old. Up to the parents on Christmas Eve, parking ourselves there until December 27. On the day we did seafood, unusual for us but something Madelyn spearheaded. We also had Paul and Cheryl down from Macksville, and Pop. Unusual to spend it with that side of the family, but quite chilled and nice.
21. Did you fall in love in 2012?
I think I fell in love with my niece Lily. I always loved her in that way you love family, but I started to spend real time and create a bond and properly enjoy her this year. And always falling in love over and over again with the boy!
22. What was your favourite TV program?
I spend so much time on the couch! Probably Private Practice, but I also devoured Masterchef and My Kitchen Rules and The Voice and Grey's and Homeland and Mad Men and 90210 and The Secret Life of an American Teenager.
23. Do you hate anyone now that you didn’t hate this time last year?
I don't hate. It takes far too much energy.
24. What was the best book you read?
Loose Girl - a really interesting memoir of a promiscuous teen and how she grew to love herself and stop using sex for attention.
25. What was your greatest musical discovery?
Hmmm, maybe Jamie Hay?
26. What did you want and get?
Peter Alexander Bambi pyjamas. I've wanted them since the first Disney release. Thanks Steve!
27. What did you want and not get?
That massive OzLotto win. Ahh well.
28. What was your favourite film of this year?
Definitely The Perks of Being a Wallflower. See it people!
29. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you?
I was 32. I did lunch at the golf club in Wyong with the parents and dinner at Ettalong with Steve. Yes, I just ate.
30. What one thing made your year immeasurably more satisfying?
My husband, my job, cooking. And also spending some time in Brisbane with Lisa, taking time out and being a single girl for just a little while, seeing Christian performing again, realising that while I get older I can always go back to some degree. That was special.
31. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2012?
Retro and super girly.
32. What kept you sane?
"North." When life got bad I put that new Matchbox album on and realised the band is still like therapy for me.
33. Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most?
Still Rob Thomas. But he keeps posing with puppies and speaking out for gay rights and keeping his hair just a little too long. What's a girl to do?
34. What political issue stirred you the most?
Sam sex marriage.
35. Who did you miss?
John Mayer a little bit. His album "Born and Raised" was his most amazing yet, and I wish I could have seen him perform it.
36. Who was the best new person you met?
The people at Steve's new work. I feel he's in really good hands.
37. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2012.
I'm starting to feel like I didn't really learn anything! Perhaps that no matter how smoothly my relationship with my mother appears to travel, it can change in an instant if I disagree with her. That's quite sobering. I feel I've still got to fight and stand up for who I am and what I feel, but I know that's the way it will go. Always.
38. Quote a song lyric that sums up your year.
And you thought the world might end if you just looked the other way - Parade - Matchbox 20