2023 in Review
01. What did you do in 2023 that you'd never done before?
Got my Golden Keys!!! Trained for and ran a 10K.
02. Did you keep your new years' resolutions, and will you make more for next year?
Mostly no unfortunately! I did write last year that I would like to maybe run a 10K and I did :) But this year I really do need to focus on my teeth.
03. Did someone close to you give birth?
Some friends in America had babies.
04. Did anyone close to you die?
Thankfully not.
05. What countries did you visit?
In February we went to Belgium for a long weekend. In May we went to Ireland for 2 full weeks. In June I was in Norway for work for 3 nights. Otherwise we were here! We had two long weekends in Gothenburg. 5 nights in Småland over Thanksgiving. And our annual weekend in Svartsö.
06. What would you like to have in 2024 that you lacked in 2023?
I truly hope I can make it to London this year!!!!
07. What date from 2023 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?
February 7th the day I got my Golden Keys! May 22nd picking up my parents at Dublin Airport to go on an 8 day road trip around Northern Ireland together. October 7th the day the war kicked off.
08. What was your biggest achievement(s) of the year?
Getting my Golden Keys! Successfully training for a 10K.
09. What was your biggest failure(s)?
Falling into a terrible pit of not reading. Oh wait that is what I said last year and it is still true. Depressing AF!!!
10. Did you suffer illness or injury?
Some rotten colds including one *right* before my birthday. No doubt the damn pandemic weakened our immune systems.
11. What was the best thing you bought?
I bought very little last year which was nice!
12. Whose behaviour merited celebration?
I honestly can't think of anybody.
13. Whose behaviour made you appalled and depressed?
Politicians. Nothing new there.
14. Where did most of your money go?
Going out to eat. Increased mortgage costs.
15. What did you get really, really, really excited about?
Taking my parents to Ireland! Turning 40.
16. What songs will always remind you of 2023?
All those damn songs that become viral on social media!
17. Compared to this time last year, are you...
i. happier or sadder? Happier.
ii. thinner or fatter? Fatter...
iii. richer or poorer? Richer. I got a slight pay increase from my union.
18. What do you wish you'd done more of?
Read!!!
19. What do you wish you had done less of?
Doom scrolled.
20. How will you be spending Christmas?
I worked Christmas Eve 2-10PM. Hubby came and stayed at the hotel with me. The chef made us a mini Julbord which was nice! Christmas Day I worked 7-3PM and then we made a really nice dinner at home with a fabulous bottle of wine I had gotten from a guest. We exchanged one token gift.
21. What are you most looking forward to in 2024?
My 40th birthday trip in South East Asia!! My first Golden Keys International Congress in Bali!!! Going back to America for Thanksgiving!!!
22. Did you fall in love in 2023?
Just with my friends and family and Irish Ski Bunny as usual :)
23. How many one-night stands?
Nada!
24. What was your favourite TV program?
The Bear! Also enjoying VEEP now too.
25. Do you hate anyone now that you didn't hate this time last year?
Nix!
26. What was the best book you read?
I can't answer this as I read so little. Hopefully our upcoming holiday will bring literature back into my life!
27. What was your greatest musical discovery?
I truly can't think of anything.
28. What did you want and get?
To get my Golden Keys before I turned 40 :)
29. What did you want and not get?
To go to London.
30. Favourite films of this year?
Barbie!
31. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you?
On the actual day I worked. I was feeling really great about turning 40 leading up to the day but on the actual day I had a bit of a wobble! The next day we had a spa day and I got a much needed massage. In the evening we had a spectacular dinner at Ett Hem. I plan to throw myself a party in the spring.
32.What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?
A substantial payrise from the hotel. More time in Småland.
33. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2023?
Vintage modern.
34. What kept you sane?
Irish Ski Bunny forever and always.
35. Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most?
Nobody comes to mind.
36. What political issue stirred you the most?
The war in the Middle East and global leaders handling of it. The ongoing war in Ukraine. The change of rules in Sweden for visas.
37. Who/what do you miss?
My friends and family around the world...
38. Who was the best new person you met?
My Cup of Jo ladies!
39. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2023.
Moisturizing your neck, elbows and knees. Stretch.
40. What are you doing for New Years Eve?
I worked during the day till 3. We called some friends and family around the world to catch up. That evening we made a seafood platter with lobster, smoked prawns, scallops and herring. We served it with our vintage wedding champagne. We watched the fireworks again from our balcony but not for as long this year as it was freezing! We watched the Graham Norton NYE special with a glass of port. I am sorry that 2023 was so hard for so many people around the world and that I love in my life. But for me it was a spectacular year and I loved almost every second of it!