end of year meme
As always with the real good memes, courtesy of minnesattva
1. What did you do in 2015 that you'd never done before?
Being involved in a project where people created art that wasn't there before. There's art now in the world partly because of me. That's very cool. Also, I've cried in my office - that's a new one. Lots of work-stuff related to being a boss that I got to do for the first time.
2. Did you keep your new year's resolutions, and will you make more for next year?
I had a bunch of very serious New Year's resolutions, like taking lunch to work and finishing my novel. I even thought I was going to move apartments this year. None of that happened. Yes, I will make more for next year. I love those resolutions. But this year, I'll try to make some that I'm actually excited to keep. We'll see how that goes.
3. Did anyone close to you give birth?:
People did give birth, but no one particularly close.
4. Did anyone close to you die?
Not this year.
5. What countries did you visit?:
Belgium, Germany, Portugal. I also visited Córdoba, a city I'd never been to. And also the Gamescom in Cologne, which isn't a country, but should be.
6. What would you like to have in 2016 that you lacked in 2015?:
A little more confidence and a little less guilt. The usual. Also, this:
7. What date from 2015 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?:
My memory isn't really receptive to being etched upon. I remember little moments, of anger, sadness, even despair, and many or joy & satisfaction. I don't even know if they are from this year or the last, and that's fine. Just fine.
If I had to pick a date though, it would be 2nd February, the day I officially became manager, director or what have you of the Goethe-Insitut Madrid library.
8. What was your biggest achievement of the year?:
Probably that art project I mentioned. Also, surviving my first year as a manager relatively intact - no one hates me yet, not in my department, not in others. That's a success, I believe.
9. What was your biggest failure?:
In my eagerness to be "one of the guys" I failed to assert myself as a leader - yes, even if it's only for a team of three.
10. Did you suffer illness or injury?:
Only one very small flu, and a couple of really mean periods. Everyone else around me was almost permanently sick, so I couldn't really afford to.
11. What was the best thing you bought?:
All those books I haven't read yet. Just looking at them makes me happy. Also, Netflix.
12. Whose behaviour merited celebration?:
Some co-workers, especially M. and P., who were there when I needed help or just a shoulder to cry on. My mother, who was surprisingly supportive and non-obnoxious. My brother, who got out of his apathy and involved in a political movement - not one I support but kudos to him.
13. Whose behaviour made you appalled and depressed?:
Other coworkers, especially bosses, who mad a completely flabbergasting show of being childish, petty, incompetent and cowardly. *shudder* Also, terrorists. Fuck you.
14. Where did most of your money go?:
Rent and groceries. Restaurants. Entertainment. Travel.
15. What did you get really, really, really excited about?:
Nothing all that much. Which is a bit sad.
16. What song will always remind you of 2015?:
One more night, Maroon 5. Don't ask.
17. Compared to this time last year, are you
i. happier or sadder? More thoughtful, I think. Which could be a good thing.
ii. thinner or fatter? Hmm, I think a bit fatter. I've stopped weighing myself.
iii. richer or poorer? About the same. The rise for my new position wasn't all that spectacular, and I gave money to various people who needed it.
18. What do you wish you'd done more of?:
Yes, what minnesattva said: reading. Generally enjoying the awesome life I have.
19. What do you wish you'd done less of?:
Worrying. Stupidly surfing the internet. Feeling bad about myself for no reason.
20. How will you be spending Christmas?:
With my mother and brother, and Santi and his mother and my mother's house. There was fondue. It was ok, but reinforced my plan to just go somewhere far away next year.
21. Did you fall in love in 2015?:
Let's say I reinforced my relationship.
22. How many one night stands?:
I don't even look at other people now. The last thing that could have been a one night stand but wasn't happened two years ago. Or was it three.
23. What was your favourite TV programme?:
I wasn't as tv addicted this year as other years, which is a good thing. I did love Gossip Girl intolerably.
24. Do you hate anyone now that you didn't hate this time last year?:
I strongly dislike my boss due to recent unpleasantness, but hate is too strong a word.
25. What was the best book you read?:
Stoner, by John Williams, and Open, Andre Agassi's autobiography co-written by J.R. Moehringer.
26. What was your greatest musical discovery?:
Probably James Rhodes. I don't listen to enough music. Why? I should find the time.
27. What did you want and get?:
Many pretty things that made my life nice and interesting: good meals, movies, books, high quality sheets, a new duvet. It never ceases to amaze me how I can buy almost anything I want without thinking twice about it.
28. What did you want and not get?
Confidence in my new position. Turns out, it doesn't happen as quickly as I thought.
29. What was your favourite film this year?:
I need to keep a better record of films I watch. For books I have Goodreads, but films, I watch them, I enjoy them and then, pouf, they're gone.
30. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you?:
Nothing special, the way I like it. I was 41.
31. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?:
I think it was good enough as it was. A bit less worrying about useless stuff would have been good. I'm working on that.
32. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2015?:
Trying a sort of mix of a bit rocker, a bit office, a bit folksy. Didn't turn out that well. Must still fine-tune that.
33. What kept you sane?:
Mostly my boyfriend, although he made me crazy too. Meditation.
34. Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most?:
Benedict Cumberbatch.
35. What political issue stirred you the most?:
Spanish politics and election, especially the rise of Podemos and Ciudadanos. Podemos elicits wide-spread enthusiasm among my friends, but I don't trust them. Maybe because due to my German heritage speeches about "the people", "the new" that's coming and all sorts of "avalanches", no matter how well-meaning, give me the creeps. No one understands.
I'm also following the presidential race in the USA with horrified fascination.
Also, as I said before, terrorists. Fuck you.
36. Who did you miss?:
My father, the way he used to be.
37. Who was the best new person you met?:
Possilby Mateo and all the people related to the art project. Also, Gosja and Jeffrey. And some of the authors who came to Getafe Negro, like Petra Reski and Andrea Schenkel. And Joscha the intern. Lots of good people this year.
38. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2015:
Pause and breathe. Pause and breathe. And don't worry. Really.
39. Who did you spend the most time on the phone with?:
I strongly dislike the phone and am teaching people not to call me. That said, probably Paula and my mother.
40. Quote a song that sums up your year:
Hmmm, no.
41. What was your favorite moment of the year?:
Gamescom was definitely a highlight; seeing Andreas; those Spanish workman on a train from Köln to Bonn. Many saturday mornings with Santi.
42. What was your least favorite moment of the year?:
That last week at work I could have definitely done without.
43. Where were you when 2015 started?:
A restaurant a couple of blocks down the street.
44. Who were you with?:
Santi.
45. Where will you be when 2015 ends?:
No idea. Nothing planned yet, so we might very well end up just watching a movie at home. Which would be totally fine with me.
46. Who will you be with when 2015 ends?:
Santi.
47. What was your favourite month of 2015?
August is always good, enhanced by Gamescom this year, so yeah.
48. Did you drink a lot of alcohol in 2015?:
Less than before. It just doesn't agree with me anymore.
49. Did you do a lot of drugs in 2015?:
Nope.
50. What are your plans for 2016?
Survive January and keep my job. More seriously, I'm doing this three word method, so my three words for the new year are: Smile. Harmony. Growth. The idea being if something is offered I have to see if at least two of those words apply: will this make me grow? Will it make me smile? Will it contribute to my inner harmony? We'll see how that goes.
1. What did you do in 2015 that you'd never done before?
Being involved in a project where people created art that wasn't there before. There's art now in the world partly because of me. That's very cool. Also, I've cried in my office - that's a new one. Lots of work-stuff related to being a boss that I got to do for the first time.
2. Did you keep your new year's resolutions, and will you make more for next year?
I had a bunch of very serious New Year's resolutions, like taking lunch to work and finishing my novel. I even thought I was going to move apartments this year. None of that happened. Yes, I will make more for next year. I love those resolutions. But this year, I'll try to make some that I'm actually excited to keep. We'll see how that goes.
3. Did anyone close to you give birth?:
People did give birth, but no one particularly close.
4. Did anyone close to you die?
Not this year.
5. What countries did you visit?:
Belgium, Germany, Portugal. I also visited Córdoba, a city I'd never been to. And also the Gamescom in Cologne, which isn't a country, but should be.
6. What would you like to have in 2016 that you lacked in 2015?:
A little more confidence and a little less guilt. The usual. Also, this:
7. What date from 2015 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?:
My memory isn't really receptive to being etched upon. I remember little moments, of anger, sadness, even despair, and many or joy & satisfaction. I don't even know if they are from this year or the last, and that's fine. Just fine.
If I had to pick a date though, it would be 2nd February, the day I officially became manager, director or what have you of the Goethe-Insitut Madrid library.
8. What was your biggest achievement of the year?:
Probably that art project I mentioned. Also, surviving my first year as a manager relatively intact - no one hates me yet, not in my department, not in others. That's a success, I believe.
9. What was your biggest failure?:
In my eagerness to be "one of the guys" I failed to assert myself as a leader - yes, even if it's only for a team of three.
10. Did you suffer illness or injury?:
Only one very small flu, and a couple of really mean periods. Everyone else around me was almost permanently sick, so I couldn't really afford to.
11. What was the best thing you bought?:
All those books I haven't read yet. Just looking at them makes me happy. Also, Netflix.
12. Whose behaviour merited celebration?:
Some co-workers, especially M. and P., who were there when I needed help or just a shoulder to cry on. My mother, who was surprisingly supportive and non-obnoxious. My brother, who got out of his apathy and involved in a political movement - not one I support but kudos to him.
13. Whose behaviour made you appalled and depressed?:
Other coworkers, especially bosses, who mad a completely flabbergasting show of being childish, petty, incompetent and cowardly. *shudder* Also, terrorists. Fuck you.
14. Where did most of your money go?:
Rent and groceries. Restaurants. Entertainment. Travel.
15. What did you get really, really, really excited about?:
Nothing all that much. Which is a bit sad.
16. What song will always remind you of 2015?:
One more night, Maroon 5. Don't ask.
17. Compared to this time last year, are you
i. happier or sadder? More thoughtful, I think. Which could be a good thing.
ii. thinner or fatter? Hmm, I think a bit fatter. I've stopped weighing myself.
iii. richer or poorer? About the same. The rise for my new position wasn't all that spectacular, and I gave money to various people who needed it.
18. What do you wish you'd done more of?:
Yes, what minnesattva said: reading. Generally enjoying the awesome life I have.
19. What do you wish you'd done less of?:
Worrying. Stupidly surfing the internet. Feeling bad about myself for no reason.
20. How will you be spending Christmas?:
With my mother and brother, and Santi and his mother and my mother's house. There was fondue. It was ok, but reinforced my plan to just go somewhere far away next year.
21. Did you fall in love in 2015?:
Let's say I reinforced my relationship.
22. How many one night stands?:
I don't even look at other people now. The last thing that could have been a one night stand but wasn't happened two years ago. Or was it three.
23. What was your favourite TV programme?:
I wasn't as tv addicted this year as other years, which is a good thing. I did love Gossip Girl intolerably.
24. Do you hate anyone now that you didn't hate this time last year?:
I strongly dislike my boss due to recent unpleasantness, but hate is too strong a word.
25. What was the best book you read?:
Stoner, by John Williams, and Open, Andre Agassi's autobiography co-written by J.R. Moehringer.
26. What was your greatest musical discovery?:
Probably James Rhodes. I don't listen to enough music. Why? I should find the time.
27. What did you want and get?:
Many pretty things that made my life nice and interesting: good meals, movies, books, high quality sheets, a new duvet. It never ceases to amaze me how I can buy almost anything I want without thinking twice about it.
28. What did you want and not get?
Confidence in my new position. Turns out, it doesn't happen as quickly as I thought.
29. What was your favourite film this year?:
I need to keep a better record of films I watch. For books I have Goodreads, but films, I watch them, I enjoy them and then, pouf, they're gone.
30. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you?:
Nothing special, the way I like it. I was 41.
31. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?:
I think it was good enough as it was. A bit less worrying about useless stuff would have been good. I'm working on that.
32. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2015?:
Trying a sort of mix of a bit rocker, a bit office, a bit folksy. Didn't turn out that well. Must still fine-tune that.
33. What kept you sane?:
Mostly my boyfriend, although he made me crazy too. Meditation.
34. Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most?:
Benedict Cumberbatch.
35. What political issue stirred you the most?:
Spanish politics and election, especially the rise of Podemos and Ciudadanos. Podemos elicits wide-spread enthusiasm among my friends, but I don't trust them. Maybe because due to my German heritage speeches about "the people", "the new" that's coming and all sorts of "avalanches", no matter how well-meaning, give me the creeps. No one understands.
I'm also following the presidential race in the USA with horrified fascination.
Also, as I said before, terrorists. Fuck you.
36. Who did you miss?:
My father, the way he used to be.
37. Who was the best new person you met?:
Possilby Mateo and all the people related to the art project. Also, Gosja and Jeffrey. And some of the authors who came to Getafe Negro, like Petra Reski and Andrea Schenkel. And Joscha the intern. Lots of good people this year.
38. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2015:
Pause and breathe. Pause and breathe. And don't worry. Really.
39. Who did you spend the most time on the phone with?:
I strongly dislike the phone and am teaching people not to call me. That said, probably Paula and my mother.
40. Quote a song that sums up your year:
Hmmm, no.
41. What was your favorite moment of the year?:
Gamescom was definitely a highlight; seeing Andreas; those Spanish workman on a train from Köln to Bonn. Many saturday mornings with Santi.
42. What was your least favorite moment of the year?:
That last week at work I could have definitely done without.
43. Where were you when 2015 started?:
A restaurant a couple of blocks down the street.
44. Who were you with?:
Santi.
45. Where will you be when 2015 ends?:
No idea. Nothing planned yet, so we might very well end up just watching a movie at home. Which would be totally fine with me.
46. Who will you be with when 2015 ends?:
Santi.
47. What was your favourite month of 2015?
August is always good, enhanced by Gamescom this year, so yeah.
48. Did you drink a lot of alcohol in 2015?:
Less than before. It just doesn't agree with me anymore.
49. Did you do a lot of drugs in 2015?:
Nope.
50. What are your plans for 2016?
Survive January and keep my job. More seriously, I'm doing this three word method, so my three words for the new year are: Smile. Harmony. Growth. The idea being if something is offered I have to see if at least two of those words apply: will this make me grow? Will it make me smile? Will it contribute to my inner harmony? We'll see how that goes.