2009, A Retrospective
1. Where did you begin 2009:
Alone, in my apartment in Four Falls, NB (sounds depressing, but it wasn't, really)
2. What did you do in 2009 that you'd never done before:
Really? You want a list? Ummm. Went rappelling, went zip-lining, started exercising on a semi-regular basis, had (really fantastic) phone sex. There's probably more, but I can't think of anything else of note off-hand.
3. Did you keep your new year's resolutions and will you make more for next year:
Yes, I resolved to lose weight and lost 13 lbs. I actually want to make several other resolutions this year, but prefer to do so on my birthday, after I've had time to ponder and plan.
4. Were you in school anytime this year:
No. I was in a school, in June for Tyson's high school graduation, but I, personally, was not in school.
5. Did anyone close to you give birth:
Nobody super close to me but my Rigaud-friend, Greg, and his wife had a baby girl in June and Jeff and Chantal also had a baby girl in July.
6. Any new additions to your family:
No.
7. Did anyone close to you die?
No. Thank God.
8. Did you know anybody who got married:
Yes! Brandon & Trish, James & Matt, Sonya & Aaron, Colin & Janet, Nadine & Phil, and Jeff & Chantal. I think that's everyone.
9. What countries did you visit?
Costa Rica, United States of America.
10. How did you earn your money:
Oh, how badly I want to say, "on my back". But I actually make an honest living as a public servant.
11. Where did most of your money go:
Costa Rica, eBay and Amazon.com (after paying my bills), though not necessarily in that order, lol.
12. Did you have any encounters with the police:
Yup, one personal, speeding ticket, quelle surprise! and several professional.
13. What would you like to have in 2010 that you lacked in 2009:
A life. More restraint in my eBay/Amazon purchasing habits. To start chipping away at my humongous "to do" list.
14. What date(s) from 2009 will remain etched upon your memory and why:
Wow, I'm sitting here wracking my brain and can't really come up with much of anything so, I guess, none?
15. What was your biggest achievement of the year:
I... don't know. Losing 13 lbs. Traveling around Costa Rica for three weeks. Buying toys for needy children at Christmas. Apparently I'm kind of a loser.
16. What was your biggest failure:
I... don't know that either, these questions are too hard. I guess it would be getting a position in Halifax and/or having some sexy man succumb to my infinite charms for a romp or two. A tossup really.
17. Did you suffer illness or injury:
Oh, like tumbling headfirst down half a flight of stairs and landing on my chin? Then, yes, I guess I did.
18. Where did you go on holidays/vacation:
Ottawa (x3), Costa Rica, Freeport, Québec City, Portland, Halifax :)
19. What was the best thing you bought?
FujiFilm Digital Camera, 30 Day Shred DVD.
20. Whose behavior merited celebration:
Mine, for not going completely stir-fuckin'-crazy up here in the sticks. Also, my brother, William, for being spontaneous(-ish).
21. Whose behavior made you appalled and depressed:
Nobody specific, but humanity in general is kind of horrifying to me.
22. What did you get really, really, really excited about:
Please, what didn't I get really, really, really excited about? I'm one of those excitable people. Let's see, Krista's visit in February, Sugar Moon Fun in March, William's visit in March-May, Costa Rica April-May, my trip home for JayDay/Father's Day/Tyson's Grad&Prom in June, Québec City/Les Misérables with Jeannie, climbing up onto the roof at work to watch Potato Blossom Festival fireworks, how well my African Violets grew, a multitude of weddings, the as yet unnamed road trip with Ryan and Jay in August, buying a new camera, Ottawa in September, seeing Kelly Clarkson with Sonya in Portland in October, Christmas 2009. Whew!
23. Did you move anywhere:
Sadly, no, but hopes springs eternal and I still have my (cramped) fingers crossed.
24. Where do you live now:
Same place as last year, Four Falls, NB.
25. What song will always remind you of 2009:
Anything that Kelly Clarkson sings (esp. Already Gone), after all I did go see her twice.
26. Compared to this time last year, are you:
A. Happier or sadder? Happier
B. Thinner or fatter? Thinner
C. Richer or poorer? Richer (but definitely not rich)
27. What do you wish you'd done more of:
Reading, Living, Organizing, and Purging.
28. What do you wish you'd done less of:
Wasting time on the Internet. SRSLY.
29. How did you spend Christmas:
Went to Halifax December 16-21 to celebrate among my loved ones. So, I played DDR with Ryan & Jay, popped by my old place and visited with Sarah & Kyle and the kids, had coffee with Greg & JC, saw Blindside and had wings and beer with JC, hung out with Colin, enjoyed Kristamas, ate at Smitty's for breakfast with Roxanne, and savoured Swiss Chalet and exchanged present with my parents.
Mom and Dad actually made the drive up to visit, December 23-27, so for the first time in years I was among family on Christmas Day. Christmas Eve, the three of us went over to Jeff & Hyun Jung's place for some nibblies and turkey. I worked with Heather all night and we watched a few movies. In the morning I got off work and napped until noonish, ate breakfast, exchanged a few gifts with Mom & Dad, dressed the cats up for their annual Christmas photos and had another turkey dinner. The following day Mom and I went over to Presque Isle, ME to shop the Boxing Day deals until we quite literally could not fit another item into the car.
30. What did you want for Christmas:
Something that surprised and delighted me.
31. Where and with whom are you spending New Year's Eve?
Alone, in my apartment in Four Falls, NB (again, lol, it's tradition)
32. Did you fall in love in 2009:
*rolls eyes* No.
33. How many one-night stands:
None, darn it all to hell. If I thought I had a hope in hell of achieving my goal I'd make a resolution to have 365 of them in 2010.
34. What was your favorite TV program:
I don't have cable so I watch the DVD boxed sets when they come out. I'd have to say I liked NCIS the best in 2009, but adored a ton more as well.
35. Do you hate anyone now that you didn't hate this time last year:
Nah, I try not to waste my time like that.
36. What was the best book you read:
Impossible to choose, but I think the Mercy Thompson series by Patricia Briggs tops my list.
37. What was your greatest musical discovery:
I have no idea what that even means.
38. What did you want and get:
Everything.
39. What was your favorite film of this year:
Again, I have no idea, will I get lynched if I say New Moon?
40. What did you do on your birthday and how old were you:
I worked and turned 28, the day after I got together with Christie, Alice, and Jeff for some beer, appetizers, and dinner out at Ruby Tuesday's. I <3 their steak and can't get enough of their onion straws.
41. What would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?
Being closer to family and friends, both physically as well as emotionally/mentally.
42. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2009:
*rolls eyes* Non-existent?
43. What kept you sane:
Truthfully, I'm not sure I am anymore. Probably eBay, music, books, and trips.
44. Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most:
Fancy?!? I'm going to take a stab and guess this originated in Britain. I guess I fancied Nathan Fillion, David Boreanaz, Jensen Ackles, Jared Padalecki, and Taylor Lautner.
45. What concerts/shows did you go to:
Kelly Clarkson in Syracuse, NY; Kelly Clarkson in Portland, ME.
46. Did you see any live sporting events:
No, certainly not intentionally.
47. What political issue stirred you the most?
Politics? Blech.
48. What has been your favorite moment?
All the little ones that make you stop and smile.
49. What was your best month?
A four way tie between April, June, August, and December.
50. Who was the best new person you met:
CH, though we've never actually met face-to-face.
51. Who has been your best drinking buddy:
I rarely drink, but I'd have to say Christie, Alice, and Jeff.
52. Who did you miss:
Everyone, especially Krista, Ryan, Jay, Colin, Sara, Jarret, Jessie, William, Roxanne, etc.
53. Favorite night out:
Any night that involved me and a few friends.
54. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2009:
Being a critical negative person is easy, but being positive and generally happy is more fulfilling.
55. What's something you learned about yourself:
I like who I am and don't mind spending time alone with myself.
56. Quote a song lyric that sums up your year:
"This is my temporary home, it's not where I belong..."
"And if I'm flying solo, at least I'm flying free..."
Alone, in my apartment in Four Falls, NB (sounds depressing, but it wasn't, really)
2. What did you do in 2009 that you'd never done before:
Really? You want a list? Ummm. Went rappelling, went zip-lining, started exercising on a semi-regular basis, had (really fantastic) phone sex. There's probably more, but I can't think of anything else of note off-hand.
3. Did you keep your new year's resolutions and will you make more for next year:
Yes, I resolved to lose weight and lost 13 lbs. I actually want to make several other resolutions this year, but prefer to do so on my birthday, after I've had time to ponder and plan.
4. Were you in school anytime this year:
No. I was in a school, in June for Tyson's high school graduation, but I, personally, was not in school.
5. Did anyone close to you give birth:
Nobody super close to me but my Rigaud-friend, Greg, and his wife had a baby girl in June and Jeff and Chantal also had a baby girl in July.
6. Any new additions to your family:
No.
7. Did anyone close to you die?
No. Thank God.
8. Did you know anybody who got married:
Yes! Brandon & Trish, James & Matt, Sonya & Aaron, Colin & Janet, Nadine & Phil, and Jeff & Chantal. I think that's everyone.
9. What countries did you visit?
Costa Rica, United States of America.
10. How did you earn your money:
Oh, how badly I want to say, "on my back". But I actually make an honest living as a public servant.
11. Where did most of your money go:
Costa Rica, eBay and Amazon.com (after paying my bills), though not necessarily in that order, lol.
12. Did you have any encounters with the police:
Yup, one personal, speeding ticket, quelle surprise! and several professional.
13. What would you like to have in 2010 that you lacked in 2009:
A life. More restraint in my eBay/Amazon purchasing habits. To start chipping away at my humongous "to do" list.
14. What date(s) from 2009 will remain etched upon your memory and why:
Wow, I'm sitting here wracking my brain and can't really come up with much of anything so, I guess, none?
15. What was your biggest achievement of the year:
I... don't know. Losing 13 lbs. Traveling around Costa Rica for three weeks. Buying toys for needy children at Christmas. Apparently I'm kind of a loser.
16. What was your biggest failure:
I... don't know that either, these questions are too hard. I guess it would be getting a position in Halifax and/or having some sexy man succumb to my infinite charms for a romp or two. A tossup really.
17. Did you suffer illness or injury:
Oh, like tumbling headfirst down half a flight of stairs and landing on my chin? Then, yes, I guess I did.
18. Where did you go on holidays/vacation:
Ottawa (x3), Costa Rica, Freeport, Québec City, Portland, Halifax :)
19. What was the best thing you bought?
FujiFilm Digital Camera, 30 Day Shred DVD.
20. Whose behavior merited celebration:
Mine, for not going completely stir-fuckin'-crazy up here in the sticks. Also, my brother, William, for being spontaneous(-ish).
21. Whose behavior made you appalled and depressed:
Nobody specific, but humanity in general is kind of horrifying to me.
22. What did you get really, really, really excited about:
Please, what didn't I get really, really, really excited about? I'm one of those excitable people. Let's see, Krista's visit in February, Sugar Moon Fun in March, William's visit in March-May, Costa Rica April-May, my trip home for JayDay/Father's Day/Tyson's Grad&Prom in June, Québec City/Les Misérables with Jeannie, climbing up onto the roof at work to watch Potato Blossom Festival fireworks, how well my African Violets grew, a multitude of weddings, the as yet unnamed road trip with Ryan and Jay in August, buying a new camera, Ottawa in September, seeing Kelly Clarkson with Sonya in Portland in October, Christmas 2009. Whew!
23. Did you move anywhere:
Sadly, no, but hopes springs eternal and I still have my (cramped) fingers crossed.
24. Where do you live now:
Same place as last year, Four Falls, NB.
25. What song will always remind you of 2009:
Anything that Kelly Clarkson sings (esp. Already Gone), after all I did go see her twice.
26. Compared to this time last year, are you:
A. Happier or sadder? Happier
B. Thinner or fatter? Thinner
C. Richer or poorer? Richer (but definitely not rich)
27. What do you wish you'd done more of:
Reading, Living, Organizing, and Purging.
28. What do you wish you'd done less of:
Wasting time on the Internet. SRSLY.
29. How did you spend Christmas:
Went to Halifax December 16-21 to celebrate among my loved ones. So, I played DDR with Ryan & Jay, popped by my old place and visited with Sarah & Kyle and the kids, had coffee with Greg & JC, saw Blindside and had wings and beer with JC, hung out with Colin, enjoyed Kristamas, ate at Smitty's for breakfast with Roxanne, and savoured Swiss Chalet and exchanged present with my parents.
Mom and Dad actually made the drive up to visit, December 23-27, so for the first time in years I was among family on Christmas Day. Christmas Eve, the three of us went over to Jeff & Hyun Jung's place for some nibblies and turkey. I worked with Heather all night and we watched a few movies. In the morning I got off work and napped until noonish, ate breakfast, exchanged a few gifts with Mom & Dad, dressed the cats up for their annual Christmas photos and had another turkey dinner. The following day Mom and I went over to Presque Isle, ME to shop the Boxing Day deals until we quite literally could not fit another item into the car.
30. What did you want for Christmas:
Something that surprised and delighted me.
31. Where and with whom are you spending New Year's Eve?
Alone, in my apartment in Four Falls, NB (again, lol, it's tradition)
32. Did you fall in love in 2009:
*rolls eyes* No.
33. How many one-night stands:
None, darn it all to hell. If I thought I had a hope in hell of achieving my goal I'd make a resolution to have 365 of them in 2010.
34. What was your favorite TV program:
I don't have cable so I watch the DVD boxed sets when they come out. I'd have to say I liked NCIS the best in 2009, but adored a ton more as well.
35. Do you hate anyone now that you didn't hate this time last year:
Nah, I try not to waste my time like that.
36. What was the best book you read:
Impossible to choose, but I think the Mercy Thompson series by Patricia Briggs tops my list.
37. What was your greatest musical discovery:
I have no idea what that even means.
38. What did you want and get:
Everything.
39. What was your favorite film of this year:
Again, I have no idea, will I get lynched if I say New Moon?
40. What did you do on your birthday and how old were you:
I worked and turned 28, the day after I got together with Christie, Alice, and Jeff for some beer, appetizers, and dinner out at Ruby Tuesday's. I <3 their steak and can't get enough of their onion straws.
41. What would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?
Being closer to family and friends, both physically as well as emotionally/mentally.
42. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2009:
*rolls eyes* Non-existent?
43. What kept you sane:
Truthfully, I'm not sure I am anymore. Probably eBay, music, books, and trips.
44. Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most:
Fancy?!? I'm going to take a stab and guess this originated in Britain. I guess I fancied Nathan Fillion, David Boreanaz, Jensen Ackles, Jared Padalecki, and Taylor Lautner.
45. What concerts/shows did you go to:
Kelly Clarkson in Syracuse, NY; Kelly Clarkson in Portland, ME.
46. Did you see any live sporting events:
No, certainly not intentionally.
47. What political issue stirred you the most?
Politics? Blech.
48. What has been your favorite moment?
All the little ones that make you stop and smile.
49. What was your best month?
A four way tie between April, June, August, and December.
50. Who was the best new person you met:
CH, though we've never actually met face-to-face.
51. Who has been your best drinking buddy:
I rarely drink, but I'd have to say Christie, Alice, and Jeff.
52. Who did you miss:
Everyone, especially Krista, Ryan, Jay, Colin, Sara, Jarret, Jessie, William, Roxanne, etc.
53. Favorite night out:
Any night that involved me and a few friends.
54. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2009:
Being a critical negative person is easy, but being positive and generally happy is more fulfilling.
55. What's something you learned about yourself:
I like who I am and don't mind spending time alone with myself.
56. Quote a song lyric that sums up your year:
"This is my temporary home, it's not where I belong..."
"And if I'm flying solo, at least I'm flying free..."