2005... YEAR IN REVIEW (2003) (2004)
1. What did you do in 2005 that you'd never done before?
Lots of things!
Flew to England (by myself!), moved out of my childhood home of 22
years, learned (by doing) how to have a long distance relationship, got
accepted to grad school overseas, got a student visa, packed nearly all
of my belongings into 4 massive suitcases and 2 carry-ons, moved to
London, successfully completed the first term of my Masters course,
went on holiday to Rome, and got to kiss my boyfriend at midnight on
New Year's Eve!!!
2. Did you keep your New Years' resolutions, and will you make more for next year?
I operate better with short term (read: more attainable!) goals.
3. Did anyone close to you give birth?
Nope, but Bre will very soon!!!
4. Did anyone close to you die?
No, thank you God.
5. What countries did you visit?
England, Switzerland, Italy, and Vatican City
6. What would you like to have in 2006 that you lacked in 2005?
Hmm... an engagement ring?!?!
7. What date from 2005 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?
There were
lots of "memory-etching" days.. but the biggest would be Sept 12th when I left my parents and began my life with Ushwin
8. What was your biggest achievement of the year?
Gradschool/visa/moving... That whole process was probably one of the hardest things I've ever done
9. What was your biggest failure?
I wouldn't call it a failure, but I would've made things easier on myself at certain times if I'd have earned/saved more money.
10. Did you suffer illness or injury?
Barely evaded a concussion when I slipped getting out of the shower -
whacking my head on the tub and biting my tongue. I only had a headache
for a few days - could've been much worse!
11. What was the best thing you bought?
I didn't necessarily BUY anything particularly great, but the lack of
effort that it took to SELL my car this summer was a huuuuge relief!
12. Whose behavior merited celebration?
Ushwin - he impresses me almost daily by being so generous, caring, and an all-around wonderful boyfriend!
My brother - he's doing so well in school, becoming more talented by the day, and growing into a pretty amazing man.
My parents - their unwavering support, unconditional love, and endless
encouragement are what have sustained me through countless seasons.
My friends who have stuck by me before/during/after the move. You mean more to me than you know.
13. Whose behavior made you appalled and depressed?
Well, the people in the Registry department at my uni have proved to be pretty incompetent time and again...
14. Where did most of your money go?
Flights overseas (England in March, June, and September = approx $2500) It was all worth it, though!
15. What did you get really, really, really excited about?
Quite a few things... Ush coming back to visit in February, visiting
London for the first time in March, the end of the school year and the
prospect of spending the summer at home with my family, visiting London
a second time in June, Ushwin's arrival in September, our move back to
London together, our trip to Rome, and knowing my parents will be
coming here to visit me in spring 2006!
16. What song will always remind you of 2005?
Well, more like songs that affected me the most - there are quite a few
(listed chronologically)... "I Don't Want to Lose You" - Lockdown
Project, "This Year's Most Open Heartbreak" - Funeral for a
Friend, "Existentialism on Prom Night" - Straylight Run, "Stay Now" -
Jem, "Spitfire" - Prodigy, "Don't Stop Believin" - Journey, "Of My Own
Accord" - Orakai, "Next Year" - Foo Fighters
17. Compared to this time last year, are you:
i. happier or sadder? A richer happiness for sure
ii. thinner or fatter? Probably the same.
iii. richer or poorer? Same.
18. What do you wish you'd done more of?
Being proactive rather than procrastinating (I'm beginning to recognise this is a chronic problem)
19. What do you wish you'd done less of?
Worrying about what other people think
20. How will you be spending this New Year’s Eve?
Watching my man kill it on stage at the Purple Turtle - then who knows!
22. Did you fall in love in 2005?
Definitely
And continue to more so every day
23. How many one-night stands?
None! I'm forever taken.
24. What was your favorite TV program?
Well, it was The OC when I was still in Chicago. Then over the
summer it was probably Oprah
And since I've been in London
I'd have to say Family Affairs, Bottom, and all the random nature
documentaries!
25. Do you hate anyone now that you didn't hate this time last year?
Nope. I'm not a hater.
26. What was the best book you read?
The DaVinci Code,
Memoirs of a Geisha, and
The Little Class with the Big Personality
27. What was your greatest musical discovery?
ORAKAI, Jem, Straylight run, Journey (more like re-discovered), Michael Buble, Life of Agony
28. What did you want and get?
Everything fell into place so I could move over here
30. What was your favorite film of this year?
Dunno actually.. Madagascar was cute, Wedding Crashers was funny.. Don't think I saw a whole lot of films this year.
31. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you?
Not much - it was a school night.
I got a surprise visit from Jonathan, which was really nice.. then I went shopping
I turned 23.
32. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?
Immeasurably? I haven't a clue.
I'm totally happy with 2005 because it was my first year with the love
of my life!!! I think we did pretty darn well in our circumstances.
33. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2005?
Typically I bypass this question because as much as I would like to be, I'm just not very fashion-savvy.
But this year, or since I've been in London anyway, I think I'm
branching out a bit more fashion-wise than I ever have before.
It's too bad I have to improvise so much due to lack of funds!
Hopefully that will change in 2006
34. What kept you sane?
Besides Ushwin?
Spike. No matter the chaos going on around me, Spike was always there with a snort and a lick.
I miss that little guy, wish I could've brought him over here with me.
35. Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most?
No one really.
36. What political issue stirred you the most?
Ugh. I hate politics. But I'll admit that I did start paying
attention more. I still don't like to talk about it, but at least
I'm listening.
37. Who did you miss?
Lots of people. More so now that I've moved so far away.
38. Who was the best new person you met?
Lots! Pramila, Chris, Conal, Tiggy, Anthony, Andy, Clare, Phil, Matt, Mark, Stef, Simi, Sarah, Jackie, Arpita, Theomi...
39. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2005:
At some point, you need to stop worrying about others' approval and
just live your life in a way that feels right to you, trusting that
those who really love you will support you anyway.
40. Quote a song lyric that sums up your year:
"What's the point of a life without you?" - Orakai
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