End of Year survey 2008

Previously… 2007, 2006, 2005, 2004, 2003.

1. What did you do in 2008 that you’d never done before?
Cycle around Paris, see fjords, dye my hair green, buy a Mac, decorate a flat & deal with lots of scary builders, buy original artwork, go to a wedding (yes this was my first wedding!), actually own an oven and a washing machine (and a flat!) um… oh and this was the first year in my life that I didn’t go to Luxembourg.

2. Did you keep your new years’ resolutions, and will you make more for next year?
I don’t make NY’s resolutions.

3. Did anyone close to you give birth?
Not that I know of. One of my high school classmates has given birth. But she’s not exactly close to me. *lol* Oh, and Dani from the horse place! So I guess it’s a yes after all.

4. Did anyone close to you die?
My nan (mum’s mum).

5. What countries/cities did you visit?
Paris (x3), Norway (x3, one still to come), Mainz (x2), Scotland, um… was that all? Doesn’t seem like a lot. Well, and London a few times. And Weymouth. I need to get around more. *lol* Having said that, I am very glad I went to Norway and Paris three times.

6. What would you like to have in 2009 that you lacked in 2008?
Placebo concerts. 😐 Seriously!

7. What date from 2008 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?
4th November, the day Barack Obama was elected president. 😡 😀

8. What was your biggest achievement of the year?
Doing all that scary flat stuff (painting, deciding on kitchens & bathrooms, dealing with all those people etc). Even looking back now I have no idea how I did it.

9. What was your biggest failure?
Um. There are times where I think I should forgive my nan because she’ll probably die some time soon and then I’ll kick myself for not “parting” on good terms. But so far I have been unable to make myself do it.

10. Did you suffer illness or injury?
No, apart from a tooth drama at some point.

11. What was the best thing you bought?
At the moment I’m gonna have to say the iPhone… we’ll see if that changes when I get used to the MacBook, but I suspect not. The iPhone is so totally amazing.
My kitchen’s hot too – I remember hesitating to spend so much money on a room I spend so little time in, but it was totally worth it. It still makes me drool.

12. Whose behaviour merited celebration?
My own, I’m great! 😀 :)) No, tbh I don’t know… I can’t think of anyone in particular. Oh, maybe I should say the American people for electing His Awesomeness! 😀

13. Whose behaviour made you appalled and depressed?
Those Americans who called His Awesomeness “a terrist” and “an Ay-rab”? :)) But yeah, some of what I saw during that election campaign was definitely appalling.
In my personal life, well, my mum’s behaviour after Paris probably qualifies. *lol*

14. Where did most of your money go?
My kitchen! =)) Well, in general, the flat and all the stuff I bought for it. And travelling as usual. And Apple products? :)) =P~

15. What did you get really, really, really excited about?
The Norway visit in July, and seeing fjords and stuff. 😀 And it totally lived up to my expectations.

16. What song will always remind you of 2008?
As always, I suck at this. Looking at my iTunes play count, Leona Lewis is up there (I did actually think of her), and REM’s Accelerate, and Janet’s Discipline. So let’s say those, even tho I know in 3 years they totally will not remind me of 2008! :))
I have to admit tho, Runaway still reminds me of 2006 – not of the year as such, but of what happened that summer and stuff. Takes me right back.

17. Compared to this time last year, are you…

i. happier or sadder?
Happier.

ii. thinner or fatter?
Fatter. I think I’ve been continuously getting fatter for the past few years.
I ought to do sth about that. 😐

iii. richer or poorer?
Richer.

18. What do you wish you’d done more of?
Travelling, since apparently I only made it to four countries. But I did see my MAP loads! 😀
And creative stuff. Seriously I need to motivate myself. And DIY stuff, instead of always getting scared and calling someone else in to do it. 😐 [but I did put the bathroom mirror up!]

19. What do you wish you’d done less of?
Getting worked up about work cuz it’s not worth it. But I know I won’t be able to switch this off. *lol*

20. How will you be spending Christmas?
Plan is: flat-cleaning and enjoying my presents & my MacBook.

21. How will you be spending New Years?
In Løken with my MAP, but dunno how. 😛 Probably looking after scared dogs.

22. Did you fall in love in 2007?
No.

23. How many one night stands?
None.

24. What was your favourite TV program?
Buzzcocks, CSI, er that’s it.

25. Do you hate anyone now that you didn’t hate this time last year?
Yeah, fucking Sarah Palin!!!! *lol* No, I don’t hate her. So I think the answer is no.

26. What was the best book you read?
Dreams from my Father of course! 😀 Ok, a less fangirlish answer, I’d have to say Stieg Larsson‘s amazing trilogy (the 3rd of which I am yet to read, it is currently with Mandy 😛 ). Stephen Fry’s The Stars’ Tennis Balls was also surprisingly good, and not quite what I expected. Must read his other fiction. And Ayaan Hirsi Ali’s Infidel (tho I may have read that in 2007?). And Alexander McCall Smith’s 44 Scotland Street which I loved and I wanna read the rest of the series just to find out what happens to the people but am too stingy to buy them full price. *lol*

27. What was your greatest musical discovery?
Nneka! I’d never heard of her before reading the review of her 2nd album at Spiegel Online… I bought it on a whim, and I really like her (and she has kinda-dimples!). By far my favourite track is the angry Heartbeat (heh. just like Leona’s dramatic Take A Bow is my fave track off her album, and Janet’s absolutely amazing What About is, like, one of my fave songs ever. But that’s for various reasons.)

28. What did you want and get?
Obama for president!!!!!!!!!! 😀 😀 😀 (ok that makes me sound like he’s my president.. but you know. And anyway, he’s the world president! 😀 😡 *ahem*)
I got all material goods I wanted, since I mostly could just buy them for myself – most important one being the iPhone of course.
I got a tattoo! I mean, I’d wanted a tattoo for ages and I finally plucked up the courage. 😀 *gazes lovingly at her wrist* I also got a Thomas visit which was more than I’d’ve dared to expect.

29. What did you want and not get?
A green card – again!!! But you just wait, next year I am so winning the DV lottery! Also still no little dog. And cats. I mean, I decided against them, but I did want them so I think that counts. Oh, and that other job at Amex that fell through (can’t remember now if I ever posted about that). And an Amex BA card. Those bastards.

30. What was your favourite film of this year?
Bienvenue chez les Ch’tis, French comedy, very funny.

31. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you?
31 (oh, look! Question 31, age 31), and I didn’t do anything in particular I don’t think. Work girls offered going out, but true to my antisocial reputation I declined. 🙂

32. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?
As always, unfathomable wealth. I reread squi’s original 2003 survey earlier (the one that sparked my first one all those years ago) and he said “being able to fly”. So yeah, that too! :)) I’m sure I could list more things along the same lines, but in the realm of the realistic… not so much, esp. cuz “immeasurably” is quite a strong word. A lot of things would have made my year somewhat more satisfying I’m sure. So I’ll stick with wealth and flying. Oh, and maybe magically losing 30 pounds! 😀

33. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2008?
*yawn* n/a as usual (maybe I should just get rid of this question. but I’m too lazy to renumber all the ones after this, and if there is one missing people will be all “there is one missing!”)

34. What kept you sane?
Routine.
I think this year may have been the first one since I started this survey where I didn’t…. feel the threat of insanity looming over me. Or sth like that anyway. It wasn’t like OMG I am so happy!!!, but I can’t seem to find any horrific lows, either. Which is nice. 🙂

35. Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most?
Well. Simon Amstell for sure, and while I’m tempted to say Barack Obama, I wouldn’t want to reduce my support to something so superficial. He is quite fanciable tho. Ok then, Barack Obama. Over Simon Amstell. (the usual suspects Brian Molko and Angelina Jolie are still in the game too of course)

36. What political issue stirred you the most?
US ELECTIONS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

37. Who did you miss?
Charlie, my dad, Thomas. Oh, and Placebo.

38. Who was the best new person you met?
I don’t know if I’ve met anyone new. 😕 There’ve been a few people at work, but they come and go and you never really stay in touch.
Oh oh! I officially met Mon’s mum for the first time so I’ll make her my best new person! 😀

39. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2008.
Probably something about the corporate world, and how it’s more about how you present yourself than what you actually do.
I also read sth on Mefi a while back that made me think… it was sth along the lines of “you can either complain about how bad things are, or you can offer actual solutions or ideas for improvement. If you only complain you should shut up.” That kinda stuck with me (being a whinger ‘n’ all).

40. Quote a song lyric that sums up your year.
Um… Since I’ve had “Protect Me From What I Want” tattooed on my wrist (after mentioning it in several previous surveys), I should maybe quote that. But I don’t think it sums up my year, really. I can’t think of anything else tho. “lalala life goes on” – isn’t there a song like that? :)) (oh there is, Ob-la-di, Ob-la-da! So that’ll be it! Without the family stuff. *lol*)

41. Was 2008 a good year for you?
Yeah, I think it was pretty good, on average. No massive drama, and some very nice things like Norway visits, Paris trips, etc.

42. What were your favourite moments of the year?
Norway visits, Paris trips… :))
Norway in July was pretty amazing, I saw and did so many new things. Norway in October was also very nice, in a more traditional way.
Paris in September definitely stood out, too. So so so cool.
And having Thomas in June was also rather wonderful.
The Sunday after the flatwarming party was also very nice. The party itself was cool too, but a bit draining. The day after, with the Londoners still leisurely hanging around my flat, was pleasant. And it made it feel very empty when they left, which is not something I often feel when I have visitors.

43. What was your least favourite moment of the year?
Dunno. I think my biggest “negative” was the drama with my mum, tho I couldn’t reduce that to a “moment”. My toothache was also pretty shitty but those are the kind of pains that don’t really linger in your mind. :))

44. What was your favourite month of 2008?
July for Norway. November for Obama.

45. What was your favourite song from 2008?
Leona Lewis – Take A Bow.
Nneka – Heartbeat.

46. What was your favourite record from 2008?
Leona Lewis – Spirit.
REM – Accelerate.
Nneka – No Longer At Ease.
Don’t make me choose please. 😀

47. How many concerts did you see in 2008?
Barely any!!!! :(( I can only think of REM in… whenever it was we went to see them. Completely insufficient. 🙁

48. Did you have a favourite concert in 2008?
Well I guess it’ll have to be REM? :))

49. Did you drink a lot of alcohol in 2007?
I think I was reasonable.

50. Did you do a lot of drugs in 2007?
No.

51. Did you do anything you are ashamed of this year?
Can’t think of anything.

52. What was the worst lie someone told you in 2008?
I could say it was my mum’s “I didn’t really mean what I said, I just wanted you to do sth about it.”

53. Did you treat somebody badly in 2008?
Yeah.

54. Did somebody treat you badly in 2008?
Yeah.

55. How much money did you spend in 2008?
Loads! 😀

56. What was your proudest moment of 2008?
No idea. Well, the Obama election made me proud of the American people of course – does that count?

57. If you could go back in time to any moment of 2008 and change something, what would it be?
Buy more expensive paint for the lounge so we wouldn’t have had to apply 27 layers? :))
Also maybe I wouldn’t have chosen yellow carpet for the hallway.
Er, non-flat-decoration-related… oh I can’t think of anything. Probably a number of purchases that were a waste of money. Like that screen protector for iGor which I knew from the start I wouldn’t be able to apply, and would fuck up.
Oh and I think I would choose a different plumber for the bathroom. Everytime I see my wonky toilet I get annoyed. Oh no wait, we’re back in forbidden flat-territory. :))

58. What are your plans for 2009?
Ok let me start this by quoting my plans for 2008, which I managed to do to a large degree:

See Thomas, see Mon, go to Paris 3 times, go to NYC.
Finalise flat purchase and move I guess?
Possibly plan / go through with moving horsey from Lux to Brighton.

 
I saw Thomas, I saw Mon, I did go to Paris 3 times. I didn’t make it to NYC but that was probably a good choice.
I finalised flat purchase and moved.
I decided against moving horse.. the selling horse didn’t go so well either. So I’m still stuck with horse. :)) But whatever.

Ok, now for the 2009 plans… at the moment my plan to spend six weeks or so in the US still stands, tho it’s pretty vague. The idea is to do this in late summer/early autumn. This of course depends on my job situation – they’d have to agree to it, which they may not. And I also need to still have a job then. If I don’t, it would probably be wiser to save.
And that’s the only thing really. I think I need to go to Lux – to see horse, to move some things back to the UK, to… I dunno, just go back and see people or sth. But honestly I hate the idea of wasting my precious annual leave on going there. I might have to think sth up.
Oh, I need to get a sofa.