I did this same survey/recap last year and thought it was a nice way of ending the year, so here it is again, for 2011:
1. What did you do in 2011 that you’d never done before?
Drove on the left side of the road.
2. Did you keep your new year’s resolutions, and will you make more for next year?
I lost where I wrote my 2011 resolutions, so I’m not sure! If I resolved to get more in shape I’m sorry to say that I failed on that front, though I wouldn’t say I’m really in worse shape either.
3. Did anyone close to you give birth?
Not anyone close to me, but according to facebook there are a LOT of people I know who’ve given birth in the last year.
4. Did anyone close to you die?
Thankfully, no.
5. What countries did you visit?
I visited the US over the Christmas/New Years holidays
6. What would you like to have in 2012 that you lacked in 2011?
A substantial (at least for me) amount of money in my savings account. Every independent girl should have some savings to be ready for whatever life throws at her!
7. What dates from 2011 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?
July 5 – the day my 4 year work visa was approved
8. What was your biggest achievement of the year?
Landing a job at one of the most well-known interior design firms in Australia and having that company sponsor a long-term work visa for me.
9. What was your biggest failure?
Picking an apartment that leaks heat like it’s its job (though I do love pretty much everything else about it.)
10. Did you suffer illness or injury?
I injured my hand in a bike accident and it didn’t seem like a big deal, but I think I’m going to have it checked out again as my finger still doesn’t feel right.
11. What was the best thing you bought?
The furnishings for the apartment I moved into in May. Hard to pick which is the best piece though – my sofa is amazing, my bed is the most comfortable in the world, and who can beat the convenience of a washer and dryer?
12. Whose behavior merited celebration?
My brother Brian and my parents – my parents bought plane tickets to visit me in 2012 and Brian is also tentatively planning a trip here. I couldn’t be more excited to be preparing for my first visitors! I know it’s a long trip and therefore a lot to ask, so I appreciate their willingness to come see me.
13. Whose behavior made you appalled and depressed?
No one close to me. I will say I was bummed that some friends didn’t make more of an effort to see me when I was home after they talked about how much they wanted it to happen in the months leading up to my visit, but I wouldn’t say I was appalled, just a bit disappointed.
14. Where did most of your money go?
Furniture for my new apartment and plane tickets for my trip to the US.
15. What did you get really, really, really excited about?
Being in the US not only for Christmas and New Years (like last year) but for an entire month. I saw many friends and family and didn’t feel like I was rushing from one location to another so much. I was counting down to the trip since July, so yeah, you could say I was excited.
16. What song will always remind you of 2011?
Anything off of Adele’s 21 album. It’s a great album, but was incredibly overplayed in 2011.
17. Compared to this time last year, are you:
a) happier or sadder? Happier
b) thinner or fatter? Thinner
c) richer or poorer? Poorer
18. What do you wish you’d done more of?
Saved more money, travelled around Australia more, and probably exercised more.
19. What do you wish you’d done less of?
Wasting time on facebook haha.
20. How did you spend Christmas?
All of my family Christmases were spent at my parents’ house. It was nice that everyone came to us, but it did mean a lot of cleaning and cooking (mostly for my mom).
21. Did you fall in love in 2010?
Nope.
22. What was your favorite TV program?
True Blood. Other top shows include Mad Men, Burn Notice, Bones, Offspring, Buffy (yes I know it ended a decade ago, but I only watched it for the first time)
23. Do you hate anyone now that you didn’t hate this time last year?
No.
24. What was the best book you read?
Nothing that stood out….I read a lot of books though, some good, some bad.
25. What was your greatest musical discovery?
Bruno Mars <3
26. What did you want and get?
To get my work visa.
27. What did you want and not get?
New curtains!
28. What was your favorite film of this year?
Something Borrowed. It’s also a fantastic book.
29. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you?
I spent the entire week on either side of my birthday going out dancing, drinking, and eating out with friends. It was lovely – and exhausting.
30. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?
Having visitors from the US.
31. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2011?
I don’t know. Lazily fashionable?
32. What kept you sane?
My family and best friends and my new apartment. Having my own space to retreat into is amazing.
33. Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most?
Alexander Skarsgard.
34. What political issue stirred you the most?
Gay rights (in American politics). I think it’s crazy that politicians don’t all believe in equal rights for all people. I think it’s even more crazy how hateful some of them can be regarding those opinions.
35. Who did you miss?
Friends and family in the US….most notably during big events in their lives.
36. Who was the best new person you met?
Marcela and Natalie – I met them both last January and they are 2 of my closest friends now.
37. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2011.
If you try hard enough and want it badly enough, sometimes you get lucky enough to get what you want.
38. Quote a song lyric that sums up your year.
I watch you grow away from me in photographs
And memories like spies
The salt betrays my eyes again
I started losing sleep and gaining weight
And wishing I was ten again
So I could be your friend again
Turpentine – Brandi Carlisle
