I made a Year In Questions post last year for the first time and I really enjoyed looking back on it this year to see how the answers changed between 2012 and 2013. I have a tendency to develop amnesia for everything already behind me and start feeling as though I didn't do anything of note all year. Don't ask me how I could forget turning 40, moving into a new apartment for the first time in 7 years, or being hospitalized for the first time since my birth, (I totally forgot all those things until right now) but eh, that's how I roll...always forward, hardly looking back. I'm pretty sure it's a coping mechanism I developed years ago in the event that I had to escape from Nazi's at a moment's notice ( I read a lot of holocaust novels as a child...plus, ummm, Sound of Music. hello?) so without further ado, I give you Q&A:
1. What did you do in 2012 that you’d never done before?
Went to the ER, got admitted into the hospital. Learned I am one of those reluctant patients on TV who feel fine and just want to go home to grungy apartment after having treatments instead of enjoying a night in a nice comfy sterile hospital room. Also that I don't mind IV's, CT Scans, or needles despite having "rolley veins" that cause nurses to jab me repeatedly.
2. Did you keep your 2012 resolutions? Will you make more for 2013?
I was looking over last year's 12 for 2012 and I'm disappointed that I didn't manage more of these. I haven't even finished making any yet for this year! In my defense I've been busy learning to juggle coconuts while hula dancing.
3. Did anyone close to you give birth?
My friend Becky had a baby boy, and so did my cousin Haven, and my cousin-in-law Beth had a girl. Sadly I have yet to see any of them in person but happily lots of facebook pics.
4. Did anyone close to you die?
My Great-Uncle Al back in California. We weren't super-close but it was always a treat to see him. There were also way too many violent national tragedies, this year as well :(
5. What countries did you visit?
Ugh!! I was stone cold busted the whole year! I lacked the funds for road trip to Starbucks! I didn't even make it to my cousin Jenn's wedding in Arizona, which was supposed to be my travel highlight for 2012. Sometimes life just sucks :-p
6. What would you like to have in 2013 that you lacked in 2012?
More creative people in my life. Fall madly truly deeply in love. A real apocalypse.
7. What date from 2012 will remain etched upon your memory and why?
December 21st 2012 as the anti-climax of the year. I'm glad we didn't all perish and I was not prepared for it in the least but since that was the end of the Mayan calendar, are there even anymore doomsday dates to look forward too?
8. What was your biggest achievement of the year?
Moving into an apartment and neighborhood way above my socio-economic class. Had a bad tooth pulled. Quit smoking for good. Learning little-by-little to hand everything over to God, remain faithful, and watch everything fall into place.
9. What was your biggest failure?
$13,000 in medical bill debt just as soon as my credit score was finally in a decent place.
10. Did you suffer illness or injury?
Ended up in the ER after a pill got stuck in my esophagus and refused to budge, dissolve, or let me swallow anything for 48 hours! The really cute GI specialist Dr. Nachnani had to go down my throat and physically remove it before I died of dehydration. *whew* Thank you, Dr. Nachnani! You really are a most excellent doctor!
11. Whose behavior merited celebration?
I suppose I give this one to Dr. Nachnani for allowing me to eat and drink again...kind of a requirement to be able to enjoy a life untethered from an intravenous feeding tube.
12. Whose behavior made you appalled and depressed?
The abysmal attitude towards women, the middle class/ poor, and minorities shown by the GOP during the election. It's bad enough when you suspect that's how they feel about you but when they let all of that misguided ignorance and misinformation fly willy-nilly for months, unchecked...it's kind of disheartening. I'm not sure I needed to see them at their worst (which I HOPE that was). I would actually love to be able to respectfully disagree with people and still be friends.
13. Where did most of your money go?
Rent, car insurance, tuition, textbooks, cheap food like hotdogs and Nissin teriyaki beef bowls... no concerts, travel, or Starbucks this year :(
14. What did you get really, really, really excited about?
My new apartment!!!
16. Compared to this time last year, are you:
a) happier or sadder?
Hard to say...I'm sort of a mellow optimist and I'm at peace with having no control over other people's actions, and sometimes not even over my own reactions. Still I'm kinda hoping for a really really HAPPY year (in all caps!) full of lucky breaks, shrieks of delight, intrigue, heart fluttering romance, life changing music, emotional art & tangles of affection.
b) thinner or fatter?
Just so very slightly thinner...I was a lot thinner 2 months ago before becoming unceremoniously laid off from my less than satisfying but well paid job throwing boxes and choosing to "look for work" by clicking around on the internet, in bed, with bags of LifeSavers sour gummies.
c) richer or poorer?
much much poorer :(
17. What do you wish you’d done more of?
Gotten more sleep *yawn*...and made more new friends
18. What do you wish you’d done less of?
procrastinating & complaining....and falling into internet k-holes
19. How did you spend Christmas?
At our new apartment...we got a tree & everything...watched Dark Knight Rises on blu-ray
20. Did you fall in love in 2012?
Safe to say...no. I'm beginning to forget what it feels like...kind of sad, actually.
21. What was your favorite TV program?
I did have a few television romances. An irrational crush on Teen Wolf, a total obsession with Grimm, and went mad for that bitch in Apartment 23. Also still loving my boos from last year Supernatural, Revenge, Once Upon A Time & New Girl. Here's one more Teen Wolf link.
22. Do you hate anyone now that you didn’t hate this time last year?
You and I both know that I don't do hate. #NoH8rs
23. What was the best book you read?
I read quite a few (52) this year! These are some of the ones I still think about long after I finished the book:
Claire DeWitt and the City of the Dead ~Sara Gran
The Diviners ~Libba Bray
Song of Achilles ~Madeline Miller
In Defense of Food ~ Michael Pollan
Will Grayson, Will Grayson ~John Green & David Levithan
24. What was your greatest musical discovery?
The two biggest brand new artist discoveries for me this year were fun. and Lana Del Rey.
But I was pretty stoked about brand new music from Slash, Halestorm, Adam Lambert, Ke$ha, and No Doubt
A spanking new boyband from the U.K. hit the scene and made me a little nostalgic.
25. What did you want and get?
Got the apartment. Got a new better job doing basically the same stuff as I did at my old job...but in a fancier place.
26. What did you want and not get?
To attend my cousin Jennifer's wedding in Arizona, to finish school, to get a "grown up" job w/ perks and benefits, to travel, to fall truly, madly, deeply head over heels in love!
27. What was your favorite film of this year?
Skyfall (My #1 favorite James Bond 007 film ever)
The Dark Knight Rises (Magical cast...it finally all came together for me!)
21 Jumpstreet (despite all my reservations)
Bonus: I revisited Inception on Blu-ray and got obsessed with it the second time around ;)
28. What did you do on your birthday? How old were you?
It was my 40th! It was also one of the hottest days of the year...excruciatingly so. It was pretty chill but we just moved into our new apartment, cranked up the air conditioning, and pretty much considered that a gift (that we pay for, lol) family came over and we hung out. No big 40 hoopla thank God! Me and Julia shared it same as every year. It's funny because my 30th was also very low-key. I guess I don't really like doing milestones. Maybe for 41. Ha ha!
29. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?
A stable income that supports my desired (not extravagant) lifestyle. I just want to be able to afford organic chicken, already!
30. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2012?
Same (exact clothes, as I didn't have any money for clothes this year)...jeans, layered tanks, tees, rock tees. Yoga pants & tanks. flip-flops in summer, uggs in winter, chucks in the middle. Ponytail hair or down w/sideswept bangs.
31. What kept you sane?
I swear by a combination of conversing with God mixed with asking him for everything I want and then followed by sleeping as much as possible.
I also read a lot and play a lot of music based on my moods.
I also decided not to give a fuck about what other people are trippin' off of at any given time. I don't have the time, patience, or talent to be a mind reader and I have stopped trying to anticipate everyone's drama...now I just let it all fall.
32. Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most?
This year it was Lana Del Rey, Ke$ha, Emily VanCamp, Krysten Ritter, Ellie Goulding, Adam Lambert, Colton Haynes, Jensen Ackles, Shemar Moore, Larry Stylinson, Sterek
33. What political issue stirred you the most?
Trying to abstain from politics, but the 2012 Election made it impossible. I support equality for everyone. I support helping the poor and needy. I support education. NOH8.
34. Who did you miss?
All my family out West, especially for Jennifer's wedding :(
35. Who was the best new person you met?
Idk....several cool new acquaintances but no new partner-in-crime or man-of-my-dreams (when will we be able to customize romantic interests like we can customize everything else?) :(
36. What valuable life lesson did you learn in 2012?
Don't trust the Mayans to plan a proper apocalypse!
37. What song lyrics sum up your year?
I was in an apocalyptic mood all year so I think that Skyfall works nicely...plus the mood is perfect.
"Let the sky fall
When it crumbles
We will stand tall
Face it all together
Let the sky fall
When it crumbles
We will stand tall
Face it all together
At skyfall
That skyfall
Skyfall is where we start
A thousand miles and poles apart
Where worlds collide and days are dark
You may have my number, you can take my name
But you'll never have my heart
Let the sky fall (let the sky fall)
When it crumbles (when it crumbles)
We will stand tall (we will stand tall)
Face it all together"
38. Post a favorite picture of yourself from 2012.
