2008 in review

[juliet]

(2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007)


1. What did you do in 2008 that you'd never done before?
Went to Australia! And Russia, China, Vietnam, Cambodia, Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore. Slept on a train for 4 nights straight. Cycle-toured. Had a story published. Legal observing (& a bunch of other stuff) for climate camp.

2. Did you keep your new year's resolutions, and will you make more for next year?
101 things list continues, although slowly right now due to the last 3 months being quite busy.

3. Did anyone close to you give birth?
Not that I remember.

4. Did anyone close to you die?
No, but friends lost people.

5. What countries did you visit?
Russia, China, Vietnam, Cambodia, Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore, Australia. This year has been the Year of Travel.

6. What would you like to have in 2009 that you lacked in 2008?
Um. Earlier on things were a bit stressed but right now: not so much, so the usual "less stress" doesn't really stand. I miss having people around but they will be back (or rather, I will be) mid-year, so... Not sure I can think of anything, tbh. Unless I can borrow a Tardis from someone.

(A job, for a thing that I lack right now & could do with!)

7. What date from 2008 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?
22 September - when I set off on the Eurostar.

8. What was your biggest achievement of the year?
The last 3 months of cross-continent & within-continent travel, and the mental impact it's had on me. Getting that story published. Distinction in my psychology course! (OK, that's 3 things.)

9. What was your biggest failure?
Can't think of one right now. Good :)

10. Did you suffer illness or injury?
Nothing major.

11. What was the best thing you bought?
Assorted travel tickets. My iPod although that was kind of bought by dogrando. The eeeeeepc.

12. Whose behavior merited celebration?
Once again: Many people have been splendid this year, & I am very fortunate to have lots of lovely people in my life.

But especially dogrando, uon, & marnameow, who continue fantastic as ever; and mrs_leroy_brown who has been v helpful with the writing stuff :-).

13. Whose behavior made you appalled and depressed?
Hm. Can't think of anything offhand.

14. Where did most of your money go?
Getting over here.

15. What did you get really, really, really excited about?
Coming over here. Also really, really, really stressed.

16. What song will always remind you of 2008?
"Up In Our Bedroom After The War" by Stars.

17. Compared to this time last year, are you:
i. happier or sadder? Happier.
ii. thinner or fatter? Thinner, a very little (that's 6 weeks of cycle touring for you).
iii. richer or poorer? Poorer & getting steadily more so (that's unemployment for you, voluntary or otherwise).

18. What do you wish you'd done more of?
Time with people.

19. What do you wish you'd done less of?
Getting stressed out! But I'm getting a lot better at this.

20. How will you be spending Christmas?
Spent it with my cousins Carol & Mike in Melbourne. We went swimming in the sea (!) & then had Xmas dinner outside with friends of theirs.

21. Did you fall in love in 2008?
Nope. Just stayed in it :)

22. How many one-night stands?
None.

23. What was your favorite TV program?
Stargate! (Again, watched on the laptop).

24. Do you hate anyone now that you didn't hate this time last year?
Don't think so.

25. What was the best book you read?
As last year (& the year before): I have read many good things. I remember basically none of their names. I am rubbish. I reread the Baroque Cycle whilst on the Trans-Siberian Express & that was aces, again.

26. What was your greatest musical discovery?
Hm. Stars? Not sure.

27. What did you want and get?
Round-the-world excitement. Decent festival weather. An iPod!

28. What did you want and not get?
Nothing that springs to mind.

29. What was your favourite film of this year?
Mamma Mia, hands down

30. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you?
I was 30. I had a black-tie cocktails do, and then the following weekend a regular party. Both were v splendid indeed.

31. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?
MORE TIME early in the year. Better net access whilst away.

32. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2008?
Skirts and bike kit. Sometimes together.
Psytrance hippy.
The same 3 bloody tops over & over again for 3 months. Today uon brought with him a bagful of my clothes from London and MAN am I insanely happy.

33. What kept you sane?
As last year: Marna, Pete, & doop.
Also: Friends. Cycling. Knitting/sewing. The allotment. Morning pages.

34. Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most?
Hm. Can't think of anyone, though during Top Gear watching with Carol & Mike the other day discovered that Richard Hammond is rather nice.

35. What political issue stirred you the most?
Climate change.

36. Who did you miss?
Everyone, post-end-of-September.

37. Who was the best new person you met?
Not sure I met any new people this year.

38. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2007
Do things that scare you.
If you just keep on plugging, things will work out.

39. Quote a song lyric that sums up your year
"Never been this far away from home".

40. Did you enjoy this year?
Yes. Very much so.