2013: A Year in Review

It's that time of year again, is it not? Just going to re-use this old meme for now.

1. What did you do in 2013 that you’d never done before?
Hmm. Attended Landmark. Went to Pattaya. Had a bunch of friends over for Christmas (I'm usually the one going to their place!)
Couple other things that will remain censored on this blog! ;)

2. Did you keep your New Years’ resolutions, and will you make more for next year?
I don't make resolutions. Well, not the standard fare anyway. I live life with an attitude of gratitude, and I resolve to continue that throughout 2014.

3. Did anyone close to you give birth?
My younger cousin gave birth to her fourth this year. FOUR KIDS. And she's only 25. Yikes!

Another cousin's wife had their first kid. Not close to them though...

Other than them, nobody else. Are the baby making machines losing steam? Come on, people. Get to it.

4. Did anyone close to you die?
Nobody close to me. Old classmate of my sister's passed on a while ago; she was only 36 and had two young children, which is really sad.

5. What countries did you visit?
Thailand and the Philippines. To be precise, Pattaya and Manila.

6. What would you like to have in 2014 that you lacked in 2013?
ONE MILLION DOLLARS. Seriously, would love to get a place of my own, but right now, I figure I might as well wait.

7. What date from 2013 will remain etched upon your memory?
I doubt I'll remember any particular date. Such great times, though!

8. What was your biggest achievement of the year?
Organising all the travel arrangements for the guys, especially the rush demobilisation for the evacuation from Typhoon Haiyan (aka Yolanda).
Learning to let go and be free. LIEAM!

9. What was your biggest failure?
Hmm. Failure to meet deadlines for school papers, I suppose. Other than that...failure? Me? Pffft.

10. Did you suffer illness or injury?
Other than the occasional sniffle, I think a very slight asthma attack, few headaches and hangovers...nope, all good!

11. What was the best thing you bought?
Experiences. They're priceless.

12. Whose behaviour merited celebration?
Mine.

13. Whose behaviour made you appalled and depressed?
Sadly, a family member's. But...water off a duck's back, I suppose.

14. Where did most of your money go?
Taxis, my biggest vice. Alcoholic beverages. Travelling.

15. What did you get really, really, really excited about?
I'm really excited about this weekend! Even though it's technically next year...I'm going to Tioman!

16. What song/album will always remind you of 2013?
Hmm. Probably Haddaway's Life. Yes, it came out in 1993, but it made more of an impact this year!
Oh, and Snoop Dogg's Drop it Like it's Hot. Inside joke!

17. Compared to this time last year, are you:
a. Happier or sadder? Happier!
b. Thinner or fatter? Definitely not thinner! About the same, perhaps fatter. I prefer to call it 'more prosperous!
c. Richer or poorer? Hmm. Poorer. Mostly because I used up savings in the 8 months that I wasn't working (but still going out and going on holidays). Also, I'm waiting for my salary and bonus to come in.

18. What do you wish you’d done more of?
Travel.

19. What do you wish you’d done less of?
Whinging and binging.

20. How will you be spending/did you spend Christmas?
Spent it with family and friends, as always, and had a brilliant time. Too much food, lots of alcohol, loads of fun.

21. Who did you spend the most time on the phone with?
Hmm. I rarely talk on the phone, so I'm going with SarahLee. But mostly the LFIA group. An hour a week? That's a lot!

22. Did you fall in love in 2013?
Nope. Fell in lust, plenty plenty!

23. How many one night stands in this last year?
I'm not publishing this one!

24. What was your favourite TV programme?
Ugh, TV addictions. Let's see...Supernatural (after marathonning 7 seasons in one month, 'course I was hooked!) and QI. Started watching Agents of SHIELD...which isn't too bad, I suppose.

25. Do you hate anyone now that you didn’t hate this time last year?
Nope. Why waste time and energy on hate?

26. What was the best book(s) you read?
I can't decide...

27. What was your greatest musical discovery?
Jeez, I don't know, really.

28. What did you want and get?
More friends. Better yet, authentic friends. :D

29. What did you want and not get?
ONE MILLION DOLLARS. Other than that, nothing!

30. What were your favourite films of this year?
I'm going to have to go with Iron Man 3. Because Iron Man.
Enjoyed Percy Jackson too, but mostly cos I was with Nephew Shay. Monsters Uni was a fun jaunt too!

31. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you?
Woke up in a king-sized bed in a foreign country, after having far too much booze the night/morning before. Worked and ran around a lot (in stilettos!) and then settled down in the evening for much boozing with the work team. :D

32. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?
Winning ONE MILLION DOLLARS. Other than that, why bother about what ifs and what could have beens? My year was already immeasurably satisfying!

33. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2013?
My red heels, as much as possible. Lots of black. And red.

34. What kept you sane?
Sanity is overrated.

35. Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most?
Chris Evans stole my heart. The American actor, not the British DJ.

36. What political issue stirred you the most?
LGBT rights.

37. Who did you miss?
My gramps. He passed away many years ago, but I miss him still.
I also miss the boys when they're not around.

38. Who was the best new person you met?
The gang from LF.

39. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2013.
LIEAM.

40. Quote a song lyric that sums up your year?
Life will never be the same!