M E R R Y C H R I S T M A S!!!

There hasn't been a lot of substantial updating going on here lately, I apologize. I've been defering quite a number of entries to my old-fashioned handwritten journal these past few days. Lots of thoughts and ideas in the process of fermentation right now, and as you know, fermentation is best done in cool, quiet, dark places.

Anyway, as I know I probably won't be writing nice, chunky, meaty posts anytime soon, I shall leave you with this - a sort of review of the year that was, recycled from blogs gone by. Maybe I'll even follow this post up with insights and epiphanies and all the crap my mind is lucky enough to amuse itself with these days. Maybe.

1. What did you do in 2004 that you'd never done before?
Err, let me see. Worked in an office. Became a Real Estate Agent. Cooked a turkey. Became a legal permanent resident of another country. There are really too many things. I guess 2004 has been a year of firsts for me.

2. Did you keep your new years' resolutions, and will you make more for next year?
I don't make new year's resolutions... I make year end evaluations. Yeah, right.

3. Did anyone close to you give birth?
Hmmm. I don't think so.

4. Did anyone close to you die?
Well, no one actually close to me, no. But some who were very close the people I'm close to.

5. What countries did you visit?
Well, exactly a year ago from today I was in the Caribbean, lounging around in Bahia Principe San Juan, Dominican Republic. After that, it was mostly just domestic trips.

6. What would you like to have in 2005 that you lacked in 2004?
A job that I like.

7. What date from 2004 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?
March 28, I guess. First anniversary.

8. What was your biggest achievement of the year?
I guess that would be overcoming the legal hurdles for permanent residency here in the US.

9. What was your biggest failure?
Hah. Employment. I am a failure at getting myself a steady source of income.

10. Did you suffer illness or injury?
Nothing major. A couple of migraines (genetic), a skin rash (from the next door neighbor's cat), a sprained wrist (snowboarding).

11. What was the best thing you bought?
That's a toss-up between my shearling coat and airconditioner.

12. Whose behavior merited celebration?
Mine? I don't really know how to answer this question. I've been a hermit for so long...

13. Whose behaviour appalled you and made you depressed?
I'd rather not get into this. Why think of depression when... (cue music)... "It's the most wonderful time of the year..."

14. Where did most of your money go?
Rent, food, school, and Manila trip.

15 What did you get really, really, really excited about?
Right now I'm really, really excited about my impending trip to Manila. Oh yeah.

16. What song will always remind you of 2004?
Vindicated by dashboard Confessional. I don't really know why. Just heard it so much, I guess.

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

i. happier or sadder? Neither. I'm more, err, quietly content. Bit more tame and steady.
ii. thinner or fatter? Same, I think.
iii. richer or poorer? Poorer. Definitely poorer. Ugh.

18. What do you wish you'd done more of?
Writing. And maybe cleaning. Hehe.

19. What do you wish you'd done less of?
Procrastinating.

20. How will you be spending Christmas?
Cozy home-cooked (Wanda-cooked, I should say) dinner. It's going to be a quiet Christmas.

22. Did you fall in love in 2004?
No. Made myself too comfortable in whatever it is you fall into to get up again.

23. How many one-night stands?
None

24. What was your favourite TV program?
Carnivale. Gilmore Girls (because for some reason, this show makes me nostalgic).

25. Do you hate anyone now that you didn't hate this time last year?
No. I don't do hate.

26. What was the best book you read?
Ah. Tough one. Honestly can't say.

27. What was your greatest musical discovery?
I re-discovered "noize" music and re-realized what a great piece of crap it is. Does that count?

28. What did you want and get?
An editorial job.

29. What did you want and not get?
The RIGHT editorial job.

30. Favorite film of this year?
I honestly can't say. Will have to think about that one some more.

31. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you?
I turned 23. John took me to see the Broadway production of Little Shop of Horrors. And then he fed me dinner. It was a great birthday.

32. What one thing would have made your year more satisfying?
Publication.

33. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2004?
Tropical chic, secretary-shopgirl, then just bahala na.

34. What kept you sane?
John and my writing.

35. Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most?
Angelina Jolie. And Jude Law. I liked Jude Law this year, for some reason.

36. What political issue stirred you the most?
Augh... Bush.

37. Who did you miss?
Everyone. Kytie.

38. Who was the best new person you met?
Hmm. My boss at the Real Estate Firm.

39. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2004.
Just because you dreamt it doesn't mean it has to come true.

40. Quote a song lyric that sums up your year
"Tonight and the rest of my life..."