in retrospect

[spiderpig]

01. What did you do in 2009 that you'd never done before?
Wow, many things. I've traveled solo, wrote for an academic journal, presented at a conference, living by myself abroad...

02. Did you keep your new years' resolutions, and will you make more for next year?
I can't remember what 2009's resolutions were! I hope I kept some of them. Well, I've got a list of things I want to do/accomplish next year so I guess I'll be making more.

03. Did anyone close to you give birth?
My cousin's wife (because my cousin is a man and thus cannot give birth el oh el.)

04. Did anyone close to you die?
Yes.

05. What countries did you visit?
Thailand, Taiwan, Japan. Did I go elsewhere? Probably not.

06. What would you like to have in 2010 that you lacked in 2009?
More determination, resolve and guts. In Japanese, that would be summarized into 「根性！」!

07. What date from 2009 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?
I cannot remember exactly when, but when my Waseda package came, that was a turning point in my life.

08. What was your biggest achievement of the year?
Getting here! (Also, getting published.)

09. What was your biggest failure?
Not getting a job/internship yet because of procrastination! D: Also, letting retarded people control my life.

10. Did you suffer illness or injury?
I was probably sick at one point in the year but I can't remember. I might have been rather well!

11. What was the best thing you bought?
My 500D's 50mm 1.8 lens! Bokeh <3. Actually, I'd have to say that it's a tie between Auden (my MacBook) and my 500D. Which I realized, I have yet to name. Darn it.

12. Whose behavior merited celebration?
My brother's! LOL. But I can always count on my Serangoon Gang to pick me up.

13. Whose behavior made you appalled and depressed?
Oh woooooooooooooooooow. A lot of people have made me appalled, depressed and basically lose faith in humanity (seriously, kids there is something called the Internet and we all possess something called a Brain so please use both in tandem for effective results!)

14. Where did most of your money go?
For a month or so -- Etsy! Most of my money has gone to books (oh books, my faithful lover!) and camera related goods! A sizable amount has gone to clothes and shoes... Damnit, I'm turning into a shopaholic.

15. What did you get really, really, really excited about?
Being able to live in Japan for 10 months! HI LAND OF OPPORTUNITIES WHICH I HAVEN'T SEIZED YET! =A=;; Also, photography got me really really excited.

16. What song will always remind you of 2009?
"Help I'm Alive" Metric

17. Compared to this time last year, you are:
- A lot less tolerant of ignorance, stupidity and laziness.
- As a result, probably a lot more close minded
- Dealing with longer hair! (Which is a pain!)
- Wiser.
- A lot more confident in thinking and speaking in Japanese.
- Having trouble writing essays in English because my Engrish has taken over as my mother tongue.

18. What do you wish you'd done more of?
NOT PROCRASTINATE. And probably, not sleep. Not eating would be good too.

19. What do you wish you'd done less of?
OH HAI I ANSWERED THE QUESTION UP THERE. I also wish I was less amchio about things. はっきり言えます、本当の気持とか。

20. How will you be spending/did you spend Christmas?
In Hokkaido with my family. Would spend it with no one else. :)

22. Did you fall in love in 2009?
No. I have had crushes, but as it always turns out, they are either gay or jerks. Or gay jerks. :D

23. How many one-night stands?
LOL 1 WITH YOUR MOM.

24. What was your favorite TV program
How I Met Your Mother. <3

25. Do you hate anyone now that you didn't hate this time last year?
Oh hooooo. Yes. Hate is probably too strong a word but yes, I do hate someone. :)

26. What was the best book you read?
This year!? Well Gombrich's "The Story Of Art" pretty much is at the top spot for very simple reasons: it's a simple, engaging read.

27. What was your greatest musical discovery?
Professor Moriarty & Smiley Todd! Also, Vasallo Crab and Advantage Lucy

28. What did you want and get?
Work in BooksActually check; a Nikon FM2 check; studying in Japan check; MacBook check...

29. What did you want and not get?
Hahaaha, my whole list of cameras I want.

30. What was your favorite film of this year?
Hemhawhum. I particularly enjoyed Star Trek. But I also loved Paper Heart and Dinner with Murakami.

31. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you?
I turned 21. That is all.

32. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?
OH THE ETERNAL FAILURE OF XXXXXXXXXXXXXX. But I'm just being a bitch. :D I would have liked to network a lot more with the indie shops. Attending Arashi's Tokyo Dome concert would have made my year a lot more unforgettable too.

33. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2009?
Anything goes! I've gone from plaid flannel and white undershirts to school-girl coats. I like clothes now. Gasp!

34. What kept you sane?
My parents and Yen! :D Also Tsu!

35. Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most?
NINOMIYA AND JOHNNY DEPP AS ALWAYS. I also had a huuuuuuuuuuuuuuge crush MatsuKen.

35. What was your favorite video game of the year?
Eh. Eh. Lots of grinding on Etrian Odyssey and Rune Factory!

36. Who has made the most cameos in your dreams this year?
LOL No one.

37. Who did you miss?
My famillllyyyy and Serangoon Gang.

38. Who was the best new person you met?
Shahida! :D And my entire freakin' Japanese class. <3 Love for you guys!

39. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2009:
Shed the scales from your eyes and see people for who they really are.

40. Quote a song lyric that sums up your year:

It's time to trust my instincts /Close my eyes: and leap!

It's time to try /Defying gravity / I think I'll try / Defying gravity / And you can't pull me down!