2006: The Year That Was

Inside my brain is a stack of things I want to write about on here and get off my chest, but don't feel comfortable having just anyone read, which is frustrating. It's frustrating because I created this blog so that I could just write and not worry about the consequences; but I suppose I've been spooked by  so many stories about blogs lately, that it's made me paranoid.

Perhaps if I figure out how to make password protected posts, I'll type it up and share it with people that I know will offer their feedback.

The day's last one-way ticket train pulls in,
We smile for the casual closure
capturing.
Here comes the downpour,
There goes my fare thee well.
There's
really no way to reach me,
There's
really no way to reach me,
There's
really no way to reach me,
?Cause I'm already gone.
There's only so many
words that we could say,
Spoken upon long-distance melody.
This is my hello,
This
is my goodness.
There's really no way to reach me,
There's
really no way to reach me,
There's
really no way to reach me,
Am I already gone?

For now? I'm going to ignore all of that, and type up this wonderful end of year meme. Way to change the subject, eh?

1. What did you do in 2006 that you?d never done before?
I went out into the real world, started working (really working) for the first time and survived. Sadly, I cannot think of anything else that I did that was "new", which is sort of sad. Oh, wait. I got my car loan and brand spanking new baby.


2. Did you keep your new year?s resolutions, and will you make more for next year?
I can't remember if I made any serious resolutions, aside from the whole "must get healthy" thing. I believe I made a start in that, joining up for my gym membership, but I have a long way to go.


3. Did anyone close to you give birth?
Belinda had Max in January, Rebecca had Katelyn in September and Dee had Sofia in October (and I still haven't seen her yet!) My cousin Cathy is pregnant again, as well.


4. Did anyone close to you die?
No, they did not.

5. What countries did you visit?
Le sigh. I did not visit any countries this year except my own.


6. What would you like to have in 2007 that you lacked in 2006?
Committment. But that's a story for another day. I'd also like to move out of home, and have something to call my own.


7. What dates from 2006 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?
I have absolutely nothing of significance to write about.


8. What was your biggest achievement of the year?
Getting my kidlets through the year, Getting through NaBloPoMo, Finishing Anna Karenina (!) and also getting through my Teacher's Accreditation in one year.


9. What was your biggest failure?
I haven't experienced some things that I wanted to experience right now. And I continue to compare myself to other people, when I really shouldn't.


10. Did you suffer illness or injury?
Fifteen thousand colds from my first year of teaching, but I'm pretty sure that was the only thing. Oh, except that mother of all sunburns. That was an injury and a half.


11. What was the best thing you bought?
My computer, tickets to New Zealand, bunnies. I love the bunnies. I will always love the bunnies.


12. Whose behavior merited celebration?
My brother. As annoying as he is and as much as we argue, I think he's turning into a really cool guy.

13. Whose behavior made you appalled and depressed?
Sometimes, my own.


14. Where did most of your money go?
Paying off the car loan, organising my Contiki and flights to New Zealand.


15. What did you get really, really, really excited about?
Seeing the Fray in concert, meeting Julie.


16. What song will always remind you of 2006?
Over My Head - The Fray


17. Compared to this time last year, are you:??????????????????????????????????( a?)? ?h?a?p?p?i?e?r? ?o?r? ?s?a?d?d?e?r??? ?( b?)? ?t?h?i?n?n?e?r? ?o?r? ?f?a?t?t?e?r??? ?( c?)? ?r?i?c?h?e?r? ?o?r? ?p?o?o?r?e?r???<?/?s?t?r?o?n?g?>?<?b?r? ?/?>?a?)? ?S?a?d?d?e?r??? ?I? ?h?a?v?e?n?'?t? ?a?c?h?i?e?v?e?d? ?v?e?r?y? ?m?u?c?h?.? ?b?)? ?F?a?t?t?e?r??? ?S?t?i?l?l? ?w?o?r?k?i?n?g? ?o?n? ?t?h?a?t?.? ?c?)? ?P?o?o?r?e?r??? ?B?u?t? ?I? ?d?o? ?o?w?n? ?a? ?c?a?r? ?n?o?w?,? ?a?s? ?w?e?l?l? ?a?s? ?b?e?i?n?g? ?a?b?l?e? ?t?o? ?g?o? ?o?n? ?h?o?l?i?d?a?y?s?.? ?(?A?n?d? ?a? ?c?r?a?p?l?o?a?d? ?o?f? ?D?V?D?s?.)

18. What do you wish you?d done more of?
Things with Jason. Yes we are both working, but spending so much time apart can't be a good thing.


19. What do you wish you?d done less of?
Complaining. And whinging. Heck, opening my mouth in general!

20. How will you be spending Christmas?
I "spent" it the same as always, quiet and with family.


21. Did you fall in love in 2006?
I stayed in love.


22. How many one-night stands?
Only 12 this year.


23. What was your favorite TV program?
I fell in love with Gilmore Girls all over again, but all time favourite? Grey's Anatomy.


24. Do you hate anyone now that you didn?t hate this time last year?
Hate is a strong word..


25. What was the best book you read?
This is hard, because I've read so many and I've forgotten what books I actually read this year. I'll go with My Sister's Keeper, A Breath of Snow and Ashes, and The Guardian.


26. What was your greatest musical discovery?
The Fray. I know, I know, I'll get over it eventually.

27. What did you want and get?
I wanted an Ipod, I got one. I wanted to go overseas again, I got that.

28. What did you want and not get?
Cough. Lots of things. Like a puppy. And a kitty. And, other things.


29. What was your favorite film of this year?
Hrm. I didn't see too many movies, actually. Maybe.. erm.. No, I really have no idea.

30. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you?
I was 22 this year, and I did nothing of significance other than go out for dinner.

31. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?
One long word that starts with 'c'.

32. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2006?
I wouldn't even call it fashion? I had two wardrobes this year: My teacher wardrobe and my casual wardrobe. That's it. Colorados, jeans, 3/4 pants. That's about it.

33. What kept you sane?
This blog. Seriously, I kid you not.

34. Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most?
No-one really. No-one at all.

35. What political issue stirred you the most?
Any politics stir me. I don't follow politics, and I don't agree with half the things this country supports.

36. Who did you miss?
I missed Jen, and spending time with Kirby.

37. Who was the best new person you met?
Stef at work has been really good to me, and all my blog stalker-ees. I'm lucky to have met such gorgeous people, that are always around.

38. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2006.
Expectations are bad. Do away with them. I think this year has disappointed me, looking back.

39. Quote a song lyric that sums up your year.
Have a Dishwalla medley, if you will. Take your pick.

She waits for some-one.
Tonight she'll give herself away,
She'll break apart all by her, by herself,
It's so easy how we come undone.

I wish I could be every little thing you wanted,
All the time.
I wish I could be every little thing you wanted,
All the time - or sometimes.

And will you find out who you are, too late to change?

With December coming to a close, there aren't many shoe posts left.


I'll give a virtual cookie to whomever guesses which brand these babies are?