Ruh Roh!

End of Year Meme for 2010 

I’ve been doing this meme since 2005 in my private journal. I thought I would share it here too.

1. WHAT DID YOU DO IN 2010 THAT YOU’D NEVER DONE BEFORE?
Got involved with someone (shall be referred to as “The Dude”) who - as it turned out - was involved in some heavy stuff. A lot of “new things” for me on the work front. I asked about the possibility of a transfer to France. I sprained my MCL and tore my meniscus and STILL played soccer 2x a week plus bootcamp. My fitness went through the roof to awesome. The money situation improved, woo!

2. DID YOU KEEP YOUR NEW YEAR’S RESOLUTIONS, AND WILL YOU MAKE MORE FOR NEXT YEAR?
Last year, I wrote: “For the coming year: I want to do something that makes a difference, however small, in this world. I want to lose some weight, but am happy with where my fitness is, shock. I want to continue to meet people who inspire me on a daily basis. Surround myself with good people. I’ll let love figure itself out. :)”

For making a difference, I hope my involvement with both TEDxTO and one of my pro-bono clients, Starry Nights (a Jewish-based humanitarian relief organization) helped. I donated more money this year to charity than I ever have in my life. I feel good about that.

I didn’t lose weight, as I weigh more now than in a long time, but I believe it is all now muscle, than fat. I feel stronger than I ever have (hello, I did handstand push-ups!) thanks to my bootcamp I started in May. I finally have upper-body strength! It definitely made a difference in my soccer playing. 

I also really started honing down on this idea of quality vs. quantity in my life. Good friends who make a positive impact in my life and I in theirs. This is something that was really reflected when I went home for Christmas this year. Instead of running around like a mad woman trying to see every single person who I know in Halifax, I made a conscious decision to only spend time with people I talk to other parts of the year. Not just those that I feel I need to see because they’re in Halifax and I’m in Halifax. 

For next year, with my scope coming up in January, and being off physical activity for about 6 weeks, means I really want to focus on getting my fitness level back up after that. I also want to travel this year. I haven’t been out of the country since I got back from Australia and I need to. 

3. DID ANYONE CLOSE TO YOU GIVE BIRTH?
My friend’s wife had a baby boy about 3 weeks ago. I got to visit him when I was in Halifax and d’awww. 

4. DID ANYONE CLOSE TO YOU DIE?
No - yay! But my friend did suffer a brain aneurysm and I feel like my friend has gone away as a result. I don’t know if he’ll ever remember me or what he’ll be like once he gets out of the hospital - which he’s been in for several weeks now. So sad. 

5. WHAT COUNTRIES DID YOU VISIT?
Bleh, no where outside of Canada. I went to Ottawa, Niagara Falls and Niagara on the Lake, Muskoka, Montreal, Windsor, and Halifax. Woo.

6. WHAT WOULD YOU LIKE TO HAVE IN 2011 THAT YOU LACKED IN 2010?
Travel, travel, travel, travel, travel.

7. WHAT DATES FROM 2010 WILL REMAIN ETCHED UPON YOUR MEMORY, AND WHY?
January 4, 2010 - The day I started my new role at Publicis! 
Mid June, 2010 - Sprained my MCL and tore my meniscus. Whee! 
October 10, 2010 - The night I told The Dude I was finally done, which resulted in some pretty truthful conversations.


8. WHAT WAS YOUR BIGGEST ACHIEVEMENT OF THE YEAR?
Doing really well at my new role. My boss told me during my review that this was the best review he’s ever had the pleasure of giving for someone at my level. *Fluffs chest up* A couple of projects at work this year that I managed to sell to our client which made me very excited! 

Being able to do FOUR handstand push-ups at bootcamp! 

9. WHAT WAS YOUR BIGGEST FAILURE?
The whole The Dude thing. I feel like maybe I should have seen his issues waaay earlier. But then again, I am naive and always think the best of people. That said, I know I made a positive impact on his life and I’m so glad I was able to do that. 

10. DID YOU SUFFER ILLNESS OR INJURY?
I had bronchitis in February which kind of knocked me off my feet for a few weeks. I also did that whole “sprain your MCL and tear some meniscus” thing everyone’s doing these days. I got pretty sick when I went home to Halifax for Christmas: cough, fever, chills, the whole nine yards. Spent several days in bed as a result. 

11. WHAT WAS THE BEST THING YOU BOUGHT?
…clothes? I didn’t really make any big purchases this year. So sad.

12. WHOSE BEHAVIOUR MERITED CELEBRATION?
My friends (online and offline), here in Toronto and worldwide and my family. The Dude, because in the end, I’m so, so proud of him for making the right decision.

13. WHOSE BEHAVIOUR MADE YOU APPALLED AND DEPRESSED?
Ah, The Dudes.

14. WHERE DID MOST OF YOUR MONEY GO?
Rent, food, clothes. As I said last year, “Sooo much food and clothing, omg.” Creature of habit.

15. WHAT DID YOU GET REALLY, REALLY, REALLY EXCITED ABOUT?
My job! The possibility I might move to France! Monies! My new computer at work! (Are we noticing a work-theme here in my life?) Some of my friends :)

16. WHAT SONGS WILL ALWAYS REMIND YOU OF 2010?
Love the Way You Lie - Eminem ft. Rhianna
Cosmic Love - Florence + The Machine
It’s True - Hawksley Workman
Prettier Face - Hawksley Workman
The Future Language of Slaves - Hawksley Workman
Smoke Beauty - Hawksley Workman
Autumn’s Here - Hawksley Workman
Ilfracombe - Hawksley Workman
Robot Heart - Hawksley Workman (So pretty much everything, ever, Hawksley)
Black Sheep - Metric
Blue Lips - Regina Spektor
Curtain Call - Tori Amos
Teeth - Lady Gaga 

17. COMPARED TO THIS TIME LAST YEAR, ARE YOU:
I. HAPPIER OR SADDER? Happier! Things on the upswing for Emma
II. THINNER OR FATTER? Thinner!!
III. RICHER OR POORER? Richer!

18. WHAT DO YOU WISH YOU’D DONE MORE OF?
Traveling, dudes.

19. WHAT DO YOU WISH YOU’D DONE LESS OF?
Buying too much food and not eating it. Eyes > Stomach. <— Same as the last two years.

20. HOW WILL YOU BE SPENDING CHRISTMAS?
Spent it at home in Halifax.

21. HOW WILL YOU BE SPENDING NEW YEAR’S?
Party-hopping.

22. DID YOU FALL IN LOVE IN 2010?
I got damn close.

23. HOW MANY ONE-NIGHT STANDS?
None.

24. WHAT WAS YOUR FAVORITE TV PROGRAM?
The list hasn’t changed too, too much from last year’s: Dexter. Californication. How I Met Your Mother. Jersey Shore. House. Mad Men. ANTM. 30 Rock. Modern Family. Grey’s Anatomy. Big Bang Theory. Private Practice (I feel like I’m the only one who watches this!)

25. DO YOU HATE ANYONE NOW THAT YOU DIDN’T HATE THIS TIME LAST YEAR?
I don’t do hate anymore. So 2007.

26. WHAT WAS THE BEST BOOK YOU READ?
Not done but Sex At Dawn is changing the way I regard human nature, monogamy, and long-term relationships. I devoured a bunch of books in the Sword of Truth series too.

27. WHAT WAS YOUR GREATEST MUSICAL DISCOVERY?
The Dude introduced me to Hawksley Workman this year and I fell head over heels for his music.

28. WHAT DID YOU WANT AND GET?
Do well at my new job! 

29. WHAT DID YOU WANT AND NOT GET?
A happy, healthy relationships with The Dude.

30. WHAT WAS YOUR FAVORITE FILM OF THIS YEAR?
Harry Potter & The Deathly Hallows Part 1. The King’s Speech. Black Swan. Inception. Scott Pilgrim vs the World. Shutter Island. The Social Network.

Worst movie goes to Sex & The City 2. Awful.

31. WHAT DID YOU DO ON YOUR BIRTHDAY, AND HOW OLD WERE YOU?
I turned 25. I had a birthday party at a pub and lots of and lots of people came out which made me feel very loved. I got more drunk than I ever have before. I threw up a whole bunch the next morning, notably in The Dude’s car and in the hallway in front of our apartment door. The day of my actual birthday I went to Terroni for a quiet dinner with two of my favourite people in the world and it was lovely. 

32. WHAT ONE THING WOULD HAVE MADE YOUR YEAR IMMEASURABLY MORE SATISFYING?
If perhaps things with The Dude had have worked out. But I’m happy with how it ended and am hoping we can move into real friendship territory. 

33. HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE YOUR PERSONAL FASHION CONCEPT IN 2010?
Fashion-blogger knock-off? 

34. WHAT KEPT YOU SANE?
Friends, family, personal journal.

35. WHICH CELEBRITY/PUBLIC FIGURE DID YOU FANCY THE MOST?
I think I kind of fell for Michael C Hall/Dexter this year. ‎”Don’t be sorry your darkness is gone. I’ll carry it for you, always. I’ll keep it with mine.”

36. WHAT POLITICAL ISSUE STIRRED YOU THE MOST?
Ford vs the sane. Still upset about that election result.

37. WHO DID YOU MISS?
My family. 

38. WHO WAS THE BEST NEW PERSON YOU MET?
I’m going to go with Dan :)

39. TELL US A VALUABLE LIFE LESSON YOU LEARNED IN 2010.
Stop trying to be too modest; it’s doing you harm. Be confident in your abilities. 

40. QUOTE A SONG LYRIC THAT SUMS UP YOUR YEAR.
Wait
Where you going
I’m leaving you
No you ain’t
Come back
We’re running right back
Here we go again
It’s so insane
Cause when it’s going good
It’s going great
I’m Superman
With the wind in his bag
She’s Lois Lane
But when it’s bad
It’s awful
I feel so ashamed
- Love the Way You Lie // Eminem ft Rhianna

Closed eyes
Closed heart
Now baby that ain’t much of a start
- Prettier Face // Hawksley Workman

be kind to me, my robot heart is fragile too
keep it well,
keep it true, my robot heart
- Robot Heart // Hawksley Workman


So, all in all, 2010 was a good year. 2009 pretty much sucked, personally (emotionally). In 2010, I felt there was an upswing but I believe I’ll see the continuation of the up-swing into 2011. Fingers crossed!