yosh (![[info]](http://l-stat.livejournal.com/img/userinfo.gif){kind=small} lilyoshee) wrote,@ 2009-01-01 21:47:00 |
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I have done this survey every year, since 2003. This will be my 6th year filling it out at the end of a year. Have I ever mentioned that I love looking back on my life, and seeing where it had taken me? A part of me has changed… and a large part has not. Wow.
1. What did you do in 2008 that you'd never done before? Taken a vacation without my mother—a real vacation, not a band trip! ( …kinda, I got school credit still). Taken an online course, flown across the world by myself, lost a credit card, trekked around an area I did not know, where I did not know the language, been part of numerous full semester group projects… adopted a pet, been on a real tv studio stage, and a whole lot of other stuff!
2. Did you keep your new years' resolutions, and will you make more for next year? I am unsure whether I lost weight (I’m pretty sure I didn’t), but I am eating better—a lot less sodium, more fresh food (less processed), though we are eating out a bit more on weekends… oops. The goal for next year is to continue on our healthier path, and get more exercise in. I would like an elliptical, or a gym membership, which ever I will use more often.
3. Did anyone close to you give birth? Yup! I have a nephew Payton (I’m Aunt Yoshi, so he’s my nephew, right?), and little Tucker, Audra’s kiddo. I know a few more friends who got pregnant. I’m too young for this!!
4. Did anyone close to you die? Not close to me, but close to my mom. Right around Christmas Eve. ☹
5. What countries did you visit? Mexico, Ireland (airport), Czech Republic, Netherlands (Amsterdam), Germany (mostly Berlin), Austria (Vienna), Spain (Barcelona), France (Collioure), Italy (Rome), England (airport). Extensive enough for you? LoL!!!
6. What would you like to have in 2009 that you lacked in 2008? Ideally, I’d graduate, but that won’t actually happen. I would like to have more money, so I hope I can work more... After saving all last spring, spending a lot this summer, and not making much this semester, things have been a little tight (though not as tight as most, thank goodness!). I’d like to start saving again, since I have some major purchases planned in the near-ish distant future.
7. What date from 2008 will remain etched upon your memory, and why? March 10th, 2 year anniversary, May 30th, I left for my trip (!!)… I guess nothing spectacular happened, a lot more closure than beginnings.
8. What was your biggest achievement of the year? Seeing the world, being recognized (vaguely at least) by my professors as an intelligent and competent person and designer. Keeping a job (even through the rough patches at work), maintaining a working relationship with my family and my honey. Finishing more than one novel, other than Harry Potter (my reading time has been limited since starting college…)
9. What was your biggest failure? Not getting everything I was after. I really need to work on the whole exercise plan… I keep saying next week, next semester, but… it starts today.
10. Did you suffer illness or injury? Tired feet, cut fingers, broken nails, a few bruises, but nothing serious. I was a bit sniffle-y more than once, and called in sick a few times, once because I was stressed to sickness, and I stayed home to get stuff done. I think I have a cavity on my far right bottom molar though. Blah. I also learned that I am allergic to cats, which will cause illness if I’m near them. Does that count?
11. What was the best thing you bought? That I myself bought? No help from anyone else? My macbook pro—emptied out BOTH my savings accounts because I needed a new computer, that wouldn’t just carry me through the next year and a half. But with help, my 6 weeks in Europe. I got a lot of help with that though.
12. Whose behavior merited celebration? Sam, for sticking to her guns, Steve for sticking with me, Andy for making me eat on a regular basis spring semester and then doing dishes so I could get back to work, Mom for always being supportive, Warren for keeping the kid in me alive, and definitely all the people at work who encourage me every time I walk into the office. Oh, and Jessica, for being my roommate for 6 weeks straight and not hating my guts after!!
13. Whose behavior made you appalled and depressed? The 51% of California who voted for Prop 8. BOOOO to all of you. I was in class making announcements every 5 minutes about the presidential election and we were all super excited, only to go home to watch the numbers crawl in about this prop. I stayed up late just to find out how horrible this was… and to notice how race, class level and religion still dominates our political agenda.
14. Where did most of your money go? I actually didn’t spend as much in Europe as I thought I might, but it still ate up a lot of money, without giving me money in return. Most of it goes to eating good food though, and silly things in life like a new pair of sneakers for running around in, ribbon for wrapping presents, and nice chocolate soy milk. The little things add up a lot faster than they should, sadly. My new computer took up a lot of money too. I LOVE it though…
15. Where did most of your time go? School. Always. Process last semester, and my marketing classes this semester. Well, school in general. All the little things add up. School, and sleep.
16. What did you get really, really, really excited about? Going abroad. Seeing family, both in August and at Christmas. But mostly seeing new things, new places, and trying to absorb all the culture I could.
17. What song will always remind you of 2008? Misery Business, Paramore, When It Rains, Paramore, Sorry, by Buckcherry, How To Save a Life, The Fray, Over My Head, The Fray…
18a. Compared to this time last year, are you happier or sadder? Happier. I’ve found a lot of answers in the last year, and am comfortable with where I am, and more confident about the lives I’ve touched (I haven’t ruined everyone, just Erich I think. Sorry dude.)
18b. Richer or poorer? Poorer. My new computer cost a small fortune that I didn’t count on… but my old comp was kinda dying. My bank account is definitely smaller than last year…
18c. Skinnier/fatter? About the same, which is kinda sad on my part, but I’m hoping to fix that a bit.
19. What do you wish you'd done more of? Taken “personal” time. I realize that my books absorb me, and reading “just a chapter” doesn’t ever happen—3 hours later, and I’ve long forgotten to get back to work. But I wish I had taken a little more time to enjoy myself, instead of constantly working on projects, and homework, and housework… and more singing around the house.
20. What do you wish you'd done less of? Doing everyone else’s work. I can’t believe how much work I have done in group projects—I understand that someone needs to be leader in a group, but why has it always been me?!?! And when I let someone else do their half/portion, it sucks!! We somehow fail to meet the requirements, or what they were looking for, in that particular section!!! Its as if I would be better off doing the entire damn thing myself, just for piece of mind. Almost.
21. How did you spend Christmas? I opened presents at my mom’s, and then at dad’s… went to my cousin’s house to meet her dogs and visit, and then dinner at grandpa/grandma’s!
22. Did you fall in love in 2008? I like to think I was already in love, a while ago. I could be cheese-y and say I fall in love with him every day… but sometimes he makes me mad, so I can’t (jk!!).
23. What was your favorite TV program? NCIS!!! I now have all the seasons on dvd… though I watched Bones a lot last semester too, which isn’t bad… a lot more sexual innuendos and exploits though. I found that it is more fun to listen to tv-on-dvd while doing design projects at my desk, than music that I’ve listened to a million times.
24. Do you know anyone now that you didn't this time last year? Some of the boys at Blockbuster, some of my profs, some of the clients at work. Margie, our office manager started this year… and Mark, our newest principle architect… various significant others of family members, too.
25. What was the best book you read? East of Eden, I loved it, which I think is the only book I actally finished this year. I’m also reading the entire collection of Sherlock Holmes… somehow he and Dr Watson look like Data and Geordi. Sadly, I didn’t read as much as I wanted to this year.
26. What was your greatest musical discovery? I like the Fray, and One Republic, which I got from Andy. I’m slowly starting to get back to girly music, but what I get is still coming out of the radio, so no real faves yet.
27. What did you want and get? More space in the apartment. Andy moved out in August, so I have an office now, all the space I could need in the hall closet, and the kitchen is completely mine. I have space to spread out (though while model building, you simply never have enough space, as I’ve discovered), and store, and stock up even. AMAZING.
28. What did you want and not get? Peace on Earth. Guess we can’t get everything, huh. Oh, and CAD at home. The one downside of having my mac…
29. What was your favorite film of this year? Indiana Jones wasn’t as good as I was hoping, and Dark Knight freaked me out. I think that’s the only things I saw this year! I did see Enchanted, though, which I love. It’s nice to believe in fairy tales still.
30. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you? I turned 21 on a cruise ship on the way back from Mexico, and at home with yummy food. I didn’t drink, but I had fun, which is really all I need. School had just ended too, which makes it even better.
31. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying? Having a few more hours in the day, and money to spend in them. I would have loved to get a real night’s sleep every night, and loved to have had time to go to the gym… or at least run on an elliptical for 10 minutes 2 or 3 times a week… *sigh *
32. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2008? Work: Ann Taylor shirts, dark wash jeans, and black shoes. School/Weekend: nice shirt/tshirt, jeans, flipflops/sneakers/chuck taylors/sketchers/converse. No guarantee on state of hair or contacts… varied by stress level.
33. What kept you sane? Watching tv on dvd and movies while doing school work, and having someone else help around the house. Old friends to complain to (yay Mark, Leah, Sam, Jim, and David!)
34. Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most? Same ones as last year… vigo, alton brown, Harrison ford, sean connery… the older, scruffy guys, plus alton brown who is just cool.
35. What political issue stirred you the most? I was really tired of the Clinton/Obama race, and was scared that a really conservative Republican would come into power with a divided Democratic party. I was really excited that Obama won the presidency. I was very upset when Gay marriage was turned down in California. It was ironic that chickens got more rights (nothing against chicken rights), but humans got some taken away. It was deeply troubling, and very hurtful, imho.
36. Who did you miss? Grandpa!!! (and Grandma of course). And Chinese food isn’t really a person, but I definitely miss it. Great part is, when I see Grandpa, I get Chinese food! I also really miss my little brother, but I’m hoping to see him a little more often. Of course, I miss my closest friends too, Erich whom I still haven’t seen in years, and I always miss kevy and david. I managed to see leah last week, and as expected, completely lost track of time.
37. Who was the best new person you met? Kristin Raizada, my all time fave prof who unfortunately is off getting her doctorate and won’t be teaching at csulb any more =(
38. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2008. Take a stand. Don’t let what everyone else is doing, don’t let others pressure you into someone you aren’t comfortable with. I didn’t go out every night (or a whole lot at all) in Europe, because that’s not me. I didn’t smoke in Amsterdam, and didn’t get wasted in bars. I don’t procrastinate (much) and I stay on top of what I need to get done, which most people my age don’t manage to do all the time.
39. What would you change?? I wish there was an easy way to let andy stay at our apartment when he left for Michigan. I wasn’t about to pay his rent for 4 months and let him come back afterwards. It would be nice to have an extra person around, but I think it just being me n steve has worked out well. For one thing, I have space (!!! I can not emphasize that enough) and we have adopted together… Bunny is just so special, hehe!
40. Quote a song lyric that sums up your year: Over My Head, the Fray.
I never knew
I never knew that everything was falling through
That everyone I knew was waiting on a cue
To turn and run when all I needed was the truth
But that's how it's got to be
It's coming down to nothing more than apathy
I'd rather run the other way than stay and see
The smoke and who's still standing when it clears
Everyone knows I'm in
Over my head
Over my head
With eight seconds left in overtime
She's on your mind
She's on your mind
Let's rearrange
I wish you were a stranger I could disengage
Just say that we agree and then never change
Soften a bit until we all just get along
But that's disregard
Find another friend and you discard
As you lose the argument in a cable car
Hanging above as the canyon comes between…
1. What did you do in 2008 that you'd never done before? Taken a vacation without my mother—a real vacation, not a band trip! ( …kinda, I got school credit still). Taken an online course, flown across the world by myself, lost a credit card, trekked around an area I did not know, where I did not know the language, been part of numerous full semester group projects… adopted a pet, been on a real tv studio stage, and a whole lot of other stuff!
2. Did you keep your new years' resolutions, and will you make more for next year? I am unsure whether I lost weight (I’m pretty sure I didn’t), but I am eating better—a lot less sodium, more fresh food (less processed), though we are eating out a bit more on weekends… oops. The goal for next year is to continue on our healthier path, and get more exercise in. I would like an elliptical, or a gym membership, which ever I will use more often.
3. Did anyone close to you give birth? Yup! I have a nephew Payton (I’m Aunt Yoshi, so he’s my nephew, right?), and little Tucker, Audra’s kiddo. I know a few more friends who got pregnant. I’m too young for this!!
4. Did anyone close to you die? Not close to me, but close to my mom. Right around Christmas Eve. ☹
5. What countries did you visit? Mexico, Ireland (airport), Czech Republic, Netherlands (Amsterdam), Germany (mostly Berlin), Austria (Vienna), Spain (Barcelona), France (Collioure), Italy (Rome), England (airport). Extensive enough for you? LoL!!!
6. What would you like to have in 2009 that you lacked in 2008? Ideally, I’d graduate, but that won’t actually happen. I would like to have more money, so I hope I can work more... After saving all last spring, spending a lot this summer, and not making much this semester, things have been a little tight (though not as tight as most, thank goodness!). I’d like to start saving again, since I have some major purchases planned in the near-ish distant future.
7. What date from 2008 will remain etched upon your memory, and why? March 10th, 2 year anniversary, May 30th, I left for my trip (!!)… I guess nothing spectacular happened, a lot more closure than beginnings.
8. What was your biggest achievement of the year? Seeing the world, being recognized (vaguely at least) by my professors as an intelligent and competent person and designer. Keeping a job (even through the rough patches at work), maintaining a working relationship with my family and my honey. Finishing more than one novel, other than Harry Potter (my reading time has been limited since starting college…)
9. What was your biggest failure? Not getting everything I was after. I really need to work on the whole exercise plan… I keep saying next week, next semester, but… it starts today.
10. Did you suffer illness or injury? Tired feet, cut fingers, broken nails, a few bruises, but nothing serious. I was a bit sniffle-y more than once, and called in sick a few times, once because I was stressed to sickness, and I stayed home to get stuff done. I think I have a cavity on my far right bottom molar though. Blah. I also learned that I am allergic to cats, which will cause illness if I’m near them. Does that count?
11. What was the best thing you bought? That I myself bought? No help from anyone else? My macbook pro—emptied out BOTH my savings accounts because I needed a new computer, that wouldn’t just carry me through the next year and a half. But with help, my 6 weeks in Europe. I got a lot of help with that though.
12. Whose behavior merited celebration? Sam, for sticking to her guns, Steve for sticking with me, Andy for making me eat on a regular basis spring semester and then doing dishes so I could get back to work, Mom for always being supportive, Warren for keeping the kid in me alive, and definitely all the people at work who encourage me every time I walk into the office. Oh, and Jessica, for being my roommate for 6 weeks straight and not hating my guts after!!
13. Whose behavior made you appalled and depressed? The 51% of California who voted for Prop 8. BOOOO to all of you. I was in class making announcements every 5 minutes about the presidential election and we were all super excited, only to go home to watch the numbers crawl in about this prop. I stayed up late just to find out how horrible this was… and to notice how race, class level and religion still dominates our political agenda.
14. Where did most of your money go? I actually didn’t spend as much in Europe as I thought I might, but it still ate up a lot of money, without giving me money in return. Most of it goes to eating good food though, and silly things in life like a new pair of sneakers for running around in, ribbon for wrapping presents, and nice chocolate soy milk. The little things add up a lot faster than they should, sadly. My new computer took up a lot of money too. I LOVE it though…
15. Where did most of your time go? School. Always. Process last semester, and my marketing classes this semester. Well, school in general. All the little things add up. School, and sleep.
16. What did you get really, really, really excited about? Going abroad. Seeing family, both in August and at Christmas. But mostly seeing new things, new places, and trying to absorb all the culture I could.
17. What song will always remind you of 2008? Misery Business, Paramore, When It Rains, Paramore, Sorry, by Buckcherry, How To Save a Life, The Fray, Over My Head, The Fray…
18a. Compared to this time last year, are you happier or sadder? Happier. I’ve found a lot of answers in the last year, and am comfortable with where I am, and more confident about the lives I’ve touched (I haven’t ruined everyone, just Erich I think. Sorry dude.)
18b. Richer or poorer? Poorer. My new computer cost a small fortune that I didn’t count on… but my old comp was kinda dying. My bank account is definitely smaller than last year…
18c. Skinnier/fatter? About the same, which is kinda sad on my part, but I’m hoping to fix that a bit.
19. What do you wish you'd done more of? Taken “personal” time. I realize that my books absorb me, and reading “just a chapter” doesn’t ever happen—3 hours later, and I’ve long forgotten to get back to work. But I wish I had taken a little more time to enjoy myself, instead of constantly working on projects, and homework, and housework… and more singing around the house.
20. What do you wish you'd done less of? Doing everyone else’s work. I can’t believe how much work I have done in group projects—I understand that someone needs to be leader in a group, but why has it always been me?!?! And when I let someone else do their half/portion, it sucks!! We somehow fail to meet the requirements, or what they were looking for, in that particular section!!! Its as if I would be better off doing the entire damn thing myself, just for piece of mind. Almost.
21. How did you spend Christmas? I opened presents at my mom’s, and then at dad’s… went to my cousin’s house to meet her dogs and visit, and then dinner at grandpa/grandma’s!
22. Did you fall in love in 2008? I like to think I was already in love, a while ago. I could be cheese-y and say I fall in love with him every day… but sometimes he makes me mad, so I can’t (jk!!).
23. What was your favorite TV program? NCIS!!! I now have all the seasons on dvd… though I watched Bones a lot last semester too, which isn’t bad… a lot more sexual innuendos and exploits though. I found that it is more fun to listen to tv-on-dvd while doing design projects at my desk, than music that I’ve listened to a million times.
24. Do you know anyone now that you didn't this time last year? Some of the boys at Blockbuster, some of my profs, some of the clients at work. Margie, our office manager started this year… and Mark, our newest principle architect… various significant others of family members, too.
25. What was the best book you read? East of Eden, I loved it, which I think is the only book I actally finished this year. I’m also reading the entire collection of Sherlock Holmes… somehow he and Dr Watson look like Data and Geordi. Sadly, I didn’t read as much as I wanted to this year.
26. What was your greatest musical discovery? I like the Fray, and One Republic, which I got from Andy. I’m slowly starting to get back to girly music, but what I get is still coming out of the radio, so no real faves yet.
27. What did you want and get? More space in the apartment. Andy moved out in August, so I have an office now, all the space I could need in the hall closet, and the kitchen is completely mine. I have space to spread out (though while model building, you simply never have enough space, as I’ve discovered), and store, and stock up even. AMAZING.
28. What did you want and not get? Peace on Earth. Guess we can’t get everything, huh. Oh, and CAD at home. The one downside of having my mac…
29. What was your favorite film of this year? Indiana Jones wasn’t as good as I was hoping, and Dark Knight freaked me out. I think that’s the only things I saw this year! I did see Enchanted, though, which I love. It’s nice to believe in fairy tales still.
30. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you? I turned 21 on a cruise ship on the way back from Mexico, and at home with yummy food. I didn’t drink, but I had fun, which is really all I need. School had just ended too, which makes it even better.
31. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying? Having a few more hours in the day, and money to spend in them. I would have loved to get a real night’s sleep every night, and loved to have had time to go to the gym… or at least run on an elliptical for 10 minutes 2 or 3 times a week… *sigh *
32. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2008? Work: Ann Taylor shirts, dark wash jeans, and black shoes. School/Weekend: nice shirt/tshirt, jeans, flipflops/sneakers/chuck taylors/sketchers/converse. No guarantee on state of hair or contacts… varied by stress level.
33. What kept you sane? Watching tv on dvd and movies while doing school work, and having someone else help around the house. Old friends to complain to (yay Mark, Leah, Sam, Jim, and David!)
34. Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most? Same ones as last year… vigo, alton brown, Harrison ford, sean connery… the older, scruffy guys, plus alton brown who is just cool.
35. What political issue stirred you the most? I was really tired of the Clinton/Obama race, and was scared that a really conservative Republican would come into power with a divided Democratic party. I was really excited that Obama won the presidency. I was very upset when Gay marriage was turned down in California. It was ironic that chickens got more rights (nothing against chicken rights), but humans got some taken away. It was deeply troubling, and very hurtful, imho.
36. Who did you miss? Grandpa!!! (and Grandma of course). And Chinese food isn’t really a person, but I definitely miss it. Great part is, when I see Grandpa, I get Chinese food! I also really miss my little brother, but I’m hoping to see him a little more often. Of course, I miss my closest friends too, Erich whom I still haven’t seen in years, and I always miss kevy and david. I managed to see leah last week, and as expected, completely lost track of time.
37. Who was the best new person you met? Kristin Raizada, my all time fave prof who unfortunately is off getting her doctorate and won’t be teaching at csulb any more =(
38. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2008. Take a stand. Don’t let what everyone else is doing, don’t let others pressure you into someone you aren’t comfortable with. I didn’t go out every night (or a whole lot at all) in Europe, because that’s not me. I didn’t smoke in Amsterdam, and didn’t get wasted in bars. I don’t procrastinate (much) and I stay on top of what I need to get done, which most people my age don’t manage to do all the time.
39. What would you change?? I wish there was an easy way to let andy stay at our apartment when he left for Michigan. I wasn’t about to pay his rent for 4 months and let him come back afterwards. It would be nice to have an extra person around, but I think it just being me n steve has worked out well. For one thing, I have space (!!! I can not emphasize that enough) and we have adopted together… Bunny is just so special, hehe!
40. Quote a song lyric that sums up your year: Over My Head, the Fray.
I never knew
I never knew that everything was falling through
That everyone I knew was waiting on a cue
To turn and run when all I needed was the truth
But that's how it's got to be
It's coming down to nothing more than apathy
I'd rather run the other way than stay and see
The smoke and who's still standing when it clears
Everyone knows I'm in
Over my head
Over my head
With eight seconds left in overtime
She's on your mind
She's on your mind
Let's rearrange
I wish you were a stranger I could disengage
Just say that we agree and then never change
Soften a bit until we all just get along
But that's disregard
Find another friend and you discard
As you lose the argument in a cable car
Hanging above as the canyon comes between…
