Year In Review (2011)

A little late getting around to posting this, but here it is. Thinking I may need to get back into blogging. It's been awhile!

1. What did you do in 2011 that you’d never done before?

Travel alone to the Island.

2. Did you keep your New Year’s resolutions, and will you make more for next year?

No. I vowed to go to the gym at least twice a week and that only lasted until Reading Break. This year my resolutions are to go to Yoga and to keep up with my flashcards!

3. Did anyone close to you give birth?

Yes! I had two different friends each give birth to a beautiful boy

4. Did anyone close to you die?

No, thank goodness.

5. What places did you visit?

Edmonton, Vancouver, Vancouver Island, Kamloops

6. What would you like to have in 2012 that you lacked in 2011?

I would like to feel comfortable in my own apartment. So far so good!

7. What day from 2011 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?

The days my friends had their babies, the day I found out one of my besties is pregnant and was getting married, and also the day two of my highschool friends got married.

8. What was your biggest achievement(s) of the year?

Passing practicum and moving on to my final year in school

9. What was your biggest failure?

Failing to hold on to certain friendships. It’s always sad to lose certain people in your life even if it is probably for the best.

10. Did you suffer illness or injury?

Nothing major

11. What was the best thing you bought?

Some used furniture for my new place. Couches, coffee tables, etc.

12. Whose behaviour merited celebration?

My good friends. They’re always there when I need them.

13. Whose behaviour made you appalled and depressed?

My old room mate. I also lost a good friend this year due to “time constraints”. Note the quotes.

14. Where did most of your money go?

School, living expenses, and my trip to the Island

15. What did you get really, really, really excited about?

Moving to my new place in December, my friends having babies, finding out one of my best friends is pregnant and finally got married

16. What songs will always remind you of 2011?

Adele – Rolling in the Deep

Lady Gaga – Born This Way

Katy Perry – Last Friday Night

17. Compared to this time last year, are you:
a) happier or sadder? Happier.
b) thinner or fatter? About the same. Trying not to get fatter haha
c) richer or poorer? Still broke.

18. What do you wish you’d done more of?

Camping, catching up with people I’ve sort of lost touch with

20. How did you spend Christmas in 2011?

My family (minus Adam again) went down to Vancouver to spend it with my cousins. We put the fireplace channel on the 70” TV (on loan) in the living room and spent the morning exchanging gifts and eating a big breakfast. After Christmas dinner we had our traditional Walnut Boat Race while we ate Christmas pudding and I won.

21. Did you fall in love in 2011?

Once again I was single the whole year, but two wonderful little boys stole pieces of my heart

22. What are your three favourite photos of 2011?


Melanie and Steve
(November 12, 2011)

Gabriel & Amanda
(September 2011)

William & Sarah
(October 2011)

23. What was your favourite TV program?

This year I was back into reality TV big time! I watched Survivor, Big Brother, Jersey Shore, and Teen Mom.

24. What did you do for your birthday in 2011?

I went out with a couple friends to the bar on the Saturday before. On my actual birthday I drove back to Kamloops with my friend so I could get my eyes checked and then we had dinner with my family at the Mongolian Grill.

25. What was the best book you read?

Once again I was slacking in the book department this year. I re-read the Harry Potter series which I always enjoy.

26. What was your greatest musical discovery?

Adele was a favourite of mine this year, as well as Lady Antebellum. Neither of them are new artists but I didn’t listen to them before this year.

27. What did you want and get?

I wanted to do both of my practicum placements in Kamloops, and I did.

28. What did you want and not get?

A free trip to some beach destination!

29. What were your favourite three films this year?

Crazy Stupid Love, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, The Help

30. Did you make some new friends this year?

Yes, through school and also through some people I met last fall.

31. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?

Better living situation. I moved so hopefully that will make this year more enjoyable!

32. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2009?

Mostly jeans and sweaters. Comfy and warm.

33. What kept you sane?

Caffeine. My friends in the program who understand my stress levels.

34. What political issue stirred you the most?

The occupy movement was a big thing this year. I can’t say that I paid much attention, but it was definitely a topic of conversation everywhere.

35. Who did you miss?

I miss my friends who live in different cities then I do. I don’t get to see them enough!

36. Who was the best new person you met?

I met a boy in December who is both ridiculously good looking and incredibly nice.

37. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2011.

Happiness isn’t something to search for or strive towards. It’s all around us if we choose to accept it. Stop looking for it and realize that the things and people we take for granted are usually the things and people that make us happy. We just need to stop being miserable long enough to recognize it.

Roaaaadtrip!

This past week was my road trip to the kootenays. We visited Jaffray, Fernie, and Fairmont. I had a blast and going back to work yesterday was so hard. The first night we spent in Jaffray at S's friends cabin where we drank and were merry. The people I met there were hilarious and I hope they make good on their promise to come visit us soon. Fernie the next day was pretty low key. We saw a couple of S's friends, had a nap, and ended the night with a couple of drinks at the pub. A lot of the conversations revolved around deer heads and fist fights. Now I don't live in a big city by any means, I had never felt so 'big city' in my life! I can not explain to you the laughter I heard when I said I had once run over a squirrel. We grew up in different worlds, S & I. Then because I had never been to any hotsprings we decided to get out of Fernie and move on to Fairmont. On our way through Cranbrook we stopped for lunch and ended up meeting up with some people to go horseback riding. I haven't been on a horse since the 5th grade, but I had a lot of fun. And for the record my ass still hurts three days later.

On Saturday night after I got home I got a phonecall from my friend M and was pleased as pie to learn SHE'S ENGAGED! I'm pretty sure I broke her eardrum when she told me. She's been dating this guy F.O.R.E.V.E.R and it's finally gotten to be that time! I'm so excited!!

Getting out of the house

I am so tired. For the last two weeks I've basically done nothing but work. Yesterday I finally got out of the house for something else and it felt great!

First stop was the health unit to get my test for TB for school. I have to go back tomorrow before I leave for my trip to get it checked. Then I must remember to put my results in the mail because they're due next week and I'm gone for the rest of this week! I think this is the last thing I have to submit to school before my conditional acceptance turns into just an acceptance. Woot!

While I was getting injected, I got a message from my buddy G who was in town for the day and wanted to hang out. We ended up going for some food and then to a movie. By the way the little boy in Valen.tine's Day is THE CUTEST THING EVER. I just want to squish him. After that I went with my friend S to the pool for some swimming and some hot tubbing. I didn't get home until almost 10. I then proceeded to geek out and watch some I.max movies on space that my parents got us for Christmas. I've always thought it would be wicked awesome to be an astronaut. Oh and I finished knitting another square! I swear I'm going to be 30 by the time I get this blanket done.

Today I have to pack for my trip, make sure my car has everything it needs (oil, washerfluid, air in the tires), go to work (uggh.), come home and watch the bachelor with my mom (we taped it last night) and get some sleep! Tomorrow I leave for the Kootneys for 4 days! Yay roadtrip!