Janie (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
rowanberry) wrote2020-01-03 10:22 pm
rowanberry) wrote2020-01-03 10:22 pm
Entry tags:
2019: a look back
Whoops, I didn't mean to abandon this journal for half a year! Let's see if I can keep it up a bit longer in 2020, shall we? For now, here's my 2019 survey... several of the answers remain the same as last time, but I suppose that's part of being older.
1. What did you do in 2019 that you'd never done before?
I was a bridesmaid for the first time. Had a CT and an MRI scan. Moved in with a partner. Learnt to drive a car. Finally went to Portsmouth and aboard HMS Victory. Gave evidence as a witness in court.
2. Did you keep your new years' resolutions intentions and will you make more for next year?
I wanted to listen more, aim to be kind rather than good, embrace the seasons, and tune into my body whenever possible. I don’t think I did as well this year in sticking to those ideas, although I don’t think I strayed a hundred miles from them either. I’m aiming for much the same this year, with the additional goal of trying to write my book!
3. Did anyone close to you give birth?
Yes, my sister-in-law gave birth to my tiniest and smiliest niece, who just started crawling this week!
4. Did anyone close to you die?
Both me and my boyfriend lost a grandfather each this year, neither were expected at the start of the year. Summer was a whole rollercoaster of joy and grief again this year.
5. What countries did you visit?
Germany – two trips to Berlin, one in March and one in August. Italy – one trip to Rome in May for my bestie’s 30th birthday. In the UK, I visited: Portsmouth, Norfolk, Cardiff, Cornwall, Glastonbury, Derbyshire, Manchester and London.
6. What would you like to have in 2020 that you lacked in 2019?
My driving license, please! And horses in my life again.
7. Which date(s) from 2019 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?
I don’t remember dates of events, deaths, or suchlike – or at least I try not to. I do remember birthdays though, so June 2nd when my niece was born isn’t a date I’ll forget any time soon!
8. What was your biggest achievement of the year?
Getting as far as I have done with learning to drive, and getting offered a really good job which I actually want and can’t wait to start! That happened the Friday before Christmas so it was like an extra present.
9. What was your biggest failure?
I don’t think I failed at anything worth mentioning.
10. Did you suffer any illness or injury?
Plenty of colds and endometriosis/hormonal-related helldays. One really bad stomach upset. Nothing major. Lots of hospital visits but they were all referrals and consultations except one, and that was still related to the same ongoing diagnostic mystery!
11. What was the best thing you bought?
I didn’t buy too much as I wasn’t in a secure or well-paid job for most of the year, so this is a difficult question. Maybe my ticket to Les Mis?
12. Whose behaviour merited celebration?
My bestie, my mama, my partner, my cat, and my nephew and nieces.
13. Whose behaviour made you appalled and depressed?
Politicians, when I paid attention. Some of the students I've had this term.
14. Where did most of your money go?
General cost of living - bus fares in particular.
15. What did you get really, really, really excited about?
Rocky Horror and Les Mis! My niece! Our Cornish holiday! My bestie coming to visit!
16. What song will always remind you of 2019?
Racist Dog and Car Bootin' – Ouse Valley Singles Club.
Lonely This Christmas - Mud.
For the Longest Time – Billy Joel.
The Last of Barrett’s Privateers – The Real Mackenzies.
17. Compared to this time last year, are you happier or sadder?
Probably similar, but if I’ve got to choose then I’d say happier since I’m definitely not sadder!
18. What do you wish you'd done more of?
Writing, again. I didn’t improve on my 2018 writing score. If anything I wrote even less.
19. What do you wish you'd done less of?
Listening to anxieties. Waiting for buses.
20. How did you spend Christmas?
We had a busy Christmas – spent the morning with the boyfriend’s family and the afternoon with mine; boxing day with the boyfriend’s extended family; had a friend staying from Dec 28-30 so we could all go to another friend’s wedding on the 29th, and then my brother and newest sister-in-law were visiting for new year. It was a lot.
21. What has been your favourite moment?
Finding the Cretan maze in Rocky Valley in Cornwall, meeting my brand new niece, my nephew learning to say my name, dressing as Columbia for Rocky Horror, seeing my little brother marry his love, moving in with my man, getting to go aboard HMS Victory at last, hiking by waterfalls in Cornwall and Derbyshire, being proud of my Mum having eye surgeries; a big family get-together at Easter.
22. Did you fall in love in 2019?
Yes, more every day #loser ♥
23. Something you never thought you'd do that you did anyway in 2019?
Learnt to drive (I haven't taken my test yet but it's very soon). Bridesmaidery (for my little brother and his now wife).
24. What was your favourite TV programme?
His Dark Materials, Gentleman Jack, Good Omens. We’ve been rewatching Battlestar Galactica as well, if that still counts? I was far less into Poldark this time (never even bothered with the final episode) and couldn’t get into the BBC War of the Worlds after episode one at all. Maybe I’m just not into Eleanor Tomlinson?
25. Do you hate anyone now that you didn't hate this time last year?
I’ve got far better things to spend my time and energy on than hating people.
26. What were the best new books you read?
Amnesty (third in the Amberlough Dossier) – Lara Elena Donnelly, A Pocketful of Crows – Joanne M. Harris, Wayward Son – Rainbow Rowell, King of Scars – Leigh Bardugo, Foxfire, Wolfskin – Sharon Blackie.
27. What was your greatest musical discovery?
Pirate shanties and The Ouse Valley Singles Club.
28. What did you want and get?
To move in with my man. A job I actually want! To see Rocky Horror again. And a pair of motherfuckin DUELLING PISTOLS (replicas) for Christmas!
29. What did you want and not get?
To get back to horse riding and pass my driving test.
30. What was your favourite film of this year?
Captain Marvel.
31. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you?
I was 35! On my actual birthday I spent the morning with my mum, my sister-in-law and small nephew came over for tea and cake. When he finished work my boyfriend picked me up and we drove to Portsmouth, checking into an Airbnb for the weekend, and went out for dinner. We then spent the weekend exploring HMS Victory and Warrior, the naval history and dockyard museums, the Mary Rose, the submarine museum, and Portsmouth town itself. We also both caught a violent stomach bug, but that isn’t part of any of the good memories.
32. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?
Fewer funerals, more birthdays.
33. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2019?
Whatever’s clean and fits, I guess.
34. What kept you sane?
My bestie, my partner, my cat, my mama, my books and my tarot cards. Also the big wide natural fenland out there with all its sky. (this answer doesn’t change)
35. Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most?
Not really my style, sorry.
36. What political issue stirred you the most?
Let’s just... Not talk about politics? Good.
37. Who did you miss?
My bestie when she is in Germany and I am here. My mum sometimes if I go more than a week without seeing her. The tinies when it’s been a week and they’ve learned something new and I haven’t seen it yet! Some of my Cambridge friends, especially the Indigo crew.
38. Who was the best new person you met?
I suppose I technically met two of them at the tail end of 2018, but I’m counting it anyway: all three of my nieces are pretty excellent.
39. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2019:
“The wise man takes the shortest path to peace with himself. Acceptance of what is: that is the shortest path.” – Robin Hobb
1. What did you do in 2019 that you'd never done before?
I was a bridesmaid for the first time. Had a CT and an MRI scan. Moved in with a partner. Learnt to drive a car. Finally went to Portsmouth and aboard HMS Victory. Gave evidence as a witness in court.
2. Did you keep your new years' resolutions intentions and will you make more for next year?
I wanted to listen more, aim to be kind rather than good, embrace the seasons, and tune into my body whenever possible. I don’t think I did as well this year in sticking to those ideas, although I don’t think I strayed a hundred miles from them either. I’m aiming for much the same this year, with the additional goal of trying to write my book!
3. Did anyone close to you give birth?
Yes, my sister-in-law gave birth to my tiniest and smiliest niece, who just started crawling this week!
4. Did anyone close to you die?
Both me and my boyfriend lost a grandfather each this year, neither were expected at the start of the year. Summer was a whole rollercoaster of joy and grief again this year.
5. What countries did you visit?
Germany – two trips to Berlin, one in March and one in August. Italy – one trip to Rome in May for my bestie’s 30th birthday. In the UK, I visited: Portsmouth, Norfolk, Cardiff, Cornwall, Glastonbury, Derbyshire, Manchester and London.
6. What would you like to have in 2020 that you lacked in 2019?
My driving license, please! And horses in my life again.
7. Which date(s) from 2019 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?
I don’t remember dates of events, deaths, or suchlike – or at least I try not to. I do remember birthdays though, so June 2nd when my niece was born isn’t a date I’ll forget any time soon!
8. What was your biggest achievement of the year?
Getting as far as I have done with learning to drive, and getting offered a really good job which I actually want and can’t wait to start! That happened the Friday before Christmas so it was like an extra present.
9. What was your biggest failure?
I don’t think I failed at anything worth mentioning.
10. Did you suffer any illness or injury?
Plenty of colds and endometriosis/hormonal-related helldays. One really bad stomach upset. Nothing major. Lots of hospital visits but they were all referrals and consultations except one, and that was still related to the same ongoing diagnostic mystery!
11. What was the best thing you bought?
I didn’t buy too much as I wasn’t in a secure or well-paid job for most of the year, so this is a difficult question. Maybe my ticket to Les Mis?
12. Whose behaviour merited celebration?
My bestie, my mama, my partner, my cat, and my nephew and nieces.
13. Whose behaviour made you appalled and depressed?
Politicians, when I paid attention. Some of the students I've had this term.
14. Where did most of your money go?
General cost of living - bus fares in particular.
15. What did you get really, really, really excited about?
Rocky Horror and Les Mis! My niece! Our Cornish holiday! My bestie coming to visit!
16. What song will always remind you of 2019?
Racist Dog and Car Bootin' – Ouse Valley Singles Club.
Lonely This Christmas - Mud.
For the Longest Time – Billy Joel.
The Last of Barrett’s Privateers – The Real Mackenzies.
17. Compared to this time last year, are you happier or sadder?
Probably similar, but if I’ve got to choose then I’d say happier since I’m definitely not sadder!
18. What do you wish you'd done more of?
Writing, again. I didn’t improve on my 2018 writing score. If anything I wrote even less.
19. What do you wish you'd done less of?
Listening to anxieties. Waiting for buses.
20. How did you spend Christmas?
We had a busy Christmas – spent the morning with the boyfriend’s family and the afternoon with mine; boxing day with the boyfriend’s extended family; had a friend staying from Dec 28-30 so we could all go to another friend’s wedding on the 29th, and then my brother and newest sister-in-law were visiting for new year. It was a lot.
21. What has been your favourite moment?
Finding the Cretan maze in Rocky Valley in Cornwall, meeting my brand new niece, my nephew learning to say my name, dressing as Columbia for Rocky Horror, seeing my little brother marry his love, moving in with my man, getting to go aboard HMS Victory at last, hiking by waterfalls in Cornwall and Derbyshire, being proud of my Mum having eye surgeries; a big family get-together at Easter.
22. Did you fall in love in 2019?
Yes, more every day #loser ♥
23. Something you never thought you'd do that you did anyway in 2019?
Learnt to drive (I haven't taken my test yet but it's very soon). Bridesmaidery (for my little brother and his now wife).
24. What was your favourite TV programme?
His Dark Materials, Gentleman Jack, Good Omens. We’ve been rewatching Battlestar Galactica as well, if that still counts? I was far less into Poldark this time (never even bothered with the final episode) and couldn’t get into the BBC War of the Worlds after episode one at all. Maybe I’m just not into Eleanor Tomlinson?
25. Do you hate anyone now that you didn't hate this time last year?
I’ve got far better things to spend my time and energy on than hating people.
26. What were the best new books you read?
Amnesty (third in the Amberlough Dossier) – Lara Elena Donnelly, A Pocketful of Crows – Joanne M. Harris, Wayward Son – Rainbow Rowell, King of Scars – Leigh Bardugo, Foxfire, Wolfskin – Sharon Blackie.
27. What was your greatest musical discovery?
Pirate shanties and The Ouse Valley Singles Club.
28. What did you want and get?
To move in with my man. A job I actually want! To see Rocky Horror again. And a pair of motherfuckin DUELLING PISTOLS (replicas) for Christmas!
29. What did you want and not get?
To get back to horse riding and pass my driving test.
30. What was your favourite film of this year?
Captain Marvel.
31. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you?
I was 35! On my actual birthday I spent the morning with my mum, my sister-in-law and small nephew came over for tea and cake. When he finished work my boyfriend picked me up and we drove to Portsmouth, checking into an Airbnb for the weekend, and went out for dinner. We then spent the weekend exploring HMS Victory and Warrior, the naval history and dockyard museums, the Mary Rose, the submarine museum, and Portsmouth town itself. We also both caught a violent stomach bug, but that isn’t part of any of the good memories.
32. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?
Fewer funerals, more birthdays.
33. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2019?
Whatever’s clean and fits, I guess.
34. What kept you sane?
My bestie, my partner, my cat, my mama, my books and my tarot cards. Also the big wide natural fenland out there with all its sky. (this answer doesn’t change)
35. Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most?
Not really my style, sorry.
36. What political issue stirred you the most?
Let’s just... Not talk about politics? Good.
37. Who did you miss?
My bestie when she is in Germany and I am here. My mum sometimes if I go more than a week without seeing her. The tinies when it’s been a week and they’ve learned something new and I haven’t seen it yet! Some of my Cambridge friends, especially the Indigo crew.
38. Who was the best new person you met?
I suppose I technically met two of them at the tail end of 2018, but I’m counting it anyway: all three of my nieces are pretty excellent.
39. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2019:
“The wise man takes the shortest path to peace with himself. Acceptance of what is: that is the shortest path.” – Robin Hobb
no subject
no subject
Gosh, Gentleman Jack was this year! I didn't mention it in mine, I think, because my concept of time has all but deserted me. I loved it. It was a beautiful series.
By way of belated reply...