1. Where were you when 2009 began?
At a family friend’s house – talking to a very interesting lady about various education groups that use theatre as a tool to teach anti-drug and anti-bullying messages to kids. I am now wondering why I never pursued this. Oops.

2. What did you do in 2009 that you’d never done before?
Taught ESOL. This is completely weird thing in my life that has just sprung up in the last year. I never saw myself doing this as a job, but it seems to be working out for me. I don’t know for sure whether I can see myself doing this forever, but I might as well try it anyway, right?

3. Did you keep your new years’ resolutions, and will you make more for next year?
- Learn to drive YES!
- Sit my Restricted NO
- Finish my degree YES!
- Graduate YES!
- Seriously contemplate going flatting NO
- Find an additional job YES!
- Take improv classes (and maybe singing/dancing lessons) to improve my overall audition technique NO
Hmm, 4 out of 7 could be a good deal worse, right!? As for next year, I have a few, including one absolutely HUGE one, but I can’t write about it yet!

4. Go to any concerts this year?
No.

5. Will you be looking for a new job in 2010?
I hope so!!

6. Did you drink a lot of alcohol in 2009?
I wouldn’t say a lot, but I drank a reasonable amount.

7. Did you go on any vacations? If so, where?
Yup, to Kaikoura twice, for my aunt’s 60th birthday and for Christmas.

8. What was your biggest achievement of the year?
Probably graduating from university, even though at the time I wasn’t quite sure how I felt about it, and couldn’t decide how big a deal it ought to be.

9. If you could go back in time to any moment of 2009 and change something, what would it be?
I definitely know what it would be, but it’s not something I’m about to write about on my blog, sorry!

10. Did you suffer illness or injury?
Nothing serious, no.

11. What was the best thing you bought?
My lovely new cellphone!

12. Whose behaviour merited celebration?
Oddly, nobody specific this year! Just the same usual generally awesome people I happen to know!

13. Whose behaviour made you appalled and depressed?
Ooh I can definitely think of someone for this one. Every time they cross my mind I want to scream! And then I want to kick them.

14. Where did most of your money go?
Into random non-specific “stuff”. Oh dear that sounds so bad!

15. What did you get really, really, really excited about?
My very and extremely big resolution I am making for 2010, or possibly miles in advance for 2011 – it’s that huge.

16. What song will always remind you of 2009?
I don’t know if I have one for this year!

17. Compared to this time last year, are you happier or sadder?
Happier, most of the time.
ii. thinner or fatter?
Same, but awesomer!
iii. richer or poorer?
Richer, my savings are growing!

18. What do you wish you’d done more of?
Drama stuff, and making concrete decisions about adult life.

19. What do you wish you’d done less of?
Procrastinating, and worrying about the future and how “behind” I feel.

20. How did you spend Christmas?
With some of my dad’s side of the family, up in Kaikoura.

22. Did you fall in love in 2009?
Nope. Maybe next year.

23. What was the biggest change for you in 2009?
I started teaching ESOL. That was a big change because it’s something I’d never done before!

24. What were your favourite TV programmes?
I don’t think I had any!

25. Do you hate anyone now that you didn’t hate this time last year?
No, but there are some people I’ve met for the first time in the last year that I adamantly dislike!

26. What was the best book you read?
After having none for this question last year, I have two this year!
Sins of the Father would be up there, since I have personally visited Gloriavale, and, as creepy as that experience was, it was interesting.
Choosing Happiness would also be up there, because it’s cool; and completely true.

27. What was your greatest musical discovery?
Sarah Brightman. Yes I’d heard of her before, I listened to her when I was a kid (strange kid, I know), but I rediscovered her this year and really like her!

28. What did you want and get?
A new phone.

29. What did you want and not get?
A life plan. Lol.

30. What was your favourite film of this year?
I don’t think I had one!

31. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you?
I was 22, and I went to a Japanese restaurant and ate deep-fried cheesecake. Amazing.

32. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?
Not meeting and having to deal with a certain very annoying individual!

33. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2009?
Not Very Exciting.

34. What kept you sane?
I don’t think there was much that happened to me this year that put me at risk of going insane, luckily!

35. Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most?
I can’t think of anyone! Except for Maru. He is pretty awesome. I like him a lot.

36. Quote a song lyric that sums up your year.
I don’t know if I have one for this year!

37. Who did you miss?
Brooke. Boo at her for living on the West Coast. I swear I haven’t seen her for like, 400 years! But I get to in 5 days! Woot!

38. Who was the best new person you met?
I…don’t know! Oh! Of course! The exceptionally modest Gareth would have to be the winner here!

39. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2009.
I kind of already knew this, but this year I had to apply the knowledge that not all people are who they seem to be, and just because they LOOK kind and friendly and honest doesn’t mean they actually are. Unfortunately.

40. What are your plans for 2010?
I don’t know. I honestly don’t know.

Yup! This post has the same title as the one I made this time last year! It totally doesn’t feel like a year ago! I think I must be getting old.

This year we went to Kaikoura to spend the day with dad’s sister and her family. My oldest cousin is still in India, where she’s working at the moment, but we were able to speak to her a couple of times on Skype, so that was pretty cool.

Unfortunately my other cousin isn’t in this group photo, since he had to work today and had already left to come back to Christchurch by the time we were taking the picture.

Hope you all had a great Christmas! What are you up to for New Year?

Hope your presents were not bricks!

Yup. This woman again. I love her lots. She makes me smile.

Not so bad, considering I took it on my phone, there was a tree in the way and I couldn’t see the screen as I was taking the photo!

Mum took this photo of me next to the giant Christmas tree at the Arts Centre¹ the day before graduation. I am short.

1. It used to be the University of Canterbury, she remembers having classes here [↩]