2015 Retrospective

1. What did you do in 2015 that you’d never done before?

I had never done any trail running before and, not knowing where to start, I entered the short distance of the XTERRA series and really enjoyed it.   

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

I don't think I made any specific goals other than to read 12 books in the year and I achieved that.  I plan to make a goal of reading 24 books next year.

3. Did anyone close to you give birth?

My sister-in-law had a little boy and our friends Sharon and Gerard had a little girl.

4. Did anyone close to you die?

No.

5. What places did you visit?

Kane and I went to Rotorua with Kane's parents and went to Te Puia.  We went to Puhoi when my parents came to visit.  We went to the Great Pumpkin Carnival in Hamilton and the Amazing Maze in Maise.  We also went to Whitianga and Cathedral Cove for Kane's birthday and we got to see some of the amazing forest parks and trails.

6. What would you like to have in 2016 that you lacked in 2015?

I don't feel like I lacked anything in 2015.  I would like to generate some side hustle ideas in 2016 though, they are being elusive.

7. What dates from 2015 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?
My memory sucks, so no dates stand out but there have been lots of good times this year.

8. What was your biggest achievement of the year

Performing with my Sing! choir and No Fella A cappella choir at our concert.  The a cappella songs were the hardest and most nerve-wracking but ultimately the most rewarding and I'm so pleased to have done it.

9. What was your biggest failure?

Oh dear, last year I said it was the garden and I'm ashamed to say it's the garden again.  Having a beautiful garden brings me joy, so this must be a priority for the coming year.

10. Did you suffer illness or injury?

I fell off my bike at the start of January and then at the end of the month I got knocked off by a car!

11. What was the best thing you bought?

My fast slow cooker - it's a pressure cooker, steamer and slow cooker in one.  I use the pressure function mostly and it's awesome!  I've also made a few batches of this slow cooker marinara sauce from budget bytes.

12. Whose behaviour merited celebration?
Kane began the year moving into a contact role and then after 6 months landed a permanent role doing something he loves that is also challenging.  He worked really hard for it and I'm so pleased for him.

We also got to celebrate New Zealand winning the rugby world cup and we had met one of the players, Jerome Kaino,  at a special event at Kane's work the month before.



13. Whose behaviour made you appalled and depressed?

With recent world events, there have been a lot of bigotry, racist comments, fear mongering and a general lack of empathy and of course there's Donald Trump.  Our PM John Key is always doing something appalling and that makes me unhappy :(

14. Where did most of your money go?

On flights to Scotland for next July (yay!)

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

Going to see Eddie Izzard!  He's a funny man and it was such an awesome show - I'm so glad we got the opportunity.  We went to a lot of good shows and concerts this year.

16. What songs will always remind you of 2015?

Pedro by Lily the Kid, The songs I sing with my choir, and songs from Taylor Swifts album 1989.

17. Compared to this time last year, are you:

a) happier or sadder? Same

b) thinner or fatter? Same

c) richer or poorer? Poorer (see no.14 haha)

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

Self care!  I was too focused on doing stuff that any down time I had I was too exhausted to enjoy it.

19. What do you wish you’d done less of?

Nothing in particular, for the coming year I just need do a little less in order to create space for self care.

20. How did you spend Christmas in 2015?

It was a fairly chilled out day.  I got a colouring book and pencils and spent a fair portion of the afternoon doing that before making a Christmas feast.

21. Did you fall in love in 2015?

I love my little family unit of Kane and our two cats.

22. What was your favourite TV program?

Friday Night Lights, Community, Limitless, Sens8, Jessica Jones and Game of Thrones.

23. What did you do for your birthday in 2015?

I went to a Canadian deli for lunch and in the evening went to a pub quiz and drank lots of Guinness and rum.  We also won the quiz which was awesome!

24. What was the best book you read?

The Silver Bough by F. Marian McNeill.  It's a non-fiction book about Scottish traditions that I got from the library.  There are 3 or 4 volumes and I think I will buy them as they are full of useful references.

25. What did you want and get?

A dala horse.

26. What did you want and not get?

A kitten (but I don't know how my two cats would like that)

27. What was your favourite film of this year?

Star Wars!

28. Did you make some new friends this year?

Choir friends and Saturday SciFi meetup friends.

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

I would have been great if we could have finished decorating the office.  We've worked really hard, especially these last 3 days, but there is still more to do before its finished.

30. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2015?

Comfortably casual with some active wear thrown in.

31. What kept you sane?

Comfort food and naps.

32. Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most?

I'm not really one to get those sort of crushes.  I did like Taylor Kitsch in True Detective, that's close.

33. What political issue stirred you the most?

The biggest political issue we faced was the flag referendum - and it's still going.

34. Who did you miss?

My husband and cats - when I get busy for a few days in a row I really miss spending time with them!

35. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2015.

My garden is teaching me a lesson or two about the perils of procrastination!

2014 Restrospective

1. What did you do in 2014 that you’d never done before?

I took part in the running of a car rally.  I did paint-balling with friends.  I went to a demolition derby.  I hit a few balls at the batting cage.  I took a few ballet classes.  I started taking ice skating lessons.

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

Haha! It's always a work in progress!

3. Did anyone close to you give birth?

Heaps of people had babies this year.  My friend Craig has a little girl, my friend Steve also had a little girl, my cousin had a little boy, my nephew had a little boy and my niece also had a little boy.

4. Did anyone close to you die?

My cousin.

5. What places did you visit?

The Zoo, Hobbiton, Whangarei, Ohakune, Rotorua, Warkworth, Woodhill Paint-balling.

6. What would you like to have in 2015 that you lacked in 2014?

I'm pretty lucky in that I don't feel like I lacked anything in 2014.

7. What dates from 2014 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?
We have done so many fun things this year and celebrated a number of things this year.  Our friends Sharon and Gerard got married.  Our friend Jude celebrated her 40th birthday.  Kane came first in a race.

8. What was your biggest achievement of the year

I'm not sure.  I'm pretty proud of decorating the entrance-way and also of the public speaking duties both of us had at the Scottish night at Lions Club.

9. What was your biggest failure?

Last years success was the garden, but this year it has been my failure.  I'm putting it on my resolutions list!

10. Did you suffer illness or injury?

I had more that one bought of eye infections and I also had a few months of anxiety which I hadn't experienced before.

11. What was the best thing you bought?

It's a tie between my le Creuset shallow casserole dish and my beautiful new bike.

12. Whose behaviour merited celebration?
Kane kept an amazing attitude during his recent redundancy and subsequent contract role.

13. Whose behaviour made you appalled and depressed?

During the Scottish Independence referendum, I was greatly saddened by a few peoples attitudes.

14. Where did most of your money go?

I think I ate it :(

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

I got really excited for autumn because I had lots planned - road trip, ghost train, haunted house, toffee apples, spiced apple cider, demolition derby.  Yeah, I'm getting excited for it again!

16. What songs will always remind you of 2014?

Sweater Weather by The Neighbourhood, Blue Jeans by Lana Del Rey, Paris Norðursins by Prins Polo, If I Could Change Your Mind by Haim.

17. Compared to this time last year, are you:

a) happier or sadder? Same

b) thinner or fatter? Same

c) richer or poorer? Same

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

Gardening.  The weeds are trying to take over!

19. What do you wish you’d done less of?

Watching repeats on TV and eating junk food.

20. How did you spend Christmas in 2014?

In our home with good food, Pimms cocktail, wine and Christmas movies

21. Did you fall in love in 2014?

Still in love with my husband.

22. What was your favourite TV program?

Psych, Fargo, Grimm, True Detective, Grays Anatomy, Orange is the New Black, Castle, Agents of Shield - I could go on.

23. What did you do for your birthday in 2014?

It was a bit of rainy day so we went to the cinema and watched 2 movies back-to-back! I've never done that before.

24. What was the best book you read?

I particularly enjoyed Enders Game, the Maze Runner, Ready Player One and The Man Who Came Early.

25. What did you want and get?

A fun bike.

26. What did you want and not get?

A dala horse.

27. What was your favourite film of this year?

I think Gone Girl was probably the best, Guardians of the Galaxy was definitely the most fun but watching The Hobbit: Battle of the 5 Armies in IMAX HFR on Christmas Eve was the best experience.

28. Did you make some new friends this year?

I think I was especially antisocial this year so I guess that's something else to add to the resolutions list!

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

I have had an awesome year, I'm not sure it could have been any better.

30. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2014?

Too frumpy!  That's another one for the resolution list!

31. What kept you sane?

Clonazepam and therapy haha!

32. Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most?

No one.  I was admiring outfits worn by the character Meredith Gray in Grays Anatomy.

33. What political issue stirred you the most?

I got caught up in the Scottish Independence Referendum although I was unable to vote.  I did vote in the NZ elections.

34. Who did you miss?

No one really.

35. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2014.

It's never too late to learn something you always wanted to.  I love my ice skating lessons!

2013 in Retrospective

1. What did you do in 2013 that you’d never done before?

I grew leeks and turnips and many tomato plants.  I learned how to knit cables. I drove to Taupo and back by myself.  I attended events held by the Canadian Club NZ and the American Womens Club which was scary since I'm neither Canadian or American.

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

Still a work in progress!

3. Did anyone close to you give birth?

I don't think so, but my friend's partner is due her baby in 2014.

4. Did anyone close to you die?

Kane's Grandad, which was very sad. I was also sad to hear of the death of Paul Walker.

5. What places did you visit?

Taupo twice, Tauranga, Paeroa and Tiritiri Matangi .

6. What would you like to have in 2014 that you lacked in 2013?

A better sense of focus and firmer determination.

7. What dates from 2013 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?

My parents came out in 2012 and stayed until February 2013.  Then Kane and I celebrated our 15th Wedding Anniversary (!!) and then at the other end of the year we celebrating 3 years living in NZ.

8. What was your biggest achievement of the year

Probably the garden but it's still a work in progress and I expect it always will be!

9. What was your biggest failure?

Home decor - I failed to keep the momentum going.

10. Did you suffer illness or injury?

Was in Physio for calf strain.

11. What was the best thing you bought?

Tefal actifry

12. Whose behaviour merited celebration?

Kane painted the entire ceiling while I was away on girls weekend - best husband ever!!

13. Whose behaviour made you appalled and depressed?

Some people, some countries and some political issues.

14. Where did most of your money go?

Furniture, holidays, electronics and kitchen gadgets

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

Making new traditions and seeing them through - like the Taupo holiday.

16. What song will always remind you of 2013?

What does the fox say - Ylvis and I Love It - Icona Pop

17. Compared to this time last year, are you:

a) happier or sadder? Same

b) thinner or fatter? Same

c) richer or poorer? Richer

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

Physio exercises and house decor

19. What do you wish you’d done less of?

Procrastinating

20. How did you spend Christmas in 2013?

With Kane.  We watched American Football on TV, had melon pops for breakfast and Pimms cocktail for pre-dinner drink, then had a different kind of Christmas dinner using proper summer seasonal foods and then watched movies because the weather was a bit dull and showery.

21. Did you fall in love in 2013?

Still in love with my husband.

22. What was your favourite TV program?

Psyche - loved the Christmas special and can't wait for the start of the new season.

23. What did you do for your birthday in 2013?

I had a very foodie birthday!  Birthday pancakes followed by cake and a special birthday dinner of mushroom wellington.

24. What was the best book you read?

I read 7 Habits of Highly Effective Families

25. What did you want and get?

New furniture.

26. What did you want and not get?

A fitter body! (sadly the same as last year)

27. What was your favourite film of this year?

Pacific Rim was my favourite but Fast and Furious 6 and the Hunger Games - Catching Fire were up there too.

28. Did you make some new friends this year?

Yes, many new friends this year: Katie & Jack; Erika & Graeme and other Canadian club peeps; Lions Club peeps; and Maheesha & Garrick.

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

Being fitter and less tired.

30. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2013?

Relaxed

31. What kept you sane?

TV

32. Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most?

No one I particularly fancy but I sure wish I could be friends James Roday.

33. What political issue stirred you the most?

There have been a lot of things this year, but the most positive has been Marriage Equality in NZ.

34. Who did you miss?

Again, no one really - that's the beauty of modern technology.

35. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2013.

My parents and sisters are still teaching me valuable life lessons both directly and indirectly and I am very grateful to have them in my life.

2012 Retrospective

1. What did you do in 2012 that you’d never done before?

Ran round the Bays and the Sculpt 6k and played Munchkin

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

As usual, I didn’t quite succeed in them all, but I still want to achieve them so they’re back on the list for 2013.

3. Did anyone close to you give birth?

Kane’s sister had a baby girl called Beth.

4. Did anyone close to you die?

No

5. What places did you visit?

I actually left Auckland twice and went to Hamilton and Waitomo. I saw glow worms, native birds and a Kiwi bird.

6. What would you like to have in 2013 that you lacked in 2012?

Gardening prowess!

7. What dates from 2012 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?

My new Niece Beth was born, my parents and Kanes parents both came to visit

8. What was your biggest achievement of the year

I was accepted as a full member of the Institute of IT Professionals

9. What was your biggest failure?

I didn't achieve the level of running fitness I wanted.

10. Did you suffer illness or injury?

Yeah, I pulled a muscle in my calf and reinjured it twice so I'm now in physiotherapy.

11. What was the best thing you bought?

A House!

12. Whose behaviour merited celebration?

I have awesome friends

13. Whose behaviour made you appalled and depressed?

I avoid the news!

14. Where did most of your money go?

Buying a house and then buying house related stuff like ladders, lawn mower, leaf blower, lampshades etc

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

iPhones. I bought a house at auction

16. What song will always remind you of 2012?

Code Monkey by Jonathan Coulton - it's my ring tone

17. Compared to this time last year, are you:

a) happier or sadder? Happier

b) thinner or fatter? Same

c) richer or poorer? Poorer

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

Knitting

19. What do you wish you’d done less of?

Procrastinating

20. How did you spend Christmas in 2012?

With my parents and Aunty Betty eating, drinking and then watching movies

21. Did you fall in love in 2012?

My new label maker

22. What was your favourite TV program?

New Girl, Castle and the Mentalist

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

I saw the ballet Cinderella

24. What was the best book you read?

I listened to a whole bunch of management and work related audio books and there were 2 quite good ones but I can't remember the titles

25. What did you want and get?

iPad and my own home.

26. What did you want and not get?

A fitter body!

27. What was your favourite film of this year?

Judge Dredd - I met Karl Urban! Skyfall, Bourne Legacy, The Avengers

28. Did you make some new friends this year?

Yes, a good bunch at the Auckland Star Trek club

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

Getting fitter without getting injured all the time!

30. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2012?

Frumpy

31. What kept you sane?

Sims 3

32. Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most?

Karl Urban - I met him!

33. What political issue stirred you the most?

The American elections

34. Who did you miss?

No one really.

35. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2012.

I ran a race on 2 weeks training and while I did finish, I really injured myself and now I'm in Physio. I guess the lesson is that there are no shortcuts. You need to put in the time and effort to get the results you really want.

2011 Retrospective

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

Took part in Roller Derby Fresh Meat and had a midwinter Christmas.

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

I didn’t quite succeed in them all, but I still want to achieve them so they’re back on the list for 2012.

3. Did anyone close to you give birth?

Kane’s cousin John and Elaine had a baby girl and so did my old friend Dave and Monika.

4. Did anyone close to you die?

Kane’s granny.

5. What places did you visit?

Waiheke Island, Piha, Mathesons bay, Takapuna – all places in and around Auckland

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

Cardiovascular fitness please.

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

New Zealand won the rugby world cup!! It was a tense game but a good night at Rayna’s house and a good result for New Zealand.

8. What was your biggest achievement of the year

I threw my first ever barbeque party and it was well received.

9. What was your biggest failure?

I failed to make any inroads with my physical fitness.

10. Did you suffer illness or injury?

Not really, I had a trip to the doc for some eye infection thing and a trip to the dentist for a broken tooth.

11. What was the best thing you bought?

iPhone 4S

12. Whose behaviour merited celebration?

The All Blacks!

13. Whose behaviour made you appalled and depressed?

The media.

14. Where did most of your money go?

iPhones, Entertainment, Food and probably Grab-One

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

iPhones. I was camped out on the website for weeks.

16. What song will always remind you of 2011?

Pumped-up kicks by Foster the People

17. Compared to this time last year, are you:

a) happier or sadder? Happier

b) thinner or fatter? Fatter

c) richer or poorer? Richer

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

Exercise and running in particular.

19. What do you wish you’d done less of?

Eating take-out. I spend too much money on take-out food.

20. How did you spend Christmas in 2011?

With Kane and the cats in our house drinking too much and eating too much.

21. Did you fall in love in 2011?

With new friends, and activities and my new iPhone

22. What was your favourite TV program?

Castle, The Big Bang Theory and the Mentalist

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

We took a sight seeing trip to Waiheke Island and then spent the afternoon at one of the vineyards there.

24. What was the best book you read?

Getting Things Done by David Allen

25. What did you want and get?

iPhone, Pro Drums for PS3, bigger house.

26. What did you want and not get?

iPad

27. What was your favourite film of this year?

Sucker Punch, followed by X-men first class, Fast 5 and Super 8.

28. Did you make some new friends this year?

Yes, the awesome people at the Auckland Sci-fi group and Pirate City Rollers.

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

If I had been a bit fitter I would have felt more able to take part in various opportunities that came my way, instead I feel I missed out.

30. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2011?

Mostly boring.

31. What kept you sane?

Liquor! But mostly Kane.

32. Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most?

James McAvoy.

33. What political issue stirred you the most?

I voted for the first time in New Zealand it was very exciting learning about the political parties.

34. Who did you miss?

No one really.

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

Don’t wear crazy ass high heels to the horse racing unless you’ve got some flatties in your bag.