Year-in-review:

1. What did you do in 2005 that you'd never done before?
Lived abroad for an extended period of time. Lived in a dorm and liked it. Stood on top of the Eiffel tower. Hiked through Wales. Sat in Notre Dame. Rode the London Underground. Challenged myself as a writer. Learned to sew. Attempted to learn belly-dancing, but failed miserably. Who knew it'd be so hard?


2. Did you keep your new years' resolutions, and will you make more for next year?
I don't make official resolutions, but I always say I'll do two things in the new year: 1) lose weight, and 2) be more out-going. The first one wasn't a success, but the second one was. This year I think I'll change it up a bit. This year I'd like to lose weight and get something published. Oh, and learn to scuba.


3. Did anyone close to you give birth?
No.


4. Did anyone close to you die?
No, thankfully.


5. What countries did you visit?
England, Wales, France, and Scotland.


6. What would you like to have in 2006 that you lacked in 2005?
I'd like to have something published. And, ya know, someone to love blah blah blah. It's true, but it doesn't feel super important right now.


7. What date from 2005 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?
My time spent in Oxford was the best time of my college career. It maybe the best time of my life. It was that good. In fact, why did I say "maybe?" I most definitely was the best time. I'll always treasure those memories. Amazing times ten.

8. What was your biggest achievement of the year?
Leaving behind everyone I know to go study at Oxford. I'm shy, so that was a big deal. It helped me break out of my shell. And Trimble's class was an achievement of sorts.


9. What was your biggest failure?
Not spending enough time on school this fall semester. That is gonna hurt. Blah.


10. Did you suffer illness or injury?
No, thankfully.


11. What was the best thing you bought?
Wow, that's a pretty materialistic question. I must confess that I am a leech that sucks the life blood out of my parents. They bought me many nice things, including 1) a spiffy, new winter wardrobe in England, 2) a trip to Europe, 3) a ticket to ACL, and 4) the Nano I got for Christmas. Yes, I am spoiled rotten. Sometimes I even disgust myself.


14. Where did most of your money go?
Clothes and food and trips around Europe.


15. What did you get really, really, really excited about?
OXFORD!!! And seeing a London production of "Phantom of the Opera," but I am sad to report it was a let down. American productions are better. And I was also really jazzed about being in Trimble's writing class, which I'll call a drawl.

16. What song will always remind you of 2005?
I was really really REALLY into the Killers and the Postal Service this year, so any song by them is fitting. And "Hands Down" by Dashboard and "Dear Gunnar" sung by Colin the Dark will always remind me of Oxford. Oh, and my guilty pleasures on the radio were "Gold-digger," "Hollaback Girl," and "My Humps." Yes, I know I talked a lot of shit about that last song, but what can I say? It grew on me. You know you love my lovely lady lumps.

17. Compared to this time last year, are you:
Happier or sadder — Happier.
Older or wiser — A little of both.
Thinner or fatter? - Fatter! Ugh, there goes my happiness. Thanks, Xanga.
Richer or poorer? — Same as last year.

18. What do you wish you'd done more of?
Studying abroad. Following my heart more. Listening to my head more. (I know those last two don't go together, but I am thinking of two separate instances.)

19. What do you wish you'd done less of?
Waste time on people who just weren't worth it.

20. How will you be spending Christmas?
I spent it with my family, opening fabulous presents, eating lots of turkey, and watching "That Christmas Carol." Yay!

22. Did you fall in love in 2005?
No. Unless you count falling in love with London. Then yes.

24. What was your favorite TV program?
"Nip/Tuck" seasons one & two. But "Rome" was good, too. And I still love "The Simpsons."

25. Do you hate anyone now that you didn't hate this time last year?
Yes. No. Maybe. Layoff, Xanga. Geez.

26. What was the best book you read?
Ooo, "Life of Pi." It's sooooo good. Read it. NOW.

27. What was your greatest musical discovery?
Easy. It was the Postal Service. I just found out about them this year because I am a loser. I also discovered Muse, Vanessa Mae, and Damien Rice. Oh, and I just discovered Sigur Ros about three days ago, and they are rocking my world.

28. What did you want and get?
Fabulous new friends and a trip to Europe. And a Nano, though it pales in comparison to the other two.

29. What did you want and not get?
A hot nerd.

30. What was your favorite film of this year?
Oh, that's a tough one. Um, "Hotel Rwanda" and "Closer" were both incredibly moving, but very depressing. They aren't my favorites, but they stick out. I loooooooved "Pride and Prejudice." And the newest live-action Peter Pan adaptation, but I don't know if that was this year. And I saw "Hamlet" for the first time a few months ago. Yes, it's a play, but it's a damn good one, so I am putting it here, too.

31. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you?
I turned 22. I went to Trudy's because Sarah and Kim had planned a dinner for me, complete with an ice cream cake. Then I went downtown (because I didn't do that when I turned 21), and Jon, who apparently was channeling Satan, got me super drunk. I spent the night hunched over the toilet, puking my guts out. Fuuuuuuuun.

32. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?
A better 325M experience, instead of a so-so one. And I guess someone to love me blah blah blah.

33. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2005?
Warm weather: long tops and little jackets. Cold weather: low-cut sweaters and pretty coats. And high heels no matter what the weather.

34. What kept you sane?
Meeting fabulous new people. Seeing fabulous new places. Learning to write about less-than-fabulous past experiences.

35. Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most?
Jake Gyllenhaal, although Hayden Christensen was not far behind.

36. What political issue stirred you the most?
I'm not gonna talk politics with you, Xanga.

37. Who did you miss?
No one. Unless you count Buster, my cat. He died a year and a half ago. I'd like another kitty.

38. Who was the best new person you met?
Oh gosh, too many to pick just one--Andrea, Steph, Larissa, Amy, Yashoda, all the Oxford people...

39. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2005:
1) People come. People go. And if they go it will usually turn out for the best.
2) London is the place to be.
3) I can be a writer. Trimble said so.

40. Quote a song lyric that sums up your year:
I am cheating and putting up four. The first two are honorable mentions for summing up 1) the first half of 2005, and 2) my time in Oxford. The second pair describe my year in total. First, the Postal Service lyric about the first half of my year:

"Don't you feed me lines about some idealistic future/
Your heart won't heal right if you keep tearing out the sutures."

And a Dashboard lyric to sum up Oxford:

"Hands down this is the best day I can ever remember/
I'll always remember"

And here are the two that capture the whole year. The first is Postal Service (again) and the second is the Killers:

"I want so badly to believe that 'there is truth, that love is real'/
And I want life in every word to the extent that it's absurd."

And, similarly:

"I wanna stand up, I wanna let go/
You know, you know - no you don't, you don't/
I wanna shine on in the hearts of men/
I want a meaning from the back of my broken hand."

Yeah.

Looking back, I'd have to say it's been a good year.