I’ve been doing this for a couple of years now, save for 2006 (see 2007 survey here), so there’s just no way I would not do it this year. It’s fun looking back. Let me see if I can come up with coherent answers this time around. :)
What did you do in 2008 that you’d never done before?
I’ve bought my own camera with my credit card, write in my journal consistently for the first four months of the year, try to watch a hot air balloon festival without any balloons, turn one year at work, watch Lifehouse live, go on an out of town trip with a friend with my own money, go tree-planting, bake a blueberry cheesecake, attend WordCamp, organize activities for 1000+ people, be in the office for more than 12 hours, have a kick-off party for NaNoWriMo…and I know there’s more but I don’t know if they’re monumental enough to write down here. But wow, that’s many.
Oh, and I didn’t necessarily do this, but my IBM Club friends made a Valentine’s wish come true: I got serenaded. Haha. Thanks. :D
Did you keep your new years’ resolutions, and will you make more for next year?
I think I did better this year as compared to last, but I definitely missed the supposedly easier ones that require a bit more commitment. Bah. Will post another post on that. And I will make new ones again, as always. :)
Did anyone close to you give birth?
A lot of my officemates gave birth, but the most notable one is my team lead’s wife, who gave birth to a beautiful baby girl who is now my goddaughter. :)
Did anyone close to you die?
No one, thank goodness.
What countries did you visit?
None, unfortunately. How I wish I could have gone to Australia…but oh well. In God’s time. :)
What would you like to have in 2009 that you lacked in 2008?
Healthier eating habits, more motivation to exercise and lose weight, more confidence in driving and better time management skills. I’d also like to have more meet-ups with friends and meet more people, because I feel like I’m not really branching out. On the materialistic side, I’d like more out of town trips, a 16GB iPod Touch, a book shelf, and yes, money. ;)
What date from 2008 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?
Other Hillsong United in Manila 2008, I can’t exactly point out a single date. To be honest, 2008 was such an eventful year, as in so many things happened that I can’t really point out anything.
What was your biggest achievement of the year?
Getting a raise, actually surviving my hectic months (February, June-July, September), and getting in touch with my creative side again. :)
What was your biggest failure?
Bad time management skills.
Did you suffer illness or injury?
Again, sore throat and asthma.
What was the best thing you bought?
Ashley, my pink Canon IXUS 80IS.
Whose behavior merited celebration?
My fello IBM Club members. :) They’ve really been a source of laughter and strength for me in the past year. :D
Whose behavior made you appalled and depressed?
One person who just left us hanging without saying a proper goodbye. Seriously, is it that hard to act professional?
Where did most of your money go?
Food. Gadgets. Clothes. Gifts.
What did you get really, really, really excited about?
Watching Altar Boyz for the second time. :))
What song(s) will always remind you of 2008?
You Could Be the One by Bethany Dillon, Praying to the Wrong God by Jon McLaughlin, Migraine by Moonstar 88, You’ll Come by Hillsong United.
Compared to this time last year, are you:
i. happier or sadder? happier
ii. thinner or fatter? so-so. :P
iii. richer or poorer? richer, I guess?
What do you wish you’d done more?
Talk and reconnect with old friends. I really suck with keeping in touch.
What do you wish you’d done less of?
Take on so many responsibilities.
What was your favorite TV program?
Gossip Girl, Chuck, The Big Bang Theory, CSI:NY, Avatar: The Last Airbender.
Do you hate anyone now that you didn’t hate this time last year?
I try not to hate people.
What was the best book you read?
The Truth About Forever by Sarah Dessen and Marley and Me by John Grogan.
What was your greatest musical discovery?
Paramore.
What did you want and get?
A new camera. Clothes.
What was your favorite film of this year?
This is an old film but I got to watch it this year: Definitely, Maybe.
What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you?
I turned 22, and I spent it at work, being teased because it’s my birthday. I treated my teammates and family to lunch and dinner, respectively. I’m still waiting for my birthday surprise. :P
What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?
Going to WYD 2008 in Sydney.
How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2007?
Still the same. I need a new wardrobe, really.
What kept you sane?
Writing, IBM Club activities and talks with good friends.
Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most?
Erm, I’m not so sure if there was any. Finally meeting Jad Gilles? Haha, lame.
What political issue stirred you the most?
None. I just didn’t have time, I guess.
Who did you miss?
Still the same answer: Bea.
Who was the best new person you met?
Not person, people. IBM Club 2008. :D
Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2008:
Cliche, but I learned yet again how short life is, especially after attending a 20-year-old girl’s funeral.
What was the nicest thing someone told you about yourself:
All the email commendations I got from my friends and bosses for doing what I do. Apparently, I’m dependable. :P
The most touching experience you’ve had this year?
When a friend took the time off from his work to comfort me while I was crying in McDonalds. :)
What did you like most about yourself this year?
Doing all these new things and stretching myself out. Sometimes maybe a bit too thinly. ^^;
What did you hate most about yourself this year?
Losing patience and overthinking. ^^;
Quote a song lyric that sums up your year:
And now I’m ready to be extraordinary. – Extraordinary, Mandy Moore
Was 2008 a good year for you?
Good and challenging and stressful and difficult in a lot of ways. But it was mostly good.
What was your favorite moment of the year?
Switchfoot concert. :)
What was your least favorite moment of the year?
Ahaha, my wallow weekend. :P
Where were you when 2008 began?
Home.
Who were you with?
With my family, praying the rosary. :)
Where will you be when 2008 ends?
I’m not so sure if we’ll be home or if we’ll be at my brother’s place.
Who will you be with when 2008 ends?
With my entire family. :)
Do you have a new years resolution for 2009?
Yes, it’s another year of Big, Fun and Scary Things!
What was your favorite month of 2008?
February, even if it was one of my stress months. April too.
Did you lose anybody close to you in 2008?
Lose…not in death, right? I’m not so sure.
Did you miss anybody in the past year?
College friends again, and officemates who left.
What was your favorite record from 2008?
Me and You and the World by Dave Barnes
How many concerts did you see in 2008?
Hillsong United (May 26, 2008), Lifehouse (July 26, 2008)
Did you drink a lot of alchohol in 2008?
More than last year’s. :P
Do a lot of drugs in 2008?
Nope.
You do anything you are ashamed of this year?
Yes, there are some, which I’d rather not say.
How much money did you spend in 2008?
Ah a lot more. I think I need to start controlling my credit card spending again. You know how easy it is to buy food you want to eat with a credit card?! Argh.
What was your proudest moment of 2008?
Getting a high rating for work, and the entire November for NaNoWriMo. :)
What was your most embarrassing moment of 2008?
Ahaha, when my teammates asked this friend of mine if we’re going on a date.
If you could go back in time to any moment of 2008 and change something, what would it be?
Nothing. :)
What are your plans for 2009?
Again: drive and lose weight. And see if I can afford to go back to school. :D
How are you different now that the year has ended?
I’ve been very busy for the past year and I realized how little time I had for myself. I guess in a way I started loving my job too much that I made it slightly the center of my life and I hardly had time for other things. I don’t regret meeting all the people and doing all the things I did, though. :) So I guess I’ve grown up a lot, and this time I’m giving myself more me time.
What are your wishes for the new year?
I quote the first lines I wrote last year: That I can finally overcome my fear of driving, that I can stick to my lose-weight resolution. :P Right now thinking about 2009 is kind of making me panic, but I know that it’s not too big that God can’t handle it. I guess I wish for a better me next year, in the sense that I know what my priorities are, and that I know who I am more than I did this year. It’s going to be an interesting year, I’m sure.