2013: The Year in Review

Posted in General, Life
Estimated reading time: 9 minutes

In Japan, where James and I are now, New Year’s Eve is generally spent with family and there are no official countdowns or celebrations to count in the new year. Some temples will ring bells, but the Japanese usually welcome in the new year by watching the sun rise, and by celebrating various “firsts” of the year. So in farewelling the year gone by — which is what the Japanese do too — this is a survey I did last year as well. I thought, what better way to reflect on the wonderful year 2013 was?

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

Photographed two gigs in a night, arrived home from a night out at the ungodly time of 3am, and a myriad of other things both before and after dark, including having my first Starbucks drink, and these particular “firsts”:

2. Did you meet any of your important goals this year? What are your goals for next year?

I didn’t set myself any important goals. The main thing was to get through university and improve my skills in photographing concerts, which definitely happened. For next year, I just want to find a new job, and be happy.

3. Did anyone close to you give birth?

No.

4. Did anyone close to you die?

A second-aunt of mine. She died of lung cancer. It was very sad, because she never smoked or hung around people who smoked. It was one of those unlucky, unexplained cases of people of her age group and ethnicity being prone to getting the disease. She left behind a husband and four sons.

5. What countries did you visit?

James and I visited Hong Kong, a country I last visited when I was about five years old. Of course, I barely remember the trip, but my mum tells me I lost my first tooth there. James and I are currently spending the latter half of December, and the new year, in Japan.

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

Emotional strength and willpower.

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

  • 19th January 2013 — I saw Weezer. I spent $100 on my ticket, and I don’t regret it one bit. It was one of the most amazing concerts I have ever been to.
  • 2nd May 2013 — I finally met Kim, an amazingly vibrant, bubbly girl with so much personality. We had been friends online, and shared a comprehensive love for the same music and bands.
  • 9th August 2013 — I met Tristan, someone who was a lot like me in personality, but someone who helped me grow, change, learn and find myself.
  • 12th December 2013 — I finally met Daniel, someone I have been close friends with for many years online.
  • Every time I saw Hey Geronimo play live.

8. What was your biggest achievement of the year?

This:

Oh, and this:

9. What was your biggest failure?

Not being able to say no.

10. Did you suffer illness or injury?

My ear bled all over my hands (it’s not as serious as it sounds). I also had pelvic congestion syndrome and there was a lot of pressure on my lower abdomen, making it impossible to walk. I had my first panic attack some time in the first half of the year, staying up to do a university assignment and eventually getting so devoid of sleep it affected my head.

11. What was the best thing you bought?

Probably my 30mm f1.4 camera lens. I have been having so much fun with it, and it has really helped me take better shots at concerts. Another would be my MacBook Air. It’s really nice to finally have my own MacBook.

12. Whose behavior merited celebration?

My mother for being the best mother ever. Years ago I resented her protectiveness of me and took her for granted, but this year we have shared a lot of emotions together and I’m so glad to have her. She supported me and made me feel better on so many occasions. I am really happy that we got to talk a lot this year, because I previously never made any time for her.

13. Whose behavior made you appalled and depressed?

I don’t want to name this person.

14. Where did most of your money go?

Funding the production of various different album/EP releases of some of my musician buddies; too much bubble tea; a new camera lens; an iPhone 5c; a MacBook Air, and this radical trip to Hong Kong and Japan.

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

The release of Hey Geronimo’s EP “Erring on the Side of Awesome”, and being a Tone Deaf contributor.

16. What song will always remind you of 2013?

Into Your Arms by The Maine.

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

a) happier or sadder?

Happier. A lot of crap happened in 2013, but it all blew over and I’m glad it did before the year ended.

b) thinner or fatter?

About the same.

c) richer or poorer?

Richer.

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

Taking two-hour lunch breaks. Ha ha.

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

Stressing out, complaining, crying.

20. How will you be spending Christmas?

James and I went to Ueno Zoo in Tokyo, Japan. It was a lovely, mellow sort of day, away from all the commercialism that Christmas has become over the years. A bit like a celebration, but not completely going out of our way to have a party or anything extravagant.

21. Did you fall in love in 2013?

You know unconditional love, the kind you have with your family, sometimes with friends you really care about, when you just care about them no matter what, no matter who they are, who they become, or what they do? Yeah. That kind of love.

22. Read any good books?

I finally read Looking For Alaska by John Green. It was an emotional, humourous and heartwarming read. Honourable mentions include The Ocean at the End of the Lane and Fortunately, The Milk… by Neil Gaiman.

23. What was your favorite TV program?

I didn’t really have one because I didn’t watch much television, so this probably stays as Doctor Who.

24. Do you hate anyone now that you didn’t hate this time last year?

Not particularly. I try not to hold grudges against people. There are people I don’t like as much now, but I would not say I hate them.

25. What was the best movie you saw?

James and I watched Amélie (Dom recommended it!) and Away We Go. Amélie was a very good movie. I also re-watched Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory (1971) and it was hilarious to watch over again.

26. What was your greatest musical discovery?

Velociraptor. I completely regret not getting more into them last year when I heard about them. But I am thrilled that I went to so much trouble travelling and going through rain to see those guys.

27. What did you want and get?

A new phone.

28. What did you want and not get?

A gothic lolita dress.

29. What did you do on your birthday?

I went out for lunch with James, I think. I don’t remember much because I was feeling quite sick around my birthday, and I also had a huge university assignment due. My parents gave me a huge box of Twinings tea though! :)

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

University not existing.

31. Who kept you sane?

Tristan.

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

Jeremy Neale. I adored him the most. I wouldn’t say I fancied him, though. He was just a huge inspiration overall. His music was beautiful, he was kind, he joked a lot, we got along well, and he never treats his fans like “just fans”. He always attempts to have conversations and he makes people feel valued.

33. What political issue stirred you the most?

That whole thing with Australians spying on Indonesia was just uncalled for; Tony Abbott not apologising was just disgusting, and it’s not so much that I’m part Indonesian, but more the fact that he was too much of an arrogant prick to just say sorry. It was just a massive humiliation for our country, especially since we have always had a good relationship with Indonesia with previous leaders of our country (Kevin Rudd and Julia Gillard).

34. Who did you miss?

Lilian. I always miss Lilian.

35. Who was the best new person you met?

Tristan. After having to wait around after I didn’t get put on the door for my own university’s event, after meeting him and finding out we were practically neighbours, after he ordered a mushroom pizza without knowing I was pescetarian, after all the tiny small-world coincidences — universe, what are you doing?, I questioned — I honestly believe it was fate that we met.

36. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2013:

I’m so much stronger than I think.

37. Quote a song lyric that sums up your year:

Time slips away Gone the days we’ll never see again I don’t care ’cos we were there and I’ll always feel the same And that’s where it can remain as long as we’re okay Are we okay? – Are We OK?, Jebediah