4.1.12

2011 In Review

Q: What did you do in 2011 that you’d never done before?
A: I graduated my Masters with 110/110 points and finally took up a near-daily exercise routine at home to build strength and to show myself I could do it if I set myself to it. Still going strong! 

Q: Did you keep your new year’s resolutions, and will you make more for the next year?
A: I don't really make resolutions. I think I "resolved" to get my Masters with the best possible mark and to be able to do 10 "real" pushups by the end of the year. I got my Masters, but unfortunately am still unable to do real pushups even though I have been working out at home regularly for most of the year.
This year, I would like to further increase my strength and fitness level, continue to eat and think healthily and, most importantly, lessen my incredibly strong powers of procrastination as I think it's what has most hindered me this year.

Q: Did anyone close to you die?
A: Thankfully, no.

Q: What countries/states did you visit?

A: I went to London for 3 weeks in February, South Africa in April-May and Brussels in November. I also went to Paris and Turin a few times but those are usuals =)

Q: What would you like to have in 2012 that you lacked in 2011?
A: More self-discipline and more confidence. A job, and therefore moolah ;)

Q: What was your biggest failure of the year ?
A: Not getting a job within 6 months of graduating. I know it's a crap economy/time etc, but I'm the last of my close friends to not have found a job after graduating, and it's starting to weigh on me.

Q: What was your biggest achievement ?
A: Probably getting top marks in my Masters, I never thought I would manage in the Italian system, but I did!

Q: What was the best thing you bought?
A: A ticket to South Africa: those two months allowed me to see my country in a way I'd never seen it before, and I was also able to rediscover the fantastic people there as well as my incredible friends. I am so grateful for what those two months brought me.

Q: Whose behavior merited celebration?
A: No one close to me that I can think of, and newsworthy events from the year are escaping my memory right this moment, so I wouldn't know.

Q: Whose behavior made you appalled and depressed?

A: Humanity on the whole? Drama aside, reading the news every day has the sad effect of making me aware of all our shortcomings as a species, and I wish there were more caring, love and help and less selfishness and carelessness. I think we would all do much better with more community-based decisions and less "me" thinking.

Q: Where did most of your money go?

A: Travels, and I don't regret a single cent I spent travelling!

Q: What did you get really, really, really excited about?

A: My job interview in November. It was my first as a real-deal job seeker, and I felt really good about how it went. Pity I lacked some unmentioned skills, but hey. Also, being in South Africa and having a friend over in August to go exploring with, that was awesome!

Q: What song will always remind you of 2011?
A: "I had the time of my life", the Black Eyed Peas version. Not my style at all, but it reminds me of the months spent in SA, and that is always a good thing.

Q: Compared to last year, are you:

* happier or sadder ? Sadder, mainly because I don't have a job and it's getting to me.
* thinner or fatter ? Thinner, and definitely fitter.
* richer or poorer ? Poorer, due to aforementioned lack of a job.

Q: What do you wish you’d done more of ?

A: Sending out CVs. And taking advantage of the time I had to travel more, see more people, do more things.

Q: What do you wish you’d done less of ?
A: Procrastinating...

Q: What was your favourite TV programme ?
A: Probably True Blood, although I'd be hard pressed to choose a definite favorite.

Q: Did you make a friend with anyone that you didn’t know this time last year?
A: No, but I rediscovered some very important people in my life and am ever so thankful for that!

Q: What was the best book you read?
A:  I had quite a lot of free time, so I've done a lot of reading and don't remember all the books I've read.

Q: What was your greatest musical discovery?
A: Volbeat, altough it predates 2011.

Q: What did you want and get?
A: My first trip to SA in 4 years, the longest ever I hadn't been.

Q: What did you want and not get?
A: A job =)

Q: What one thing would have made you year immeasurably more satisfying?
A: Getting my first job within the same year as my graduation would have definitely made this past year more satisfying, but it's no use crying over spilled milk!

Q: How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2008?

A: The usual: stylish comfort. I like looking good, but I like feeling good even more. I don't wear something if it makes me feel silly or uncomfortable, either physically or psychologically, because I know I won't feel and therefore look my best. For me, "fashion" should be like makeup, a way to enhance one's natural features, make one feel good about oneself and thus project a positive image to others. Being "out there" is great, too, and come be fun sometimes if it's taking you out of your comfort zone but, ultimately, I like simply enhancing what I believe to be my best self.

Q: What kept you sane?

A: Working out, at least 4 times a week. The routine it brought to my otherwise wonky life was really grounding, and I enjoyed the feeling of bettering myself every day, one burpee at a time!

Q: What political issue stirred you the most?
A: There are a lot, unfortunately, but lately it was the state secrecy act in South Africa which removed all press freedom and made my heart bleed for my country.

Q: Who did you miss?

A: My friends, scattered around the world. But that just means I have more places to travel to!

Q: Who was the best new person you met?

A: Nobody in 2011, but 2012 will change that!

Q: What was a valuable life lesson you learned in 2011?
A: Procrastination will get you nowhere: if you don't work for yourself, no one else will do it for you. If you don't support and promote yourself, no one is going to do it for you. If you don't love yourself, no one is going to love you, either. It's simple, really: do unto yourself what you would like others to do for you. You'll be that much more charmed when they happen to do it, too ;)

2 comments:

  1. Nice, however a little confused; obviously my behavior merited celebration... I mean I manage to get up before 10 and sit still for approximately 9 hours everyday while doing repetitive tasks. You know how hard that is!!! Especially for someone with my attention span and social skills!
    Anyway, nice post ^_^

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  2. I toooootes agree with you! I just think the meme was supposed to be more world-view related, ya know? ;) However, I fully appreciate how hard your daily routine is for you and applaud your assiduity and your "sticking to it" attitute, that's the recipe for success!! ;) (unless, of course, we're applying this to any number of bad behaviors, in which case it is to be removed immediately!)
    You should try the meme, it was pretty reflective (and it'll give you something do to for approximately 20 minutes in your 9 hour day)

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