I knew that 2014 was going to be a difficult year for me to keep up with blogging. With both myself and the Doctor striving to achieve our shodan (he got his in July, I’ll be going for mine in … 19 days…) it wasn’t so much a matter of spending time, but energy and dedication to a goal. I don’t regret how the year went, blogging or otherwise, but I am definitely looking forward to a much more active 2015!
I saw a wonderful review post by Into Mind, a lifestyle and fashion blog I started following during the year, so I thought I’d give it a go :)
What one event, big or small, are you going to tell your grandchildren about?
That time that my brother whacked himself square in the face when he was playing a hammer-strength game.
If you had to describe your 2014 in 3 words, what would they be?
Get back up.
What new things did you discover about yourself?
That if everything in your wardrobe is the same colour, it is so much easier to make nice looking outfits.
What single achievement are you most proud of?
Not dropping Machiko-sensei during koshi nage O_O;
What was the best news you received?
It’s not something that I can talk about yet, but when I can, I hope I can really express how much it meant to me.
… No, I’m not pregnant!
What was your favourite place that you visited in 2014?
The Piggery Cafe at Burnham Beeches. Or the Hepburn Bathhouse.
Which of your personal qualities turned out to be the most helpful this year?
Perseverance! And probably the ability to laugh at everything. Because otherwise, I would have cried a lot more.
Who was your number one go-to person that you could always rely on?
Always and forever my Doctor :)
Which new skills did you learn?
Probably something to do with Sharepoint? Oh, and how to set up an online shop!
What, or who, are you most thankful for?
Apart from the usual friends and family, Linda-sensei. I always imagined that she would take me under her wing, but this year has really proved that she is feeling the same way. I just hope I make her as proud as Luke made her when he got his shodan.
If someone wrote a book about your life in 2014, what kind of genre would it be? A comedy, love story, drama, film noir or something else?
I’d hate to say it, but I’d probably say a romantic comedy. Not that I really watch them, but it just feels like no matter what happens, I’ve always got the love and support of my friends and family, and somehow, it all works out. Either that, or something with a training montage, like the Mighty Ducks.
What was the most important lesson you learnt in 2014?
Don’t give up! Things could always be worse. You could have a sword coming at your head.
Which mental block(s) did you overcome?
I haven’t actually overcome it yet, but I’ve learned that anxiety gets worse the more you think about it. I’m still struggling with this :(
What 5 people did you most enjoy spending time with?
The Doctor, Celina, Toby, Pam and my family (yes I’m cheating).
What was your biggest break-through moment career-wise?
Getting my bonus! And putting it towards house improvements, rather than frittering it away on selfish consumerism.
How did your relationship to your family evolve?
I think they might actually start to be thinking that I’m an independant adult…! Unless I’m hangry, in which case, they still treat me like a little kid. But at least a little kid who won’t hesitate to yell back this time.
What book or movie affected your life in a profound way?
Fool’s Assassin. OH MY FEELS.
What, or who, are you most thankful for?
My amazing parents, who gave me a gift I didn’t think I would need as much as I actually did. They took us up to Queensland for a few days together as a family, and normally, I would have seen it as more an obligation rather than a gift. They proved me so very wrong.
What was your favourite compliment that you received this year?
At my brother’s wedding, from a distant family friend: “Why is she so good looking now?” Not how is she good-looking, but why. As if I shouldn’t be getting more attractive the older that I get XD
What little things did you most enjoy during your day-to-day life?
Amazingly expensive makeup and slowly getting my clothes to match!
What cool things did you create this year?
Tiny carrots!
What was your most common mental state this year (e.g. excited, curious, stressed)?
A mixture of anxious and excited. Not an easy state to deal with!
Was there anything you did for the very first time in your life this year?
I’m sure there was, and I’m sure it probably involved eating something I’ve never tried before.
What was your favourite moment spent with your friends?
Any time someone ate something I made especially for them!
Reading books to Troy, and visiting Jacqueline in hospital to meet little Verity.
What major goal did you lay the foundations for?
My shodan!
Which worries turned out to be completely unnecessary?
Luke’s shodan XD
What experience would you love to do all over again?
Ride the Arkham Asylum roller coaster at Movie World!
What was the best gift you received?
A 3 day holiday on the Gold Coast with my family. And mum’s old wok :D
How did your overall outlook on life evolve?
I definitely feel “older” this year. In the sense that I feel like I’ve experienced a lot of things that happened before, but this time, I have the advantage of experience in dealing with them. I don’t feel quite so much like a little fish in a big pond, but maybe at least a slightly larger fish in not so big a pond :)
What was the biggest problem you solved?
Finally finding skincare that worked to prevent further acne breakouts (I’m 32!! I should have been over this more than a decade ago!), and be well on my way to clearing up the scarring.
What was the funniest moment of your year, one that still makes it hard not to burst out laughing when you think about it?
That time my brother whacked himself in the face when playing a hammer-strength game.
What purchase turned out to be the best decision ever?
The new stove and oven! It really wasn’t acceptable to be smelling gas in the kitchen nearly every day :|
What one thing would you do differently and why?
Figure out how cash back and rewards programs work before going on online shopping sprees…
What do you deserve a pat on the back for?
(over)Catering for nearly 20 people on a 3 day training camp :D
What activities made you lose track of time?
Always the internet and video games…
What did you think about more than anything else?
That damn shodan…
What topics did you most enjoy learning about?
Food and environmental sustainability, especially local efforts towards them. I can’t wait to have a bit more time next year that I might be able to get involved!
Fashion and self-presentation. My ideas about what makes me look good have swung wildly all over the place, but now I think I’m coming to accept that being picky is worth it.
What new habits did you cultivate?
Wearing sunscreen and maintaining a skincare routine.
Tending a garden and compost bin.
Spending more time with my family – even if I have to put it on my To Do list, at least that means it’s getting done!
What advice would you give your early-2014 self if you could?
You probably didn’t have to put everything else on the back burner this year, but if you do, you’re strong enough to get through it.
Did any parts of your self or your life do a complete 180 this year?
My weight went up instead of down? And also my clothes sizes. Sigh.
What or who had the biggest positive impact on your life this year?
Honestly, I think it was actually just me. Everyone around me had an impact, but I really do think that everything I’ve done this year has come from inside my own heart and mind. I can’t ascribe anything that I’ve achieved purely to anyone else. But if we’re talking about who has been the most supportive, then it’s definitely Linda-sensei, Robert-sensei, the Doctor, Celina and Toby :) The most positive influences on my life, even if they tell me to do difficult things.
What do you want the overarching theme for your 2015 to be?
Victory!
What do you want to see, discover, explore?
There’s a couple of restaurants I definitely want to try out – Bacash and Shira Nui.
I want to discover what life is like as a shodan – whether it will actually improve my self confidence to be part of “the club”, or if the black hole is still there until I climb out of it.
I want to explore more of Australia, or maybe even New Zealand. Any big international trips will probably have to wait until 2016 for financial and work reasons, but I’d like to see if we can go a little further afield this year too.
Who do you want to spend more time with in 2015?
Pam! I feel like she left just as we were just getting to be close enough to actually spend time outside of work together.
What skills do you want to learn, improve or master?
Cooking with a real, proper non-stick wok.
Anything morotedori. And riyotedori.
Jo suburi T_T
Which personal quality do you want to develop or strengthen?
Concentrati- oh, bunnies!
What do you want your everyday life to be like?
Comfortable, fulfilling and nourishing.
Which habits do you want to change, cultivate or get rid of?
I want to change the feeling that I don’t have the time to do things that I personally enjoy. I do have the time, I just have to spend the effort.
I want to cultivate the feeling that spending time with other people actually a good thing, and not something just to be endured.
I want to get rid of the feeling that I’m too picky and negative about things.
What do you want to achieve career-wise?
One year closer to my long service leave! But seriously, I don’t see much upwards movement in my career. And I kind of like it that way. Maybe next year, I can make it more of a priority.
How do you want to remember the year 2015 when you look back on it 10/20/50 years from now?
The year I got my shodan.
The year I had a positive influence on other people.
The year when things went back to normal!
What is your number one goal for 2015?
Get that shodan!
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