End of 2010 Meme

 Here's an end of 2010 Meme lots of bloggers have been doing.

1) Was 2010 a good year for you? If I am being completely honest then No. After a great first few weeks of 2010, my fiance and I ended up being jobless and having to stay with our parents for 9 months. This definitely took its toll on our mental health. There were fun times and good days, but the overarching description for 2010 -Depression.

2) What was your favorite moment of the year? Many great moments - ringing in the New Year at the Sydney Fireworks, feeling them raining down on us, a fabulous beach holiday (and some great times snorkelling, swimming, and laughing alot), a lovely engagement anniversary day, lots of road trips (on the way to job interviews), seeing turtles in the wild and being so caught up we got drenched in a storm and great times at a theme park.

3) What was your least favorite moment of the year? Oh so many. Missing out on jobs, having to turn down jobs, the moment i realised i couldn't financially support my fiancé to go to uni, all the overriding low times.

4) Where were you when 2010 began? Under the Sydney harbour Bridge, with a zillion people, screaming and cheering as fireworks exploded overhead and rained down on us. Most importantly, i was with my fiancé and we were having a great adventure.

5) Who were you with? Fiance.

6 ) Where will you be when 2010 ends? Fiancé and I will be at Brisbane fireworks this time. Having fun.

7) Who will you be with when 2010 ends? Fiancé (are u getting that my fiancé and I are always together)

8.) Did you keep your New Year’s resolution of 2009? I didnt make any real resolutions -i had a lot of hopes and wishes (getting a job i loved, which later turned in to getting a job at all, getting married, saving money, having lots of fun and crazy times). None of these really happened. 

9) Did you break up with anyone in 2010? No.

10) Did you make any new friends in 2010? Yes - some of my work colleagues have actually turned into good friends.

11) Who are your favorite new friends? Some people from work.

12) What was your favorite month of 2010? January - a beach holiday and I still had hope and optimism for the year to come.

13) Did you go abroad in 2010? Nope.

14) How many different states did you travel to in 2010? Within Australia - NSW, ACT and QLD.

15) Did you lose anybody close to you in 2010? Nobody really close to me died in 2010.

16) Did you miss anybody in the past year? My sisters. My clients. My fiancé.

17) What was your favorite movie that you saw in 2010? I didnt watch a lot of movies in 2010 - but Harry Potter is always up there.

18) What was your favorite album from 2010? Mousetrap heart - Thirsty Merc. I love it.

19) How many concerts did you see in 2010? None actually.

20) Did you have a favorite concert in 2010? na

21) Did you drink a lot of alcohol in 2010? Yes, quite a bit when I got the chance. I discovered a number of new wines I quite enjoy.

22) Did you do a lot of drugs in 2010? No. None.

23) Did you do anything you are ashamed of this year? Yes, failed to get a job for 9 months and failed to find a way to make it work so my fiancé could go back and study. (ok, maybe not ashamed, more like disappointed with myself).

24) What was the biggest lie you told in 2010? Constantly telling everyone 'everything is ok, i'm fine' when that was far from the truth.

25) What was the worst lie someone told you in 2010? (I dont know) Maybe the one about 'we will let u know in 3 weeks if u get the job' and then proceeded to tell me in 3 weeks they wanted to reinterview (meanwhile, i found out someone else had started 2 weeks earlier).

26) Did you treat somebody badly in 2010? I very probably did. I had an awful year and was not myself. It wasn't my intention to treat anyone badly, but I suspect that I did. Probably my fiancé.

27) Did somebody treat you badly in 2010? For the most part people tried not to.

28) How much money did you spend in 2010? For the 9 months I was jobless -very little. Since I found a job - a bit more. But not really very much.

29) What was your most embarrassing moment of 2010? Vomiting on New Years.

30.) What is one thing you did in 2010 that you’d never done before?  Slept in a train station in Sydney. Became a train commuter.... not sure what else.

31.) Did someone close to you give birth?  No. A few cousins did, but I dont really know them very well.

32.) What would you like to have in 2011 that you lacked in 2010? A job i love. An even better relationship with my fiancé.

33.) What dates from 2010 will remain etched upon your memory, and why? New Years (in Syd), early Jan (wonderful beach holiday), April 9 (graduated again), fiancé and my birthdays (good fun days despite our situation) and probs Christmas aswell (well, der, its Xmas).

34.) What was your biggest achievement of the year? Graduating with my Masters.

35.) What was your biggest failure? Not being able to get a job so that I could support my fiancé through uni (something he really really wanted)

36.) Did you suffer illness or injury? Not really. I did get tackled backwards off a park bench and landed on my elbow which I probs should have seen a Dr about. I dont think it was broken.

37.) What was the best thing you bought? oooh, um .... some things for my fiancé, maybe a few of the dresses I bought, a gorgeous turtle pendant. Some fantastic textbooks.

38.) Whose behavior merited celebration? Hmmmm. Thats an interesting one. I dont honestly know.

39.) Whose behavior made you appalled? Some work colleagues and some family members.

40.) Where did most of your money go? Rent, bills, food. (dont worry, i still had fun, i still bought other things)

41.) What did you get really, really, really excited about? The possibility of getting a job doing something i really love. Also going to a theme park. Also seeing turtles in the wild, really close to me. Ok - it turns out I get excited quite a lot.

42.) Compared to this time last year, are you: a) happier or hardened?  b) more foolish or wiser?  c) richer or poorer? Hardened, wiser and similar financially.

43.) What do you wish you’d done more of? Spending quality time with my fiance and my sisters. Had more fun.

44.) What do you wish you’d done less of? Worrying.

45.) How did you spend Christmas? My parents and my sister came to spend Xmas with my fiance and i. We had a big feast and all got some lovely presents.

46.) Did you fall in love in 2010? Stayed in love.

47.) Any one-night stands? No.

48.) What was your favorite TV program? Offspring. Also loved Criminal Minds, Packed to the Rafters and Bones.

49.) Do you hate anyone now that you didn’t hate this time last year? Hate is a very strong emotion. Not really.

50.) What was the best book you read? Hmmmm, I have read so many great books this year I cant even begin to list them.

51.) What was your greatest musical discovery? Didn't really discover anyone new.

52.) What did you want and get? A job (eventually).

53.) What did you want and not get? A job i LOVED. A wedding. A holiday.

54.) What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you? I was 26. On my actual birthday, I went for a beach walk, had a toffee apple, hung out with my fiance during the day. Had a big arvo tea with my family, with party food. Then went out to dinner with my fiance. The next night we had a big roast dinner (my choice) for a birthday celebration with my parents and one of my sisters.

55.) What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying? A job i loved early in the year.

56.) How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2010? Hmmm ... well cos i was jobless so long, the fashion was lazy, comfy, getting around the house type of clothes (shame). I am loving and wearing dresses alot more though.

57.) What kept you sane? My fiance, my sisters, reading, blogging/reading blogs and Austar (mindless tv, didnt have to think about my own life)

58.) Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most? Um ..not sure.

59.) What song will always remind you of 2010? Thirsty Merc "i failed myself and i failed you too and it hurts like hell" and also TM "DNA" - cos i love it and its boppy.

60.) Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2010? Stressing and worrying doesn't actually help much. You may as well just try to make the best of what is going on.

Also, money is not everything.

61.) Quote a song lyric that sums up the year.

Really not sure

as I wrote before "i failed you too and it hurts like hell' - Thirsty Merc

also maybe Nightminds by Missy Higgins.

what song starts with a bunch of hope and dreams and positivity and goes downhill steadily, until finally it chooses to accept things and start to move on.

--------

So, there u go. That's my 2010 End of Year Meme.

What would your 2010 Meme look like ???

Money might not, but it seems love does

Greatest Power

This is something which I will be striving to achieve - to be all of these things, and to be the best me i can.

What Kind of Trail Do You Leave?

As the New Year approaches and we all begin to think about our hopes and dreams for 2011, its also a good time to think about ourselves and the impact we have on others.

Every person has the power to make others happy.
Some do it simply by entering a room --
others by leaving the room.
Some individuals leave trails of gloom;
others, trails of joy.
Some leave trails of hate and bitterness;
others, trails of love and harmony.
Some leave trails of cynicism and pessimism;
others trails of faith and optimism.
Some leave trails of criticism and resignation;
others trails of gratitude and hope.
What kind of trails do you leave?

by William Arthur Ward

A (very) Happy Aussie Christmas to all

 

 

The Spirit of Santa

 Here's a lovely little story to think about in the lead-up to Christmas.

The Spirit of Santa Doesn't Wear A Red Suit

I slouched down in the passenger seat of our old Pontiac ’cause it was the cool way to sit when one is in the fourth grade. My dad was driving downtown to shop and I was going along for the ride. At least that’s what I had told him -- actually I had an important question to ask that had been on my mind for a couple of weeks and this was the first time I had been able to maneuver myself into his presence without being overt about it.

“Dad...” I started. And stopped.

“Yup?” he said.

“Some of the kids at school have been saying something and I know it’s not true.” I felt my lower lip quiver from the effort of trying to hold back the tears I felt threatening the inside corner of my right eye -- it was always the one that wanted to cry first.

“What is it, Pumpkin?” I knew he was in a good mood when he used this endearment.

“The kids say there is no Santa Claus.” Gulp. One tear escaped. “They say I’m dumb to believe in Santa anymore...it’s only for little kids.” My left eye started with a tear on the inside track.

“But I believe what you told me. That Santa is real. He is, isn’t he, Dad?”

Up to this point we had been cruising down Newell Avenue, which in those days a two-lane road lined with oak trees. At my question, my dad glanced over at my face and body position. He pulled over to the side of the road and stopped the car. Dad turned off the engine and moved over closer to me, his still-little girl huddled in the corner.

“The kids at school are wrong, Patty. Santa Claus is real.”

“I knew it!” I heaved a sigh of relief.

“But there is more I need to tell you about Santa. I think you’re old enough to understand what I am going to share with you. Are you ready?” My dad had a warm gleam in his eyes and a soft expression on his face. I knew something big was up and and I was ready, ’cause I trusted him completely. He would never lie to me.

“Once upon a time there was a real man who traveled the world and gave away presents to deserving children wherever he went. You will find him in many lands with different names, but what he had in his heart was the same in every language. In America we call him Santa Claus. He is the spirit of unconditional love and the desire to share that love by giving presents from the heart. When you get to a certain age, you come to realize that the real Santa Claus is not the guy who comes down your chimney on Christmas Eve. The real life and spirit of this magical elf lives forever in your heart, my heart, Mom’s heart and in the hearts and minds of all people who believe in the joy that giving to others brings. The real spirit of Santa becomes what you can give rather than what you get. Once you understand this and it becomes a part of you, Christmas becomes even more exciting and more magical because you come to realize the magic comes from you when Santa lives in your heart. Do you understand what I am trying to tell you?”

I was gazing out the front window with all my concentration at a tree in front of us. I was afraid to look at my dad -- the person who had told me all my life that Santa was a real being. I wanted to believe like I believed last year -- that Santa was a big fat elf in a red suit. I did not want to swallow the grow-up pill and see anything different.

“Patty, look at me.” My dad waited. I turned my head and looked at him.

Dad had tears in his eyes, too -- tears of joy. His face shone with the light of a thousand galaxies and I saw in his eyes the eyes of Santa Claus. The real Santa Claus. The one who spent time choosing special things I wanted for all the Christmases past since the time I had come to live on this planet. The Santa who ate my carefully decorated cookies and drank the warm milk. The Santa who probably ate the carrot I left for Rudolph. The Santa who -- despite his utter lack of mechanical skills -- put together bicycles, wagons and otehr miscellaneous items during the wee hours of Christmas mornings.

I got it. I got the joy, the sharing, the love. My dad pulled me to him in a warm embrace and just helds me for what seemed the longest time. We both cried.

 “Now you belong to a special group of people,” Dad continued. “You will share in the joy of Christmas from now on, every day of the year, not only on a special day. For now, Santa lives in your heart just like he lives in mine. It is your responsibility to fulfill the spirit of giving as your part of Santa living inside of you. This is one of the most important things that can happen to you in your whole life, because now you know that Santa Claus cannot exist without people like you and me to keep him alive. Do you think you can handle it?”

My heart swelled with pride and I’m sure my eyes were shining with excitement. “Of course, Dad. I want him to be in my heart, just like he’s in yours. I love you, Daddy. You’re the best Santa there ever was in the whole world.”

When it comes time in my life to explain the reality of Santa Claus to my children, I pray to the spirit of Christmas that I will be as eloquent and loving as my dad was the day I learned that the spirit of Santa Claus doesn’t wear a red suit. And I hope they will be as receptive as I was that day. I trust them totally and I think they will.

By Patty Hansen
from A 2nd Helping of Chicken Soup for the Soul

Christmas Turtles

yes .... I kinda like turtles !!!

Thanks, thanks and more thanks

Thanks to

- The crowds at the shops - thanks for reminding me that Christmas in near, and for adding to the festive atmosphere
- The burning sun and humidity - for reminding me summer is here, you give the holiday, festive vibe
- Greasy, oily suncream - cos as much as i hate the way you feel on my skin, its better than burnt, red and blistered skin

Based on Leah Dieterich's website thx thx thx.

Trust Yourself

Taking a little meme time - Christmas

Welcome to The Queen's Meme #63 

Let's talk Christmas. I'm in a naughty and nice mood.  Some are one-word answers, others need a little explanation. Feel free to elaborate when the blog spirit moves ya. And above all else...Have fun!

1. Amazon.com or the Mall

mall - i love going to the shops around Christmas - yes its busy, but it builds excitement, and there is always so much to look at.

2. Bows or ribbons

neither usually - but i would say ribbon

3. Expensive or sale tags

sale

4. Long list or short

long - the more that is on it, the more likely people might actually pay attention to it and get you something from on it. Although, i must admit, this year mine is rather small.

5. Wrapped packages or gift bags

wrapped - more fun to do, more fun to undo.

6. Eggnog or vodka

Both. Although i must admit, a raspberry and butterscotch eggnog my dad makes is VERY tasty. Always good with Christmas morning brekkie.

7. Have you finished your shopping?

no, i havent. I am very disorganised this year.

8. A Christmas Carol or The Bible Story

A Christmas Carol

9. Are you Scrooge or Santa's Helper?

Santa's helper - most definitely - i love Christmas.

10. Did you ever catch Santa Claus in the act?

No. I had a very clever/sneaky Santa Claus.

11. Tell me about your Christmas tree...gotta pic?

Unfortunately this year we are staying at somebody else's place - and we just have a small plastic tree. Usually my family gets a real tree and that gorgeous scent wafts around the house. Always decked out with lots of lights and decorations - usually bordering more on gaudy, childish and fun, rather than classic, modern or refined.

12. Christmas carols or Rock Station

I love a few Christmas carols in the lead up to Christmas - currently have 'Santa Baby' in my head.

13. Do you believe in Elves?

well ... no. But i wish they really did exist.

14. I am looking for Santa. Describe him for me. 

Happy, jolly, friendly. Nice older man, big white fluffy beard, red rosy cheeks, a red suit, bit black boots, a big jiggly laughing belly.

15. Do you leave cookies out or bourbon?

Nothing anymore, we always left out some biscuits and beer for Santa and a carrot and water for the reindeer.

16. White lights or multi-colored

Multi coloured. The more they flash, chase or blink the better.

17. Wreaths on the doors, windows, outside?

I quite like wreaths, but dont usually have one.

18. Who are the 3 wisest wise men in your life?

There are only 2 - my dad and my fiance. Other wise men have come and gone, past supervisors at work, and uncles who have passed away.

19. Is Christmas religious or commercial for you?

Commercial - i think it is sad that it is becoming more and more commercial each year, but I have never really celebrated the religious aspect.

20. Ever kiss under the mistletoe?

Fake mistletoe - yeop.

21. Stars or angels on top of the tree 

Star

22. Who deserves to get a lump of coal for Christmas and why?

I hope that nobody gets a lump of coal - i always want people to get something nice .... there are certainly people who I think need to think about the way they treat others and the way they act, but I still hope they get something nice.

23. Who is #7 in the 12 Days of Christmas song?

- not really sure -

24. Snail mail cards or e-cards

Snail mail cards

25. What do you want for Christmas?

There is nothing i desperately want this year - a few books, some funky things to add to my accessories, anything turtle related .... I dont really know.

I'm kind of in a bit of limbo right now, and dont have my own place or know what I am doing in the new year, so I am reluctant to ask for too much, until I am settled.

It's only Christmas

It's Only Christmas

Do you remember what you wished for every Christmas
Do you say a prayer and send it on our star
Or maybe I'm just being over sentimental
But now it's Christmas and I miss us most of all

You know I never really took the time to thank you
I was always thinking you were here to stay
Is it something in the air that gets me crazy
'Cause now its Christmas but I miss us just the same

When it's cold, I get lonely
I can't talk, I can't walk, I can't breath
Then I dream and you hold me
And the angels are singing with me
I guess it's Christmas when I miss us most of all

So lets chalk 'em down and drown out all my sorrows
And maybe I can dance again with you
And as the children sing I swear I heard you whisper
That now it's Christmas but I miss us just the same

When it's cold, I get lonely
I can't talk, I can't walk, I can't breathe
Then I dream and you hold me
And the angels are singing with me
I guess it's Christmas when I miss us most of all
I guess it's Christmas when I miss us most of all
'Cause now it's Christmas and I miss us most of all

Even though it isnt cold at Christmas in Australia, this song gets to me everytime. This year my sister wont be celebrating Christmas with us, so I guess it's her we will be missing this year.

Taking some meme time

 Just a random meme - about clothes - to pass the time.

1. What are your favorite shoes?
I have alot of favourite shoes.  A pair of red wedges, a pair of black round toe heels with a little bow at the front, and ablue canvas pair with a small wooden wedge.

2. What does your favorite shirt or blouse look like?
Its a gorgeous aquamarine green-y colour, a bit of shirring around the scoop neckline and a tie at the neck, with beads on the ends. 

3. What does your favorite tee shirt say on it?
I dont really have a favourite tee shirt - and hardly any of my tee's have slogans on them. One of my fave tee's has just got turtles on it. 

4. Do you think you look better in casual or business attire?
Hmm - not sure. Probably more business-y stuff. Definitely more dressed up stuff suits me better. 

5. What do you sleep in?
Usually a nightie. 

6. Do you wear expensive sneakers?No - i do not like sneakers and i really hate having to waste good money on something so boring. 

7. What is your favorite hat?I also do not like hats much - I guess my fave is a straw visor I have. 

8. Your preference for men: Boxers or briefs?
The in-between style. Like underwear with leg bits, shorts 

9. Your preference for women: Suits or dresses?
Dresses - I LOVE dresses, but i do acknowledge that they arent for everyone.

Happy Christmas

With only 2 weeks until Christmas, I thought I would post the lyrics to some of my favourite Christmas carols. As a child, I used to love singing this one at carols by candlelight. The crowd would all sing, and it always struck me as being so sad, but so hopeful. I guess that sentiment still stays with me now when I hear it.
 

John Lennon - Happy Christmas (War Is Over)

So this is Christmas
And what have you done
Another year over
And a new one just begun
Ans so this is Christmas
I hope you have fun
The near and the dear one
The old and the young

A very merry Christmas
And a happy New Year
Let's hope it's a good one
Without any fear
And so this is Christmas
For weak and for strong
For rich and the poor ones
The world is so wrong
And so happy Christmas
For black and for white
For yellow and red ones
Let's stop all the fight
A very merry Christmas
And a happy New Year
Let's hope it's a good one
Without any fear
And so this is Christmas
And what have we done
Another year over
And a new one just begun
Ans so this is Christmas
I hope you have fun
The near and the dear one
The old and the young
A very merry Christmas
And a happy New Year
Let's hope it's a good one
Without any fear
War is over over
If you want it
War is over
Now...

Shoe Dreams

 

With Christmas approaching, now is as good a time as any to put in a shoe wish list.
Here are some of my faves.