My 2009 in Review

A summary of 2009

Breaking down the year 2009 in 35 questions!

I've been living in 2010 for two weeks now, and I think I'm finally ready to start processing what a roller coaster ride 2009 was!

1. What did you do in 2009 that you’d never done before?

Became a counselor! Went to Newfoundland, got a flat tire.

2. Did you keep your new year’s resolutions, and will you make more for next year?

No resolutions made in 2009, I thought it was unnecessary. Little did I know.
For 2010, be more assertive (yes, surprisingly I am not as assertive as I should be in parts of my life, excluding this blog).

3. Did anyone close to you give birth?

Yes, a fellow book clubber gave birth this fall, giving us another book reader!

4. Did anyone close to you die?

Yes.

5. What countries did you visit?

Las Vegas! Best 21st birthday party EVER! And in case it counts, I visited Newfoundland which has only been a part of Canada for 51 years...

6. What would you like to have in 2010 that you lacked in 2009?

A rocking apartment all year long, more time with friends and bigger travel plans (Scotland here I come!).

7. What dates from 2009 will remain etched upon your memory and why?

December 24th and 25th, I didn't work and was so eternally grateful for the time off. July 1st, watching fireworks from my new balcony.

8. What was your biggest achievement of the year?

Making some amazing new friends, continuing traveling on my own, reaching my one year anniversary at the shelter.

9. What was your biggest failure?

Losing my patience one too many times with those who didn't deserve it. Not taking my chances!

10. Did you suffer illness or injury?

No, thankfully.

11. What was the best thing you bought?

Um, my ticket to Newfoundland!

12. Whose behaviour merited celebration?

Me, I freaking rocked the house this year on self reflection.

13. Whose behaviour made you appalled and depressed?

Abusers that I spoke with and heard about.

14. Where did most of your money go?

Traveling.

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

My trip to Las Vegas with my family, my trip to Newfoundland to visit Shannon and Danny, my stay-cation at home in December.

16. What song will always remind of you 2009?

The entire Lady Gaga album. And Susan Boyle's rendition of "I Dreamed A Dream".

17. Compared to this time last year, are:

a) happier or sadder?

b) richer or poorer?

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

Blogging!

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

Stressing out.

20. Did you fall in love in 2009?

Many, many times.

21. What was your favourite TV program?

Glee, NCIS (courtesy of Dad), and Survivor.

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

Hate is quite a strong word, probably not.

23. What was the best book you read?

Part of War and Peace, Cunt, When You are Engulfed in Flames, Pride and Prejudice and Zombies, Water for Elephants, Trauma Stewardship, Engendered Lives...there are more that I can't remember!

24. What was your greatest musical discovery?

Glee!

25. What did you want and get?

A permanent job!

26. What did you want and not get?

A Wii, a new television, and a new couch.

27. What was your favourite film of this year?

Sherlock Holmes, New Moon...sigh.

28. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you?

I turned 27 and I had the worst menstrual cramps of my entire life.

29. How you would describe your personal fashion concept in 2009?

Becoming a bit more profesh.

30. What kept you sane?

Myself.

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

Channing Tatum (*horrifyingly embarrassed).

32. Who did you miss?

Joelene, Leah, Shannon, Maggie...

33. Who was the best new person you met?

So many, can't count.

34. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2009.

I am capable.

35. Quote a song lyric that sums up your year.

Oh the lights still on, we're dancing
Yeah the floor is shaking
In this disco heaven

Going Gaga

Over the past year my perspective on all things has changed ever so slightly. I can't tell exactly when it all changed (or maybe the word is intensified). Some would say this intensification of my perspective of all things is a bad thing. But not me. Some would say that this intensification of my perspective is unhealthy. But not me. I, for one love this change, and am determined to embrace it fully, as everyone should.

Of course I'm talking about my ability to view almost anything through my feminist lens.

When you start thinking about things in terms of women, power, control and our socialization you begin to see some amazing things. Some of them make me crazy. But more often now, I'm smiling (trust me, big change!).

One of these observations of late is the very interesting figure of Lady Gaga. I'll admit when I first heard Lady Gaga, I enjoyed her music, but quickly I thought "Is this a gimmick? Is the arty stuff overpowering the music?". And then there was her hanging at the MTV video music awards. I'm always concerned when art depicts violence against women for some sort of inspiration.

But then I heard her new stuff on the new album. And then I started to read more and more articles where Gaga spoke about her immense talent ("I don't see myself as being like anyone else"...uhhh, yeah me neither, Stephani Germanotta) and ability to create monster hit song after song.

But then I kept reading and she starts to explain her above quotes, along with others and her answers started making me think...

"I find that men get away with saying a lot in this business, and that women get away with saying very little," she said. "In my opinion, women need and want someone to look up to that they feel has the full sense of who she is and says, 'I'm great.' "

Hm. Something to think about. Besides that her song "Bad Romance" talks about something that was my obsession during my fourth year of university, the commodification of women.

Enjoy.

7 Month Hiatus...What Can You Do In 210 Days?

Hello again...yes, it's me the absent blogger. After seven months I'm back, although I'm not too sure what my re-emergence may entail!

I left the blog for a while because of a very important reason. I was burnt out! There were many things that contributed to my stress (work, moving, work), but with a new year brings new strategies to deal with this stress.

And part of my way of dealing with stress was to begin journalling. However, writing in my little journal lost it's appeal about a minute after I started. It turns out I'm just narcissistic enough to rationalize my blog. There may be some pauses between blogs but I'm open to whatever happens!

I'll still be doing what I do best, complaining and ranting. But I will strive to include more exciting and/or positive spurts of energy. And, of course, the re-posting of some articles and interesting tidbits. If nothing else than just to irritate my dad.

To sum up my last seven months, I can do this in list formation of things that I found irritating, bizarre and blog-worthy, but never got around to;

1. Twilight saga
- Yes, the saga continues and it's second installment is just as horrifying as the first...look for my thoughts coming soon!

2. Olympics
- Definitely not on the pro side. This debate made me go a little bit on the aggressive side on Facebook (one of the indications to myself that blogging may be a more appropriate venue to vocalize my views). In short the Olympics are actually the exact opposite of everything they are espoused to be. Look for more to come as Vancouver 2010 approaches!

3. Justin Beiber
- I'm still not sure who this kid is, and I have strong suspicions that he is yet another manufactured pop icon, however his misogynistic lyrics are frightening when you see the adoration this 15 year old gets...

4. Glee!
- I'm not what you would call a "Glee-k" but I am a fan of anything that has a hint of a musical (and when you do a cover of a song from "Wicked" you are my new friend, immediately). I am a firm believer that the music is about 100 times better than then storyline, but I am loving the strong female characters.

5. Scotland
- Yes! Part of the Rodger clan is heading to our homeland this Spring! So expect planning posts to appear regularly.