Between the Debt Crisis; the IMF and the Recession, we Irish will be glad to see the back of 2011. Unfortunately we probably have another 10 years of this ahead of us, but as someone said to me during the year, “every day we wake up, we’re a day closer to the end of the recession!” I think I’ll adopt that as my mantra for 2012.
As a nation it was a strange and eventful year, we’ve had visits from a Queen and a President, the most famous twins in Ireland represented us in the Eurovision Song Contest, and Sam is back in Dublin after 16 years in exile 🙂
Personally, I always struggle at this time of year to even remember what happened to me during the year! It must be old age kicking in!! So last year in an effort to jog the auld brain cells, I did a little quiz as a way to look back and review my year. It was a bit of fun so I’ve decided to do it again this year. You can see my answers for 2010 here
So here we go…….
1. What did you do in 2011 that you’d never done before?
This was the year we brought a new puppy into our lives. I always had dogs at home when I was a child and my mum still has 2 Cavalier King Charles spaniels. They are technically my brothers but it is my mum who feeds, waters and walks them so……..
Meet Bob and Buster
They’re not too enamoured with their new cousin though. He’s only a puppy so he jumps around and gets all excited when he sees them. They, like the grumpy old men they are, just want to be left alone to nap!
2. Did you keep your new year’s resolutions, and will you make more for next year?
Last year I resolved to –
Do a photography course –
Didn’t happen!!
Complete the 365 Project .
I will have achieved 350 out of 365 (if I don’t forget one between today and New Year) which I suppose is not too bad for my first attempt. For those of you who don’t know, the 365 project is a photo journal whereby you commit to take one photo a day for 365 days of the year. It’s a great way to document your year, and you can see my project here but I warn you, there are some incredibly boring photo’s to endure 🙂 I haven’t decided if I’m going to do it again for 2012 yet. I’d like to do it as it’s a great way to capture the little things that happen throughout the year, but I really like to do a photography course first so I can manage to take some half decent photo’s for it.
Get Fit and Healthy
I wouldn’t go as far as saying I’m fit, but I do walk the dog for about an hour every day so I’m getting a lot more fresh air and excerise than I ever did.
Save money……
Ireland; The IMF, The Recession; Austerity Meaurses – SAVE MONEY!?!? – Are you havin a laff!!!
This year I resolve to
Cook a home cooked meal at least 4 times a week.
No one could ever accuse me of being a Domestic Goddess in the kitchen 🙂 But in my defence with both my and John’s work commitments, it is often quite late when we get home in the evening. So quick and easy or Take Away’s are often the order of the day. The crazy part is that I actually like to cook! This year I am going to try to manage our time better and ensure we are both home for dinner, then cut out the junk food and incorporate more fresh food into our diet.
Hmm, we shall see how that one works out.
Do a Photography Course
I’m getting the feeling that this one will be on the list every year!!!!
Make more time for family and friends.
I have a very close friend who lives less than 5 minutes away from me. We have been friends almost for forever and have been through some very good and some very difficult times together over the years. We are both as bad as each other for staying in touch and are constantly promising to meet up more often. We met at the “Blessing of the Graves” in our local cemetery in November 2010 and promised to arrange to meet soon for dinner and a catch up. We met at the same event this year NOT having been out together even once over the year. I know we have busy lives but we should be ashamed of ourselves. Life is too short and true friends are too few to let time slip by. I am going to resolve to meet a different friend every month for 2012…… that’s at least 12 people who are going to have to buy me dinner!! 😆
My final resolution for 2012 is to resolve to be more optimistic by keeping my cup half full……vodka, gin, wine – doesn’t matter 🙂
3. Did anyone close to you give birth?
My friend Caroline gave birth to a gorgeous baby girl a few weeks ago and I have two friends due in Jan and March. So it looks like 2011 was a good year for conceptions – does that count? 🙂
4. Did anyone close to you die?
Thankfully no. A good friend of mine lost his mum just before Christmas, so our thoughts are with him and his family.
5. What countries did you visit?
Just like last year, we didn’t manage to travel in 2011. But it’s our own fault. We had planned a holiday to Croatia in August but then we got Arthur in July. There was no way we would go away and leave him for 10 days so we had to put our holiday on hold. But Mum if you’re reading this…. you are on dog sitting duty very VERY soon!!
6. What would you like to have in 2012 that you lacked in 2011?
A tan!
7. What dates from 2011 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?
30th June – The Civil Partnership Act was passed in January 2011 so after 17 years together my cousin and her partner finally got to share some wedding cake.
29th July – Arthur came to live with us and our lives (and my skirting boards) will never be the same again!
8. What was your biggest achievement of the year?
I suppose my biggest achievement was being featured in one of the National Newspapers. It was only a small 4 week editorial in the property supplement but it’s the first time I’ve had anything published so it was kinda a big deal for me.
9. What was your biggest failure?
I just missed out on making my first million. And I was so close, only €999,999 short !
10. Did you suffer illness or injury?
Nope – managed to get through 2011 unscathed.
11. What was the best thing you bought?
A new front door – How sad am I? 🙂
12. Whose behaviour merited celebration?
There was plenty to celebrate academically this year. My husband passed his exams, leaving him with only 2 more to go. My brother and cousin both sailed through their college exams and my little genius of a niece got 11 honours in your Junior Certificate.
Also my sister-in-law got engaged so we have wedding to look forward to next September.
13. Whose behaviour made you appalled and depressed?
That would have to be those people in China who walked past that little girl who was knocked down and lay dying on the street. The first time I saw the video I thought it was a fake as I couldn’t believe that people could be so cruel and callous in this day and age. Shame on them!
14. Where did most of your money go?
Germany it appears!
15. What did you get really excited about?
My sister in law getting engaged and of course the day we went to collect little Arthur.
16. What song will always remind you of 2011?
Jedward with their Lipstick on! Jedward are Irish Marmite and I’m normally in the the hate it camp but they did put a smile on my face in the Eurovision.
17. Compared to this time last year, are you:
– Happier or sadder? Probably a little sadder if I’m honest.
–Thinner or fatter? – Thinner than last year but still fatter than before I gave up the cigs.
– Richer or poorer? Poorer. But I’m Irish so I am not alone!!
18. What do you wish you’d done more of?
Spent more quality time with John. We both seem to be so tired in the evening we just come home and drop down in front of the TV doing nothing. Hopefully for 2012 we will make an effort to spend more time with each other. The odd little weekend break away would be a good plan too 🙂
19. What do you wish you’d done less of?
Vegged in front of the TV – read above.
20. How did you spend Christmas?
It was a quiet day spent with family. John’s family and my cousins called in for a drink on Christmas morning. Then John, myself, my mum, brother and my 2 nieces sat down to dinner. The girls went off partying that night so John myself and mum sat down and ate our way through a DVD of The Kings Speech. Stephens Day involved a trip to the pub for a day of horse racing and alcohol 🙂
21. Did you fall in love in 2011?
Oh yeah……..
22. Do you hate anyone now that you didn’t hate this time last year?
Hate is a very strong word. I don’t think I “Hate” anyone but there are some people who I have lost total respect for and “dislike quite passionately” 🙂
23. What was your favourite TV program?
The fact that I can’t come up with anything just goes to prove how little there is on TV these days. There are a few programmes I like to watch but none I could say I would hate to miss. Although I must admit, I am a bit of a closet Fair City fan.
24. What was the best book you read?
I am ashamed to admit that I haven’t picked up one book this year 🙁 Damn you internet !!!
25. What was your favourite film of this year?
Without a doubt “The Kings Speech”. Bbbbloody Bbbbrilliant
26. What did you want and get?
A new front door and the house redecorated. I know it’s a bit like bringing my work home with me but it makes me happy 🙂
27. What did you want and not get?
A new house attached to the front door 🙂 John and my dream is to build our own home but the way the property market is in this country, we may have to put that plan on hold for a few years.
28. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you?
I watched my husband watch his team Tottenham get hammered 5-1 by Manchester City in the premiership. Ouch!! And I turned 47 Ouch Ouch OUCH!!!
29. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?
If the 4 in my previous answer was a 3
30. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2011?
Now that a trek around the park with the dog is part of my daily routine. there are a lot more track suits in my wardrobe than ever before!
31. What kept you sane?
My husband tries but I’m not sure he always succeeds.
32. Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most?
Do you really have to ask?
33. What political issue stirred you the most?
I refuse to refer to the economic woes of this country so it would have to be the visit of Queen Elizabeth to Ireland. It was the first time in 100 years that an English monarch stepped foot on Irish soil. There was all sorts of debates coming up to the visit on whether it should or should not happen. I think it’s fair to say that Madge warmed the hearts of pretty much everyone on this island.
34. Who did you miss?
Same answer as last year and same person I’ve missed every day since 28th March 2006. My dad, I miss him dearly every day.
35. Who was the best new person you met?
Oh I don’ t think I met any new person in 2011. I met Lorna from Garrendenny Lane in “Real Life” in January if that counts 🙂
36. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2011.
Life isn’t always easy….. but it’s always worth it.
37. Quote a song lyric that sums up your year.
I can’t think of a song so I’ll go with a quote instead….
“Worrying is like a rocking chair. It gives you something to do, but it doesn’t get you anywhere”
Why not have a go yourself to look back over your year. If you post it in your blog add a link in the comments, I’d love to see your answers.
Happy New Year everyone xx
Great post as usual Karen, must try that myself if you want a hand with the photography give me a shout.