End of year meme

[prettygoodyear]

1. What did you do in 2019 that you'd never done before?

• Adopting a kitten from a shelter. And also, sadly, returning it after a week. Not by choice. But he was ill and the vet thought it best if he returned.


• Traveling to Ireland with my niece.


• Change the living room. My interior has been the same for years. I copied/pasted it from when I moved from my apartment to this house. Change and me are not really best friends. But this year I wanted to change it. I still had a desk in my living room that wasn’t used anymore, and other things also started to bug me. So in February I went to Ikea to order new shelves and such, and I also repainted my wall in a different color. I’m still very happy with the change.

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

- As always: never make them, never keep them

3. Did anyone close to you give birth?

- Well, my sisters cat gave birth to 4 kittens, and 2 of those kittens came to live with me.

4. Did anyone close to you die?

- Yes. My wonderful, wonderful kitten Ollie. He and his sister arrived in June and it was amazing. In October of this year he was run over by a car and died instantly. It was so traumatising, and there hasn’t been a day I haven’t been mourning him. I miss him still, every day. I still believe this was all one big mistake.

5. What countries did you visit?

- Ireland. Germany.

6. What would you like to have in 2020 that you lacked in 2019?

• Better health. Or, if that’s not an option, accepting how things are. Not blaming myself, or feel like I am failing.


• More money would also be welcome, though I do manage each month.


• A job, one I really love, would also be welcome.

7. What date from 2019 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?

October 9th. The day Ollie died. I don’t think I’ll ever be able to forget it. June 8th, the day Ollie and Juultje arrived is also a day to never forget. Because it sparked a period of pure happiness and joy.

Summer is also a time to not forget. I was happy, especially because of those 2 kittens.

My 2 week holiday to Ireland was also something to remember. I visited Howth for the first time, where I walked a scenic route that was just so perfect, because the heather was in full bloom. I loved it so much.

I also cycled to the Black Valley, something I wanted to do for a few years, but never thought possible. It was torture, because my energy is still lacking, but I remember (and am glad I also took a video of it) that at one point I sat on a boulder and there was no sign of human life. I could hear a distant waterfall and nothing but the wind and some other sounds of nature. It was just so perfect. The route back was less fun, and I regretted undertaking it several times, especially when I had to climb for a good 200+ meters. But in the end I arrived a the cafe where I had tea, and lunch and all was good.

I also climbed another, small, mountain. Something I also didn’t think was possible. And again, it was perfect. I arrived quite early, which meant I had the mountain all to myself most of the time.

8. What was your biggest achievement of the year?

Losing 22 kilos!

9. What was your biggest failure?

I feel like not having my life in order, is a big failure. I still don’t have a job, and even though there might be health reasons behind it, it doesn’t feel like it.

10. Did you suffer illness or injury?

A depression, but not for the entire year. Also, again, have a B12 deficiency.

11.What was the best thing you bought?

I didn’t buy them, but getting 2 kittens was by far the best thing I got this year. Buying plane tickets for Cork was also a great thing, because it meant I took my eldest niece on a city trip, which turned out to be great!

12. Whose behavior merited celebration?

Me. Because I managed to drop a good 20 kilos this year!

13. Whose behavior made you appalled and depressed?

My ex-employer. Even though they are required by law to support me in my re-integration process, they do the absolute bare minimum. Resent stunt they pulled, is telling me that I have to pay for a coaching course by myself.

14. Where did most of your money go?

Mortgage. Bills bills bills. And also my 2 week holiday to Ireland this summer. I don’t think I’ve ever had such an expensive holiday. But I think it was worth it.

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

Getting 2 kittens. And they lived up to all expectations. I was also excited for my trip to Ireland, though after Ollie and Juultje arrived, a little less so.

16. What song will always remind you of 2019?

None I think.

17. Compared to this time last year, are you:

i. Happier or sadder?

Happier I think. But not as happy as I was this summer. This summer was just perfect. Ollie and Juultje made everything so much brighter. The weather was lovely too most of the time. My nieces had a sleepover at my parents, which meant we went swimming and also visited a theme park, which was great. Then there was a trip I took with my dad, which was also just so lovely.

ii. Thinner or fatter?

Thinner. A good 22 kilos thinner. And I’m so proud of it. I have lost weight before, and gained it all back, plus some more. But this is something I am doing for 6 months now, and it seems to have become a part of my life now. I try to achieve a certain amount of active calories burned per day; yay for the apple watch. I also try to stay under a certain calories per day. Sometimes I manage it better than other times, but so far it allowed me to loose all this weight. I’m sure dieticians will frown upon the way I do this, but this fits me.

iii. richer or poorer?

Poorer. This year was an expensive one with my 2 week holiday being the most expensive. And the trip to Cork with Rosalie was also not too cheap, but well worth it.

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

More art. And reading. I’m usually behind my laptop most of the time I’m home. I have to bring myself to do art, or reading. I haven’t managed to read any great book this year either, so that’s not helping much. But I just seem to lack any self motivation to just do the things I actually love to do. Besides that, I still find that my focus isn’t what it used to be. A lot of things still require a lot of (mental) energy and I still haven’t have it all back.

Also: enjoy Ollie and Juultje more. Which seems impossible, but I took them for granted. I really LOVED them, and enjoyed every minute of them. But I took it for granted, and when Ollie suddenly died I realised that things can change in an instant. It made me almost regret going on a 2 week holiday, because it meant 2 weeks less together with him.

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

Spending so much time on Netflix etc…

20. How will you be spending Christmas?

Have dinner with the family. And have my parents over for a brunch.

21. How will you be spending New Years?

With the family we’ll go to the south for 2 nights.

22. Did you fall in love in 2019?

Yes, with my 2 kittens

23. How many one-night stands?

zero.

24. What was your favourite TV program?

Derry Girls. I love this show so, so, so much!

25. Do you hate anyone now that you didn't hate this time last year?

Hate is a big word, but my ex-employer comes close.

26. What was the best book you read?

I have read 10 books this year, and none of them stood out. None. I remember in 2013 I read so many great, wonderful books. This year: nothing.

27. What was your greatest musical discovery?

No musical discovery this year I think.

28. What did you want and get?

Kittens.

29. What did you want and not get?

• More time with Ollie.


• A helpful ex-employer who would for once be helpful and encouraging.

30. What was your favourite film of this year?

I don’t watch that many movies actually.

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

I had a big celebration this year a few days before. I turned 40 and invited all the people I love being around for dinner. On the day itself I did voluntary work and had my parents over for coffee and cake.

32. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?

Not losing Ollie. Seriously. I’m still so heartbroken.

33. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2019?

Casual. Lots of skirts and dresses, but I also wore trousers again.

34. What kept you sane?

My 2 kittens.

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

No one.

36. What political issue stirred you the most?

Brexit and Dumb Trump.

37. Who did you miss?

Ollie.

38. Who was the best new person you met?

Ollie and Juultje.

39. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2019:

Never ever take anything for granted.

40. Quote a song lyric that sums up your year:

still. pretty good year.