A Cat's Tail

I...what? Drink four glasses of pisay? Should I name a mixed drink after pisay? Hmmm...I'm thinking something that involves lots of vodka and looks like lab chemicals. But four glasses of vodka a day is just too much. >_< I already know how to play the violin. I will NOT give up movies or cut down to ten dogs a day, but I will apply for a new disco (i.e. dance class) and get back in contact with some old cats.

And now for the very long New Year's meme:

1. What did you do in 2008 that you'd never done before?
Organized a charity event. Boy, it was so much fun!

2. Did you keep your New Year's resolutions, and will you make more for next year?
No, resolutions are for losers. Except the ones above for fun. :p

3. Did anyone close to you give birth?
Nope, not that I know of.

4. Did anyone close to you die?
Yes...my grandpa, my great-aunt, and my favorite uncle. All on my mom's side. :( Well, actually my uncle died Jan 2, so dunno if he counts as last year. 

My uncle was only 48, and he died of complications from colon cancer. People, get tested for colon cancer!!!!! It is easily treatable if identified early enough!!

5. What places did you visit
China--Beijing and Shanghai. It was awesome!

6. What would you like to have in 2009 that you lacked in 2008?
Better control of my money. As a poor student, it's hard, but I need to get rid of my credit card debt.

7. What dates from 2008 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?
Uhm...the choir tour in China and the lovely applause I got from singing as a soloist on an international stage. Boy, that was absolutely thrilling--I love performing, I love being well-received, and I will always cherish that experience.

8. What was your biggest achievement(s) of the year?
A tie between my three charity folder rides (more to come this year!) and being chosen as a vocal soloist out of a choir with people who have taken voice lessons longer than I have.

9. What was your biggest failure?
Er...amassing so much credit card debt. It was necessary for some purchases (e.g. new bike, books, supplies, stuff in China) but not for others.

10. Did you suffer illness or injury?
Aside from the small stuff and my usual asthma, no, not really. Even the injuries from the car accident weren't bad, just really bothersome.

11. What was the best thing you bought?
My Dahon Piccolo bike plus many upgrades. So worth it.

12. Whose behavior merited celebration?
Um...dunno.

13. Whose behavior made you appalled and deressed?
Gah, the GOP. Republicans sucked ass this year.

14. Where did most of your money go?
Bike stuff and school books. Ugh, I hate college textbooks.

15. What did you get really, really, really excited about?
China! New bike! First year anniversary with teh bf! New flute!

16. What song will always remind you of 2008?
Steve Rothstein's piece, Hymn of Light--the one we sang in China.

17. Compared to this time last year, are you:
a) happier or sadder? Happier!
b) thinner or fatter? Fatter, but I feel fine about it. I'm just 125lbs on a 5'4" frame, so meh. Nothing to be panicked about.
c) richer or poorer? Poorer. Aaaaaargh student loans!!

18. What do you wish you'd done more of?
Hanging out with friends, going back to the Philippines.

20. How did you spend Christmas last year?
Spent it with teh bf's family, and I was quite bored. It was nice waking up to him though.

21. Did you fall in love in 2008?
Yep, every time I saw teh bf. *sappy*

22. How many one-night stands?
Nada.

23. What was your favorite TV program?
TV is for suckers! But I did like Making Fiends, a cartoon on Nickelodeon.

24. What did you do for your birthday in 2008?
Best. Birthday. Ever! I was in China getting sung to by 100+ people after a successful concert tour.

25. What was the best book you read?
I honestly can't pick just one, but the most influential would probably be Oliver Sack's Musicophilia.

26. What was your greatest musical discovery?
I don't have any, as I mostly listen to dead white guys (i.e. classical music).

27. What did you want and get?
A job I love and a research scholarship! Woot! But I think I will be buried in work this year because of that.

28. What did you want and not get?
A brompton folding bike. But it will be mine, oh yes, it will be mine.

29. What was your favorite film of this year?
Dark Knight, most definitely. But then again, I don't go out to watch movies much. *holds L up to forehead*

30. Did you make some new friends this year?
Yep, from bike forums and from my rides!

31. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?
Um...more money? I think this was a pretty good year though.

32. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2008?
Whatever. I seriously stopped caring what I looked like except for interviews, and just wore whatever I felt like, whether it was jeans and a sweatshirt or a nice sundress. It felt good!

33. What kept you sane?
Who says I was sane? When have I ever been sane?

34. Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most?
Angelina Jolie? I've always fancied her, ever since Gia.

35. What political issue stirred you the most?
Feminism, presidential election.

36. Who did you miss?
All my friends, relatives, and acquaintances back in the Philippines.

37. Who was the best new person you met?
I...um...don't get out much. :( I'd say my soon-to-be research advisor, but it's really too soon to tell. She seems like an awesome lady though!

38. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2008.
You have to open yourself up to new experiences and have no regrets about whatever happens on those experiences.