No doubt about it, 2008 has been one of the most trying, but I guess also one of the most rewarding years for me. Both personally and professionally, this year has been the best in some aspects, as well as the absolute worst in others. I've gained some, but definetely lost some in the process.

Today, the last day of the year, I look forward to a much better year, and I can only hope and pray that it does in fact get better. (Please please please..)

Below is my usual end of year questionnaire that I got from one of my friends. Unlike last year though, this year I made a mental note to actually fill it out before the year ended, and to not fill it out during the first few days of the new year. So here goes..

1. What did you do in 2008 that you'd never done before?

- I attended my 1st Parent - Teacher meeting, and I played the parent this time around.

- I got on a plane and sat patiently in it (in cattle class) for over 30 hours to visit someone.. twice. I've also had to sit (impatiently this time) in US airports for over 7 hours to get to connecting flights.. twice.

- Did ACL in September.

2. Did you keep your 2008 new years' resolutions, and will you make more for 2009?
I don't even remember what my new year's resolution was this year, so no, I don't think I'll make more for next year. It makes no sense, it's usually the smoking, but I don't see myself quitting entirely. I'll cut down, but not quit.

3. Did anyone close to you give birth?
Not this year, no. But Jessie, Ice, and Abie got pregnant this year! We're expecting the babies in 2009.

4. Did anyone close to you die?
No, there were very close calls, but thankfully none.

5. What countries did you visit?
US (3 times this year), Singapore, Portugal, Spain, (then in terms of Airports) - Japan, Hong Kong, and Germany

6. What would you like to have in 2009 that you lacked in 2008?
More time for Gavin and more time for myself

7. What date from 2008 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?

So many things happened this year on multiple scales. I don't think I can narrow it down to just 1, so I'll just go with naming months that had significant events: April, July, September and December

8. What was your biggest achievement of the year?
Gavin started school this year so I'm really happy and proud about that. - (personally)
I got promoted, I passed this huge exam in Singapore, and I traveled for work - (professionally)

9. What was your biggest failure?

Work-life balance

10. Did you suffer illness or injury?
I got sick while I was in the US in September, and I got food poisoning in November.

11. What is the best thing you bought this year?
Plane tickets

12. Whose behavior merited celebration?
Gavin - my little boy is all grown up now!

13. Whose behaviour appalled you, and made you depressed?
There are a few.. I'd rather not name names.

14. Where did most of your money go?
Gavin (tuition fees for school, and his usual stuff), Travel, and my Cellphone bill (it was catastrophic)

15 What did you get really, really, really excited about?
Gavin starting school in June, and my trip overseas in September

16. What movie will you remember in 2008?

"Wanted" and "The Dark Knight"

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

a. Happier or Sadder? Sadder
b. Thinner or Fatter? Fatter (the food in Europe had something to do with this of course)
c. Richer or Poorer? Poorer

18. What do you wish you'd done more of?
Actually make the time to be with Gavin and the rest of my family

19. What do you wish you'd done less of?
Get angry with incompetent people

20. How will you be welcoming the New Year?
Just like last year, I will not be with Gavin when I welcome in the new year. I'm still here in Europe (but I will be home in 2 weeks so I'll make up for it with my baby boy when I get home). Here in Portugal though, I'll be having dinner and drinks with some people at the hotel restaurant later on.

22. Did you fall in love in 2008?

Yes, with Austin, Texas. I absolutely adore that place.

23. Did you break up with someone in 2008?
Yes.

24. What was your favourite TV program?
I watched less TV this year. I never had the time, or I was just too tired. I did like Cashmere Mafia and Gossip Girl though.

25. Do you hate anyone now that you didn't hate this time last year?
Hmm not really, there are people that pissed me off more this year yes, but I don't think I can say that I hate anyone.

26. What was the best book you read?
The Twilight series (yes all right, I'm aware that some of you MAY gag at that)

27. What was your greatest musical discovery?
I went to ACL this year, so that in itself was a great big musical discovery, just the whole experience of it was awesome.

28. What did you want, and get?
More travel

29. What did you want, and NOT get?
Gavin for Christmas, New Year and my Birthday (in 2009), and more time to spend with my boyfriend

30. Favorite film of this year?
Wanted, and The Dark Knight

31. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you?
I was alone when I turned 27 this year (away from family, close friends and the boyfriend). I was in the US for work, in the freezing cold, and wallowing in my apartment. I had gone to work that day, and then just went back home after. That was about it.

32. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?
How do I even begin to answer this.. I don't know, aside from the usual "wish I had more money" "wish I lost more weight", etc., I guess the 1 thing would have to be not missing Gavin's very 1st Christmas Progaram at school.

33. Were you able to save more money this year?
Absolutely not.

34. What kept you sane?
Gavin and my boyfriend

35. What made you insane?

Work

36. Who is your real-person crush?
My boyfriend

37. What was the sweetest thing that someone did for you in 2008?

There are several actually:

1) Took care of me when I was almost passed out and dying of fever

2) Cooked me an extremely nice and hard to prepare meal

3) Surprised me by getting on a plane to see me and spend time with me

38. Who did you miss the most?
Gavin, my parents, and my boyfriend

38. Who was the best new person you met?
My son.. each year he grows he becomes a different person

39. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2008.
I'm getting old.. My son is growing up. And everything you need to do as a parent kind of just falls into place after you realize that.

40. Where do you want to be this time next year?

With Gavin and my boyfriend.


LASTLY..
1) GOALS/DREAMS FOR THE NEW YEAR:
Work-Life balance, NOT work-life integration

2) PREDICTIONS FOR THE NEXT YEAR ON:
A. LOVE –
Decisions will need to be made.
B. CAREER -
Decisions will need to be made.

C. LIFE -

Huge decisions will definitely need to be made.