2014: My Year in Review
- When two of my best blog buddies, Neal Kind and Catalina Blue, host a blog party, I can't stay behind. Especially not if the blog party is about reviewing 2014. I have to say I love 2014. It was a big year for me. I worried a lot about what 2014 was going to be like, but it turned out totally awesome!
- 1.What one event, big or small, are you going to tell your grandchildren about?I'll tell them about the Inca Trail until their ears fall off. Walking the Camino Inka is something I'll never forget. If you say '2014', I say 'Inka Trail'. You can read all about it right here.
2.If
you had to describe your 2014 in 3 words, what would they be?
Awesome, stressful and... did I mention awesome already?
3.What new things did you discover about yourself?
I discovered I dislike the taste of guinea pig. I discovered I can put myself in anyone's shoes, except for one of the persons who matter most. I discovered that I have a Coca Cola merchandise obsession. And I discovered that it's okay to think that I'm awesome.
4.What single achievement are you most proud of?
Graduating high school. It was a no-brainer that I was going to graduate this year, but I hadn't expected to graduate with the grades I got. You can just see the happiness on my face in the post I wrote minutes after I got the news (available here).
5.What was the best news you received?
Well, the news that I graduated of course! It took hours for the news to reach me. Almost everyone in my year was already partying (or sobbing in a corner if they had gotten bad news), while I was still waiting by the phone. My friend in college almost knew before I did!
6.What
was your favourite place that you visited in 2014?
I guess that would be Xonrupt-Longmer in France. I probably spelled it all wrong, but it's a nice little place with more campgrounds than inhabitants. It's in the middle of the woods, lakes everywhere. Beautiful place.
7.Which of your personal qualities turned out to be the most helpful this year?
Hahaha, that would be my ability to make up gigantic BS stories out of nothing. Half of the time when I'm not sure what the right answer to a question on an exam is, I just start writing about stuff I've learned in that course, connecting stuff with other stuff until I've got a plausible story. Best about this: nine out of ten times my BS story turns out to be a right answer, or even better, it shows that I've a deeper understanding of the course than most others (according to my teachers, who clearly don't know that I had no idea what I was doing when I wrote the answer XD)
8.Who was your number one go-to person that you could always rely on?
I've kept a lot to myself this year. My Mom was always there for me though.
9.Which new skills did you learn?
I can make cross-stitched penguins XD I've learned how to park a car without destroying everything within a two mile radius. I've learned to speak German a little better. I learned a lot :)
10.What, or who, are you most thankful for?
My Mom, who's just told me that she believes that, if I really want to, I could become as successful as Zoella if I keep blogging. And she hasn't even read one of my posts to base that remark on :)
11.If someone wrote a book about your life in 2014, what kind of genre would it be? A comedy, love story, drama, film noir or something else?
It would be a creepy arthouse movie, based on my inner demons. I try my hardest to keep them away from my blog, but I've had some struggles overcoming fear and low self esteem this year. I'm doing way better than in January, but I am still not where I want to be. Maybe that's not always a bad thing; my insecurity was my inspiration for this poem, with which I won a contest :)
12.What was the most important lesson you learnt in 2014?
I learnt that it's okay to make mistakes or have a bad hairday: most people don't even notice, because we're all so focused on ourselves that we don't immediately notice the pimple on someone's cheek, or they mistakes they make when it comes to 'their' and 'there'.
13.Which mental block(s) did you overcome?
Because of the answer to #12, I'm not as much of a perfectionist anymore. My perfectionism was holding me back in many ways; now I just go with the flow and if I make a tiny mistake, I just tell myself: 'No one will notice.'
14.What 5 people did you most enjoy spending time with?
My high school buddies G. and E., though I couldn't spend as much time with them as I wanted to.
My parents, because they took me to Peru and gave me the chance to find my own way in this life this year. Most important: I liked spending time alone again, without fleeing to Panem or Hogwarts.
15.What was your biggest break-through moment career-wise?
Does going to college and preparing for my intership count?
16.How did your relationship to your family evolve?
I always felt like I had to fight to deserve my place in my family. That has changed. I've found my place in my family, also in this world, or at least the road to the place where I belong.
17.What book or movie affected your life in a profound way?
Strangely, Guardians of the Galaxy gave my whole life an impuls. After seeing this movie, I was more inspired, more determined to make the best of everything. I left the movie theater with a good vibe that stayed with me for weeks.
18.What was your favourite compliment that you received this year?
One of the girls in my class said I have beautiful legs O.o
19.What little things did you most enjoy during your day-to-day life?
Finding some free moments to blog or write.
20.What cool things did you create this year?
I wrote quite a few posts that I'm really proud of. I also finally finished knitting my Ravenclaw scarf and I wrote a story of 25K words, the first story I've finished that was longer than 10k words.
21.What was your most common mental state this year (e.g. excited, curious, stressed)?
Stressed, definitely. I went through two rounds of School Examinations, then the Central Examinations, followed by the national finale of the Geography Olympiad. I turned 18 this summer and had to get my health insurance and everything in order before we left for Peru. Then I had to get through all the admission stuff and boards for college, then actually went to college where I had to meet all kinds of new people, go through a first round of midterms and then I had to find a high school for my internship. So I was definitely stressed this year.
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| Me, almost all of 2014 |
22.Was there anything you did for the very first time in your life this year?
Travel by train, all by myself, all the way to the other side of the country! It was quite the experience for me. I even wrote a post about it, which you can find here.
23.What was your favourite moment spent with your friends?
I'm not friends with most of my high school friends anymore. We were just a bad fit, but this summer we came together one last time and played Cards against Humanity. It was hilarious. All of us almost wet our pants XD
24.What major goal did you lay the foundations for?
Becoming a writer. I've always said that I wanted to become a writer, but as of this year I'm actually trying to make more of this blog, I write more stories and I share more. Who knows, maybe I'll get famous through this blog one day :P
25.Which worries turned out to be completely unnecessary?
I seriously worried about graduating. I knew that the only way I could fail the Central Examinations was by not showing up, but even with that knowledge in mind I seriously thought I had failed everything.
26.What experience would you love to do all over again?
The Inka Trail. This time without food poisoning raging through my body, please :)
27.What was the best gift you received?
The laptop my Granny gave me. The old one was totally worn out.
28.How did your overall outlook on life evolve?
I'm more positive. Before graduation, I was like: 'I'll never get anywhere, life's so unfair.'
Now I think differently and say: 'Life is a beautiful mess, I can do whatever I want.'
29.What was the biggest problem you solved?
I think I cleared the air between me and an old friend. When we talk there's no tension between us anymore. It was really wearing me out to have to think about everything I said to him, because others would interpret it wrong. Now I've told him how I feel and we can finally talk and laugh again.
30.What was the funniest moment of your year, one that still makes it hard not to burst out laughing when you think about it?
Okay, so it's the first week of college and my class gets to know eachother. We're in Museumpark in Rotterdam playing tag. Then one of the guys stumbles over his own feet and flies head first into a hedge. He stayed there for five minutes, with everyone around looking for him. I couldn't tell them where he was, I was laughing too hard.
31.What purchase turned out to be the best decision ever?
My Peruvian hat with llamas on it. I wore it every single day in Peru. Even when it was 30 degrees outside. It also kept my head nice and warm during the cold Inka Trail nights.
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| Aren't you jealous of my beautiful gray hat? XD |
32.What one thing would you do differently and why?
I would have gone to The Fault in Our Stars with M.
I didn't want to go because she'd asked others who disliked me to come too. In retrospect it's clear that my refusal to come killed our friendship.
33.What do you deserve a pat on the back for?
For getting my driver's licence :)
34.What activities made you lose track of time?
Reading, as usual, also writing and running.
35.What did you think about more than anything else?
This is awkward... It's a person I've mentioned earlier in this post...
36.What topics did you most enjoy learning about?
I loved learning more about the Incas when I was in Peru. I've always liked to learn about indegenous people and their society, but actually being there to see made it much more interesting.
37.What new habits did you cultivate?
I say 'Hi' to people on the streets XD Never did that, but now I like bringing a little friendliness into random people's day.
38.What advice would you give your early-2014 self if you could?
Ahem... CALM THE F DOWN, EVERYTHING'S GONNA BE OKAY YOU DUMMY!
39.Did any parts of your self or your life do a complete 180 this year?
There was this part of me that wanted to become a writer... Well, she's now out and about, no longer just dreaming but actually doing it, making sure she'll be able to live the dream one day!
40.What or who had the biggest positive impact on your life this year?
My hair dresser. She gave me a part-time tutoring job, she gave me confidence, boosted my self esteem, made me look pretty for prom... She's a big inspiration to me. She's had her struggles with low self-esteem too, but she's such a strong, confident woman now, who's made her dreams come true. One day I want to be like her.
YOUR 2015
41.What do you want the overarching theme for your 2015 to be?
Becoming more independent. Becoming a real adult, who doesn't panic when her Mom tells her to do the laundry.
42.What do you want to see, discover, explore?
I really want to go to Paris and see the catacombs. While I'm there, I can tick of another thing from my Make it Happen List: touching the Eiffel Tower.
43.Who do you want to spend more time with in 2015?
My high school buddies I mentioned earlier. I hate to think I'd have to live without them one day. They're so important to me, I wish I could see them more often.
44.What
skills do you want to learn, improve or master?
I want be fluent in German. I want to run faster on the track. I want to be better at driving that big ass car my family has XD
45.Which personal quality do you want to develop or strengthen?
My self confidence is recovering from all those years of being bashed. I hope to strengthen it this year.
46.What do you want your everyday life to be like?
I hope to see a little bit of magic every day. Like the first butterfly of spring circling around you before it flies away again. Or a high school kid enjoying class because of the way I teach.
47.Which habits do you want to change, cultivate or get rid of?
I need to stop overthinking every word one of my friends says to me. I'll have to accept that I'll never be able to fully understand him.
I'd also like to eat more fruit. Last time I tried, it wasn't a big succes. Maybe I'll do better in 2015.
48.What do you want to achieve career-wise?
I want to get my "Propedeuse" in one year. It's the certificate you get when you've earned each and every one of the 60 college credits you can get in the first year.
49.How do you want to remember the year 2015 when you look back on it 10/20/50 years from now?
Hopefully I'll remeber it as the year I came one big step closer to making my dreams come true.
50.What is your number one goal for 2015?
Taking that one big step towards professional writing!
10 Fellow Ramblers
I hope you get famous,you will! :D
ReplyDeleteI love the way you write, I always end up with a smile after reading your posts..I'm glad I found TBC which led me here :)
Your posts so reminds me of my high school stuff...actually I'm going to that wretched place tomorrow..and I really want to...I'm afraid the girl I liked would be there you know how it is but I'm hoping it gets too cold and my friends drop the idea :P
Your answers are so honest and funny love that :D
Happy New Year!!
Well, if I ever do get famous, it'll probably be because of your support ;)
DeleteGoing back to your old high school is a nice thing to do. I think that it'd be great if you saw that girl there. Maybe it'll give you some more closure or... a second chance?
Happy New Year, Neal!!
As famous as Zoella! Then I'd say "eyy look I'm friends with Envy- be very very very... envious.."
ReplyDeleteYour year was definitely amazing- especially since you crossed off quite a few things from your make it happen list (my personal favorite was the sand boarding thing o.o)
Also I totally get you on #29 (the "biggest problem you solved" question)
Ah but if I get as famous as Zoella, you'd be famous too because I'd be promoting your blog big time!
DeleteSand boarding, I totally forgot about that one! It did deserve a spot in this post... It was one of my favorite moments in a magical year :)
#29, the biggest teenage problem I'll ever have. Even now I'm not sure if everything is 100% okay, but it sure feels a lot better now :)
So honest , yet carefree. I really like your answers!
ReplyDeleteI hope you end up doing everything that you plan on next year. I wish I could write like you, but I still haven't figured out where to put commas lol
But anyway, I can't wait to post mine! Hopefully I can do it before the 1st.
Happy Almost New Year!
Zhew!
Thank you! I like to keep things positive, I'm not as carefree in real life :P
DeleteDon't worry about commas, just put them where they feel right! I actually have no idea what I'm doing with my commas. I was never thought anything about comma placement. I just use when when it feels good.
Hope you'll be able to post before the 1st. And if you don't, just think of what my favorite band Train once sang: '...like New Year's Day was made for reminisce...' The first day of 2015 is a great day to look back on 2014 too ;)
Happy Almost New Year ;)
Such a great post, Envy! The "plot twist" picture really made me laugh out loud! I can't wait to say that every day! :) Keep up the good work, girl!
ReplyDeleteHappy New Year!
xoxo,
Adora
Thank you Adora :)
DeleteI'm still looking for the perfect moment to yell "plot twist", but it's gonna be great when I get the chance to actually do it, I hope :P
Happy New Year!
Yay! Great goals! It sounds like you got a lot of closure in 2014. Happy new year!
ReplyDeleteHappy New Year!
DeleteI actually got so much closure in 2014 that I'm scared of what 2015 will bring, seeing as it will have a lot more loose ends than 2014... But I'm looking forward to this year :D
I solemnly swear that I am up to no good! Wait, no, I mean: I solemnly swear that I will answer each and every comment ;)