2011 in Review
1. What did you do in 2011 that you'd never done before?
So much! Ice skating, flew on a plane, jumped up and down on the San Francisco bridge, hitch-hiked, Skyped, went to a Civil War Reenactment, visited the World Famous Magic Castle (insert trademark here), went to out of state and country, went through customs (I'm sure it's a drag if you've done it before), visited an (enormous) island (called England), visited Shakespeare's grave, rode a subway, rode on the top of a double-decker bus, went inside a structure that's three times the age of the US, met Joshua Jay, got texting for my phone (21st century, here I am), went to the West Hollywood Halloween Party, attended the Los Angeles Conference on Magic History, shook Lance Burton's hand, held a toy drive, met Bill Nye the Science Guy, started a college-level magic club, went bowling. Damn! Whatta year!
2. Did you keep your new years' resolutions, and will you make more for next year?
Okay, so I've given up on trying to go to bed at a normal hour on a consistent basis. It's like asking a tornado to go around my house. I was doing well with my resolution to be consistent with kendo, but then fall quarter this year wound up with my student group holding meetings at the same time as class. My magic practice improved toward the end of the second half of the year, especially when I met my fellow magicians in the Magic and Illusionist Student Team. Didn't get to take an art class and instead worked during my off time in the summer. I'm still trying to improve my Spanish by reading aloud. Plans for this year: make sure to go to kendo class at least 12 times out of the 20 practices per quarter; do 15 minutes of anaerobic exercise a day; practice illusion for at least one hour a week; write in my journal consistently (once every two days); complete one original piece of fiction every five weeks (1000 words or better); illustrate one piece of my storybook every two weeks; be more active in practicing my Spanish (so I can do more than just order at a restaurant).
3. Did anyone close to you give birth?
Not anyone "close" close, but my best friend's sister did.
4. Did anyone close to you die?
No. Not that I can think of.
5. What countries did you visit?
ENGLAND!! Woot! I finally got out of my damn state!
6. What would you like to have in 2012 that you lacked in 2011?
Get my driver's license!
7. What date from 2011 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?
January 1st at 12:02 AM when Dad was teaching me how to correctly produce a card. January 2nd, when I had to haul back four heavy pieces of luggage off a bus and to my dorm by myself in the pouring rain and I was freezing. I remember asking God to send a taxi my way to end my misery – a taxi whipped the corner around the medical plaza and almost took me out, all right! January 8, an old teacher got me my first Moleskin notebook. February 4, when my friends took me out to Café 50s for my birthday! Thank you, guys! And I still love the (lucky) little black dress!
February 14, when I avoided the drama of Singles Awareness Day while everyone else around me bitched and moaned to no end (including the kiddies I tutor – geez, guys! You're, what, 12?). February 18, the tough he-men (and women) of Kendo Club insisted on eating dinner at Yamato even though it would mean marching through the downpour of rain to get there…and February 24, when I was still sick as a dog from that excursion, but pulled an all-nighter anyway and got my major paper for Civil War 139 turned in. February 23, too, because all my friends and student group admin covered for the presentation when I was sick. March 6, when I helped out for the Yuihai Tournament and got to witness my first full kendo competition (congrats to UC Riverside!). March 18, when I watched the ground fall away for the first time from an airplane. April 1, when I called my friends to tell them I was going to transfer to USC (like hell). May 12, when I was interviewed by a Spanish-language news station and I stumbled and stuttered my way through the interview (and they just dubbed my piece over). June 30, not because I met Joshua Jay, but because I met a kind magician at the exhibit who gave me my first pass to the Magic Castle. July 21, when I had to take the life of trapped mouse in my friend's apartment (I used to have hamsters as pets – this was very much against my nature). August 4, when I woke up in a London hostel! September 27, when my roomie and I were waiting for the buses to go on the Target Run and this random Asian guy says, "Wanna see me do something cool?" I thought, "You had better be a damn good magician or something." He was! October 31, went to We-Ho (West Hollywood) Halloween party…and my costume seemed to attract a lot of gay guys. >.>; Although I found someone actually dressed similarly! November 11, I met my heroes among magic historians.
8. What was your biggest achievement of the year?
I survived independently in a foreign country by myself for a month!
9. What was your biggest failure?
Over the summer I was asked to give a speech and I didn't prepare for it as well as I could have.
10. Did you suffer illness or injury?
The common cold in the middle of a big paper was a bummer. and a couple scabs.
11. What was the best thing you bought?
Magic stuff.
12. Whose behavior merited celebration?
My father's, who has been there for me this whole time.
13. Whose behavior made you appalled and/or depressed?
Um….
14. Where did most of your money go?
Travel study made me take out my first real college loans.
15. What did you get really, really, really excited about?
This will sound really mundane, but…ZOMG! I'm jet-lagged, hauling around a 55 lb suitcase, looking like a train wreck and I'm 6,000 miles away from home!! ZOMG! Hello, London!!
16. What song(s) will always remind you of 2010?
"Houdini" by Foster the People
17. Compared to this time last year, are you:
i. happier?
About the same. Optimistic and young, happiness is thrown in.
ii. thinner or fatter?
About the same. Maybe a little fatter, but I'm in denial.
iii. richer or poorer?
Pretty much still in square one.
18. What do you wish you'd done more of?
Keeping an updated journal.
19. What do you wish you'd done less of?
Dunno. I have to study. Maybe less eating. All right, all right – maybe a little less loafing online.
20. How did you spend Christmas?
Walking down the sidewalk passing out candy to random people. Wouldja believe it? Not one open chapel on Christmas day, but a packed donut shop? I endorsed said donut shop. I'm shameless. Went home for time with my dad, cozy and happy.
21. Did you fall in love in 2011?
Old feelings stirred somewhat, but nothing of it. No point saving a space in your heart for someone who won't take it, right? Love? Too preoccupied for that nonsense.
22. Best compliment?
Some might find this insulting, but I made no less than ten people this year jump just by walking into the room. Wasn't even in costume. In some dark corner of my soul, it pleased me tremendously. …Issues. I have them.
23. What was your favorite TV program?
I actually got into a TV show this year: "Grimm." It's pretty much the only one. During the summer I followed "America's Got Talent," but I consider that more the modern-day vaudeville than an actual TV program. I get into web series: "The Guild" and "Hetalia: Axis Powers" – ftw!
24. Do you hate anyone now that you didn't hate this time last year?
No.
25. What was the best book you read?
Jacob T. Marley (R. William Bennett) Also, although it's not a book, one of the best plays I read was Shakespeare's The Merchant of Venice.
26. What was your greatest musical discovery?
Nothing notable this past year.
27. What did you want and get?
Kept my good friends from the year previous, a successful fanfiction, and a third year at my university paved by scholarships (I am eternally grateful).
28. What did you want and not get?
Another two inches to my height. Alas.
29. What was your favorite film of this year?
I suppose the film I watched for Civil War, "Glory" (1989). At least nothing outstanding.
30. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you?
I was taken out to a café that supposedly harkens to the period my friends think I belong in: Café 50s. I played and actually won my first game of Uno in I don't know how many years! Pure lucky strike. My friend's bf gave us a wild ride back to campus (fitting 8 people in one car!). I was twenty.
31. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?
Winning the lottery. Also, spending more time in London during the study abroad program. Feel like we swept into the old City and got herded out too quickly to thoroughly enjoy it. More time in Bath, England would have been nice, too. LESS time in Stratford Upon Avon! Too many sheep!!
32. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2011?
Usually if it's functional and decently covers my body, I'll wear it. (Oh, and so long as it's not pink or glittery.) Though this year I think I'm trending toward the slightly more feminine. I'm certainly wearing more dresses and skirts. But according to a scholarship donor and mentor my personal taste in apparel has gone up a notch. He said I dressed classier.
33. What kept you sane?
Sane? Since when have I been sane? I bite off more than I can hork down, I terrify my friends with an absurd sense of humor (they call it twisted), I talk to my fictional characters, and I wrote like a maniac for my spring quarter finals (60 pages in 2 weeks!)…I hardly think any of this qualifies…Okay, let's just answer the question: My friends, but mostly my dad.
34. Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most?
Don't really care. I still idolize Shakira, I guess.
35. What political issue stirred you the most?
Hmm…I think the DREAM Act has been a very touchy subject.
36. Who did you miss?
The new friends I made over the summer. Keep in touch guys!
37. Who was the best new person you met?
So many! My Civil War professor with her sassy, biting humor; the professor sponsoring my senior thesis. The master magicians who are also expert historians on my favorite family in magic. My roommate during the studies abroad program. The people who walked around with me and got lost with me during the trip. The young kids on the flight over to England who kept me company and assuaged some of my fears. Finally, best new people I have met collectively are the volunteers for the School on Wheels student group I started. Thank you!
38. Was there a choice you regret making in 2011?
I forgot to tip the housekeeping at the last hotel in Stratford. >.>; Also should've gotten Lance Burton's pinche autograph and Milt Larsen's, too!
39. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2011?
There's a big, beautiful world out there and, really, it is fun! Never forget to enjoy it and see it while you can.
40. Any random acts of kindness done on to you?
Anytime anyone does that it always leaves me in awe and gratitude and not without some faith in people. My luggage going back to the States was some 10 lbs overweight, but the lady checking in my bad just slapped a "heavy" sticker on it and let me slide without paying the extra. Just the general support that everyone has offered over the year has been remarkable in and of itself.
41. Did you carry out any random acts of kindness?
I probably did, but I don't keep track. It isn't necessary.
42. Strangest question?
"Is your boyfriend blind?" Complicated as my feelings may be the record stands that he wasn't my boyfriend! …now someone get me something deep fried and smothered in chocolate.
43. Quote a song lyric that sums up your year.
"Raise up to your ability." – from "Houdini" by Foster the People
44. Any moments of serendipity?
Rainy day in Bath, England, and I hustled in to a random antique shop. Nicest gentleman in the whole country.
Oh, and the Civil War re-enactors who let me dress up in one of their uniforms said the getup was from the movie "Gods and Generals." In the words of my professor, I have touched greatness.
45. What were you for Halloween this year?
A plague doctor!! I gave out extra candy to people who knew what I was…and didn't say "from Assassin's Creed."
46. Biggest surprise?
Started a magic club at UCLA. O.o
47. Any predictions come true?
…Well, the UC Regents tightened their chokehold on us, but who didn't see that coming?
48. Any predictions for 2012?
For me: Going to the East Coast, meeting new and interesting people, and strong bonds with good friends.
In general: Higher student fees.
49. Will you watch the Pasadena Tournament of Roses Parade and/or the New York Times Square Ball drop?
Yeah, saw one on TV and I will be in the Tournament of Roses! Glendale float!!
50. Care to offer a toast for the New Year?
As we start the New Year, let's get down on our knees to thank God we're on our feet.
-Irish