After a bit of thinking (and checking my blog + paper journal) here are some answers to that question, a list of the main stuff (good and bad) that’s happened in my life during 2010.

1. In January my brother and his partner had a baby together, my adorable nephew, Tyler.

2. In February I passed my learner’s drivers license test.I haven’t done much actual driving though. :/ This is probably the most embarrassing fact about me!

3. In March, university began again and the boyfriend and I went and saw Lady Gaga during her New Zealand tour.

4. April saw me turn 22. I spent my day at a theme park, Rainbow’s End, with the boyfriend where we ate hotdogs and ice creams and went on scary rides!

5. In May I accomplished one of my university goals by receiving an A+ for an essay I wrote for sociology.

6. June was kinda sucky and I went through a tough depressive episode.

7. In July the uni semester was over, which meant I had successfully completed my first year! I passed all my courses and did really well. However, it was a sad month because a third cousin of mine was killed in a car accident. He was a year older than me and we played together as children. His mum (my mum’s cousin) is amazing and I really consider her more of an aunt, so it was just a really sad time for all of us.

8. August sadly brought with it two more deaths: a great-aunt of mine, the grandma of my third-cousin, and an old friend of my father’s whom I saw often as a child. Coincidentally I was also taking a course at uni on the sociology of death and dying so I was pretty well swamped by the subject of death for this second half of the year. It was both fascinating and exhausting.

9. September was boring and uneventful, as far as I can remember.

10. In October the boyfriend and I celebrated our one year anniversary together. Also, my parents got a puppy that they named Missy.

11. The beginning of November was exam time and I’m super-pleased to say that although it was horribly stressful, I did actually pass everything! Also, my anniversary gift to Josh was tickets for us to see the The Rocky Horror Show.We also went away for the weekend to Te Aroha.

12. And, finally, this December has really been a month of creativity, working on loads of Christmas gift projects as well as a few other bits and pieces.

So, lovely readers, that’s pretty much been my year. I just want to thank you all for reading, and especially communicating with me here and elsewhere. You’re all just the sweetest! I’ve made so many amazing friends through blogging over the years, right back to my days on UJournal. Here’s to many more years of sharing life and stories with each other.

See you next year! xo

Anyway, on to another bunch of good things. There are some fantastic links today so be sure to check ‘em out.

1. Amazing “mid-century modern with a mix of colour and bohemian pop” home in California. I am really loving the vibe of this place, with the mid-century feel but also contemporary touches mixed with the charm of personal objects. I adore viewing homes that really feel like a place you can live in, rather than something just for show.

2. I’ve fallen crazy-in-love with I go  by Katie, the wonderful blog of moccasin designer, Katie. Not only does she share her workshop and stunning designs, but her lovely photography and life as well. I am so, so happy to have stumbled upon her home on the web.

3. Teaching my 2-year-old niece to sing ‘Three Little Monkeys’, complete with hand actions! If her mama allows it, I shall video her singing and share.

4. Free food. This weekend Boyfriend and I were invited to a neighbourhood barbeque at Eden Park (a big sports stadium) which they hold every year for residents of the area. The stadium has recently been renovated because it’s where the 2011 rugby world cup is being held. They served delicious wine & other drinks, plus some yummy burgers and other goodness!

5. Terrariums. At first I was like “Oh meh, small garden in a small glass container, big whoop.” But now I’m all “Oooh, so pretty! What a neat design!” after having seen some of the really cool ones around. This reminds me of when I hated orange, and then decided it was actually awesome based on some of the ways clever people have used it.

6. Making hair clips. Last week I made a whole bunch of hair clips as part of some Christmas presents and it was lots of fun! I’ve made a couple of bows in the past but never stuff like fabric buttons and fabric flowers. I will be sure to share the gifts once Christmas is over, but in the mean time, here a couple of great tutorials to make your own: ribbon bows, fabric button diy & fabric clips.

7. Whitcoulls is a book store chain here in New Zealand and they have a free download for a computer-based ebook reader. I downloaded this program a couple of months ago just for a try and I really like it. You get 5 free books with the download and there is a whole bunch more, particularly under the Classics section. I’m a sucker for a Jane Austen or a bit of Oscar Wilde so it suits me nicely (and they’re free!).

8. My current read, Life’s Too F***ing Short by Janet Street-Porter. The journalist and TV producer/presenter who does not mince her words gives women a fab guide for making the most of life, instead of wasting time. Love her!

9. L.A. Colors make-up brand, available world-wide. Cheap but actually good! My new favourite lipstick is their ‘Petal’ shade. Very natural but gives my lips a slightly deeper colour.

10. Maxi dresses: generally flattering for my shape,cool in the heat, comfortable for around the house as well as out and about! Honestly, without my maxi dresses I would probably not survive summer at all. So, bring on the 70s boho feel!

1. Gingerbread frappuccino. I am a shameless Starbucks addict.
2. Finding new blogs! For example, srslyliz, katieebee, and print&pattern.
3. Successful Christmas shopping, as opposed to aimlessly wandering around perpetually undecided.
4. Couples activities/shared hobbies. They’re all kinds of awesome.
5. Snuggley baby hugs – my baby nephew is very good at these.
6. Rose infused milk chocolate.
7. Toy stores!
8. Finding awesome new websites like pinterest.
9. Sour cream and chives flavouring. I don’t get how some people hate it!
10. Finding a random pair of summer PJs with matryoshka dolls on the shorts!

Stay tuned for a more recent, i.e., written today 10 Good Things post! xo

1. A guilty pleasure of mine is indulging in food when I don’t really need it or could swap whatever it is for something healthier. I have been terrible with this lately. I have a sweet tooth, what can I say. And a chips tooth (is there such a thing as a chips tooth? Chipped tooth, yes, but Twisties tooth, maybe not.)

2. When I wash dishes by hand, I have an order in which different types of dishes must be washed. I start with cutlery, then go on to cups, then I do plates and bowls, then chopping boards (unless it had meat on it) and other serving dishes. Last are the pots and pans or dishes food was cooked in. And if the water gets too dirty I have to let it out and restart because it grosses me out.

3. I am a bed neat-freak. I like my bed to be made a particular way and I like it to be made every morning, though not ‘from scratch’, i.e. everything taken off and put back on. I just sort of right all the sheet and blankets and make sure everything is tucked in and neat, then stack the pillows.

4. Home and Away, the Australian soap based at the beach. I was addicted to it at various points during my childhood, then shunned it during my teens, then found it again last year and was all over it like a bad rash. I don’t get to watch it very often these days, but damn do I enjoy it when I do. Especially Angelo, which, incidentally, is the only reason I watch the Australian X-Factor, because the guy who plays Angelo hosts it. I don’t care about the singers. Except Natalie Imbruglia who is HOT. Oh my God, is she gorgeous.

5. I am terribly clumsy and at any given time have at least one bruise, and generally I don’t remember how I got them.

6. Buying craft supplies is a serious guilty pleasure!

7. With meals, if there are several different dishes on my plate, I tend to eat each separately, rather than mixing together like loads of people I know do. They get a bit of salad and a bit of something else. I usually can’t do that.

8. Celebrity gossip magazines and blogs. Sooo much more interesting than the gossip about that lady so-and-so knows and what she got up to last weekend.

9. My Starbucks purchases vary according to season. Summer = green tea frappeccino; winter = hot chocolate or some variation of hot chocolate. Ocassionally I order a coffee, but that usually only when they have a limited time flavour, like at Christmas when they do the nutmeg one and stuff.

10. I prefer socks with cute patterns on them, rather than plain ones. It makes me feel that bit happier knowing their are sparkly cupcakes on my feet!

What are ten of your funny habits and guilty pleasures?

1. When do you feel happiest?

When I am experiencing minimal stress or feel I am dealing with stress well, when I’m with my wonderful boyfriend, when I’m with my nieces and nephews, when I’m being productive.

2. How do you take care of yourself?

Most importantly I try to deal with stress and any anxiety I am experiencing because both of those things, separately or together, are almost always the cause of bouts of depression I have. So, it’s super-important I make sure I’m feeling ok in those areas so that I don’t get too down. I also like to make sure I spend a little time every day doing something that relaxes me. Often that’s simply going online and reading blogs, seeing what my friends are up to, and so on.

3. Are you internally (by yourself) or externally (by others) motivated?

Usually internally, though a bit of outside help is sometimes needed! I definitely think having enthusiastic, positive and motivated people around you can help you to be more motivated.

4. What do you do for fun?

I love to make things and this year I’ve been quite crochet focussed. I also love going to the movies, going out to eat, and feeding my addiction to clothes, shoes and cosmetics. Be they pre-loved or new.

5. What intimidates you?

I find looking for jobs to be a bit intimidating at times, and new people (I can be a bit shy at first!).

6. What is something you’re proud of?

Being able to bounce back from disappointments and life’s knocks. I used to find it hard to do, but I’m so much better at it these days.

7. Finish this sentence. I never _____________.

I never used to think I was unorganised, but I have come to the realisation that my time-management definitely needs some work.

8. Favorite vacation spot.

I don’t have one. I think I need to go on more vacations.

9. Today is a (rate from 1 – 10).

5 — it’s not been the best of days, but it definitely could be worse.

10. Finish this sentence. If you knew me really well you’d know _____________.

That untidy and dirty spaces tend to make me a bit crabby. Tidy and clean spaces are very therapeutic for my mind!

• San Smith’s blog posts about how she turns her goals into wonderfully illustrated and colourful visual representations inspired me to turn a boring list into something fun. Visual goals also remind me of the vision boards that The Secret talked about. Check out Part 1, Part 2 and Part 3 of San’s tutorial.
• Anticipating the arrival of my new nephew, Tyler. My brother’s partner is due on January 18 but judging by the activity of recent days Little Mister might grace us with his presence early! In preparation, I have been shopping for a gift; I am probably getting way too much enjoyment out of buying baby stuff…
• Weet-Bix for breakfast, preferably with some tinned peaches and yoghurt!

What are you loving this week?

• I was so looking forward to my lunch today: leftover noodle stir-fry I made last night. Only when I went to get said leftovers I discovered they were not there, that they’d been given to my dad to take to work. Ok, whatever, fine; but I really do find it annoying when people don’t ask me before taking my stuff. I probably would have said yes, or said leave a bit for me, you know. But, shit, I really felt like that damn stir-fry. It was totally my best yet.
• A consequence of the above situation was me making some macaroni and nooch sauce, which is a bit of a treat and usually something I love. Today, however, it’s making me feel queasy. We’re having people over for a BBQ so it really blows.
• I had a dream this morning that I was back in highschool, but at the age I am now, and one of the classes was sex-ed and we had to put condoms on…wait for it…not bananas….nope….it was….our hands. And people were using them like sock puppets and talking in silly voices. WTF? I also remember being terribly irritable over the misplacing of my flash drive because it had some “compromising” material on it, if you get my drift, wink-wink-nudge-nudge.
• I suppose I should go and take a shower and make an effort? Or I could silently slip away to a cosy room with a decent telly, big squishy bed and a pile of DVDs… If only I had such a room.