2008

The Traditional End-of-Year Meme (two questions removed from last year, one new one added)
For reference here's 2007, 2006, 2005 and 2004.

1. What did you do in 2008 that you'd never done before?
Nothing monumentally life changing:
Ate at very fancy restaurant
Saw the International Space Station
Took a domestic flight
Visited Brighton's Royal Pavilion, which I can't believe I didn't blog about. It was magnificent.
Went here on a school trip. Didn't blog about it at the time due to my usual paranoia but, considering the day started badly, (the coach had been booked for the wrong day, therefore didn't turn up) everything worked out very well in the end. A definite favourite.

2. Did you keep your new year's resolutions?
Finally, after about 4 years of trying, I can say I've achieved the walking to work resolution. It's much easier with the trusty iPod for entertainment and, with proper footwear, it's no longer agonisingly painful. However, I have lost absolutely NO weight whatsoever. I suppose I must be at least a bit fitter; I no longer arrive at work looking like a beetroot.

3. Did anyone close to you give birth?
Heather had baby Elsie!

4. Did anyone close to you die?
Apart from my iPod (*sniff*), no.

5. What countries did you visit?
We stayed in the UK all year long (yet again) but had an Easter excursion to Edinburgh.

6. What events from 2008 will remain etched upon your memory?
Apart from the restaurant visit and the trip to Edinburgh; my new classroom (I kind of did-yet-didn't blog about this during the year, again deliberately. You should be breathing a sigh of relief; it was a very frustrating process and would have moaned about it endlessly) and that election result.

7. What did you get really, really, really excited about?
Something that causes me to yet again exclaim, 'I can't believe I didn't blog about this': I lost the tiny stone from my engagement ring, searched high and low for it (including a fingertip search on hands and knees of house and classroom) then, a month later, unexpectedly found it as it glinted in the light on the landing carpet. Unbelievable.

8. What was your biggest achievement of the year?
Apart from the walking to work thing, it has to be not setting foot in a hospital all year long.

9. What was your biggest failure?
Failing to blog about things (again!). Oh, and losing no weight despite exercising more. Really must do something about both of those next year.

10. Did you suffer illness or injury?
Yes, but nothing too serious; the usual lurgy, laryngitis (causing me to lose my voice for an entire fortnight - another event deliberately not blogged), shin splints, a few blisters and another attack of the work-related stressies.

11. What was the best thing you bought?
Teh Kitteh. Without a doubt.

12. What was the best thing you were given?
Tricky to pick just one. Surprisingly, it's been end of term presents that have stuck out in my memory. The butterfly bush was beautiful. It seems to be still alive, so I'm hoping it'll flower next year too.
In July, the parents of the kids in my last class gave me a Bluewater gift card, which I've enjoyed using a little bit at a time on treat-y type things I wouldn't ordinarily get for myself.
The parents of the kids in my current class gave me a hamper for Christmas. Hampers can be a bit hit-and-miss (well, considering my picky eating habits) but, apart from the fruit teas and chutneys, this one was mostly sweet things and alcohol.
And a child in my class gave me a massive (and slightly scary looking) drawing of me that he did while he was off ill. That one's made it into the select 'keep' pile.

13. What song will always remind you of 2008?
Seriously considered ditching this question, since none of the answers I've given have ever been particularly representative of that year as a whole. In fact, I'm not sure it's even possible to pick just one song for one year.
So I'm hijacking this question to post my current earworm; Gordon is a Moron:

(Goodness gracious, a spot of Jimmy Savile there at the start. How's about that then?)
Husband and I watched a documentary on BBC4 about the history of the comedy record last week and they played this. It transported me back to 1978, to a caravan holiday in Wick, memorable for the rain and the earwig infestation. Had a bit of a thing about checking my wellies for creepy-crawlies ever since.
Perhaps the trick with this question is to do it in 30 years' time.

14. What was your favourite TV programme?
It's either got to be The Green Balloon Club or The Restaurant.

15. What was the best book you read?
Have read four books this year (not counting re-reads); Lark Rise to Candleford and its sequel, Heatherley (both rather slow-going); Tales of Beedle the Bard (was disappointed JKR used her own voice in the footnotes when she could easily have used Hermione's); and Little Dorrit. Little Dorrit easily wins.

16. What was your favourite film of this year?
Yet again, didn't get out to the cinema much. Only saw Mamma Mia, Dark Knight and Quantum of Solace. QoS wins, but that's not hard given the lack of competition.

17. How will you be spending New Year's Eve?
We usually go out in Boblogville with A, but I'm in more of a 'stay at home' mood this year.