Remember 12 months ago I posted this?

Well it is time to update… Let’s just say 2009 has been awesome. It has had its ups and downs, but overall I have loved it. I think a lot of that has to do with my attitude and mind set. I have seen the bad things as passing clouds, knowing that there will soon be clear skies again. Pollyanna? Maybe!

1. What did you do in 2009 that you’d never done before?

Visited Hong Kong and South Africa! Also did the Twitter365 project which I am very proud of. Oh and the tattoo and piercing. Gee I did lots in 2009!

2. Did you keep your new year’s resolutions, and will you make more for next year?

I think I weigh a little more than this time last year! For next year I plan to keep on carrying on as before!

3. Did anyone close to you give birth?

Lorraine gave birth to beautiful Mabel who has the best reasoning behind her name!

4. Did anyone close to you die?

I was not close to them, but the person who retired as District Secretary at the AWU in the far north was killed in a RTA with his wife and we attended the funeral for them.

5. What countries/states did you visit?

Brisbane, Brisbane, Hong Kong, Canberra, Melbourne, Brisbane, Sough Africa! I flew in January, February, May, June, July, August, September, October and December!

6. What would you like to have in 2010 that you lacked in 2009?

A more organised house and a fitter body. I did gain fitness in 2009, but I want to lose weight in 2010! Also looking forward to property settlement and custody issues to be finalised for the time being.

7. What dates from 2009 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?

June- Hong Kong trip, October- Court shenanigans,

8. What was your biggest achievement of the year?

Staying sane! Sticking to my guns and developing more as a person. Also changing careers.

9. What was your biggest failure?

I’m not sure if I believe in failure any more.

10. Did you suffer illness or injury?

I have a ganglion cyst on my wrist which will need to be seen to in the new year. Apart from that I have been remarkably well!

11. What was the best thing you bought?

My elephants in South Africa, the LED fairy lights for the deck, a new cleaner! Well I didn’t buy her, but I pay for her! Oh and of course Xena Queen my motorbike!

12. Whose behaviour merited celebration?

MIML™ has taught me so much about myself. He rocks so much!

13. Whose behaviour made you appalled and depressed?

Apart from the obvious, sometimes the kids could be a little much! (ooh I think I’ll keep this response from last year!)

14. Where did most of your money go?

Lawyers and travel. And bills.

15. What did you get really, really, really excited about?

The travel! Both Hong Kong and South Africa. Also got excited about MIML™ passing part one of his AMC exam and being closer to gaining Australian residency. Oh and Geelong winning the AFL premiership!

16. What song will always remind you of 2009?

I can’t think of any particular song, but I did and do enjoy the Muse album Resistance that was released this year.

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

a) happier or sadder?
happier

b)thinner or fatter?
Weigh a bit more, but am wearing the same clothes!

c) richer or poorer?
richer

18. What do you wish you’d done more of?

Organising and cleaning/tidying/decluttering. But I did do a lot of that later in the year.

19. What do you wish you’d done less of?

Worrying.

20. How did you spend Christmas?

With the gorgeous MIML™, his parents, sister and her partner in Johannesburg! It was simply awesome!

21. Did you fall in love in 2009?

Over and over again with the gorgeous MIML™

22. How many one-night stands?

None!

23. What was your favourite TV program?

Hardly watched any telly. Mainly Cooking Channel and Discovery. Did enjoy Skins.

24. Did you make a friend with anyone that you didn’t know this time last year?

Quite a few people through my new job and meeting more of MIML™s friends.

25. What was the best book you read?

Instant Calm by Paul Wilson. Well I have started it!

26. What was your greatest musical discovery?

More of Muse! Imogen suggests Lonely Island!

27. What did you want and get?

A divorce! Stability in my life.

28. What did you want and not get?

My thesis finished.

29. What was your favourite film of this year?

Loved, loved loved Star Trek. Also enjoyed District 9, Invictus and thought 2012 was fun!

30. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you?

37. Went out to dinner with friends at Paddywhacks, our favourite restaurant.

31. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?

I had a satisfying year as it was!

32. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2009?

Casual and relaxed!

33. What kept you sane?

MIML™ and the gym. And self-reflection.

34. Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most?

Obama!

35. What political issue stirred you the most?

The spastic Conroy Internet Filter.

36. Who did you miss?

Friends who live too far away… (same this year!)

37. Who was the best new person you met?

My new work colleagues! They are awesome.

38. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2009.

Live in the present. An event is just that- like a cloud passing in the sky. It is how we react that matters and if we don’t react it does not matter as much.

39. Quote a song lyric that sums up your year.

They will not force us,
They will stop degrading us,
They will not control us,
We will be victorious!

Here’s to a great 2010, the end of the noughties!

Another meme. Why not. It’s Friday night and I’m home alone! This one is rather bizarre. My iTunes Music Library contains 15,129 items, a lot of which I don’t necessarily listen to but are from my past, and even I was amazed with some of the ones that came up! Oh yeah, and I am beyond the tagging!

RULES:
1. Put your iTunes, Windows Media Player, etc. on shuffle.
2. For each question, press the next button to get your answer.
3. YOU MUST WRITE THAT SONG NAME DOWN NO MATTER HOW SILLY IT SOUNDS.
4. Tag 25 people in your note that you want to do this activity. You must tag the person that sent you this note.

1. IF SOMEONE SAYS ‘ARE YOU OKAY’ YOU SAY?
Take on Me (a-ha)

2. HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE YOURSELF?
I Want to Live (Grace)

3. WHAT DO YOU LIKE IN A GUY/GIRL?
Hungry like the Wolf (Duran Duran)

4. HOW DO YOU FEEL TODAY?
Pictures at an Exhibition (Mussorgsky)

5. WHAT IS YOUR LIFE’S PURPOSE?
Reverence (Faithless)

6. WHAT’S YOUR MOTTO?
Come Down O Love Divine (Trinity College Choir)

7. WHAT DO YOUR FRIENDS THINK OF YOU?
Uptown Girl (Billy Joel)

8. WHAT DO YOUR PARENTS THINK OF YOU?
Corelli: Sonata Da Camera In E Minor, Op. 2/4 – 4. Giga: Allegro

9. WHAT DO YOU THINK ABOUT VERY OFTEN?
Africa (Toto)

10. WHAT IS 2 + 2?
Disenchanted Hero (Xzibit)

11. WHAT DO YOU THINK OF YOUR BEST FRIEND?
Strange, Strange (Augie March)

12. WHAT IS YOUR LIFE STORY?
Revolution (Beatles)

13. WHAT DO YOU WANT TO BE WHEN YOU GROW UP?
John Laws, In One Bucket (Martin Molloy)

14. WHAT DO YOU THINK WHEN YOU SEE THE PERSON YOU LIKE?
Fly Me Away (Goldfrapp)

15. WHAT WILL YOU DANCE TO AT YOUR WEDDING?
It’s a Sin (Pet Shop Boys)

16. WHAT WILL THEY PLAY AT YOUR FUNERAL?
The Honeymoon Song (The Beatles)

17. WHAT IS YOUR HOBBY/INTEREST??
Covers are Thrown (Josh Pyke)

18. WHAT IS YOUR BIGGEST FEAR??
Who do you Think (Interpol)

19. WHAT IS YOUR BIGGEST SECRET?
Power Tool (Regurgitator)

20. WHAT DO YOU WANT RIGHT NOW?
Drop The Bomb (The Plan)

21. WHAT DO YOU THINK OF YOUR FRIENDS?
You Could Be Mine (Guns n Roses)

22. WHAT WILL YOUR CHILD’S FIRST WORDS BE?
Around the World (Red Hot Chilli Peppers)

23. WHAT DO YOU SAY WHEN YOU LOOK IN THE MIRROR?
I Think I’m a Clone Now (Weird Al)

24. WHAT DID YOU SAY IN YOUR SLEEP LAST NIGHT?
Enjoy the Silence (Depeche Mode)

25. WHAT WILL YOU POST THIS AS?
Borg Destroyer (Kinetic A.T.O.M.)

Yes, another meme imported directly from Facebook!

1 – Go to “wikipedia.” Hit “random” or click http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:Random
The first random wikipedia article you get is the name of your band.

2 – Go to “Random quotations” or click http://www.quotationspage.com/random.php3
The last four or five words of the very last quote of the page is the title of your first album.

3 – Go to flickr and click on “explore the last seven days” or click http://www.flickr.com/explore/interesting/7days
Third picture, no matter what it is, will be your album cover.

4 – Use Photoshop (or MS Paint or whatever) to put it all together. I used Skitch!

5 – Post it to Facebook as a note and tag the friends you want to join in. Or blog it or whatever!

And hey, Gullinbursti is not such a bad name for a band after all!

Facebook has been buzzing with memes. I have resisted the 275,326 requests for the 25 random things as I have 100 of them on here. Maybe if I get bored this week I could come up with 25 more, but…

This one tickled my fancy though! Here’s how it works: Google “[your first name] needs” and share the first 10 results. Be honest! Tag etc! Not sure I will tag, but if you read this feel free to copy and let me know in the comments that you have done it!

Now just what does Ms Fifikins (aka Fiona!) need?

1. Fiona needs her Shrek. Actually I have had enough with ogres and am rather happy with my MIML™… but sweetie, we do need to drag out those Shrek ears again…
2. Fiona needs support. Actually I do need some new bras…
3. Fiona needs London. That wouldn’t be bad! But does London need Fiona?
4. Fiona needs a home. OK… this is a page about a recently spayed cat!
5. Fiona needs CGI. Now I think that means Computer Generated Imagery. Interesting thought!
6. Fiona needs to go on a diet seriously. Yes, please note the seriously! Actually I think 5kg in 5 weeks isn’t too shabby!
7. Fiona needs loving. Don’t we all!
8. Fiona needs advice for her Hong Kong Trip. Yeah, perhaps some as I have just booked the accommodation for June!
9. Fiona needs money. Yep!
10. Fiona needs to eat. That too! Taking the kids out soon!
    

Here is my reflection on the year that is fast disappearing… Some may recognise it from a different place 12 months ago… I am not sure where it came from, I suspect an email 2 years ago.

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

Rode on a motorbike both as pillion and as driver!

2. Did you keep your new year’s resolutions, and will you make more for next year?

Don’t think I made any… My usual one is to weigh less this time next year. Should manage that!

3. Did anyone close to you give birth?

No…

4. Did anyone close to you die?

No…

5. What countries/states did you visit?

Melbourne and Canberra and Melbourne again! Loved Canberra!

6. What would you like to have in 2009 that you lacked in 2008?

Safer finances.

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

April Fool’s Day- had my tonsils out! 14th April- met MIML™! 3rd December- Divorce granted

8. What was your biggest achievement of the year?

Surviving! Joining the gym, standing up for myself more.

9. What was your biggest failure?

Not finishing my thesis (yet!)

10. Did you suffer illness or injury?

The dreaded tonsils! Never wishing a tonsillectomy on my worst enemy.

11. What was the best thing you bought?

I didn’t buy that much this year… But I think the gong would have to go to the jebusPhone! It rocks!

12. Whose behaviour merited celebration?

MIML™ never ceases to amaze me with his beautiful temperament- he is so kind and caring and thoughtful. And I&J have had their moments!

13. Whose behaviour made you appalled and depressed?

Apart from the obvious, sometimes the kids could be a little much!

14. Where did most of your money go?

Bills…

15. What did you get really, really, really excited about?

Getting to know MIML™ more and visiting Canberra with him was amazing. Oh and getting my bike licence.

16. What song will always remind you of 2008?

I can’t think of a shining song this year. Except for that stupid Katy Perry Kissing a Girl one!

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

a) happier or sadder?
happier

b)thinner or fatter?
I think about the same in weight, but thinner!

c) richer or poorer?
Good question! I do have lots of richness in my life though.

18. What do you wish you’d done more of?

Probably my thesis…

19. What do you wish you’d done less of?

Worrying and over analysing things.

20. How did you spend Christmas?

I cooked and had roast turkey and veg (followed by Christmas Pud) on the deck with the kids, MIML™ and my mother and brother. The kids went to their dad’s at 3pm and I went to MIML™s and slept for a few hours before visiting friends.

21. Did you fall in love in 2008?

22. How many one-night stands?

Nope!

23. What was your favourite TV program?

I hardly watched any telly this year apart from Doctor Who, Dexter and Spicks and Specks!

24. Did you make a friend with anyone that you didn’t know this time last year?

Apart from the gorgeous MIML™? I have made lots of friends, especially through Twitter and Plurk.

25. What was the best book you read?

I am still reading Dawkins’s The God Delusion which I am loving!

26. What was your greatest musical discovery?

A whole heap of trance stuff that made its way from MIML™s music collection to mine!

27. What did you want and get?

Almost a divorce (to be finalised on 4th Jan!) and a steady relationship with a wonderful man.

28. What did you want and not get?

My thesis finished.

29. What was your favourite film of this year?

I loved The Orphanage. Also enjoyed Iron Man and Indiana Jones.

30. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you?

36… Mum came up to visit and we went to a Greek Restaurant. Food was lovely! Then for the weekend we went out to Undara lava tubes. Oh and MIML™ spoilt me with a new iPod and a Time Capsule!

31. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?

Not sure. It has been a challenging year overall, but has had some bright spots. Probably finishing my thesis and finding a better paying job. But there is still 2009!

32. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2008?

Black and White. Or old!

33. What kept you sane?

MIML™ and the gym.

34. Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most?

Orlando Bloom…

35. What political issue stirred you the most?

US election was exciting. Climate change still worries me a lot, as does IR law. And let’s not mention the stoopid clean feed/filtering nonsense!

36. Who did you miss?

Friends who live too far away…

37. Who was the best new person you met?

MIML™ and a range of people I have met through him.

38. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2008.

I am the only one who can make myself happy. Live for the moment and let the future take care of itself. But perhaps keep some things a little future focussed!

39. Quote a song lyric that sums up your year.

Some things in life are bad
They can really make you mad
Other things just make you swear and curse.
When you’re chewing on life’s gristle
Don’t grumble, give a whistle
And this’ll help things turn out for the best…

And…always look on the bright side of life…
Always look on the light side of life…

If life seems jolly rotten
There’s something you’ve forgotten
And that’s to laugh and smile and dance and sing.
When you’re feeling in the dumps
Don’t be silly chumps
Just purse your lips and whistle – that’s the thing.

And…always look on the bright side of life…
Always look on the light side of life…

For life is quite absurd
And death’s the final word
You must always face the curtain with a bow.
Forget about your sin – give the audience a grin
Enjoy it – it’s your last chance anyhow.

So always look on the bright side of death
Just before you draw your terminal breath

Life’s a piece of shit
When you look at it
Life’s a laugh and death’s a joke, it’s true.
You’ll see it’s all a show
Keep ‘em laughing as you go
Just remember that the last laugh is on you.

And always look on the bright side of life…
Always look on the right side of life…
(Come on guys, cheer up!)
Always look on the bright side of life…
Always look on the bright side of life…
(Worse things happen at sea, you know.)
Always look on the bright side of life…
(I mean – what have you got to lose?)
(You know, you come from nothing – you’re going back to nothing.
What have you lost? Nothing!)
Always look on the right side of life…

Here’s to a great 2009…

Stolen from Devyl Gyrl!

“You have to use 3 words to answer each question. No more, no less. It’s harder than you think.”

Where is your cell phone? · In the kitchen
Your girlfriend/boyfriend/hubby? · Is super sexy!
Your hair? · Purple, red, brown
Where is your father? · Died in 1990
Your favorite thing to do? · Surf the net
Your dream last night? · Strange chocolate butterflies
Your favorite drink? · Gin and Tonic
Your dream car? · Racing Green MG
The room you’re in? · The back deck
Your fears? · Loneliness, wild rats
Who did you hang out with last night? · My lovely bf!
What aren’t you good at? · Cooking not cleaning
Muffins? · Raspberry white chocolate
One of your wish list items? · More cook books
The last thing you did? · Assembled a tiramisu
What are you wearing? · Black work clothes
Your pet? · fish, snails, rats!
Your computer? · Matilda the Macbook
Your life? · Ups and downs
Your mood? · Tired but excited
Missing? · My interstate friends
What are you thinking about right now? · Friday night’s barbecue
Your car? · Blue Ford Focus.
Your work? · Sucks at times
Your summer? · Preparing for cyclones
Your relationship status? · In a relationship
Your favorite color(s)? · purple, pink, red
When is the last time you laughed? · Earlier this evening
Last time you cried? · Few weeks ago.
School? · Tintern Girls Grammar

Cause Leigh said I had to. So you all have to too. Coz she said. And also coz it’s another meme and I seem to do the meme thing a bit around here!

Porn star name (first pet, first street where you lived): Smocker Taylor

Rock star name (favourite pet, current car): Mog Focus

Gangsta name (favorite ice cream flavor, favorite type of shoe): Rum and Raisin Hate Shoes!

Native American name (hair color, favourite animal, favourite hobby): Brown Elephant Cooking (Coz sex isn’t a hobby is it and Brown Elephant Sex hmmm… Or after I have my hair done this week Purple Elephant Sex… Now we may be onto something here…)

Soap opera name (middle name, city where you were born): Anne Fitzroy

Star Wars name (first 3 letters of last name & first 2 of first name, last 3 letters of middle name): Henfi Nne

Stripper name (favourite perfume, favorite candy): Armani Mania Skittles (or Opium Skittles or Chance Skittles or No 5 Skittles…)

TV Newsreader name (grandparents first name, any town that starts with the same letter): Hyacinth (or Harriet) Horsham (or May Mareeba!)

Spy name (favourite season, favourite flower): Winter Gerbera (or Spring Rose or Winter Daisy or Spring Lavendar…)

Cartoon name (favourite fruit, article of clothing you’re wearing now): Lychee Lacy-knickers

Hippie name (what you ate for breakfast, favourite tree): Avocado Toast Jackaranda

1. Fiona and her Mama, 2. rare steak, 3. Forest of stone, Tintern Abbey, Monmouthshire, 4. Waiting For A Kiss?, 5. Colin Firth revisited, 6. The ancient pleasure of a cuppa, 7. Tokyo City Sunset, 8. Berry & Lavender Crème Brûlée, 9. Lift attendant, 10. Free, 11. Untitled, 12. for Fifikins

You should know by now that I can never resist a good meme! The gorgeous Monnie at Vanilla Silence posted this on her blog today and I am borrowing the concept! Please go ahead and do your own too, I know you want to…

Go to http://www.bighugelabs.com/flickr and create a mosaic using the answers from these questions. Take your answer to Flickr and search for it. Pick an image from the first page of search results, put it into the mosaic maker and post your results!

1. What is your first name? Fiona
2. What is your favorite food? Steak (well apart from chocolate and sushi!)
3. What high school did you go to? Tintern CEGGS
4. What is your favorite color? Green
5. Who is your celebrity crush? Colin Firth (I love a bit of facial hair too!)
6. Favorite drink? Tea (it was a toss-up gin aficionados!)
7. Dream vacation? Japan
8. Favorite dessert? Crème Brûlée
9. What you want to be when you grow up? A Lift Attendant! Going up! (Well it is what I wanted to be!)
10. What do you love most in life? Freedom
11. One Word to describe you? Procrastinator
12. Look up my flickr name and found something someone dedicated to me – Thanks Ali!

Don’t run away! Stay and read. You know you always learn something you really didn’t need to know from all these memes and this is one with a difference, so there! For one, I’m not going to tag you, you are going to ask to participate, and that is more of a directive than anything else (vee have vayz ov mekking you meme…)

1. Leave me a comment saying anything random, like your favorite lyric to your current favorite song. Or your favorite kind of sandwich. Something random. Whatever you like.
2. I respond by asking you five personal questions so I can get to know you better.
3. You will update your blog with the answers to the questions.
4. You will include this explanation and offer to ask someone else in the post.
5. When others comment asking to be asked, you will ask them five questions.

The lovely Pink Soprano interviewed me. Make sure you check out her blog, it is more than worth it (and note to self, update your blog roll Ms Fifikins!)

1) Where would be your ultimate holiday destination?

Now as much as I adore the tropics, I do miss seasonality so Winter somewhere freezing with lots of snow appeals. Scotland or Canada in January appeals, but more realistically might have to settle for Canberra in July! I suppose holidays have a notion of being relaxing and the like so perhaps even spending some time in a cabin in the middle of a rainforrest would do me. Actually, around now that sounds like bliss!

Now if we are talking travel though, India, Africa and South America are on the list. Finding a way to travel, holiday and earn money (with 2 kids in tow!) is the logistical exercise that needs working through.

2) If your life was made into a movie, what genre would it be, and would would it be called?

It would have to be a comedy. I am not adverse to a bit of period drama or action either. Now I have ideas of a period drama comedy action superhero movie with a female lead character who saves the day with her wit and charm and has male sidekick who is as smart and funny as she is (hi MIML™) set in Jane Austen’s England. Now everyone would have to have toffy accents too and lines from it would be quoted for generations to come. No idea what it would be called- perhaps ‘Fifikins’ is enough!

Either that or a porno… (Hi Mum )

3) If you were hosting the cocktail party to end all cocktail parties, which five people living, dead or fictional would you absolutely have to have on the guest list, and why?

1. Miss Elizabeth Bennett. I suppose that’s two birds with one stone as she would give more insight into Jane Austen too! Was Jane the feminist of her day that we like to see her has now?
2. The Doctor. Which one? Well it wouldn’t really matter, but I want to ask The Doctor when he will regenerate into a woman and if that is actually possible (theme here?)
3. The gorgeous Nigella, just so I could cook for her.
4. Henry Giroux who is one of my pedagogical heroes.
5. And we would need some music- possibly John Coltrane for some Jazz.

4) If you were stranded on a desert island, what would your five essential supplies be?

1. Some company. (Hey MIML™, you interested being stranded with me for a bit?)
2. My Macbook, power, wireless internet etc. No need for a phone or iPod then.
3. Some nail polish as I think I would have time to paint my toenails which desperately need doing at the moment!
4. Perhaps a cookbook or two, or my favourite knives or something.
5. Bombay Gin (with tonic, lemon and ice cubes- naturally!)

5) If you could live your life in fluffy slippers or beautiful designer heels, which would you choose?

I hate shoes! I would much rather run around in bare feet. I think I would probably lean towards the fluffy slippers though, purely for comfort factor. Although a nice pair of heels does it to me and if it was that cocktail party that was leading me to be stranded on a desert island (or in a rainforest!) making a porno about my life…

So get to it folks! I want comments and I want them now! I am already thinking up lots of questions to ask you all…

I picked up this meme from Stilgherrian and Kate Curruthers. Looks like all the cool kids are doing it so of course I have to add!

1. Grab the nearest book.
2. Open it to page 161.
3. Find the fifth sentence.
4. Post the text of the sentence in your journal along with these instructions.
5. Don’t search around and look for the coolest book you can find. Use what’s actually next to you.

And the sentence is:

“Always run Descriptive Statistics on each of your predictors, and consider collapsing or deleting categories if they have limited numbers.”

Of course we are looking at Logistical Regression in Julie Pollant’s SPSS Survival Manual: A step by step guide to data analysis using SPSS. This is my bible at the moment as I try and work out my quantitative data.

Now I will admit it wasn’t the first book I grabbed. I actually grabbed three other books, however all of them had pictures on page 161. In Nigella Express you will find a picture of ‘Chocolate Peanut-Butter Fudge Sundae.’ Yep looks damn good to me! In Neil Perry’s The Food I Love there is a gorgeous picture of some steamed mud crabs. Thinking I might have to go crabbing sometime… And in Nigella Lawson’s Feast there is a pic of Hot Cross Buns. Have made them! And mine look better

So yes. My reading habits at the moment are either cooking related or stats related. Wonder what some of my feminist poststructuralist reading would have provided? That can be for another day!

So what is the fifth sentence on page 161 of the book nearest you?