I wanted to write an end of year wrap up entry, but as it's been awhile since I've blogged, I was seeking inspiration so I "borrowed" this list from Krisalis, and modified it for my own purposes:

1. What did you do in 2009 that you’d never done before? Went to Africa. The trip to South Africa this year was amazing and completely easy. A good first trip, with more than enough awe to inspire me to return.

2. Did you keep your new year’s resolutions, and will you make more for next this year? My resolution this year was to use a mug for take away coffee, in order to avoid the paper cups which just get thrown away. I've been pretty good about bringing my Keep cup to the coffee shop with me, and am happy to see many others doing the same.
I'm not sure if I'll have a resolution for next year. I'd like to run more or exercise more in general. I've been generally good about this for the past few years, but could be better, and could always do more.

3. Did anyone close to you give birth? Unless I'm forgetting about a baby (possible?) than no, not this year.

4. Did anyone close to you die? Depends on how you define close. My work mate, Matthew, died this year. Matthew and I had worked really closely together for awhile, and then he'd moved to a position in another office. He was a young man in the prime of his life. It was a very sad and unexpected loss.

5. What countries did you visit? Japan and South Africa.

6. What would you like to have in 2010 that you lacked in 2009? More time with family and friends.

7. What dates from 2009 will remain etched upon your memory, and why? February 7th "Black Saturday" the date of the bushfires in Victoria.

8. What was your biggest achievement of the year? I'm continuing to progress in my career, which I'm glad about that. And I just procured an 18 month project position (promotion) which starts in January. I've received positive feedback through the grapevine that I have a good reputation out in the service sector, and agencies are happy to work with me (thank goodness).

9. What was your biggest failure? Not taking better pictures when we were at Kruger. I guess we'll just have to go back.

10. Did you suffer illness or injury? This has been a bad year, healthwise, for me. I was sick with every cold/flu that came into the office over the winter (probably had swine flu, though it wasn't confirmed). And my migraines have been horrible. Next year I'll start allergy shots, as I'm sure this will help the migranes.

11. What was the best thing you bought? Plane tickets to South Africa.

12. Where did most of your money go? Travel. There are worse things to spend your money on.

13. What did you get really, really, really excited about? Big suprise - our trips to Japan and South Africa, and seeing lots of new animals.

14. What song will always remind you of 2009? Grapevine Fires by Death Cab for Cutie because it could have been written about Victoria this past February.

15. Compared to this time last year, are you:a) more happy or more sad? About the same
b) thinner or fatter? Again, same, it's post Christmas so I may be a little fatter, but I plan to lose this post haste.
c) richer or poorer? Not much difference. A little richer, as I recently got a promotion.

16. What do you wish you’d done more of? I didn't snorkel this year, so more time in the sea. More time at the beach.

17. What do you wish you’d done less of? I could have done with less time sick or feeling unwell.

18. How did you spend Christmas? A morning jog, open presents, cook, then pig out. Stress free, though a bit lonely without the extended family.

19. What was your favorite TV program? 30 Rock

20. What was the best book you read? I just finished Zoe Heller's - The Believers, which was good. I didn't read a lot of books this year, I read more articles on the internet or in the New Yorker (mag).

21. What was your favorite film of this year? I really liked The Wrestler, and it was nice to see Mickey Rourke make a comeback.

22. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you? We had brunch at my favourite Mexican restaurant, Blue Corn, and then I got a mani/pedi (thank you Facebook for helping me remember!). I'm 39.

23. What kept you sane? Monthly massages. A bit of pampering we allowed ourselves once a month this year. It's unclear whether this will continue into the new year, but I vote yes.

24. What concerts did you see? This was a slow concert year for us. We did catch Lucinda Williams finally. She was fabulous. Also we saw one of my favourites, Aimee Mann, for the first time. And saw Elvis Costello play alone, and even though we've both seen him several times before, he was fabulous and energetic playing by himself to a sedate, seated, largely middle-aged crowd on a Tuesday night. To fill the gaps between concerts this year we saw some plays- Billy Elliott and Wicked.

25. What were the best restaurant experiences of the year? This was another really good year for restaurant discoveries. Some of the top ones would include St Jude's, Mutti's, and Yu'u. And we continue to enjoy old favourites like Borscht, Vodka, and Tears, The Horn, and Koliba. Melbourne is truly a foodie town, and we love it.

26. What was the best discovery of the year? Goove Shark and other music websites, music logs, and podcasts (most notably All Songs Considered) which have allowed us to discover heaps of new music and rediscover all sorts of lost treasures as well. Groove Shark is really great as it allows you to stream music immediately and save play lists. I have a new project/playlist I'm working on trying to track the 100 best songs of all time, which is a perpetual work in progress as it's obviously so subjective and there are always new songs and remembered songs to supplant others.