My 2019 Yearender Post and Proust Questionnaire

I feel like 2019 — much like everyone else, was a rollercoaster ride. I kinda blame it on the retrogrades. Maybe.

Seriously though — 2019, was a crazy test of character. I feel like I was pushed through the edge many times this year at all fronts. But maybe today is not the day to talk about that. Today I want to highlight the milestones of my 2019.

Bali

Bali was like a cure. I know that must sound like a cheesy cliche cos Bali is probably one of the most visited places this year and my experiences were not exactly very unique. But my Bali trips had been coming at most appropriate times and had just been the cure / escape I needed to have at that time. I am thankful for the best girls I’ve been lucky to have found and kept along the way.

My CDM Classes and the students I met along the way

I teach classes every now and then at Certified Digital Marketers and the days I create my presentations can be both exhausting and inspiring and is a self learning discovery altogether. I love that I meet different kinds of people who come from various industries, I actually learn from them too!

The Relationships I’m Blessed With

This year hasn’t been very smooth for my relationships and many days were v. challenging but you know what? What I learned is we all become resilient and strong and we come out emerging out of dark days, brighter than ever.

What I Know For Sure

I know nothing (Jon Snow. Kidding). And what I mean by that is there’s always a lesson to be learned somewhere, somehow. 2019 threw a LOT of curve balls even to the very last minute and I just had to Google away and learn how to navigate.

When it comes to the story of your life, if you don’t take the reins, no one else (or someone else) will. I say this for personal narratives and also important life things like career and even relationships. If you are not mindful of where things are going, you might wake up one day that nothing’s happened.

1. What is your idea of perfect happiness? Happiness is having being with my little family: Mike, Butters, Puffins in a cuddle and not needing anything else in the world. Happiness is knowing my family is in the best of health and happiness in their homes or with us. Happiness is being able to know you will always have friends for life who will be there for you no matter what.

2.What is your greatest fear? Earthquakes and being naked while it happens.

3.What is the trait you most deplore in yourself? Judgment, temper, and sometimes I am quick to judge and conclude.

4.What is the trait you most deplore in others? Being shocked at things, refusing to hear new ideas and being stuck.

5.Which living person do you most admire? Melinda Gates, Jia Tolentino, Chanel Miller, Greta Thunberg, Nancy Pelosi. Wow, it was the year of women!

6.What is your greatest extravagance? Life efficiency and optimization.

7. What is your current state of mind? Hope and a very positive outlook in life.

8. What do you consider the most overrated virtue? Traditional beliefs.

9. On what occasion do you lie? I can't remember the last time I did it and most likely there was really no good reason.

10. What do you most dislike about your appearance? My nose. And I wish I had abs.

11. Which living person do you most despise? Not despise but I wish politics was much better and something to look forward to.

12. What is the quality you most like in a man? Integrity.

13. What is the quality you most like in a woman? Ennui, charm.

14. Which words or phrases do you most overuse? Oh my god.

15. What or who is the greatest love of your life? My parents, Butters, Jesus.

16. When and where were you happiest? Waking up at peace not needing many things.

17. Which talent would you most like to have? Not talent but I wish I had more grit.

18. If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be? Being affected by circumstance.

19. What do you consider your greatest achievement? Being where I am right here, right now and being alive.

20. If you were to die and come back as a person or a thing, what would it be? Kylie Jenner. Blake Lively.

21. Where would you most like to live? New York City.

22. What is your most treasured possession? This life.

23. What do you regard as the lowest depth of misery? Not understanding what was happening in front of me.

24. What is your favorite occupation? The one where one gets to be at peace with the world.

25. What is your most marked characteristic? Driven and very ambitious.

26. What do you most value in your friends? Friends who respect your decisions and defers judgment.

27. Who are your favorite writers? Melinda Gates, Jia Tolentino.

28. Who is your hero of fiction? Haven't read enough fiction this year.

29. Which historical figure do you most identify with? None for now.

30. Who are your heroes in real life? The unsung ones who give their lives for the betterment of others’ lives.

31. What are your favorite names? Butters, Puffins.

32. What is it that you most dislike? Taking things for granted.

33. What is your greatest regret? Not doing things when I can.

34. How would you like to die? Saving something important.

35. What is your motto? How you do one thing is how you do everything.

Happier or sadder? Happiest than I've ever been but occasionally sad every now and then. A good cry is actually beneficial once a week.
Richer or poorer? I've been richest than I've ever been, YoY.
What do you wish you'd done more of? Still I wish I worked out more. I feel so fat this year.
What do you wish you'd done less of? I wish I worried less.
How will you be spending Christmas? Spent it at home as we were both under the weather, boo.
Did you fall in love in 2019? Everyday with Mike, and Butters and now, Puffins, too, who is my littlest heart.
What was your favorite TV program? The Boys, Looking for Alaska and OMG MODERN LOVE.
Do you hate anyone now that you didn't hate this time last year? No.
What was the best book you read? Trick Mirror by Jia Tolentino
What was your greatest musical discovery? HAIM. Hands down.
What did you want and got? A life filled with so much love.
What was your favorite film of this year? Parasite, hands down.
What did you do on your birthday? Woke up with my loves, ate with my best friends, had drinks, had a party for my closest and dearest.
How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2018? Really very dressy.
What kept you sane? A morning prayer and meditation.
Which celebrity figure you fancy the most? Not a celebrity LOL.
Who was the best new person you met? Secret.
Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2019? There is always a choice.