I saw this meme done here at Leah’s Blog and thought that I’ve had such an epic year, it would be a shame not to join in!

1. What did you do in 2011 that you’d never done before? Where to start? Long haul flight to LA, enrol in a paper at Tech, work in race control at the ITM400 Street Race in Hamilton!

2. Did you keep your new year’s resolutions, and will you make more for next year? I wanted to return to study, which I did, and I lost some weight (8kg) and I hope to keep up my good grades and continue losing weight, getting healthy and looking great. I started the year saying that this was going is my year, and I was so right!

3. Did anyone close to you give birth? Nope! Not a single baby in sight.

4. Did anyone close to you die? We lost our little cockatiel, Lucky. We miss him heaps every day. He was our own little flying terrorist of crazy.

5. What countries did you visit? USA – California, Nevada and Arizona. I include Arizona, even if we were only in Arizona for a few hours, it was such an awesome day, albeit very long.

6. What would you like to have in 2012 that you lacked in 2011? Money. There just never seemed enough of it to go around. I’d like to have more time as well, but I know that isn’t possible. Time. I could use a few more days in the week!

7. What dates from 2011 will remain etched upon your memory, and why? 5th March – the day we landed in the USA for our epic holiday.

8. What was your biggest achievement of the year?  Getting an A+ on my first paper at tech. It took A LOT of effort and nobody could really fault my dedication. I hope to carry that on to my degree.

9. What was your biggest failure? I can’t really think of one actually. This year has been pretty successful and epic.

10. Did you suffer illness or injury? my RSI made an epic come back post-exam and I’m still having on going problems with my knee (PFS). I had a terrible sinus infection which also took me two months to shake. I’m hoping my RSI doesn’t make itself the main feature over the next six years while I do my degree.

11. What was the best thing you bought?  The new laptop, the Marc Jacobs handbag, my iPhone 4 and my iPad. I can’t live without any of them! LOL!

12. Whose behaviour merited celebration? I can’t think of anyone off the top of my head.

13. Whose behaviour made you appalled and depressed? Ditto.

14. Where did most of your money go? Travelling in the USA and then catching up on all the bills when getting home and enjoying life for a while before getting our focus on for 2012. And getting laptops, iPads etc. Shopaholic much!

15. What did you get really, really, really excited about? Going on holiday to the USA for 2.5 weeks. And starting tech again. Both were such awesome goals and were both achieved and enjoyed.

16. What song will always remind you of 2011? Anything by Adele. Her voice gives me goosebumps.

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

a) Happier or sadder? Happier. Much happier.

b) Thinner or fatter? Thinner, yay!

c) Richer or poorer? Poorer. All the money saved up for the USA trip I had this time last year is now just memories. But I made some good decisions, like restructuring a small portion of the mortgage (5%) will be paid off in the next four years.

18. What do you wish you’d done more of? Travel, Photography, exercise. Read more actual books, not textbooks.

19. What do you wish you’d done less of? Freaking out over tech stuff. I am sweating the small stuff.

20. How will you be spending Christmas? Spent it with my husband and our families. Then we met up with our awesome neighbours and started with drinks in their driveway and then drinks inside their lovely home.

21. Did you fall in love in 2011? Aside from being in love with my incredibly patient husband, I’ve fallen in love with our new Cockatiel, Chopper, who has his own different personality and is just full of beans.

22. What was your favourite TV programme? True Blood.

23. Do you dislike anyone now that you didn’t dislike this time last year? The Toxics. It was a friendship that turned pretty toxic towards the end and finished in a blazing argument. Even if they didn’t apologise, I wouldn’t have them back in my life. My life is too busy to waste precious thoughts and time on people who treat me like that.

24. What was the best book you read? I feel stink. All I’ve read in the last 12 months is textbooks. That’ll change. I hope. Does a cook book count? I’m working my way through the Healthy Food Guide 5pm Panic Cookbook and got some great, easy recipes out of there. Sad. I know. I do have two photography books on the shelf though that I will be reading in the next fortnight.

25. What was your greatest musical discovery? Didn’t really listen to much new music. I’m revisiting the classic artists My iPhone has seen artists like Bruce Springsteen, Meatloaf and Aerosmith loaded onto it in recent times. That is in addition to the Led Zep, Pink Floyd and David Bowie that was already on there. I was born a few decades too late, but, they wrote good songs back then.

26. What did you want and get? An iPad. Designer handbags.

27. What did you want and not get? A new camera. I’m undecided about which one to get. So until I’m decided, I’m not going to do a thing about getting a camera. The one I’m leaning towards will see me spending more money on getting SD cards and different batteries, where the other one is more expensive, but I can use all the batteries and CF cards that I have. Either way, it works out I’m up for the same bill regardless and the differences between the two are minor. I just can’t decide!

28. What was your favourite film of this year? Girl with a Dragon Tattoo (the original version). I also just finished watching Cars 2. That was pretty neat. Black Swan was another I enjoyed watching this year.

29. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you? We had my friends over for a BBQ to celebrate my 30th. It was really special in that my friend Telly and my Brother had flown up from Christchurch, and I’d found a stray Wellingtonian to rope in as well. It was a race weekend, so half the guests were too tired to misbehave. No more birthday parties for me now until I’m 42.

30. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying? Its been a pretty awesome year. I don’t think it could have been any more satisfying!

31. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2011? It evolved from jeans and hoodies to pencil skirts and cute tops as I went from working in a signwriters to working in a corporate environment. Huge shock to the wardrobe and the pocket as I had to buy new clothes. I’m a huge fan of the chain City Chic. The majority of my summer wardrobe is their clothing now. It feels so awesome to look good in clothes, that I love.

32. What kept you sane? Cookie bird. I’ve had her in my life for 10 years. When things get stressful, I like to sit down with my girl and just have smooches. And being pooped on, which is a minor downside. There is nothing cuter or more awesome and grounding than the love of a parrot.

33. Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most? I honestly cannot think of anyone. I tend to admire people who love what they do, with a passion and they do it well. If you’re one of those people, then you’re awesome.

34. What political issue stirred you the most? I didn’t really get into politics much. I did vote. It “gets my goat” to think that people don’t vote. Excuse the shit rhyme, but if you don’t have your say, what right do you have to complain about the way things run!

35. Who did you miss? My sanity! No, I jest. I really miss my BFF and Sister-in-law. She is in LA with my nephew and her hubby. She leads me astray (shit, it doesn’t take much really) and we have a really great time in each others presence. I can’t wait to see her again in March 2012.

36. Who was the best new person you met? There have been a heap of new people who I’ve met this year. But I would have to say that getting to know my ‘Trolls’ even better is actually the best people I’ve met ever. The ‘Trolls’ are a group of ladies, whom, well, most are into motorsport, work in motorsport etc, but we’re also great friends. We pick up the slack when one has their world falling apart, we listen and don’t judge each others problems and it is such an awesome group. I love them to bits and that we have this bond is amazing. I’ve never felt so accepted in such a long time.

37. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2011. I’m only human and can only do so much. Take time out to just be. At the end of the semester and motorsport season I feel so completely exhausted that I slept for two days. I plan to pace myself and say ‘no’ more often. I cannot be everything to everyone and I won’t try to either. Also, random acts of kindness rock. A handful of people have been on the receiving end and I love giving randomly!

38. Quote a song lyric that sums up your year

Tonight I’m gonna have myself a real good time
I feel alive
And the world, I’ll turn it inside out yeah
I’m floating around in ecstasy
So don’t stop me now
Don’t stop me
’cause I’m having a good time
Having a good time

- Queen “Don’t Stop Me Now”

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A+ Grade

And asked to transfer to the Bachelor of Business (NZICA Accounting Pathway)

So I am lodging my paperwork today for the bachelor’s degree! ep!

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I sat my exam. I’m quietly confident. I’ve also since developed obsessive compulsive disorder in checking for exam results twice a day, at least. My paper selection for next semester is done, but its up in the air right now as MIT ‘aren’t happy’ with my paper selection so I have a meeting with them next week. Thinking I might try for a cross credit for the business computing paper, but will see how it goes.

Chopper the Cockatiel is settling in nicely. We haven’t managed to convert his diet and if it doesn’t happen soon I will be booking him into the vets and paying them to change his diet for us. He also isn’t quite used to us, and so being handled isn’t great for him. He will get there. His disposition is lovely. Introductions to Cookie have been stressful for Cookie. She will get used to him sooner or later.

I’ve now lost 7kg. I fell off the rails last week and ate a lot of pizza. It was a meal of circumstance. LOL. Three nights in a row of pizza. Eugh.

Also, this blog post serves as an official memo that I’ve cancelled Christmas. I cannot get into the spirit. Any year. I’m already over it.

Oh, and another thing, I’m itching to get behind the camera. I will very soon! Hope I get something wonderful to share with all three of you soon.

At the moment, I’m studying for my one exam for tech. It’s on Thursday morning and is the first exam of the exam period for MIT. Good in a way I suppose, bad in that I have to wait a month for the results. Hopefully I will soon find out how my assignment did too. I did the practice exam today and did it in under 3 hours, but there are definitely some gaps in my knowledge, so I will work on those areas of weakness and do a general revision the night before.

Re-enrolments have opened and I’ve signed up for all my papers next year. Semester One (2012) sees me taking Accounting Practices and Business Computing and Semester two (2012) will have me taking Economic Environment and Organisation & Management. I have a feeling it will get harder from here.

I’m also finally getting on top of this illness that I’ve struggled with since the start of the month. I know, 20 days. That is 20 days of headaches, sore throats, feeling like I’ve been punched in the face, upset stomach and generally feeling like crap. I’m still not 100%, but I finally feel like I’m getting there. Sure, the lack of rest hasn’t helped my cause. This weekend has been the first weekend off in ages, so I took full advantage of getting a few things done around the house, and getting a facial too!

The diet thing is working well. Back at the start of November, I got a copy of EA Sports Active 2 for my PS3 on sale from Mighty Ape and I’ve done a few workouts on it when I’ve been in better health. I did one today actually. I hope to complete the 3 week cardio kickstart programme this time! And then I have a goal to move on to the 9 week challenge and see how that goes for me. Anyway, since changing jobs, I’ve managed to lose 6.5kg. I’m stoked. The goal is to lose another 2.5kg in the next two weeks. Probably a bit ambitious, but I’ll give it a good try all the same.

Oh and while still mourning the loss of our beautiful little boy, we got a new little cockatiel. He is all of 11 weeks old at the moment and we’ve named him Chopper! Chopper is a lutino cockatiel and he is very beautiful and hand raised. He can mimic rainbow lorikeets and loves to play with toys. He isn’t sharing a cage with Cookie yet, but these things take time. I’m sure he will get settled soon enough.

In his short five years of crazy, he drove us nuts and he loved Cookie unconditionally, but his love for her was unrequited but that never stopped him trying to get just one ounce of affection from her. He was the chalk to her cheese. He walked differently, talked differently and above all else, loved to swing. When in doubt, swing. He developed the awesome knack of swinging sideways but keeping his head still.

But Lucky’s brand of crazy burned bright and fast and he left us far too soon. He fell ill on Tuesday night with a respiratory infection and he gave a brave fight because he wanted to remain with his Cookie and with us. But, early Wednesday morning, he’d lost his fight and left us all heartbroken.

We buried Lucky in the garden beside the patio, because he never liked being left out. He was buried with part of his favourite towel and his swing. He always wanted to be outside and now he is.

Our little ‘Buddy Boy’ – our psycho parrot – our beautiful Lucky has left a huge hole. Cookie cries out for him, she sees his photo on the wall and tries to climb up to see him. She did love him. I wish he knew.

And we’ll always have the fun memories. Like Lucky’s ability to steal earrings without the wearers knowledge and his love of anything shiny. Fingernails were a huge fascination, and you could set a watch to his 9pm tantrum. And his vocal welcomes at the end of a work day. How will the neighbourhood know its 9pm? How will they know we’re eating dinner? The silence is painful. Although he was a pain and often ended up getting a towel on the cage, he never learned and it probably became a game.

I’d give anything to have him back. To see him swing, listen to his noise, watch him jump around from perch to perch, see him find 10 different ways to fall off anything – but he is free now.

Goodbye my beautiful Lucky, our little Buddy Boy. You were too crazy, too handsome and gone too soon.

I worked out that with clever picking of my papers, I could get two diplomas for the cost of one. So, that is what I am going to do! Also, doing two papers per semester now means I can do them in a faster time than I anticipated. However, the harder paper of taxation, will be done as a single paper one semester. I’ve been warned its very hard and may make my brain explode. Lol.

Motorsport has been okay. Tiring. I haven’t been in the best of health the past week, so working the last three days at Pukekohe has knocked me for six. It was stressful, and tiring, but I loved that once again it challenged me. I also got the news that I’m being up skilled to another radio channel. I’m excited and incredibly nervous all at the same time. Last night I kept waking up in a panic over safety car procedures.

Something I did get to try on Friday at the race track was Race Radio. I’d never paid any attention to how race radio works, so had to take my queues from someone who doesn’t normally do it either. Comment was passed that I am a natural. But don’t worry, I’m not after that role anytime soon.

Hopefully I get better soon. I’m skipping going to camera club tomorrow night. Given that my final exam is looming and I’m unwell, I’m going to curl up with a text book.

Did I mention I finished my assignment? That was an effort. Phew!!

Anyways, one day I will give this blog more attention, tonight I’m just looking at hotels and flights for a midwinter break in Aussie. Any donations to the ‘Alikat needs a holiday fund‘ will be greatly appreciated.

I also nailed my exam – 98% – which is awesome. I’m doing really well and I’m quite enjoying accounting.

Settling into the new job has been a bit harder. It’s tricky to settle into your new job when you’re still visiting your old workplace three times a week. I am missing the boss there, but, not much else.

Speaking of missing things, I have found myself missing attending class while I’m on mid-semester break. I look forward to picking up two papers next semester, but I might do one paper and then switch straight to the bachelors degree. Not sure. Will chat with the programmer director at some stage.

I also got another first place at camera club.

I took a gamble on entering a plane photo with a judge who specialized in portraiture, and it paid off with two honours. Which puts me at the top of the intermediate grade. Next weekend I have a workshop with Eva Polak I believe at Karioitahi Beach. Can’t wait to see what I get in the camera. I’ve splashed out in a Cokin filter system, about time I got one really.

Nothing else is really new. I’m now thinking about how to do a takeover of an area upstairs to make it my study zone. Thinking of the end bedroom and packing up the now unused desktop PC. I have a small IKEA desk, but it should be fine. It’s actually slightly bigger than my dining table! More thinking required. Thinking = procrastination. Will sort out desk thing over summer.

And for this walk, I’d managed to convince underwater photographer, Tara, to join me. And being women who march to their own beat, we did the walk backwards!

Because the Oval Ball World Cup is being held in New Zealand, the Wynyard Quarter (as the redeveloped Tank Farm is now called) was buzzing with fans and the general population even on a grey and slightly miserable day.

As walkers, we photographed marching bagpipe and drum bands and Clydesdale horses! And when the weather turned bad, Tara decided that we should head inside and play with our food instead.

I’m personally happy – I had a tiny wee play with my ND filters. Instead of carrying a tripod, I had packed a small wheat bag (obtained from any physio/pharmacy/supermarket) to keep the camera still and steady.

Working in lightroom will keep me occupied for some time and I hope to have something to enter for camera club in less than a fortnight and something to enter into WWPWD competition as well!

• My WWPWD Set on Flickr
• Tara’s WWPWD Set on Flickr

It was also decided that we will do this again and not wait another 12 months for Photo Walk Day