My year in review - how 'bout you?

Here's a little about my year as I reflect on what to share in my annual update to friends and family. If you like, share a little something about how yours went too. Happy New Year!

1. What did you do in 2006 that you'd never done before?
Said my farewells and relocated across hemispheres within a month

2. Did you keep your new years' resolutions, and will you make more for next year?
Gave up on long term planning this year

3. Did anyone close to you give birth?
Yes :D

4. Did anyone close to you die?
Yes :(

5. What countries did you visit?
USA (and Texas b/c that's a whole other country), Canada, Australia, Indonesia, Malaysia, Brunei, Thailand and Singapore (current home)

6. What would you like to have in 2007 that you lacked in 2006?
Some personal and professional stability

7. What date from 2006 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?
April 2: Our homecoming. Also, June 4: Our first anniversary

8. What was your biggest achievement of the year?
Survived a challenging first year of marriage

9. What was your biggest failure?
Fully letting go of my own needs and plans

10. Did you suffer illness or injury?
Dengue fever during a project in Indonesia

11. What was the best thing you bought?
My iPod (a gift) and everything on it

14. Where did most of your money go?
Paying off my MBA loan before leaving my former job

15. What did you get really, really, really excited about?
Switching careers. I left consulting sooner than I thought, but am thankful for a new (less travel intensive but no less challenging) job that combines my background and interests in strategy, finance, business development and all things geeky.

16. What song will always remind you of 2006?
No Other Way by Jack Johnson | Lyrics | Music Video

17. Compared to this time last year, are you:
Happier or sadder: A little of both, actually
Thinner or fatter: Thinner (it's a losing battle on my end)
Richer or poorer: Poorer (my own wealth), Richer (combined + intangibles)

18. What do you wish you'd done more of?
Tour Europe and more of the Americas (with friends, for fun!)

19. What do you wish you'd done less of?
Travel for work

20. How will you be spending Christmas?
Hitting golf balls, singing carols by my mom-in-law's bed and packing for Phuket

22. Did you fall in love in 2006?
I've a love-hate relationship with Asia

24. What was your favorite TV program?
Heroes!

25. Do you hate anyone now that you didn't hate this time last year?
No

26. What was the best book you read?
The Glass Palace by Amitav Ghosh

27. What was your greatest musical discovery?
Jack Johnson b/c his music balances out the hecticness of life

28. What did you want and get?
A Nokia N-series phone ;)

29. What did you want and not get?
This *real* Coach bag

30. What was your favorite film of this year?
The Motorcycle Diaries. I only saw it this year though it came out in 2004. Otherwise, Casino Royale b/c hotness x intrigue + angsty torture = I like!

31. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you?
First interview for the new job which I'll start next year, watched Heroes Ep 8, and had a romantic Italian dinner for two

32. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?
Hindsight is 20/20 but I occasionally wish we hadn't left the US so soon

33. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2006?
Errr... I really don't have any

34. What kept you sane?
The hubby, also responsible for the (in)sane bit, with his Easy Silence (aka a Dixie Chicks song | Lyrics | Music Video)

35. Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most?
Check my December posts

36. What political issue stirred you the most?
The US midterm elections? The endless Singapore vs. Malaysia rivalry?

37. Who did you miss?
My "family" of global citizens, be they Americans or internationals

38. Who was the best new person you met?
YOU!

39. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2006:
Wherever I am is where I'm supposed to be

40. Quote a song lyric that sums up your year life:
Closer to Fine by the Indigo Girls (yes, I like girl bands!) | Lyrics | Music Video