Friday 8 January 2010

2009 Wrap-Up (At last!)

I was going to do another vlog about this but I can't bear to watch myself just yet ... I'm suffering from skin problems like a 13-year-old (as well as carrying five extra chins) - thanks to the last of the Xmas choccies for that. :P

So, here's what 2009 was like for me. :)


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Books

My biggest goal was to read 50 books in 2009. With only four hours to spare on New Year's Eve, I DID IT!!!!!


To a lot of you book bloggers, this is obviously a small amount but, for me, this was a huge accomplishment that I'm really proud of. :D


Three books that I tried to read but had to put down half-way through were:

1) The Monk by Matthew Lewis
2) The Art of Loving by Erich Fromm
3) Doctor Zhivago by Boris Pasternak


Favourite book this year?
Probably The Book Thief by Markus Zusak. It was wonderfully written and a really touching and profound story.

Most disappointing read?
In Between the Sheets by Ian McEwan. A collection of short stories not up to his usual standard.

Most surprising?
Wicked by Gregory Maguire. I expected a fairytale but got a serious political story that touches on a lot of issues still relevant to today's society.

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Challenges

Every challenge I took part in this year I failed. hehehe.

Lame.

But this year I'm more determined than ever and will be posting on those that I'll be taking part in (on top of the GLBT Challenge & the Harry Potter Challenge.)


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What a waste of a post, really. :P I guess I wanted to warn you that your Google Reader might start being flooded with an abundance of posts from me in the next couple of days. Sorry. :P

On a personal note, in real life (as opposed to net life), 2009 saw me ...

- Start a blog.

- As a result of that, I made a lot of wonderful (and patient) online friends. :) <3

- Try living as a vegan. (That lasted about a month or so before I switched back to Vegetarianism.)

- Get my ear pierced for the ninth time.

- Move back in with my parents.

- Read 50 books.

- Appear in the audience of a live TV Show, looking bored and grumpy, while my friend got his nose poked. (Did I mention it was live?)

- Turn down four job offers before settling into my current one which I love. :)

- Discover The Clash.

- Become addicted to Twitter.

- Start planning my worldwide travels.


~*~*~

In all seriousness to you guys who still read this, I know my posts have been pretty shit in the last couple of months. I had a fabulous anonymous message from someone a few days ago which informed me that I now suck (in a less polite way of speaking).

I've been busy with the job and pretty determined to make sure I get back into the swing of things for 2010 and I know my posts haven't been great but, seriously ...

I don't mind constructive criticism. In fact, you can only better yourself with it. But there's a certain way of going about it. :P Noobs.

I refuse to let it bother me.

As I'm starting over for 2010, I'd really love if you guys could tell me what you want to see more of or how I can improve this thing, though. Leave it in the comments. :)

Thank you for making my first 8 months as a blogger bearable. Thanks to my bloggy friends. Love you. xx  

6 comments:

Amanda said...

You know, it doesn't matter if your book count is as high as other bloggers. We each have our own pace and our own things going on. I mean, I can read a lot because I have no job and I'm very OCD about things. My goal is to read LESS this year. But if 50 books is great for you, let it be great without comparing yourself to other people! I think you did a fantastic job.

Michelle said...

Luv you too! Congratulations on reaching your goal! No matter how many books it was, the fact that you set a goal and met it is fabulous!

I think it is so wonderful that you had five job offers and love the one you took is absolutely amazing. I truly envy you that. We should all be so lucky to find a job we love.

I think that 2009 was a pretty amazing year for you. And like you, I'm glad you started blogging! Otherwise, I wouldn't have found such an awesome blogging buddy!

Melody said...

I think you're doing well, Ceri! And let's hope this year will be another great reading year for us all!!! :)

Joanne ♦ The Book Zombie said...

Congrats on meeting your 50 book goal!! And don't worry about stats and challenges - remember it's not a competition. It's all about fun :D

A ninth earring?! V.Cool! I've got nine hoops - 2 in the left lobe, 6 in the right lobe and 1 in the right cartilage - just a little lopsided :P

Anonymous said...

Wow! 50 books, that's more than I read! :) My list is on my blog Graasland, if you're interested.

I'm afraid I have only read 5 of your list... of which The Time Traveler's Wife is probably favourite -- I loved it. And I'm not going to see the movie because of that. (Although your review has caused that statement to crumble a little -- maybe in a few years then? ;)

Living vegan is highly admirable -- I'm afraid I just can't get beyond being a veggie :( Well, that's better than nothing ;)

Anonymous said...

PS Here's WHY I read Less Than Zero... ;)