a look back at 2013.

I was thinking I was a bit late with the 2013 recap, but then I looked at last year's and it turns out I wrote that only a day earlier. Here's to keeping with tradition!

And here's to a year that felt not that amazing, but turned out to be pretty darn awesome!

1. What did you do in 2013 that you'd never done before?
Kissed an elephant and pet a tiger. (Neither of which I blogged about so did it even happen? Ha.) Found out my mom was diagnosed with breast cancer. Had a one-night stand. Bought flowers for myself. Took yoga classes. Visited Tiananmen Square and the Forbidden City. Dated a Chinese guy. Dealt with hardcore jetlag. Visited PEI. Ate lobster. Ate pig ears. Moved in with a guy (the aforementioned one-night stand and Chinese guy). Taught a full class of 25 students. Saw Tegan and Sara in concert. Took Mandarin classes.

2. Did you keep your new year's resolutions and will you make any for this year?
I had to go look at last year's recap to see what my New Year's resolution was, so no, it's safe to say that I most definitely did not keep my resolution. And since it was supposed to be to rise above the little things (more of a mindset than a resolution), and I got annoyed and upset and cried easily and often about things that could be called little, again, it's safe to say I did not keep it.

I kind of made a couple of resolutions to myself, in my head, this year and so far I'm keeping them but it's only two weeks in.

3. Did anyone close to you give birth?
Just like last year, only some of my favourite bloggers.

4. Did anyone close to you die?
No, thankfully.

5. What countries did you visit?
Thailand! Vietnam! And now that I'm more used to the fact that I live in China, I suppose it's safe to say I visited Canada this summer?

6. What would you like to have in 2014 that you lacked in 2013?
Just like last year, I want to feel more like myself.

7. What dates from 2013 will remain etched upon your memory and why?
March 1st because of the one-night stand that has turned into something serious. March 15th because that's when he showed up at my door again and we've been inseparable ever since.

8. What was your biggest achievement of the year?
There's been a few things that I'd count as achievements but when I think "biggest," the thing that comes to mind is getting out of bed every day. The fact that I'm still going.

9. What was your biggest failure?
Getting caught up in the little things. Gossip, small arguments turned into small fights, overthinking everything.

10. Did you suffer illness or injury?
No. Hooray!

11. What was the best thing you bought?
Hmm... A new sports bra? Bagels? Coffee? A blender because I got to enjoy smoothies for two weeks until I stopped using it?

I was answering #15 when it came to me (seriously, it's like my brain snapped its fingers and yelled aha!): Hiring an ayi! Every Friday afternoon, for only 60RMB (about $10), a sweet lady comes and spends two hours cleaning our apartment and doing laundry. Weekends have never been better.

12. Where did most of your money go?
Two words: Student loan. But here's to the goal of getting it paid off in 3 years!

13. What did you get really excited about?
Going home to Canada. Coming home to China. Visiting Thailand. Kissing an elephant!!! Tim Hortons coffee. Lobster! Seeing Tegan and Sara in concert (twice!). Buying tickets to see The Lumineers.

14. What song will always remind you of 2013?
"When We're Together" by Joshua Radin, because of Tony.
"Blurred Lines" by Robin Thicke, because of roadtrips with Melissa.
"Wake Me Up" by Avicii, because of my thoughts and experiences, and driving by myself.

15. Compared to this time last year, are you happier or sadder? Thinner or fatter? Richer or poorer?
Happier. Thinner. Richer, although I feel like I'm spending more money.

16. What do you wish you'd done more of?
Same as last year: I wish I'd read more books. No matter how many books I read, I always want to read more. I wish I'd slept and exercised more. I wish I had appreciated things more, instead of wishing time away.

17. What do you wish you'd done less of?
Worrying, for sure.

18. How did you spend Christmas?
I was in Phu Quoc, Vietnam and I spent December 25th lying by a pool, reading and getting sunburnt.

19. What was your favourite TV program?
Along with my old favourites Girls, The Newsroom, and Parenthood, I also fell in love with Orange Is the New Black and Downton Abbey, and Tony and I devoured the entire Breaking Bad series.

20. What were your favourite books of the year?
On December 20th, Goodreads sent me an email saying I'd read 25 books in 2013. I was disappointed in myself, but I managed to read another 6 before midnight on December 31st. (Hooray for vacation!) Of those 31, I'd say The Art of Fielding by Chad Harbach and The Glass Castle by Jeannette Walls were my favourites.

21. What was your favourite music from this year?
It feels like I listened to less music than usual this year. But, of the music I did listen to, the songs mentioned in #14 were favourites, along with Tegan and Sara's newest album, Heartthrob. I also really liked "Kangaroo Court" and "Safe and Sound" by Capital Cities.

22. What were your favourite films of the year?
The only movies I remember watching (and liking) this year are Elysium and Catching Fire. I cried during both. And I need to watch more movies.

23. What did you do on your birthday and how old were you?
On my actual birthday I was surprised with balloons, a new iPhone, and cupcakes; I worked; Tony and I ordered dinner in. The next day saw a birthday surprise for a friend, shopping, dinner with friends at a favourite restaurant, an entire pitcher of strawberry daquiri, Cards Against Humanity, and a carrot cake. I turned 24.

24. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying? 
The ability to not overthink things, goddammit.

25. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2013?
Low-key and comfortable. We're talking dresses, jeans, shirts and scarves here, not sweatpants and sweatshirts (although they definitely had their time and place).

26. What kept you sane?
Huge shoutout to Tony and Alanna.

27. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2013.
So cliché but so true: Just be yourself.