Calabrisella Mia

I think this is going to become a New Year’s tradition.  I know that January is almost over but I think it’s better late than never to re-evaluate and appreciate the past year and look into the New Year with all the optimism a fresh start provides.  I hope we can all continue to feel that New Year’s hope all year long.   So, without further wait – here is my 2010 End of the Year Meme.

1.What did you do in 2010 that you’d never done before? I moved to Italy in June 2010.

2. Did you keep your new year’s resolutions, and will you make more for next year? Like I mentioned in previous years, I don’t tend to make resolutions.  I like to focus on ways to improve on things in my life and look at ways to reach any goals I may have.  My focus is on making Italy feel more like home, meeting new people and appreciating everything there is to offer here.

3. Did anyone close to you give birth? No new births in 2010.

4. Did anyone close to you die? I am thankful to say that no one close to me died in 2010.

5. What countries did you visit? Italy, only instead of visiting…I stayed.

6. What would you like to have in 2011 that you lacked in 2010? I would like a full and happy life in Italy.  I would also like to head back to Toronto for a bit to see my family and friends because I miss them like crazy.

7. What dates from 2010 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?
June 17 – I landed in Italy.
July 29 – My mom came to Italy for 2 weeks.
October 4 – Officially started my new job in Italy.
November 10 – My first birthday in Italy.

8. What was your biggest achievement of the year? I would say one of my biggest achievements was realizing my dream of finding a job in Italy.

9. What was your biggest failure? I promised myself I would write more but didn’t.

10. Did you suffer illness or injury? I’m grateful that I haven’t suffered any illness or injury.  I was sick a lot in the later part of 2010 – adjusting to the winters in Italy I think.

11. What was the best thing you bought? I bought an airline ticket to Italy.

12. Whose behavior merited celebration? All of my amazing friends and family who have helped lift me up during my downs and celebrated my ups with me.

13. Whose behavior made you appalled and depressed? No one comes to mind; I guess keeping negativity out of my life has been working better than I thought!

14. Where did most of your money go? Most of my money went into savings for my move.

15. What did you get really, really, really excited about? My trip to Italy, and then my mom’s trip to Italy (first time back in 30 years).

16. What song will always remind you of 2010?
Wonderful Life by Hurts

17. Compared to this time last year, are you: (a) happier or sadder? (b) thinner or fatter? (c) richer or poorer? This year has been more positive.  I am definitely happier, healthier and thinner (thanks to the amazing natural foods of Italian cuisine)!

18. What do you wish you’d done more of? I wish I had done more writing in 2010.  So much happened and it was so overwhelming.  I hope to write more this year as things are starting to balance out again.

19. What do you wish you’d done less of? There were times when I felt I had all the time in the world to do things.  I wish I spent less time procrastinating and more time fulfilling my goals.

20. How did you spend Christmas? I spent my Christmas holidays in Carpanzano with my relatives.  I will admit, I really miss my family in Toronto and our Christmas traditions there.  Nonetheless, I experienced my first Natale in Italia.

21. Did you fall in love in 2010? No, I am still very much in love with Italy!

22. What was your favorite TV program? Three shows really had my hooked this year – Glee, How I Met Your Mother, and The Vampire Diaries.

23. Do you hate anyone now that you didn’t hate this time last year? Hate is such a negative thing and I want less of it in my life.

24. What was the best book you read? The best book I read would have to be Marcus of Umbria by Justine van der Leun.  It was so good I read it twice!   Stay tuned to my blog for my review!!

25. What was your greatest musical discovery? Hurts.

26. What did you want and get? A job in Italy.

27. What did you want and not get? A trip to Toronto to see my family for Christmas/New Years.

28. What was your favorite film of this year? I watched a lot of movies this year; I really liked Eat, Pray, Love and Inception.  Also, I really enjoyed Benvenuti al Sud.

29. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you? I spent my first birthday in Italy with friends at our usual restaurant.

30. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying? If I was able to see and speak to my family in Toronto more often.

31. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2010? Hasn’t changed too much, I’m pretty classic in my fashion choices.

32. What kept you sane? My amazing family and friends.

33. Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most? This year I would have to say, Paul Wesley of The Vampire Diaries.  I’m not entirely sure what it is about him but I love watching him.

34. What political issue stirred you the most? I’m still not really into politics.

35. Who did you miss? I miss my dad and my family/friends in Toronto.

36. Who was the best new person you met? I was lucky to have found a really amazing roommate in Italy and she has become a great friend to me here.  I also work with amazing and wonderful people who make going to work a pleasure and not a chore.

37. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2010. Don’t ever give up on your dreams and don’t ever settle for anything less than what you think you deserve.

38. Quote a song lyric that sums up your year.
Don’t let go
Never give up, it’s such a wonderful life
Don’t let go
Never give up, it’s such a wonderful life
– Wonderful Life, Hurts

Happy New Year, Buon 2011!!

We will open the book.  Its pages are blank.  We are going to put words on them ourselves.  The book is called Opportunity and its first chapter is New Year’s Day.  ~Edith Lovejoy Pierce