Mathemagenic

Following Liz Lawley and Jack Vinson I think of my year in 40 answers...

1. What did you do in 2004 that you'd never done before?
   Paragliding. BlogWalking. Getting divorced.
2. Did you keep your New Years resolutions, and will you make more for next year?
   I did - it was about joint actions with other passionate people. I will - it will be about balance. 
3. Did anyone close to you give birth?
   My cousin. Some of my colleagues.
4. Did anyone close to you die?
   The Fish.
5. What countries did you visit?
   Did a lot of travelling in Europe. Most memorable are discoveries of Portugal and Italy, and coming to UK with return visit after my first time abroad 10 years back.
6. What would you like to have in 2005 that you lacked in 2004?
   More time before alarm clock goes on (ah, so unrealistic :)
7. What date from 2004 will remain etched upon your memory?
   November 5.
8. What was your biggest achievement of the year?
   Not being afraid to step out of my comfort zone.
9. What was your biggest failure?
   Not sure I had big failures, but lots of small dissappointments. The biggest of small dissappointments is that I still have to learn to get rid of things I do not need. Thought it would be easier :) 
10. Did you suffer illness or injury?
    No
11. What was the best thing you bought?
    TravelMate
12. Whose behaviour merited celebration?
    Two people born 10 March with a 10 year difference deciding to marry their loved ones in 2004 :)
13. Whose behaviour made you appalled and depressed?
    Terrorists
14. Where did most of your money go?
    Travel and presents
15. What did you get really, really, really excited about?
    Finding out that I'll become an aunt.
16. What song/album will always remind you of 2004?
    First album of my best friend.
17. Compared to this time last year, are you:
    • happier or sadder?  happier 
    • thinner or fatter?  have no idea :) 
    • richer or poorer?  more or less the same
18. What do you wish you'd done more of?
    Going to the gym. Spending time with friends. 
19. What do you wish you'd done less of?
    Spending money :)
20. How will you be spending Christmas?
    [I guess for me it's about New Year since it's selebrated more than Christmas in Russia]. My family, dacha, steam sauna, snow... Warm in the middle of cold :)
21. Who did you spend the most time on the phone with?
    My mother
22. Did you fall in love in 2004?
    Yes
23. How many one night stands in this last year?
    None
24. What was your favourite TV programme?
    Extreme engineering
25. Do you hate anyone now that you didn't hate this time last year?
    No, don't think hate makes anything better.  
26. What was the best book(s) you read?
    The Samurai's Garden
27. What was your greatest musical discovery?
    Not sure I had great ones... 
28. What did you want and get?
    Love.
29. What did you want and not get?
    Light notebook paid from my work (had to get it myself :) 
30. What were your favourite films of this year?
    The Last Samurai
31. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you?
    29. Decided to do it differently, took flight to Italy and had a beautiful evening in Florence. 
32. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?
    I'm very happy with what I've got.
33. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2004?
    "Lady in red": everything between little girl and business woman in a range of pink, red and cherry :) 
34. What kept you sane?
    Hope.
35. Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most?
    I fancy real people - those around me :)
36. What political issue stirred you the most?
    US elections. 
37. Who did you miss?
    My family and friends in Moscow (despite that this year I was there more than usual). 
38. Who was the best new person you met?
    Hard to make choices...
39. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2004.
    Taking risks pays back.
40. Quote a song lyric that sums up your year?

Pink it's my new obsession
Pink it's not even a question,
Pink on the lips of your lover, 'cause
Pink is the love you discover

Pink as the bing on your cherry
Pink 'cause you are so very
Pink it's the color of passion
'Cause today it just goes with the fashion