As usual it has come down to that time of the year where you review your year and see whether it was worthwhile or not really worth it.  And looking back at my previous posts (I really did write some amazing stuff back in the day) I noticed a quote I once said back in 2006 and well I am very proud of it.  So before I review my year, I’d like to share with you that this is and will forever be my mantra in life.

I am a better person, I am a wiser person, I am who I am and I am proud of it. I will love myself first and foremost, I will find the silver lining in everything that happens to me, and I am stronger than any darkness that will ensue itself around me. I am me!

[Mentioned in "The Review of 2007"]

I never thought I was that wise to say words that are as inspiring as those but it appears to be that I am.

The Good:

1. The year started off calmly, nothing special happen in my life.  Although all around the world the protests began to happen as early as the 3rd week in January.
2. I began to purchase a lot of gadgets/accessories/etc all because of the launch of Sheeel.com they are the reason for my endless spending.
3. I purchased many Apple goodies! iPad 2 (the dilemma I went through to get it), MacBook Pro 17″ (since I sold my iMac 27″ for some issues), iPhone 4S (because I’m a freak like that), I think it was the same year I got a second iPad 2 (which I gave Lujain), iPod Touch 4th generation, iPod Classic, and iPod Shuffle.  I ended this year with a surprise birthday gift from mother the latest MacBook Air 13″ (pimped out!)
4. I got the Kindle Fire as my birthday present from myself, Polaroid Z340, FujiFilm Instax 210, and many more awesome items which made me a happy camper!
5. I went to the US twice this year, once in April – May where I did an ‘audit’ visit at my sisters I hit Omaha, Nebraska where I had my adventure of purchasing a sold out iPad 2; Columbus, Ohio where I enjoyed shopping until dropping; and last but not least New York City, New York where I attended 2 Broadway shows [Priscilla Queen of the Desert and Avenue Q] and “Late Night with Jimmy Fallon!” My next visit was in June – July where I spent my time in New York City, I saw 2 more shows and shopped until I dropped and just had so much fun!
6. I quit the banking industry!
7. I started a job which became something that I loved to do! Telling people what to read and when to read it! (teehehehe)
8. My bestie got married and my other close friend got married too!
9. I got a brand new cousin on August 3rd, Baby Salman!
10. My favorite online author Danderma published her book and I attended her book signing!
11. I met amazing new friends in the blogging world most of which I knew ages ago but saw them for the first time at events.
12. Attended a bunch of Social Media Events: Danderma’s Book Signing, Exclusive Zain Visit, Zain Ghabga, VIVA Ghabga, Zain Q&A, Bloggers Union, Gulf Bank Draw featuring Abdullah Ruwaished, Crush It!, BEST Al Yousifi Al Rai Re-opening & Girls Night Out. These are among the ones I remember at the moment.
13. I got braces, something I’ve been postponing since I was 11 years old! Well actually since I started working since dad was busy working and didn’t have time for his favorite one.
14. Mada Internet!

The Bad:

1. The death of Steve Jobs in October :(
2. The death of Steve Jobs in October :(
3. The death of Steve Jobs in October :(
4. I joined a gym earlier in the year but ended up going there for only 4 months.  Stopped going afterwards because I was too lazy.
5. My sisters were all abroad except for Lujain which meant a quiet home for a full year except during holidays.
6. I got the failing Blackberry Playbook and it’s gathering dust somewhere in my room, not to mention the HP Touchpad which is somewhere around the house.
7. Not blogging as much as I wanted to last year.
8. Kuwait Cap when the internet was capped at 2GB per day!

I believe that’s pretty much it for now but all in all it was an “okay” year nothing too special and nothing to harmful happened! I hope that 2012 is an awesome year once that is insanely amazing that kicks every other years ass! Seriously I loved 2006 so maybe since 6 x 2 = 12 then 12 will be an awesome year! Nonetheless I wish you all a happy last few days of 2011 and a very Happy New YEAR!

Previous “Years in Reflection” 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, and 2010.

In writing the title of this post I actually typed 2011 and then thought wait what’s that! I actually jumped a year LOL! Man I think I want a good year to come already! Anyways I thought I’d mention some cool points that happened in 2010 and see how the good and bad weighed themselves this year.

The Good:

1. The year started off nicely by just being calm and drama free!
2. I’ve been watching more movies than ever this year and going to the cinema to enjoy them!
3. Earlier this March my best friend got engaged and later married in November (I love her and wish her all the best!)
4. It’s been a gadget year for me starting off with the purchase of the hp mini 210 netbook, and moving onto the iPad 64GB wifi (later got the 3G+Wifi model), Nokia X6, iPhone4, Blackberry Bold 9700, iPod Nano 6th generation, MacBook Air 13″, MacBook Air 11″, Apple TV, Sony WX5, Amazon Kindle 3, Blackberry Torch 9800, and many external hard drives. (Looking at this list I now understand why I didn’t save much this year)
5. I was interviewed by Qortuba Valley.
6. I celebrated the 6th year of this blog and it was awesome!
7. I travelled to Dubai with my Aunt and Sister and it was a fun few days saw a lot of movies there.
8. I resigned from my previous job and joined a new company, new department.
9. My godchildren Ali (Swair’s Son) and Juliette (Lily’s Daughter) were born in June which is now my favorite month!
10. I organized my physical library and my media library!
11. I started TV @ Couchavenue a new TV-centric blog!
12. I joined a gym “Curves” and I’m looking forward to the workout!

The Bad:

1. I became lazier this year which led to point #2.
2. I was at my heaviest weight ever in late September.
3. I experienced some health hiccups along the way.
4. I started a new job which promised a brighter future but was the same shit but different location.
5. I am now living with only Lujain and my parents as all my other sisters are continuing their studies abroad and I miss them.
6. Insanely stressed throughout the year and none of my wishes came true except for the gadgety ones.

I think having 6 bad points in comparison to the other 12 good ones defines that 2010 wasn’t that bad of a year, not to mention I didn’t shed that many tears this year so I believe I am stronger.  Here is hoping that 2011 brings forth my wishes and makes them into reality! Wishing you all a Happy New YEAR!

[Last Years Reflections]

The time has come to say good bye to a year that has been one of the worst for me.  It started off badly, and well it’s ending off neutrally but in the end it was still a bad year.  I never wish to see any of what happened to me happen to someone else but life has to throw us some curve-balls to keep us on our feet.

In 2008 I experienced:

1. A nasty start to the year, where I was in a siatuation I did not want to find myself in.
2. I traveled to the States twice, once on my vacation time with my sisters and the other was when I accompanied Dad.
3. I was dealt with the shock of my life, when I discovered that Dad had a heart attack, it was good thinking getting him to the hospital as he never likes to go there.
4. I was in a rocky relationship with my job where I am doing the jobs of everyone else at the same time of maintaining the job I am initially in.
5. The ups and downs of everything else, losing touch with almost all of my friends, I think this year I was more of a loner than with others.
6. I waited in line for an Apple Product (iPhone 3G)
7. I was scammed on eBay.
8. I purchased the Macbook Air in the beginning of the year, and later on passed it on to Daddy and purchased the Macbook at the end of the year.
9. I started to look at things differently with different eyes and hoped to get positive results.
10. I wished for the arrival of 2009 with happy beginnings and memories to erase those of 2008.

I found out that throughout 2008, most of my real friends started showing their real skins, as in they were the ultimate friends whereas, those whom I thought were my real friends were in fact nothing to me at all just close relationships.  I don’t define friendship as being with one a thousand hours of a particular day but instead as a friend who stands there for you when you are at your lowest, or in the most urgent moment of need.  I thank those friends with all my heart, and wish they stay my friends until we age one day and start playing Bingo together.

I also found out that only when you lose a thing do you realize how precious it was to begin with and you fight your hardest to gain it back.

In short, 2008 was a crappy year, on everyone and not only myself.  However, it was one where I learned most of my lessons from.  Therefore, Goodbye Crappy 2008 and Hello Beautiful 2009 (please remain that way, please let my most inner wishes come true, it’s about time for them please!)

Happy New Year Everyone :)