•  I did the school thing. The stress over my thesis sent me spiraling down into a year-long depression/ nervous breakdown that I haven't overcome yet, as I ended up having other academic and self-esteem problems as a result. 
• Learned and worked intensely with a computer program whose commands I've now promptly forgotten.
• Had my eyebrows waxed for the first time. Didn't hurt.
• Was stuck in a bus for 3 boring hours because of the snow earlier in the year -with no radio/walkman, no one to talk to, no food to eat, nothing interesting to read. Yes, I'm one of those Vancouverites that carries her umbrella when it snows!
• Completed the Vancouver 10K Sun Run on a beautiful Spring day. To my amusement and chagrin, about 9K along, I saw some middle aged man AHEAD of me who was limping/ hopping on one foot along using a cane. I don't remember if I finally passed him or not. I had also enjoyed the training along Northwest Marine Drive and the beach too.
• Became better friends with someone who's from my neck of the woods.
• Attended a party at a home in Point Grey that overlooked the water and had paintings by the Group of Seven, Gordon Smith, and lots of other famous Canadian artists on the walls, and photos of the hosts with Julia Child on the hallway counter. I mention only the setting because unfortunately, that was the most exciting part.
• Had a job that was impressive only by the organization's name and its superficial trappings. Endured some unnecessary commotion at the end that I haven't written about.
• Was called "Sir" by a waiter at some outdoor cafe on Water Street in Gastown even though I had shoulder-length hair. Was probably mistaken for a male a couple of times too -once at school (Overheard conversation: Girl in Cantonese (perhaps referring to me): "Is that a male or female?" Boy: "A female of course!") and another time on a downtown street when a Caucasian guy deliberately walked quickly from behind me to be in front of me in order to view me from the front.
• Got paid to tour the entire Vancouver waterfront by boat on a brilliantly gorgeous summer afternoon. Yes, I got very close to those yellow piles of sulfur too.
• Attended the annual Lantern Parade at Trout Lake.
• Saw a dead man's limp body on the ground. He had just fallen about 23 stories. 
• Did some hiking on the North Shore mountains.
• Attended a summer barbecue where I finally got to hash about Survivor for a contentedly long length of time.
• Tried swing dancing.
• Had hardwood floors installed by these Polish men.
• Clogged the drain with possibly my hair.
• Went sailing for the 2nd time in my life.
• Spent more time taking care of the niece than her own father had -with no compensation or even thanks in return.
• Watched a shit load of TV: 
  • Loved: Survivor (I couldn't find anyone at work who watched this show!!! Thank goodness for Mighty Big TV.)
  • Really liked: Freaks & Geeks, The '70s (a TV movie). 
  • Really liked but can't remember if it aired this year or last: an awesome PBS documentary about a couple of young farmers in the US that kept me riveted for about 3 hours and motivated me to check out the website afterward (A city kid mesmerized by a documentary about farmers, you might ask? I wish I had written an entry back then on how moving it was) 
  • Liked: Malcolm in the Middle, Who Wants To Be A Millionaire, Will & Grace, Oprah (except when she invites celebrities on to promote their movies), Rosie O'Donnell, Ed, That's Life, Gilmore Girls, The Painted House, The Decorating Challenge
  • Thought was lame but still watched: Big Brother - 'cuz I was rooting for Curtis.
  • Wasn't impressed by: The Sopranos
  • Haven't really gotten into: The West Wing (I'd like to star opposite Rob Lowe on this show.)
  • Of course watched: The Olympics (highlight: Eric the Eel), the death of Pierre Trudeau.
  • Is okay, but am don't really watch: Dawson's Creek (though Jack is darn cute)
  • Tired of: all lawyer, police, and hospital dramas
  • No longer watch: Felicity (no TV station runs it here this season. Besides, Julie's gone now.), Ally McBeal (on occasion, it's still good, but maybe I'll watch it regularly if Calista Flockhart promises she won't stick her thumbnail to her mouth anymore.)
• Watched only a few movies. Nothing of worth this year.
• Saw a lame musical.
• Saw the graduating art show at Emily Carr
• Discovered online journaling in a big way and started my own online journal. Tied up the phone lines a lot.
• Toured a TV station.
• Made an attempt to celebrate Christmas this year, unlike all the other years: Set up a Christmas tree and put up lights, Ate turkey (albeit the drums, and my aunt's "extras"), Baked pineapple cookies, Stuffed stockings in the  Downtown Eastside.
• Can't recall if I had read a single book from cover to cover this year even though I'm surrounded by books. I did read a lot of newspapers and items on the Web though. 
• Barely cooked.
• I did other stuff too: mainly procrastinating, sleeping, having lunch or dinner or tea with friends & family, being late, rollerblading, shopping, arguing with profs and family, writing, daydreaming, internalizing,  being anti-social, flaking on family/ social events, walking, bus-riding, SkyTrain-riding, driving, getting a parking ticket, getting library fines, having computer problems, writing letters on behalf of others, taking photos, having our garage broken into ...I'm grateful that I didn't really get sick this year, knock on wood. If there was something else more exciting, I can't remember.

***

Wow, Netzero is going to limit free Internet access to 40 hours per month from now on. I had signed up for service on Dec. 10 and I had used 45 hours in December! That meant I averaged 2.045 hours per day! That doesn't mean that I'm only on the net for that few hours though; I have another dial-up access. Still, I'm going to cut down on using the Internet severely.