mel(is)awheel.

1. What did you do in 2014 that you’d never done before?

Plenty of things, but a few highlights include; - I was a bridesmaid for my cousin’s wedding in the Philippines. - Got inked in Manila - Saw some of my favourite artists live; Lauryn Hill, Common, Disclosure, Maxwell etc

2. Did you keep your new years’ resolutions and will you make more for next year?

I didn’t really make any resolutions for 2014. But it’s my mantra to take risks; enjoy the fruits of my labour while they're still ripe; and to say yes to life and any opportunity that presents itself. 

3. Did anyone close to you give birth?

A few friends gave birth to gorgeous little girls; Ari and Eloise! :)

4. Did anyone close to you die?

People close to friends of mine did. RIP. 

5. What countries did you visit?

Philippines and the United States (New York, twice).

6. What would you like to have in 2015 that you lacked in 2014?

Love.

7. What date/s from 2014 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?

February 7 - Celebrating my birthday in NYC 

8. What was your biggest achievement of the year?

Not letting the seemingly impossible hold me back. 

9. What was your biggest failure?

Not having a decent amount in savings. 

10. Did you suffer illness or injury? Nothing major this year. 

11. What was the best thing you bought?

Plane tickets, always. And gifts that made my loved ones smile. 

12. Whose behaviour merited celebration?

My friends who made the big move to live overseas in London and Scotland. I live vicariously through them, and admire their courage. 

13. Whose behaviour made you appalled and depressed?

People who lie to myself, and worse, to themselves. 

14. Where did most of your money go?

Trips overseas; on life and the creation of memories. 

15. What did you get really, really, really excited about?

Having a family trip and being a part of my cousin’s wedding. 

16. What songs will always remind you of 2013?

PLENTY! Latch - Disclosure ft. Sam Smith // yes, AGAIN. 3005 - Childish Gambino

Loyal - Chris Brown ft. Lil Wayne & French Montana

Tom Ford - Jay-Z

Not A Bad Thing - Justin Timberlake

Rather Be - Clean Bandit

… to name a select few!

17. Compared to this time last year, are you:

i. Happier or sadder? Happier in some ways, sadder in others!

ii. Thinner or fatter? NEXT .. haha!

iii. Richer or poorer? Definitely poorer (financially), but richer in other ways. 

18. What do you wish you’d done more of?

Written more. Read more. Gave up my time for others, i.e. the less fortunate. 

19. What do you wish you’d done less of?

Cried over things I promised myself I wouldn’t cry about. 

Put my trust in people who aren’t trustworthy. 

20. How did you spend Christmas?

This year, I celebrated Christmas Eve with my family at home. I spent the morning of Christmas Day at church and then went to work in the afternoon. On Boxing Day, we celebrated with the whole family at my brother’s house with a White Christmas theme party. Good times.

21. How will you spend New Year’s?

I spent the day cleaning my room & my mind. Spending the countdown with my family at my brother’s place - hopefully with a drink (or two) in hand. 

22. Did you fall in love in 2014?

Further in love, yes. Always. 

23. How many one night stands?

Nil. 

24. What were your favourite TV programmes?

Sons of Anarchy, Suits, Scandal, Walking Dead, Game of Thrones, Girls, New Girl, Happy Endings, Carrie Diaries, Brooklyn Nine Nine, Revenge, Scorpion .. to name a few. 

25. Do you hate anyone now that you didn’t hate this time last year?

Ain’t nobody got time for that. 

26. What was the best book you read?

I can’t even think about books. I read the Lost Symbol, and I must say — least favourite Dan Brown book to date. I’ve got about 10 books waiting to be read in 2015. Cant wait. 

27. What was your greatest musical discovery?

Jhene Aiko. Childish Gambino. Mmm. 

Fell a little more in love with Ed Sheeran. 

28. What did you want and get?

The tattoo I’ve been wanting for 2 years. 

29. What did you want and not get?

Sounds silly, but words. 

30. What was your favourite film of this year?

TOO MANY. I watched so many good films this year (The perks of dating a movie buff). Guardians of the Galaxy, What If, Chef and Son of God are honourable mentions.

31. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you?

This year, I got my wish and celebrated my birthday in NYC. I spent the day exploring the city and had dinner at Balthazar with red velvet cake delivered in the middle of the night! 

32. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?

More time, more love, more laughs. 

33. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2013?

Leggings and sweaters in Winter. Dresses in Summer. 

34. What kept you sane?

God, music and my loves. 

35. Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most?

Hmmm … Common!? haha!

36. What political issue stirred you the most?

The constant injustice, all over the world. 

37. Who did/do you miss?

NIL

38. Who was the best new person you met?

The new additions to our QantasLink family! 

39. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2014.

I learnt about compromise, about knowing when to open and close my mouth, about agreeing to disagree, about loving the unlovable, about taking the high road, about letting go (even when other’s can’t), about accepting that things change and that it’s okay. 

40. Quote a song lyric that sums up your year.

“No matter what you say and what you do,

When I’m alone, I’d rather be with you,

Fuck them other n*ggas, I’ll be right by your side,

Till 3005.

// Childish Gambino - 3005

1. What did you do in 2013 that you’d never done before?

Plenty of things, but a few highlights include; - I was an intern for 3 months! - Got inked in Miami - Trained with a Personal Trainer - Was the Maid of Honour for a wedding

2. Did you keep your new years’ resolutions and will you make more for next year?

Last year, I said I’d go with the flow in 2013 - which I did, to a certain extent! But life doesn’t give handouts, so proactivity is important! Going with the flow too much is foolish.

3. Did anyone close to you give birth?

Uhuh, my cousin and his wife gave birth to our darling Kiera Misha!!

4. Did anyone close to you die?

Not this year, thank God.

5. What countries did you visit?

Philippines and the United States (New York, Miami & Las Vegas).

6. What would you like to have in 2014 that you lacked in 2013?

More reading & learning too! A short course, self-study etc

7. What date/s from 2013 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?

October 29; the day I got offered the job at QantasLink! September 14; the day two of my closest friends got married! First PC wedding, yayyyyy! November 2; the day my cousin married the love of her life!

8. What was your biggest achievement of the year?

Being brave & taking risks; in every sense of the word.

9. What was your biggest failure?

Not sure? I could say abandoning my jewellery again, but really, if it was something I had my heart set on doing, I would have done something about it.

10. Did you suffer illness or injury?



Yes, and no.

11. What was the best thing you bought?

Plane tickets & experiences; broadway shows, concert tickets etc!

12. Whose behaviour merited celebration?

The people in my life who went for what they wanted, who challenged social norms, and made courageous, life changing decisions.

13. Whose behaviour made you appalled and depressed?

Those who have become somebody that I used to know.

14. Where did most of your money go?

Exactly where I like it; on plane tickets and adventures!!

15. What did you get really, really, really excited about?

Lots of things; - Starting my internship with Sydney Children’s Hospital Foundation! - Travelling to America with my girls Smita & Tahlia - Starting my new job with QantasLink

16. What songs will always remind you of 2013?

PLENTY! Latch - Disclosure ft. Sam Smith John Legend - All of Me Rich Homie Quan - Type of Way Swedish House Mafia - Don’t You Worry Child Unconditionally - Katy Perry I Choose You - Sara Bareilles Adorn - Miguel Long Distance Love - J Boog … to name a select few!

17. Compared to this time last year, are you:

i. Happier or sadder? Happier in some ways, sadder in others!

ii. Thinner or fatter? Oh god? The same, or perhaps slightly thinner?

iii. Richer or poorer? Financially, the same! But in life experience/lessons, richer!

18. What do you wish you’d done more of?

Written more. Read more.

19. What do you wish you’d done less of?

Let imaginary problems and fear of the unknown future get me down. Lots of jumping to conclusions too soon!

20. How did you spend Christmas?

I spent the morning of Christmas at work! Boo, but yay for triple pay! Haha! Our whole fams celebrated on Boxing Day this year with a Back To School themed party! We rented the Community hall and turned it into a classroom! Lots of fun, food & quality family time!

21. How will you spend New Year’s?

Working from 12:30-8pm, and then winging it with my family until ending the night/morning with my closest friends and T-Deck! Haha!

22. Did you fall in love in 2013?

*nods head*

23. How many one night stands?

Zilchhhhh!!

24. What were your favourite TV programmes?

Breaking Bad, Sons of Anarchy, Girls, Hart of Dixie & Suits!

25. Do you hate anyone now that you didn’t hate this time last year?

Absolutely not.

26. What was the best book you read?

Ugh, I hate that I have to skip this question!! Note to self: read more in 2014!!!!

27. What was your greatest musical discovery?

Disclosure! Hudson Mohawke! Even though she has been around for ages, I have a newfound love for Sara Bareilles!

28. What did you want and get?

More ink. Adventures on American soil. A new job.

29. What did you want and not get?

I can’t think of anything. Obviously not significant enough! Haha!

30. What was your favourite film of this year?

Can’t choose!!! But The Heat is up there! Too many laughs in that movie! World War Z was awesome as well!

31. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you?

This year, I was surprised just before midnight by some of my closest girlfriends with cake and video messages organized by my sister!

At night, I went to dinner with my immediate family at Medusa, a Greek restaurant I have been wanting to try for a long time!

On the weekend after my birthday, I celebrated with a bunch of my nearest and dearest at Assembly Bar & finished the night off at VBar! Such good times!

32. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?

More holidays!

33. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2013?

Ummm … Much more girly!! Got into the maxi dress thing this year too! 😁

34. What kept you sane?

My loved ones.

35. Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most?

Gabriel Macht. Mmm.

36. What political issue stirred you the most?

Once again, apathetic.

37. Who did/do you miss?

No one.

38. Who was the best new person you met?

All my QantasLink workmates!!

39. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2013.

I learnt that communication is the key to any relationship; regardless of whether circumstances are good or bad! Without honest and open communication things will fall apart! So this year, I spoke up more & voiced my opinions, concerns and worries - even if it made me more vulnerable, appear crazy or caused disagreements. There are so many lessons to be learned; most of which happen during trials. I learnt (first hand) that fighting can be a good thing when it comes to developing and strengthening relationships!

40. Quote a song lyric that sums up your year.

SO MANY, oh my.

“There is no fear now, Let go and just be free, I will love you unconditionally!” // Katy Perry - Unconditionally