2012 was a year full of memories. For some, this year was one in which they formed new friendships that will last a lifetime. For others, life changing events took place, shaping who they will be for the rest of their life. And, for some, it was simply a year they will reminisce about simply to say, "Hey, the world didn't end after all!" Either way, 2012 is a year that many people agree was significant in their lives.
I found several worthy people who had memories to share from this past year. These memories range from good to bad, from happy and horrible, and from inspirational to heart-wrenching. Regardless of whether these were fond memories or not, they were important, and will stay with the interviewees for years to come.
Kittieme: Did you set any New Year's resolutions for this past year?
Paityn19: I set the resolution to get good grades this school year. I think a lot of people have set this goal for a resolution but never fully accomplished it; I feel great knowing that I have done great and made the honor roll! I think that having this resolution has made me more focused in school and activities.
Mariet97: I did set a resolution, which was to work harder in Social Studies.
Emillexxx: To be a better person, to do more charity work, and jut get my life sorted out. (college and stuff)
Lavaness: Nope, I can't really keep following what I promised.
Pengwhen: I haven't had any resolutions that I could keep up as I've usually forgotten about most of them.
ExtraAcc2: Generally speaking, I don't set resolutions; while I think that they're a really great concept, I can never seem to follow through on them. Usually I just give myself loosely set guidelines instead (which rarely ever get followed away), and this year those include cutting down on procrastination and making greater strides to get along with my family.
Kittieme: What was the best part of this past year?
Paityn19: The best part of this year was when we went to the Animal shelter and saved a little Yorkie that we call Jessie. She was abandoned and abused. She was all shaken up and terrified when we looked at her. But now she is as perky as can be and whenever I come home she jumps around. This is definitely a highlight of my year.
Mariet97: The best part of this year would either be going to my friend's concert, or catching a foul ball hit by Jeter.
Emillexxx: Well, the best part was finding out I would get to go to Uganda to do some charity work. I had to have and interview and stuff, so yeah - I was really happy.
Lavaness: Summer! I went to Arizona, Michigan, and a cruise to Catalina Island! It was very fun.
Pengwhen: I've had many cool experiences this past year, but the one that sticks out the most was camping and snorkeling in Marmora and seeing all the kinds of the colorful fish just swimming around.
ExtraAcc2: I think that the best part of 2012 has been, indisputably, starting to patch up my relationship with my mother. We're essentially polar opposites so I suppose it makes sense that we went through a period of being really unhappy with each other. This year we've finally realized that neither can please the other all of the time and we've started doing a lot more things together.
Kittieme: What was the hardest part of 2012?
Paityn19: The hardest part of 2012 was when my pet A.J passed. I think that he lived a good life and he had a great time on earth. Unfortunately his life came short when a car or a raccoon hurt him and he couldn't be fixed without suffering so they had to put him down. This was a very tragic event that happened in 2012 and I will never forget.
Mariet97: The hardest part was when some kids in my class started teasing me, thus leading me back to depression.
Emillexxx: I didn't have a part that was extremely hard to live through. My exams were hard, and it was 6 years since one of my grandmas died and 7 year since the other one died, but those are always hard for me.
Lavaness: Well, honestly being with my brother and respecting him. He's always mean to me. He always "argues" with me and "pranks" me, and when I try getting payback I always get in trouble. Other hardest part was school work.
Pengwhen: I don't think there was a 'hardest' part, 2012 went through pretty easy and quick. The thing that I'd say was hardest was when I had to convince my friend that we weren't all going to die on the 21st.
ExtraAcc2: As with every other year - and please excuse me for beating a dead horse - my terrible relationship with food has brought me a lot more difficulties than it's worth. A lot of friendships have been strained due to it, a fair majority even broken, but I do try not to let it consume me entirely.
Kittieme: What is one thing that has improved your life this past year that you hope to continue into 2013?
Paityn19: One thing that has improved my life is probably friendship. I have made the nicest friends I have ever had and they are loyal and do not talk behind your back. Abby, Will, and Macy are all the nicest people that I have met, and they will definitely be there for me when I need it.
Mariet97: One thing that has improved would be overpowering shyness.
Emillexxx: The way I think. Since getting the opportunity to go to Uganda I have been more driven because I have had to raise a lot of money.
Lavaness: Continue getting better grades.
ExtraAcc2: My work ethic in school has slowly but surely been improving. Yes, I still procrastinate; yes, sometimes I tell myself it's okay to sit on the Internet instead of studying; but on the whole, I've gotten much better. I've never been bad in school, by any means, but it feels better to get high grades because you actually put in the effort as opposed to just getting them because you happen to be good at scraping by.
Kittieme: Who do you hope to be or what do you hope to accomplish by this time next year?
Paityn19: I hope to be a better person by thinking of others more, giving, and also living in the moment. I don't want to think about what could happen badly. I just want to live right now and in the moment, yet also use it wisely.
Mariet97: I hope that I can become a girl with a backbone.
Emillexxx: Good grades, getting into college, my Uganda trip, and I would like a job.
Lavaness: Trying new foods; I'm a picky eater.
Pengwhen: I think I'd hope to accomplish learning how to be invisible. That'd be cool . . . "Now you see me, now you don't! Mwahaha!"
ExtraAcc2: By this time next year I think I'd like to have pushed even further on in skating. That part of my life has definitely taken the backseat to everything else and I'm excited that I'll be able to get back on the ice in January after being off due to medical reasons. I'd also like to be on better terms with a few old friends I've fallen out with, and maybe be more optimistic in general.
Kittieme: What's one saying/quote/motto you want to live by in 2013?
Paityn19: "Be who you are and say what you feel because those who don't mind don't matter and those who matter don't mind" - Dr. Seuss
Mariet97: "Never give up on your dreams." - Anonymous
Emillexxx: "Never say never and try your best" - Anonymous
Pengwhen: "Forget what people think of you because life's too short for worry." - Anonymous
ExtraAcc2: "I believe in pink. I believe that laughing is the best calorie burner. I believe in kissing, kissing a lot. I believe in being strong when everything seems to be going wrong. I believe that happy girls are the prettiest girls. I believe that tomorrow is another day and I believe in miracles." - Audrey Hepburn
Kittieme: Do you have any last words for 2012?
Paityn19: I survived!! :)
Mariet97: This year might have been crazy, but things will become better.
Emillexxx: It has been a good year. I have grown up a lot but I am ready for 2013. I turn 16, I can get and job, I can go to college, and I can have more freedom. (Which kinda scares me) 2012 was a challenge at times, but I think I am ready to say goodbye - starting with a party!
Lavaness: Goodbye 2012 - here comes 2013!
Pengwhen: Good bye, and thanks for the memories.
ExtraAcc2: Frankly, "It's nice to see you go." I'm beyond ready for a fresh start and I've been itching for January first to arrive since September. I do have a hard time, usually, with letting years go and there are some events in this year that I don't want to see become "last year", but on the whole I'm just excited. 2012 has taught me a lot of things and I am very thankful for several happenings, though.
I'd like to use this time to thank each of my interviewees for their outstanding answers, and also thank all of you for reading and supporting my writing. 2012 has meant a lot to me with the Times; I have gone out of my comfort zone and written things I wouldn't have dreamed about publishing anywhere but my journals, and also have improved because of your critiques. This year has been one of much growth for me, and I'm very thankful to have friends on here who support what I'm doing.
Have a safe, happy, and fun New Year's.
-kittieme
