New Year's Tag (2021)

Hi friends!

It's been a big year. And that's almost an understatement. Each year, since 2017, I have written out the New Years Tag that has made its way around the blogosphere for a long time, for my own personal enjoyment and interest. (It's so fascinating to look back from 5 years ago and compare your answers!)

taken by my little sister, at our last family holiday

Last year, I wrote it out, but almost didn't publish it, because my list felt so "unimpressive" and I was too sad about it. I'm sorry, now, to think of where I was at this time a year ago. And I'm sorry to know how much that girl would go through, and how oblivious she was to the hardships ahead, and how hopeful she was that it would be a perfectly happy year. 

But even though it wasn't easy, 2021 taught me to find beauty in the brokenness, and that is something I will be carrying with me into tomorrow and beyond. So, in the hopes that it may encourage anyone out there who has had a hard year also, and to give you a peep behind the curtains of my life, I will share with you the answers for this year, 2021. (For privacy reasons, I have edited out some names etc.) I have used photos that I took this year, to make it a bit more personal, but also be prepared for a complete photo dump of play photos. ;)

2021 Recap in Questions

What did you do in 2021 that you've never done before?

The obvious answer is be part of community theatre! That was a huge first, as was auditioning, and experiencing a two-show day. I also had my first gig (with my siblings!), sang in front of a paying audience, got a job "promotion", and took myself on a date and went to a friend's wedding by myself. (Hush, this was a big deal for me, guys.) Oh, and I went wake-boarding/tow-surfing!

from our wakeboarding trip

Did you keep your New Years Resolution and will you make a new one?

My resolution for 2021 was very vague, along the lines of "be more intentional with my time; set boundaries and make time for rest", so to some extent, yes? I certainly tried, especially the latter two, but it wasn't some shock transformation. Just baby steps.

My resolution for 2022 is to believe it to be and make it a good year, no matter what it looks like; to think of it as good even if it's not what I dreamed or planned. (If I had to pick a word for the year, it would be resilience.) Essentially, I want to take my joy and hope back that was stolen from me, and strive to be grateful and adaptive, fully trusting God's plan with my life.

I get to wear a cool headset at my job

Did anyone close to you give birth?

Depends on the definition of close, but my cousin had a baby, a close family friend, and two of my work colleagues had babies. And I found out my brother and sister-in-law are going to have a baby and I will be an aunty!!!!

Did anyone close to you die?

Yes, and though it was not my first taste of grief, it rocked me to the core. My dear friend, you will be sorely missed. I hope you know that. I'm sorry you were in so much pain. I'm so glad you are now at peace, with Jesus.

sometimes you have to pull over to take a photo of the sunset

What countries/states did you visit?

Thanks to C*vid, we were not able to venture outside of Queensland, although thankfully it is by no means a small state.

What would you like in 2022 that you lacked in 2021?

Less heartache and division. Peace of mind, freedom from restrictions and discriminations around a certain injection. A role in a musical. The ability to travel.

we each got little trophies with our name
and the role that we played

What date will remain etched upon your memory?

16.02.21 - the day I learned of my friend's suicide, and the day my dream of theatre came true and I got the lead role of Anne. 

11.06.21 - Opening night of Anne of Green Gables!

Our play in action! Was so happy I never fell on my face
on that darn staircase (came way too close)

Did you move house?

Hahaha. Haha. Ha. Ahem. Nope.

Which was the best month?

Perhaps January, because there was the least amount of pain. Otherwise June, when we got to perform our show and it was all just like a dream.

the stage is set

What was your biggest achievement?

Playing the lead role of Anne Shirley and not forgetting one of my 520 lines in any of the six performances! Also just not having a complete mental breakdown was an achievement, to be honest. (I came close at one point.)

What was your biggest failure?

Not being honest with people, and carrying my burdens alone. I made it a lot harder for myself than I could have. Also, selfishness. 

I recreated a photo shoot of my sister and 
her goat from several years ago

Did you experience any illness or injury?

Nothing more than a few colds, although I lost/nearly lost my voice several times. 

What was the best thing you bought?

All the tickets to see shows! I am so glad I did, especially as I am not allowed to for the forseeable future. Also, my "warm-me-up" singing app haha - definitely got my money's worth! And my "Be the Light" yellow hoodie that I bought online which turned up to be extremely bright, and also my favourite.

a mic check for our play, ft. my yellow hoodie

Whose behaviour merited celebration?

*insert sarcastic remarks about Certain Politicians* I guess I'd say Luke and Tammy, our directors forthe play, for all their hard work, thoughtfulness and kindness. They're top-rate folks.

some of my favourite people

Whose behaviour made you appalled and distressed?

Basically any politician ever, but specifically a particularly powerful one from our state.

a photo I took of my older sister

Where did most of your money go?

Car stuff, tires, etc. Also tickets for shows, dance classes, singing lessons and hydro classes.

What did you get really, really excited about?!

BEING IN A PLAY! Let alone playing the title role! And all the incredible people who came to see it (they made me so happy). And the fact that we were sold-out for our second last show. Also, my brother and sister-in-law having a baby!! :)

some of the cast at our after-party from the play
(can you feel the energy in the room?!)

What was the best concert you went to?

Why, the gig my siblings and I did, of course! ;D Hehe. But in regards to shows, Pirates of Penzance at IMTC, West Side Story at QPAC, White Sheep of the Family with LRPA, and the 24 hr musical (which turned out to be Gentlemen Prefer Blondes)! Just all the shows!! And obviously, Anne of Green Gables. ;)

What is a song/album that reminds you of 2021?

The Anne of Green Gables soundtrack and the hymns my sister played on piano for the actual play - specifically a beautiful rendition she did of "How Firm a Foundation". It was played during the closing scene and had this glorious crescendo as I walked off and the lights dimmed. *happy sigh*

deep in rehearsal thought. Peep the cute dog

Are you happier or sadder? (Compared to last year)

Sadder, but learning to find the beauty from the brokenness.

Are you thinner or fatter?

My goodness, how presumptuous of you to ask. :P Neither more, nor less.

Are you richer or poorer?

Richer, but I care even less about money that I ever did.

when we went to Outback Spectacular!

What do you wish you had done more of?

Taken more photos, especially ones of me with the people I love. (I have this terrible hesitation in taking any kind of selfie/groupie, and then regret not taking any photos.) 

I wish I'd had more open, honest conversations, and I wish I had prayed more.

What do you wish you'd done less of?

Social media + screen time, pretending everything was OK when it wasn't, and trying to MAKE things happen.

cute lil' instruments

What was your greatest musical discovery?

Josh Garrels, Carrie Underwood's album of hymns ("My Saviour"), Mamma Mia musical soundtracks... I listened to a lot of Michael Buble, Sleeping at Last and Ben Platt this past year... all the soothing voices...

my poor little boots; they served me well

How did you spend your Christmas?

Well, I was sick, so all our guests decided not to come over. We had our family of seven open presents at home, eat lots of good food, and play games together. Small, intimate, sweet.

How did you spend New Years?

Obviously, it's not yet New Years, but I'm planning on spending it at a friend's house, playing games and eating pizza with a whole bunch of other people. However, I'm still trying to shake a cold, so if it's not gone by then, I guess I'll be spending it on the couch watching a movie, and ringing in the new year with a half-hearted 'hooray!' to myself. ;)

SUCH an epic photo that a friend took.
Can you guess which one is me?

Who did you spend the most time on the phone with?

You know what's ridiculous? I was going to say "I hardly called anyone!" and then I remembered what I do for a day job. *face palm* I would have called hundreds of patients, and let me tell you, it is most fascinating (and often amusing) speaking to so many people from the general public over the phone, and getting snippets of their life. I've also heard the world's strangest voicebank messages.

What was the best book you read?

"Godspace" by Doug Pollock, "Cold Tangerines" by Shauna Niequist, and "4.50 from Paddington" by Agatha Christie, not counting some fabulous re-reads.

my happy place

Did you fall in love?

No... but affection did grow for someone, and a lot of prayers were said regarding that person. ;)

a part of rehearsals you don't know about ;)

What was your favourite TV show?

Didn't watch many, but can I just say we finished "White Collar" after spending 2-3 years trying to find nights when both my sisters AND I didn't have to go to bed early so we could watch an episode?! We did it! We finished it! And I was almost sad. :P Otherwise, "Cranford" (a mini-series?), "Lego Masters", "The Voice Australia" and "The Chosen" (though I have not watched much of the latter).

why would you watch a screen when you can watch this?!

What did you want and get?

The opportunity to be part of a theatre production (other than my own)! Real-life friends who like theatre! (To all my blogging friends who do too, I love you! 😘) A church that feels like it could be home. And to see lots of shows/musicals live!

our well-loved stage <3

What did you want and not get?

To travel. Also, to be in a musical. Flexibility. To see "In the Heights" in cinemas. A flawless mix and belt. (Hahaha, like that was gonna happen.)

our second wig fit. It was so itchy! :P

What was your favourite film? 

"Dune", "Dear Evan Hansen" (I BAWLED MY EYES OUT GUYS), "Hacksaw Ridge", "I Still Believe" and "Knives Out". 

What did you do for your birthday and how old were you?

I was sick (BOO) so for my 21st birthday I stayed home. I opened presents, played games with my family, watched the new "Rebecca" movie (my verdict? Read the book) and old videos of me as a baby/toddler. I postponed a picnic beside a dam (which sounds dreadful but imagine a really pretty lake) with friends and family, which will now hopefully take place in January.

why do I look like I'm checking my pulse? :P

Describe your personal fashion concept?

Comfortable, clean and cute. (Lame, I know. Well, it's a lame question. So there.)

What kept you sane?

Oh, but am I?? 

God, first and foremost. 

Journaling. 

Music. 

Prayer. 

The belief that my life is not about me.

backstage, between shows

Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most?

Ehh, not head over heels about anyone. But if I must... Timothee Chalamet is someone I could look at for a long time. :P Also Tom Holland. He's cute.

Which political issue stirred you the most?

The laws barring, shunning and discriminating against those who choose not to get injected, and legalizing euthanasia. There have been so many laws and bills passed that made me want to become a politician and fight tooth and nail.

waiting for rehearsals to start
(told you I liked that hoodie)

Who did you miss?

My friend who I lost. So much. Also my cousins who moved to Sydney last year after they were married, and have not been allowed to return. *hugs*

Who was the best person you met?

Goodness! Lots of theatre people, and work colleagues, and random people I met at dance or hydro classes etc. I genuinely think you can learn something from everyone though, and I value each person who crosses paths with me. 

rehearsing the school scene!

What was a valuable life lesson you learnt in 2021?

Yikes. How long do you want to sit here for? Well, to keep it short, let's say I learnt that every day, you make a lot of small decisions that build up over time; so be careful of what you let into your heart, even if it slowly creeps in. And if you want God to be first in your life, then LIVE like He is first in your life. I learnt you can never please everyone, so don't even try, and don't apologize for something that was never your fault or responsibility to begin with. And I also learnt (and am still learning), that mental health is just as important as your physical health. (All of you needs care and support. <3)

Quote a song lyrics that sums up your year?

"God knows what He's doing

Even when you've lost all focus

He's not done proving that you were made with purpose

He's got something up His sleeve

Beyond your wildest dreams

God knows what He's doing

In you."

(From "God Knows" by Cody Johns. Probably my most played song of the year.)

another new thing - I got highlights in my hair!

What were 5 personally significant events of 2021?

1. Losing my friend to depression. That rocked my world and made me re-think so much about my life.
2. Auditioning + getting the role of Anne Shirley in Anne of Green Gables! No one will ever know just how much that meant to me. It was a dream come true, the most precious prayer made reality, and everything I'd ever hoped for. It was confidence itself.
3. Performing each and every show - each one was a treasure. The rush of applause, the after-party cast hugs behind the curtain, the accolades from family, friends and strangers alike. The little girls that gazed at me in AWE and the few whose mothers asked for a photo with me and them, and who clung to my skirt, holding their breath and sucking their hands. Tammy (my director), whispering in an embrace, "You will always be my Anne." 
4. Getting a "promotion" at work (my receptionist job). My boss sitting me down, saying he felt as though they were 'holding me back' and giving me some tasks with marketing and editing. Choosing to go part-time with this new role and responsibility, and quitting my first job at the café. 
5. Our first family gig! We got to do a two hour set at the Mama Creek Drought Relief concert as the sole entertainment, to a paying audience! It was quite a small audience, but some of our friends and family came out, some driving a long way, and it was so special. <3

our gig night! Ft. our fantastic friend on the double bass

What are 5 things you want to do in 2022?

If C*vid wasn't a thing, this list could be so different...

1. Be part of a musical
2. Write my own musical - or at least make progress on it
3. Learn jazz dance, modern jive and continue with my tap. Also, gain more control with my belting technique
4. Work up to doing the splits (scissors, specifically)
5. Buy a DSLR camera and learn how to use it well

(And if our freedoms were restored, there would certainly be some travel popped on that list as well. But if I can truly wake up each day and tell you why I am on this planet, then that's enough for me.)

my other older sis, looking particularly cool

Who are some people that you'd like to know better in 2022?

Obviously, this is quite a personal question. I'd like to know the man that will someday be my husband, if he is out there. (And no, I do not know who.) I would like to better know certain people that I met through theatre, and some of my work colleagues.

And I want to fall in love with my heavenly Father even more, more than I ever have before.

We have reached the end, my friends. :) Did any of this surprise you? I'd love to see your answers. If anything, tell me, what is one thing you're taking away from 2021, and moving forward with into 2022?

My love to you all, and may we continue forth in hope and courage, trusting He Who holds the future.