The Year That Was 2008

Robert Pattinson

Every year seems to end with me thinking: This was my most memorable year. But 2008 ended with me thinking it was THE most memorable year. What can I say? The world celebrated Barack Obama becoming the president elect of the United States of America…and Britney made a new album…what more could one ask for.

I also hit a few milestones this year myself, I started my first year of University…not in England like I wanted to, but I count my blessings. I am on this day two years from 21, and since I may never get there, rationally speaking, I think I should take special note.

But of course the year went beyond Obama and Britney, and my…you know, going to University [I mean who hasn't done THAT before]. So the following are my top favourite things about the year that was [and still sort of is] 2008:

10. Clothes– From Forever 21 Jeans to simple dresses and stripes. This was the year of comfortable clothes…for me, at least. And I must say that on a whole, other people seemed to have followed the same sort of mantra. I bought quite a few dresses this year, all of which I love. And two pairs of shoes that have become somewhat of a signature for me, not only have I never seen anyone else in any even remotely like them, but I get sompliments on them all the time. They are my red tie dye converse and my striped red and gray Wet Seal flats. I hate sandals because I walk alot and I walk fast –I don’t own a pair of Havianas…yea, really. And as you can see below…they are not clean, they get worn. Another staple for me this year were my Forever 21 dark blue slim flit, straight leg jeans. I have never bought jeans that fit so incredibly wonderful as the jeans I got from Forever 21 this year. It is almost like they took my personal measurements and made these jeans specifically for me. You cannot begin to understand–a I do not know how to describe–the immense pleasure I get from pulling those jeans over my legs and behind. Bliss.

9. Apple–I bought my first laptop this year, and I’m happy to say I own a MacBook Pro.  I also bought my third Ipod video and my brother and mother received an Ipod touch and Iphone 3G respectively. The 3G is famazing [which is amazing and fantastic rolled up in one, very much like the Iphone]. I regret to say that I was going to receive an Iphone but did not, because I decided to replace my Ipod which fell into the ocean and ceased to function, instead of getting the uber awesome Iphone. The things I do for music.

8. Blogs–I discovered Tumblr this year, and fell in love with the clever simplicity of it all. I started out with a blog, but then deleted it. [This is the only thing on the internet I've ever started without deleting it] And then I started another blog after that on tumblr, which I use basically as a bookmark for pictures I see and like all over the net. It’s right here and I do think you should take a look at it. Be warned, it’s not school or office safe. I also discovered other cool websites, website i think everyone should really know about, websites that have not disappointed me, websites that I visit more than once every week. A few are: Icing, FFFFOUND, Polyvore and Mon.thly. I won’t even tell you what they are, I simply implore you to check them out. Another awesome thing that happened in the blog world [for me at least] is Coco Rocha’s decision to start blogging. Her blog is Oh So Coco and it makes me happy.

Gala Darling

7. Religion and Spirituality–I’ve been looking for a group that I feel part of for a while, a religious or spiritual groups. I’ve gone everywhere and tried everything but nothing seems to fit. This year I dabbled a little in Rastafari. I chose it as my topic for a research paper in school, and I made an effort to learn as much as I can about the movement. I was/am impressed. I like what it stands for and what it symbolises when practised genuinely. Will I become rasta? No I don’t think I will, but I do have a heightened sense of respect for the movement. The Tao is something that I have discussed on this blog before. And I bought a book called the Tao Te Ching earlier this year on my second short trip to the United States. I haven’t read it in its entirety yet, but it’s not something I want to rush. It is one of the most profound pieces of literature that I have ever had the pleasure of reading. It I am happy to say is a sort of spirituality I can see myself appreciating. It does not have a God and alot of the frills and fluff. It is really all about moral goodness and spirituality. And I like that. How can you go wrong if you live your life trying to be morally good and right in everything you do? You will not be perfect–we are all flawed–but the effort that this promotes is what makes the difference.

6. Bunnies--I like rabbits, and though I am not a pet person so would never get one as a pet, I do love rabbits. I found alot of rabbit inspired photography and art this year and it really bolstered my love for the little creatures. Also it may be relevant to mention that I finally bought my own copy of my favourite story of all time: Alice’s Adventured In Wonderland and Through The Looking Glass. The book I bought is really neat, because it’s a literature type book, and it has insights into Lewis Carroll’s life etc. Amazing.

5. Actors–Robert Pattinson is a spectacular person, I would love to meet him and have long conversations with him. Twilight was not bad but as I mentioned in former posts on the blog I do not appreciate the talent that was put into writing the series. But to be fair, I did like the first book of the collect, which was Twilight and so I did not have any qualms in seeing the movie. Dakota Fanning is growing up so nicely, I adore her. Robert Downey Junior has perhaps been one of the busiest actors this year, I saw Iron Man twice in theatres and bought the DVD. Heath Ledger was an amazing man, his performance as the Joker in The Dark Night was nothing less that captivating and utterly stunning.

4. Snickers–When you’re a busy University student, you sometimes forget to eat, but it doesn’t mean you don’t get hungry. Trust me. And for those times of hunger, Snickers has been there, I actually prefer Twix as a chocolate bar generally, but snickers really hits the spot, and I like that it’s not too sweat and doesn’t leave a lasting taste on my tongue.

3. Music–This year was a good year for music. It was. I discovered plenty of fantastic artists, that…well, you know. I didn’t know about. This was also the year that I discovered Muxtape…but unfortunately this is also the year that they had to discontinue their awesome website. I also went to SumFest this year, in my country. I saw alot of artists that I love and respect perform live, but most importantly I saw Lil’ Wayne performing live in my country. Amazing. And speaking of Amazing, I really loved Kanye’s album this year, I can’t think of another album I liked as much. Wait, yes I can…The Carter III of course.

2. Vegetarianism–I have been a vegetarian for a year now, and I am going to continue. I am not doing it for specific reasons like health or religion, It’s just soemthing I’ve always wanted to do. I still eat dairy and seafood and I love my diet this way, I feel good I feel healthy and I felt like this all year. I recommend it with a side dish of vitamin B12 suppliments to anyone =]

1. Politics–I don’t like politics, but this was not a bad year for politics…well, outside of my country at least. I am glad that Obama won the American Presidential Elections, and so are alot of other people. I am also grateful for the Iraqi Journalist who threw both of his shoes at G. Bush. I think, as a person studying journalism, it was a pretty cool thing to see. A bit unrelated to politics, is the 2008 Olymics in Beijing. I am of course incredibly proud of the Jamaican Athletes especialy Usain Bolt, since you know…I am Jamaica. But I also think that what Phelps did was. nothing short of spectacular. It was a year full of History hallmarks, and I’m glad I was alive to witness it all!