So Christmas is over, and now the New Year is looms closer, and after reading Sandi Sieger’s post My 2011, I had to take some time to reflect on the year that was 2011. We often come to the end of the year, and all of a sudden its all:
“Oh this year has gone so quickly!”
“Where has the year gone!”
“I haven’t done anything this year!”
This year, for me, these statements only felt all too true. After losing my job, I wondered if I’d actually managed to do anything with all of this extra time I seemed to have. So, like Sandi, I’d like to go back over 2011 to have a look at the things that I have done.
Kirby, Myself, and My sister in Cambodia
I travelled back to Thailand, Cambodia, Vietnam, and Singapore, and took one of my best friends with me to show her where I grew up.
I had my name published in the Masthead of a magazine.
I started getting paid for doing what I love, writing.
I travelled to Sydney, twice, once for work, and once for a holiday.
I went to a music festival, on my own, and had so much fun.
I saw two of my top 10 bands, Phoenix and the Foo Fighters, live.
I swam with crocodiles up in Darwin, at Crocosaurus Cove.
Kirby & I at Crocosaurus Cove
I wrote, I wrote, I wrote, and I kept writing.
I published almost 600 articles, and started work on novel.
I made the effort to keep in touch with friends who I had seen too little of in previous years.
I made a layer cake, and it was awesome.
The Layer Cake
I put serious thought into what I want from life, my career, and my family.
I moved back home, and really began to appreciate the fantastic area I live in.
I met and got to know people in Adelaide who are doing brilliant things, and following their passions.
I (sort of) graduated from university.
I baked for charity, and raised almost $300 for the RSPCA.
So that is my 2011, it wasn’t all of it, I’m sure there are more things I could add. My list may not be as impressive as Sandi’s, but I’m glad I took the time to realise that 2011 was a pretty successful year for me. It has been a year thats set me on the path I want to go down.
Let me know if you’ve done any reflecting of your own. Happy New Year!
