Everyone agreed. 2014 is gonna be the year. But what does that mean? The year for what? Listening to everyone talk about the year that was and the year ahead, it really got me thinking about my expectations for 2014.
To quote one of my favourite Broadway shows Rent...how do you measure a year?
I could say 2013 was a way better year than 2012. I lost someone close in one year, I lost a job in the next. I went to North America to visit family, and when I went to North America the next year, I didn't.
There were mixed feelings among my friends of whether 2013 was a good year or not. I can't decide, but what I can do is be thankful for the challenges I faced and overcame. I am thankful that those same challenges propelled me to where I stand in 2014. There were definitely some hard times in 2013 and thankfully my determination and perseverance combined with my supportive friends and family got me through to a better place. I'll look at 2013 with thanks and look forward to 2014 with optimism.
Reasons why I'm thankful for 2013
- Worked for a company that didn't re-open till mid-January allowing me to visit close Fordham friends in LA
- Celebrated my 4th anniversary with Dave at a romantic getaway in Jervis Bay that he planned all by himself
- Felt like a kid again visiting 4 theme parks in the Gold Coast and developed a taste for tawny
- Rekindled the need to travel around random places in Australia like Adelaide and the Barossa Valley
- Took on strange recipes like salmon pie, but reignited my passion for cooking
- Devastated I couldn't attend one of my closest friend's wedding in England, but had a ridiculous time at her English School Girl meets Bollywood themed hen's weekend in Port Douglas
- Not the biggest fan of Australia soccer, but saw them clinch a World Cup berth by beating Iraq
- Wasn't sure about playing Division 1 soccer, but made some great friends and hosted a women's tribute night full of my games and drank plenty of jager bombs
- Couldn't bear to think of trying to get a job within 28 days if I left my current job, so I jumped on Dave's visa
- Saw a joke of a Canada vs USA ice hockey game and made the most of it by dressing like a USA clown
- Didn't run a half-marathon again, but ran my fastest City2Surf
- Left a job because it wasn't right for me any more, but found my Sydney dream job instead
- Decided to leave a job and move apartments 3 weeks before a 3 week holiday, but the Coogee beach side apartment is so worth it
- Lost a bidding war for an apartment, but snagged a better and renovated apartment instead
- Didn't make soccer play-offs, but was the best cheerleader for club mates who did
- Went to North America and wasn't seeing my family, but attended 2 weddings of my closest friends and had the best adventures in Belize and Guatemala
- Was jobless for 5 weeks, but had the confidence to not give up the search...plus went to the races and spent money I didn't have on a fabulous new dress and fascinator
- Continued to spend money I didn't have on new furniture, but had enough savings and a loving boyfriend who still had a job
- Forgot to make Thanksgiving dinner, but shared American treats with my new colleagues
- Didn't go home for Christmas, but spent it with one of my closest friends and her newborn baby boy
- Had many ups and downs, but always had the backing of my family, friends and my love no matter what
When the Clock Strikes 12
Happy New Year from Sydney!
Barefoot Bowls to Kick-off the New Year
2014 Starting Off the Busiest I've Ever Seen Coogee
