Ring in the New Year

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

Best of 2013

I can't believe 2013 is over. It felt like yesterday that Dave and I were landing in Los Angeles on the 1st January ending a 3 week trip to our home towns of Lufkin and Kingston for Christmas. A lot has happened including changing jobs, moving, a trip to the other side of the world and much more. It has been a great year for the most part. I was challenged in many ways, but am now enjoying the rewards of hard work, dedication and pursuing what felt right for my life. Here's are the highlights of 2013. I am so excited to see how 2014 unfolds and very much looking forward to it topping what was a year of great learnings, growth and happiness.

Happy new year to all my friends near and far! Health and happiness in 2014!

Lazy Sunday

I had an unsettling feeling when my company said we all needed to take leave for two weeks during the Christmas and New Year's holidays. I have only been at my new job (can I say new any more?) for two months and had just the tiniest bit of leave accrued. Dave and I didn't have plans for the break, so I offered to work. In the end, I was allowed to work on the Monday and Tuesday before Christmas, but wouldn't be allowed to come back till the 6th January. What was I complaining for? After five weeks of unemployment, what's five days of more beach time?

So after three days away at Forresters Beach with some friends for Christmas, Dave and I finally began to enjoy my forced break when we returned on Friday the 27th December. So on Friday night, we did nothing but watch our latest TV fix - Friday Night Lights.

Snorkelling at Gordon's Bay

On Saturday, we decided that we were too lazy on Friday night, so we went running around Coogee, snorkelling at Gordon's Bay, watched the Melbourne Test of The Ashes at home, I read in the sun at Coogee Beach while Dave played volleyball. We took advantage of our free Saturday to the max. But we didn't stop there. My Irish/Aussie friend Keith had his friends from NYC visiting and asked his American friend to party. So Dave and I went to The Beresford and The Colombian leaving Oxford Street finally at 2:30am. So by Sunday, we were wiped out. We woke up at 11am and then continued to watch more of Friday Night Lights and The Ashes with snoozes in between for the rest of the day. We didn't leave our apartment 6pm. GASP I know! All day, we saw the sunlight peeking through our blinds. We knew fully well that it was a gorgeous day outside, but we were too beat and lazy to go outside. We felt guilty for 'wasting' the day, but sometimes you need a lazy Sunday.

By 6pm, we couldn't stand it any more. Cabin fever had taken over and it was a) time to shower and b) breathe some outside air. Luckily, we saw a bit of sunshine. We took a stroll along the Coogee coastline taking in the beautiful view and perfect weather. Looking at our new neighbourhood (since August), we thanked our lucky stars for being in a position in life where we could be guilt free enough to 'waste' a day watching TV all day, but also appreciate what is around us and to never take it for granted. Some days, you need to recharge and that's OK. No one is judging you. Just make sure you make the most of the other days.

I still have a few more days left before I head back to work. I'm glad I have the time to relax, recharge and of course finish off some blogs! Enjoy the last bits of 2013...there's a lot of living to do in 2014!   

A View of Coogee at Sunset

Sit Back and Relax