Adieu 2011
Posted on 12.31.11 to Personal by JoanA little more than 4 hours and counting down to a brand new year. I’m sitting here, watching a couple of my sisters play with Clare and feeling blessed.
2011 was a big year for me in terms of personal growth. I never thought that there was much more room of developing who I am, but I was wrong.
I’ve refined, fine-tuned, stretched the boundaries of being a parent. I’m thankful that I have great support in that department and that T and I work in strong partnership in raising Clare.
In relationships around me, I’ve mended some, strengthened some, revived some, stretched some, destroyed some and gave up some. None of which I regret.
I’ve learnt to understand others better, accept things better, understand me better and become a better person by changing the bits of me that need to be changed. I’ve also learnt when to put my foot down, when to say ‘no’ and when to say ‘it’s not alright’.
I’ve been pushed to extreme limits again, and it always serves to be a great reminder about the depth of my strength and how, no matter what, I will always make it through fine even when it most certainly does not feel like it.
I got to travel around the world, two and a half times. I’ve seen more, experienced more, understood more than I ever did in my lifetime. For that, I’m grateful. I used to be apathetic about the on goings of the world, but now I love reading the news, I want to know more and I want to live more. Some of the new places I’ve been to — Dubrovnik, Croatia; Budapest, Hungary; Krakow, Poland; Koh Samui and Bangkok, Thailand (yes! I finally made it to Bangkok, after trying to get there a few times). I went back to Hong Kong and Prague, Czech Republic again, spent wonderful time in Noosa, Australia and quite a few trips to Sydney and Melbourne. There were so many more cool places I’ve been to this year, which I can’t wait to share about when that show goes to air next year.
This was a year of extreme highs and extreme lows, and lots in between. There were many firsts for me, many new achievements, many more milestones reached. I loved lots of 2011 and hated bits of it.
I’m looking forward to changes and growth in 2012.
One of my favourite places – Dubrovnik, Croatia.
I took more airplanes than any form of public transport this year, something which I am actually very thankful for.
My family — am so grateful for them.
