Happy New Year!
As many people do, I thought I'd reflect on the past year and list some of the things I got up to. I've sure jammed quite a bit into 12 months! There have been some great experiences and some sad ones, but overall I think it's an impressive list (if I do say so myself).
When I started thinking about this list I was feeling a little down in the dumps. Moving to South Africa has proved to be one of the most difficult things I've ever done. So I wasn't exactly looking back with rose tinted glasses. But after thinking about all the exciting things - the happy and oh-so privileged things - I got up to (and my reasons for coming here), it really was a year worth living. It was much more balanced and blessed than I originally thought.
In no particular order, in 2012 I...:
Moved continents (again)
Set foot in 5 countries (Canada, UK, USA, SA, and Lesoeto)
Started horse back riding (again)
Started a business
Went tubing, and swimming, and dipped my whole self in the South Atlantic Ocean
Learned how to drive on the wrong side of the road
Made friends with African Traders at Rosebank
Taught the dog how to 'Shake A Paw', 'Speak', and 'Sit Pretty' (even though she can't balance on her own...)
Got fit and healthy
Quit a job I did not like
Got a permit to live in SA (Oh but not to work...)
Fell in love with Cape Town
Missed my family a ton
Got to see them for a fantastic visit in March / April
FaceTime (and excitedly) welcomed the long awaited arrival of the wonderful Marcel (son of Steph and Andrew)
Learned a little Greek (Xronia Polla!)
Had my iPhone stolen
Had my lost wallet returned
Celebrated the marriages of Chris and Tina and Andrew and Stacey
Had the best B&B experience of my LIFE
Got a tan in December
Got my complete damage deposit back from UK estate agents
Rang in the New Year from the Drakensberg Mountains horse-back riding across mountain tops
I'm sure I've missed a few things, but when I think of the year like that, it sure has been eventful and busy. I'm going to start keeping a list from the beginning of the year that will include some of my goals for this year, and some of the things I've accomplished or experienced. In an effort to be more positive it's helpful for me to have something I can look at that reminds me (in black and white) that it hasn't all been difficult. I'm starting to look at it like climbing a mountain - I sometimes get so focused on getting to the top all I can feel is the pain and aches along the way. I often forget about those breathtaking moments when you stop halfway to rest and recuperate. If you take a moment and look around it's pretty amazing what the world has in store for you.
xx
Niki
