2011 in review…

As some of the older readers know, every year I do an annual wrap up.  Here’s 2007, 2008, 2009 & 2010‘s.  More importantly, here’s 2011′s:

Things I learned:

• Work smart, not hard.  I sometimes still battle with this one, bit essentially I think I’ve mastered it.
• Let anger go.  It only brings me down, and I’ve learned that the quicker I let my anger go, the quicker I can deal with things.
• The center of attention is not always the best place to be.  Sometimes it’s okay to arrive unnoticed and be the silent ninja.  You learn more that way, usually.
• Being too friendly with colleagues isn’t always appropriate.  I think this is the biggest lesson I’ve learned in 2011.  As I’m the boss, not everyone wants me in their inner circle.  At first it hurt, but eventually I made peace with it and now enjoy the moments I can to laugh and have fun with the dudes I work with.
• Fake it ’til you make it!
• Make sushi.  Not only do I eat it now, but I can make it too!  Look at me getting over my phobia!

Things I did:

• Spontaneously booked and paid for an international cruise with Jon.  This only happens in 2012 (less than 6 weeks until we’re in Madagascar!!!!) but I am ridiculously excited!
• Got promoted.  Woohoo!
• Developed a routine at home.
• Convinced my mom to move up to Joburg – best idea ever!
• Had my first ever car accident.  Through no fault of my own.
• Spoiled myself with the brand new iPhone 4s.  Happy Christmas to Sheena, Love Sheena!

Things I loved in 2011:

• Jon and I share the happiest, most drama-free and loving relationship I’ve ever experienced.  I’m so lucky to have him share this life with me.
• Solidified friendships that had been neglected.
• Having my mom and littlest brother just 5 minutes up the road from me.
• Swimming on hot Summer days in the pool, followed by a water massage in the jacuzzi at my mom’s.

Things I got sad about:

• Jadie passing away too young
• My mom’s heart being taken advantage of
• Seeing my family home going to waste in an unhappy environment, and saying good bye to childhood memories in that same house

Things I want for 2012:

• A fully developed team at work – right now we’re overbooked and under resourced, I’d like this to change
• I believe in keeping things alive in the relationship.  Stagnation isn’t good for any couple.  I look forward to what 2012 brings for Jon and I, we have a fair amount of things to accomplish around the house and such.  It’ll be a good year for us both, I know it.
• A loving year for my friends and family, God knows we all need it.
• No drama, no deaths and no distractions from my goals.  If I get just a little bit of those wishes granted, I’ll be grateful

I’ve got a strong circle of friends, filled with amazing and inspiring people, and my family has become secure and is on the way to happiness again.  This year devastated us, the divorce was hard on everyone.  But I’m starting to finally see a glimpse of the light at the end of the tunnel for my mom and brother.  It’s been a hard, but blessed year.  I’ve come into my own with that whole adulthood thing.

Merry Christmas everyone, and happy New Year.  I hope 2012 is better for us all!

And to end off, here are some of my favourite photos of 2011.

#GratefulEveryday

Dave started a hash tag a few months ago that he (cough cough) no longer participates in.  Every night before I go to bed, I outline at least one thing I am grateful for.  I might not tweet it, but I make sure #GratefulEveryday is a habit I don’t break, even though.  Lately, I see a few bloggers doing the rounds of what they’re grateful for.  I decided to take part.

1. I’m grateful to have a really good friend as my other half.  Jon and I love each other, yet we’ve struck up the most beautiful friendship on top of the intimacy of being in a relationship.  We giggle, laugh, tease and joke with each other constantly.  He’s my number 1 go to person whenever I need advice or to vent or just to share something.  I like to think he does the same with me.  I fell in love with this man before we became friends, which was the topsy-turvy way of going about this relationship thing, but I’m so grateful we have the best of both worlds in each other.
2. I’m grateful to have my mom right up the road for me.  I honestly don’t know how I lived so far away from her before.  If I don’t see her every 3 days or so, it feels like there’s something missing.  I’m also very selfish, but since she’s single again I feel like I have her full attention when I’m around.  It’s been a long time since I felt that with my mom.  Aside from everything else, the emotional support we give each other is second to none.  And it’s wonderful that I can pop in for a ten minute coffee on my way home most days.  I’m very lucky.
3. I’m grateful for my lifestyle.  Jon and I share a good, fulfilling and happy life.  We can afford to be comfortable and go out for dinner, we can happily stay at home and watch TV or read books the whole weekend.  It’s completely up to us what we do with our life, and I’m grateful that we have the choice on when to change that option.
4. I’m grateful for my family.  I know loads of other people who don’t like their siblings.  I love mine!  They’re insane, funny, ridiculous and awesome, all at once.  My parents are fantastic, and they raised us with very alternative methods, but I think we turned out okay.
5. I’m grateful for my career.  I love the people I work with and even though I don’t always come home with a smile on my dial, for the most part, I am grateful I have work issues to contend with – I could be a street walker!

I need a break.

It’s been a very busy month for me.  I am desperate for a break and although I’ll be working from home this festive season, I don’t get leave until February.  But at least then I can say I’M ON A BOAT, BITCHES!

Was in Cape Town last week.  It was pretty eventful:

1. On the plane I fell asleep and was startled by the overhead announcer who was so loud that I jumped out of my seat, my right arm flew into the face of the dude next to me and his drink spilled all over us both.  He was not stoked.
2. Five minutes later, I choked on a chip and the same dude had to give me the Heimlich maneuver.
3. My hotel shuttle didn’t arrive to pick me up from the airport, so I found another taxi and the driver assumed I was from London so started telling me all about Apartheid and Robben Island.  I felt like I couldn’t disappoint him so adopted a British accent for the entire drive.
4. Once I arrived at my hotel, I found out it was self catering to 4 star business executives.  Would’ve been fine except I was starving and they didn’t have space at any restaurant within walking distance to feed me.  Instead, I opted to take a stroll to the nearest supermarket to get some grub.  I managed to find a mini margarine, half a liter of milk and a loaf of bread with some cheese slices.  On my way back, I was accosted by a homeless person who wouldn’t take the Joburg standard response of “Not today, buddy”.  He eventually started screaming and chasing after me when I began to trot away from him.  To keep him at bay, I began to throw slices of bread over my shoulder while yelling for him to leave me alone.
5. Walked into the hotel reception’s glass door.  Twice.