2009 – closing out the year

2009 – is it the end of this decade or is that next year? I’m never quite sure really but I suppose the twenties will start with 2020, therefore end in 2019, so we better start calling it the new decade now!

2009 has come to an end finding me in yet another new country, trying to find my place in this new life and having lots of adventures along the way. It has been a great year in so many ways although there have been times when I’ve felt overwhelmed and unable to cope with some aspect of my life or other.

And what were these great things?
Getting agreement to move with my job to Tanzania and making it all legal;

Seeing my friend’s gorgeous 3 month old baby girl in March – the first of my friend’s to have a baby. My baby instincts shouted at me very loudly as I cuddled her to my chest;

Attending my first hen party in March. I’ve attended weddings but never a hen;

Getting a weekend away in fancy hotel in Ireland with James when he was home on a business trip. Completely unexpected and a wonderful surprise to have him home in March:

Being invited to and having James come home to attend the wedding of one of my school friends. The first one of the school gang to get married. A wonderful couple and beautiful day;

Hearing about 3 more engagements of good friends throughout the year. I love to see people happy;

Spending nearly 3 weeks at home with family and friends before moving to Tanzania – the longest I’ve had there is a while. I lunched and walked, spent quality time with my mother and she made me dresses for working in a hot environment. Time well spent indeed;

Moving to Tanzania! Enough said;

Travelling so much, going to the beach on a regular basis, visiting ancient ruins, seeing all sides of Zanzibar, viewing animals on safari, diving again;

Realising how blessed I am with wonderful family and friends who made the trip out here to see us and who stay in touch on a regular basis with me despite me running off all over the world;

James. Words cannot describe what he means to me and how much he has stood by me and helped me over the past year – both from afar when I wasn’t here and here once I moved over;

Starting blogging again. I’ve found this to be a great place to sort out my thoughts and I love the community aspect of it. So, thanks to those who read here. I do appreciate it;

I don’t regret my decision to move here at all even on the days that I struggle with my job and other aspects of my life out here. I have missed my family a lot over Christmas but I have one family member arriving in mid January for a trip so that’ll help alleviate it. 2010 is shaping up to be an exciting year for all sorts of reasons but I’m going to look at it in closer detail over the New Year period. Stay tuned.

So I wish you a wonderful, prosperous and happy 2010. May everything you want come your way.