New year is supposed to be a time for reflection and new starts. This year, that’s only partly true for me.
2014 is the first year where I feel like I’ve actually done something with my life. It turned out to be the best year I’ve had so far, following 2013 which was by far the worst. But at least knowing that, I know I didn’t mope around in my failures and I got off my arse and changed my situation. 2013 was a very difficult year, but everything that went wrong I feel I’ve managed to turn around for the better. I’ve completely moved on from past relationships, I managed to get a couple of new teaching jobs which I love and I’ve found a new passion in life: travelling. And so, there’s been a lot of reflection, but as for ‘new year new me’ bullshit, I’m going to try and continue as I have been this year.
My new years resolutions were to spend less money on alcohol/ drink less and go to more shows/plays/musicals/theatre productions. I think I’ve done quite well to be honest. Although I might just have scuppered that with my last week at home. Let’s not count the Christmas period!
This year, for 2015, my resolutions are to drink at least 2 litres of water every day and visit as many new countries and cities as possible. If I’m good with my money I should be adding half a dozen Spanish cities, Morocco and Portugal to my list. 🙂
This year I’ve done a lot of fun things and a lot of (for me!) scary things; I’ve had some memorable experiences and some forgotten nights; I lived in 3 countries over 2 continents; I travelled through Thailand, Malaysia and Singapore; I worked in Bangkok, London, Brighton and Madrid; I’ve made some amazing friends and let go of some people who weren’t good for me; and I’m happy.
Here are my top 10 moments of 2014:
10, Snorkeling at Angthong National Marine Park in Thailand. A simple holiday experience for most people, but I’m terrified of the sea and felt like I’d achieved something. Even if my heart was pounding dangerously the entire time.
9. Coco and Shaz’s wedding reception at Beancross. After being away for so long it was great to get dressed up, see my family and friends, do some ceilidh dancing and take advantage of the free bar (thanks dad). Also, my wee bubz Amy asked me to be her chief bridesmaid. Aww.
8. Bringing in the new year at Siam Square in Bangkok with fireworks, music, and a great bunch of people.
7. My weekend in Khao Yai National Park in Thailand, trekking through the jungle, seeing wild elephants and king cobras, swimming in natural springs, finding tarantula nests and standing in a field while a million bats flew over my head. Incredible.
6. Spending a week in Chiang Mai with my friends during Songkran.
5. The first time I had a full conversation with someone in Spanish. An amazing feeling.
4. Doing the fire limbo with Didi on Kho Phi Phi. No casualties. Yass!
3. Sitting on a beach on Koh Lanta watching the sunset, not another soul in sight for miles.
2. The night of the Koh Tao pub crawl. Hilarious memories with great people that I will never, ever forget.
And without a doubt, my absolute favourite:
1. Spending 5 weeks at an elephant sanctuary with a group of volunteers who completely made the experience for me. A month of caring for and learning about the elephants, guiding groups of tourists, parties in the evenings with the mahouts, swimming in the river after ‘work’, living in wooden huts with various beasties and living in a place that I miss and consider returning to for good every day.
I hope 2014’s been good to you, and I wish you all all the best for 2015 🙂
Peace x
I Did It Thai Way 