After Christmas...

Its that little time of year somewhere between Christmas and New Years when I get particularly reminiscent. I can't believe a whole year has passed... "Why not?" well...

2008 and has been a big, big, big year for me.
1. I completed my Honours degree this year. That's right, I'm now Amanda Claire Wells, B.A., Hons. bitches.
2. I quit my job at BP - finally! 4 years at BP, and I was bored to tears.
3. My Grandfather died in May. Not one thing in particular killed him... I guess you would say he died of old age. He was barely there anymore anyway, but then this kidneys started to fail, he got a blood infection and got pneumonia. Vale, Granddad.
4. My Mum was diagnosed with Breast Cancer. DON'T PANIC - Vital facts: caught VERY early. It was a super fast growing cancer but it was detected so early on that it hadn't spread. She's fine. Her hair is growing back after chemo and she still has two boobs... that's the important thing... /sarcasm.
5. My Grandmother almost died... then didn't ... then almost died again... but then recovered.
6. My sister got pregnant... its fine though, because by the time the baby's born she'll be 20 so its not a baby born to a teen, quite.

And other things that happened to people around me that affected me too.
BIG YEAR.

But looking back, it has also been a good year. I have always tried to argue that the things that have happened this year could be interpretted in positive lights too.

For example, my grandfathers death: while its horrible for us that he's gone, at least we got to say goodbye. He didn't die instantly, he held on. And we could all go and see him, and accept that this had to happen. It wasn't fun, but it was better than nothing.

My mother's cancer: caught so early its ridiculous. She had actually put off the mammogram by 6 months. If she'd had it when she was supposed to, there would have been nothing to detect... which means that her next one wouldn't have been for 2 years. Which means it would have been so big by say now, December 2008 that she would have been able to feel it, it would have spread and who knows what else...

My Grandmother's almost dying: made everyone realise how difficult her life with our other Grandfather is. The move to a retirement home is underway, and we won't have to worry so much about them not looking after themselves.... not that they're children... but they are both old, frail, and stubborn. Not so good.

You get the drift.

Despite all this though, I think I would like to make it my wish that next year brings more balance, less turbulence and a distinct lack of hospital visits, thanks very much.


2009 - New Years ... goals. They aren't resolutions.... I haven't resolved to do anything, but I would LIKE to do somethings.

1. Buy a house.
2. Lose a little bit of weight.
3. Build some savings up.
4. Start more frequent communication with Amy.
5. Get a job... a job that relates to my degree, or at least my interests.
6. Write for the pleasure of writing.
7. Draw for the pleasure of drawing.
8. Visit Granny at least once on my own.