There’s no way to write this year’s – Year in Review – article without sounding like we are boasting a little. We’ve had such a wonderfully exciting year fulfilling many dreams and discovering new ones everyday.
January rolled by quickly with Michelle and I both finishing up jobs, packing up our lives and heading off into the sunset to start a new life abroad. The rest of the year flew by in a blur.
Some highlights follow:-
Destinations:-
- US – LA, Las Vegas – Grand Canyon, San Francisco – Yosemite, Canada – Big White, New York, Niagara Falls, Toronto, Washington, Philidelphia
- England (Yorkshire, Manchester, Cornwall, Cotswolds, Bath, Cambridge, London)
- Scotland (Edinburgh, Loch Ness, Isle of Skye, Eilean Donan Castle, Oban, Seil, etc.)
- Northern Ireland (Belfast, Bushmills, The Giant’s Causeway, Dunluce Castle, Portrush)
- North Wales (Llandudno, Snowdonia, Caernarfon, Beddgellert, Betws-y-Coed, Conwy, and Llanfairpwllgwyngyllgogerychwyrndrobwllllantysiliogogogoch)
- France (Paris, Disneyland)
- Scandinavia – Stockholm, Norway (Oslo, Lillehammer, Bergen, Fjords)
- Italy – Venice
- Switzerland – Geneva (French Alps, Chamonix)
How we earnt money:-
- I took a 3 month contract with an energy trading software company
- I then took a 3 month contract with a financial software company but quit after 1 week and returned back to the energy trading company for another 3 month contract
- I then secured a fulltime position with the energy trading software company to start in the new year
- Michelle took a senior marketing temp-to-perm position with a company that runs/owns recruitment companies
Where we lived:-
- Dossing in Vauxhall
- Sharehousing in Putney
- Dossing in Shepherds Bush
- and finally our own place in Chiswick
Love life:-
New babies:-
Our visitors:-
Our appearance:-
- Ben – 5 kg lighter, a few thousand hairs greyer and a few thousand have gone missing, my skin has become translucent
- Michelle – more beautiful than ever
Musicals/Concerts/Entertainment:-
- Wimbledon
- Mylo Concert
- Fatboy Slim concert
- The Porcupine Tree concert
- Missy Higgins concert
- Les Miserable
- The Producers
- Blood Brothers
- The Lion King
These are but a few of the wonderful things we have been able to do this year. I’m sure there are many things I have forgotten to mention but hey, you probably got bored reading this list anyway.
In writing this article I also reflected on the low moments of the year. The Pakistan earthquake, the London bombings, hurricane Katrina, the Ashes loss and many others tragic events all had a profound impact on many lives.
Looking at last years memorable moments and seeing what we’ve achieved this year I can only think that each year brings with it new experiences that set the mold for who you are today and who you will grow to be in the future.
My challenge to the reader is to put together a list of their happy and sad moments for 2005 and then to share them with your close friends and loved ones. It’s always nice to reflect on your experiences and how they may have changed your life.
Can’t believe that you don’t mention Blackpool as a memorable destination in 2005!
Where’s the mention of the (UNFINISHED I might add) he who knows challenge ?
Hmmmmmmm…
C’mon kids lets focus on the important things !!!
That’s interesting, Daniel (flatmate) and I were talking about the year that was last night and giving it a rating out of 10, and for what reasons. It’s amazing how much happens in a year when you look back. I am sure you overseasers would have seen plenty more, but the fact that we are all safe and healthy is more than enough.
We’ve moved, changed jobs, seen some sites but one word describes the year…. Owen.
Funnily enough I think it will describe next year as well!