A Good Year

Well this may well be a little premature - but given that I will probably not have time next week when I am in Bali/Gili's to be writing on my blog- I have decided to publish my reflections on the year in advance of Xmas and going away.

Shit, its been a good year. One with ups and downs yes, but overall I feel like I have taken some big steps forward and its cool to think that I have done some of the stuff that I have done.

For a start, living in Indonesia was amazing. To have become at least reasonably proficient in another language is something that I have been wanting to do for a long time, and this year I managed it. And re-testing my skills next week is going to be fun!

The test of living in a country with a completely different culture taught me a lot about myself. And waking up after three hours sleep to a magnitude 6.4 earthquake definitely gave me a lot to think about, and I must say, it was an absolute privilege to work with my peers in that disaster zone. It is honestly true that extreme situations bring out the best and the worst of people, and I saw both.

Travelling around Indonesia was magnificent. Making Indonesian friends who were generous with their time and their friendship was also magnificent. Unexpectedly, I also made some great friends from around the world - I am thinking of Kenta from Japan, Kara from Turkey, Cal from Ireland and Sofie from Germany. They are people who I think I will maintain friendships with for a long time.

The wonderful family that I lived with in Yogya and their generosity with and tolerance of the mad Australian woman who sang at the top of her voice and came home at 5am.

Climbing mountains, visiting the biggest Buddhist monument in the world, singing in a band at a bar in Yogya, cheerleading at an inter-law firm soccer tournament in Jakarta, drift snorkelling in Gili Trawangan - all amazing experiences. I have to say that the time I spend at Borobudur on the day of the Waisak festival was remarkably spiritual, and beautiful. Possibly the most outstanding highlight of that 6 month period.

There has then of course been, the coming home. After freaking out about being unemployed, and what it would be like, and whether I would settle, I have to say Adelaide has pleasantly surprised me. I have once more fallen in love with Adelaide. It is going to be hard to leave next time, knowing that it may be a while before I live here again.

Rediscovering the single life (that I never really had before anyway) has been interesting. Starting my working life in a Minister's office has also been interesting. I am very lucky that I love my job, but perhaps it is easier to feel that way about work when you know you are leaving...... Nonetheless, I have tried to make the most of the opportunity I have been given there, and I hope to continue to enjoy work until such time as I move to the UK.

That was another epiphany this year - working in that law firm in Jakarta really taught me that I would not be suited to that kind of work, and gave me a nudge in the direction of further study. While my plans this year were foiled after my ill-fated tilt at a Fulbright, I still am very keen to do a Masters in International Affairs and continue to pursue my passion for international politics. How that will happen is something that I can hopefully reflect on this time next year.

But back to Adelaide. Discoveries and re-discoveries of the year have included Rocket Bar, Augie March, The Pre-Sets, Murakami Books, Morning Jogs, I-Pod (best purchase of 06 without question!!), The Monthly Magazine, Ann Mitchell, Ash Blonde, Special Patrol, Monday Night Drinks, Jill Scott, Ky Chow, Erina(!), Continental Toast, Double Macchiato's, Cinema Nova, online news and Itunes, MySpace.

My gorgeous group of friends have of course made the year tops- Alana (in Indo), Claudia, Kate and Becky, my brothers Sandy and Jonathon, and of course the baby of the family Gabs. And who could forget the weekend in Sydney with that mad woman Peta? I haven't seen much of her because of random circumstances (mainly - that we have both been variously overseas) but Shani has been a great support and I am glad to see her loving life. And who could forget Uncle Brad? He is outrageous & preposterous but with him life is never dull......

Habits I wished i could have broken - nail-biting, second guess SMS, never being able to stop at one chocolate, lack of discipline with money, day-dreaming, saying "dude", snapping at people, being slave to my hormones.

And with that I bid you adieu. Assuming that is in fact how that word is spelled.

To friends overseas Merry Xmas and Happy New Year - to friends in Australia the same. I hope that 2007 is as good to you as 2006 was to me. I'm not any richer, or any thinner, but I am happy, and a bit fitter, and my direction is a little more set.

And people, please forgive my self-indulgence - I am actually just putting my thanks out there into the Universe - because 2006 could have gone two ways for me.

And fortunately it was indeed, a good year.