In preparation for the start of a new year- which quite appropriately begins on a Monday- I’ve been re-reading old blog posts from NYE in previous years, in particular focussing on last year. 2016 was not really “my year”, but I ended the post with this quote:
“Let her sleep, for when she wakes she will move mountains.”
With this in mind I was determined to start 2017 hitting the ground running...looking back, here is an overview of how it went:
Early in January I was in Dublin for my beautiful friend, Dolly’s wedding, it was so special to be a part of their day and to see how they’ve grown and been blessed throughout the first year of their marriage!
Towards the end of January brought a new potential opportunity; a chance to move to Malaga, Spain to work in video production. It was a test of faith to determine whether my health and finances would permit me to go, but some what miraculously everything came together in time for me to move to Malaga in March!
I truly loved my time in Spain, I thoroughly enjoyed the work I was doing, the people around me brought so much joy to my life and became friends for life, and the area that I called home, daily took my breath away!
Over the very hot summer months I was able to do a bit more travelling, to see more of Spain, spend some unforgettable weeks in Morocco and some time in Poland, where I met some wonderful women and also visited Auchwitz, which was extremely moving.
September sadly saw the end of my time in Spain, and once again the beginning of the “what next” dilemma. It was hard coming away from somewhere that I’d had such a purpose and sense of belonging and I went through a bit of reverse culture shock. But it was nice to spend time with the people and Gwen who I had missed while being abroad. I also got a few editing projects completed. But, as ever, what I really wanted was to escape from ashby, to find a place to belong.
So when a job came up for a video production internship in London in a dog-friendly office, I couldn’t wait to apply. A few weeks and an interview later, I was thrilled to hear I’d got the job! So after a few made dashes down to London to find somewhere to live, a turned a new page into a new chapter set back in London. I am absolutely loving it, the job is great, the people are fun and lovely, I have a flat to live in, and even though the internship is only a few months, at which point no doubt the “what next” struggle will resurface, being back here, I can’t help but feel like the opportunities are endless, and I can’t wait to see what 2018 brings this way!
Happy new year, make 2018 your year!
