Wednesday 1 January 2014

2013 • Round-Up

I can't believe we have officially arrived in 2014 - I swear I haven't even got used to writing the date as 2013 yet, I think I'm stuck somewhere in the 2000s! 
I was sat watching TV this evening and thinking about the past year and everything that has happened, and suddenly I just had the urge to sum it all up in a post, and share it with you lovely people. 


I brought the New Year in with some of my best friends which was really lovely as it's our last year altogether before we all go our separate ways for university and work amongst other grown up, scary things. 

My New Years Resolutions

I have my usual resolutions which I attempt to set myself every year, such as: worry less - this is a common one which I think I have had as my New Years Resolution for as long as I can remember, as I am terrible for over thinking and analysing things and just worrying generally about anything and everything. 
But this year I have got a couple of more practical ones which I hope to keep for this year and not fail at the first hurdle. 

Learn To Drive 

I turned 17 a fair while ago, and it is out of pure laziness that I haven't got my act together and actually learnt how to drive. I want to get that sorted out before I turn 18 in Summer because I want to be able to actually drive myself and my friends to the beach in Summer when all we have to do is worry about what awaits us in September. 

Take More Proper Photographs 

I have a digital camera, and don't get me wrong it is wonderful and I have some amazing memories caught on it. However, call me old fashioned but I don't think there is much better than looking through hard copies of pictures from disposable cameras. I bought myself one to use over Christmas and I was so happy with how the pictures turned out that I want to get myself one or two before any big events over the next year, so that I have recent photographs that I can plaster my uni walls with in September. 


Highlights 

Although in some aspects, 2013 has been one of the hardest years I have had to face yet, with some extremely sad and difficult things happening, there have also been an overwhelming number of happy and amazing moments as well. 

People around me



I know everyone will say something similar to this, but I have the most amazing set of friends and a wonderful family who I cherish more than I can mention. This year would have been impossible without them. And without sounding cliche, I can't say fully how much my boyfriend has made this year special. We've been together since 2012, and since then he has made me laugh more times than I remember, been to countless gigs with me and just made me feel brilliant as much as possible. Thank you Gabriel for just being generally wonderful. 

Music

2013 has definitely been a great year for music for me. I have been to some truly memorable concerts this year from arena tours to little gigs in Leeds. Some of my favourites include: Thirty Seconds to Mars, Daughter, Slam Dunk Festival, Leeds Festival, Don Broco and Anavae. Live music is one of my most treasured experiences, and although I'm not one for getting pushed around in a crowd, I am at my happiest watching a band play on stage. 

Big Stuff

Although most of my year has been taken up by Sixth Form work and general preparation for what lies outside the walls of school, I have managed to fit in some pretty fab things during 2013 which I will always remember. 


London - I spent a long weekend in London last Summer with Gabriel visiting my uncle and his girlfriend, which I did a blog post on at the time if you wanted to read more into that. But it was just amazing to escape for a few days. I got to visit the Harry Potter studio tour which I have wanted to do for a long time, and it was generally just a perfect weekend which I hope to repeat in 2014. 

My Birthday - Being a young one in my year, I turned 17 at the end of August last year, and it was one of the most special birthdays I have ever had. My friends all surprised me at my favourite restaurant and we all had a meal together which was really, really touching of them and something that meant such a lot to me. 


So there you have it, if you're still reading this now, then I commend you because I have really rambled on, more so than usual! 2014 is going to be a massive year for me, presenting challenges left, right and centre. 

I'm leaving for university in September, which is a terrifying thought. I have to leave everyone I love and go live on my own. However, at the same time I absolutely cannot wait and know that I will have the time of my life. I'm turning 18 - which is scary as I don't really know where the last few years have gone, and suddenly here I am on the doorstep of becoming an adult -gulp-. Plus boring things like my A Level exams and all the joyous preparation that comes with it. 
To sum up, bring on 2014 I am 100% ready.. For most of it at least! 

Thank you so much for reading, and I hope you all have a lovely 2014 x