Wrapping up the Year.

So 2011 is coming to an end and although I would’ve loved to slam out a corkboard review again I realised I just didn’t have that many photos to do so (more on this later!).

It’s been a very fast year, I’ll probably start saying this every year but it’s just how it felt – is it a sign of getting older too?

But do you know what the greatest thing about the new year is?

To me it’s about leaving the year behind and starting a new year. We often use the saying at certain points in our lives, “starting a new chapter” but to me starting a new year is like starting a new book. Think about it, for those who still use paper organisers you will be starting a new one – I definitely will be!

Starting fresh!

So how did my 2011 fair up then? Well..

~I reckon that if I was to look back in a few years time and recall what the key events in 2011 were, I’d probably say:

• Graduation

Thank you mum

•  Starting Work

"Get in the photo Ben! You know you're going to end up joining us."

•  Moving Houses

I'm sorry Lydia.. forgive me

~But like every year, it’s always a chance to start / try new things!

• Snowboarding!

After tumbling to a halt.

• Tuesday Night Basketball & Thursday Basketball – no photos unfortunately But a huge thanks to all the ballers who show up! Especially to those that show up week after week.
  • On that note I’d just like to say I’ve gotten to meet so many new people in 2011 which I am always grateful for.

• Bom’s Cafe on Saturdays (well I tried! Yes, it’s still on when we can!)

Cup holders

• City2Surf (I will definitely challenge this again next year)

Chaffing.. will definitely keep that in mind.

~I never really state out my resolutions for the new year, in fact I don’t think I ever explicitly do them.. but I reckon I always subtly have a few things I want to do – becoming a better person & improving yourself should be a continuous journey right? Having said that, promises met for this year:

• Join a gym / regular exercise
• Start reading the books I buy
• Make a conscious effort to keep in contact with friends
• Be more independent

~And with that, I will always have things I need to work on (newly realised or existing):

• Attention to detail
• Asking the right question(s)!
• Becoming completely independent
• Get (and stay) fit
• Stop impulse buying .__________.
• Worry less, live more.

OK, fun stuff time.

~Top Games for me in 2011 (most time/effort spent):

• StarCraft II
• Battlefield 3
• NBA2K12

~Top Books for me in 2011 (most enjoyed — Yes I still have a tonne to finish!):

• Norwegian Wood
• The Aquariums of Pyongyang
• The Kite Runner

~Song that got the most “Repeats”:

(This should really be a no-brainer, hint – banner)

So with 2 days to go until the new year.. how am I feeling hmm.. well first of all, I can’t wait for Google to make another “year in review” video. But all and all I’m quite excited. I honestly don’t feel that it’ll be any sudden changes but at the back of my mind I know I’ll be one year older (and hopefully more mature!!) and be making bigger decisions in life.. but I think I’ve learnt to cross that bridge when I get there.

~So with that I leave a couple of rough notes on what I want to do in 2012:

• Visit my good friend Hans Hadiardja in South Korea
  • Congratulations again mate, I’m sure you’ll LOVE it there. So much so that I’m also sure you’ll find a lovely wife. Just remember that you were once Indo-Chinese living in Sydney, Australia. Yes, I really believe you’ll love it that much
• Visit Japan
• Read more books
• Finish (keyword) more games
• Take more road trips
  • Probably Tamworth (congratulations Angela ) and perhaps Canberra (congratulations Fred, going to miss you on the court!)
• Take more photos
  • Told you I’ll get back to this
• Go snowboarding again (and get a snowboard maybe)

Of course the list will grow.. but nothing wrong with laying a little foundation!

So until next year my friends! (Ps. the trollin’ will not stop).

Have a great New Year’s and keep it safe