Farewell 2010, Hola 2011

At the turn of the year it's always tempting to take stock of one's life, and turn over some new leaves in anticipation of the renewed energy the new year brings.

2010 was an interesting year, a year of transition but ultimately not a huge year for achievement. Looking back on my resolutions for the year I think I managed to succeed with about one and a half of the three, which I guess isn't bad going but it's not so great either. I certainly started the year on a better footing than 2009, with a NYE party at Nick's where I outrageously died my hair pink. A year of bad hair ensued, from which I am only now recovering!

I have travelled quite a bit this year again, with a trip to Darwin, a jaunt in Byron Bay, a conference in Brisbane, an escape to a country Queensland music festival and several other little weekends away. Of course a highlight was another big trip to Europe, and my first UK Christmas in a long time.

Life on the open road

Another resolution was around cooking, to explore new recipes and grow my culinary vocabulary. I can confidently say this was a resolution I stuck to, and I've tried many new recipes this year. They have primarily been of the dessert variety, much to the pleasure of my friends!

My spectacular book club cheesecake

Chocolate and cherry cupcakes

The resolution to grow green fingers was a complete disaster. The garden I had been cultivating is sadly no more, and I have simply not had the time or the patience to try again this year. Perhaps gardening is something I should leave until later in life, when I have my own garden or someone to help me with the hard work it entails. I'm considering getting involved with Landshare Australia, a movement which aims to connect people with land and people with the time and energy to contribute, in order to enable more people to grow their own food.

So here's to 2011, and let's hope it's a more productive year than 2010. My resolutions for this year are:

SORT LIFE OUT: Pass my driving test, get my Australian Citizenship, clear the credit card

CULINARY: A continuation of last year's resolution, but to try more savoury dishes this year

LEARNING: Continue to learn Spanish, look into some further postgrad study, learn to sew clothes

Not so thrilling but they're there at least. Let's see how I go this year.

cx