2011 There It Went

2011 has 1 hour and 23 minutes left in her. Holy Cow. Where did she go. She passed me by in a blur and left me windswept and bemused (and slightly confused), standing on the sideline. I feel that, of my nearly 50 years on the planet, this one has gone the quickest, in hindsight at least (at certain times it dragged terribly!!). Here's what I wrote on January 1 this year.

What does the year hold for us? Some of the things on this list are definite, some are maybes and some...well I just hope for some.

-a year in Canada for Drew

-a trip to Korea for Gibbo to meet our customers and see our meat

-a European trip for Meg and Chris and two other friends

-a hiking trip for me, either in New Zealand or Tasmania

-the fruition of some plans we first put in place 9 months ago (which should deliver me the long awaited project I've been looking for)

-a slower pace of life

Let's see what happens!!!

Well we pulled off most of those things. Drew did go to Canada (and beyond) for a year; Gibbo did travel to Korea (and China) to visit customers and see our meat and Meg and Chris did travel the world for four months. I didn't manage a hiking trip but I did ride my bike 600km across a small patch of SE Qld; the "long awaited project" blew up and flew away on us but we haven't given up on it and as for the slower pace of life - well I must have been smoking something when I wrote that. We just got busier as the year went on. It's said that the work expands to fit the time you have available. I'd agree with that. I though with school done and dusted I would have lots of time to pursue my interests....but work got in the way.

I'm not much one for making New Year resolutions. I don't celebrate the occasion. I still have vivid memories of hiding behind the bathroom door as a 12 or 13 years old, crying because everyone (my parent's friends) was singing Old Lang Syne and I found the song incredibly sad and wished they'd all go home.


I asked Gibbo and Meg what their expectations for next year are. Gibbo wants to buy a place of our own (with a house that we can move to) and have a legal beer with Drew while sitting at the bar at Mary's. Meg wants to consolidate a permanent Supervisor position in Toowoomba; maybe buy a house; visit the most northern, southern, eastern and western points of Australia; floss daily; read more books; light more candles; drink more water and take a daily vitamin tablet! My wish is also to move to a place of our own; to walk the Milford Track in NZ and to teach myself to play the banjo following the lessons in the book that Chris gave me. Who knows what Drew's will be - it will probably involved travel but it will be hard for him to top this year, ever. Chris is keen to get the next two years of Uni completed. He's starting off the year on the right foot - he and his father are walking the Overland Track in Tasmania in the middle of January before he heads back to Uni.


This year in review - like every other year it had it's ups and downs. Things I remember the most include:

-the nervous anticipation of Drew leaving

-Drew leaving

-the first five tough weeks in Canada

-travelling to Wylarah for 6-8 weeks with Gibbo

-365ing

-receiving the printed copy of sliprail in the mail

-Goombungee Show

-laughing with Meg

-Meg cooking

-a session with Jill

-3 June birthdays

(no pictures for Drew turning 18)

-chook shows with Gibbo

-Drew going to Chaudiere Lodge

-losing my mind in the Winter but finding it again

-Meg leaving

-Gibbo leaving

-Gibbo coming home

-my bike ride

-Meg's Oktoberfest costume

-Meg driving Route 66 across the USA

-Meg and Drew together in Canada (those photos)

-Meg coming home

-Christmas (and Meg's face)

-Drew leaving for Antarctica

That just about wraps up the year!

Deciding to start a 365 journal in a year where three out of four of us travelled overseas may have been a crazy idea. Although there were times when, combined with blogging everyone's adventures and the regular day to day happenings, I felt like I had a second job (coming home from sitting in front of a computer all day and sitting in front of a computer all night trying to keep up with the blog and the journal) it was certainly worth it. I have a beautiful recollection of all that happened throughout the year, both in journal form and electronic form. When I print the sliprail blog book (two copies please so there's no fighting in years to come) there'll be a fantastic recording of our year, with pictures as well.

I'll sign off now and have a cup of tea before bed. To wind down. To think about 2011.....and look forward to 2012. See you on the other side.