It is coming up in less than 12 hours now, a new year, the end of 2008 and the start of 2009. Is it a fresh start, an oppertunity to do all those things I just never got round too this year, to make “new year resolutions” that are rarely kept, or to continue life the same as normal?

I’m trying to think what I have I managed to do over the past year and the main things that come to mind is working in different Christian groups like Just 10, and Harvest aswell as the Salsa dancing that I’ve come to love.

I’ve learned a lot this past year but not sure how to write it all up as yet. I took a different approach to things in life than my usual do as expected and follow what others do and try to fit in. I decided I wanted to try and find new things where I could meet lots of new people, make friends, find things I could enjoy and be generally happier.

Overall, I think i’ve managed the aim with better results than I thought would happen.

Changes really started around April / May time where I got involved with friends in a stewarding team at Just 10 North East and saw so many people coming together from my local area to listen about God in a different way, and worship and enjoy. Seeing so many (over 5000) from the local area was good in one place, and was glad to be a part of it all. I’ve seen large groups of youth upto around 2,000 in total in previous years of events i’ve helped with and the atmostphere was great.

Harvest was a good time, I learned a lot about myself in a new place and made a whole new set of friends that meet up reguarly and enjoy each others company. Harvest moved to a new location – almost rained all of the time, in a larger field with a nice big barn instead of a windy tent – I made great friendships and re-discoved my love for dance that I lost many years ago.

I started doing different dance things… I wanted to do dance for a long time. I’ve not been bothered too much in night clubs but enjoyed it while out with friends but never been sure what to do except sway in random movements to the rhythem of the music and enjoy. I wanted to know how to dance for more traditional means so tried some classes.

First set of classes – I tried Ballroom dancing… Which to not much suprise is very difficult when your on your own. I was lucky and got the dance teacher to help teach and correct me when wrong… I don’t remember much more than the dance position but then again not been in a situation when needing it so maybe it’ll come back to me if needed… I enjoyed it and was suprised at how energetic little moves were.

Next I tried salsa dance, also gone on my own which was fine this time. I love it, I really enjoy it more than I thought I could. Its like a new passion of mine and try to go to events where I can learn more and dance. Its a strange thing salsa… The guy has to lead the girl in almost every move directing where and how she is to move. This took a lot of adjusting too but is interesting and fun.

I’ve been doing salsa now for about 3 months in total (12 weeks) and feel like i’ve done it much longer. I’m only a beginners level and can see there is a lot more to learn. It has helped my confidence with talking to people, dancing, and generally interacting with others. It is helping my fitness and always something new is learned whenever I try.

It scares me to ask the girls to dance, I don’t know most of their levels (Beginners, improvers etc) but they just go with it and its really enjoyable. Most of the time they will say “yes” to a dance, and i’ve only had 2 say “no” over the 3 months i’ve done it. Its quite pleasing to get a “yes” and relaxing too. I can not imagine looking forward one year this time last and seeing me even trying this… Its one of those many things that I put on the list that “i’d love to try but…” type and always have an excuse.

I wanted friends to go with me to the dancing, but everyone decided they were busy or would drop out and that put me off for a while then I decided i’d just go for it and if it all went wrong then no one would know who I was so it wouldn’t matter… In actual fact – I’ve loved it and made a lot of new friends through it all and very thank ful I just went for it.

Other things I’ve tried: Trampolining Assistant Coaching – Something I thought i’d not get through… started around May time – completed and passed in december with a week or two of little sleep.

I wanted to better understand why I was told to do thing a certain way and to be able to help out the club if need be. I learned how to be more assertive, and how to handle situation in teaching and demonstrating how to do things on the trampoline. I better understand what people have told me over the last few years and why and can better word for others to do what is needed.

I’m really glad I went for it and passed. I wasn’t sure how to feel at the time of the exam… we got there early and told we could start right away… it wasn’t until about half way through I stopped reading my “exam checklist/session plan” and just got on with it relaxed and helped people… It was a lot easier then and then got off, finished up and thankfully passed.

Bad News of the year: Family cat died at the great age of around 19 and a half – A loved moggy that is missed and remembered.

Overall, the past year has been quite amazing and although there doesn’t seem much mentioned above I feel i’ve achieved a lot, pushed many bounderies for myself and set a few new targets to reach for. I’m thankful for the great support from friends new and old, and quite happy seeing this year end and the new year come in.

After seeing all that can happen when the attitude changes a little from “what if”, to “lets try and see” – I look forward to what could happen this next year… Maybe at some point i’ll get round to writing up the dreams for life i’ve had… Who knows… Lets see.

If I look back in life to when I was little I saw my life in my late 20’s to the age of 30 quite differently. I thought that I would be married, probably with children in my own house working full time supporting family. I thought I could be running my own business with friends and all of us working well together earning enough to enjoy life. I would have travelled all over the world with friends and would never loose those friends from school but just get more and have lots of fun. I would work in IT of some sort but never knew what and would be happy.

A lot is different, for one major thing – there is no wife, and family. I do have the mortgage, and a job (although 2 part time jobs making one full time) and not in my own business althou its still a possability. I still have a few good friends from school time that I see most weeks and many new friends.

I’ve managed to do a lot more in life that I thought I could: Going to uni (never thought i’d get into college nevermind uni) and working, now trampolining and helping as assistant coach, i’ve ran for polotics, helped out in many campaigns, been involved in numerous events in the area and seen so much changes in life and made some awsome friends along the way. There is so much, I can’t explain it all.

Overall I’m quite happy in life, I have many great friends that support me and I can support. I have quite a diverse set of things I do from my work life in IT, and Web Development to the different leisure activities including Salsa Dance, Trampolining, Swimming, Cinema, and random Gardening in my little front garden.

I turn 30, on Friday the 13th February 2009 – No idea whats happening but I hope to go out with friends and have a good time. But I guess we’ll see what happens – all in all, I’m thankful for where I am – and believe its a lot to do with the amazing friends that I have so thanks 🙂

Christmas is about here, well its coming in 13 days time, and am I organised… Of course not. I’ve sorted all the presents, still need to send the cards – writing them will be a good start and wrapping presents… Bought some selotape – its strange coming to wrap with nothing to stick together… kinda pointless unless you manage some interesting folding origami that actually stays closed but that makes it too easy for people to get in.

I need to sort out a food menu, i’ve got a load of drinks: alcholic and soft drinks but food is a necessity.. for at Christmas we all eat as much as possable or at least in my experience I always remember lots of food over Christmas.

I’ve to prepare Christmas dinner this year… I’m having friends over – one person is a vegitarian which slightly complicates things but otherwise all seems good. What is on a Christmas dinner – I know turkey, and veg and stuffing but need deserts aswell and so much to organise. I’ve not got a cake or christmas pudding yet but intend to have that too…

I think we’ll put up the decorations this weekend, if we can find them all that would be good. I was looking for window sticker snowflakes but not found them anywhere but ebay. Been told their in £Pound shops but not found any there yet.

I’d like to get a real wreath for the front and back door aswell, I can get them locally to add a little more spirit. I’m looking forward to the break over Christmas althou this year i miss half the bank holidays as wouldn’t be working a Thursday anyway but will be a good time I think.