2012: The best year of my life.

As 2012 closes I am hoping that 2013 brings the joy this year has given me. I am a bit sad to see it go, longing for the good times to continue. Life's what you make of it though, so I'm tipping this momentum I found in 2012 to continue. It most certainly has been the best year of my life.

I feel I've found myself, grown into my being. I've become better with money, saving the most I've ever saved. I rarely skate on thin ice before each payday, even though I find myself socialising more. I've got a fantastic range of friends I socialise with - friends I can rely on. Some are in my city, others are in my computer. And I have the travel bug. I already want to plan another trip. I want to see more of this world, and I want it to see me. No Tell by Smoke and Jackal was my favourite song; The Perks of Being a Wallflower and Aphasia my favourite movies; and my favourite food has been Mexican.

The year hasn't been entirely smooth - my grandfather passed away in May - my Dad lost his father, my great uncle passed away in December, and my Dad was very unwell mid year (fortunately he is back to good health now). Sickness and loss has touched some of my friends and I hope 2013 is a better year for them. I was also very sick toward the end of the year - severe skin pain lasting for around six weeks - which was quite difficult to cope with. But overall I was quite well this year.

So what have been my highlights of 2012? Everything!

Receiving the Layne Beachley Aim for the Stars grant and mentoring, surfing, the ball and making friends with the grant recipients. Also, listening to then meeting Paul De Gelder, and getting Kirk Pengilly to call Camille at the Aim for the Stars ball.

Becoming a finalist for the second year running in the Best Australian Blogs competition.

Successfully completing the massive project in my day job, and organising the International Day of People with Disability event.

Writing this post about skin hunger.

Completing my thesis and Masters of Communication.

The England and America trip (and Air New Zealand's excellent service!). That You can read about it in the archives of July and August and a little in September.

Speaking at the Appearance Matters conference run by the Centre for Appearance Research in Bristol.

Shopping with Maggie Alderson.

Meeting Jack Oldacres - the little boy with Ichthyosis (and his parents), and De - a mother of a little boy with Ichthyosis.

BlogHer - especially seeing Barack Obama and Martha Stewart speak. Overall I didn't enjoy BlogHer as much as I hoped though, and probably don't need to go again.

Letting go of the man I loved. I feel lighter and happier.

Judging a film festival (and appearing in The Age).

Meeting Rick Guidotti and being photographed by him.

Writing for Frankie Magazine.

Speaking at the hospital and at Scope in front of 600 children.

The Human Brochure trip to Canberra with Tash.

The six course dessert feast.

 

Interviewing Bob Evans, seeing him play and meeting him.

Meeting great people including new overseas friends and blog readers.

Spending time with friends and family.

Volunteering at a community Christmas.

Wow! So many good times. I'm so grateful of every opportunity and to my body for letting me live such a full life.

I've received so much encouragement and support from those around me, and I am continually blown away by the strangers and friends who write to me to say they've read my writing. Thank you all - your words and actions really do mean a lot.

Yesterday I bumped into Fiona, my best friend at high school. Great to see she's the same girl as I remember - straight talking, genuine and not worried what others think. Fiona was one of the first to accept me for me, and she gave me much needed confidence and self belief. And she once loved Savage Garden as much as me!

We spent hours watching Red (now Channel V) and dubbing Savage Garden videos and interviews onto VHS tapes. We also once went to the Spice Girls movie wearing matching hand made silver lamé skirts.

We stopped being friends in the last year of high school. That was really hard for me, I missed her a lot. And so seeing her yesterday brought back the good memories of the time we spent together. She's doing well, and very happy. It was apt that we met in the department store where I worked for four years - the people I met there also gave me confidence and great friendship.

Fiona wrote the loveliest words on my Facebook after we met: "Im glad to see such a positive reflection of a time shared. I didnt and still dont believe i did anything special or extrodinary but am thankful for being led to believe that I had a small part on your road to awesome."

Seeing her again, and having a proper conversation for the first time in years, was a lovely way to end the year.

So farewell 2012. My resolution for 2013 is to make it as great as 2012.

Happy new year to you and your family. Be safe and happy. Make a wish for what you want in 2013, then make it happen!