A year in review

Only now you might wonder...with January long gone..well, 4 days gone.

But, it was Chinese New Year on the first...so still valid then :p

I came to the somewhat shocking realisation yesterday that I've been in the UK for exactly one year. I'm can't really say why I found it so shocking - I had myself speechless.

Maybe it's because this time last year I was very much a newbie in the UK, first time abroad by myself, as an adult. A very daunting prospect. And now, a year later...it's just wow!

So much has happened in the past year. I did not have a fixed plan, but despite this the year worked out really really well. This all started sinking in on Sunday when I saw the Chinese Year of the Ox celebrations at Trafalgar. It was only half through the day that I remembered this was the second Chinese New Year I've experienced... I saw in the Year of the Rat as well.

It's amazing how quickly time flies. I've always hated it when people say that (and the whole the world is such a small place) but it is indeed true.

I remember running around between the travel agent, the bank, the embassy, the mall for last minute stuff, packing, unpacking, repacking my huge ass backpack to get everything in!

Then landing at Gatwick on a chilly, but clear Sunday afternoon and making my way into London town following my friend's directions.

Being a tourist, finding a job, sorting out random bits of admin - NI number, bank account - all the annoying but necessary things needed for day to day living in the UK.

This past year has had many ups and downs, and there've been moments when I have felt like giving up and going home. But I wouldn't allow myself to do this. Not until I'd given being in the UK a proper chance. And I have.

A full twelve months And I've thoroughly enjoyed it. So there may have been more things I could have maximised on, but overall, I think I've done well. Very well.

Beyond growing as a person in various ways, I feel I've become a more confident, more sure in myself as an individual. I've discovered a passion for photography and been bitten - hard - by the travel bug! I've gained valuable work experience and met some awesome people.

The next year holds no fixed plans yet, just a vague idea. Ideas are always good - something to work towards. I have a date when I'm headed home for 'good' (please note the inverted commas because I doubt I'll ever be home for good!) and between then and now, certain things need to be achieved. What these may be will reveal themselves as the months go by.

This recession business is a tough one, but I'm fortunate that at present I have job. And I'm in a field where I will always be needed.

The plan roughly looks like this: finishing working out the time allowed on my visa, save and then travel travel travel! Taking photographs all along the way! And on that note... a few photographs of the snow around Brum - heaviest snowfall in the UK for 18 years and all