New Year reflections

So, the end of 2010, eh? I’m sure I’m normally all sentimental and reflective and what-not around this time of year, but this year … not so much. Perhaps it’s because I’m happier than usual, or busier than usual. Or perhaps it’s because I’m getting old and repetition is beginning to diminish the magnitude of each year’s turning.

Actually, writing this has made me think (writing always makes me think; it’s one of the main reasons I do it), that maybe there are two reasons why I’m finding it hard to stop and pause and give 2010 its due:

One. A huge and horrifically sad thing happened in 2010, and I think I’m still in shock from it. It’s not the kind of thing which conveniently stops affecting one at the end of the year. It’ll stretch out into all the rest of my future.

Two. Next year is going to be busy, and I’m too busy looking forwards to look back. I’ll be getting married, for one thing. I’ll hopefully be granted Australian citizenship. I’ll be moving house. I’ll hopefully get a new job. I’ll start the fourth and final year of my degree. I’ll need to choose my final year experimental project – a choice which might affect the rest of my career. I’ll need to choose, and probably apply for, my postgraduate programme of study – which may well be in a country halfway around the world. And I’ll also need to apply for funding for said postgraduate study. And be successful. Or else: bye-bye career.

So. I suppose I have a few things to keep me busy. Good job, because all those dreamy acres of free time were starting to pall.

Yes, that was sarcasm. But not bitterly meant. I’m happy to be busy. Oh, and in good news: I am able to donate blood. So that’s another thing I’ll be doing next year. I look forward to the free biscuit and weak orange squash. And the whole helping to save someone’s life thing. That’s pretty cool too.

Happy New Year to you all. I hope your 2011 is wonderful in every way.