Snaps of 2-0-1-3...

I always have the typical thought around the new year that I should make an effort to take more pictures and fail at certain points throughout the year - whilst I admit most of the blame, I also find that around many of my friends the pictures dwindle as they aren't that big on photos so it's not as easy to start bapping out my camera and creating a photoshoot. (This was something I didn't really realise until I met people who are massively into photography and capturing moments, which makes it a lot easier to get on board with)

Weird chat over, here are some of my favourite photos from 2013. I might do a part two because I haven't uploaded a bunch from summer time so stay tuned...

In my element...

With Larry...

Lake Como...

Milano...

Milano...

Chop Chop...

Livigno...

Did I dent my 'do???

Enthusiastic selfie...

Time check...

Bricks...

Peace shadow...

Vines...

Caaaake...

Lost in my balloon...

H&F...

A happy birthday...

Delicious...

Happy camper...

The fam...

Slurrrrrp...

The gang...

Pav-Pav-Pav...

Ready to tango...

Dave the babe...

They have meeee...

Sunny leeds...

Watching the big lad...

A meal for a king...

The dentist chair...

At the ballet

Fam Fam...

Dessert...

L-O-V-E...

My main man...

Sunshine, boat shoes = cricket...

Oh lordy lord...

Tea and cake...

Moving day...

Curtain call...

Albi...

Sipping...

Kitty...

Halloween...

I went as myself...

Oldest friend...

Newest friend?

What a spread...

Falling leaves...

I spy with my little eye...

If there's a carousel - I'm there...

Treats piled high...

Chummies...

Pleased to see you...

Sleepyhead...

Autumn...

Park zen...

Going underground...

Al wrapping up warm...

Santa you look a big piecey...

Must be warm...

Oh fog...

Play time...

My christmas hat - nailed it...

Thanks secret santa...

Snow way...

Jump...

Coach...

CB under the tree...

Hide and seek...

The way christmas seems to end...

Hampton Court Palace never gets old...

38B...

Enjoy,

SRJ

A Review of 2013...

Moving away from my less than uplifting posts over the past few days, I thought I would share the highlights of 2013 because (despite the overall tone of the year) there were some mega moments.

Here is my top 10 of 2013...

10. Edinburgh

(getting blown away on crags peak)

 I went to Edinburgh in november to help my friend Trudy celebrate her 21st. We spent the weekend with a bunch of her friends enjoying what the town had to offer. I still can't get over how lovely the place is, but the highlight was getting to see my old roomies Trudy and Germ.

9. Shard & Ballet

(a tad blurry - that's what you get when you don't know the person taking the photo)

The location is besides the point, but lunch at the shard was pretty special because it was a rare family get together with a rad view. After a delicious spread at lunch, we (the females) proceeded to the ballet. Food and ballet - there is no better combination for a day.

8. Christmas

(there's no one perfect shot so a cobination of the two does it)

I find that every year christmas becomes more of an enjoyable and stand out point (after the shock of FC), mainly because it's a rare time when the five of us are together for a good few days and it's just like old times and I love it. Plus, this is the second year since I enforced a rule to get a family photo once a year to make sure we document our little family.

7. Work trip to Hungary

(old school arrivals board)

I had a quick work visit to Hungary about a month ago, where I had to check on the production of a particular item and instruct the factory the correct way we want the items made. I was really glad to be trusted with this responsibility despite the long day of travelling. 

6. Arctic Monkeys

(am)

What more can I say other than it was a very long time coming and just such a great gig.

5. 38B Hanover square

(when snow hit the square)

It feels so long ago that I was living here and was actually at uni that it's easy to forget that this even happened in 2013, but it can't go without mention that living on this idyllic square was so much fun with SNM and Larry.

4. My internship

(the office dog)

With all the long days and errands it can sometimes be difficult to remember and realise how lucky I am to be doing such a great internship. So here is its recognition - no.4.

3. Milan

(duomo)

I started to write about our 4 day adventure and typically got side tracked and never really finished the details, but it's one of the most spontaneous moments of my life; the decision, the plans, and the random events. Yet, a stand out and memorable trip for sure.

2. 21st

(how old am i?)

How could I turn 21 last year and not talk about it. I'm not one for birthdays at all but 21 is a milestone and I had a really nice birthday in the way that I like them - little fuss and delicious food.

1. Skydive

(tom cruise watch out)

This is one of the stand out moments in my life, I have wanted to do a skydive for a long time, and it was so so so unbelievably amazing that it's the top of my year for certain. I would do it again in a heartbeat.


What are your highlights?

Enjoy,

SRJ

Closing a chapter...

I'm somewhat at a loss for how to deal with things, I am quite a solitary person and only really open up to a select few, but when I am struggling I go into my shell and suffer alone. I need to get better at talking about things, but one of my main issues with that is the fear of annoying people with my problems (does anyone else get that?)

I didn't realise my writing would be so sinister, apologies for that, I'm merely writing about all things me and you'll learn that much of that comes out very sarcastic and downcast.

I have been on the verge of closing a chapter, that was dear to my heart for a long time, over the past year - toying with the pros and cons it would leave me with. However, there is a simple factor that makes it impossible - I don't want to close it at all. (I am not going to go into detail because this dilemma covers all manners of things, and it's not solely based on one thing.)

So why am I discussing this now, if I'm not going to spill any juicy details?

This is my way of getting these words out of my system and venting a small empty space of the internet - and maybe it'll make you feel better that you aren't as peculiar as me - lucky devils.

The chapter I am referring to had been fizzling out on it's own and I was fighting the inevitable end, so working hard to keep it as interesting as it could be. Once I realised that this was more of a one sided effort and was not helping me in the slightest, I knew I had to let go. I managed to distance myself from the situation and did so for quite some time, yet reopened the can of worms recently. I thought I was ready for the consequences (or deluded into hoping that it was all going to be dandy), however it has not improved anything.

Maybe I just have to bite the bullet (apologies for all the daft sayings and cliches) and put an end to it all.

I always retain a ray of hope in situations, so hopefully this can be reopened in the future - the book just needs some more padding and preamble.

I hope you are all more cheerful than me this rainy Thursday evening,

SRJ

2014...

So... the date has changed once again and the expected excitement of a new year comes with fireworks and promises to be a better human in the new year. Whilst it's a bit of a weird thing that people use this day to make changes, we all are guilty of questioning what we could improve, and I for one certainly have many things I want to do differently and alter for the upcoming year.

2013 was not the kindest year to me with a mixture of difficulties to deal with and trudge on with, but it was also a year of many experiences that I have really enjoyed, but nonetheless I am happy to ring in the new year with the hope of leaving behind some of the troubles and creating a year that is kinder to me.

The resolutions... I always seem to make small insignificant resolutions that I never stick to and it's about time that I actually complete some of them. Thus, this year my resolutions are a mixture of overdue desires and new challenges to help make this year unforgettable. Instead of posting my nonsense on here, I am going to email the list to myself to be delivered on new years eve 2014 so that I can review my year and then hopefully rave on about all the things I kept to.

Happy New Year.

Enjoy,

SRJ