A life less ordinary

To say 2011 was a good year is an almost criminal understatement.

2011 has been an outstanding year.

2011 has changed my life.

It's the year I decided to travel. It's the year I did travel. It's the year I am ending by travelling - on the other side of the world, no less.

It's the year I decided to pursue and live a life less ordinary.

The end of one year and the start of another is of course a very clich é d good time to take stock and as I do the following moments stand out for me.

Snowboarding with boys in France.My now sister-in-law's hen do in Brighton and her beautiful wedding to my brother.Love at first sight in Croatia.Getting lost in London as I contemplate leaving.A quick French fling confirmed how much I love travel.Telling Shepherd's Bush that it was time to go.Packing up my troubles in my old kit bag.Wakeboarding in Malaysia... or not.This silly amazing hotel in Singapore.Falling in love with Thailand.The "big deal" that is Australia...This is not to say that 2011 hasn't been challenge or emotion free. It's the year I became, strictly speaking, unemployed and knowingly plunged myself into a deep uncertainty about my future, financially and professionally. And it's the year I left a life and a London I loved.

Yet I'm not panicked about this, most of the time I'm not even thinking about it. Instead I'm focused on reducing the uncertainty by working hard and keeping focused on end goals. Most of the time...

Though 2011 has taught me many things, the greatest lesson has been that the unexpected can be far better than I expect it to be, so I welcome you, 2012, and all the unexpected things you have in store for me.

Bring it on.