01.01.2011.

Although not technically my first post, I like to consider my blog really started to grow one year ago today. I vividly remember writing that first post and how excited and full of hope I was about the coming year. Unfortunately 2010 didn’t turn out to be the amazing year I had expected but I think I had to experience those downs to become the person I am now. I’m still insecure and not as confident in my own skin as I’d like to be but I’m getting there! I can actually look a person in the eye now, that’s how insecure I used to be!

There are two things that stand out as being the things I was & still am most proud of that happened in 2010. One is signing up to The Open University and the second is my blog, Sailboat. I started Sailboat like everyone does; it was a blank piece of the Internet with no readers just waiting for me to start filling it with whatever I chose. I am so proud of the way it has blossomed into something that I think reflects a lot of who I am. It’s not all of who I am but I think that’s just another part of my personality, I always keep something back just for me & I’m not a totally open book.

I know some people don’t understand why I’ve been wishing the New Year to hurry up because things aren’t magically going to change overnight, and while I accept that, I see it as more of a milestone. I made it through and I’m a better person for it. 2011 is going to be a year of change. Saying goodbye to my childhood home is the first change I have to deal with and although I know it’s going to do me the world of good, I don’t think it’s going to be easy. I’m a creature of habit and sometimes need to be pushed into making changes, so I’m going to try my very best to embrace this change because brighter things are going to come from it.

I have never been more sure that I have met the man that I’m going to marry one day. I know I’m still young, but I think deep down you just know when you’ve found your soulmate. After over 2 and a half years of long distance, we’re finally going to get to be together. To most couples the plans we’re making won’t seem exciting, they’ll seem like every day things but we haven’t had the luxury of being able to see each other whenever, go out for dinner regularly or spend entire weekends snuggling on the sofa in front of a film under a massive duvet. From a totally selfish point of view I also gain access to a wii, a free driving instructor & my own personal outfit photographer, which he doesn’t know about just yet, shh! Maybe 2011 will be the year we get engaged; only he knows that though because I just know he’ll only ask me when I least expect it! He’s such a meanie! I hate surprises, but he knows that secretly I want everything about that moment to be a surprise. When it comes to big life moments like that he’s the sensible one and I’m the frivolous one. I know he’s right this time, but don’t tell him I said that!

In 2010 I didn’t end up getting a little guinea pig but I did get my baby bunny, Ralphie. He’s naughty & cheeky & constantly does things he’s not supposed to but he’s become such a huge part of my life and waking up to his adorable face looking at me waiting to be let out of his cage melts my heart every morning. He’s actually taught me to tidy up after myself, because if anything gets left on the floor it’s guaranteed to end up with little bunny teeth marks in it!

I guess what I’m trying to say is that although I didn’t achieve everything I wanted to over the last 12 months, it doesn’t matter because I’ve grown so much and learned life lessons I wouldn’t have if everything went as smoothly as I imagined.

There are a couple of things I’d like to achieve in 2011 but I’m not going to call them resolutions. I hope to continue & do well with my Open University degree, find a nice little job to support my make up & clothing addiction, learn to drive, visit my family more frequently, take some kind of jewellery making course and start eating healthier. Some of those are important & others aren’t so I’m not going to put too much pressure on myself all of the time

I’m so grateful to have been able to share these moments with so many people from all across the globe and I hope you’ll stick around so we can take on the coming year together. Thank you so much for being here, I really do appreciate it more than you can ever possibly imagine and I wish you all the best for the coming year. Life is what you make it, so always make it special! ♥

Have you made any resolutions for this year? 

Take care and keep safe!
Jennie & Ralphie.
xoxo