2012. A memoir.

Whichever way you look at it—12 months, 52 weeks or 366 days—2012 was quite a year.

For myself and those around me, it was a year filled with change; new lovers and jobs, great adventures and triumphs. But there were also tough times, constant challenges and, for a few, the heartbreaking loss of loved ones.

I was bullied. And I was loved. I danced until dawn. And gave myself food-poisoning. I made new friends. And lost a few old ones.

But in the end the craziness, questionable choices and topsy-turvy days filled with tears and tantrums were far outweighed by the good—the love and laughter I shared with those around me, the unexpected adventures which are now fond memories (like riding my bike onto the on-ramp of a highway) and the celebration of engagements, weddings and new babies.

“And as you all can see, the ball has stopped half way to its perch. It’s suspended there to remind us before we pop the champagne and celebrate the new year, to stop and reflect on the year that has gone by, to remember both our triumphs and our missteps, our promises made and broken, the times we opened ourselves up to great adventures… or closed ourselves down for fear of getting hurt, because that’s what new year’s is all about; getting another chance, a chance to forgive, to do better, to do more, to give more, to love more, and to stop worrying about what if… and start embracing what will be. So when that ball drops at midnight, and it will drop, let’s remember to be nice to each other, kind to each other, and not just tonight but all year long.”
—New Year’s Eve—

2012. Oh what a year.
Celebrated New Years’ Eve with the girls
Dated Tom*
Enjoyed a girls weekend in Byron Bay
Celebrated Valentine’s Day with the girls
Had a long weekend in Melbourne to see Roxette
Became a Queensland Reds rugby union season ticket holder
Attended my cousin’s wedding in Perth
Celebrated St Patrick’s Day eve at the Irish Club
Reconnected with an old friend
Visited the children’s hospital dressed as Supergirl
Went to Sydney for Erin & Mark’s engagement party
Dated Harry*
Saw a psychic
Shared in the fantastic news that my good friend Nell was pregnant
Celebrated my 30th birthday … Twice!
Did ‘the lift’ from Dirty Dancing (thanks Dave!)
Celebrated the birth of Lys & Dave’s gorgeous baby Sophia
Survived a trapeze lesson
Dinged my car door
Gave myself food poisoning, resulting in a trip to Emergency
Celebrated the engagement of my best friends Rish & Liam
Started my blog
Took a barbecue cooking course
Did a one-day photography course
Dyed my hair pink
Co-hosted the work gala with Bondi Vet, Dr Chris Brown
Lip-synced ‘I Will Survive’ in front of 950 people
Shared my story for RUOK Day (Published on Mamamia.com, The Punch and Daily Telegraph)
Wrote a summer manifesto
Attended Australia’s first Diner en Blanc
Went to New York with my family
Went to a Yankees game
Met Ross and stayed in New York
Ate at a Michelin star restaurant
Rode a bike around Central Park
Spent a few hours in a New York Emergency Department
Watched the penguins in Central Park Zoo
Had a mini-break in Los Angeles
Rode a bike along Santa Monica boulevard (and onto the highway)
Went rock climbing at the Kangaroo Point Cliffs
Donated blood through the Australian Red Cross Blood Service (and almost fainted—twice)
Took Ross to Noosa—stopping at the Big Pineapple along the way
Had a surfing lesson
Watched my family renovate our pub
Celebrated the wedding of Cass & Billy
Survived the Mayan apocalypse
Joined Twitter & Pinterest
Cheered on my brother as he made his amateur boxing debut
Learnt to make ravioli
Celebrated Christmas with my family

And now, with the final few hours of 2012 ticking by, I sit here ready to welcome in a new year—a blank canvas of 365 days—with a smile on my face, great friends by my side and a drink in my hand.

I wish you all have a great night tonight, whether it be quiet or loud, and a year filled with love, laughter and joy. May your troubles only last as long as your resolutions!

*not their real names