So that was Christmas. All done and back in its box, ready to be shoved back into the attic for another year.
Christmas Eve started with the handing out of foodstuffs at a hunt meet – after getting up at the crack of dawn to make hoisin & sesame sausages and sausage rolls for 100, I tried to cut corners by giving the toffs half a cocktail sausage each and explaining that there’s a recession on but did they listen? No. I think you will find they did not. Instead, they simply requested more sausages and top-ups of Port as they galloped about on their diamond-studded horses. Teen 1 also squeezed in his 18th birthday halfway between Crimbly & New Year – hurrah! More eating! More booze! I’m enjoying admiring the European lard mountain currently spilling out of my waistband.
But anyway. It’s 2012. And years with even numbers are much better for making your dreams come true. That’s a fact, that is. Sort of.
I haven’t bothered with resolutions – instead, I have goals. This year, it’s back to the writing. Breakfast Under the Bodhi Tree now has words on the page, with many more to be conjured up before the May deadline of the Good Housekeeping Novel Competition. I have an interview on Friday for a promising job where they will pay me money and EVERYTHING. And next week finds me starting a month’s voluntary work in a local primary school. Ooh ‘eck.
I passed my degree with a 2:1 and am now the proud owner of a BA (Hons) in Humanities with Literature. Thank goodness all that studying is over. I certainly haven’t done anything daft like signing up for another 9 months of Advanced French to complete the French Diploma. Oh, ok, I have then. Yes, I know. I am a spaz. But it’ll be fine. Oh, man…
I wonder what mad plans other people have made for the year? Each one whizzes by so fast yet so much changes in that time. How will our lives have changed before we haul that knackered old box of tinsel out again? Tell me, what’s the daftest thing you hope to achieve during these next 12 months?
I agree that years with even numbers are more conducive to making dreams happen.
I’ve already started on making my dreams a reality. I’m writing a journal, re-writing my submission package for agents and getting back to making notes on my fiction.
So hopeful about this year.
Pingback: Making Things Happen « Helen Redfern
Congratulations on getting a 2:1. Well done you!
I haven’t done anything nearly as clever, or as focused. This year I’m aiming for the usual stuff, losing weight, getting published! We can but try.
Good luck with Breakfast Under the Bodhi Tree and your interview.
Congrats on the degree and going on for further punishment.
As for resolutions, I plan to hold my breath for the whole of 2012 starting now.
Happy New Year x
OMG Woman…you finished your degree THEN signed up for something else *feels slightly woozy on your behalf*. THAT is one brave thing to do….I never ever ever ever want to study again!! Congrats on the degree…never doubted you would be utterly brilliant!
Daft goals…well, I’ve just decided, as you already know, to attempt to do a drawing a day for a year. I think that is pretty daft!! Oh, and I’ve agreed to take up Nordic walking which involves a weekend (A WHOLE BLOODY WEEKEND) induction course…I fear I may never walk again! So far, that is all the daft things I have signed up to do…but there is still time, oh yes indeedy, cause i’ve managed to do all that and it’s only the 4th! Bloomin heck!
C x
Write, write, and then write some more.
Turn 40 and don’t freak out about it.
Try to move house.
Oh, and get married
Oh wow wow wow. Such fabulous news that you’ve passed so well. Congrats to you.
Uhm, what am I going to do with 2012? Well, that’s an excellent question. I suspect it will be to worry. I shall get worrying down to a fine art. Yes that sounds good.
(I am, incidentally, very peeved that I have to reside in the UK to enter the Good Housekeeping comp but humongous luck to you.)
Helen, you’re going to really do it this year, I just know it. Even numbered years feel kinder, somehow, don’t they?
Debs, sometimes it’s the little things that make a difference. Not that getting published is a little thing. It’s a swooningly enormous thing! Plus, we have the paperback of Tears & Laughter to look forward to as well. It’s all looking good so far!
David, thank you so much! Yes, more punishment. Madness. Still, it keeps me out of trouble. And… breathe. You have been very quiet lately. Holding your breath will only exacerbate this. Happy New Year X
Oh, Carol, you’re a fine one to talk – Mrs Super-Distinction Clever Lady! You really did have a cracking 2011. Nordic walking, eh? Um… crikey. Am smiling that one has to do an induction course to learn how to walk in the appropriate style. Had better go Google that to investigate and make sure I avoid it like the plague! Good luck with the drawing project, I’m looking forward to seeing the results very much x
Buckswriter – Getting married and becoming a 40-year-old sound very not-daft to me. I loved turning 40, it’s so liberating somehow? I think you’ll be just fine. Besides, with all that writing going on, you might not even notice the hideous aging process
Jen, I’m not sure worrying can be considered daft. Perhaps it depends what you’re worrying about. I prescribe less worrying, more fun. And writing. Pooh to the UK domicile thing – can’t you just use your parents’ address? Ahem. Clearly, bending all rules is in my list of things to achieve this year!
Congratulations on your degree. Hope that you get a job. Interested in your ideas about goals. Glad that you will be on the course next year although I wonder if the OU diploma is worth anything (I did an OU cert in web development. Its supposed to be higher than an HND bet you’ve heard of an HND but not an OU cert) . I was thinking of doing the DELF exams at B2, the same level as the course last year but when I tried some of the sample papers I found that they were very difficult particularly the orale tests. So now it is a goal for 2014.
Fantastic result clever clogs! Have a cocktail sausage to celebrate. I do have the urge to do something daft this year. Haven’t decided what it is yet, but I can feel the excitement lurking…
Hi Jenny,
I’ve nominated you for The Kreative Blogger award
http://the-view-outside.com/2012/01/06/wow/
As I really enjoy your blog
Xx
Ah, Monsieur Haycock, bonne année a toi ! I misread your comment and thought you were signing up for an ELF diploma and worried that you would give Santa far too good a run for his money! You’re quite right, the diploma won’t count for much, academically, but I’m doing it more for me. I certainly didn’t come out of the last course feeling anywhere near as fluent as I hoped. I’m using it to consolidate what I’ve learnt; I just adore french, basically. Glad you’re doing it too – we must arrange a meet-up once we’re all in the groove?
Denise, no cocktail sausages for me; I’m on two concurrent diets now, after the Crimbly piggery. I am impressed that you’re putting thought into your daftness. Revving up gradually is totally the way to go for extreme madness, wahooo! (Oh dear, I sound like Spongebob Squarepants)
Aw, Vikki, thank you! What a lovely thought. I’ve just been reading through some of your posts and thought it ace that you’re ploughing through all the same books as I have lined up like soldiers here! Happy Writing!
Well done on the 2:1
Loving your new blog header btw
(Oh, I’m blogging again under TF! What? I know sad but true
Fab news on the degree – what a smartie you are!
Pleased to hear you’re getting on with the book as well – it’s such a great title that I’m looking forward to reading it already. xx
2:1? Clever Clogs x
Very well done on the 2:1
Glad you’re back in the writing game, but rather surprised to see ‘writing a novel in French’ isn’t on your list of goals. Sounds like you might be slacking, to me.
I’ve finally acheived my top goal, which was to learn how to ruddy hula-hoop properly. Am hopelessly addicted now, practically swinging my hips round even when there’s isn’t a hoop involved (not a pleasant sight) and I now need to figure out a way to write at the same time.
Happy 2012!
I’d like to reach the summit of a mountain this year. Just one will do. Any one. As long as I actually get to reach the top, rather than spend the whole bloody year just climbing
)
Oh! Where did my replies go? Comes to something when one’s blog eats one’s own words.
Er… they went something like this:
TF – Ta. And yay!
Bernadette – I have a horrible feeling the title might be better than the book. And ta. I’d like to be an orange Smartie please since they are the nicest?
Treacle – Oh yes indeed. An unemployed clever clogs but hey, never mind eh?
Karen – I did write a French Haiku on my course last year. I know. The world tilted on its axis a little bit but nobody noticed as we were all squiffy/hungover. Ooh for hula-hooping. That sounds super and you look like a very sexy librarian lady doing that with your hips with no hoop involved. This reply has made me need crisps and a little lie-down.
Leigh – I suspect you’re going to reach many peaks this year. They may be metaphorical ones, of course, but you can still have whiskey when you reach them. Chin chin old girl.