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It is actually about the 3rd of January 2012 when I am writing this last entry for the year. Sticking with the off-exploring site was for 2 reasons. One, many friends in Australia don't have facebook so this is a good way to keep in touch. Secondly, because I really thought that there would be more travelling. But 2011 will go down as one of the least pleasant and successful years in my life.
Don't panic I don't intend this to be a depressing entry, but there was a lot of things that went wrong this year for Pippa and I and our friends around the world.
For me I am still waiting for my nursing registration in England, a process that has been ongoing for 9 months so far and left me with no nursing experience for a year. A bit frightening that my Australian registration runs out in March and if that happens before I get my English registration I really will be an UN registered nurse.
On the up side of work, my horrific boss has resigned and leaves on January 8th and her replacement is a huge improvement. I think there is a real chance to turn around the miserable working environment that is Giraffe, Marylebone.
The year did finally end on a high with the birth of Jack Semple on November 30th. This makes 5 nieces and nephews for Pippa and me. Well me by marriage but I think I have little chance of being an uncle by birth.
Anyway, I shall continue to use this site to blog into 2012. I shall transfer all the contacts from this site to the new one. Keep and eye out for Episode 3. If you want to be left off the list just ask or delete the reminders when they come through. But I do generally have fun writing it and hope it is a bit entertaining reading it.
Pippa and I are really hoping to get our work and finances sorted in 2012 and start to achieve some of the goals we set out to do in 2009 when I went to Saudi Arabia. Yes 2 and a half years ago 'Episode 1: Rod in Arabia & England' hit the cyber waves and was the beginning of the big adventure. I ran that first blog for 18 months and covered 6 countries. Episode 2: 'Anouk in the UK & Europe' you are currently reading the last chapter of.
3 countries, England, France and Belgium. But the highlights were our 10th Wedding Anniversary in Paris, Crossing the channel by boat and driving on the other side of the road in Belgium, and eating chocolate and cream waffles in Oostende. Making contact with old friends like Amy and Adele and making new friends like Loic, George, Hugh and Emily.
There was the knights tale and jousting at Leeds castle and trekking to the ocean at Camber Sands and the beginning of my new hobby of brass-rubbing at St Martins in the Field.
It has been a bad year with some nice times. I hope 2012 is better for everyone. I shall finish this entry and this Episode with a quote from my brother-in-law on facebook. "If we stopped trying to be happy we could have a pretty good time". Thank you Sam it is my mantra for 2012. I want to have a pretty good time and enjoy what is on offer rather than chasing things that are currently out of reach.
Keep in touch in 2012, thank you for reading and messaging through the blog, and if you come visiting please stay.
- comments
Simon Whiting Am sure 2012 will be great for you and Pippa!