twenty fourteen!

Happy 2014, bloggers!

I welcomed the New Year with my family, chatting and dancing around the campfire. We are a very musical family (by musical, I mean we appreciate music. Hardly any of us know how to play an instrument!) and we cranked out all our favourite songs and Dad got way too excited by anything Billy Joel ("Let's ROCK!!!").

Of course, we had to end the night with "Daniel" by Elton John. It's become a tradition to play that song on New Years Eve. Last year I was flying back to Wellington on New Years Day, so my family changed the words "Daniel" to "Jamie" and had a huge impromptu sing along. It was the most amazing moment. So this New Years, we did the same and everyone sang, "Jamie my sister, you are younger than me...Jamie you're the star, in the face of the skyyyyy". It was magical. Mum made me go around and hug everyone goodbye as they sang, as I was driving back to Wellington early the next morning. I was happy, but sad at the same time. 

I drove to Napier alone with my music and singing voice. My new car didn't let me down, and was a trooper. The drive was beautiful, and the Napier-Taupo Road has become my favourite. I picked up my friend James in Napier, and together we travelled to Wellington with chats, music and laughs. What a great way to start the new year! 

So, here are my resolutions. For some reason, this year feels special. I'm not sure what it is, but I feel really good about it :)

1) Read more. I don't read enough and as a book lover, this is terrible. 
2) Go to the gym 3 times a week, and up the ante. 
3) Write. Write anything, that will hopefully lead to something substantial :)
4) Save up for more travel. I met these Austrian backpackers over the Christmas holidays and they really made me want to travel Europe!
5) Say what I mean, mean what I say. Sometimes I have trouble communicating the important stuff, and saying what I really mean. I'm getting better, and will work on it this year.
6) Be happy with whatever life throws at me. I will remain an optimist. 

I'm a firm believer in resolutions. I know people always say, they're always the same, nothing ever really gets resolved. But at least you're trying. And at least you're attempting to make a new start! Baby steps, people. 

Have a great twenty-fourteen, everyone! 

Love,

J