I’m glad 2012 is over, not that it was a bad year all told, there were a few hiccups along the way but nothing completely life altering, for me at least.  Nonetheless I glad to put it behind me and move on to a new year.  I feel much more positive about our expat life than I did this time last year.  Don’t get me wrong we’re still not over the steepest part of the learning curve but it is on the horizon.

I’ve finally met a group of school mums who appear to be pretty ‘normal’.  I realise this doesn’t sound like a major achievement but for me it really is. I have a shocking ability to put my trust in the wrong people and pick the worst friends, believe me I’ve done it several times and unfortunately it seems to be coming more frequent as I get older.  I am learning to take a step back and not jump in to friendships.  The school mums are a nice bunch of girls and we do have quite a laugh, I can’t honestly call any of them friends yet but I enjoy spending time with them.  They don’t appear to want anything from me and most importantly I’ve learned not to offer anything.  I am looking forward to getting to know them better this year.

I am looking forward to more visitors, as we didn’t have any last year.  My parents were due to visit when my poor mum broke her ankle and we missed that slim window of opportunity between school holidays and adverse (either way too hot or way too cold!) weather.  So I am looking forward to having the opportunity to share my home with more of our family and friends.

This year I am busy. I wish it was busy working and contributing to our household income but unfortunately it’s not.  I am busy volunteering 3 days a week and writing my blog. This gives me less time to get think resulting in less time to get homesick, see there’s method in the madness!

I am going to enjoy having my boys around me.  Eldest Son will be off to college in September, luckily for me he’s staying quite close so he’s not looking at moving out just yet!  While they are both still at school I am going to make the effort to enjoy time with them and try to cram in as many new experiences with them as I can.  Eldest son is on the cusp of the next chapter of his life and I’m excited for him.

I am going to appreciate where I live.  I am lucky to live in a great place and I am going to explore it and enjoy it.  As soon as the weather changes the tent’s coming out and we’ll be off exploring.

I am going to continue with my yoga classes.  They have had an amazing effect on my attitude and my mind and I am looking forward to learning more and improving.

All in all I feel positive and excited about this year.  Things will be changing and who knows where we will all be in 12 months time but that’s all part of the ride isn’t it?