31/12/12 - The Big One!

That's it. Another year gone by!  It's been a bit of a strange one really...

I suppose I should start where I always do, the classic list of things to do before I'm 25!  My priorities have changed a tad since I wrote this list but there has been progress nonetheless:

5. Climb the highest 10 “mountains” in England, Scotland and Wales

I have added one to list - Tryfan. Plenty more to go though!

6. Achieve a podium in a cycling race

No, definitely not...but I think I had an excuse!

8. Skydive or bungee jump (or both!) 

Yes!  Did this one. You may remember me sky diving back in March (http://schrodingerandhiscat.blogspot.co.uk/2012/03/29312.html) I really want to do it again...if funds ever allow I intend to learn to do it solo!

10. OK, this isn't on the same level as the others but hey, it needs deciding - Organic, Physical or Inorganic?

I chose none of the above and picked medicine as where I want to go, but if I had to chose it would be organic I think (who'd have thought I'd be saying that!), so that's another one ticked off the list!

11. Take a photo every day for a year 

Another yes! I'm not sure I got as much out of it as I'd hoped but I did it!

The rest of it is mainly travel based, I hope I'll get at least one of them ticked off in the next 12 months but don't hold your breath! 

Looking back over my posts for the year (yes I know there has been a lot of them) it's interesting to see how things have progressed and how my aims and aspirations have changed; and to reminisce over some of the big events of my year...

One thing that remained constant was my desire to do well at uni. I wouldn't have been satisfied if I'd got any less than a 1st and somehow I kept it all together and I did it. Was so happy to get my results and will be eternally grateful to those that helped me through it - there's a couple of people (who I hope know who they are!) that went above and beyond and I couldn't have done it without you!

Something that has changed, or at least developed is my career aspirations! Ideas were forming and they eventually came to fruition after some great periods of work experience. I want to be a doctor. I still don't know if it actually will happen but things are moving in the right direction so fingers crossed eh? My current aim is to become a surgeon (maybe T&O or ENT) I think...I know this is liable to change because I will see so much during med school, and there are of course other factors which may make a surgical career difficult, but hey, it's good to have a goal in mind right, even if it is a variable one? 

As I have already eluded to, the sky dive was a big thing for me this year. It was a bit spur of the moment, but that does mean I had a fantastic day weather wise. I would definitely put it down as one of the best experiences of my life to date, and it is something I hope to repeat! It goes a bit deeper than that though, I'm not scared of heights, or planes or anything like that but I think it was still an achievement of sorts - it's something I often look back on, not only as a happy memory, but I often apply "if I can jump out of a plane I can do this..." to situations where I get nervous (which happen all too often!).

My arm injury has had a big role throughout the year too. In January I was expecting a bit of physio and then all to be well. Since then things have been a bit up and down - I had the complex regional pain syndrome diagnosis which has thankfully been abandoned; I've had another operation which unfortunately hasn't helped except to rule out any problems with my elbow joint and am now back on regular painkillers. I am still under the care of a private physiotherapist, and soon to be starting with an NHS one too/instead but despite some hard work (even if I do say so myself) over the last few weeks I'm not sue that it has helped, but I will carry on. This saga shall I'm sure continue...I'm due to see my consultant again in a few weeks so we'll just have to wait and hope for the best!

Bikes. Always going to be a big thing for me. Whilst my cycling total for the year (239.93 miles) was a bit pathetic, I'm glad to have got every one of those miles. Not to mention the hours spent on the turbo trainer! I don't know what next year will bring but I hope to get back on the bike once and for all one way or another.

I'm sure there has been a lot more to 2012 than that, but anyway, that brings me on to looking forward. 

There is definitely a lot to come in 2013 if the next month is anything to go by. I can get myself a step closer to becoming a doctor by performing well in my medical school interview(s). I can also take a leap forward if I do well at my job interview(s), if successful I will be sad to leave the bike shop after almost 5(!) years of service (although I'm sure there'll always be the chance for a guest appearance), and whilst I am more than a little nervous about the prospect of a new job (which there is a very good chance I won't get!!) I am very excited too - watch this space!

What else is there left to say? I'm sure you'll be pleased to here - very little!

The last 12 months have definitely changed me, I'll let you decide whether that's a good thing or not. I'm sure 2013 will bring more changes as it is, after all, our experiences that define us...

New year's resolutions?  I seem to have failed a bit on last year's so I'm not really going to make any this year. I shall just try and make more of an effort to be less grumpy (grumpiness has definitely been on the increase this year!) and to worry less. I worry too much! 

So I shall end by wishing you all the very best for the new year!

P.S. Now I've finished the photo a day challenge I won't be posting every day any more!  I don't know how often I will end up writing, but I will do my best keep this updated with anything exciting...

That's it.  Really over now. Well done!