Farewell 2017

2017 was quite a year for me; a jam-packed year of fun, new people and experiences.

J  A  N  U  A  R  Y

The year started out pretty miserably work-wise. After 4.5 years in my job I had lost the energy and buzz and woke up dreading the day ahead. As a result cats and crafting featured a lot in my Instagram feed. One glimmer of satisfaction was starting to learn the men's ballroom and latin steps in order to be able to help teach beginners to dance. The patience I've acquired from my job teaching young children with Autism is very beneficial to applying this to teaching un-coordinated adults! 

F  E  B  R  U A R  Y

My pet African Pgymy hedgehog, Peggy also had a rough time too: I thought she was having a harrowing death but no, she just needed a hysterectomy. Who knew?! After having her womb removed (and a large sum of money removed from the bank account) the specialist vet said she had 'another year left in her!'. 

M  A  R  C  H

In March, London suffered from a terror attack. A terrorist deliberately mowed down pedestrians on Westminster Bridge killing 5 and injuring 50. It was shocking and became the blueprint of how others would commit suicides and attacks on innocent people throughout the year. 

On a happier note I introduced my good friend, Anna to the great and all mighty band, 'Postmodern Jukebox'. I had a spare ticket and after 11- yes 11 rejections of company- she saved me from loneliness. The band as ever were amazing and they've gained a new fan!

Check out these videos HERE, MORE?, SATISFIED YET?

March was rounded up with the political pickle of Brexit. It was the first time social media became vicious and abusive on my newsfeeds, not one to make a big song and dance confronting people on political issues it was overwhelming seeing people erupt over this to the point of cutting off friendships and throwing out death threats to each other. 

A  P  R  I  L

My Mum and I went to Kyoto, Japan! A trip of a lifetime, it was incredible! It was a big deal for us because we are not hot on travelling but we want to go back there and do it all again. Check out my blog post about the trip HERE.

M  A  Y

May plodded on unhappily at work. I was physically and mentally exhausted but felt determined to push through to the finish line (the end of the school year). I handed in my resignation letter around this time. My sister and her then-fiancé bought a house, my 'snake' plant grew rare flowers and I started to grow a tomato plant. There's a nice spring/new beginnings vibe right there.

Then the horrific Manchester bombing- another terrorist attack- happened at an Ariana Grande concert. 23 people killed and over 500 injured, of course many were children. It's just utterly horrendous, I don't know how to put it into words.

J  U  N  E  

Yet another terrorist attack, this time on London bridge. I don't want to even look up the statistics of injuries etc or relive the details. Then, an enormous and deadly fire broke out at the 24-storey Grenfell tower block in West London. I just can't comprehend the devastation and destruction of families and possessions and how utterly terrifying it would have been.

In my life, June was a turning point. One month left of my job, another job opportunity offered to me, I enrolled on a distant learning course and I started to learn Swing Dancing. I started a local class with the franchise, Swing Patrol and it's given me so much joy and new friendships. I've met a bunch of lovely welcoming people and have been able to go on lots of new social dance outings!

J  U  L  Y

Crawling to the finish line at work, July 20th marked my last day of my first proper job. I also went on a very relaxing holiday to Dorset where I swam in the sea and drank lots of tea. (not at the same time). July was also the start of a copious amount of homegrown courgettes and also my first time Sunflower picking!

A  U  G/ S  E  P  T

I started my new job as a Nanny! It suits me well and allows me to have a life outside my work life. 

My swing dancing class were busy perfecting our routine for the annual Ball coming up in October. Lots of arty crafty exhibitions were visited and new skills practiced in these months including jewellery making, brush lettering and book binding. It was my sister's hen-do which was so much fun and the wedding of the year!!! My sister looked stunning and the day was just perfect. I cried for most of the ceremony and loved every minute as maid of honour (my first time being a bridesmaid!).

O  C  T  O  B  E  R

We performed our lindy hop routine at the Ball. It went really well- I only messed up once and crashed into my partner but it doesn't really show on the film thank god! I turned 27 and started to become that mature 'let's paint my walls white' type of person. I've since bought a plain duvet cover too- *weeps* I'm getting old and now like boring plain things! But I did see Simon Amstell's new stand-up tour to celebrate my birthday which was brilliant as always.

N  O  V  E  M  B  E  R

My mum performed in a play. Of course I'm biased but she is genuinely a brilliant actress. This however brings it's downfalls- I was living next door to the character of Mrs Wilberforce from the Ladykillers since rehearsals began. The play was so good and I even went to see it twice; the rest of the company and production was so good and hilarious! Pinterest was raided for firework-craft ideas and I was able to try out my newly learnt swing and men's ballroom and latin steps at the Big Band Blitz Party!

D  E  C  E  M  B  E  R

This was a fun month- I love the run-up to Christmas. The day, not so much but the whole build up is exciting especially when you're sharing the excitement with children. Lots of seasonal craft projects to do and excuses of baking yummy sweet treats. I befriended a Fox. I made a Christmas wreath. I dressed up as a Fairy to entertain children at a birthday party. I went to lots of social dance events including a Great Gatsby party where we hijacked the dance floor and danced the Charleston. I tower-snatched- a term used for when Campanologists visit and ring at another church tower. And I celebrated the new year 1940s style at a Blitz Party in London.

All in all a great year!