2010 has had a crazy start.  I cannot believe we're 17 days in, it feels like it should be March already!  This is my first entry of the year and I should have lots to say, but in truth I feel like keeping my cards quite close to my chest about a lot of things, mostly because I don't want to jinx them, but also because I've begun to think a lot about blogging and whether I can really carry on with it. 

I'm sure I will, it is part of me, and I do still adore writing... even if I do only do it sparingly these days.  So, what have I been filling my time with? 

Well, the New Year was spent in Ireland, with my brother and his family.  I had the most wonderful time, as I always do over there.  It's so stunning, the people are friendly, the air is cleaner, and the sun shines differently.  Perhaps it's spending my days with a 3 and a 6 year old that does it, but I always gain perspective when there.  The highlight of my trip this time around was most definitely the New Year's day walk in "Mossy" Forest.

Since I've been back I've pretty much just been working, hanging out with friends, and being ill.  Yes, I finally got the dreaded cold that everybody has been complaining about.  Not only did mucus take over my life, but I also lost my voice again.  At least I still have the exercises from my speech therapy last year, so I can avoid the chronic croakiness that I had before, and won't have to consider a career as a Rusty Lee voice impersonator!

My lungs feel fragile, and I'm sure that's also because I've stopped smoking again.  I didn't smoke much as it was, but a little is more than none, and none is what is needed in order to be healthy!  I don't miss it at all, but I do feel my body cleaning itself.  Which is good, I suppose.

Today I went with Lisa to a wedding fayre, which was an odd experience because running one of the stalls was my old primary school teacher Mrs Taverner!  I cannot believe she remembered me, it was most surreal.  Also, I found myself with nothing interesting to say to her about myself.  How do you summarise the last 20 years, especially when all you've done is bounce around and haven't actually achieved anything?

I've been giving a lot of thought lately to money, life, housing, career, and where I fit in with all of that.  It's good to have a plan, but sometimes I forget where I'm at, and with other influences coming along and threatening it, I don't know which way to turn some days.  But, I am focused and will persevere, because that's all you can do!

2010 is the year of the UK trip.  It would be great to have someone to go with, and I know I can drag D on some of them (I doubt very much she'll camp), but others I'm looking forward to going on alone.  There's so much to see, and my weekends had started to centre around the library, where I can read up on all the folk stories and plan where I want to go.

It's not only weekends away; there are day trips to be had too.  There's so much to see, and when we're blessed with sunny (albeit fresh) afternoons, I can't think of anything better than taking a walk around a park, or a historical building.  We're surrounded by culture and history, but most stay blind to it.  I've got no money, so figured I'd use my eyes this year and take a look at what's around me.