Happy First Anniversary to me!

 

I turned the page of my diary and almost had a cardiac arrest when I saw what was written there for the 2nd October.

My first Retirement anniversary.

How the hell did that happen??? If you had asked me, I would have said that I was retired five months, six months max . Good Lord, if the first year goes by so fast, then I'm rapidly hurtling to the end!!!

So I sat down to calm myself and "reflect" on the past year. Had I achieved any of the goals that I set myself?

#1 Travel more

Oct: Headed to Carter on the Costa in Spain with my family to enjoy a great Country Music week in the sun with loadsa dancing, drinking and sun. a great way to start off my retirement.

Nov: Went to visit my nephew Niall in Berlin...and take in the Christmas markets as well.

Dec: Christmas and New Year with Jennifer in my old haunt Abu Dhabi. Wonderful time...even if I didn't have my luggage. But that's another story.

May: Off to the South of France to visit Lorna. Pure bliss.

So I figure I achieved that goal....and here's to the next year's travel.

#2 Take part in a musical

I've always loved dancing, especially in shows but I haven't been able to do it in years. I really wanted to do it again but I had a horror of being the oldest dancer on stage. When I saw that LMVG were doing The Wedding Singer I figured that older people went to weddings too so I could blend in the background. So I took my life into my hands and launched myself into rehearsals. The first thing I had to admit to myself that neither my brain nor my body were as sharp or flexible as they were the last time I did a show, but hey, I managed. The fact that the show was nominated for Best Choreographer and Best Choreography must mean that I didn't ruin it!

Award winning!

#3 Write a book

When I was a child I used to write for the local newspaper. I always felt there was a book inside of me (like everyone else does!). In fact twenty years ago when I came home from Abu Dhabi I started on writing my novel, did my research etc but soon life got in the way. With my new found free time I started anew and this time.....I FINISHED IT!

It's still in its infancy and next week I have a meeting with an editor and hopefully that will lead to a publisher. Fingers crossed.

But regardless, I am so proud of myself for actually finishing it this time.

So looking back I can see that I have achieved a lot in the past year. Now to set some new goals!!!