No such luck; I've just had the world's busiest few months (most of it involving no real internet connection). I'll go into greater detail tomorrow in a lengthier, more substantial post but in short, my previous few months have included making important life decisions, jetting off to Egypt, finding a new house and buying a new house. Stressful stuff.
I've been slightly nostalgic today, backing up all my iPhone photos that I have taken over the past year. It's amazing just how much of your day to day life these little gadgets capture. It's hardly surprising seeing as how they are usually attached to our person every single day but it is so interesting looking back through them - a fantastic photographic summary of your past year in perfect sequence.
So, in the true spirit of New Year's Eve, here is my 2012 alongside a few simple words and accompanying iPhone photos (it was so hard picking just a few - I dare anyone to try it!).
January
First thing after Christmas, I moved out of the house that I shared with my wonderful housemates and moved in with Adam - our first little home together (albeit rented).
February
The first snowfall of the year and one of the coldest starts to the year I have ever known.
March
Not only the month of my 23rd year on this earth, it also signified Nan and Grandad's 60th wedding anniversary!
April
The month of chocolate, sorry - Easter.
May
Strangely, the only real summer heat that we experienced in 2012 was in May; just in time to coincide with the Queen's Jubilee. I don't think I have ever seen this country come together like it did on that day and I doubt that it will happen again anytime soon.
June
Months and months of Machiavellian-style planning finally came together in the form of my good friend Gemma's surprise hen party - I'll never forget the look on her face when she opened the door! There was also a surprise for myself when Adam booked a spontaneous holiday to Center Parcs in Cumbria.
July
The big day arrived and I have to admit, Gemma's wedding was quite possibly the most enjoyable day I have ever had the pleasure to be part of.
August
Traditionally the month of sun yet 2012 brought no sign of any kind of Summer. Needless to say, the long nights were often spent in dark and dingy clubs.
September
Adam came to stay at my Dad's, my childhood home. Whilst there, I took full advantage of my attempt to integrate Adam and spent some time with my best friend Jess.
October
One of my favourite months - the month of Hallowe'en. I need say no more.
November
The busiest month of 2012 by far. We jetted off to Egypt leaving the gloomy, wet weather of England behind. As soon as we got back, I was packed off to Wales to spend time with some old friends at Hannah's Dad's estate in the welsh valleys - nothing could have prepared me for the shocking reversal of weather.
December
Christmas, Christmas and more Christmas. The Swede in me cries out for the joys of the festive period but the Brit in me tries it's hardest to override that with the stress levels associated with this time of year. Though, for this year at least, the stress levels were founded as myself and Adam purchased our very first house together and moved in over the space of a weekend! As I type this, we are still adding the finishing touches to our brand new home as we both had to leave to spend the Christmas period with our respective families - a fantastic Christmas was had by all and perfectly topped off a truly memorable year.
So there it is; a year that has taken 365 days to experience and less than 30 minutes to summarise. Whilst looking back over those months and attempting to remember exactly where I was and what I was doing, I managed to recall so many wonderful memories that I feel I would have otherwise forgotten. The mind is a strange tool, capable of retaining so much yet recalling so little of it's own accord - I suppose that is why I love blogging so much; to capture those tiny lost treasures that you would otherwise place aside. It's no real surprise that my most important New Year's resolution is to keep on blogging, plough away and record these perfect moments before it is too late.
As ever, I wish peace on the world (one small voice and all that..) and hope that 2013 brings a year of calm and tranquility, not only to the planet but to each and every one of you and your families. Wherever you may be, have a glass of champagne for me and have a fantastic and safe New Year.
