Well the grind of life has set in again. It kinda feels like it was all a dream - I need to get on to those millions and millions of photos - slightly exaggerated - maybe about 3000. I deleted about 70 that were blurry. Two days up in Nelson at Christmas was absolutely lovely. Saw my big baby - well he`s a man. He needs to get rid of that slight mullet though. The kids are beautiful as always and wee James is a delight. Then back to work on Boxing Day - still feels as though this is a necessary evil and I hope some enthusiasm comes back very quickly although it is lovely to see everyone.
Had New Years Eve at Kellie and Michaels - Carol and andy picked me up cos my car had been broken into the previous - after also having 3 flat batteries and getting that replaced. Had a great evening - drank a bit much. Tiffany also there and we all played Cranium. Mum came down for the week - lovely to see her. Casino Royale - Daniel Craig is impressive. Then an impulse - Hamner Springs for the night with Carol, Andy, Kellie, Michael and Oscar - loved it.
Since being home have brought my Egyptian cotton sheets - 30% off at Briscoes. Brought a DVD recorder and am halfway thru catching up with Survivor episodes. Hardly watching TV although Amazing Race due to start tonight.
The carpet finally arrived and looks graet - thank goodness I choose the bigger one. Bit greener than I thought and the yellow curtains definitely have to go - I have said that for 2.5 years and its finally going to happen.
I had a fantastic time away - every day was an adventure and out of the comfort zone which is what I wanted but I come back home - yes it is home and its like a dream. What have I learnt - I want to travel. i love people and their different cultures. I`ve learnt that Western isn`t necessarily right or best - that democracy isn`t for all, arranged marriages can be great, dirt is part of an experience. I want to get my life to be simpler - food, not so many `things`, people are important, not to sweat the small stuff, to somehow keep the `glow` that everybody commented on - think it might be gone already though. To keep the fitness I now have and to get fitter. To do some things that make a difference in my personal life - already doing this in my working life. To seize the day and the month and the year and take that step forward and od something dramatically different. Yes life is good and I am content but I don`t want to regret not stepping out and taking a risk.