Dear Family and Friends.
What an incredible year this has been for me. There have been serious downs and equally high ups.
This year I think I’ve seen more of the UK than I had in previous years. To start I spent a lot of time visiting Newcastle in preparation for starting my PhD at Newcastle University. I made some great friends down Gateshead way (near Newcastle), finally got to Beamish (an open air museum) with my friend Rob. I’ve been to Bristol, London, Kirriemuir, York, Glamis Castle, Stirling and hiked to Loch Lomond.
My biggest trip of all came in February when I travelled to Amsterdam for three days. It was my first holiday on my own. Not only is Amsterdam an amazing place to visit but also travelling alone gave me such a sense of accomplishment. I realised how incredibly capable I am and there was no reason at all to be nervous. I got around just fine, never got (too) lost, had great food and saw fantastic sites. It also made me realise that I need to walk more which led to conquering Arthur Seat with Paul and Rachel and walking the entire water of Leith in search of the Antony Gormley (the artist who created the Angle of the North near Newcastle) statues there.
I’m still living and working in Edinburgh. As with everyone, we’re really feeling the hard economic times, but thankfully I still have a job. The departure of my boss meant an increased workload, however it has brought more autonomy to my work. Editing a magazine is tough, but having control of the reins is a great feeling. The magazine continues to get better and I think I’ve risen to the challenge at work. My visa is also being renewed so I get to stay in the UK for another two years, after which I can apply for permanent residency.
In other work news, I’ve had to put my PhD ambitions on hold. But academia still beckons so I’m going to be a guest lecturer at Napier University in 2012! I’m going to be giving lectures on design and magazine production! I’m crazy excited! I’m still writing my book of course (as you can see from my blog)
I’ve started back to rugby! I still can’t play full time because of my joints, but I’m still going along to training and helping out and playing as a substitute at matches. It’s great spending more time with the team again and being more active. My waistline whole-heartedly approves. We photographed a calendar (still available to purchase online – Mom, look away) to raise money for Waverley Care. The team also celebrates its 10th Anniversary in 2012! I can’t believe I’ve been on the Thebans for five years!
This year I’ve taken up a new hobby; bookbinding. It’s so much fun and I’ve created some lovely journals and books already. But, I have to get a grip on my fetish for stationery. There’s really only so much paper you can buy before it becomes gratuitous! My sister, Love, got married to her high school sweetheart, Jason. I sadly couldn’t make it but was happy to make the wedding book. I’ve also taken up the piano again (yes, mom, you were right. I do regret giving it up). I’ve picked up where I left off at age eight. But, the man size hands and sligtly less trainable brain make it a very different experience. Needless to say, though, I’m not bored.
I’ve also continued performing with Showcase where he have concerts to raise money for Macmillan Cancer Support. Since the group was founded in 1991 we’ve raised over £200k. I’m very proud to have been on the committee this year (though I wasn’t as active as I would have liked to have been). I also did something I never thought I’d do – a marathon! I was part of the Showcase relay team and it was awesome! In this year’s show I got to strut my stuff as Tom Jones and perform “Sexbomb”. Leather trousers, while something I wouldn’t normally wear, are surprisngly comfortable.
As the winter began I hit a very rough patch and had to take time off work. Never in my life have I known such kindness and support from friends. There are so many people I have to thank for their love and support. I hadn’t appreciated how much Scotland has become a home until, in my time of need, love and family in the modern sense came from every direction. Because of it I think I’ve come out the other end a much stronger and happier version of me.
Well, this letter has already tipped towards ‘sprawling’ so I will close. I’m lucky enough to have been invited to my mate Keir’s family home for Christmas in York. It promises plenty tidings of comfort and joy and I’m very much looking forward to it. I hope this letter find you all happy and healthy.
Lots of love from me to you for this holiday season and have a bigger and better 2012.
