Happy New Year! I hope that you had a healthy 2008. I would love to tell you that I had an exciting Sydney-esk NYE party but it was the opposite. I was propped up on the couch with a thousand pillows, bandaged and miserable, fighting to stay awake. Aiva was just as miserable but without the bandages although there were enough tissues around her that you probably could have wrapped her up like King Tut.

2008 was a fun year for me. I finally settled into Sydney life and stopped fighting it and incessantly comparing it to small town Canada. I found that constantly resisting big city life is harder than just rolling with it. Sure $10 beers are annoying but complaining about it doesn’t make it any cheaper (or taste better) and going home instead isn’t conducive to enjoying Sydney. I worked with a fantastic group of people that I am happy to call “my friends” and not just “my colleagues”. The most important part of 2008 was that my family and friends were healthy and safe. A few of my old friends got married or had children and few of my new ones got engaged (dropping like flies).

I have high hopes for 2009. I already have 2 trips to Adelaide and 1 to Queensland planned. The Tour Down Under is in a few weeks too. I’m hoping to not fall off my bike in 2009 but that shouldn’t be a problem because it appears to happen in two year intervals (2006 – separated shoulder). My little nephew is starting to walk and talk so I’m excited to be more involved with him. He still doesn’t know what to think about me because I look and sound like “daddeeee” but I’m not quite right. I have some exciting career goals that are achievable with some hard work and a little luck. Aiva and I have made a dream list of a few items we’d like to purchase this year. We’re going to have to be happy with the little more “backyard furniture” and a lot less “car”. I don’t think it will be a problem…I like sitting outside.

Take care in 2009 and to my friends and family in Canada – Keep your stick on the ice.