2016 has been a strange year, it has gone by very quickly, and has been full of change.
At the start of 2016 I set a small number of goals, while I only completely achieved two of them I feel I made progress towards all of them:
- Continue learning German
- During the first half of the year I continued well along this goal, however, by the end of the year any practice has fallen by the wayside.
- Travel and/or move to Europe or Singapore
- I spent a month travelling around Europe in February and tried for a job in Germany but was unsuccessful.
- Read 30 books
- I completed 27 books, which is fewer than the previous two years, however, after moving house I have a shorter commute to work which is where I do the majority of my reading.
Every month had its highlights:
January – The year began with two friends getting married on January 2nd. I continued my yearly tradition of going to Symphony in the Domain. And I also discovered the wonderful study space inside the State Library of NSW.
February – I spent the entire month of February in Europe, I flew out on February 1 and landed back in Sydney on February 28.
March – I read Hyeonseo Lee’s The Girl with Seven Names: A North Korean Defector’s Story. I also went to the Australian Formula 1 Grand Prix in Melbourne.
April – I went to the Biennale of Sydney. I also started a small model car collection (which has now expanded to five cars). At the end of the month I went to the Wings over Illawara air show.
May – I saw a Red Back Spider for the first time in Australia (after six years of living in Sydney!).
June – I went to Vivid Sydney. I also threw a surprise Baby Shower with friends.
July – I watched Hunt for the Wilderpeople. I also discovered the wonder of Roastville’s Chai Latte.
August – I went to the V8 Supercars round at Sydney Motorsport Park. I also went for a weekend away with friends to Jervis Bay.
September – I went for a short holiday in New Zealand.
October – I went to Sculpture by the Sea (before it got washed away in a storm). I also went to Muscle Car Masters.
November – I spent a weekend in Auckland for leisure and a week in Canberra for work. I also attended the German Film Fest.
December – I watched the Extreme Sailing Competition on Sydney Harbour, spectated at the Big Bash Cricket, saw the Aladdin Musical, had a friend and a cousin visit from New Zealand, spent multiple days having parties on the beach and did church in a Chapel for Christmas.
This past year has brought some changes in my life: my best friend moved to the USA, I’ve made many new friends and been to many different places. I’m looking forward to the opportunities (and challenges) that await in 2017.