For Pete’s Sake

So here were are, finally in 2008. I meant to get a review of the year up before we got here but alas I didn’t but there you go. Then again at least I can say this review is that off the full year I suppose. For me, it’s been a year of ups and downs just as any other year but in many ways the downs have been impacted more than usual.

I guess though the main thing of 2007 was the fact that I graduated from University which was officially certified in November. Catrin and I also celebrated our first full year of marriage with a fun party for all and chances are we’ll do the same next year. I saw my first NFL and NHL game at two great venues and less to say I hope I’m able to do something similar this year and Catrin turned 25.

As for the not so good points I don’t really want to go back over, they’ve happened and a partially document here but I can’t see much reason pointing them out. So what does 2008 hold? First and foremost it’s my 25th birthday this year (although it’s a while till that’ll happen) and Catrin and I will be heading to Iceland in the summer. Not to mention the fact that I have a half-marathon to run as well. Then there are those things that you don’t plan for and just happen. What those things will be, well that’s why life is so exciting I guess. As for resolutions, well I hope to lose weight as well as get fitter but that’s what most people list for resolutions.

So here’s to 2008 and a happy new year to you all!

I’ve not updated in quite a while have I? Well I’ll be brief as the biggest thing I’ve done since I last posted was going to Austria. However, what Catrin & I did on holiday, has been documented on it’s own site as part of a cool little idea we had of creating small sites per holiday which contain photos/blog/movies etc. You can find that site here.

Aside from that I’ve been panicking about my final year project and generally worriting. Hopefully once all is a little more settled I’ll get back into a groove more frequent blog posts.

So here I am in 2007 a fresh New Year with a little under 12 months of life experience to come. However, before I look forward it seems customary across all the blogs I’ve read to look back. Now I’m not great for memory so I’m just going to go over highlights. So imagine if you will that it’s kind of like Match of the Day quick highlight.

Anyway, start of the year I’d just come back from New Year in Australia for the 2nd time in my life. It was fantastic as usual and really had me pepped up for the year ahead. By February Cati and I had decided to move out to new digs and had a place set up in Bradley Stoke. I moved in February while Cati stayed in the flat in the centre as each location gave us both handy access to our respective Universities. I then basically concentrated on getting the house sorted and passing my modules at Uni. By the end of May I’d take all the exams and in June Cati joined me out in Bradley Stoke. Then came the biggest day of my life/year when, on the 8th July, Cati and I finally got married. Pictures can still be found on our Wedding Site if you haven’t been there yet. Straight after that we went on our Honeymoon to Mauritius which was lovely and I would dearly like to go back again possibly when the weather is a tad better. Late July I saw Cati graduate from Bristol Uni in a long ceremony and then by the end of August somehow myself managed to pass all my exams leaving me with just one year left, hopefully. September saw me start back at UWE and the wonderful task of conjuring up a final year project to do which, to this date, isn’t really started. I was up in Scotland by December visiting my brother which was nice. However, not long after I came home I was informed that my Grandpa had passed away. Due to varying circumstances I missed the funeral which added to things as he never saw our wedding as we failed to get the DVD up to my Grandparents. Finally Christmas came which I spent with my family in Yorkshire which was fun as I got a Wii for Christmas. New Year was spent at home in Bristol with Cati and close friends including my best man Andy who came down with us from Yorkshire.

So that was 2006 and now for 2007. Really all I’ve got is goals. I want to graduate from Uni this year as I don’t honestly think I could take a 6th year at Uni. I want to find a job as quickly as I can and also pass my driving test. The other thing on my mind is our first wedding anniversary as well as Cati’s birthday in December. Still, these things are yet to come. No doubt you’ll find out how I do, lets hope it goes better than I think.

So, this time last week, I went to Edinburgh to visit my brother. Arrived quite safely just before 7pm and was picked up by my brother and his fiancee. Got back to his flat which I hadn’t seen before and then was out later that night to a flat warming of one of my brothers friends. It was a nice evening and had a game of Cluedo to boot. I was paired with my brothers fiancee and, although we knew who dunnit I stupidly gave it away by asking a dumb question about whether we could guess. Ahh well, least I know we got it all on our own. Saturday was spent in town shopping and whatever and then back to the flat to watch the United match. Later than evening we then went out to a bar for a birthday party for another of my brothers friends (popular guy, hehe). It was fun but I wasn’t feeling that well and so went home early with my brothers fiancee. Sunday came and this time my brothers fiancee and I were out flat hunting while my brother was selling their current one. Came back later that day and the evenings entertainment was going out and watching the new Bond movie which I enjoyed quite a lot. I was left to my own devices on Monday as they both had to go to work and I left Edinburgh just after midday. Got home nice and safe and got the taxi home as it was raining quite a bit.

That was the weekend then however Monday night had one last suprise and that was a visit to A&E after I injured myself and it required a look at. Everything went quiet until Wednesday when I was called by my dad to tell me that my Grandpa had passed away quiet peacefully earlier that day. Although not a shock I was suddenly hit with guilt as I realised that although I had the wedding DVD sorted and ready to send I never did and therefore he never got to see our wedding which I dearly wish he had. I then had to decide whether I wanted to attend the funeral and, unfortunately due to a number of things, I had to call my dad back the next day explaining I couldn’t. The funeral is next Monday so those of you who believe in certain things if you could pray and think of my Grandma I would greatly appreciate it.

So yes, it’s been an interesting week filled with mixed emotions and a lot of different life events.

So, Man Utd played Chelsea today, in what most over-the-top pundits were touting as the match that could decide the league. It was an entertaining match and, for a little while at least, I thought we (United) may come away with the 3 points. However Chelsea did what they do best and that’s score from a set-piece. In the end I think the result was fair enough, I’d have taken a draw at the start of the day so I’m not too disappointed. I think we had a really good first-half playing with pace and confidence and it was nice to see Saha score; not just because it’s good for my fantasy team but also it’ll help him get over his penalty miss against Celtic. If you want to read a match report, check out the BBC’s.

In other news Cat and I have had a guest staying with us since Thursday. Cat met her when she went to Taize earlier this year. So it was nice to have someone staying over and I also enjoyed showing our guest the sights of Bristol and what have you. Coinciding with this was last nights entertainment which was the stage show Cats. It was fun but not as good as the same production I saw a year or so ago. Some of the leads weren’t as good but there you go. The night was fun and we all enjoyed ourselves, we also stopped by a friend of ours birthday. I’m also looking forward to next weekend when I’m going to visit my brother in Edinburgh. Haven’t seen him since the wedding and since he’s just got engaged to Ruth it’d be nice to catch up on things.

Swinging back to gaming finished another season on FM. Really enjoying the Lower League Management side of the game. Certainly a lot more rewarding if a heck of a lot more challenging. Certainly helps pass the hours and what have you.