first blog of a new year.
Justin Timberlake - What Goes Around (Comes Around)Ring, happy bells, across the snow:
The year is going, let him go;
Ring out the false, ring in the true."
-- Alfred, Lord Tennyson
Updated qbee quilt
Happy new year, everybody!
I hope that you all had a good new year celebration. In England, the new year is quite a big deal. We stay up drinking all night, pretty much like everyone else, but of course there is also the spectacular fireworks in London (which were amazing this year, the London Eye looked awesome!) and Hogmanay, so the celebrations last through New Year's Eve into the first day of January. I was still drunk at work the next day. 
How naughty of me! But then again, so was everybody else!The celebrations aren't over yet for us! Burns Night is coming up on January 25th, to commemorate the life and work of the Scottish poet, Robert Burns. Not everyone takes part in Burns Night, but a lot of people in the countryside or people with Scottish ties do. At work, there is a special Burns Supper which is attended by a lot of people. Traditional Scottish things, like haggis and whiskey, are served ceremonially, and Burns' poetry is recited. There are Scottish flags all over the pub from New Year's, since a lot of English New Year traditions are adopted from Scots'. Our new year is announced by the firing of a cannon at Edinburgh Castle as well as the chiming of Big Ben! Even our special new year song, Auld Lang Syne, was written by Robert Burns himself! That's why we find it important to celebrate his life at this time of year. Of course, it helps that it is also his birthday anniversary.
If you would like to find out more about Burns Night, click here. If you want to learn about New Year in the United Kingdom, you should click here.
Of course, I made resolutions for 2008:
1. Less procrastinating, more productiveness. Get things done in advance rather than leaving them until the last minute, keep on top of everything I'm planning and make sure that they happen. This is particularly important with college work - I'm gonna need to stay on the ball. I can't slip up at this stage or it'll all go tits up.
2. Work your arse off! I'll get nowhere in life by doing nothing. Plough through work with gusto, apply myself fully to my studies. I only have a few months to do this and then I can reap the benefits... and they'll definitely be worth it.
3. If you can't say anything nice, don't say anything. Try to see the best in people. Failing that, keep my mouth shut. Obviously, sometimes I have to say something negative about a person. But I must try to avoid to if I can help it. (I'm not overly confident on keeping this one. :slow:)
What do you think? What resolutions have you made this year, if any?
As a last feature to commemorate the brand new year ahead of us, here's a rather appropriate friday 5.
1. In 2007, who most made you laugh?
Probably lauren. She is as bonkers as I am, and understands my very strange sense of humour. I've lost track of the number of times I've made one of our obscure in-jokes to one of my other friends and been met with a look of utter bemusement!
2. In 2007, who most inspired you?
I am not really sure... but my friend Catherine is very inspiring. She's intelligent and she works hard, but she always has a big jolly smile on her face. Great lass!
3. In 2007, who taught you the most?
I probably learned more through my own mistakes and personal discoveries than through anybody else in particular. I tend to learn best that way, which probably isn't such a good thing...
4. In 2007, who encouraged you the most?
All of my closest (and even not-so-close!) friends have been superb in helping me keep my head above water. It was an emotionally tumultuous year that would have been absolute agony if it had not been for the support and kindness of my beloved friends. I realised who my real mates were and felt more thankful than ever to have them on my side.
5. What did you do in 2007 that will have the most positive effect on your 2008?
I got through the interviews for my gap year in China. I can't wait!
Anyway, that's my lot. Hope you guys are enjoying the glorious January sales, by the way!
| Update by Sarah @ 19:04, Fri. January 04 2008 |
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