1. I got a Boyfriend
I began my first real relationship in January this year after a year of stuffing about and being unsure about this guy Ethan who I thought I liked and then didn’t and then did and then didn’t and then REALLY did so then we started officially dating. He’s my first boyfriend and also my first kiss. It’s been completely wonderful and I’m glad I actually took the plunge and wasn’t overly cautious for once in my life. It’s worked out amazingly and he is my best friend and best support.
I got a job in the field I actually want to work in and studied for. Being a school Chaplain is certainly a challenging and emotional role at times but damn it’s fulfilling and I love it.
3. Changed city and moved out!
I moved out of home and to a different (albeit not very far away) city. I have lived in one place my whole life so it was a huge change but man it was as smooth as it possibly could have been - I moved in with friends and felt at home right away. Moving out wasn’t as scary as I thought. Very different, but really not that scary.
(This photo is not relevant but whatever it has some of my housemates in it)
4. Shawna and Tessa Visit
Shawna (nanalew) and Tessa (tessaviolet) visited due to a music festival wanting them to come and talk and perform which was amazing and I couldn’t believed happened. Australia is far and expensive to visit so I never really expect anyone come here. Out of my closer internet friends I’ve had three come so far which has just been amazing. It’s so different being able to hang out with people when it’s not in a convention setting. It’s more relaxing and real and I really love having people around to do normal every day things with. Shawna and Tessa coming made that even more prevalent than it already was since I’ve not had the opportunity to see them outside of a con before. My favourite bits of their visit were just chatting in the kitchen, sitting watching movies or bobs burgers due to the lack of internet or going to get gelato. I liked seeing the koalas and doing touristy things with them too but those relaxing moments are the ones that make it feel like just a normal, real friendship and they’ve always been my favourite when being with friends who I mostly talk to online. Basically I’m saying come visit me and I’ll feed you and we’ll watch movies and eat ice cream and life will be great.
5. Huntington Beach with the Pretty Parade
Before VidCon this year I went to Huntington beach in CA with Katie (swooninginspace), Bri, Alexi (ayoadeonayoade), Mitto (lockleon) and Rohan (rjsalmond) otherwise known as the “Pretty Parade” and man it was so great. We were in a tiny place that wasn’t really big enough for all of us and we had a horrible day in hollywood but it was still my by far my favourite part of this years USA trip. Walking around the little area we were in and going to balboa island and just being able to BE with each other was such good times. Meeting Katie for the first time was completely amazing because oh my word she is so great and I love her and want to see her again.
Ahhhh, VidCon. I’m sorry, but while it was still a big highlight of my year and I still enjoyed it a lot, it has definitely lost some of the magic it once held for me and I don’t really feel the desire to go again. At least not for a while. I loved seeing people and hanging out and attending the prom night, I just feel a bit over the convention part of it. Who knows, maybe I will still go in the future to meet up with everyone again, but I don’t feel that sad about not being able to go this year. I do feel sad that I will miss seeing the people though.
I went to New York City after VidCon this year. It’s the only trip I’ve ever done by myself, and as I suspected would happen, I almost went crazy. I’m an extrovert and not having people around was very hard for me. I still had a GREAT time though. I saw four broadway shows (Matilda, Once, Bullets over Broadway, and If/Then) and did all the tourist things you’re supposed to do that I didn’t do last time. I met Idina Menzel and Zach Braff after their shows (cool but not as exciting as I suspected) and got to sing “Popular” from wicked with a very talented singing waitress in a cafe. I would love to go to NYC again - but next time I am not going alone.
After NYC I went to Bri’s house to see her and Alexi and it was the perfect way to end a trip. We went to Olive Garden and had the best Waiter ever, I got to go to Cedar point, we ate Ice Cream, I drove in America for the first time (WEIRD) and gave children vegemite and they actually liked it. It was so great and I really flipping love those girls so much. I miss them so much too.
We met up with Bev at this science centre in between Bri's and Bev's houses. It was awesome because she couldn’t go to VidCon this year and I love hanging out with her a lot. We had an awesome time and it ended with Mexican food which is always the right way to end a day.
10. Eat street with the girls
My four closest high school girl friends and I got together for the first time in probably four years or something and went out to Eat Street Markets which is basically a market full of amazing food and just hung out and then watched movies and read from the book we used to write to each other to in grade 12. It was easy and fun and I’m glad I’ve stayed friends with those girls.
I went on a trip with Ethan to Hervey Bay to visit his Grandma and it was a really lovely trip. We went whale watching and had yummy food and I got to see where my best friend spent quite a lot of his childhood and meet his Grandma and some of his other relatives. Something else happened too that deserves its own number, but the trip itself was so nice and I wanted to make sure I didn’t skip it
While on that trip, after we’d gone Whale watching and were sitting on the beach, Ethan proposed. I accepted and so I became an Engaged person. A future wife. WHAT. Now it’s only 3 months until I get married and I am so ready for it. Not the wedding, jeez man there is still so much to organise, but I feel very ready to be married. I’m sure people think it was far too fast, and maybe they’re right and I’m blind to it because of feelings and things. I am just really sure though. Really, really sure. And so excited to start my life with Ethan. Well, not start it, I’ve already started my life with him, just the next chapter I guess. WEEEEEEEE I’M GETTING MARRIED.
My fiance’s last name is Gillespie and there is a story behind the ginger beer that I won’t bore you with.
Also we got an engagement shoot and this is a cool photo.
13. Wedding Planning
Wedding stuff has been a highlight and also a down point of the latter part of this year. I've enjoyed bits of it (like trying on wedding dresses and asking people to be my bridesmaids) and really not enjoyed other bits (like deciding who to cut out of the guest list for the reception. NOT so fun.) Really though, every time I have to organise yet another thing, I just get reminded about how excited I am to be getting married. I’m going to include my engagement party in this one because while it was fun and I thought it was a good party, I was very sick and couldn't enjoy it as much as I would have liked.
Bridal party minus one very sick bridesmaid who couldn’t make it.
After Christmas my family and I went on a trip to the sunshine coast and all stayed in this caravan park and man it was just the best time. The thing I enjoyed the most was getting to hang out with my nieces and nephews. Since moving this year I’ve seen them a whole lot less and man kids change SO fast. They’re so fun to play with and my oldest Nephew Rohan is close to becoming a ratty teenager and it’s fun to watch my brother and sister-in-law struggle a little with their previously perfect child. My family really are my favourite though, and it’s amazing seeing Ethan fit in so effortlessly too. I’m incredibly blessed that my family all like being around each other and we’re all very close. I hope we never lose that.
The only photos I have of the trip are some selfies with two of my nieces and Ethan giving a shoulder ride to one of them on a bush walk. So here are four people of the fifteen in my immediate family…
Well, 2014 has been a bigger year than I possibly could have imagined 12 months ago. I think it will legitimately be one I remember for a long time.
Wow sorry this was so long. But not really.