A Taste for Trying New Things

‘We keep moving forward, opening new doors, and doing new things, because we’re curious and curiosity keeps leading us down new paths.’ – Walt Disney.

It’s been an interesting year for me. There has been no particularly life-changing reason that makes it interesting. In fact, what makes it interesting could be regarded as positively mundane. The key to making it interesting? Trying new things.

Yes, I am aware I used the word ‘interesting’ four times in the first paragraph, and that you’re supposed to find different words and not repeat the same word too many times in a short space of writing. But how else to describe my year so far, other than interesting? Well, there’s a few other adjectives I could use: exciting, challenging, excellent, wonderful, satisfying, rewarding… I could go on.

This year, I actually feel like I’ve gotten off my arse and done things. It’s my 25th year of life, and I decided it needed to be a year to remember. Plus, 13 is my lucky number, so it seemed fitting that 2013 should be a year that I never forget. So what have I done exactly?

Well, I started early. I decided 2013 was going to be the year when I got my first tattoo, so on 9th February I went along to Aberystwyth and got inked! And it wasn’t as scary or as costly or as painful as I had imagined it to be! Indeed, I loved my first tattoo so much that within two months I got a second one on my ankle. As far as I’m concerned, both will help me remember this year, and commemorate 2013 for me forever.

I’ve also climbed two mountains this year. I’m hoping that before the year is out I can complete my own personal three peaks and climb a third, probably Pen y Fan. I climbed Llyn y Fan in March, followed by Snowdon in April. It felt like the biggest achievement ever when I finally got to the summit of Snowdon, especially because I’m a self-confessed sports un-enthusiast and the mere thought of any form of exercise had me reaching for the chocolate and heading for the sofa to watch TV before.

In May I tried sea kayaking for the first time. Don’t ask me why I decided it would be a good idea to try it, but I’m glad I did, because it’s a really wonderful way to explore the coastline and is so fun! So much so that I went again only a couple of weeks ago with my sisters, and had another fantastic experience. Next time, I’m aiming to make a day of it!

There have been other firsts. My first visit to Hay Literary Festival in May which was thoroughly enjoyed. A trip to Bath (not my first time) but my first time to Stonehenge and the Westbury White Horse nearby. My first visit to West Midlands Safari Park and only my second visit to Longleat Safari Park. I’d only been to a spa once before this year, back when I was 18. This summer I’ve managed to fit 4 trips to various spas in somehow! I am now what can only be known as a spa affiliate.

I attended a friend’s wedding for the first time. By which I mean, I’ve never been to a wedding of a friend my age. All the weddings I’ve ever been to previously have been older relatives or parent’s friends. I don’t mean it is my friend’s first wedding and they are bound to divorce and remarry! I am almost 100% certain that is not going to happen.

I am aware this is turning into a list. I think that what I am trying to say, basically, is that I have had an amazing year of fun, frolics and adventures. And my biggest achievement of the year? Being elected as a town councillor in July to represent the residents of Llanwrtyd, the quirky, odd, wonderful little town that I live in and love. I am in no doubt that if I didn’t live here, half of the things that have happened to me this year, through my own making or not, would not have happened. Certainly, my hobby for photography and walking would not have picked up so quickly or completely. As I’ve mentioned in a previous blog post, who can fail to be inspired when there is such natural beauty on their doorstep?

And the best bit is that this year is not over yet! There are still three whole months of fun left. Months that include Halloween, birthdays, Christmas, Bonfire Night and the Llanwrtyd Wells Beer Festival. I’m certain there are loads more amazing memories to be made in the final three months of 2013, as autumn draws in once more and finally winter begins to take hold.

This year has been good to me. 2013 will definitely be a year that I will always remember, and will no doubt cherish in years to come. Aside from the things I’ve mentioned, there have been many, many more moments that I have loved in this year. And whilst I have it in my head that I need to be a little more responsible in 2014 and start saving some money for more ‘grown-up’ things like house buying in the future etc, I am also in no doubt that next year will also be a great year. I’ve already got trips, travels and adventures planned, so watch this space……

Photographs – From beginning of blog:
My second tattoo, a little triangle on the inside of my right ankle.
Me on the top of Snowdon, celebrating reaching the summit!
A view across the bay in Pembrokeshire that we then proceeded to walk around during the 15 mile hike along the Pembrokeshire Coastal Path recently.
Me, in a sea kayak, sea kayaking!
Stonehenge with a dramatic sky behind.
Me making friends with Jemima the giraffe.
The White Horse, Westbury.
Myself and two friendly election rivals at the polling station in Llanwrtyd on election day in July. See no evil, hear no evil, speak no evil…
The first time I’ve ever seen a hippo yawn…