Farewell 2012

As another year passes, everyone is reminiscent of times gone by, of the regrets they have, the people they've met, and of the memories that have made these 12 short months. So, like many others, there shall be much sentimentality entwined in this post.

My year, on the whole, has been really quite great. Of course it's had its downsides- but I'm very, very lucky to have shared it with such amazing people. And I think that's what is really important; it's not particularly what you're doing, but who you're sharing those memories with.

I'm lucky to have shared moments with old friends, who have always been there, who I hope will always be there. Even as we go our separate ways, I couldn't ever forget you guys.

I've also been lucky to meet new people, who have entered my life in the weirdest of ways, and who may not stay in my life, but have meant something to me nonetheless.

You see, I think every person you meet has something to show you about yourself, these may be but fleeting encounters - months, weeks, days- or even just hours, but I do think there's something to be learnt. Talking with people can help you understand who you are as a person, they can highlight flaws, encourage your talents and ultimately show you the people who you really should cherish. Because not everyone will be nice, but that's the point.

So, be merry, be adventurous, love freely, encourage happiness. All that kind of stuff.
And I hope you have a very, very "Happy New Year".

Do Talk To Strangers.

I like getting to know new people. I like how you get to understand them, all the little details about a person which you would never normally know. The quirks they have, the way they speak. I like the initial conversations, the pleasantries that are exchanged between two strangers. I like the awkwardness of silence, or the constant flow of conversation.

I like how there's some people who you instantly click with, who you feel have a deeper understanding of what you as a person are trying to convey. I like it when people start to unravel in front of you, a ball of wool slowly being knitted into the jumper of friendship.

It's great getting to know new people, the stories they can tell you, the experiences they can share. I like hearing about different cultures, different opinions, different people. Their lives, the mundane day to day stuff as well as their dreams and ambitions.

I like how the conversation then starts becoming more detailed; little flashes of life inserted into them- an opinion here, a joke there, it's brilliant. Getting to know people is like a lottery, sometimes you'll hit the jackpot. Or a huge sweet shop, so full of variety, each person offering a new flavour, a new taste of life.

So, *do talk to strangers. You never know what you're going to get.





*provided you're over the age of 16 and they're not paedophiles.