Goodbye 2015!

As far as years go, 2015 is one I'll be glad to say goodbye to. There's been some good points; my holiday to France in the summer was amazing (you can read all about it here). The sun, the heat, the relaxation, the sights. I'd go back in a heartbeat! I've also gotten to try out some new things like Pointe and pole dancing, and I've got to see Wicked and Les Miserables on stage. Two shows I've wanted to see for a long time. I also got a weekend away in London so after 24 years of living in the UK I can finally say I've visited my capital city.

But there's been some low points too. Failing my exam was definitely one of them. I've never failed anything in my life before, so this came as a shock to me is something I didn't cope well with. Work making the changes it did, and the impact that has had on everything else has made this year very difficult and on occasions, very overwhelming. But by far the worst thing in 2015 was losing my Grandad. Not being at home meant it came quite out of the blue  and took a long time to come to terms with. He was a big part of my childhood and it's very weird to think he's not around anymore.

The things I've been through this year, both good and bad, have taught me a lot and I've had to grow as a person to cope with some of them. It hasn't been easy, and at times I have wanted to throw in the towel and give up on some things, but I've persevered and come out at fighting at the other end. I may not have enjoyed you 2015, and I am glad to see you go, but I just need to say 'thank you' for all that I've learnt. Goodbye!

Sarah x

Resolution Roundup

Hi everyone! Sorry it's been so long since my last post, the world outside of blogging has been pretty intense and I was forced to take a break for a little while. But I'm back today hoping you'll all forgive me, and with a little Resolution Roundup for you all!

This time last year I set myself some New Year Resolutions, and to be honest I haven't really revisited them since. So we're well overdue a progress up date on them.

To get fit and healthy

This was definitely a very cliche resolution to make. I wonder how many other people made this resolution and how many actually achieved it?

I must admit, I probably didn't do too badly with this. I had spells where I was really good, kept up exercising regularly and ate healthily, but there were other spells where I was really naughty. I suppose that happens to even the best of us. I can't complain though, I did loose weight and drop a dress size, and I do feel a lot better in myself because of it. Just need to get back into my good spell again and keep it up for as long as I can.

Pass 4 more CIMA exams

Woo, this one I achieved! But it wasn't easy by any means. I finished off my final 2 management level exams by May 2015 and sat the first of my strategic level ones in September. All passed on the first attempt. The second strategic one I sat I wasn't so lucky with. I failed on the first attempt. BY ONE MARK! I still haven't got over that even if it was over 2 months ago. But on the second attempt I passed.

In total now that's 9 exams down (4 in 2015) and only 2 more to go! My aim of completing my qualification before turning 25 and ticking it off my list is on track.

Make more effort on my blog and in the blogging world

For the most part of the year, I did quite well on this. I was post regularly. I give my blog a whole new look. I came up with some new content ideas. I did more promoting and interacting through social media. I participated in some blogger chats. I worked with a few brands. I was getting there. And then work and exams became overpowering and blogging took a major back step. This is the one thing that isn't on my 25 before 25 list that I'd like to carry forward into next year. Make more effort with my blog. Even if it's just regular posting (once a fortnight at least) and keep my social media going. Then I don't feel as bad if work does get too much and I have to take a break. Lets see how it goes.

Read more books

Not including college books, I read 12 books this year. I achieved my goal!!!! The books I've read are: My Side of Life by Shane Filan, Now and Then by Brenda Rothert, Twenty-Eight and a Half Wishes by Denise Grover Swank, The Homecoming Masquerade by SpencerBaum, The Festival of the Moon by Spencer Baum, The Rose Ransom by SpencerBaum, The Bonding Ritual by Spencer Baum, Looking for Alaska by John Green, Off Balance by Terez Mertes Rose, GoneGirl by Gillian Flynn, Paper Towns by John Green, Turning Pointe by Katherine Locke. I really need to learn to start doing my book reviews as soon as I've finished reading something. I did a few, and I've linked them above if you're interested, but I didn't get round to the others. I should really catch up on them all.

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I'm not setting myself any resolutions for 2016 as I'm still working my way through my 25 things before 25 list. But there will be a new post within the next week or so welcoming in 2016 and detailing some of my plans for the New Year. I hope you'll all stick around to enjoy them with me.

Happy New Year to you all, and thanks for putting up with my recent absence.

Love Sarah x