Christmas : New Job, New Year, New Hope

The J-A Tree.

Well two months have slipped away and as the year comes to a close, I'm reflecting on the good, the bad and the more grey.

In October I got a job. Huzzah! And so The 9-5 Lifestyle begins and my itchy feet are tucked up in sensible work shoes. After this terrible/wonderful year it all seemed to work out okay, in the cosmic way that things seem to. Touch wood.

I worked so hard to boost my French, but in France I felt too far away from my family during a crisis period that it wasn't sustainable. Luckily (read: Thanks to a gazillion job applications) I managed to find a French-speaking role in Yorkshire. I share responsibility for our French client and can look forward to business trips to Paris. What are the chances of that, I wonder.

This year's theme: Funky Reindeer

And so my strange year of wandering comes to a close with that often-dreamt-of Family Christmas.

I'm thankful that all four of us are safe, healthy and home. 

I'm thankful for job security, a salary and annual leave. 

I'm thankful for the snow this weekend. 

I'm thankful for our shared opinion that the Weirdest Trees are the Bestest Trees. 

I'm thankful that, despite my atheism and my disdain of capitalism, my hypocrisy and childish optimism allows my to enjoy the festive period without qualms or guilt. 

I'm thankful for giving gifts that were well-received and getting presents from people who clearly understand me. 

I'm thankful for family who are friends, and friends who are family.

The Best People

Merry Christmas. Happy New Year.

xoxox