The end is coming

The "dark nights" used to be a time of retreat for me, a time where I tried to do as little as possible and enjoy my own company.

This year, that has not been possible, and I feel as if I am paying dearly for this. My health is shaky right now, I am tired *all* the time and hae a hard time finding anything positive. This week, so far, I took part in 2 social activities, got scolded by two friends (once for not keeping a social date because I was sick, the other time for keeping a social date although I was sick and not staying as long as expected), set a new working record, drove a client from the office because I was at the end of my patience (which scared the colleagues because they only know me as a nice person) and had to deal with someone trying to steal money from me (see last two posts - I am still waiting to see the money back in my bank account, but they told me in advance it might take a few days, and apart from that everything seems to be settled). Today I have got some errands to run and prepare everything for tomorrow, when we will be heading to the BF's family once more to stay until Sunday - really not looking forward to this.

Okay, having gotten this out ouf the way - I decided to look back on the year, which right now feels so incredibly tough and dark, and find the positive stuff that happened:

* I finished my first novel (after several years).
* I finished the first version of my second novel (after 57 days).
* Several of my stories got picked up for printing - all in all I now have six anthologies with my name in them on the shelf, and I intend to add some more.
* I continued to lose weight, going from 78kg to 68kg (where I have stayed for several months now).
* I met many great people on- and offline, whom I enjoy very much.
* I visited a longtime friend for the first time and later in the year saw her marry a great guy.
* I went to see "The Rocky Horror Show" with friends, dressed up.
* I learned that my mother had secretly married once more.
* My youngest sister announced that she is bringing home another nephew for everyone to adore.
* I took up running once more and, at my best, ran for 50min straight.
* I found a lovely dress (you haven't seen it yet, I'll pester the BF for pictures) to wear to social occasions and at work - oh, this goes together with the next one:
* I learned how to enjoy clothes-shopping.
* I had my father over for a visit for the first time in years.

That makes thirteen great things, one for every moon, and I am sure there were many more I only cannot remember right now (it is BC here, Before Coffee). 2011 was a good year, with many lessons and great occasions, and I wouldn't have missed it for the world. And now I am looking forward to the next one, hoping that it may be just as great (and maybe slightly less exhausting) than this one.