As the year comes to a close it's time for me to look back and think of the great times of the previous year. To be truthful, I would consider 2012 to be the best year of my life, and deserves a post to allow me to revisit them.
I started 2012 as a final year sport science student, and was doing everything possible to try and slow time down. Half way through a poor dissertation and with no prospects following graduation, the year started slowly. Luckily my final year landed me as chair of my hockey club. All of my focus was on making that club the best women's club on campus, and working hard towards the recognition we deserved. The club won the Membership Engagement award at the university Sports Federation Ball. Looking back, I have never be so proud to accept an award that the club worked so hard for, and it will remain a highlight throughout my life.
Despite my focus on the club, I graduated in the summer with a 2:1 in Sport Sciences, and can now start writing BSc at the end of my name on emails. Prior to this I managed to secure my next 2 years working in California, and with any luck I'll finish with an MA to add to that email. Having just completed my first 3 months out there I can safely say it's the toughest thing I've ever done, but then I think about Frodo and the ring, and discover it's really been pretty amazing. I've met some great people and have already been to some great places. Vegas, LA, and San Francisco, it's already been a great experience and I still have plenty of time to explore out there. The weather is great and I have great friends, what more can I ask for.
This summer saw the Olympics come to London, and after months of training and excitement I found myself commuting to Stratford each day in my volunteer uniform. Assigned as an NOC Assistant to team Canada, I spent plenty of the build up to the Olympics preparing Canadian Athletes bedrooms and watching everyone moving in. After the games kicked off, not only did I find myself working among the stars of the games, but witnessing GB golds and having once in a lifetime experiences that I will never forget. I was inside the Olympic stadium, walking the track on ceremony rehearsals; I witnesses 7+ GB golds in 24 hours in the velodrome, rowing, and athletics; I watched GB women's hockey win bronze, and then spoke to the captain Kate Walsh on the village; I saw multiple events and famous faces, and when some couldn't get tickets, I was able to get tickets for friends. The Olympics showed me a side to my country that I had never witnessed before. The shared pride and passion for the games was infectious, and I feel truly honored to have been a part of that.
The Olympics wasn't the only sport that my country can look back on proudly this year. Bradly Wiggins at the Tour De France, Andy Murray at Wimbledon and the U.S. Open, and Europe in the Ryder Cup. I also understand my baseball team won the world series, but I can't pretend that was a highlight, especially since it replaced Glee for so long.
To top it all off I've been lucky enough to come home for Christmas and spend time with my family and friends, in my country I love so much.
I'd like to finish with this. If you have taken the time to read this, thank you. My year would have been nothing without the people I shared it with. I owe so much to so many of you, and so I would like to say thank you. I am truly grateful for this wonderful year, and for all the people I got to share it with. So without further ado, have a great evening, stay safe, and enjoy the coming year!
