This time last year I was in Ireland. It's the part of my trip that I reflect on the most - Ireland sank into my skin and hasn't left me since. I think I will forever look back on it as one of the most beautiful, joyful times of my life. This year, I am at work after a refreshing 2 weeks spent with family and friends. NYE was no better or worse than usual, but a last minute decision to go to Tijuana Cartel 2 days later was the saving grace of the NY weekend. They were fantastic, energetic and fun. As the first post of the year, it seems sensible to make note of a few of my hopes for the year ahead. I'm trepidatious in that I can hardly imagine 2010 being as wonderful as 2009 was, but it's early days yet and life has a way of handing out pleasant suprises to those who are paying enough attention to spot them. I hope I can: manage to write here at least once a week. It changes the way I see the world. continue to build a career that is challenging but also rewarding. sate