Life of Lu

There are so many negative end of year comments being made today that I felt the need to try to counteract them. This is my list of why 2012 was a fabulous year, both personally and in general. I know that there was also a lot of loss but I would rather focus on the positive heading into next year and start with a positive outlook! 1. Queen Elizabeth became a bond girl. 2. I witnessed one of my best friends marry the man of her dreams 3. I met my little cousin Adam for the first time 4. My best friend got engaged to her wonderful boyfriend 5. My baby brother met and fell in love with his fiancé Kate 6. My cousin Nicola FINALLY got engaged to her lovely boyfriend Eoin 7. My mum graduated from university after spending three/four years studying 8. James brother-in-law graduated in nursing. 9. My aunt Olive received her masters 10.I started my current job, a job which I love 11. I helped set up the store newsletter for my area. How fun!

How exciting! It is Christmas time again! Isn't Christmas simply the most wonderful time of the year? I know there are some bah humbug folk out there who balk at Christmas so today I am taking it upon myself to show you why I love Christmas, and I promise it is not all materialistic goodness! 1. Singing. There are countless cheesy Christmas songs out there that cause us all to groan inwardly. Personally when I hear Noddy Holder screech "It's Christmas", I cringe. Don't even get me started on the X Factor winner's single. Blugh. However, along with all this vomit inducing tripe there is caroling, and Fairytale of New York and my personal favourite: Then there are the hymns. I'm not a church goer by any means but Christmas services are so enjoyable and peaceful. There is nothing I love more than listening to a choir joined together in harmony, singing from their souls. One song that I especially love is 'Oh Holy Night'

Have you ever had a moment where suddenly you feel very down in the dumps? Nothing has happened, everything is great but you feel down. This evening, while watching Extreme Makeover - Home Edition that happened. One moment I was fine and the next I had the feeling in my chest that you get when you are really upset. It was such a rapid and intense change in mood that even James noticed it. I've put it down to three things: 1. Homesickness. I can't help but think of all my little cousins as we approach Christmas, especially my godchild who I simply adore. I am so lucky that I get on so well with James' family and I am excited to see his nephews and niece over the Christmas holidays and then his nieces in England in January but at this time of the year I do miss the little ones from home. It probably doesn't help that a friend of mine is heading home to Ireland tomorrow while I look forward to a fortnight of work and my hours will make it difficult to visit Jam