Best Of.

2012 has been the weirdest year and truly full of ups and downs, I know that that's something people often say but I've never really seen my life to be as much of a rollercoaster as it has been this year. I've been unemployed, on jobseekers, got a job, got a better job, got a cat, moved out and feel like I've changed a lot.

Now I'm in Florida writing this and I know it's only for a holiday and that I've been here many times before, but that itself is quite strange too. I'll be seeing in 2013 as the first new year in over six years that I haven't seen it in with Mr Moon, hopefully I won't be quite as cold as I've been in the last couple of days.

Anyway, here are some of my personal highs from 2012, here's hoping that 2013 will bring even more welcome change and surprises.



1. Meeting Little Doll

There's no argument that having this cutie tumble into my life has certainly made a huge impact. She's come with me on my journey and seeing her grow is amazing. It's not always easy but she definitely makes things interesting, she can be such a nuisance and she's really odd but I don't think I'd love her as much without her quirks. I hope 2013 sees less of her bringing in worms and more of her learning how to behave better.

2. Moving Out

Obviously I've been away from home before, but this feels proper, I love our little flat, it's strange that it doesn't even look like that anymore. There are a few improvements that we're making one step at a time but I'm looking forward to getting it how I like it and having more visitors next year.

3. A first 'proper' grown up holiday

After being students, then jobless and 'only just' having enough money for such a long time, for Moon and I to treat ourselves to a real life holiday abroad, even if just for a week, was something super special. Turkey was the perfect place to visit and somewhere we've been meaning to go to for a long time, I'd definitely go again. Hardly as 'jet set' as 2011 felt to be, but hopefully next year will be just as exciting. I see Reykjavik in late 2013, but we haven't decided on our summer holiday yet, 2012 has made me really look forward to seeing the world with this guy (*vom).

4. Getting a job

(Twice). I definitely count working at the cinema along with nabbing my current job together for this one. Without the cinema I never would have been able to move out and live in my little flat, or go on holiday, and I did meet some great people along the way. Equally, I feel so lucky that I got the job I have now at the same time that Moon lost his job, I don't know what we would have done otherwise. More than anything I'm happy that I'm happy in my current job and even more than that, I'm overjoyed to not be sat applying for jobs - and moaning about it - day in and day out.

5. Taking more pictures.

This will always be something that is important to me. Keeping records and taking note is something I think I strive to be good at without realising, even if I don't always succeed. With this being something that I've progressed so well with this year, as well as taking more, I actually feel like I'm taking better photos as well. There's definitely a marked improvement between my photos from the last time I was in Florida to those I'm taking now, but I'm actually really enjoying it, taking photos of different things, different ways and learning is really fun and I definitely want to keep it up!

I think gaining more personal confidence definitely deserves a special mention too. 2012 was the year that I began to realise that people don't really care - they do but not actually - about anything that you do or say so you may as well do and say what you like, enjoy yourself and get on with it and I think it's definitely a mantra I want to bring forward for the future.

An Untraditional Christmas.

Hi there from Florida of all places, long(ish) time, no blog.
I've always said this is a record for myself more than anything and being out here sure has muddled up my days a bit, particularly with having 3 different cameras on the go and my phone all to keep records of my fabulous time out here - so strange that I've been here a week already. It's only a family holiday but everyone thinks it's a bit odd that we're away for Christmas - in my opinion winter sun is the best idea ever, especially considering how miserable the UK has been, erm, all year.

I don't even care that Florida isn't 'real America', the glimpses of patriotism through the park parades and shows do a lot to demonstrate otherwise, and I'm sure that I'm exceeding my daily calorie allowance ten fold just by sitting here so that's authentic enough. There's a pool and there's a bit of sun but it has been a bit cold. Still, there's magic in the air and oddballs a plenty, I'm having a great time.

It has been a bit strange not seeing Moon everyday and I'm looking forward to seeing him when I get back but you know what they say about absence etc, it's probably the most time we've spent apart since we moved to Newbury, with the most before this being about 2 nights.

I figured I'd share this in bits, but with Christmas being the most recent 'big' event I thought that would be the best place to start. We spent Christmas Eve in Magic Kingdom, it was rammed, we managed to get on a couple of rides but decided to head back to the villa and return in the evening for the parade and fireworks. The fireworks were a great way to see in Christmas, and they do amazing projections onto the castle now that are super clever. You'll have to excuse the photo-heavy post, as always I am rubbish at editing down, I suppose it's a sign of what's to come.


Isn't the popcorn detail on Magic Kingdom's Christmas tree super cute? ♥

The long lens for my DSLR has come in super useful for getting nice shots of the shows and parades through the crowds so far, I'm so glad I brought it.

The tacky gift shops up and down the main highway are one of my favourite things about visiting Florida. I've got my beady eye on a particularly hideous tie-dye Florida tee as a souvenir.

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Should have used something to show scale, this thing was a beast!











We were treated to a Santa hat and a Christmas tree among other things, so clever!



Christmas was a big hush-hush surprise but began, as per tradition, with smoked salmon and scrambled eggs, a great way to feel at home when not at home. After secret Santas and opening gifts, I'm drowning in bathing products as usual, we headed to the 'secret location' of Emeril's Tchoup Chop, an amazing Asian fusion restaurant in one of Universal Studio's hotels. I actually can't find the words to recommend it enough, it's some of the nicest food I've ever eaten, ridiculously good and as someone who's not a big fan of turkey, a great break from other Christmas traditions.



My first ever egg nog, I'd love it to have tasted like Baileys but it's more like watery cake mixture.

I got Lucy, my Gran and I tickets to see Cirque Du Soleil while we're out here, it was a total surprise, I'm super excited to go as I've always wanted to but never been before.

My sister kindly got me Rob Ryan's 2013 calendar, to go with two other calendars waiting at home, this will be taking pride of place.





Hawaiian Gingerbread House.



Fancy prawn crackers.


The tastiest oriental starter I've ever had, the egg roll, omg.


Every holiday I go on seems to be a lot more active than everyday life, and I thought I was meant to be relaxing! Truthfully, I am relaxed but heading out for park opening is tiring, so Christmas night meant a swim, maxin' relaxing and watching 100 Greatest Kids Stars on VH1, awesome.


Chinese 5-Spice Lamb Shank with Green Apple and Parsnip Cobbler.


Emeril's Special Banana Cream Pie.



A very noisy holiday squirrel.
Boxing Day has been intense I started writing this before we head back to MGM (Hollywood Studios) for lots of shows and a go on the Rock 'n' Roller Coaster. We had the biggest downpour this afternoon but hopefully it will be sun for the second part of our holiday. I hope you're enjoying the festive season and that you got lots of great gifts and tasty food. Happy Holidays! ♥