2007 in brief...

That time of the year again - listing all the profanitites performed and items consumed to carry on the capitalist cohorts of the western world... not.

Personally, I think the year has been a bit twofold. At home, things are great. Xinola has submitted her thesis and we're doing really well together, I've never been happier. I just hope she'll find a meaningful job for herself at some point, which I'm sure she will. Patience is a virtue, they say - and boy, are they right.

Workwise, I've been given much more stuff to do this year and it seems that next year comes with a set of new challenges, not that I mind too much. In 2007, I spent on average 2 days a week away from home and now that's come down to 2 days a month. That's a great improvement on it's own! 2008, who knows? Only thing that is for sure is that I'll still need a job and currently the one I have is looking to offer more options than I thought. Maybe next year this time things look totally different. Say no more.

Travelwise, we made a nice little trip to Finland in the beginning of the year. Lots of snow, sunshine and nice time with the family. All good.

In April, it was time for our yearly trip to Mexico. Family was very much in the picture there too, as it should be. Xinola's uncle took us to Taxco for a weekend and we have a little humpback clayman standing guard in our lounge as proof of that trip, together with very nice memories. We also managed to creep in some time on the beach, this time in a nice secluded area of Sontecomapan lagoon. Very nice beach there, snorkling wasn't that hot though... oh well. Great trip overall!

In May, we had visitors from Mexico for a couple of days. Surprisingly, the weather was rubbish and we ended up freezing in rain up in Cambridge for a day. Also in May, Olavi Viimeinen (aka Mick Blogger) made a rush visit which was spent with Mr's Jameson and Carslberg.

Cometh summer (which never did this year by the way) and we received yet another visitor. This one was a little squirrel in the form of Xinola's youngest sister. Our holiday in the summer was a combination of land, sea and air travel - first we flew to Sweden, spent some time in Stockholm (nice city in the summer). Then, we took a little ferry to Finland and ran away from the rain in Helsinki. In Finland, time was spent with the family and at the summer house doing some fishing, going to sauna and eating in excess. All good. I hope the little squirrel enjoyed her first visit to the evil European continent.

I also made a third visit to Finland later this year to get my teeth fixed properly. There was an incident some years ago in England that put me off from going to a dentist in this country - finally my teeth are all good. During this trip I also met up with my old friends which was really great - I have brilliant friends and I'll be ever grateful for that. I also had the pleasure of getting together with Olavi and jUles for one evening which was much appreciated. A lot of deconstructioning of life and its tenets between the UK and Finland - this story will continue... thanks for your thoughts.

So, the second Christmas that Xinola and I spent together without either family arrived. Great food, quality time together and that's it! I'm getting used to the idea of not being pampered by one of our mothers during this time of the year. At least we're learning how to make crackingly good food for the festive season...

Tonight, we're going to receive the new year with some of my colleagues. Could be a bit risky knowing their drinking habits but I'm hopeful that we'll have a good time.

Finally, I hope that all of you will welcome the year 2008 with hope and belief in yourselves. Keep your eyes, ears and minds open (if a bit blurry tonight) and you'll be just fine! I'll try and do the same.

Happy New Year 2008