Dear 2009

My my my...what a year this has been. Full of ups and downs, happies and sads....an all round good year:) I've decided to end my year saying: 'I'm tracing the outlines of 2009 and liking the picture I see'.

I've decided to dedicate this post to everything that happened this year, both good and bad...as all these things played a roll in who I am today:)

2009 will be etched into my memory for the following reasons:

• I started my Masters degree in Forensic Auditing. I won't lie, it's been hectic. Working and studying full time while trying to remain a social butterfly is no joke...but somehow, with much insomnia, much coffee, lots of love and no sleep I managed to pass the first half with flying colours. I did well, and I can honestly say I'm proud of myself.
• I sold my little noenoe who has been my companion since I started driving after the accident
• Bought my gorgeous new baby.......*happy in love sigh*
• Paid off my study loan
• Got caught in the middle of a shootout between police and some idiots while driving home after watching District 9
• District 9
• My feet got burnt by acidic powder that was inside a pair of sexy shoes I bought. I was miserable and the burns were insane. But i'm happy to report that my feet have now fully recovered. The rather exclusive shop was quite shocked and refunded me for the shoes, they also paid my medical bills at the end of the day.
• Almost got ran off the road by a cop cause he was on his cell phone
• Mrs Reindeer passed away.....she paid such an important part in my life for so many years...it is with great sadness and fondness that i remember this part of 2009
• We discovered a really disturbing murial in our local Panarotti's
• My chamber got married...yay!!!!
• I tried my best to have weekends away as often as possible....even when I'm practically dying of Bronchitis
• My dear, dear friend AK's little girl was born. What an awesome little girl...such a blessing!
• The sad and interesting journey through my dear gran's life when we had to help her pack up all her stuff. I still carry the little coin with me:)
• For the first time i can truly say I've forgiven the guy who crashed into me 4 years ago. It's been a long journey.
• erm......I sprayed myself with pepperspray for the second time.....*sigh*
• I lost 11kg without dieting or putting myself through hell and i fit into clothes i haven't been able to wear for ages....yay me!
• I joined twitter....it changed my life:)
• I started doing Salsa and fell completely in love with it:)
• I decided it was OK to make mistakes and to not be so hard on myself
• Another very special person died #sadness
• I managed to give myself consussion on a ride at gold reef city...*sigh*...I swear, only me!
• An aircon just fell out of the wall and only just missed me while i was working
• My stalker started following me around in a car without a license plate.
• I met a bunch of really incredible people this year - thanx guys...your friendship is greatly appreciated
• I had to say goodbye to friends...this is never easy
• I realised it is possible for someone to be significant in your life even if you don't know them very well.
• Baby Nicola was born:)
• I came to the realisation that there are people, other than my family, who really really care about me, who are willing to fight for me. I'm truly amazed and humbled by this. *much affection*
• Spiritually I grew so much....:)

In many ways, it's been a very tough year, but it has also been a good year. I'm happy, I'm content, I'm fulfilled....I'm me:)

Thank you so much to everybody who has been a part of my life this year. You have made it special and worth remembering. And i truly hope that you will continue to play a role in my life in the year to come. What does 2010 hold....I have no idea. But what I do know is that i'm excitedly looking forward to it. I love my life, and i plan to continue loving it and building it and celebrating it in the year to come.

Lots of love
Ruby
xxxx

P.S. Here's a couple of snapshots from 2009 :) Oh! and feel free to add any significant things that happened in 2009 that i might have missed:)

Happy and blessed 2010 my beautiful, special people!!!!! *hugs and kisses*

Dear Bro & Sis-in-law

Tonight you guys made me cry.....a lot...for a number of reasons. Firstly I was crying out of sheer emotion and joy at the gift you had given me for Christmas, it was truly thoughtful, and was the action that set the other reasons for the good cry I just had into motion....but more on that later.

Secondly I cried because I really, really miss you.....both of you! I haven't seen you in almost two years and because we have always been close as brother and sister this breaks my heart. But it's a bit hard with you guys living in the states. Christmas has always been family time for us. Everybody gets together, spending time to catch up, talk nonsense, cook together, eat together and generally to share love and happiness for each other. But you're not here...there is a bit of a hole in my happiness.

Actually, i think my second reason for crying and all the emotions that went along with missing you describes the majority of why i just spent the last half an hour writing you an e-mail, drying off tears and grinning stupidly....I love, and I miss you so much!

Anyhoodle, on to the gift. This year, you decided to be a little different. Giving each other gifts when we are thousands of km apart is never an easy feat. So this year you decided to be slightly different. You made a donation to 'World Vision' on my behalf. So this evening when I opened my mail, this is what awaited me....or a part of it anyway...you really don't need to see the part where they tell me how much they love and miss me...we already know that part:

"A gift of five ducks has been given in your honor
Thought you might like a few adorable little ducks for Christmas this year! I bet none of your friends got the same thing ;-)"

It probably sounds silly, but i burst into tears. Thank you so much! What an incredible gift. Donating ducks to a family who hasn't got any food or any form of livelihood. My heart feels all warm and fuzzy and happy.

May you and the yankee part of your family have an amazingly blessed Christmas. I miss you and I love you both so incredibly much!

Love

RubyWith my bro at his wedding:)

With my sis in law