2016

 2016 has come and gone; we're suddenly a week into 2017 and the new year is fully underway. It doesn't seem that long ago that I posted my 6 things for 2016, and when I actually sit down and think about it, my life is completely different now to what it was this time last year. When I get to the start of a new year, as well as thinking about the year ahead, I like to reflect back upon the last year and everything that happened.
 The year started off with a trip to see Tom's brother in Durham (which was extremely cold) and we soon returned to essay writing and exam revision. Around this time I signed up to be a member of borrowmydoggy and soon I was taking out the adorable Wilson on a weekly basis. Tom and I celebrated our 6th anniversary (it's nearly come around to our 7th!) by taking a trip away to Lincoln and a week after a trip to York for Valentine's Day. Friends birthdays were celebrated and the annual Varsity between Uni of Sheffield and Hallam came around which saw another trip to the ice hockey match. Unfortunately I had to say goodbye to one of my bestest friends of the last ten years around Easter time, and we all miss her dearly; it's so lovely especially with Tilly when we meet a Cavalier out on a walk and get to have a cuddle with them.

 

 

 After returning home for Easter and picking up my car, the days of having to get the East Midlands train between Sheffield and Norwich were over. Of course whilst this was all going on, I was still going to University and I finally got to hand in my dissertation after working on it for the past year. The annual English Society ball was held which was lots of fun - especially when the live band played Zak's song from School of Rock - and a nice celebration in between essays. Soon it was time for all the essays to be handed in (my last ones!) and the final exam to be taken. Giant naan breads were consumed and suddenly it was time for summer.

 

 

 

 

  After travelling to Manchester to see Coldplay, the majority of my time was taken up by packing to move out of my student house, and into a 'proper' house with Tom and Tilly. The move was made and we've been living here for nearly 7 months now! Before Tilly came to live with us, we attended my cousin's wedding which was a beautiful day, and I took the opportunity to visit the beach with Tilly and Tom whilst we could before we returned to Sheffield (I WISH the sea was closer). Tilly moved in with us and now neither Tom or I could imagine living without her. Lots of days out were made in between sorting the house out, and before we knew it, it was time to graduate! I graduated on possibly THE hottest day of the year, and thoroughly enjoyed celebrating the fact that I had completed my degree, along with celebrating Tom's graduation the day after. 

 

 After enjoying a free summer, it was time to enter the world of work. I'm pretty proud about the fact that I've been in full time work since graduating which has enabled me to stay in the city that I love. After getting used to the early starts, my birthday arrived, and before we knew it, it was time to start thinking about Christmas. (Just before Christmas I went to see Harry Potter and the Cursed Child in London - have any of you been to see it? What did you think?) Despite being together for nearly 7 years, this was the first Christmas that Tom and I have spent together and it was wonderful. I'm sad that it's all over now, but I've started a super exciting new job that I'm really enjoying, and I'm looking forward to seeing what this brings.

 It's only looking back now that I realise how massive a year 2016 was for me. I know that for a lot of people 2016 wasn't a great year, but on a personal level it was one of the best. Looking through all of my photos from the last year made me yearn for the summer sun, but I'm excited to see where 2017 takes me and write a similar post this time next year. I'm also excited to see the direction that this blog takes in the form of 'jesslouisekeen' and outside of the University world. As always, thank you for taking the time to read my ramblings over the past year; I wish you all a wonderful 2017.

Jess x