I can't believe it's the end of another year. I have had another busy year and I'd like to take the time to reflect on it and share some of my experiences with you. I've not been around on here much this year as university (speech and language therapy) takes up so much of my time, but I hope to get on a bit more over the next year.

== January ==

I went out in Newcastle with 2 of my cousins on New Years Eve and I stayed over at their house. It snowed over night on New Year's Eve, so we spent a lot of the morning of New Year's Day clearing the snow from my car so that I could get home. I had never driven in the snow previously so I was quite scared but I made it home ok, though it took twice the time it would normally.

The first two weeks back to uni after Christmas consisted of exams then we started our first 6 week block placement. I was placed on an acute stroke and rehabilitation ward at a local hospital. Overall it was a positive experience though it took me a few weeks to settle in, as it was so different to anything I've done before.

One of my friends celebrated her 21st birthday so we all went out for a lovely meal in Jesmond.

At the end of January a festival was held in the Sage, Gateshead. It was called Outside-in and was filmed for T4. Performers included Scouting for Girls, Pixie Lott, Sugababes, Example, N Dubz and Taio Cruz as well as a number of other artists too. This was a great night out and my friend and I enjoyed watching it again when it was aired on T4 (and even managed to catch a glimpse of ourselves in the audience!).

== February ==

My eldest nephew turned 13 and my sister and I took him to see Mika in Newcastle. My friend, Emma, came with us too. We went for a meal first then went to the gig. I've wanted to see Mika for years, and he was fantastic! My nephew really enjoyed it too, and it was the first gig that my nephew had been to.

My big sister Joanne passed her final assignments and qualified as a nurse. We are all so proud of her, as she has done so well. I can't imagine how she managed studying alongside looking after her 3 children!

My sister, some of my cousins and me, went out for my cousin's birthday. It's really nice to see my cousins as I don't see as much of them as I would like. We tend to go out when it's one of our birthdays now, though this is a fairly recent thing. We had a great night and I hope that we continue to make time to meet up in 2011.

== March ==

My friend and I went to see Lady Gaga at the arena and she was Amazing!!

I finished my block placement in the first week of March and I passed with a merit (equal to 70%). I was extremely pleased with my result as I had worked hard throughout the placement.

My friend, Rachael, who had been living in Milton Keynes for the last 18 months, split up with her boyfriend and moved back up North. It's been really nice having her around again as I didn't see much of her when she was living in MK.

== April ==

During the university Easter holidays I went to the theatre to see Calendar Girls, which was really good. I also went to see the Dancing on Ice tour at the arena, we had rink side seats and it was fantastic. I got to shake some of the skaters hands at the end of the show. We are fortunate enough to be going back again in April next year.

I went out with my friends on Good Friday, and my sister, Joanne, her husband and children came for dinner and tea on Easter Sunday. I love Easter, it's one of my favourite times of year, as I get to spend lots of quality time with my family.

Rachael moved into a house of her own and had a house warming party at the end of April. It was a small party with a few friends and family and was an enjoyable night.

== May ==

I went to see Scouting for Girls at Newcastle City hall with Joanne and Emma. We were two rows from the front and they were fantastic. They are one of my favourite bands.

I went out with Joanne and Craig in South Shields for Craig's birthday. They live in South Shields and I stayed over at their house, and my parents looked after the children.

I turned 21 in May. I had a birthday party the night before my birthday and it was the best night ever. I was so excited about it as I've wanted to have a birthday party since I turned 18. All my best friends and most of my family were there, and I felt like a princess for the night.

I went to the theatre with my parents to see 'Whistle Down the Wind' starring Jonathan Ansell (from G4). It was a great show and I met Jonathan after the show; he was lovely and he signed my programme.

==June ==

My brother-in-law Craig won 2 tickets to see Pink at the Stadium of Light, which he and my sister gave me for my birthday. I chose to take my sister with me and we had a great night.

My Mam and Dad celebrated their silver wedding anniversary in June and we went for a family meal. My mam and dad went on holiday for a week to celebrate too.

== July ==

Joanne's graduation was in July. I went with my mam and Craig. She wanted my dad their too but he had a hernia operation just days before so unfortunately couldn't make it. It was a lovely afternoon and I was so proud of my sister and I was really pleased that she wanted me there as a guest.

At the end of July, when my dad was starting to recover, we went for a family meal to celebrate Joanne's graduation. The children came too and it was lovely. Joanne is now working on an elderly care ward at her local hospital and has been there since March.

My friend, Amanda, from university had her hen weekend in July. We went to Go Ape during the day and for a meal and drinks on the night time. I am quite scared of heights so Go Ape was not something I would have chosen to do, however it was a very enjoyable (albeit terrifying) experience!

I went to Ladies day at the races with Joanne and two of my cousins. I've never been to the races before, but I had an enjoyable day (and it was a good excuse to wear my birthday party dress again!) We went with Joanne's friends from work and we all put £10 each in and put bets on each race with that. We left with £5.50 each, so we didn't win much, but at least we got some of our money back.

In the summer holidays each of my sister's children come and stay with me for a few days for their holiday. My (then) 4 year old niece came first this year and I took her to the park, drew pictures and made cakes. She usually only stays for one night but as she's a 'big girl now' (her words) she wanted to stay for two nights.

==August ==

It was Amanda's wedding in August and I went to the church and the evening reception. It was a lovely day.

Dominick was next to come and stay for his holiday and I took him to the beach, Blue Reef Aquarium, and crazy golf at Tynemouth, and we also went swimming.

Darius stayed last and we went for a walk in the park in Morpeth, Woodhorn museum, swimming, crazy golf and the Toy Museum at Tynemouth, and Stephenson Railway Museum, Wallsend.

It was Toni's 5th birthday in August and we went to Adventure valley, Durham, for the day. It was a lovely sunny day and we all had a great day out. After adventure valley we went to Finchal priory and then we went back to South Shields for a meal.

Rachael turned 21, this month and she had a several celebrations, including a fancy dress garden party, a meal on the day of her birthday and a small house party. I went to all the celebrations and they were all enjoyable.

== September ==

On 1st September I travelled to the Bahamas with two of my cousins Claire and Kirsty. This was the first time I'd been abroad without my parents. They asked me last New Year if I wanted to go with them, and although it was expensive, I've been saving for a while and thought it would be a good way to celebrate turning 21. It was THE best holiday I've ever had. We stayed in the Atlantis resort for two weeks. We did shallow water dolphin and sea lion encounters, travelled to a beautiful island by powerboat, went on a sunset cruise, spent our days lazing by the pools/water park and spent our nights dining out and clubbing. We made friends with lots of the locals and each had a holiday romance :) We still keep in touch with the friends we made there and I hope that one day I can return as it is a truly remarkable place.
One of my cousins celebrated her 18th birthday and she had a party at her house. They set up a small marquee in the garden and we mingled between this and the house. There was a bouncy castle for the children and it was lovely to see all the family.

I went to Flamingoland with my cousin Kirsty for the day. We travelled down early in the morning and came home the same day. There was a coach full of us went, but Kirsty and I went round the park on our own most of the time. It was the first time I'd been to Flamingoland and I enjoyed it.

I went into my 4th and final year of Speech and Language therapy at university. I can't believe that I am almost finished the course, as at times I have contemplated leaving. I am so glad that I have stuck it out though as it's a great course.

== October ==

I went to see Paloma Faith - supported by Eliza Doolittle - at the city hall with Rachael. I also went out for Emma's birthday, but the rest of October consisted of me settling back into university and starting my new one day a week placement (Adult Learning Disability).

== November ==

I went to a Firework display with my parents and my cousin's daughter, Katie. There were also rides there so Katie and I had fun on those.

I went to Metro Radio live with Emma and Rachael. There were a number of acts including; Alesha Dixon, Alexandra Burke, Olly Murs, Jason Derulo, The Saturdays, Diana Vickers and The Wanted. It was a great show, but spoilt somewhat by having to drive there in a blizzard :-(

== December ==

Craig won 2 tickets to 'Here come the Girls' at metro radio and gave them to me for babysitting for him and Joanne. I took Emma with me and it was really good. Lulu, Anastacia and Heather Small performed.

I'm one of the 4th year student reps and this involves arranging the university Christmas Party. The day before the party, we were shopping for decorations etc when Steph spotted Jake Shears from the Scissor Sisters walking down the street in Newcastle. We decided to go and say hello and see if we could get a photo. He went into Waterstone's so we followed him in (celebrity stalking isn't normally a past time of mine!). After 5 minutes of 'looking' at the books we plucked up the courage to speak to him and I asked if he was from the Scissor Sisters. He confirmed he was, and the man he was with took our photo :-) He was so lovely and asked us if we were going to the gig the next day. Steph told him we couldn't get tickets so he said he would put us on the guest list. It was the same night as the Christmas party but we managed to go the party then leave a little bit early and we made it to the gig. We missed the first song but we didn't mind. We were in the block nearest the stage, 3 rows back and he left 3 tickets for us so we took another one of our friends from the course who had helped with the party. They were absolutely amazing although the whole experience was a little surreal... I still can't quite believe that we were guestlisted by the Scissor Sisters themselves!

I finished my ALD placement and passed with a merit, I really enjoyed the placement and it is certainly an area I would consider working in once qualified.

The weekend before Christmas I went to see Pixie Lott with my friends, and JLS with Claire and Kirsty, both concerts were really good.

Christmas was nice though not as exciting as it used to be; my grandparents came for Christmas lunch, and then Joanne, Craig and the children came for their tea on Boxing Day. We played some family games and just enjoyed spending time together.

== My Year - Conclusion ==

I've done a lot more than I realised in 2010, and it certainly has been a great year. That said, it has not been without its bad times. My grandma's Alzheimer's has greatly deteriorated over the last year and it hasn't been easy for the family. However, I try not to dwell on it too much, as I know my grandma would hate to see me upset. She's still a happy old lady; she's just no longer the grandma I grew up with. She still lives at home with my granddad and he is coping reasonably well looking after her. She goes to a day centre 5 days a week and they have carers coming in every morning.

I am proud of my achievements within university, I passed my 3rd year and made it into my final one... the end is just around the corner then it's a whole new beginning.. I can't wait to be a qualified therapist but I am a little worried about finding a job with the current situation but I'm going to remain positive and concentrate on finishing the course with a good degree!

== Things I would like to achieve in 2011 ==
* Pass my course with a good degree (hopefully a 2:1) and graduate :-)
* Spend lots of quality time with friends and family as time is something you can never get back, and nothing stays the same forever.
* I plan to live life to the full - I already have a few social things planned (including going to see Take That at the stadium of light, and going on a family holiday to Tenerife)

Thanks for taking the time to read my (rather long!) review. Here's wishing you all the best for 2011. I hope it's a happy and healthy one for you all! xx