Achievement

  
  It's a wonderful feeling knowing you've achieved. No matter how big or small it may be; getting good grades, getting a new job or helping someone out. Everything counts in the end, all the little things add up to making you feel good and that's really important.


  I've achieved lots in my life, when I look back, but this year feels like I've done the most. I got rid of two jobs that were making me miserable (and am very close to getting a new one), I made new friends (and kept them), I stopped being a social recluse, I got rid of 'rubbish' friends and I held down a relationship (not that I'm some kind of hussy!)


  I have become more liberated over this last year than I ever thought possible for me. I am in the longest relationship I've ever been in, with talks of marriage and our own home! This is ever so exciting for little, old me, considering I am very traditional deep down! I've met some superb people who have really turned my world around. I have found people I have shared interests with and who are just generally beautiful. After getting rid of the leeches that I once called 'friends' I've suddenly found that I was stuck in a rut with people who really didn't care about me. I am meeting people of all ages who are genuinely some of the greatest people I've ever spent time with.

  It may seem like some days you haven't achieved anything but really you have without even realising it. It could have been something you said to someone that made them smile or just the fact you put the washing on. Achievement doesn't have to be bold but if it can give you the drive to continue achieving then it's all good! 


  So, get up! Get out! And start changing your world!

Photogenic reject

  Sadly, I wasn't blessed with the face of a goddess, or the body, come to think of it. I've got my wobbly bits and other hang ups but generally, I think I can scrub up well; until I am in front of a camera. 
  
  What is it with the flash of the bulb that suddenly turns me in to a quivering wreck? I end up pulling God awful faces and my body looks contorted! Some people are just natural in front of a camera, I am more like some self-conscious, genetic throw back that has appeared from the depths. It isn't pretty, trust me.
  
  I went for the photo shoot with my partner and needless to say I actually enjoyed it. Our photographer, Jane, put me at ease instantly. Making me laugh and showing me how to take the best photos. It was fun which was the most surprising part of it all. I didn't feel nervous, I began to almost pose. ("Head down, eyes up. Show me the whites of your eyes Hannah!") A week later we were invited to a little pre-Christmas shindig at her studio and seeing as there was free wine and mince pies, we had to go! After a few glasses of vino we decided to look at the photos that were taken. Oh my God. It is very apparent that I will never get on Britain's Top Model! Some were truly atrocious yet others were lovely. My partner and I sitting back to back and turning to one other, smiling was my favourites, whereas, one of my 'serious' shots looked like I was about to go on some murderous rampage. 


  A photo is a memory. If you were happy and enjoying yourself, who cares what you look like? After all, you only live once.