Where the heck did 2010 go?

I don’t know about anyone else, but the last 365.25 days seem to have blurred past me. 2010 has been a very quick year, but a very good one. Here are some of my personal highlights from 2010:-

Travel
I haven’t travelled out with Scotland/mainland UK for many years prior to this year, so it was great to venture off to new, exciting and unknown places. Cities visited this year include: -

• London
• Belfast (twice!)
• Suzhou
• Dubrovnik
• Guadalajara

Work commitments took me to Suzhou in China, and Guadalajara in Mexico. Both were fascinating destinations to visit and explore. Sadly, I didn’t get to see much of Guadalajara due to my work schedule but I managed to absorb a lot of the beauty & mystery that the city of Suzhou had to offer. China is a wonderful and culturally rich country to visit, and I seriously hope I get to travel back there sometime soon.

Personal travel took Sheena (my lovely girlfriend) & I places too.

We both spent a lazy week in the town of Cavtat, just outside of Dubrovnik in Croatia. It was just what we both needed, given the hectic schedules we keep. Also, we both enjoyed a great, long weekend with good friends over in Belfast at the start of spring, helping to celebrate the wedding of two very lovely people.

This was the first of two trips to Belfast for me, the other trip being the adventure that was ILUG 2010. Again, great people, great city, and a great time was had.

Work
Work has been consistently busy throughout 2010, something I am grateful for given the tough economic conditions we all seem to be constrained by these days. The trips to China & Mexico are the obvious highlights here, but so is the satisfaction gained by completing several big upgrade projects. If 2011 is half as demanding as 2010 was, then I’m (hopefully) in for another productive year.

Personal
There have been several personal “highs” for me this year.

My daughter grew up, left high school and started studying at college. It made me feel slightly older, but it also made me very, very proud of her achievements, given the turbulent last few years of our lives. Her Mum would be very proud of her too.

Speaking at ILUG 2010 was another big high for me. Admittedly, my session this year wasn’t as well received as my session at UKLUG 2009, but it hasn’t dented my enthusiasm for sharing my knowledge of all things Notes & Domino. If anything, it’s made me more determined to improve my presentation skills and content knowledge, so that I can present again (hopefully) at UKLUG 2011.

Getting to spend several great days in Belfast, on two separate occasions with my extended geek family, also helped make my year a fantastic one. It’s wonderful the way they make you feel like you are part of something so much bigger than just a community of Lotus geeks, and for that I am honoured to be amongst them and call them my friends.

2011?
Personally, I think know that there will be a few changes in my life next year, and that these changes will have a significant impact upon my life. However, I will welcome them as they will be changes for the better.

Other than that I have absolutely no clue as to what 2011 will hold in store for me, but if 2011 is half as good as 2010 has been, then it should be a great year!