2013...

has started with an interesting twist. I am happily stuck in Singapore, without a visa to Saudi Arabia, and it looks like I will just not have to go at all. It is a pity. I really enjoyed my time there - this was truly the watershed study that tried and tested me, made me cry and helped me come through thanks to a great team... we had so much fun. I would love for at least a short chance to say goodbye to the team, the client, the Emirates and the Saudi desert. A wonderful eight weeks. I won't forget the session with Nick, the breakthrough moment with Moraya, the 3-room office in my Grosvenor House suite, the trip to the Rub-al-Khali, the weekend with Appa, Don Painter and Julie's "wake-up" call.

It was a great year. One year since we spotted our home. New jobs for Julie and me. A year of self-discovery, mostly through work. Good health, great love and blessings all around. And, a perfect little holiday to the Philippines to sign it off. Sun, sand, Santa, submarine and sleep.

So, what do we hope for in 2013?

Abundant love and companionship.
Some luck on our little project.
Determination to be more responsible for our own health.
Maturity, composure, drive, pleasure and success at work. Some help on meeting the development milestones. After all, this is the second year of the average 2-year tenure.
Success for her in her next step.
Unbridled passion, perseverance and some guidance in making the dream happen.
Some time for the hobbies.
Some wisdom with the kitty.
The ability to enjoy the joy of living.

And, inevitably, some more grey hair.