Prompted by this lovely post of Olfactoria’s.
This wasn’t an easy year for me and I can honestly say I can’t wait for it to be over. But even so, it has been incredibly fulfilling and has taught me and showed me many things I am grateful for. None of them came easily but nothing that is really valuable comes easily. And here I am mostly talking about non- material things.
I think the most important lesson (after never say never) I learned this year was that there is nothing you cannot do if you really want it and work hard for it.
Both apply to running. I never thought I’d get hooked, let alone run 2 half-marathons in a year. I was pretty much saying that would never happen when I heard that particular running school plan.
What I still can’t believe is that all the work (and torture) I went through with my thesis is finally done. I did it! IT’S OVER! 🙂
It took a lot of time and energy, taught me many things about researched writing that will be judged by university professors and generally gave me a glimpse into the world of research. It was fun to research and do it (except for the judging part but that also went well).
As with all life, the happiness seems to always be balanced with grief and I got my share when we had to take my little old dog to the vet as she was suffering very much.
When I look back, those are the things that occupied most of my time and concentration and are basically the reason I didn’t do as much reading, blogging and smelling as I would have liked.
I want to end on a positive note so I want to say that as I grow older, I appreciate more the friends and family I am blessed with.
Here I need to point out that my new friends are more and more coming into my life through our common virtual world. Meeting them in real life is always incredible fun but getting to know you all virtually is both globalization at its finest and a wonderfully exhilarating experience. 🙂
Don’t you feel our lives would feel like we missed the friends we never would have
otherwise met?
I wish you all a successful and a fulfilling year – full of fun, hapiness and health!
P.S. No perfumes in this post, but I’ll be posting about them soon enough. 🙂
Tagged: I've been thinking, new year
All I am - a redhead 
I couldn’t agree more, dearest Ines!
Here’s to a great 2013! (Including the Vienna City Marathon!!!) xoxo
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Thank you dear Olfactoria! 🙂
I really, really hope my idea to come to Vienna to run the half-marathon gets realized – it would make me very happy. And the best thing – I would finally get to meet you.
xoxo
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That’s a really thoughtful post. I hope your 2013 is better for you than your 2012 was although like you said it’s been a year of learning and reflection and no pain no gain!
Well done with your thesis and your running.
Lynn 😀
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Thank you Lynn. 🙂
I’m expecting 2013. to be easier with the stress part but then you never know.
Hopefully, we will get to read another Lynch novel in it. 😉
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One of the pleasures of my little life is that when I log onto the computer and see one of your posts! I am glad that you’re out there in this world, Ines, and here’s to a wonderful 2013!!!
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Aaahh, bloodyfrida, that is such a lovely thing to say. Thank you so very much! 🙂
Being true to my optimistic self, I do believe 2013. will be a wonderful year – I hope it is for you and your family too. 🙂
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Excellent post, Ines. Many many congratulations on the marathons and getting your thesis done; both are inspiring to me.
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Thank you very much Dionne. 🙂
I still can’t believe how many things happened last year I never expected. But I am so very happy because of it.
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All the best for 2013 Ines and I hope you achieve all your goals and find fulfillment in whatever you do.
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Thank you Michael! I wish all the besto to you and your family in the New year. 🙂
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Ines, there is nothing more awe-inspiring than witnessing someone rise to the occasion … and not only rise to meet it, but to surpass it. You certainly did that in 2012. Here’s wishing you my very sincere congratulations and my very best wishes to you and yours for a Happy New Year!
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Dear Suzanne, thank you for your words. They are always inspiring which brings me back to the thing I am most grateful for – the friends without whose support I don’t think many of the achievements wouldn’t have been possible.
Thank you for your friendship and I wish you and Mark all the best in the New Year and I hope we all get see Rome in it. 🙂
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Ines, your 2013 just has to be better than the last year!
I’m really impressed with your running (even more than with your thesis work!)
Happy New Year!
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I sincerely hope your words come true! 🙂
I do believe it’s bound to get better soon.
All the best in the New Year!
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I am truly impressed with your running, it’s just something I can’t seem to stick with. Congratulations on completing your thesis. May 2013 bring you success and happiness!
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Thank you tatiana. 🙂
At the moment, I am not impressed with my running as I haven’t been doing any for teh last month – December was an extremely full and exhaustive month so now I’m resting for a bit more and I hope to begin again soon (I have a terrible cold).
Wish you all the best in 2013! 🙂
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I have been watching you train with interest – clocking the various photos of you running on Facebook – and want to say how much I admire your determination to succeed in this new interest. In fact I am going to try to take up jogging again in 2013 – I never ran as far as you now can, but once managed a 10k run or two, and even round the block and home would be an improvement at this point!
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Dear flittersniffer, it’s incredible what training in a group can do for your motivation. 🙂 When last year began, I never even thought that I would be able to run half of what I did (I did plan on going to running school though).
December was my time of rest it seems – I didn’t do any running (no time) and now I feel like I am ready to start again.
I hope you take up jogging again – a jog around the block is better than nothing. 🙂 But I’m pretty sure you’ll get further than that. 😉
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