Laura Kalbag

My 2012

2012 has been a massive year for me. It was a year of saying yes to things that scared me. It was the first time I spoke at a conference (and I went on to speak at a further seven events.) I found the first house I’ve lived in by myself. I travelled to as many countries in one year as I had done in my whole life so far. It was the end of a long relationship and a completely unexpected falling head-over-heels into a new one. And I got this tiny little puppy who didn’t just become enormous, but became one of the biggest and best things in my life.

I started writing a long post detailing each month and realised I have too many highlights and I’d be here all night. However this year was the year I started taking lots of photos. So I thought I’d share the few that mean the most to me.

Bringing a baby Osky home in January

Bringing a baby Osky home in January

The little Osky who prevented me from working most of February whilst I was trying to keep him out of trouble

The little Osky who prevented me from working most of February whilst I was trying to keep him out of trouble

Oskar at four months old during the few weeks we lived with my parents

Oskar at four months old during the few weeks we lived with my parents

My new home and new independence, the only place I have lived alone.

My new home and new independence, the only place I have lived alone.

I began an obsession with vegetable boxes, buying a pot luck box every couple of weeks and trying to cook as many new healthy dishes as possible.

I began an obsession with vegetable boxes, buying a pot luck box every couple of weeks and trying to cook as many new healthy dishes as possible.

One of a few sunrises I experienced whilst extremely jetlagged at Future Insights Live in Vegas

One of a few sunrises I experienced whilst extremely jetlagged at Future Insights Live in Vegas

Oskar enduring a week of hell after his operation at six months

Oskar enduring a week of hell after his operation at six months

The photo booth at the Critters, a very silly night

The photo booth at the Critters, a very silly night

Some of the lovely friends and family keeping my house warm this year

Some of the lovely friends and family keeping my house warm this year

The Spartan Race where I did 5k and obstacles in the burning sun and lots of mud

The Spartan Race where I did 5k and obstacles in the burning sun and lots of mud

One of the many lovely views of Istanbul

One of the many lovely views of Istanbul

My frequent view in Istanbul after I ask the native-speaking Aral to pick something good off the menu for me.

My frequent view in Istanbul after I ask the native-speaking Aral to pick something good off the menu for me.

One of the many times I came back to a living room destroyed by Oskar

One of the many times I came back to a living room destroyed by Oskar

Nutella ice cream whilst on holiday in Madeira

Nutella ice cream whilst on holiday in Madeira

When I realised Osky had really gotten *that big*

When I realised Osky had really gotten that big

My wonderful family who have been further apart but so much closer in the last year

My wonderful family who have been further apart but so much closer in the last year

My first ever workshop with seasoned workshop veteran, Aral.

My first ever workshop with seasoned workshop veteran, Aral. In the beautiful Bologna.

Seven puddings at an amazing restaurant with lovely people in Bologna

Seven puddings at an amazing restaurant with lovely people in Bologna

Rooftops of Bologna

Rooftops of Bologna

Seb Lee-Delisle's amazing digital fireworks display at Brighton Digital Festival.

Seb Lee-Delisle’s amazing digital fireworks display at Brighton Digital Festival.

Tongue tattoos in Brighton, one of many visits

Tongue tattoos in Brighton, one of many visits

My sprained ankle which made November very difficult

My sprained ankle which made November very difficult

A very big Oskar under the tree at Christmas

A very big Oskar under the tree at Christmas

Goals for 2013

I didn’t make any goals this year, but seeing everyone commenting on theirs has inspired me to set some for 2013.

  1. Keep saying yes to things that scare me
  2. Get a better balance of more client work and be more fussy about the conferences I attend (19 events in one year is too many!)
  3. Be more efficient with my time

They’re the loose and achievable kind of goals I can get behind…

Happy New Year everyone!

One comment

  1. Great re-view of 2012. My takeaway: Do more things I am scared of.

    Thx for that one.

    Chris