You only live once, but if you do it right, once is enough……
2011 was an awesome year! I experienced so many firsts, had so many random experiences, basically just had a ball. I sometimes wonder when the bubble is going to burst, but then realise – life is what you make it…… these are the highlights of what I’ve made of it for the last 12 months…..

After much begging to get a room (and ending up in the Honeymoon suit!) the year started at the beautiful Muju ski resort with lots of skiing, lots of drinking, and fire works at midnight over the mountain.

Climbing Mudensan, in January, in the snow without crampons was both beautiful and terrifying! We climbed up the back side of the mountain, which was by far the steepest route I've climbed it by, on a path that was sheet ice using a rope to haul ourselves up....I think its the first time I've ever been hiking and my arms ached more than my legs the following day! But it was well worth it, the views from the top were stunning, and the hospitality of Korea hikers, in sharing their soju and food, heart warming.

My Mum and Dad came to Korea to see me! Sunrise, the teddy bear museum, lava caves, and great food on Jeju, climbing Mt. Halla with my Mum (where she picked up a Korean army toy boy), skiing with my Dad, the ice festival, or any of the other things we did.....I couldnt pick any one best bit, it would have to be the whole experience of finally getting my folks to my side of the world and showing them why I love it so much!

Serious hiking! A weekend away that started with the first sightings of blossom after a long cold winter, a crazy Korea karaoke boat tour, being whisked off to a private island at sunset and watching sun rise the following morning, and then heading out on the most brutal and exhilarating hike I've ever been on.

I completed my first marathon! I've never felt so fit or so confident and happy in my own skin as I did in March.....I've signed up to do the race again this year, and am hoping it has the same effect!!

My awesome birthday! Meeting up with my friends on my birthday morning having not had any sleep, and still being drunk, to go and swing through the tree tops....it was one hell of a way to avoid getting a hangover!!

I met and fell, for a while at least, head over heels for a lovely guy. And although ultimately it didn't work out, for all of the firsts I experienced with him, and all that our relationship taught me about myself I'm pretty sure that he will always have a special place in my heart.

Noribangs! Pick a time, any time...theres nothing quite like belting out your favourite songs!

Spending time in the UK with family and friends...LOVED IT.....theres nothing more to say!!

The years melted away on a morning spent surfing with my brother on a beach we used to surf on as kids 🙂

The Mud Festival in Korea is so much fun, its basically a weekend in a bikini covered in mud, then throw in a bouncy castle obstacle course for good measure!

Summer camping weekends! Sun, sea, sand, swimming, bbqs, beer, out door living, and great company .....my idea of Heaven!

Fires on the beach....for all of the same reasons as camping!

Fun in the water! From water roller coaster rides, to jet pools, to a ride that see a friends bikini come down in a plunge pool surrounded by a bunch of Korean guys, to rides that are so scary the adrenalin could keep you going for a month of Sundays, Korea sure knows how to do water parks!

Accidentally completing my second marathon of the year! I'd planned on using part of the marathon as a training run, with the idea being that I'd run around 30km and then hop into the stragglers bus to the end. The bus never came and being a lot more unfit than I though I was I ended up running 17km and then walking to the end! Looking back the sheer fact that I made it to the end is a highlight.....at the time, as the photo shows, it was anything but!

I love the randomness of Korea and never knowing what might happen next. Like walking down the beach at sunset and being accosted by a Korean photography club and being asked to stand for a photo, only for it to turn into a 20 minute photo shoot of running and jumping....so much fun!

Being taught Meditation and Martial Arts by Monks (and sneaking out for icecream!).....an amazing way to spend a weekend.

Sitting on the beach for the Busan fireworks competition - just mind blowing. 4 counties with 15 minutes each to wow the crowds with displays set to music; all were pretty amazing - America was loud and brash and in your face - China was very regimented, with lots of red fireworks - Japan was beautiful and perfectly set to the music, though a little understated - Poland was the real surprise, I had no idea what to expect but theirs was the right amount of fireworks, perfectly timed to the music and felt like being told a story, stunning......they won! The night was then topped of by being picked up by an off duty taxi out of a crowd of hundreds and hearing stories of his life living around the world while being driven back to the hotel....Korean randomness 🙂

Live performances.....from Cirque Du Soleil, to professional Korean dance companies, to stand up comedians, to the fine expats of the Gwangju Performance Project.....all great shows!

Hiking (again!) from the frozen Winter, to the first blossom of Spring, to the sweat-fest that is Summer, to the vibrant leaves of Autumn....I love it all!

Spas! From the traditional......

....to the super modern, they're all awesome!

Returning to Muju for the new Skeason, it felt like the year had passed in the blink of an eye and we were returning to a familiar old friend! I think Korea is spoiling me, hot Summers, gorgeous clear Springs and Autumns, and blue sky Winters with a ski resort on my door step.....moving on (when it happens) is going to be hard!!

Without a doubt the best of the best bits of this year are my wonderful friends. I've laughed with them, cried with them, been highly irresponsible with them, they've humored my whims, and been my sanity, I couldn't wish for nicer people to have spent my time with xx

And so the year ended where it began with beer in hand, huddled with friends watching fireworks over the slopes of Muju.....Heres to 2012 and another year of fun and frolics!
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