woodfired by pocketmouse

woodfired

Happy new year everyone! I hope it brings you everything you wish for (and a little bit more). :)

I think this year has easily been one of the toughest I've ever experienced. My auntie became very sick very quickly and passed away in June. Her husband (my step-uncle) then passed away in October in a horrific car accident. My cousin has since moved in with us, since she has nowhere else to go. Also in June, in between studying for upcoming exams and attending my rotations, I helped Alex run a conference (from the ground up) that was attended by more than 150 people. In November/December, our family went to court against a man who scammed my dad of over $100,000 - the man was convicted, but because it was his first offence, he was sentenced only to 450 hours of community service, and wasn't required to pay back any of the money. My sister and I had to contend with a dodgy website client who ended up paying us only half of what we were owed - this was after months of ignoring our countless calls and emails to them after our invoices went unpaid. In November, I completed my final (and most difficult by far) year of medical school, and came to the conclusion that it wasn't what I wanted to do with my life. I had to contend with night shifts and crying babies and bitchy supervisors and hours upon hours of studying for never-ending exams, and standing in surgical theatres for 9 hours straight without a single break, as well as countless friends and relatives asking me "Why did you quit?!" and "So what will you be doing next year?".

In 2012, I just remember there not being a single moment where I could just stop and... relax.

2013 seems to be vastly stretched out in front of me, full of possibilities. Yet I am riddled with doubts as to what it will bring. I have no idea what I will be doing for the next 3, or 6, or 12 months, let alone what career path I want to pursue. The excitement I felt a year ago about finishing my degree has been replaced with apprehension because these past 12 months have just left me so... tired. All I want to do is sit, just for a little while, and not have to think about applying for jobs and contacting recruitment agencies (which my dad mentioned the VERY NEXT DAY after I'd finished), to just be able to tune out and turn my ever-chatty brain off. I'm not sure what will help me get my energy back - I feel like I need a divine intervention, a sign from above, to point me in the direction I need to go.

There are many of you who have continued to follow and leave me amazing and thoughtful comments, despite my varying degrees of presence in the 365 community (given how crazy this year has been), and I am grateful to each and every one of you for consistently being there - you know who you are. :)
Pretty shot!! You really did have a crazy year. I hope 2013 brings you rest and peace.
January 1st, 2013  
Thanks for revealing this last year to us! It sounds horrendous so you must have had something up your sleeve to help you through these times! One strong lady!
January 1st, 2013  
Outstandingly gorgeous shot! :) I am so saddened to hear about your tough year. I do hope and pray that 2013 brings you nothing but happiness and joy. I look forward to your posts everyday as your pictures are so very stunning! :) Wishing you a fantastic New Years! Sending hugs your way :)
January 1st, 2013  
Wonderful shot. Wishing you peace and guidance in the new year.
January 1st, 2013  
What a shocker 2012 was for you Teresa. Sit back, take a breather and I hope 2013 is all you want it to be.
January 1st, 2013  
Wow Teresa, that was quite a year that you had. I'm sorry for your losses and stress. I am praying that you will experience that Divine intervention that you seek. Sometimes in our stillness is when we hear the best. God's Peace to you in 2013.
Lovely shot too!
January 1st, 2013  
Wow, sounds like you definitely need some down time! I hope that 2013 brings peace, direction, and joy to you and yours!
January 1st, 2013  
gosh, Teresa... I'm sure a year like that would bring just about anyone down... i'm so sorry for all the losses and challenges you've faced over the past year... {{hugs}} to you and many wishes for a much more serene year in 2013....
January 1st, 2013  
Lyn
Teresa, this is so heartfelt. May the new year bring you some of the peace and calm that you need. My hope for you is that you'll find your way to what will make you happy. Kudos for the courage, fortitude and bravery that it had to take for you to make the decision you did.
January 1st, 2013  
Gosh Teresa.. what a year. I remember after one awful year I sat with my Mum on NYE and felt sad but relieved tears trickle down my cheek.. knowing that whatever happened, that year was over and would never happen to me again. I wish you happiness in 2013 and hope that it starts with a little space and peace for you :)
This is a lovely cosy, calm shot to start with, by the way...
January 1st, 2013  
Happy new Year, Teresa! May 2013 bring you the answers you're looking for.
January 1st, 2013  
What a disaster 2012 was for you! My goodness, Teresa... 2013 can only be better! Therefore, I am making a point of wishing you Peace, Happiness, and Health for the new year! And hoping you will decide to pursue a career in whatever you love doing no matter how hard or how many sacrifices you have to make!

I have to tell you the truth about this photo though... it's not your usual sunny, calming portrayal of life around you. Hope that comes back soon :)
January 1st, 2013  
oh teresa! what a year... and i thought mine was though... ;) but: you will find your way i´ve not a single doubt! you have a amazing talent and caring people around you, you can achieve everything! i believe in you! :)
have a wonderful year 2013 and take your time! :)
January 1st, 2013  
I hope that 2013 will make up for a tough 2012, wishing you many joyous happy moments!
January 1st, 2013  
What a year Teresa, but the past is gone. The thing to try and do is become possitive in yourself and make sure that this time what ever you want to do is because you are going to love doing it and it doesn't matter what it is. This if anything is one of the things I taught my four kids to relise that if you like what you do you will succeed. Wish you the best for the future and hope you find peace.
January 2nd, 2013  
You and your family have had such a difficult year - kudos for the many things you have managed to complete or maintain in spite of all the pain - Education - formal or otherwise - is seldom wasted and never not utilised - at the very least your med degree opens the world wider for you - rest - recover and let your heart and mind heal and the path to your future will be open to you. All the best and thank you for the beauty you share with us so freely.
January 2nd, 2013  
Reading this is so hard! I know from following you for over a year how hard you have worked! Countless hours of studying...I had no idea how hard this year has been for you! Positive thoughts and prayers going your way, Teresa! May this new year make it all make sense! (((((hug)))))
January 2nd, 2013  
Great shot! Wow what a year you had. You went thru a lot! Best of luck to you in this upcoming year, wishing you the best of everything.
January 2nd, 2013  
It's been a really rough year for you, but each of those experiences has helped shape where you are now or will help shape your future. You did the most important thing and listened to your heart, which is often the hardest. Good luck in the coming year - the path won't always be easy, but stay true to yourself and you won't regret it.
January 2nd, 2013  
I hope 2013 is a smooth and peaceful year for you.
January 2nd, 2013  
Neat fireplace.
January 3rd, 2013  
I just read the comment to go along with the picture. I really hope your 2013 is a good one. Praying that you're able to find rest this year.
January 3rd, 2013  
I hope 2013 brings you peace and a new start. I lost my fiancé to a 6 week battle to cancer this summer. He had no symptoms and we were both very healthy. We were were to be married in August. I understand all about starting over. Take it one day at a time. :)
January 3rd, 2013  
Goodness, you and your family have endured so much this past year. It seems best to take some time to just breathe and gather your thoughts and emotions before trying to step up to the plate again.
I pray that you find the peace and guidance you seek.
January 3rd, 2013  
@marlahunt Maria, I am so sorry to hear that! I could not imagine how tough that must have been for you... I hope this year brings you some much-needed peace and happiness.
January 3rd, 2013  
Oh my. That is shit, proper shit year. So sad to hear you've had doubts after working so hard on medicine degree. Lets hope you can push your photography this year... :) I hope to pull my finger out
January 4th, 2013  
Sue
I wish for you Teresa a little time to just be ... peace, joy, happiness to you & with luck a new adventure is just around the corner. Try to be gentle with yourself.
January 6th, 2013  
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