This last year has felt a bit like a roller coaster. I have decided, nevertheless, to focus directly on the positives. I was happy this time last year, and I (finally) feel happy again now. I’m really lucky to have a very supportive family and a highly tolerant and wonderful boy-friend; everybody has always been so encouraging of all that I am doing, even if I myself sometimes feel concerned that I might not be where I want to be (in all senses!). In terms of the future, I am so excited that TWO new babies will be arriving into the family next July (from aunts on different sides, so they are only connected through me…but their due dates are 3 days apart!) – which of course means lots and lots of baby knitting will be expected in the Spring! I am also very happy with my new job, both in the role and amongst all the hilarious and raucous circus (er, colleagues…) I will be travelling around the UK with.

It’s great to be growing a small following of readers on this blog. I am aware that my blog, with its wordy style, mixture of topics and sometimes sporadic posting tendencies, does not follow all the written (or unwritten) rules for successful blogging. But personally I have always felt that its spontaneity and unpredictability made it the more interesting – and I am honestly grateful that people continue to read, and that my audience (you!) is slowly increasing.

This is the 300th post on the blog, and I have been writing it for over 4 years now.  So without any further ado, here is a condensed roundup of my life in blog posts 2012:

January.

I hand in my dissertation on drag. Chris and I go for lots of little walks in our respective local areas.

February.

I finally finish my blackberry-stitch cardigan – which has become my most-worn knit, ever. I do a lot of hand tailoring on my 1930s project at uni.

March.

Dorte and I unite on our shared love of tea. Nelly and I unite on our shared love of photography and being stupid. Francis comes to visit. There is a heatwave in Bournemouth.

April.

I discover I must sift false friends from true ones, continue being myself, and dye a streak in Chris’s hair. We mark a 3-year anniversary.

May.

I finish my degree and finally leave Bournemouth, after being unhappy there for the past 2 1/2 years. I start working at Opera Holland Park again, and play a gig with Francis at a really lovely wedding.

June.

Photograph by Gem Hall

I graduate. I also make lots of things for the singer Gabby Young.

July.

By the end of this month, most of my friends have left the country. I am sad. (I also visit Aberdeen where the weather is just grim.)

August.

Opera Holland Park ends raucously. Chris and I join my family in Brittany. I design hats for ‘Don Giovanni’.

September.

I start full-time dressing at Phantom and learn to crochet between cues. Chris and I run 10K in aid of London Zoo and I am proud to complete my first race in 59 minutes!

October.

Halloween.

November.

It is cold. We visit Leigh-on-Sea.

December.

I visit Bath with Kie, spend time with family in Edinburgh, start my new job, and relocate to Brighton.

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As you can see, I find it difficult to be concise; and I hate to have left anything or anyone out. Of course more happened, and I anticipate lots more happening in 2013. Here’s to life  next year!

-Anushka