New Country, New Year...

I know I'm a little behind, but Happy New Year :) I've spent the last few days getting back into the swing of things after the brilliant festivities. This year my family and I went away for New Year to Dubai. Having never been to the Middle East before, it was extra exciting getting on the plane and adventuring into something new :) It was a first time to the city for all of us and it definitely won't be the last! 

Dubai is the most incredible place. It is the shiniest, cleanest, tallest city I have ever been in! Everything is spotless. The roads, the streets, the trains, the shopping centres... One of the best things though was getting to experience a different culture. I know that I stayed in a hotel and didn't get to experience 'proper' life but I feel like I got a glimpse of it when we went to the traditional gold, spice and textile souks. It's so interesting to see how different cultures work and how societies define behaviours as acceptable or not. 

I don't usually make New Year's resolutions but seeing as this year is a big year in terms of finishing my degree and entering 'the real world,' I've decided that I need to take every opportunity that I can. I have a bit of a habit of saying no to things, or hanging back and not putting myself forward but this year I'm going to make more of an effort to do more things. 

This also links to my other resolution of exploring the world more. As much as I love the traditional package holiday to the sun, I think this summer would be a perfect time to save up and go to one of the places that I've only ever dreamed of going. There's so much out there that I'd love to adventure to and I think this is the year I should take the opportunity to do so :)