To 2014, and the years to come.

So, the end is near... but not in the sinister, "fantasy novel" sort of way, but in the sense that this year- may gap year- is drawing to a swift close. I remember when I started this blog to document the  happenings of my year, and seeing as I have grown rather attached to it, I may hang on to it for a while and continue to jot my experiences.

Now, what does "the end" mean for Nomsa? I mean, I have been on several amazing journeys of discovery from which I have gained a better understanding of myself and what I have to offer. I have unlocked a love for travel, meeting new people, creating new experiences and good wine (often coupled with a platter of good company and time well spent.) I have also, and most importantly, formulated an idea of what I want to contribute ,to the world; something more than just the emission of CO2 and taking up space. I have established that whatever I end up doing, should somehow influence a positive change in the world around me.

All of this is great and rather inspiring (slightly pretentious but only just,) but how do I maintain this, post-gap year, when I leave 'this' real word, for four years of 'that' real world? How do I ensure that I maintain this same level of inspiration and self understanding when I leave (so to speak) the catalyst that is the cause of said inspiration? A part of me has been growing increasingly more worried, but I think that there is a  solution.

I simply have to go into the next league of my life, as I went I to this year: with an open mind and a will to experience all that comes my way. I need to wrap my head around the fact that the end of my gap year is not the "be all and end all" it just means that from here on, any new experiences will be in a slightly more contained and structured environment, which might actually do wonders for my organisational skills. And lastly I just need to remember the things I have learnt up to this point in my life and carry them with me.

Here's to the end of 2014, *raises 3 glasses* a year spent enriching my life, making mistakes (believe me there are a few things I could have done differently) and overall just having fun. This year has been one of the best of my life and I hope it's foreshadowing for more great years to come.

So, for the last time this year: That's all, Bye! X :)