“If you can imagine it, you can achieve it; if you can dream it, you can become it.” - William Arthur Ward.
I didn’t know what to expect for 2009, it was a scary year for me. There were many unanswered questions, doubts and uncertainty but like every year I wanted to look back and think, ‘I’ve had a great year’.
At the beginning of January, I had an operation on my right foot. This was one of the weirdest experiences of my life and it was the first time I was put under general anaesthetic. After a few hours of the operation, I was discharged with a blue shoe for a foot. Coincidentally, the nurse that looked after me had graduated from Goldsmiths with a Psychology degree and when she told me I sat there wondering what I would be doing with my degree. I couldn't walk properly for about 2 weeks and there were some painful days! I had to stay in bed with my leg in the air most of the time! And bath time was a work out for my arms!! It was a surreal experience.
This February, I was turning 21. Initially, I was excited and had made plans to celebrate in style. But then, unexpectedly, my granddad passed away. On the night he passed away, I saw him lying on his chair peacefully and I knew something wasn’t right but I had hoped that he would be alright. The ambulance arrived and I stood there helplessly and the paramedics did there thing... but sadly, the paramedics all agreed that nothing more could be done. He had passed away. I could not breathe. My grandmother burst into tears, it was heartbreaking. The funeral was on the same day was my 21st plans, so I decided to cancel my 21st plans and just have a quiet meal on the following week. On Friday 13th February 2009, I attended his funeral. It was the final goodbye. As planned, I had that meal and I decided to treat my friends to show my appreciation. A few days later, my truly amazing friends had organised a surprise birthday lunch at Gaucho’s, London Bridge for me. We had our own room, it was decorated, and there were presents, a beautiful delicious cake, I was overwhelmed. They didn’t even let me hold the camera, or pay for anything even though it was pricy and none of us had won the lottery or was filthy rich! Seriously, I am so grateful for the effort, thought and the time they all put in. Thank You so much. I am so thankful, words cannot begin to describe. Thank You for being there for me at the saddest times and giving me a day I will never forget! You lot are the bestest friends anyone could ask for. I am so lucky. I love you guys!
The following months was all about revising for the final year exams at uni. I could not believe the end was so close and that the three years I spent at Goldsmiths was coming to an end. I have had the most fabulous experience and had such a great time! Not forgetting meeting a great bunch of people! In May, the exams began; a whole month of constant essay writing and this was it. I had to give my best and last shot. In July, the results came through. Thankfully, I graduated with a solid 2:1, I was very happy! The graduation ceremony was a mission to get to because of traffic and stressed out parents, I was technically late but when I finally got there, the ceremony was really good. I finally got to do the hat throwing! I must say, the experience would not have been the same, without my two uni buddies Jeck & Nads. We travelled together, studied together, panicked together laughed together and graduated together. Well done, we did it! Thank you!
In August, the ‘LaiDeeLouP’ went to Swansea, Wales for the weekend. It was the best short break ever! It was full of jokes and a barrel of laughs. I actually had stomach pains from all the laughing! Like fatties, we had breakfast buffet and embarrassingly, we all went down in our PJ’s to eat (who’s idea?!) whilst everyone else was fully dressed, but it was all part of the experience! On our last night, we literally had the whole of Frankie and Bennies to ourselves and drank a bit too much cocktails which caused some difficulty in walking! and those high heels did not help! I remember Deeps saying that I was walking like an elephant? Or Gorilla? LOL Luckily, the hotel was in walking distance, once we was in the hotel we ran through the corridors and was told to keep it down! It was too much jokes and definitely next year we need to take a holiday!
I spent my summer doing this and that, spending money that I didn’t have! Loads of BBQ’s and outings… the normal summer things!
In October, I was given the chance to work on Blue Peter! As a child I watched and loved this program so I was privileged for the opportunity! At Blue Peter, I worked with the most fun and inspiring people and I met a great bunch of new faces! We had so many jokes, more than I think we were supposed to! I also got to be a stand-in and was gunged with water on the Blue Peter set, met the presenters, pets and celebrities on the show, visited the BP Garden, made gunge, helped out with the show, watched the live shows, went on filming and much much more! Oh and not forgetting the ‘exciting’ trips to DV Solutions! And who made it possible was the nicest supervisor ever, Leo, my fellow Dr. Who Crew and of course the entire BP team! Thank You! As it was in the BBC building, we managed to go celebrity stalking during our lunch breaks! We saw a load of celebrities and familiar faces! Loved it!
Talking about celebrities, 2009 was a celebrity packed year. I saw many celebrities and was even lucky enough to meet a few!!
Celebrities included -
The main cast of Fast & Furious - Paul Walker, Vin Diesel, Michelle Rodriguez, Jordana Brewster
Alex Meraz & Eric from New Moon, Twilight
Charlie from Eastenders
Gregory Goyle from Harry Potter
'The Haitian' & Mohinder Suresh from Heroes
Quentin Tarantino the infamous director
Also, JLS, Tinchy Stryder, The X Factor finalists, Ronan Keating, Alex Zane, Anton Du Beke, Zoe Lucker, Peter Andre, Taio Cruz, Young Nate, Soundbwoy, Rihanna, Richard Blackwood, Masterstepz…
I ended this year, in the best way possible. We did the ‘Secret Santa Shopping Dash’ and karaoke! It was too fun and we didn’t even need a drink! Ha!
Other small but significant moments of 2009, includes my baby Beans, my 5k run for ‘Shooting Stars’ hospice, the first JIL trek where we rolled the dice to determine the direction we walked in, seeing shooting stars (again), going to the Christmas lights, all the premieres we went to, the heavy snowfall and all of the other events and trips!
2010, is a new year and a new adventure, with new resolutions and new experiences but I would only want it with old friends, I would have it no other way. So join me in 2010 and let us have another great year. Year 2010 quote is Embrace the future.
