Reminising...

So yeah, I'm a bit late but it's now a new year; a chance for new fun, new goals, new friends and new attitudes. But there are some things that might not be so great this year, such as new tears, new heartbreak and new mistakes. Everything new.
To go into this new year properly, I think I need to look over the old year first. 2010 was an amazing year, really. It was tough, but it was eye-opening. I've felt things this year that I've never felt before; seen things I've never seen; and had things happen that I wouldn't have dreamed of in 2009.
Over the past year, I have changed SO MUCH. To be frank, at the end of 2009/start of 2010 I was an absolute BRAT. Maybe you didn't notice, but my family did...I was really horrible. I had everything wrong -- I was all depresso about coming to another country and I think one of the reasons I was so angry about coming was that we were working with the church. I know, it sounds crazy, right? But I think it's actually true. If it was just for Dad's normal job or something I think I would've been fine with it, because it happens to heaps of kids around the world. But this, being a MISSIONARY KID, it just was weird, not normal,  STUPID.
That was what I was thinking, up till around March last year when my whole perspective was turned around. Everything had been going really well in Vanuatu, we'd moved into our house, gotten into school at Central (oh, the good old days...), made friends and a whole lot of people were coming to church. I should've been happy, learning the language and I should've been fitting in really well in our community. But I just WASN'T. I was a grumpy bum who just wouldn't do anything that would make her seem like she was enjoying Vanuatu one single bit. I must've been the hardest person to live with...actually, Mum told me later that she'd never prayed so hard about anything in her life that I would just become better at fitting in and that my attitude would change. So yeah, I was completely HORRENDOUS to everyone around me...I think I was kind of trying to be horrible, as stupid as that is. But then something in my brain just clicked. I think it must've been God because nothing significant really happened at that point in time...I just all of a sudden decided that I should start learning Bislama (which I should've started learning in Australia like the rest of my family) and that I should actually make an effort to like it here, after all I'm gonna be here for 4 years!!! And guess what!! As soon as I actually gave the place and the people a chance, I loved it here!!! I absolutely love it now...Vanuatu's my home. I have changed, become more sensitive to other cultures and also I've just become used to the fact that, although all the Ni-Vans here don't have the exact same interests and ways of life as me, but I can still be great friends with them! I should be the one adjusting, not them. I'm in their country...if they'd come to live in Australia, I would've expected them to do the same thing, to get used to Aussie culture, not to make Aussies change to work in with their culture. As soon as that all clicked with me, I've had an awesome life here; I've really enjoyed it!
So 2010; the year of change for me. Physical and mental changes. And almost all of them have been changes for the better, thank goodness :) As He says in Romans 8:28, God works all things together for good for those who love Him, who are called according to His purpose. I believe God has really worked out my life this year, given me the absolute best I could ever have...way more than I deserve :D
So now, before I close off my interesting (I wish...) post about what 2010's done for me, I just want to put a couple of thank yous to the people who've REALLY helped me get through this hard year:
Mum and Dad (and Corey and Tione) thank you, thank you, THANK YOU for putting up with me at the start of the year (I hope it's not too hard to do now)!!! I know I wasn't the most pleasant person in the world and thanks for just praying for me constantly...it really paid off :D
Everyone from ICC Youth (especially the Gibb girls) thanks for being my first friends in Vanuatu. Going to youth was what kept me sane for a very, VERY long time and you were all there for me when I needed you. So glad you're coming to our youth now!!
Kudra Ricketts THANK YOU!!!! Thanks for sticking with me all those fun days at Central, not thinking I was a weirdo (or maybe, thinking I was enough of a weirdo to be your friend :P) and for just being my friend!! AND of course, those weekly letters and visiting me in December <3
Grace Kenner, you are a very, very, very, VERY amazing person, girl!!!! Strong, happy, funny, cool, just WONDERFUL in all ways :D You are the panda to my jam, the grae to my chicken feet, the milk to my cookies and I love you!!! <3
My friends from ICS -- Ash, Katie, Kathryn, Jess and Storm I love you guys so much!! Thanks for not forgetting me and writing letters, speaking on skype and sending emails to me. You are the coolest girls ever :)
Emily Knoblauch you are just awesome; end of story. Nah, thanks for not giving up on me even when I didn't talk to you for a while (I'm so sorry about that, btw). I love our long, long facebook messages and I love that you're really good friends with Bronte now too :)
Grandy thank you for all my letters that you CONSTANTLY are sending me!!! You're so consistent and I so wish I could write to you as much, sorry I haven't! I love you up to the sky and I can't wait until you visit again...or until the next letter ;)
The Venu/Tav Hapi Family -- Mikel, V'niana, Lenny, Melin, Keven, Renol, Jeneen and Jentina thanks for being here with us, for being my second family. You guys have just stuck with me the whole way along and I hope our friendship lasts forever!!! <3
EVERYBODY WHO'S VISITED -- THANK YOU!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I have absolutely LOVED all your visits!!!!! We've had some GREAT times together and it's just been really cool for you to come all this way just to see us!!!

Basically, thanks to everyone who's been in my life this year. You've helped me along so much and I love you all!!!!
I hope you all have a prosperous year and find it as great and challenging as I found 2010. And last, but definitely not least...
HAPPY NEW YEAR 2011!!!!!