Two of my flatmates have now moved out of the flat. The four of us have lived together for almost two years and have become very close friends. However, having been married for over a year now, it was naturally time for them to move on to their own place.

They informed me of their decision when I came back from my fabulous holidays in South Africa with Gaia (the fourth flatmate), which broke the holiday mood very quickly. Since then my feelings have been swinging back and forth from sadness (to see them leaving) to happiness (to see them moving on with their lives). This last week has been particularly emotionally challenging. It is one thing to know their leaving but it is another thing to actually say goodbye! Now, I need to point out that they are only moving a couple of blocks away. I know it will probably sound a bit stupid to some but it will never be the same again.

Today, we have new flatmates moving in. It is so strange to have suddenly different people living with you. I suppose that’s London. They seem very nice too and hopefully we’ll also become good friends.

To wrap it up, I’d like to say thanks to both of them for having been such great flatmates, and for being some of the closest persons I have in this world. It means a lot to me.

With the new year with us already, it always makes one reflect and look back on all that happened throughout the year and on what to look for in the new year. I will not derogate to the rule.

So what’s happened in 2008?

1. Some difficult times when (and after) I decided to end a long distance relationship.
2. A lot of hard work, party (or mostly?!) to compensate for the void left.
3. Changes at work: more responsibilities, different type of work. Probably due to my hard work.
4. Some very good times with friends, including a lot of memorable moments with my flatmates.
5. Turning 29 (the last one before the big one).
6. Some travel: France (obviously), Columbia (wicked awesome ), Cape Town (wicked awesome++ ).
7. Becoming an uncle for the second time, this time a girl (Jade).
8. Some mistakes…who doesn’t make a few .
9. And a realisation! A realisation that things can be different and that it’s only up to me.

So what’s to come? Well, I could make a (very) long list of things I’d like to do or change this year but I will concentrate on one: letting people in. For a long time I haven’t let anyone get too close to me. This has to change. It’s already changing…

PS: Happy New Year!