Former First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt was indeed one wise woman and while I’ve not read her book You Learn by Living – there are a number of her quotes that have stuck in my head over the years including the one about the future belonging to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams – an inspiring thought as we close out 2022 this New Year’s Eve.
While I sadly return to work next week, I’ve had a relaxing festive period as much as there were missing people at my table for lunch on Christmas Day due to COVID-19 – the Grinch who stole Christmas this year! A number of friends and family had to cancel or postpone their Christmas celebrations due to coming down with the dreaded lurgy and it wasn’t a fun day for those who spent it alone feeling very unwell. My commiserations if this was you.
Still, it was lovely to celebrate the occasion with my family who were able to make it. My little sister Cat creates a family Christmas video every year so we enjoyed watching that before opening our presents under the tree and eating far too much ham and Christmas pudding (the ones from Pud for all seasons are delicious). I hope Santa was good to you if you celebrate Christmas in your household.
I also made it to my work Christmas party at Johnny’s Green Room rooftop bar in Carlton, which I suspect will also be going off tonight with their NYE pizza party. It was my venue suggestion to our HR team and it was a good one! The shared plates, finger food and cannoli we enjoyed were all excellent and it’s highly recommended. I’ve not been to the rooftop bars at Her Melbourne or Yakimono in the city but they would also be great places to celebrate tonight and watch the fireworks.
I’ve enjoyed dropping down a gear these past few weeks and catching up locally with friends and family I’ve not seen all year as much as so many are down at the beach or heading there over the summer. The new Intercontinental (and former Continental) hotel in Sorrento (above) looks pretty amazing and my Cinderella gown for New Year’s Eve would be this Zimmerman High Tide dress (below) – tres seaside glam!
I’ve also had time to read and started Cold enough for snow (below) by Jessica Au, which I’m enjoying. It has been a long year and while I suspect we’ll still be feeling the ongoing effects of the pandemic next year, particularly economically, I’m hopeful that the collective anxiety we’ve felt this year will continue to dissipate as we adjust to the new normal.
While resolutions can be helpful for some people, it’s also good to take the pressure off in terms of expectations as we head into a brand new year. I’m not making any but after reading Antoinette Lattouf’s article earlier this year on her undertaking adult swimming lessons, I’ve been inspired to do the same next year and have booked myself in as it’s been alarming to read the statistics on people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds being over-represented in drownings at Australian beaches this summer.
I’ll let you know how I go but I think it’s important to challenge yourself and learn something new no matter your age or stage of life. Here’s to writing your first chapter for 2023 and the chance to start again over this new year that will be here before we know it. Wishing you an early Happy New Year!
Miss Rosanna 