What's 2010 been like for you ? Annus superbus, or Annus Horribilis.

Well, I'll start positively as we've had a pretty good year. Family wise everyone generally in good health, include Dad who had his 90th. A wedding in the family (nephew). News that we are to be grandparents for the first time in March. A nice holiday in Switzerland. Also my work has been extremely succesful, though I have said I will retire in Easter 2012.
Musically have just managed to play piano half an hour or so a day when Ive been at home, and organ on Sundays. did one forum event in Leeds, and am looking forward to Jan 8th.

So Merry Christmas all , and best wishes for 2011

Is that the latin name for piles?

My 2010's been rubbish, really

Despite some good things, it's been a year I'd rather just forget about

Sorry for those who have had a hard time. Mine has had some downs with poorly relatives and lots of frustration with a bit of baby blues thrown in but has been mostly lovely - my twins were born at the beginning of the year and although it has been a year full of exhausting, sleep-deprived days and nights, there has also been lots of love and laughter. And of course the highlight of the year - I got a distinction in my grade 6 piano!

Annus Moderatus There have been some ups and some downs, as usual.

Mixed, really.

Let's get the negatives out of the way first. Six deaths, three of close relatives, and three friends. I don't think I can stand another funeral in 2011. Also, work has been tough.

Now the positives. My newborn baby boy is now one year old, and he's fabulous, as are my older two boys, one of whom now has one of his two front teeth, and the other one can now talk properly (the conversations you can have with a 4-5 year old are brilliant!). My wife gets more beautiful every year. And I've made great strides forward with my music. And I've made some great new friends with some of the marvelous people on this forum.

This year has gone so fast that I'm still not quite sure if I've had a good or bad year!

I spent from February to early November under the threat of redundancy, which has now gone (pending me trialling a new flexble working arrangement - if I don't like it, I can still opt for redundancy). That's made the year quite stressful, even though I don't think I realised how much I was worried about it until it went away.

Musically it's been a good year.
OU-wise it's been a good year.

Which all sounds very good, but it doesn't feel particularly good, just extremely rushed!!

It's been a year of changes (some good, some bad), which I always find difficult (old stick-in-the-mud!). Not a great year for me, though having my daughter living at home since 1st September has been the shining light in it. Nothing devastating has happened - just lots of little things adding up.

I've watched my Mum go from living independently (with carers going in) and being pretty with-it, via a dreadful time in hospital suffering recurrent urine infections, to having to be in a nursing home, unable to get out of bed and very confused.

My job has changed so much that it's virtually unrecognisable. We moved from a split site school into one new building. I now do longer hours, work with three others rather than independently, deal with a wider range of things at a much shallower level, and have far less contact with pupils. Still, I do have a job, and I am earning slightly more.

Our church minister retired after 10 years with us and we now have a new, lady minister. She's nice, but of course does everything differently. Our Methodist circuit amalgamated with an adjoining circuit, so lots of change there.

I'm hoping for things to stay more or less as they are in 2011!

It's been a pretty mundane year for me nothing tragic has happened, so blessed in that department but as with millions of people the uncertainty that has surrounded 2010 has been rather depressing and to be honest i'm dreading 2011 with so many redundancies throughout Merseyside

But on a happier note i'm so pleased i took up Alto sax, it does take the stresses away

Annus horribilis 3rd consecutive one

It got better from a truly dreadful start. I really hope that 2011 really is a good new start.

This year has been very difficult, and to be honest, I've got fed up with being treated like dirt by some people. Sometimes I think I'm just not really 'for' this world...I've come to feel very distant from it this past year Oh well, who knows what next year will bring.

A very rapid and rushed year. Annus moderatus as some-one else has said. Possibly deteriorating at the moment, every time we try to arrange a bit of a holiday a family member goes in hospital/gets a hospital appointmnet.

Hope 2011 looks up a bit, but I feel that I'm being over optimistic.

Happy Christmas all!

Overall 2010 is a year I am very glad to see the back of.

Q1 was horrendous
Q2 difficult but with some hope
Q3/4 The stress of the first half of the year began to hit me and was coupled with ridiculously busy time at work, coupled with feeling really run down and having flu on my one week off on holiday between August and Christmas has really knocked me for 6. I don't feel I've ever really got back on my feet and caught up with myself properly since.

Music has kept me sane!

I am really looking forward to Christmas being out of the way and having a week at home with nothing I have to do.

Hopefully 2011 will be better.

I always enjoy reading these threads - just looked back through last year's one!


Er... I suppose for me this has also been a moderate year!


Negatives... Painful nature of watching elderly relatives age too quickly, ditto seeing Mum struggling, death of a close family friend, my own health reaching it's lowest point yet, Matthew struggling on occasion, a record number of hospital trips..

But on the plus side - joining two choirs, playing for weddings, moving in with friends, being asked to be Godmother to a beautiful little girl , doing better than expected in first year, making it to second year, getting a job, being given a hamster, lots of laughing and re-learning to appreciate the little things... And of course, mwl1 and I nearing our 3rd anniversary

Not really sure what to make of the year. In some ways, it's been brilliant and the highlight of it has been playing a lot more piano and attending forum events and meeting great people.

The lows have mostly been to do with work. I think that things are looking up, but can't think straight any more so cannot judge clearly.

However I still have a job and am in good health. So it has to be considered a good year.

Well I have to say that I haven't had a good year since 2007 when my Mum first got seriously ill and then 2009 losing my sister and it doesn't look like 2011 is going to be kind to us at first as we have just found out a week ago that my sister in law has breast cancer. She is booked in for the operation 23/12/10 and will start radiotherapy early 2011. Hopefully she will be luckier than my sister.

Despite the years being so hard, there has been some good stuff too, as I embarked on my music theory in 2008, made lots of friends on this forum and last year managed to start to make the piano play days in London.

Thank goodness I have my lovely children and my grandsons with good health and I have my OU studies to help keep me sane along with my piano.

So fingers crossed 2011 will bring some good stuff for my family, friends and I.

Bit of a mixed bag really...

MamaDaisy was in need of lots of support from last year following the death of my beloved stepfather, up until July when she eventually got her hip replaced. On the plus side, she's almost back to her old self.

Brother in law had treatment for Hodgkin's Lymphoma, which is currently in remission.

Musically, I found Chet's summer school gave me no end of inspiration and ideas. Performance wise, hmmm...not sure. Some good, some not so good. 2011 is the year I will and must get myself a teacher. I've met lots of new friends on here too, and hopefully this will continue next year.

Personally...am still suffering the effects of my assault almost two and a half years after the event. The court case continues to rumble on as does my PTSD/self harm/insomnia blah blah blah. I've had some terrific support both on and off forum, for which I continue to be grateful. I've finally got access to councelling which has been a great help too.

And I've just got my first student distinction!

Onwards and upwards.

The first half of the year was good because I was doing a job I enjoyed, and rough because of my !*^% housemates and living apart from my partner.

The second half of the year has been good because I moved back in with said partner and a group of fantastic housemates and have been enjoying university life again, but a bit stressful with final year workloads, job hunting and making big scary decisions about [/i]the future[i]. Have had some rough spells with my family, but my mother has been working very hard to try and minimise the effect of all that on me.

So, overall I guess that means its been a good year, but it certainly felt pretty rubbish at times!


Hoping for a fantastic Christmas holiday for everyone, and positive and shiny coming years. Hopefully mine will be made great by finally graduating (where did 5 years go?!), finding a decent job or PhD position and maybe getting engaged... we'll see. If it all comes together, next year has lots to look forward to.

Don't often get to come onto the forums now. Life so busy with our beautiful little boy who is now 10 weeks old.

2010 has been a marvellous year... had a wonderful healthy pregnancy and easy birth (and now a gorgeous son)
My lovely fiance(e) never know how it's spelled propsed to me in the middle of a trip away.
We moved house in the summer and we're so much happier in the new house (as are our dogs)!
Workwise we've been blessed that so far we've not be too affected by the recession. I lost about 14 students in September but as fiance points out I needed to slow down anyway being so near my due date LOL


Only downsides have been battling with breastfeeding and it not working out so pumping and then having to move to formula. Other downside has been fiance having a few health issues but fingers crossed he'll get the treatment he needs soon.

Overall it's been a good year for me. There's been some downs, my dad goes into hospital on Tuesday, my youngest niece has been in and out of hospital for most of the year, and now I face the distinct possibility of being out of work by April thanks to Local Government cuts.

However, I have loads of fantastic memories of 2010, most of them musical. I've attended three forum events, playing accompanied solos at two of them and have met some lovely forumites. I've taken (and passed ) a music exam! I have a new clari teacher who is pushing me much harder than I ever imagined possible but the progress I've made after only three lessons makes the hard work worthwhile. York Concert Band have a new 3rd clarinetist miming Clarinet Candy! and I am much more confident playing 2nd clarinet with White Rose Training Band.

Of course the highlight of my year was meeting the wonderful barry-clari and, well, I don't think I need to say any more other than Thanks Barry xx.

So, yes 2010 has been a good year.

Aw, that's quite all right, Louise xx You're just as wonderful.

A challenging year!
Some absolutely amazing moments - playing loads of flute concerts, getting A*A*A at A Level, taking up the sax, making new friends and appreciating my friends old and new and of course my lovely family.
Some of the worst moments of my entire life.... but learning that there is almost nothing I cannot get through and that there is always something that can be done for things to get better.
I'm so lucky to have so much support, and I'm strangely grateful for everything life has thrown at me this year. I think I've come out the other end (finally) as a stronger person and I know things are going to be ok now

(ohhh dear...that was terribly emotional of me!!!!!!!!!!!)

Well pretty, good as I got married......and I'm still happy about it

Last quarter has not been great as it has taken doctors twelve weeks to decide what's wrong with me and all I needed was antibiotics!

I thought I'd had a bad year but after reading some peoples posts, on reflection I've had a great year

It's definitely been a difficult year, although thankfully we have had no health issues within family or close friends. I gave up a well paid job in March to take up teaching full time, thinking at the time that I would have a nice little nest egg paid out from commissions, only to find that the company I worked for (as a self-employed finance adviser) were able to hold on to all outstanding monies for a full 12 months before paying to me So no end of money worries throughout the year.

On the upside, my teaching practice has gone from 4 pupils (children of friends who I started off teaching as a favour) to 24. I have 3 more starting in the new year and a small waiting list. We've adopted a lovely natured Weimaraner who demands 3 mile walks at least once a day, so the weight is coming off and I'm feeling a lot stronger both mentally and physically. I have a lot more time to spend with the children, although I'm sure they've become a lot more demanding - probably because I'm spending a lot more time with them. And my house is clean for more of the time now that I have most of the week free to do the housework instead of cramming it all into the weekend.

Overall I think the good has definitely outweighed the bad this year and I'm looking forward to 2011

Overall, terrible.
The birth of my nephew and my getting a new job have been completely overshadowed by losing the said job after less than five months, added to the stress and upheavals of moving 270 miles for the job and trying and failing miserably to settle in. Whoever said the pace of life up north was more relaxed was talking out of their backside. Likewise the alleged friendliness of Yorkshire folk.

2010 = gah.

So who needs internet dating! This forum seems just as good.

I started a simular thread lol!

As for my 2010 it's been awful - heres to 2011 Can't WAIT for the new year to arrive as the very end i.e. december has been good

Trying to be half full which is my usual way, but it hasn't been a great year.
MY girls are well and happy which is a great bonus. Kate passed her AS levels and embarked on an Animal Managment course to go into Vet Nursing or Farming. She is very happy.
Jen is loving her music and is doing well in her lessons too.
BArry is well, but cannot get a job for love nor money. He is so well qualified but just the wrong side of 50 which I think is the problem.
Mum is deteriorating physically, Dad mentally.
I have lost one friend to cancer, and have another ill with it.
Am on a plateau with flute and piano, but enjoying them still, despite not enough time to practise.
We had some great holidays.
2011 will not be great as parents will only get worse.

well 2010 for me has been eventful, started of with 4 months of snow, a short spell of summer. A holiday to Ibiza with family for a heat!!!! and finished off with last 2 months of snow.
Daughter no1 went on tour aged 10 to Austria with her Concert Brass Band, had many events throughtout the year
I started at course at college after being a stay at home mum for 10 years and have found it to be magic.
Two daughters passed piano exams this year, so onward and upwards towards 2011. Looking at facing the big 4-0 in a few weeks. So life is just beginning. Bring it on!

Wishing everyone a Happy 2011. x

Pretty good so far, thanks. No major disasters, got loads done (including re-starting piano learning) and had some fun. Absolutely exhausted though, so after work finishes tomorrow I intend to sleep for a week

Happy new year!

Jon

Out of interest, has he tried omitting his date of birth from his CV when applying for jobs? I know it'll be required at some point but may help get the foot in the door for some interviews if they are being naughty and discriminating by DOB? (I know it's possible to gauge a rough age from past experience but just a thought).

My year - musically amazing, learning flute from scratch to band standard, starting my singing lessons and 6 months later a distinction at grade 8, repassing my gr6 theory too...lots of performing and starting to get more confident. Also started teaching violin and theory after reducing my hours at work...

One poorly father who has now moved in with us as unsure on his own. Doc still don't know what is up, 3 months down the line. He's living on painkillers but a shadow of himself 6 months ago.

Daughter who is progressing really well with her singing, sang solo in the cave last month which was truly amazing, I was in the band but just couldn't play for the lump in my throat, I was so proud. Got asked back next year plus others...

Son (6) who seems to be following the musical bent, just had his first choir concert, bless him.

Iam so lucky to have a husband who is so supportive of my musical endeavours, if a little grumpy at times...

Overall it's been a great year, 2011 hopefully will bring a diploma, more students and most importantly a Dad who is fit and well again.

Annus Rather-good-us (also, seemingly another year where my years of Latin education seem to have been wasted/forgotten!)

Been a stable year, which means a year unlike many I can remember. No hospitals, which is a fabulous feeling. I'm finally finding my feet in the world (turns out they were on the bottom of my legs all along!) and it feels good. After starting working again in the last months of 2009, I've settled into my jobs and realised how much extra stuff you get involved in if you are present in the community (and I've had to work out how to say no, as I am not superwoman!). Had a brilliantly rewarding year academically, becoming evermore certain maths is what I want to do for ever and ever. Musically, I've got my focus back again which is a huge relief.

All in all, probably the best year I've had since before things started going wobbly 7 years ago. 2011 is going to be the year I graduate from my BSc and start properly looking for Masters courses (both of which seem very grown up! ) and already looks promising for lots more exciting things too.

I've had possibly one of the best years of my life

There have been negatives, there always are, with my parents' deteriorating health and my only holiday for over three years being cancelled due to the snow. We also have had snow for nearly six months of this year so I actually feel like I now live in Siberia but we are honestly getting used to the snow as a way of life (although I have constant hat-hair thanks to my trapper hat! )

But I have the most incredibly leap forward in my 'career' by passing my Masters degree and the astonishing success I've had as a result. I do have to pinch myself sometimes! 2011 is currently looking incredibly exciting in terms of work - more than I had ever dreamed of - and I can't wait to see what it brings! I have a major exhibition planned for the Spring and it looks like my work is being sought after in the UK and Europe.

And I've returned to playing my viola and am completely in love with playing it. I am hoping to join an orchestra in the New Year and I'm now saving to upgrade my viola which will be hugely exciting. Oh and I'm hoping to go to my first ever Forum Event in Glasgow in April!

... and if it's possible I love my husband more every day too




I know some of you have not had a very good year and I just want to sincerely wish you all a much better, healthier and happier 2011. I've been through rough times in life in the past so I don't want you to think I'm being smug by writing the above, just that sometimes it's hard to believe the nice stuff is actually happening to me for a change.

Have a good Christmas ... keep cosy!

Hope you have a great 2011 lottie, good luck with the exhibition, and all being well, I'll see you at Glasgow in April!

Awwww, that's lovely

I'll mark it down as a good year. I set myself a number of musical plans and pretty much met them:

Passed grade 6 theory, passed A214 and passed grade 7 piano.
And took on a more active music role at school.

For next year I really must get going on playing the double bass...

I don't think we've ever had anyone play bass at any forum event...