2016 and how the times, they are a-changing

Every year I stop for a couple of hours and write a big text about how it went, what I learned, what went by - And this year of course, would be no different!

It is crazy for me to think about how much my life has changed this year. My head is still spinning around, and I am still trying to figure out where, or how I will be when it stops. Well, mentally, because I guess I'll be in Lisbon for a while.

(Song of the Year – Way too many to address, but an American Standard would do! - Thanks, Bob!)

The Main Accomplishments:

• I started and finish my 6-months in London Music School. Learned so many things about music I didn’t even know there were TO learn, and figured out that there are still so much more. If I was in love about music before, now I know I will love it forever!
• I did travel just a bit this year, but basically to places I have been before. I realized that I missed Brussels, so I went back, and Budapest, where I got to meet with all my old friends (well, most of them)
• I lived in 3 different cities during the year, which I didn’t actually realize until I wrote this post;
• Met a handsome Belgian pilot on a flight that made me think about travelling to Morocco very soon! (I just mention it because he was really really handsome)
• I had a couple of gigs -To say the least. And I know now that nothing will ever make me as happy as performing, singing, playing. But I also know I will probably not be able to live without regularly opening an Excel worksheet and making up some formulas and pivot tables. What can I say? I’m just not built that way.
• I cannot say enough good things about the amazing people I met at LMS in London. Not only amazing musicians, but amazing personalities, crazy characters, absolutely mad but always lovely. They made me laugh, they made me cry. And they were always there for me when I needed;
• I had two fantastic flatmates who filled my heart with movie sessions, endless discussions, breakfasts and a couple of nights out. I still don't think they realized how crazy I really am, but that's OK... I will miss them terribly!;
• I had the privilege of living and working in London, getting to know a true cosmopolitan city and eventually deciding to leave to be close to home and my family;
• I had great pub nights, afternoons at the park, reading out loud, buddying up for the gym, open mic nights and probably way too much coffee;
• Saw Sir Ian McKellen and Patrick Stewart in a play and it was as crazy awesome as expected! And the Bodyguard musical, singing all Whitney’s songs out loud! And Wicked! Ah, it was a good year for musicals!
• I realized it gets more and more difficult to keep track of everyone which you want to keep in your life somehow, but it’s almost always worth it to try!
• Playing at the Sziget festival in Budapest was still one of the best experiences I’ve had all year and it was totally worth it! Met a beautiful Italian/Colombian, and a sexy French which made my days even more entertaining :);
• I drank less jagger and tequila, indeed!! But more beer, thanks to the London mindset. Still, how can one object when their flatmate works at Duvel? It’s just hard to resist...;
• Finally watched the Jazz Singer, Sunset Boulevard, Ed Wood, Trainspotting and True Romance. And they were great!
• Started a fantastic possible-project called “Little Treats” – On hold for the future, but that I loved so much rehearsing for!
• Met THE Nerd Fitness creator and inspiration, Steve Kamb! :D
• I made a decision, and a concrete plan for my life, before the year ended – Barely! And I realized how lost I can be, and confused, when I have to specific goals set in my life. I vowed to make a change for the better. I hope I don’t feel like this for a very long time;
• I think I did probably fall in love, even if only for a couple of weeks, and even if he never knew, or felt the same. It was everything I thought it would be and I was head over heels. Obviously, the aftershock was also as bad as expected. But it was absolutely worth it, if only to let me know I can still feel, open my heart, hold hands and be hugged and somehow imagine myself with someone else;

• And the biggest accomplishment of all: I decided it was time to finally go back home to this beautiful city that I love and missed so much - My Lisbon.

I believe it is finally time to face these demons and baggage I left behind and get ready for this challenge. It won’t be easy, but as all great journeys, I am absolutely sure it will be worth it!

So this upcoming year, my expectations are still high, but simple: 

• To get to know Hugh Jackman – May this be the year;
• To ride a rollercoaster – It’ been way too long!;
• To be stronger and healthier - Whichever way possible;
• Hold someone and be held, and walk barefoot by the sea (May these things never disappear from these lists - And I guess this year it will be easier, at least the sea part!); 
• To grab my new professional challenge with everything I got, for better or for worse;
• To sing and play in Lisbon;
• To dance by myself, always sing the song I have in my head, and my heart, and to always give the best of me no matter the situation; 
• Love with passion, desire and no fear. 

This year has already started! Lisbon, I'm not sure I am ready for you – I really don’t think you’re ready for me, but we’ll manage somehow. But well, life is short, right? We might as well make the most out of it!

“It's a terrible thing, I think, in life to wait until you're ready. I have this feeling now that actually no one is ever ready to do anything. There is almost no such thing as ready. There is only now. And you may as well do it now. Generally speaking, now is as good a time as any.” Hugh Laurie