Tuesday, 31 December 2013

2013!

2013 has been a weird year, to say the least. It's been great in some respects, seeing musicians I can now call friends grow and succeed. Learning to drive has been great so far and looking forward to doing my theory/practical soon etc. and of course, I've been on the biggest trip of my life! There's been a few other things as well that have made my year an alright one, BUT 2013 has also been a pretty bad one too.

The challenge I originally set myself was to take a photo every day for a year, I ended up starting a daily blog, which went weekly when exams and A Level stress kicked in, but this blog has opened up so many opportunities for me! I thought it'd be an easy thing to do as it doesn't take much to click the shutter on a phone/camera/iPod and it's something I enjoy doing. Obviously, I had no clue what was going to happen this year, and it prove to be more of a challenge than I thought! The blogs have changed over the year; with them getting better (hopefully you agree too :/) and dipping at the end of the year - sorry about that! Some of the photos have been appalling cop-outs, but others (I feel) have been some of the best I've ever taken! I'm really glad I've done it though, I've been able to sit down, especially in the last few weeks and read through what I've done this year. 

The more the year went on, the less I wrote and the more vague the blogs got and the less enthusiastic I was to get the photos/blogs up on time. This year has been a long one for me and especially my family as a whole. 
I've struggled with stress of exams and exam results (panic attacks were a great running theme through the summer-thankfully dying down after my A Level results), I've vented many frustrations (exams, sports results and injuries, coursework, A Levels in general etc.) but I've also tried giving an insight into what I've done each day/week. 

I've done so much this year, half of it I'd never imagined I'd be able to say I'd done! I've organised a fundraising dinner and live music evening, with (quite a bit of help) from my friends (and family!) but that went insanely well. I've also been to loads of gigs/concerts, Frank, Lauren, Gabrielle Aplin, Girls Aloud, Saint Raymond, Billy Lockett, Andreas Moe, Shannon Saunders, Lewis Watson, Orla Gartland, Daniel James, Izzy Bizu and The Boxettes (to name the ones that really stood out to me). I've seen quite a few good films this year, Star Trek: Into Darkness, Life of Pi, After Earth, Monsters University and of course the much anticipated Hunger Games: Catching Fire. There's also been the massive hype about the Doctor Who 50th Anniversary and saying goodbye to Matt Smith as Twelve last week.I just about got through my AS exams with two Cs and two other grades, I've dropped two subjects and picked up a subject that I'm enjoying - so all's good! My plans for the future have changed A LOT over the year, I'm avoiding Uni for a bit and seeing what opportunities open up, whilst hopefully getting a job/work experience within media or just something that helps me pay for concerts and everything else! I've also been on the biggest trip of my life this year, I've flown for the first time (which was pretty scary!) it was also the first time I'd been further than France. I can't even begin to explain how amazing the Kenya trip was, it's definitely changed my perspective on things, seeing how they live and still continue to be so positive was eye-opening. It was one thing I've always said I've wanted to do and now I can say I have!

Next year, is hopefully going to be a good one! I'm going to continue blogging each week, but not as much about me and what I'm up to and not as many photos, because I want to focus on getting good content out and worthwhile photos. Main things for me in the new year, is to pass my A Levels, get a job/work experience, play at least three cricket matches and stay positive. I've had a nice break from cricket this season, after 10 years of playing pretty much once a week, if not 2 or 3 times, all year round, I'd got bored/fed-up and didn't enjoy it, so hopefully that changes this year! Failing that, I'll take up jogging or something - anything to get fit - I don't enjoy getting out of breath after one flight of stairs (you think I'm joking!)

Thank you's of the year go to my Gran, she's the bravest woman I think I'll ever know, she's had the worst year, but she brushes it off like it's nothing and keeps on going. She's ill, she's fighting but she's smiling. <3
My Mum's been pretty impressive this year too, she never stops and she always puts others first, thank you! <3
Obviously a massive thank you to other family and friends that support me in what I do, got me to Kenya etc. also a massive thank you specifically to Evie, Soph, Mads, Isy, Phil and Lai and a big thank you to Sophie B for all the creative help etc. as well as everything else! I don't really know who reads this, as it's not something that I enjoy talking about and it never comes up in conversation, but to all those that read it - thank you! If this is your first time reading or your 150th, if you've liked any of the photos on FB, shared any links/downloaded or listened to any of the music etc. - thank YOU!

(It wouldn't be a One Day at a Time blog without music/a video/exciting stuffs so here you gooooo...)

2013 video...


Music of my Year!
I thought I'd put music to represent/cover each month from 2013! Enjoy!

January: Amethyst Blue - Skylarks


February: Dreams - Bastille & Gabrielle Aplin


March: Collecting Sunlight - Andreas Moe

April: Black & White - April Keen

May: Tiny Chemicals - Frank Hamilton (link)

June: Care - Hudson Taylor

July: 17 - George Barnett
 (skip to 44:15)

August: Summer - Frank Hamilton

September: Keep Your Head Up - Ben Howard

October: Paki Rwoth - Watoto Children's Choir

November: Bonfires - Saint Raymond


December: Lonely This Christmas - Frank Hamilton



Exciting Stuffs... Next year brings more challenges, I will be writing for two blogs and there's an opportunity for me to write for a music website too!
One Day At A Time is moving, and will be written by four different people, Philippa, Isy, Sophie and Me (Evan), we'll be covering different subjects, food, music, art and quotes/lifestyle. So there we go!

Links will be put here very soon, when the links are all set and launched! But for now, keep posted for the last and first as we cross from 2013 to 2014! Happy New Year to you all and see you in the new year, probably on a new blog!

Thanks for Reading! 

Find me and final updates here: https://www.facebook.com/onedayatatimeevan
Also, if you enjoy reading this blog/like music then head to my other blog!

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