Positives of 2008

Blush_01

So many people I've talked to are glad to see the back of 2008. Personally, I had been about to write 2008 off, like I wrote 2007 off. However, someone in another forum said you can't just write off a whole year as it's a huge chunk of your life, and it made me think about things a bit differently.

Regardless of how big or small they were, what are three of your highlights for 2008?

Mine are:
Buying a car and starting to learn how to drive.
Visiting the Tower of London.
Being made permanent in work (given the economic climate).

MagicMarker

I can't really call it a bad year, there were certainly bad moments. But I lived on another continent, in my own apartment doing whatever the hell I wanted.

Walking around naked, didn't have a single curtain on the windows, looking out at the sun rising every morning in the shower.
Almost losing my ears in -50 degrees, that was fun!
Seeing the most unbelievably scary storm imaginable, then walking home in the eeriness afterwards.
Cross country skiing in the middle of nowhere.
Hearing my schizophrenic neighbour scream obscenities to himself morning noon and night.
Being attacked by bats
Eating peanut butter and jam sandwiches for every meal, awesome!!

Probably a year I'll never forget.

CathyMoran

Positives of 2008:
Getting pregnant
Getting a job I love in the same place as my husband
Going to Paris unexpectedly with my husband and two wonderful trips to Belfast
Eating pasta again
Being able to work full time

GirlInterrupted

I have to say the bad outweighed the good by a considerable margin in '08, but three highlights are:

I intigated a few programs that I feel have made a real difference to others in my work.

I received some really positive recognition from the top of my profession.

Against all indications to the contrary, I still believe that everything will be alright, in the end.

lovemypinkhat

Passing my driving test
Turning 21 in October and having one helluva party with all my favourite people there, including family from Wales who came as a surprise
Being lucky enough to have few mini holidays with friends/family/OH including all expenses paid trip to Sweden with college (for research purposes obviously :P)

omb0wyn5ehpij9

Getting the car ive wanted for years

gubby

I know this will sound soppy but I do thank god every day for the health and welbeing of my wonderful family. My son asked me recently, "how come we seem to escape bad things happening to our family" There is no answer. just be greatful for every day. there are so many terrible things happening to people, sadness and the pain of loss. I am not very religous but I am sure if we remain greatful for what we have someone up there will keep an eye out for us.
my list for 08
I got a bran new granddaughter
our car managed to stay going...just!
nobody in my family lost their job
the hair of the dog... not a good idea. (i know that is not a positive, but it a learned experience)
my wish list for 09
I want one of my sons to have a baby
and the other one to fulfill his wish to travel
(very important not to get those two sons mixed up god)
one of my daughters to sell her house and buy one nearer us (she want to really she does)
another daughter to get a ring and a better job and a new car.
another daughter not to get too broken hearted when her boyfriend heads to china. and buys a good car with a heater.
for myself and himself... well, we need a new car too.. anyone know a garage doing a buy two, get one free offer?

Zaph

Pretty average year tbh, with two obvious exceptions - the arrivals of my two gorgeous baby nieces. Nothing really could top that for me.

Red Hand

Went to Croke Park for the first time.

Got a newer car that is actually nice to drive in rather than the bone-shaker I used to drive.

Took up a new sport I really enjoy.

Friend got better after being ill.

Ahm...struggling to find anymore...

beertons

I found my soulmate

GirlInterrupted

beertons wrote: »

I found my soulmate

Aww. Thats lovely.

Well done you.

jellie

overall it was a pretty crappy year & im happy to leave it behind.. but theres gotta be something good in there..

- got a pay rise, finally off graduate salary yay
- started to learn to drive, note to self: get back to it now!
- lost weight, im down nearly 1.5 stone (although probably back up 1/2 stone over xmas..)

RedXIV

1. found a corker of a girlfriend
2. lived in dublin for 3 fabulously entertaing months
3. started attending boards beers (met my hero already )

Nightwish

2008 is one year that I was glad to say goodbye to. However there were of course the good moments:

Meeting Nightwish again
Meeting Within Temptation again...and seeing them live twice, especially for the incredible Black Symphony show. I made it onto the DVD...something to show the grandkids when I'm 80
Meeting Epica and going drinking with them!
Getting my new puppy Zak, who is growing to be a completely mental dog
Buying a car, learning to drive and passing my test

lovemypinkhat

Aw man, I forgot the birth of my niece So...

becoming an auntie for the first time

Karen_*

Becoming an auntie
Passing the driving test
losing 18 lbs

I was looking back at 2008 as the worst year of my life but see there are loads of positives, I could have put ten things and more in the list. Great thread blush:D

Catari Jaguar

- Went to New York and saw family I haven't seen in nearly 10 years
- Got my first apartment and my boyfriend moved in
- Started kick boxing and yoga
- Became a master of Guitar Hero :cool:
- Went to Madrid
- Threw some great parties and had many brilliant nights out with new friends
- Saw lots of my favourite bands - KoRn, Thin Lizzy, Down, Smashing Pumpkins, Hermano, Tegan and Sara, FlyLeaf
- Dyed my hair red
- Discovered new cool places, eateries and things to do in Dublin like the Culture Festival

DenMan

Where do I start! (one of the lads of the ladies lounge)

Becoming an uncle (again).
Deciding to go back to Uni.
Learning to play the keyboard and read sheet music.
Forgiving myself.
Allowing my soul to move on.
Upping my gig count.
Registering here on boards.ie

Twee.

I had quite a good year, thankfully!

• Completed, and was satisfied with, the Leaving Cert
• Went to Benicassim in Spain for the greatest and oddest holiday ever
• Got into college, and am loving it
• Got a part-time job
• Had my first "relationship". It didn't last very long, but hey, it's a start!
• Became so close to one of my friends, "best mates"

spinandscribble

got a internship and moved to the states,
finished my degree with good results,
raised a few thousand for charity,
learned how to drive and got my first car,
went travelling in SEAsia by myself,
am no longer in a relationship.

pow wow

I'm one of the ones happy enough to say goodbye to 2008 :cool: I had a great year, I just know 2009 is going to be even better

I travelled a lot, met some great people, made some fantastic memories and I'm ready to do it all again this year. I have been moving around for years and 2008 made me think I'm finally ready to stop and enjoy the scenery for a while (which is a sigh of relief for my suitcase and bank balance!).

Pyr0

Finished school this year.
Got to see one of my favourite bands - Cynic
Met Paul Masvidal from said band.
Turned 18.
Got a stable job not long after leaving school.
Finally having money to spend.
Buying a cabnet for my guitar with said money.
Getting back into reading during the second half of the year.
Still being with my lovely girlfriend even after all the sh1t we have to go through

Thats all I can think of at the moment.

St Bill

Highlights of 2008
Finally went to Iceland this year (not the supermarket)
Travelled to Canada to visit family....best time ever!
And after three years of procrastination, I started a course to become a teacher. Roll on 2010!

Black Swan

Survived another year (in spite of all the partying!)
Lived within my small budget and without debt
Moved from a flat to a boat (just love living afloat!)
Danced to drums in Jamaica

sleepyescapade

2008 was good for me up to October, and then from there it went crappy for a bit. However, my highlights of the year were as follows:

Spending 3 weeks in Cape Town.
Passing first year of degree.
Getting 40/40 in driver theory test.
Meeting wonderful new friends.

The Recliner

Good positive thread OP

Positives from 08:

My Mum surviving several things which could have killed her

Raising cash for charity by doing something stupid (it was also an example of people's extraordinary generousity and an uplifting experience which reaffirmed my belief in people)

Being more social and going out more and meeting some great boardsies

Meeting and falling for a Boardsie

mollybird

having a memorable year with my OH, getting into 3rd year college and spending an amazing 8 days with him in edinburgh.

Poccington

- Got to see some beautiful views while being killed in the Wicklow Mountains
- I'm fitter/stronger than I've ever been
- Survived the greatest challenge of my life
- Have enjoyed the single life
- Got to see many a good gig
- I think I'm closer to my friends now than I've ever been
- I'm in a job that I love


Roll on 2009

Clare Bear

I met the perfect man for me and we moved in together. I was made permanent in my job, a job I've always dreamed of having and I made some great new friends. 2008 in general was an amazing year for me. I hope this year will be as good.

Creamy Goodness

hmmm

losing 2 stone in weight.
getting a good work placement from college that has given me excellent contacts.
knowing that i'm 5 months away from being out of college.
meeting some excellent people from the internet for the first time.
being more outgoing than my past self.
finding out i'm being given the title of uncle for the third time, although that's pressure so don't know if that's good or bad :P

rainbow kirby

- Lost 2 1/2 stone
- Ran my first 5k and 10k races
- Went back to college and quit my soul-destroying tech support job
- Finally stopped wasting my life on WoW
- Went to London with my friends and had a great time

That said, I'm really ****ing glad to see the back of '08.