14 Things I did in 2014

In the New Year we often look forward at what we want from the year ahead of us. Sometimes it’s nice to take a look back at all the things that have happened in the year that has been, this year I am doing a post of 14 things I did in 2014 – about 95% of which were firsts for me as well! 

Sometimes you wonder where the year has gone and think to yourself that you haven’t accomplished much, when looking back on it there are pretty much always a whole host of things you have managed to do and just forgotten about or pass them off as small things. 

I scrolled through my dropbox camera upload folder to see what I had gotten up to in 2014 which was quite interesting! Prepare yourself for a picture heavy post! Without further ado here are 14 Things I did in 2014!

1. Slept on a boat 
We woke up to 2014 aboard a junk (boat) in Ha Long Bay, Vietnam. I had never slept on a boat before and the view was just incredible! We had a super relaxing time in Ha Long Bay, the food was pretty good aboard the boat (with the exception of the cold toast for breakfast), we learnt how to make spring rolls, took a double kayak around the bay and lounged atop the junk soaking in the beautiful views. 

2. Rode on the back of a motorbike 
I have always been terrified of motorbikes. I had ridden one myself many many years ago, a small one on the section over by the beach and I went incredibly slow. I don’t like the feeling of not being in control so have never gotten on the back of one for a proper ride. Kyle loves motorbikes so this is something I needed to at least give a try! We hired guides in Da Lat who took us around for half a day and showed us the sights. 

3. Ate hotpot
It took us two attempts as the first restaurant we went to (in Auckland), the staff had very limited english and we had no idea what we were doing. Second time lucky, we grabbed a voucher of grabone and headed into a hot pot restaurant in the city in the hopes that the english would be better there. The food was pretty tasty, and we even tried taro as well. 

4. Went sailing in the Auckland Harbour
We were very lucky to get the opportunity to go sailing in the Auckland Harbour one afternoon with work. It was a long hot summers day and it was nice to relax on the boat and not really do a lot. We occasionally dangled our feet over the edge of the water, which got wet when we turned slightly. If you ever get the chance to sail in the Auckland harbour definitely do it as it is beautiful. 

5.  Tried a cooking class
I got given the opportunity to try a cooking class at Main Course in the Auckland CBD. I love trying new things, especially trying to make new foods so I gave the italian cooking class a go. I learnt how to make pasta from scratch and it was super delicious. I have made it once since, when I went home for a weekend as we don’t have a pasta maker. Fresh pasta really is a lot nicer than the packet stuff! 

6. Made (and ate) a lot of food!
Looking back though my photos during the year it seems I have become one of those people who take a lot of photos of food! Photos of food which has been prepared by me and food which I have brought, it doesn’t matter. I made a lot of things during the year, some of the things I am super proud of are my clean snickers cups, healthier lemon curd and my 5 ingredient chocolate mint bliss balls. 

7. Drove Wellington to Auckland
This trip was not one I wanted to take and it was undertaken on minimal sleep, at a guess it would have been around two hours of very broken sleep. This was earlier in the year when my Granddad passed away after being told the day before he was ill, I had flown down but ended up taking a cheap rental car with my uncle back up to Auckland. The whole trip was a bit hazy! 

8. Walked the Hakarimata Stairs in Ngaruawahia
The Hakarimata stair walk is one I had heard a lot about and had wanted to do for ages. One weekend we decided to give it a go on our way to visit Kyles parents. The walk is beautiful as most NZ bush walks are, the killer with this one is that there are a shitload of stairs! I thought we must have almost been there and then we came across the halfway sign! The view at the top is well worth it though and if you take your time (and a drink bottle) it is definitely doable for most people. 

9. Became a Personal Trainer!
After doing my accounting degree and post grad via correspondence I never thought I would go back for more study but I did. I went to night school to become a personal trainer and became qualified around mid way through the year. The qualification was mostly for my own benefit and will help you lovely readers to feel at ease knowing that I know what I’m talking about when I give you workouts 😉 Keep an eye out for some exciting stuff about this in 2015!

10. Deadlifted over twice my bodyweight
At the point that I had only been deadlifting for about a year I had a go at a double body weight deadlift, and achieved it! I have since done it a few times and even done it now for a few reps rather than just a one rep max which is pretty cool. I enjoy seeing my lifts increase in weight and knowing I am getting stronger. 

11. Played with the animals at Ambury Farm
I have posted numerous times over the past few months about going to play with the animals at Ambury Farm Regional Park. We have been three times now and I love seeing the animals and the fact that you can get up close and pet them all! It’s definitely an escape from the hustle and bustle of the city, yet only a short drive away. Definitely recommend for those who love animals or those with kids. 

12. Walked three mountains in one weekend
Okay, they weren’t super huge mountains but let’s not burst my bubble. We made a list of thing we wanted to do in Auckland and get to the top of the main mountains was on there. One weekend we headed up to the top of Mt Wellington via pedal power, Mt Mangere and Mt St John via foot. There are some super pretty views from the top of each mountain. 

13. Got my nails done!
I’d only ever had my nails professionally done once before, in Vietnam the first time I went and I only got it done because it was $1 and the other girls were getting theirs done, I promptly ruined it while paying for it! This time around I took advantage of a special deal, hunted around on pinterest and decided what I wanted, they were gel polish which luckily for me is pretty hard to ruin! 

14. We made the decision to move back to Wanganui and resigned from our jobs!
Due to a number of reasons, including the fact that a house is a lot more affordable, we made the decision to move back to Wanganui and resigned from our jobs just before the holiday close down period. We are moving back mid January and as much as I will miss living in Auckland and the friends I have made up here I know it is the right decision for us to move forward in our lives. 

 What did you do in 2014???? – Go on, leave me a comment, I love hearing from you!