As per usual Johnson household standards, Christmas 2012 saw another
manic, hilarious and joyous celebration – with the odd meal, gift and game
along the way!
Waking after a terrible night’s sleep – my inner child refuses to treat
Christmas Day with any less excitement than ever! – to the customary stocking stuffed
by Santa, which this year included the invaluable prize of a “virtual pet”
Tamagotchi (a device which is sure to be useful in all things distraction-based
as exams draw ever closer!) alongside the traditional chocolates and tangerine,
I was bowled over by the sheer quantity of gifts that the saint (or, more
likely, my enduring parents!) had brought with him this year round, as they
spilled out all over the floor. Plenty of unwrapping to be done later in the
day, then!
I always feel quite dazed by Christmas Day, largely by the generosity
of others, but also out of incredulity that it’s been a full year since the
last one – time really does seem to be flying ever since I started University.
The traditional Christmas stocking.
A wonderfully bright Christmas morning with snacks, Buck’s Fizz,
presents, this year’s tree and an oblivious cat.
Following a morning of listening to carols, watching a bit of Christmas
television, messaging best wishes to friends and family across the country, and
hard preparation for my mother and brother, the (competent) cooks of the house,
it was time for an absolutely scrumptious three-course Christmas dinner: tomato
soup, turkey with all the trimmings, and a beautifully-made Christmas pudding.
Delicious! I’ve been asked to point out that Brussels sprouts
were on
offer too, I just can’t stand them!
It was great to spend quality time with the whole family present,
appreciating one another’s company as well as the tremendous effort that had
gone into the food – miles away from the beans on toast and takeaways that I
hash together for myself on busy days!
The family, complete with appropriate headwear, tucking into a gorgeous
meal!
After everyone had finished (or, in the case of most, struggled to a
halt!), the games ensued with a few rounds of “cracker bingo,” although, rather
suspiciously, the caller ended up winning them all! And the less said about the
incident where, towards the end of a game, the number 69 token was read out to
be 96 (after we’d strangely had some “duplicate numbers” previously drawn), the
better! But it’s such small moments that I find stick in the memory and really
make the day, and the laughter it brought reminded me just how fortunate I am
to be surrounded by the happy, hilarious and joyful people that I am, up North
and in Southampton.
And so, absolutely stuffed, we all retired to the lounge for a few
quiet drinks, some present opening (for any technologically-minded folk, mine
included a Raspberry Pi, so any suggestions for future projects would be
greatly appreciated!), a viewing of the Muppets’ Treasure Island (originally
due to be their Christmas Carol retelling, but we couldn’t find the DVD!), and,
finally, a few rounds of the QI board game (which, of course, made us all feel
academically inadequate!), when the tiredness from earlier excessive
consumption began to take its toll. The day ended relatively early, but was as
special as it always has been – I hope you enjoyed yours as much as we did!
So with the passing of Christmas comes the slow winding down of 2012
and, as revision begins to click into full gear (as well it needs to!) for
January exams, these few days offer a period in which to reflect on what has
been quite simply an incredible year.
I couldn’t have predicted the range of experiences I’ve had over the
previous twelve months; from fully getting to grips with the independent
lifestyle in Southampton in terms of cooking and other general responsibilities,
to meeting great friends through all sorts of academic, dramatic and other
avenues both North and South, receiving my first ever University-level exams
and results, tackling the demands of second year, trying out activities like TV
hosting, stand-up comedy, directing, dancing and singing, bidding a sad but
very fond farewell to my brilliant Grandma, travelling independently for the
first time in attending the glorious Olympic Games (I’ll never be able to
forget that opening ceremony rehearsal!), building up funds and work experience
through part-time summer work, moving in and out of accommodation and managing various
installations and accounts for the house, and just having fun throughout, it’s
been a learning experience from start to end, hopefully developing me as a
person, certainly doing so as a student!
As I continue into the New Year trying to make the most of the gifts
that life has offered me in the form of health, friends, family and
opportunities, I know that 2012 will be remembered fondly – excluding the
heartbreak supplied by my beloved Manchester United, that is - and I sincerely hope
that you’re able to say the same. If not, then Tuesday sees a new year – so
let’s make the most of it!
Here’s to health, love, and a Happy New Year for all! Bring on 2013!
Robin
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