Tucked away in the South of France
in the Alps
is this cute resort town called: Tignes
I lived and worked there in the European Winter of 2010.
I remember those blissful days of being out snowboarding.
I felt so alive.
I listen to the increasing of the travel bug volume in me
One day, again
The slope races beneath my board
The fresh morning air brushes across my cheeks
The blue sky, the back drop of the sheer splendour of those mountains
Heart racing
As I quicken downwards
Bliss
And I don’t want it to go either… in fact it’s dwelling in my heart already:
“I live in a very small house, but my windows look out on a very large world.” Confucius
(THE second picture, I took when I lived in Tignes, France)
I don’t have much.
I stay in a small garden cottage.
I drive a small car.
I use my bicycle as transport more often than others.
I don’t own a second home. (Not even a first one.)
I drive live with little.
And when I came across this quote this week, I smiled. this feels like my life maxim:
I have seen some of the large world already
Excited to see so much more.
Life is about perspective.
Open your eyes.
But first you may need, to open your curtains…
2010, I would do it again:
31 December 2010
This year rocked. The year I turned 30; it was epic indeed!
I experienced a lot.
I had some hard times during the year, but by the grace of God I got and get through. (Same with you, I believe that is true).
But now is to focus on the string of awesome things I did. One heck of a beautiful rollercoaster ride:
The Adventures of the Hoff:
(God as my guide and provider)
1) It started within me living in the French Alps, snow-boarding almost every second day. Surrounded by the sheer size and beauty of the Alps was breath taking.
2) Discovering some of east and west Germany
3) Seeing the pretty city of Bath
4) Travelling with my dad to Scotland and seeing some sights; the loch ness and the summer isles.
5) Went back home to be part of the World Cup 2010 fever. One of the most valuable moments in the healing and progress of our beloved nation.
6) Watched some live soccer games.
7) Experienced the UK through my mom’s eyes; seeing The Lion King and the Isle of Wight too.
8) Saw the Winter X games in Tignes (France)
9) Ticked off some Polish places on my list of travels
10) Learnt more about love and got to be loved and learnt to love in return.
11) Went to my first UK sandy beach, Bournemouth with a friend.
12) Went to Belgium, just to see Blink 182.
13) Got to see some other awesome bands: Thrice, Hawthorne Heights, Anberlin, Paramore and Parlotones (SA band here in the UK… home came to visit)
14) Got to share the love and joy of Jesus with some young people, young families and my new church.
15) Had my whole family and some friends at my induction service here in Bicester. (Cool, that my whole family was here to be part of that)
16) Experienced a lovely African safari experience again.
17) I am driving again. I got myself some wheels… listening to music in my car… awesome indeed
18) In June while surfing a pod of dolphins surfaced around us and played in the waves… right near us…that was incredible!
19) I saw the Stonehenge rocks and went to Land’s End (furthest south west tip of the UK)
There are more experiences I could jot down; but this is what I recall for now as 2010 draws to an end…2 and half hours to go…
Why do I write this? Because I can…because I’d like to take stock of my life; and maybe to encourage you to realise your life is awesome too. Just remember to count your blessings
See my photos from this year here:
Best of 2010 photo album
Of Colours and Discovery 