2010 In Review

What a year! Instead of boring you with all the details of the journey that was 2010, most of which is chronicled heavily throughout this blog, I thought I’d share some of my highlights from the year - some humorous, some serious, some culture based, some exceptionally personal.

Best Reads of 2010

Never Let Me Go – loaned to me by my friend Fitzy (a reader & commenter on this blog!). When she gave it to me she wasn’t sure I would like it, but I adored it. I found incredible parallels between the characters discovery of what they were “planned for” with how we discover the truths about our own lives, going from believing anyone can be anything they want to be, to the realization there are constraints and barriers on us, some of which are impossible to remove. I adored the characters journey from a lack of understanding of the world, through to a phase of questioning (beginning from a place of trust – such parallels to childhood) to a total erosion of hope and realization our lives may never be what we thought they would. Exceptional novel.

Emma by Jane Austen.

When I first read Emma, I loathed her character. In short, I think at the time she represented all that I found distasteful – gossip, elitism, a total disregard for the feelings and needs of others and of course the entity that is “women who lunch”. Compared to Elizabeth Bennet of Pride & Prejudice, or Elizabeth Gaskell’s Margaret Hale, I saw Emma as perhaps what is wrong with society, a total self-absorbed existence, a boredom which leads to finding trivial pursuits to fill one’s time; and then I re-read Emma in 2010 and fell in love with the novel and had a new-found understanding of, or perhaps more correctly, appreciation for Emma. Instead of viewing her character with frustration I saw her as endearing, innocent, sweet-hearted girl who is on a journey, in many ways I realized perhaps she was aiming for self-preservation without the faith and awareness of Margaret Hale, or the education and spirit of Elizabeth Bennet. I did also jokingly wonder how on earth I’d cope if I had a daughter like Emma, my answer was I’d pray a lot ! I’m currently re-reading Emma for our book club and can’t wait to discuss it further!

Radical by David Platt. My friend Michelle bought me the book and it had such a profound impact on me, making me question whether I’m living in faith or by culture, whether I’m asking myself hard questions about my motivation and reflecting on whether I choose the easy/popular route instead of a path based on my faith. I emerged with a whole new understanding of “walking by faith”!

Best Films of 2010

Based on the true story of King George VI’s (Queen Elizabeth II’s father) nervous stammer and his beautifully evolving relationship with a speech therapist from Australia. I loved that it portrayed the “humanizing” of someone from “the institution” (aka the Royal Family) and that the audience saw the true beauty of love, transcending class differences, overcoming challenges, admitting faults and persisting. Beautiful.

Plus it had Colin Firth. I always have time for Colin Firth.

Another favourite film of 2010…

Made In Dagenham – A wonderful film about the sex discrimination faced by female workers in the 60′s and their walkout at the Ford Factory which was instrumental in the Equal Pay Act of 1970. What I particularly enjoyed about the film was seeing interviews with the real people behind the movie, women in their 70′s and 80′s being asked about their activism and not really understanding what revolutionaries they were and are {being a revolutionary is a lifelong status. Yes?}. To think women used to earn as much as 50% less (for doing the same job as a man) is just staggering, and while there is still rampant discrimination and social justice issues within capitalist societies, it is thanks to these women that we have moved towards more equality (at least at the superficial level…!). 

Best Novel Based Mini-Series

What can I say about North and South?? Where to begin?? While it wasn’t released in 2010, in 2010 I fell in love all over again with the series.  I’ve always maintained that each time I read this novel I fall more and more in love with the understanding that our voice evolves (and can be misunderstood), social justice, the fight against two-nation societies and it reignites my belief that love can be a process of falling for someone’s character, passion, conviction, drive, determination, voice, awareness, desires, strength, morality, action and compassion (something all together missing in mainstream modern society). The novel is revolutionary in its own right. Ms. Glaskell’s dignity, integrity and social conscience, her determination to enlighten people’s understanding of the poor, of the deplorable conditions factory workers exist in, is still a lesson we need 150 years later! North & South creates a piece of social history, an understanding that Britain was & is divided and polarized between the “haves” and “have nots”.  The novel moves my axis, my soul and my emotions like no other novel and the mini-series is majestic and beautiful, true to Ms. Gaskell’s mission.

Plus, there was Richard Armitage as Mr. Thornton. Ahem

Best TV

Spooks – I bet you are all surprised I didn’t use a picture with Richard Armitage in it, well the truth is the program is currently on repeat in these parts (and is named MI5) with the early seasons showing, so no Mr. Armitage yet. With or without Richard, Spooks is insatiable viewing, suspensful, addictive, frightening and oddly reflective {don’t you consider issues like anti-terrorism legislation, how involved a democracratic state should be in intelligence and what limits (self-impossed or systematically impossed) there should be on “commitment to the cause” after an evening spent with Spooks?}. I’m not sure why I’m so drawn to the program, while I love the suspense, I’m sure you all know I’m a real girl about these things, frightened easily and as anti-violence, anti-gun as they come. I’m not sure if it is because I considered joining MI5/MI6 in my early 20′s {although as I shared before a friend of mine who is a police officer gently explained such work would not be compatible with my “gentle soul”}, but year on year it pulls me and 2010, even with repeats, did not dissapoint.

Of course the real reason I may love it is the emotionally tortured and easily misunderstood male characters with strong moral compass’. Yes, such characteristics are a real weakness of mine….ahem!

Best Theatre/Musical Theatre

2010 was probably the year I saw the least amount of theatre, both for budget reasons and because I was traveling, but my friend Ed treated me to a wonderful night out to see Jersey Boys, which was simply spectacular!

Radio

Q – Jian Ghomeshi is the legend of radio! If you don’t listen you are seriously missing out on an exceptional mix of politics, culture, arts and media from around the world.

Blog Highlights of 2010

• Over 130 boxes being sent to ChinaKidz (I’m awaiting pictures from them, but yes boxes began arriving in early December and we should get our update soon!!!)
• Approximately 40 people who read this blog got in touch to say they began sponsoring a child because of one of the Help A Family Friday (or similarly themed) posts
• Several readers/friends began the fostering and adoption process

Your hearts move me to action and I especially want to say a big thank you to those that provide comments on the Help A Family Friday posts and who have become involved in any of the wonderful charities featured!

I also want to say on a personal level that I have, hands down, the most amazing blog readers. Over the course of the year people prayed for me, emailed me encouraging verses and notes of support, helped me with my car and upcoming huge goals/changes (more about this in 2011), sent me books, plant seeds & gifts, answered endless questions about knitting, sewing, cat ownership, being cold & skin quandaries (!). There will never, ever be enough words to explain what a blessing my readers are to me, I’m not sure how I’ll ever repay you as you do far more for me than I could ever do for you. Thank you!

Personal Highlights

There are so so many I could list, but to be honest there is just one that trumps all - it makes job promotions, newspaper mentions, awards and personal acheivements pale in comparison.  The true shining star of the year was caring for palliative babies and children while volunteering overseas. My days spent caring for babies and children, teaching workers about their needs and how to best care for these little ones. These children and fabulous people did so much more for me than I did for them; they challenged me, their stories shook my axis, they helped me find a voice and prepared me to be their voice. The experience moved me to a place I wasn’t sure I would (or should) ever recover from. They were my shining star, lives holding on with determination and joy, lives never ever forgotten!

{one of the treasures I cared for, he weighed 1 pound!}

2010 was a wild ride and a beautiful one!

Thank you for being here every step of the way, I look forward to sharing 2011!

A very happy New Year to you & yours!