I think it is fantastic that at age 38 I can still list off things that are ‘firsts’ in my life. Not just first in relation to my children - of which are many and brilliant - but in relation to me. This year alone has seen so many firsts that I am going to try and remember them all and list them here.

It is the first year I have had ‘girl friends’. I have always been a ‘guy friends’ kind of girl and also been very happy with my own company, but having friends who are girls and who share things and open up their lives has been wonderful. And the fact that these people are now not just words on a screen. They are flesh and blood and have their own accents and ideas and histories. This is a great first.

It is the first year since I was 18 that I walked into a pub alone. I am happy to report I have done it several times since LOL.

It is the first time I have done Nordic Walking - not something I am continuing long term but it was a great experience.

This year was my first City 2 Surf. And it was fantastic and will not be my last. As luck should have it I received my certificate in the post today and I have scanned it so you all can see what a clever little bunny I am. (later)

It was the first time I hula hooped. Now this was a real eye opener and something that I am continuing and plan to do as long as I can. It is fun, and funny, and challenging and a great way to let yourself go in a childish - free kind of way.

I became an Avon Lady. I am supposed to say Avon Representative but that doesn’t make me laugh as much.

It is the first time EVER that I have attended a Yoga class. I went to a BRILLIANT workshop run by Shiny Ruby. I went with Mary and Little Grover was there too, along with a number of other people I didn’t know. I had the best time and really got into it. I think I fell a little in love with something I never understood before.

It is the first time I strained/torn an intercostal muscle doing said brilliant yoga workshop. LOL. I thought I had cracked a rib and after thinking I was having a heart attack and where every breath I took in and out felt like I was tearing small pieces of flesh from the inside I went to my Chiro (after I had been to the Dr who diagnosed a cracked rib) who tested the area and reset the intercostal muscle and I am happy to report that the pain I had been experiencing almost instantly melted away. That is a first I don’t want to repeat again. BUT I will be going back to Yoga because that was fantastic

It is the first time I have weighed myself at a chemist. Yep I have decided that weighing in a slightly public area is what I wanted to do and rather than go to a ww’er meeting I picked a Chemist in the city and will walk there every Monday lunch and get my weight. This is why the starting weight is a bit higher than I would have expected but it is middle of the day, fully clothed versus morning, sans clothing weight. It is just a snapshot.

This year is the first time I registered to do a Tri-athlon. Yep, I am always inspired by Sue and when she did hers I went hunting at the time and couldn’t find anything appropriate for me to do, but after following a link from Phil’s post about her Tri training I ended up finding a great “Enticer Tri” that I will do in February 2007. Doing a Tri will be on my list of firsts for next year For you Tri enthusiasts out there this one is very little - 250m swim, 10k ride, 2.5km run. As you know the limit of my running is only about 2 light poles so this is the area I will be working on. But I am so excited that I have something to train for. It will help me to be a bit more disciplined about getting out there and doing it. (and anyone who wants to do it with me is more than welcome to check it out!)

It is the first time I have purchased a Dixie Chicks album!! Yes that’s what I thought too, but they have been in the press a lot lately in regards to the statements made in 2003 at a concert in London, and I have been so impressed by the way they have handled themselves with the media here. I may or may not agree with the sentiment expressed by them, but what I like, what I respect, is that they can articulate WHY they said it and not apologise for standing up for what they believe in. The single that has been getting the most attention “Not Ready To Make Nice” has some words in it which I think are really great.

I’m not ready to make nice
I’m not ready to back down
I’m still made as hell
and I don’t have time
to go round and round and round

They might have intended it to have one meaning but for me it can just as easily mean my relationship with my weight. I am not ready to make nice with it. I am happy with my body (sort of) and my self but not with my weight and I am not ready to back down and I am sick of going round and round and round so it is forward I go from here.

This year will be the first time I do archery, have a Christmas picnic in Sydney, and many other things. And next year I am going to continue to have firsts. Hopefully the reaching goal first will be amongst the mix ;D

Did you notice that the bulk of my firsts have all got to do with other bloggers - gotta love them all *mwah*

What have you done that is a first in your life this year?

(N.B. If you have any good vibes, prayers, wishes - please send them my Dad’s way. He is currently in theatre having a pretty major op and I just want him to come out of it. Everything else we will deal with later.)

Original post by M