During a recent discussion with a friend, they pointed out to me that with the approaching new year we were looking at our fourth decade of life, despite both of us only being in our early twenties. Let me explain the reasoning behind this. We were born in the 1980s, decade number one, we saw the 1990s, decade number two, the “noughties”, decade number three, and now the 2010s or whatever lame name they dub this decade, decade number four. Certainly a way to feel older than you really are eh?

Here in Ireland, the country is freaking out over snow fall. There is talk of the country coming to a complete hault. Public transport has been massively affected, services finished early on new years eve, and did not run on new years for example, schools remain closed because of the poor road conditions hampering students travel attempts. The nation’s salt supply looks set to run out next week, so road conditions are set to get worse, unless the predicted shipments arrive on time. A number of different county councils are warning about water shortages also. So a postive start to the year as you can see, which provides yet more cannon fodder to critique the government.

On the other hand, I haven’t really ventured outside. Over Christmas my only reason to leave the house was to go feed my friend’s cat and check that her house was ok while she was out of the country. She’s now back and I’m still in my pijamas floating around the house.

I’ve started the new year with a new boyfriend who I care about very much, and we’ve both been talking about how this is going to be a very big year for both of us. I will be graduating from university with a BA in psychology – provided exam results and assignments go well! – he will be starting a BA, we’ll both have significant birthdays this year (though really turning 21 doesn’t mean anything over here, I can already drink, drive (not at the same time), vote, buy property, get married – so it doesn’t actually mean anything despite the trend to have a massive party to mark a 21st). I will be getting my first tattoo, G will be getting more, but he’s already covered in them, I will be running in the student elections, and hopefully if elected have a job for a year dealing with welfare related issues, he’s thinking about buying his gran’s house.

G made such a special occasion of our first new years together. He saw some things he thought I’d like so there were presents for me when I got over to his place, including a pair of shoes which are the flat version of the zombie heels that I got recently. We ventured out into the first of the snowfall to go to a gig in town where I got to meet more of his friends. On the way back to his, Eddie Rockets was the only place open where we could get something to eat which was a bit of a giggle as we were both looking very rockabilly/american 50s and had champagne at the house. I haven’t had a chance to see him since then, so missing him alot already, but I have studying for upcoming exams to distract me until next week when we’re going for dinner in Dad’s after my last exam.