Yes, its that time of year again, a time when I've had tea really late, drunk a bit and can't be bothered going to bed. Its also the end of my second year at University, which I feel is more important than the aforementioned sleeplessness. I was returning to our house today and felt that reflecting on the various goings-on of the year was an important task. Indeed as with every other year its seen some large events, some significant changes.

I've had a year now of living in a house, away from the parents and away from the more regimented and looked-after confines of college. Thinking back to the relatively uncaring mindset I had when choosing a house I realise how lucky I've been to have been in such a wonderful place for nearly a year. Also looking back I realise what a good decision I made living with my current housemates - if any of you happen to be reading this, you're brilliant. Of course that on its own would do a disservice to my other friends, all of whom have been excellent throughout the year. I've gained plenty as well, through getting to better know those in my year, and meeting people in the year below. Naturally one large area for meeting people has been skydiving.

Anyone who actually reads my blog will doubtless be finding this old news, but my entering into the crazy world of skydiving has to rank as one of the largest changes. This time last year the thought of skydiving was merely one of those things I'd heard about once (something that Stuart from Blue Peter did once, for those in my year who remember). Now its a major hobby of mine, taking up much random thought time previously dedicated to random amusing animals. At that point I must mention that despite the llamas from last year seemingly vanishing, the two new llamas are also great.

With making friends and finding new activities comes loss. Today I've said goodbye to two amazing friends who are leaving for their year's abroad, and in just over a week I will have said goodbye to four more. I am acutely aware that for none of them is it truly goodbye as all will be back in a year's time, but to think that I've got to know all of them so well over less than two years since meeting them, it is saddening to loose them for more than half that time again. Lest the fractions overwhelm, in the past year I've also lost a relationship of way over two years. I've written about this before and don't wish to do so again, but I must be honest when considering changes in this year. Still, as I loose I may also gain, as a few days ago I received the news that the hard work and stress of exams and assignments this year paid off, and I am once again pursuing a Master of Engineering degree here, rather than the Bachelor's which I've been assigned too the past three terms as a result of my poor efforts (read, enjoying myself too much) in the first year.

So overall I'd consider this year a success - I'm still alive, I'm still me, I've explored some amazing new areas and continued to tend some fantastic friendships. In a day's time I will be departing for my first ever holiday outside of the British isles, and I'll be bringing a notepad and a camera to record what I can. Time to continue, in true Doctor Who style, that journey through time and space.