1. What were the highlights of this year?

This summer needed to be a good few weeks longer. Between Cornwall, festival fun, Olympics and Paralympics it was a fabulous and packed summer. Having tea on the Queen’s yacht with Paula, visiting ‘Hogwarts university’ with Flinderella and inking day with my friend Cat were also great days!

2. What was the low point of this year?

Going to my friend’s funeral was definitely a low point. January was a truly horrible and tumultuous month that I’d rather forget. December has been that way too.

3. Best Book I read

‘Father Fiction‘ by Donald Miller. I meant to blog more about this book, but never quite managed to get round to it.

4. Best quote from my visits to schools

“So, does childbirth hurt?”

This was asked after I had responded to the enquiry of two teenage girls who wanted to know about that ‘myth’ that you might tear during childbirth. They were quite horrified when I told them that it wasn’t a myth, and that it happens pretty much 80-90% of the time.

5. Best film I saw at the cinema

I think it was a tie between ‘Avengers Assemble‘ and ‘Skyfall‘

6. Best film I saw on DVD

‘Freedom Writers‘ – I ended up buying the DVD as I’d never seen the film (I had been put off by Hilary Swank at first), and also felt it was a bit like stealing the thunder of ‘Dangerous Minds’.

But I ended up really liking the film.

I also enjoyed watching ‘Soul Surfer‘ even if I found the portrayal of the youth worker a little bit too sugary!

7. Favourite TV Show this year

Unquestionably ‘How I Met Your Mother‘ – I got into it purely because we have a TV that we can see from the kitchen now, and it’s o E4+1 when I get home from work. I ended up getting the DVD of Season 1 and 2 which helped a lot in understanding the show, and now I’m not happy without my daily HIMYM fix.

8. TV Moment that almost made me cry

Watching Steve Redgrave pretty much peel one of the British rowers off a boat after they narrowly missed out on a Gold medal. Those two guys were so, so upset and I just felt so bad – because they couldn’t have done anything more, and they did our country proud by winning a silver medal. It was watching Steve just being so supportive, and almost protective of the rowing team members that made me wish there were more folks like that. Even got glimpses of his wife, Ann helping the rowers too.

The other moment was Chris Hoy getting his 6th gold medal. What a guy. I think he’s going to be the ‘Sir Steve’ of cycling in the coming years…

Oh…and how could I forget good ol’ Bert Le Clos! His emotions at watching his son beat his childhood hero for Gold were ‘unbelievable’. Britain loves you Bert!

Ok. There were too many Olympic moments on tv that made me almost cry!

9. Most listened to song this year

was apparently ‘Naked As We Came‘ by Iron and Wine.

10. Favourite worship song this year

‘Our God Is Love‘ – Hillsong

That was my background tune often while in the gym.

11. What  was the sporting highlight of 2012?

Oh my goodness, how do you pick? The boys winning the team Bronze medal in gymnastics which made me very smug, because I KNEW they could do it and they had been missed off most gymnastics journalists radars. Aly Raisman finally getting her Gold medal on Floor. Beth Tweddle finally getting an Olympic medal despite her knee injury. As I’ve said – Chris Hoy’s gold medals – let’s just say every moment in the velodrome. I’m loving we have a lovely bubbly non-whiny role model for women’s cycling now in Laura Trott. David Weir’s four medals in the paralympics (especially the one where he basically bust out his suit - just a great ‘weir wolf’ moment!!). And who can forget what it means to ‘chuck a Cundy‘? (although that goes down as a low point really). Alex Zanardi’s amazing handcycling in the paralympics. What a legend that guy is. Katherine Grainger finally getting HER gold in the rowing. Hearts winning the Scottish Cup. Daniel Purvis’ heroic performance in the European qualifications, and then the boys getting Team GOLD a couple of days later. Chad Le Clos and Ruta Meilutyte’s ‘surprise’ Golds in the pool. Ellie Simmonds and Jessica Long‘s fabulous performances in the pool. Jessica Ennis finally getting HER Olympic Gold.

12. Who would be my  ’person of 2012′.

Martine Wright.

Most of you probably don’t know who that is. If you don’t her story is told here.

Truly an inspiration, and if only more of us had the same kind of attitude and drive as Martine.

13. What I learned this year…

Church is where my friends are.

14. What I’m looking forward to next year…

I’m looking forward to great things that I can’t possibly anticipate.