2015: A Year in Review
Sunset over Bali
Here we are at the end of a year that has gone by so so quickly. 12 months ago I stood on a beach on Bali, Indonesia and saw in the new year with my newly married friends Karine and Juvens. After sweating a lot of the small stuff and working my guts out in 2014, I decided that 2015 would be the year in which I let go, and had fun. There were just a few things I needed to get out of the way first.
OMG it’s tangible!! The first printed copy of Pakistan Traveller by UrbanDuniya
Like launching my first book, Pakistan Traveller by UrbanDuniya, the most comprehensive and up-to-date travel guide to Pakistan since 2008. The soft copy launched on 23rd March (Pakistan Day), and the paperback copy on 14th August (Pakistan Independence Day).
with grandma on her 90th birthday
I travelled to Sydney in March to celebrate my grandmother’s 90th birthday, and again in June for my father’s 60th birthday.
Oh Chennai…
I went back to Chennai after two and a half years, and had a rather spiritual moment as I realised some things that were long overdue. Then, in April, I returned home to Lahore, where I began to have the long awaited party that 2015 was meant to be. I’m so lucky to have some of the people around me, who make my life what it is. Special thanks to all my people back in Australia who are my rocks – you know who you are.
Memories from Lahore, 2015
2015 was fun, and it was also tinged with sadness – with the loss of my cousin in late November.
with Amanda at her 41st birthday party, November 2014
Amanda always talked about how she was blessed beyond measure, and I feel that would be a good theme for beginning 2016; reflection. Earlier this year I attended an e-retreat hosted by self-described nomadic soul sherpa Sarah Chamberlain – not only was it vital and beautiful, but inspired me to think (even) more about my life, and myself.
So this year, 2016, is the year of taking it easy – about mindfulness, and the value of life’s moments.
At Naran Kaghan in May, 2016
It’s also a year of travel; Sydney, Karachi, the Karakoram Range, Dubai, Austria, Switzerland, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Belgium, the Netherlands and Germany are all in the (rather exciting!) pipeline. I’ve also got two new books in the works – one for release in mid-2016, and one for release in 2017 – so stay tuned!!
To UrbanDuniya, my online home – in 2015 I launched UrbanDuniya video, a weekly video update on what’s happening in the duniya, and a chance to be there at events in Melbourne, Lahore, Sydney and Chennai. While viewership growth is still small, it is growing, and I really enjoy bringing you something new each week, to bring to life the content on the main site.
In 2016, there will be more of the same – video, photography and writing from around the duniya. In 2016 I will also launch UrbanDuniya News Alerts, fast Facebook videos bringing major news events from Melbourne, Lahore, Sydney and Chennai as they unfold.
with a few of my favourite people!
Finally, thank you to all of you, the readers, friends, family and followers, for making the site what it is today. I wouldn’t keep doing what I’m doing if it wasn’t for all of your support. In my site’s name, Urban refers to the cities which I call home, and duniya refers to all of you – the people who are my world. You are all part of the duniya, and I thank you.
Thank you 2015, the year of fun. Here’s to 2016, the year of mindful bliss!
Oh Tim, what a year it’s been – so many highs and lows. I am beyond grateful to be part of your Duniya and am sending you endless blessings for an amazing 2016. The journey continues! Keep shining, my friend xxx
It has been an amazing year, and I wanted to thank you my friend for being part of it. 2016 is going to be great, I just know it – keep shining and keep smiling 🙂
here’s to 2016! nice memories!
Great memories, and thank you for being a part of it, Andrew!! Happy New Year!!
MashaAllah, an amazing sum up of an amazing year. I am so glad to be a part of it and to know such a wonderful friend, writer, adventurer, traveller, food lover 😉 and much more. Wish you best of luck for everything you aim for in the coming year.
Thank you so much Asma! I’m glad you could be a part of it too! Happy New Year 🙂
WOW friend! What an amazing, awesome and adventure filled year you had. I am so pleased I got to join you as you fulfilled your 2015 goals and aspirations.
Thank you for allowing me to be a part of your world, for your love and support when I needed it most, for all your thoughtful comments on my blog, for the shout outs on your social platforms, for the coffees and catchups we shared, for taking my mind away from the negative thoughts with a trip through streets, beaches, mountains and plates in foreign lands, but most of all…. for getting that bloody awful song Friday, stuck in my head for weeks on end.
Wishing you a beautiful, fun filled, fabulous 2016! Biiiiiig hugs and love coming at you! See you soon. xo
PS: A couple of my new years resolutions include posting every week, starting a fortnightly vlog, 3 overseas adventures, reach 30k following on Twitter, spend more time with my friends and favourite people, do more of the charity gigs and use my voice to raise awareness and find 10 reasons to smile every single day. Yay! 🙂
Great New Year resolutions!! I can’t wait to see your vlog – that’s what I’m all about nowadays 😀 Thanks for being there too, my friend, and thanks for reading 🙂
looks like you had a pretty great year! i hope 2016 continues to bring you great things…and i can’t wait to hear about your visit to luxembourg! happy and safe travels! xx
Thanks! You too 🙂