New year, new start
As a world, we have overcome some of the challenges in 2012, witnessed some of the breath-taking events that may or may not have changed lives. As our calendar ticks over into a new year, 2013, people look to make a new start. Now I’m not talking moving somewhere or changing your career or starting your life over again, although some people might be doing that. I’m talking about cleaning the slates with your 2012 burdens, and starting fresh, looking forward to the new year.
Some of the events that took place around the world and made headlines…
February 6 – The Diamond Jubilee of Queen Elizabeth II marks her accession to the thrones of the UK, Australia, Canada and New Zealand.
March 15 – A year after the uprising in Syria began, the violence is still escalating and the UN has estimated over 8000 deaths.
Aida cries as she recovers from severe injuries after the Syrian Army shelled her house in Idlib, Syria, on March 10, 2012. Aida’s husband and two of her children were killed in the attack. (AP Photo/Rodrigo Abd)
April 13 – A North Korean Earth Observation Satelite, explodes shortly after launch.
June 5-6 – The century’s second and last solar transit of Venus occurs.
July 27 – August 12 – the 2012 Summer Olympics were held in London, with USA winning the medal tally, 104 in total. (My reflection on the games What about the Olympics)
September 11-27 – A series of terrorist attacks are directed against the US diplomats worldwide following the trailer release of the film Innocence of Muslims on Youtube.
October 14 – Austrian sky diver Felix Baumgartner does a record space dive out of the Red Bull Stratos Helium Balloon from 39 km over Roswell, New Mexico.
Image by Red Bull Stratos
November 16 – Far North Queensland was engulfed in darkness as the total eclipse took place. (You can read my article and view some pictures Solar Eclipse: A wonder of our solar system)
December 14 – Connecticut shooting at the Sandy Hook Elementary School which had 26 victims. (A poem for the Sandy Hook Victims)
Twenty-thirteen will of course be a new working year and a new schooling year. What awaits us in the year 2013 is a mystery but looking at what we have witness in 2012, I’m sure it will be an exciting, life changing and possibly a sorrow filled year.
What about the Olympics
As the Olympic year come to an end, we should all take an inspirational moment of the 2012 Olympics into the new year. For me personally, there have been some stand out moments of the 2012 Olympics and lets not forget the Paralympics.
We can all agree that no matter what country you’re from or live in, every athlete–able or disable have been an inspiration for us. But let’s not forget what the Olympics are all about.
Many people believe that the Games were created so that every country came come together and compete without having wars. I believe so as well, and many world sporting events are a good way for countries to live peacefully.
It’s a shame that while the Olympic Games are on, there’s still wars going on in the Middle East, Civil wars within the continent of Africa and general disagreement in countries. Anyway, hopefully this slowly changes in the near future but please don’t be ignorant to what is happening in the world and have ‘tunnel vision’ of your little world where you live. Don’t forget about those who are less privileged than you.
My inspirational moment of the 2012 Olympic Games:
Oscar Pistorius “Blade Runner” who competed in both the Olympics and Paralympics
Earth's Salvation 