2013 in a nutshell: "Do Things"

One of my New Year's resolutions is so simple it makes me giggle. "Do things." Seems easy, right? But I, like you, I am sure, get busy and wrapped up in being busy, and although it's ironic that someone who spends all their work time writing about the best of arts and entertainment and food and other lifestyle topics would make a resolution like this - there it is.

Do things. Sometimes, I think, I get so busy writing about the things that there are here to do - and there are so very many, people - that I forget to go. Or rather, I forget to push myself to go. And it's always easier not to go, isn't it? Sometimes I think my life would have been easier if I'd never come to Abu Dhabi. Easier, sure. But about 80 per cent less awesome.

And although I do seem to take advantage of the travel opportunities that exist due to me working here - London, Berlin, Bali, Paris (right now!) and Kish Island, Iran (a blog post is coming up about THAT one, it was a doozy) - closer to home, I'm not always so good. 

But all that is about to change. In the next month I am going to try my hand (or hands) at Stand Up Paddle-boarding at Yas Marina through one of their free introductory evening classes. On January 31 it will be Kanye West at the du Arena (my friends all raved about his show 2010 show, which I missed) and sometime this month the much-anticipated relaunch of The Yoga Juice's instant-zen-in-Abu-Dhabi outdoor yoga classes, this time by the Emirates Palace marina. Stay tuned. Looking ahead, I have already said 'yes' to joining a friend for the Mariinsky Ballet: Homage to Fokine at Emirates Palace on March 14 at the Abu Dhabi Festival. Somewhere in there I am going to get to the Hyatt Capital Gate's Rayana Spa to get my face underneath an expert's hands for one of those organic, rejuvenating June Jacobs facials everyone is talking about.

And that's just for starters. And since I'm telling you about it, I am obliging myself to report back on the awesomeness.

Happy New Year everyone.