Good-bye 2012, it's been a slice.

I think it's safe to say that 2012 has been the most eye-opening year of my life to date. By the end of it, I've comfortably gathered my bearings in a new city and have created a healthy, fun-filled and exciting life for myself - sharing it with my amazingly supportive and loving boyfriend, Steve.

But we didn't get here overnight. Let's rewind a little: three months prior to the new year, I had fallen tired with my home town, Victoria, BC. I hopped on a plane with a carry-on and my dog, Saydee. I came to Edmonton to explore somewhere different from everything I had ever known. Knowing no one in Edmonton except my mom, step-dad and younger brother, I traded ocean views and morning walks along the boardwalk, for industrial views and flat land. What. Was. I. Thinking? By January, I had no idea what was to come of 2012 - my life felt chaotic, unorganized and uncomfortably spontaneous. At first, everything was new and exciting - job, people, places.. but this quickly shifted from new and exciting, to stressful. I was definitely naive, I trusted too much, and I took a lot for granted. And from this, I learnt some invaluable life lessons that can only be learnt having thrown yourself into unfamiliar environments, head first.

Cliche, but it's true.. The grass is greener where you water it. As a general rule to life this is true, but it's especially applicable to friendship and love. Love can grow into something great, filling your heart and soul with an energy that's uplifting and inspiring, generating a positivity that can beam through you in every word you speak. But this takes dedication to one another, a willingness to grow together in love and not apart - and a conscious effort to do the same - because love isn't something that's owed to you. If you have it, you can't assume it will last forever without effort. Tell that person you love them, speak to them out of love, and treat them how you want to be treated in return. Live positively together. Create life goals together, travel places together, laugh, support and inspire each other to be the best person possible, and in turn, when one of you falls down the other will be the first to lift you up. That is love to me. That is a lesson 2012 taught me.

The same can be said for friendship. This, too, is not owed to you and it takes effort from both sides in order for it to grow into something amazing and life-long. It means being the friend to other people that you wish to have yourself. When your friends fall down, either lift them up or lay down beside them until they're ready to face the world again. Things change, and friends come and go - but you're always going to have those few people in your life that you know are life-long friends - show them you love them, call them often, never speak ill of them, inspire them and take inspiration from them - grow into a better person because of them. That's what my friends do for me, they are my family. I love them, and I'm so thankful I can enjoy my life with such fascinating human beings. This year has taught me the importance of loyalty and trust in friendships, and to never take for granted someone you connect to who displays such qualities honestly.

My moms wedding party

Lessons aside, 2012 had a lot of fun to offer as well. We traveled to Invermere, BC to enjoy a cabin get-a-way and splash in the Radium Hot Springs, flew to Victoria, BC in June to see my mom get married; I traveled to Vancouver in October to celebrate birthdays and visit with friends and family. I went to Las Vegas with my girlfriends to see the Electric Daisy Carnival.

There's been countless concerts and shows: Tiesto, Armin van Buuren, Steve Aoki, Mother Mother, The Black Keys, Jon & Roy, Bob Dylan - to name a few.

Las Vegas, EDC 2012

Now with 2012 coming to an end, it's time for a new adventure: six of us are packing up our bags, saying good-bye to our homes, and going backpacking for four months. Myself, Steve, Carly, Justin, Jenny, and Ryan are all going backpacking together for four months, beginning March 2nd, 2013. With no real regimented plan, we've booked our flights and have decided we're starting in Nadi, Fiji. We'll take the Bula Ferry and venture out through the Yasawa Islands, moving on to New Zealand two weeks later. After two to three weeks in NZ, we're headed to South East Asia for two months (Bangkok, Cambodia, Vietnam, Laos, possibly Indonesia), and who knows after that!

So here's to the end of 2012, and to the start of an adventure filled, fabulous 2013 with some of the most amazing best friends and people I know. I've created this blog as a means for friends and family to follow our travels as we go, so I hope you enjoy the read and I hope you have a healthy and positive start to your new year, too!

Chels xx
Instagram: @chelseakop