My 2016 was possibly the biggest year of my life so far. With the most extreme highs and lows, and the hardest decisions I've ever had to make.
My year started in Sri Lanka with my family, the most beautiful country full of adventure yet plenty of relaxing. We spent most of our time in Hikkaduwa on the beach and learning to surf, we also visited Kandy to see the most incredible Buddhist temple and to Pinnawala to see the elephants in their natural habitat.
My next little venture was back to my hometown of Cleethorpes to visit family and of course, Kim. After a long wait, I could finally wrap my arms around him. I also went to my first UK gig, Neck Deep, with my cousin Jordee and Kim and met my friends Lois and Charlie at the Manchester O2 Academy. What an amazing night, my first experience of almost being trampled on in a mosh pit ha.
The next four months of my year were taken up by studying towards my IGCSE's. A brutal and long winded process, but in the end, all my hard work was totally worth it. All the extra classes actually turned out to be a laugh and I made some of the best friends, who also supported me through my decisions for the next step in my life, I couldn't of asked for better mates, and I know for sure they'll be for life, no matter how far apart we are now. And with that, I left school, with a splash, literally, we had the biggest water fight on our last day of high school together.
After leaving school, I had two weeks of pure mental memories. We all had such a great time with boat parties, clubbing, water parks, beach days and of course, my beloved Cyprian, where we all basically grew up ha! I turned 16 and had my leaving party and closed this chapter of my life in Cyprus.
With a very tearful goodbye, I packed my bags and flew to Ibiza for two months in the summer to learn my 3rd language, Spanish! I was met at the airport by a good family friend, who couldn't have been a bigger help. I settled into my language school and made some really awesome friends from all over the world. I was staying in Ibiza old town with a Spanish family, who didn't really speak much English. One night I barely slept and the entire of the next day I felt unwell. I left my class early to rest and received the most heart-breaking news. My uncle Will had passed at the tender age of 21. Immediately, I packed my bags and got the next flight to the UK, to be with my family.
For the next few months, I spent most of my time with my family. Being freshly moved back to the UK, I didn't really have any friends, as I have been living in Cyprus for the past 8 years - that's half of my life, by the way. It really proved to me how different people actually are, in the sense of actually making an effort with you in real life, rather than promising plans through a screen. Culture shock was definitely an understatement, it has taken me months to settle in, and I'm still struggling to make friends, ha, the people here are so different compared to Cyprus.
When I started getting myself out there more, I had some great times in the summer, such as my first GYPO fest! Not to forget Reading Festival - my 16th birthday present - which was secretly arranged between my mum and my best friends. They had to keep it from me for months! Reading was possibly the highlight of my year, 6 straight days spent with my best mates from Cyprus. This was where I literally almost died in mosh pits and had to be physically dragged out by my friend ha. It has been a lifelong dream to see RHCP and they were better than I had ever anticipated, I swear I felt my soul leave my body, it was that much of a heavenly experience.
In September, I started college. I made some good mates, but college doesn't really seem to be for me. With that, two weeks into college, I managed to land myself an apprenticeship, which is absolutely great, I work with some really awesome people and I'll be getting a Business Administration diploma from it too, which is a plus.
Then, the wedding of the year rolls around. Jordee G & Mikey B became Mr & Mrs Brompton! I think we all needed this absolutely amazing day as a family. Literally the best wedding I have ever been to. The build up over the past two years was ace, the excitement of my family got to the point we could all burst and the actual day completely topped it, better than I had even imagined!
A quiet few months passed and Christmas finally rolled around. I had been looking forward to this purely because my mum, brother and stepdad were coming over from Cyprus. Christmas was awesome, yet chaotic, as always, we have such a massive family, my brother and I struggle finding time to spend between everyone.
To top off the year, my mom, brother, stepdad and I went to Amsterdam for a short trip. What a beautiful place! We spent most of our time wondering round and sight seeing. The red light district was definitely... something. It was actually exactly what I thought it would be. We also found the Fault In Our Stars bench! I really cherish all the time I get to spend with them and I didn't want it to end!
I've learnt a lot in 2016. I've learnt to take things as they come, to keep strong, to work hard for what I want, to appreciate the time I have, to relax and to love with all of my soul.
