Alternative advent calendar #3

I always get a bit reflective at this time of year.  The past 12 months have been a real mixed bag for me and MozzyMr, frankly it hasn't been an awesome year but there have been a number of firsts this year that I am really chuffed with:

• First visit to Ireland
• First visit to Dublin
• First time celebrating St Patrick's Day (in Ireland)
• First time being on strike and attending a union rally
• First visit to Turkey
• First visit to Istanbul
• First time being a manager
• First ETSY shop selling stuff I made rather than vintage items
• First (and hopefully last) cracked rib
• First time I have been blown away by a cultural experience (The Drowned Man)
• First time celebrating Norway Day
• Witnessing my nieces first holiday abroad
• First time I attended a march against the EDL

How about you, what firsts have you experienced this year?