(This article was originally published in January 2010 and is visible now so that readers can look at what was happening on the Costa Tropical back then.)

Well, as the end of the year approached and the Christmas party invitations came in, we also had a number of invites to ‘farewell dos.’ Now my feelings were quite different, as when I get an invite to a Christmas party I know there will be lots of tinsel and glitter with the jingle of old favourite Christmas songs. I excitedly pull out my little black dress, knowing there will be a definite dancing atmosphere. I love that!

With the farewell celebrations, I am always uncertain as to what kind of gathering it might be. Maybe a civilized sit around a table or buffet, making lots of small talk about the excitement of a new life, or maybe a slagging off of the current environment and the challenges it has brought us over the last year. Then again, maybe the room would divide into two, for a full blown ‘for and against’ debate!

I remember when people thought that seeing two adults, three dogs and a gas bottle all balanced on a moped was funny or a dumper truck reversing through the town with three workers hanging off the sides! What used to be funny stories are now an irritant.

So why do people do that? Why do they trash what they are leaving? Do they understand how it feels to those of us that are happy and content, or even those of us that have decided to tough it out?

I accept we should respect the courage of people returning to their home countries for the challenges and changes they will face, however, on the other hand, the people leaving should respect the feelings of those people choosing to stay and keep Almuñécar as their home. Whatever decision you make, it is the right decision for you and your family at that moment in time. Indeed, the biggest mistake is to not make a decision, like a rabbit in headlights not knowing to run left or right; it just ends up a mess!

2010 is the beginning of a new decade, how apt is that for getting our act together and sorting our life out…fight or flight. Let’s be tough on ourselves, rather than making a few half hearted New-Year Resolutions that fall by the wayside on the 2nd January, why not make this year different and take a really good hard look at the aspects of our lives that we want to improve and then commit to making it happen. I guarantee that you will feel happier and more content once you know where you are going and how to get there.

However, whatever you do, whether it be giving up smoking, losing some weight, improving your earnings, learning more Spanish or relocating, it is important to remember that you are doing it for yourself. Don’t allow yourself to think negatively about a situation or behaviour, as then you lose sight of what you want to feel and achieve yourself. You may instead become bogged down with sour grapes! We are all individuals and what is good for one person is not necessarily the same or another.

However, on New-Year’s Eve last year, I stood up in the local pub and said it was time to get ready. On the stroke of midnight I wanted every husband to be standing next to the one person who made his life worth living. Well, it was kind of embarrassing. As the clock struck 12 – the bartender was almost crushed to death.

(Opinion/expat views)