Happy New Year to you all. I hope the festive season has done you more good than harm in all respects, and that you're optimistic for the year ahead.

It is traditionally the time for setting resolutions, but the fog of uncertainty that surrounds my 2016 seems to make resolutions moot - at least if you subscribe to the view that the only resolutions you keep will be the SMART ones (you can never really stop being a project manager). Instead, I'm heeding the wisdom of my sister: take each day as it comes. Needless to say, she would probably also recommend beer - surprise like from our (pictured) brewery tour? Mal du pays - a sour saison. Appropriate, really.

Thanks to the friends and family that made this Christmas full of good cheer - when you're thousands of miles from home, emails, skype calls, cards and tweets mean a great deal - almost as much as great hosts and guests that make sure you're fit to bursting with delicious food!

Back to New York, though - the sublime scent of pine along streets and avenues that made NYC distinctive in the run up to crimbo has been replaced by lots of sad, naked trees out on the sidewalks (and on their sides) awaiting collection. Must be a sign of tiny apartments, because it's not yet 6th January.

Until next time - share your resolutions! I'm sure there's a theory that those declared publicly are more likely to be fulfilled. Right?
xx