At the end of the year I always like to reflect and count the many Blessings that I have been given – so that the world knows that I appreciated them and will keep them flowing. So as the year draws to a close I am writing down the highlights of the year gone by so that I can see how things have developed when I do this next year.

• The Institute of Public Policy and Research include me in the publication for the ‘North-west top 50 boldest and brightest’ 
• YHP names me as ‘one to watch’ for 2011
• Passed PhD Viva examination afte r 5 hours defending my thesis on ‘The Numerical Solutions of Weather Derivatives and Other Incomplete Market Problems’
• Moved back to London after sp ending a total of 8 years in Manchester (I certainly did a lot of growing up in that great city).
• In Feb 2011, decided to follow my dreams by working on developing and expanding GiveMeTap rathe r than seeking employment – life has never been the same since I made this decision J
• March 6^th 2011, woke up on to find that GiveMeTap has made the front page of The Observer insert The New Review – this led to us selling out of GiveMeTap bottles within 2 days.
• I went back to Manchester o n March 9^th to sit on a panel to provide insights into starting an enterprise.
• Partnered with amazing crea tive design agency called Squint Opera – who agreed to support GiveMeTap with all the graphical and design work! These guys are amazing!!!!!
• Invited to Google HQ to represent Future Leaders and speak with young computer scientist.
• Invited to The StartUp Britain  event
• Turned 26^th on April 10^th!!
• Hogan Lovells agrees to support GiveMeTap with pro-bono legal support
• May arrives and the GiveMeTap bottles sell out again.
• GiveMeTap now operates in 4 cities: London, Manchester, Bury and Salford.
• Awarded the ‘Most Outstanding Student Entrepreneur’ by UnLtd.
• A keynote speaker at the Powerlist Foundation’s Leadership Summer School, sponsored by Deloitte
• Launched the new stainless steel GiveMeTap bottle and Limited Edition T-Shirt
• Rewarded myself with a two week vacation as a reward for passing my PhD viva.
• August first intern, Yetty, joins GiveMeTap after learning about what we do at the Summer School.
• On return from vacation I finished The Three Peaks Challenge climbing the three tallest mountains in England (Scaffell Pike), Wales (Snowdon) and Scotland (Ben Nevis)
• Invited to the House of Lords on September 8^th to receive the ‘Rare Rising Star’ award
• Within a month of joining, Yetty takes GiveMeTap fans to over 1,000 – woo hoo!
• Attended the Future Leaders awards in September and met with amazingly talented black students (and Boris Johnson).
• GiveMeTap stall set up at the London Thames Festival - met so many amazing people who really understood what w e are doing at GiveMeTap!
• On September 31^st resubmitted my PhD thesis with corrections. Relearned the meaning of hard work - working 19-20 hour days. Glad this is done now – Phew….
• Spent some time reflecting on my pers onal direction in life and making sure that I was on my own track. My spirit was truly tested. Juggling studies, work, personal life, health, family life, finances, etc was very tricky, so this time I had by myself was crucial for reminding me why I do what I do, and how best to go about doing those things.
• First time on TV in almost 15 years where I was invited to sit in the audience on the BBC3 Up For Hire show.
• Had to cancel my 10-day meditation trip due to lack of cover at GiveMeTap, but this was a blessing because it motivated me to hire people to join GiveMeTap.
• 16^th November, won The Virgin Media Innovation Challenge with a team of great guys – see the picture :)
• Completed a speaking tour at Kings College, Southampton Solent University, University of Manchester, Nacue Conference, Deloitte New Entrepreneurs Foundation.
• After speaking at several events I was approached by several people interested in joining GiveMeTap as interns - now there are 5 interns working at GiveMeTap :)
• Invited to meet Sir Richard Branson at his book launch in November – and also met with Sir John Bird (The Big Issue).
• Started reading The Alchemist for the 2^nd time – so many new insights found during the second read.
• Spent Christmas with my wonderful family
• Today I am Alive!

 Stay blessed and Love Life!

Edwin