Mari30
In January I wrote a list of 14 things I was looking forward to do in 2014, so as the year draws to a close, the big question is, did I achieve my goals? Well let’s find out…

  1. MC TV

At the top of my list was launching my own You Tube Channel and it went live earlier this year. If you haven’t seen it yet take a look:

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCBkBNjonwhmnJwfW0fUifww?sub_confirmation=1

Screen Shot 2014-12-29 at 22.20.57

  1. A Roaring Success

This was the hope that my partnership with the talent agency Dragon Personal Management, who I signed with last December, would be a positive one and it certainly has been. I also teamed up PMG management later in the year who coordinated my new branding and website.

My new logo

My new logo

 

  1. Frenchie Fun

After I bought my fantastic French Bulldog Pierre in 2013 a friend told me about a group called “The French Bulldog Owners of London” which meets once a month in Regents Park. So in January, Pierre and I headed to the ‘Big Smoke’ to join more than 100 other Frenchies and their owners! It was certainly a day to remember.

Meeting fellow Frenchies

Meeting fellow Frenchies

 

  1. The Wales Report

This time last year I was working on the brilliant BBC series, The Wales Report. It was a fantastic show to work on, and after working behind the scenes as a VJ, I stepped back infront of the cameras as a Reporter later in the year.

Outside Cardiff County Court for The Wales Report

Outside Cardiff County Court for The Wales Report

 

  1. Keeping it Real

I was also working as a news presenter at Real Radio Wales, a role I loved. A few months ago the station was rebranded as Heart FM and I had the pleasure taking to the airways on the new look station.

My newshound Pierre with my colleague Chris at Real Radio

My newshound Pierre with my colleague Chris at Real Radio

 

  1. Those Who Can Teach

In January I was planning to do more corporate work this year and I’m pleased to say that I joined the team at Weltch Media to host regular media training sessions in Cardiff.

One of my media training interviews for Weltch Media

One of my media training interviews for Weltch Media

  1. Trying Hard

It’s a tough job but someone has to do it, so in January I vowed to support the Welsh Rugby team by attending their home matches. I’m pleased to say I was there last month when Wales beat South Africa, and I went one better too! I set up a little test to see if my dog could guess who would win each of Wales’ Autumn Internationals by going to either the plate of food next to the Wales team logo or the plate by their opponents logo and he managed to get all of them right!

Pierre's Predictions

Pierre’s Predictions

 

  1. Becoming an Ambassador

Earlier this year I was very proud to be officially unveiled as an Ambassador for Marie Curie Cancer Care.

With friend and fellow Tv Presenter Matt Johnson at the Marie Curie Garden Party

With friend and fellow Tv Presenter Matt Johnson at the Marie Curie Garden Party

 

  1. Springing into Action

As massive storms battered Britain last Winter, I was looking forward to the Spring when my tortoise, Tilly, was due to awake from hibernation. She woke from her slumber in fine and health and was joined in my garden this year by two new friend, Sophie and Norbert who I adopted from the International Tortoise Association.

Tilly, Sophie and Norbert

Tilly, Sophie and Norbert

 

  1. Walking With Giants

At the end of last year I booked a trip to Thailand to volunteer at an elephant sanctuary. The experience was truly life changing and it has now become my Passion Project – I hope to return to Elephant Nature Park soon to make a documentary about the amazing work they do there.

Meeting the residents at Elephant Nature Park

Meeting the residents at Elephant Nature Park

 

  1. Making Hay

Every year I promise myself I’ll go to the Hay Festival but some how I have always either away or working, so this year I was determined to go, and I did finally make it!

Posing for photos at Hay Festival for the BBC's Horizon Campaign

Posing for photos at Hay Festival for the BBC’s Horizon Campaign

 

  1. Testing Times

I have been working on a London Academy of Music and Dramatic Arts Diploma for a while now and hoped to complete it this year, however, my work and social calendars have got in the way, but I know I’ll do it one day!

 

  1. Hollywood – Here I come!

In January my brother and sister-in-law moved to LA and I was hoping I’d have chance to visit them. Well in September I boarded a plane and spent two weeks with them in the Hollywood Hills! I

On the Hollywood Walk of Fame (my hands are the same size as Matt Damon's!)

On the Hollywood Walk of Fame (my hands are the same size as Matt Damon’s!)

 

  1. Expect the Unexpected

I’m always open to exciting new opportunities and 2014 provided me with one of the biggest career chances I’ve had to date. On 15th October I co hosted the launch programme for a brand new television station, Made In Cardiff TV and I now have my own nightly show, What’s Occurrin’, Cardiff?

Launching Made In Cardiff TV with my co-host Daniel Glyn

Launching Made In Cardiff TV with my co-host Daniel Glyn

 

So 2014 has certainly been a great year for me; fingers crossed next year will be half as good!