Is fantastic.
I am leaving for Fiji in 8 weeks. This has made me do a 180 degrees shift on how I’m looking at health and fitness. I was going to the gym twice a week, eating pretty much what I wanted, and whinging that I wasn’t losing any weight. When the realisation hit that Fiji is coming up quicker than I expected, I made a promise to myself to do everything I could to be in the best shape for it.
This has resulted in my alarm clock being set to go off at 5.50am each morning so I can hit the gym. Every morning. Without fail. And you know what? It is really easy to get up. I just tell my brain: what do you want more of? Sleep or weight-loss? Is an extra hour of sleep worth it?
The answer is no. Health and fitness is more important than 60 mintues of sleep.
I can see small results here and there, although this isn’t being reflected on the scales yet. But I’m determined to keep at it, because a lot of changes can happen in 8 weeks.
Along with my new found fitness, I have also made the decision to go brunette. It was a big decision, I have always been blonde, and I am a natural (medium-dark) blonde. So I am quite nervous about straying from my comfort zone.
Here is a photo of me now, and what colour I’ll be changing to:
I am hoping it will look good! Although I’m sure my gorgeous hairdresser Monique will make it look brilliant. I will definitely post photos on here when it is done!
As well as the fitness and the new look, I also have been progressing further with my editing, and will be opening up my own editing business in the next few months which I am really excited about. So stay tuned!
Categories: Life · travel
Where did the first month of 2010 go?? It feels like New Years day was only last week…
Anyway, I thought I should do an update on my resolutions/goals, now that a good 30 days has passed since I thought about them all. There are quite a few which I have seriously been way too busy to even think about (esp being more outdoorsy - I’ve had no time for leisure activities), which also defeats my ‘live slowly’ goal. For now, I don’t think life will slow down until after April, so I might re-adjust that goal, as it’s not worth beating myself up over. But two goals in particular are going well…
My goal to pay off personal debt by September 2010…I think I am actually able to pay this off earlier than my deadline date. Which makes me feel great! I just need to keep being disciplined with my money and keep that end goal in the front of my mind.
And my Diploma of Publishing – absolutely loving this course. I am feeling as if a new career is in the works. I’ve thrown around some business ideas and I think I will pursue this. I need a break from marketing full-time, and this is something that comes so naturally to me…I’ve been doing it for free for years, without realising I could actually make a career out of this.
So there you go. I am hoping to keep revising/altering my goals every month, to keep on track with them.
Categories: Life
I was tagged by the lovely Ami at Puff Pieces, to do a blog post on ‘10 things I don’t have the guts to do’.
This list was hard to compile! But I have come up with the following:
- Cold calling by telephone. I am not by any means a salesperson. It’s not in my blood. I come over all anxious whenever I’ve had to do it in the past – and I should of listened to my gut because it was one of the worst experiences I’ve had. Therefore I will never, EVER, have the guts to be one of those people who can just call anyone and try and make a sale.
- Confrontation. “Why can’t we all just be friends?” is pretty much my motto. I hate to rock the boat. And, like cold calling, any act of confrontation has me buckling at the knees and feeling nauseous.
- Moving to another country, alone. I’m with Ami on this one – I just don’t think I could do it. I can’t even fathom moving from my beloved Newcastle, let alone to another country!!
- Give up my animals. I could never be one of those pet-less people, I need animals around me, they keep me sane.
- Go to a solarium. I would never do it. With my skin type, I could get cancer extremely easily – I get worried when I sunbake under the Aussie sun, let alone going to a solarium where the UV rays are concentrated even more.
- Piercings. I have my ears pierced. I do not have the guts, and nor do I want to, get anything else pierced!!! This kind of goes for tattoos as well, although I’ll rethink that after I have children (I think it would be special to have their names tattooed on me).
- Be a professional athlete. I applaud those who are. The amount of time it would take…it would pretty much consume your whole life! I don’t have that much dedication to any sport, so I commend those who do – well done!
- Jump out of a plane and/or bungee jump…no thanks! I’m fine with other people doing it but it’s definitely not for me!
- Eat Tomato. I HATE it!! People think I’m weird.
- Give blood and/or willingly let people jab needles into me. I stole this one from Ami too, but it’s true. As much as I would love to give blood and help others, the thought of it makes me feel nauseous and faint. And at least Ami had the cervical cancer vaccine – somehow I managed to talk my doctor out of giving it to me, I know that’s really bad but it’s making me feel sick just writing about it!!
I’m not going to tag anyone per se (I’m feeling very lazy, and I think most blogs I read have been tagged already), but feel free to write your ‘10 things’ in the comment section!
Categories: Life
I am a bit of a mix. My mother was born in England, so everyone on that side of the family is English through and through. On my father’s side, though, is where it gets interesting.
My Grandmother, whilst being Aussie, had a Maori mother (why I wasn’t blessed with tanned skin I’ll never know). I only found this out a few years ago, as I never met my great-grandmother, but I now know where I get my stocky build from!! This also may be why I felt such a great connection when visiting New Zealand.
My father’s father was born in the Ukraine, and didn’t have a very good upbringing. He never spoke about it much, and it was taboo to bring his past up. He passed away in 2007, therefore my sister and I can only gather bits and pieces of what happened.
Apparently he was forced to flee the Ukraine at a very young age (maybe about 7 years old?), with no family and no possessions. Somewhere along the line he ended up in the US (or Canada??) and joined the army, where he eventually ended up in a Prisoner of War camp, which had devastating effects. I’m not sure how and when he got to Australia…it all seems very vague, as I said before, I’ve only heard snippets of information as it’s taboo. I am hoping to find out more when I start living with my grandmother in a few weeks – myabe she has some old photos stashed away too??
My sister and I are both fascinated with our heritage, and with our connection to the Ukraine. We’d love to find out more – and would love to find any family that we may have out there. Does anyone know how we could possibly find this out? Our last name, whilst extremely unique in Australia, is just like ‘Jones’ or ‘Smith’ in the Ukraine, which makes it difficult.
I am very keen to visit the Ukraine one day, although I know it isn’t safe. It suffers from poverty, political oppression and Russian dominance. But maybe it can give us some answers?
Categories: Life
January 12, 2010 · 1 Comment
Ami over at Puff Pieces has tagged me to post my favourite photo for Tara at Sticky Fingers‘ new meme.
I have cheated, and picked out quite a few. But I think one of them stands out. And that is of my mum, aged 20/21. She is an ex-model, and I feel that this photo captures her beautifully. She is the most stunning person, inside and out.
My other runners-up are:
Chris & me – Nov ‘09 at a wedding (I was bridesmaid). I love this pic. My sister captured us having a quiet moment to ourselves, and I love how it isn’t posed.
Chris & I, New Zealand 2008. This photo was taken of us on a glacier, just outside of Franz Josef on the South Island, only accessed by helicopter. Funnily enough, Chris had forgotten his sunglasses and could barely see! I love how the cloud behind us looks like an avalanche.
My Mum & my Dad – at the same wedding as my first runners-up photo..I don’t know why, but I just love this photo. My Mum looks great as always, and my Dad is the biggest joker I know - this captures his personality really well.
And lastly, my puppy and me. There are so many great shots of him, but I love this one. He was about a year old in this picture. I used to drop him at my Grandmother’s almost every day, and he always had to give me a cuddle before I left.
And there are many, many other favourite photos but I can’t upload them all…so I’m now tagging the following people, and asking…what’s your favourite photo and why?
Sandi at In The Thick Of It
Kerri at Life And Other Crises
Sarah at Wordsmith Lane
Emily at EmlyKD The Strange
Naomi at Under the Yardarm
Categories: Life
As I hear more and more 2010 resolutions getting thrown around in general conversation, it has made me think harder about mine.
I’d like to set time-frames for those financial goals, rather than just say ‘pay as much off as possible’. So my first realistic financial goal is to pay off my personal debt by September 30th 2010. Then I’ll concentrate on the mortgage. I believe that by setting a date, it’s harder to back out of the ‘promise’.
I am also contemplating giving up my morning latte -shock horror- as I’m sick of feeling crap if I don’t have my coffee hit (and plus more money at the end of the day!).
And I am also going to plan my time better…I’m sick of saying ‘I haven’t had time to go to the gym/do the dishes/clean the house/etc’ when I really have just been wasting time after work on Facebook. This time-planning will incorporate gym time, study time, and relax time…
I DO have the feeling that 2010 will be great. And even if I spend most of this year with little to no money, it’s because I’m well on my way to achieving those financial goals.
Categories: Life
I love the Christmas/New Year period. Even though I haven’t got into the Christmas spirit much this year (too many things on my mind), one thing I particularly love is writing those hopeful ‘New Year’s Resolutions’. I know they usually don’t last long, and have become the ‘thing to do’, but I still love it all the same.
For 2009, my resolutions/goals went something like this:
- To be more organised – yes and no. Everyone has their off days, I did seem to have too many of those unfortunately.
- To pay off all debt – erm, I kind of increased my debt by signing up for a mortgage! But this is a positive thing.
- To live a healthier life, eat more raw and natural foods and steering clear of those processed ones – this one didn’t really happen. I know I have eaten way more than my fair share of take away this year and I’m not very proud of it.
- To keep everything clean (housework, car detailing, etc) - this worked sometimes, but is still something I need to keep working on.
- Save for a holiday in Fiji – yes! Done! I am going in April and am SO excited!!
- To be the best bridesmaid ever (for my friend who was married in November) – there were many ups and downs but I gave it 100% and pushed myself to be there every step of the way and to be on-call. Draining, but worth it.
- To do my advanced driving course – yes! Accomplished with flying colours…
- To blitz my uni exams – I guess this is something you cannot really change, no matter how hard you study (unless you’re naturally gifted over various subjects). I got some brilliant and not so brilliant marks in 2009.
Now, for 2010….
- To pay as much off my mortgage as possible
- To become more outdoorsy – my partner LOVES camping, fishing, boating etc, and I need to get more into it. I’ve always been too girly when it comes to these things and I need to toughen up, enjoy life and experience what the outdoors has to offer. We live in such a beautiful country and I don’t think I am seeing enough of it.
- To live more slowly – this is a tough one because life can be HECTIC. But I want to de-stress, live better, and not rush through life.
- To get our house plans underway!
- To use my gym membership to its full potential…
- To finish my Diploma of Publishing
That’s all I can think of for now, without it getting too complex…
So, what are yours?
Categories: Life
My partner and I have bought a block of land.
It is a perfect little parcel of earth over in west Lake Macquarie, 400m from the lake, with views and no noise…quite different from the busy highway I live next to right now.
This is why I have been so busy. Between real estate agents, conveyancers, home loan specialists and the like, there has been little to no spare time – especially with Christmas now upon us!! But we have done it, and I am so proud of myself. Property by 23 (although I’m a late bloomer compared to my friends, who [almost] all had property by 21/22). And I have been so lucky to deal with a nice real estate agent and a FANTASTIC conveyancer, whom I’d recommend to anybody.
And now we just need to sit back and wait for settlement day to come around…!
Categories: Life
I have just started a Diploma of Publishing by correspondance…and I am LOVING it! I needed a change of scenery and this course has already started to increase my skills in the area of editing and publishing.
I have also been super busy in regards to a matter which has not been made official yet, but let’s just say that it is a very exciting, albeit busy, time in my life, and that everything is starting to fall into place!
Categories: Life · career
Finally the dust has settled.
I undertook my last uni exam for the semester yesterday. The wedding that was consuming so much of my time & energy is now over (and what a BRILLIANT day it was!). I have rearranged a few things in my life to make it simpler. I have also decided to go back to uni part-time, as this semester was so unbelievably stressful and time-consuming.
But I have one more thing to figure out…career. I do love marketing, I am just not sure whether I have the time, energy or passion anymore to keep my freelance business going. Mind you, I am still working as a full-time marketer at my other job, so I’m always going to be involved with it, for now anyway. But there are so many other things I’d love to do, that I keep dreaming about. For starters, I want to hone my writing skills, rev up this blog, and start doing some editing work. Perhaps also write some articles for publication?
I just feel like I need a change, a new hobby and passion. Something that I’m going to be excited about when I wake up each morning. I am not sure what to do with my modest little business, but I know something needs to change.
Categories: Life · career
