Back to a bit of normal

I was just reading back over my last post, wow was I mad. Sorry about that bit of negative mental spludge but thanks so much for your thoughts it really helped a lot. I don't usually have brain wattage shortages like that so I was probably due one. ;o)

I'm glad it didn't last. I went to a pump class at the gym at lunchtime on Friday so that took the edge off & we went to play squash after work. So I really hammered there too so that defo helped. I'm so glad I did cos I would have seriously been pissed me off with myself if I carried it over to the weekend. But all good, got home & was pleasantly tired from all the physical activity that day so slept really well.

Sat & Sun passed in a bit of a blur of, the weather was fab, its so nice to have it back. Went for walks, went to the library, visited friends, did household stuff, TV & basically chilled out. It was really nice, exactly what I needed.

Well now we're back to Wed again & yes I did come into work on Mon, hard as it was but that's mostly the getting up early bit, I'm not a morning person. I wish I was cos when I do happen to be up early I really love the morning time but dragging my ass out of bed is no mean feat I tell you. The snooze button is my friend. :oD

Anyway just a quickie to say hi & I survived & I'm grand really, struggle on. I saw another nice quote so thought I'd share, seemed apt after last weeks challenging day. Hope you're all having a great day.

Challenges are what make life interesting;

overcoming them is what makes life meaningful.

Joshua J. Marine

Wedding Pics

Isn't she pretty?




















The wedding party & cutting the cake


Us having fun & the first dance

Our hotel room, had to take two pics cos so big....nice!!

Tried to get these to gether but this was front of the hotel.
Great day was had by all

As I've Matured - Link I got

I got this by email from a really close friend of mine & it was so cute & inspiring I thought I'd post it for others to share.

It kindda makes you think & I like things that make me think.

CLICK ON THE 'AS I'VE MATURED' ... Just LOVE this!!!As I've Matured <------click here

I haven't been feeling very inspired lately, & haven't had much time to think about what to write. It makes me sad sometimes when life gets in the way if you know what I mean.

But anyway hope you enjoy the link I know I did & it made me smile. Sure isn't that what its all about? Falling down, getting up & keeping going, doing the best you can & being the best person you can be.

So be your best person today.

Catch up

I didn't get a chance to catch up on my weekend so will do that now.

Ok Sat - so we went to the Taronga Zoo, we caught the ferry over - I mean how cool is that to catch the ferry over Sydney harbour to the zoo? It was perfect day to be out & about. It took us bit longer than planed to get packed up & out so we didn't have as much time in the zoo as we'd have liked but it was still a great day.

What stole the show for me was the chimps, they were hilarious. They had two young chimps & honestly they were exactly like children, playing & messing about. Then you'd have an adult get up & give them a swipe to stop. Then one would start showing off by doing rolls for the crowd. It was so funny. I took some pics - promise promise promise will have them up this week.

I have to say I got totally freaked by the amount of spiders in the trees, they were huge. But I have to assume not poisonous since they were everywhere. They had these huge webs built up in the trees over where the paths were so you had to walk under them & I was convinced it was going to drop on me. Sad but true what can I say I' don't like spiders. Having said that I did take few pics of them too.

We had out picnic on a little stretch of beach beside the zoo, it was lovely especially cos we were starving by that time. Really nice relaxing day.

Sunday - got up early (whats that about on a Sunday?? ha ha) to go to the photography class in Centennial park. It went really well. I had been a bit frustrated with it cos I wasn't getting the whole exposure/aperture/shutter speed thing to do what I wanted. I would see something & want to get it captured the way I was seeing it but it wasn't working so I was getting bit frustrated with the whole thing. I was beginning to think I'd never get the hang of it. I had tried it out loads at the zoo too but wasn't exactly the picture I wanted so I was really glad we had the class today so i could ask the questions while they were still fresh in my head.

So he explained some stuff to me so think its finally sinking in. He brought his three dogs with him as models. We were practising movement shots & that. He'd set up situation with the dogs & tell us what we should be looking for etc & then go around & see how we got on & explain why some worked & the problems with others & more importantly (for me anyway) how to correct them.

So my faith in myself is restored & I'll keep trying to get it right. I'm not a good learner, I'm very impatient with myself i want to know how to do it 'now'.

So after that we headed down to Picton to met up friends up from Melbourne. It was great seeing them again. The competitions actually didn't start til Monday they were all just training but that was still good to watch. So I registered, got my rig all checked out & got my drop zone brief & I was all set. Shane (my husband) had jumped there before so he'd gotten that done already. We chatted for a bit with our mates & caught up with all the news.

After a bit Shane says 'so come on we'll go jump'. So sucked it up & said Ok. Kate said she'd jump with us, we would do a three-way. Like I said I haven't jumped since Oct so was bit nervous. I knew I'd be fine once the door opened & you're out its all good its the initial nerves get you when you're not current (ie haven't jumped in awhile). After all you are jumping out of a plane. :o)

But it went brilliant it was such a beautiful day & it was so warm up there & you could see the coastline. We jumped at 13,000 feet we managed one point before breakaway. Sweet opening & no problems so headed back to DZ. There is nothing like being under canopy 1000feet in the air, it is THE most peaceful feeling in the world. Awwhh sigh! It was great the views up there were AMAZING. I really would recommend it to everyone, it should be something everyone does once in their life. And I even stood up my landing! yeah me!. I have a perchance on landing on my ass as I'm still learning but all good, I was proud of me.

So after that headed out for food with John & Kate(our friends) & about 10 other skydivers. Went to a really nice little restaurant near the train station in Picton & had fab dinner, good laugh too. We headed home after that. It wasn't too late when we got home about 11.15pm but it had been a long day. So we literally unpacked the car, dumped the stuff & fell into bed.

I have to say its been the best weekend I've had in awhile. A good for the soul kind of weekend.

Autumn

The weather has been amazing the past few days in Sydney & its supposed to continue until next monday. Its so hard to work when the sun is shining outside your window and the sky is clear blue. I just want to be out & about in it. Just checked the weather & its about 26oC now. wimper wimper want to be out walking on the beach or in a park or something.

Its coming into winter here. wow. I'm from Dublin, Ireland originally & my husband & I have been in Sydney just over a year but I’m still totally on the northern hemisphere zones, every cell in my body along with my mentality, psychology, physiology, whatever is all tuned that it should be spring now & with the weather being nicer now it fits with the psychology, its just too weird to think its autumn. :o)

But the good weather has brought out a few shoots on my tomato plant did I mention that before I think I did. Anyway checked it this morning & I have another two germinating so that brings total to seven now. So excited. I checked into lettuce seeds & pots at the weekend & I got a few books out of the library but decided to read up a bit before I buy any, just to be sure. So I’ll let you know how that goes.

I joined a shopping tote swap on another blog and we got our swap buddies today. I'm really looking forward to trying it out. I'm a total beginner. I think the last thing I sewed was in home economics class in school.

You should check it out its: http://down---to---earth.blogspot.com/

She has so many wonderful tips & recipes its well worth a visit. I'm not normally a joiner in’er but this site really inspired me to give it a go. We'll see. I'll post a picture of the bag when I'm finished. I was paired up with a woman from Wales & I've emailed her already but I'm sure she’s still in cloud cuckoo land as its about 3am over there about now.

I thinking I must post up a few pictures soon. I'll do that soon. I had no idea how many blogs were how there I was having a bit of a surf yesterday it really is amazing, people from all over the world. I'm looking forward to meeting some new friends from around the world. I'm only new to this whole blogging thing & it’s been a revelation.

Yesterday I mentioned that I wanted to try to improve my diet & exerices etc. Well I actually brought in a proper lunch with me with plenty of fruit which I’ve just finished & feel very full after & last night I did an exercise routine from a Tai-bo class I used to do at home. I really miss it I used to LOVE doing it at home but I haven’t been able to find any classes here yet. So I worked up a good sweat at that. Another name for it is Kai-bo which is the original Billy Blanks US version. Its mixture between Taiquando & kick-boxing but done as an aerobic exercise as opposed to martial arts. It’s so much fun so if anyone out there knows of a class in Sydney please let me know.

I just saw a really good quote that I thought might be a nice thought for the day.

“Everyone thinks of changing the world but no one thinks of changing himself” - Leo Tolstoy

I thought it was quite appropriate as that is exactly what I'm trying to do at the moment. Anyway hope you all have a great day & keep smiling. :o)

Yoga

I started a yoga class a few weeks ago. I was feeling very blah after the Christmas/New Year period & I wanted to do something to get me moving. I had done a class a few years ago & really enjoyed it so thought I would give it a go here as there is a yoga school very near my apt.
For the most part I really enjoy it but as I'm out of shape or should I say very unflexible it does push me. I'm usually stiff the next day, not overly but enough to know its working.
I'm a big believer in the balance of life. Its hard mostly to keep all the balls in the air at once & for me excerise is usually the first out the window when my schedule gets hectic but I've really begun to realise how important it is. I know scientists have been going on about it for years but I for one never really listened & I think its true that no matter how many times you hear something its up to you to decided whether its right or it works for you.
Its so true though, it makes you feel so good, those excellent endorphins! what would we do without them LOL.

I find its the whole mental barrier thats hard to get through. I used to go to the gym & I really loved going & I always felt GREAT after it but the getting there was the pits. It really was a mental struggle to get there. I resorted to tricking my own mind into going weird but true. If anyone has any other ideas on how to get motivated please share them with me cos its something I struggle with.

Life really is funny isn't it? a crazy mixed up mentalness thats so simple when wwe step back from it & not get so caught up in its whirlwind. I found meditation to be excellent for helping me calm my mind dowm after a hectic work day. I really had a problem with switching off my mind it was constantly going. Meditation really is so relaxing. Don't get me wrong its not as easy as just sitting in a chair doing nothing its totally focusing your concentration on either not thinking or on one specific thing/item. It really is hard at first like a muscle that hasn't been used in awhile but trust me it does get easier. I really see the benefits & would recommend it to everyone. I might see if I can out up a few simple mediation exercises for anyone to practise.

So my thought for today is to go out & do something be it going for a brisk walk in the evening or joining a fitness group or class but get out there & start moving you'll be surpirsed at how much energy it gives you.

Being Found

I've just been reading Rhonda Jeans' blog & as I've only discovered it recently & she's been blogging for about a year I decided to start at her beginning & she said something amazing in one of her comments. Might I add - amazing to me as when I look at all her comments today I wonder how she could have thought that. She said something along the lines of ' I was wondering if I'd be found in a blog' & I thought wow she felt the same way as I'm feeling now.
Its all well & good wanting to help people & be there for people but if you have no people then its a bit redundant isn't it? Irony! it keeps the world amusing.
So feeling somewhat reassured that I'll be found if I'm meant to be I'll continue on my thoughts for the day.
Living simply to simply live.
I struggled for a long time to find who I am in this world, where is my spot. I suppose the age old, why are we here question? Its a big one isn't it?
Ever since I've been quite young I've had since feeling/sensation/emothion (not really sure) of searching for something. Ok so the pondery is how can I find something when I don't know what I'm searching for?
Who Am I? Where am I going? who will I be when I get there?
Also the big one for me - at the time- was how do people know the real me? Is it by my actions? but haven't we all done things that were less than honourable & thought well that isn't really me? Is it by my emotions, my thoughts, my words? how do I know what really is me? Who AM I?

And while its still an ongoing journey I think I'm starting to find a path through this muddy track of life, my own little space of peace in this world of turmoil. I hope to be able to share my experiences & trials & tribulations with you so you can maybe learn, be inspired ....who knows. The world really is such a beautiful place but we get caught up in the material that we forget to look around & be grateful for what we have & who we are. Thats why I want to help people to unload some of their emotional burdens & see what an amazing creation the human being really is & how special each of us are.

So think of even one thing today you are grateful for or if you're lucky write a list. Leave it somewhere you can see it often today & smile. You're blessed today.

The Next Day

I find it funny when you start out on a grand limb & you have loads of insporation then when you try to put it into words .....nothing.
I've been contemplating getting my blog out there & to try to help people & being a new blogger I'm a bit lost I admit. I was introduced to a really inspiring blog by my sister which upon getting permission I will post the link & the woman who writes it is so inspiring. So here I am in the virtual jungle learning as I go.
It kind of reminds me about life in general, it really is a kind of jungle that we stumble through trying to find meaning to our lives. I have so many thoughts & finding it hard to get them in order well should I say a coherant order so it doesn't turn into one bit waffle.

I think the thought for today which I'm spreading from this other blog of the day is to do a random act of kindness for someone today. It really does come back to you tenfold when you lest expect it.

So be kind to each other, really make the effort & know others are out there too doing the same.

Be strong & stay positive. :o)

Inspiration

I haven't really thought this through completely but I'll try to explain my basic comcept for this blog. Ok bit of history but bear with me. I'm not the sort of person who trusts people easily & find it hard to really feel comfortable confiding in people about my true feelings. However I have a few very close friends but one in particular who really was my rock. We were very close, I could talk to him about anything. Apart from my husband he was the only person I felt I could truly confid in. Of course when I needed to vent about my husband for whatever reason he was there. We were best friends for nearly 10 years & shared SO much in that time.
Anyway, there came a time when he had a relationship that was getting serious, not his first obviously but the first really serious one & even though I was married she felt extremely threatened by our friendship. She was a bit younger than us & I think very insecure. So the long & the short of it was the ultimatum came from her, a 'her or me' typy of thing & although he tried to reason with her & comfort her & what have you he -much to my hurt - gave in & ended our friendship.
This really was a huge shock to me & to say it hurt was really an understatement. I felt very betrayed. But before you go thinking I'm setting up a get back at the witch type blog I'm not. I came to realise that I had no one I felt comfortable talking to, really talking to, not just the everyday stuff but the really hard personal feelings type talking. I wondered if others had the same feeling, didn't want to talk to those close to them for fear of being judged or ridiculed or for whatever reason. I thought maybe I could help. Maybe I could offer others the ear/email/friend they needed in times when it all seemed hopeless. Let me say I don't have any professional qualifications but just help. I really believe that talking about your problems really helps make them clearer or talking about your dreams helps them feel real.

So when I recently came upon another blog I was inspired by & I found how easy it was to set up I thought this may be the first step on the road to helping people. This life is so short & we really our just one big community & I would so love for more people to come together in friendship & harmony.

So i'll continue & write my thoughts & if you need a friend or need an ear or just simply a chat cos you're feeling a bit lonely please feel free to leave a comment or your email address & I'll get back to you. I welcome all comments about improving this blog or any thoughts really.