(Stories to follow....)
August 25, 2011
August 12, 2011
For all my friends, where ever you may be
Awww reading my besties blog about friends living all over the world really sent shivers through my heart. I know the feelings she described all too well...emails, and facebook are great, skype is AMAZING, but there is nothing that beats laughing, chatting, crying, over coffee, vinos and baking. Old friends know everything, words don't even need to be exchanged and they already know how you feel. Oh, And one of the best things, the hugs. The hugs, the hugs, the hugs.
We all live all over the world now, and whilst I would give anything to have us all in one place together, theres something incredibly special about the reunions we have but also about the fact that these friendships have now spanned not only oceans but years and years.
Bee: here' s a wee memory just for you. I love you and miss you dearly xxxxx
We all live all over the world now, and whilst I would give anything to have us all in one place together, theres something incredibly special about the reunions we have but also about the fact that these friendships have now spanned not only oceans but years and years.
Bee: here' s a wee memory just for you. I love you and miss you dearly xxxxx
(oh and did you realise we have now officially been friends for over 20 years.....20 years!!!)
Some tips for unprepared campers
1. Lilos make quite satisfactory beds.
2. Fellow campers often have useful tools such as bottle openers and hammers.
3. Best phone ahead to check if camping grounds hire out tents.
4. If the response to the above is negative, opt not to buy the cheapest tent which is also on sale (very likely to break).
5. In emergency lack of heating situations, human body heat works a treat.
6. Oyster cards may prove to work as a knife.
7. Forks make decent spoons.
8. Hand sanitizer is a must.
9. Firestarters are a must when using the bbq. Plastic plates also make a good fan to speed up the process.
10. A positive outlook and 'can do' attitude will get you through any mishaps along the way.
(and its all worth it in the end).
2. Fellow campers often have useful tools such as bottle openers and hammers.
3. Best phone ahead to check if camping grounds hire out tents.
4. If the response to the above is negative, opt not to buy the cheapest tent which is also on sale (very likely to break).
5. In emergency lack of heating situations, human body heat works a treat.
6. Oyster cards may prove to work as a knife.
7. Forks make decent spoons.
8. Hand sanitizer is a must.
9. Firestarters are a must when using the bbq. Plastic plates also make a good fan to speed up the process.
10. A positive outlook and 'can do' attitude will get you through any mishaps along the way.
(and its all worth it in the end).
July 6, 2011
June completed
How did my June goals go?
Let me break it down for you.
I planned to cook one new meal a week-I cooked one! I ate out too much and socialised probably even more. Some nights I ate crackers, and one night I even skipped dinner because I ate too much cake at school. Whoops.
I planned to train for a 10km run. I did! And then injury struck. Too much, too soon? Probably should have gone to the chiropractor/osteopath first and/or bought new running shoes.
I planned to share one photo a week. I did this also only once. I've realised my camera is another time intensive hobbie. (I love it none the less for this.)
I planned to start a rock climbing course. Well I did the starter course (which I loved!) and will do the beginner course after summer holidays. Success!
I planned to do a training day to be able to mentor students with Autism. Pretty disappointed with this as to be able to become a mentor, I must first work on a week long camp. Not sure where/how I will find the time to do this.
So what have I done this month? I've learnt this month, that in a year I can achieve much, however the months are the moments where the baby steps, and probably the most important steps, are taking place. It is during the months that we work towards whatever it is we set out to do. Some months we come along in leaps and bounds, other months our day to day lives take over, whether that be working, exercising, socialising, sleeping, cleaning, etc etc. But at the end of the year, none of this matters...as long as those steps have been gradually taken over the year, we will feel some kind of satisfication, some sense of accomplishment.
So....during June, whilst I haven't ticked all of the above boxes, I have discovered, that life happens. Whether we want it to or not. Things happen to us, around us, inside us. Ticking the boxes, whilst making us feel good about ourselves, is not as important as having installed inside of us, a deep rooted individual sense of happiness. I don't think this kind of happiness comes from achieving the massive achievements. I'm not denying these feel good or bring happiness, because my word they do! But whats more important, is enjoying the happiness that is in our world on a more frequent basis. The first coffee of the day (my one true love), the sun shining when the forecast was rain, laughing with friends, a sweet treat left on your desk, a night in on the couch, appreciating the sound of a voice on a phone or seeing a loved ones email in your inbox.
These goals will remain on my list, and I know that come Dec 31 this year, each will have a variety of ticks and successes beside it.
During June, I didn't really achieve all I set out to do, but I did reignite the deep sense of happiness with life which I have always had.
And I've remembered, that this is what makes me, truly happy.
Let me break it down for you.
I planned to cook one new meal a week-I cooked one! I ate out too much and socialised probably even more. Some nights I ate crackers, and one night I even skipped dinner because I ate too much cake at school. Whoops.
I planned to train for a 10km run. I did! And then injury struck. Too much, too soon? Probably should have gone to the chiropractor/osteopath first and/or bought new running shoes.
I planned to share one photo a week. I did this also only once. I've realised my camera is another time intensive hobbie. (I love it none the less for this.)
I planned to start a rock climbing course. Well I did the starter course (which I loved!) and will do the beginner course after summer holidays. Success!
I planned to do a training day to be able to mentor students with Autism. Pretty disappointed with this as to be able to become a mentor, I must first work on a week long camp. Not sure where/how I will find the time to do this.
So what have I done this month? I've learnt this month, that in a year I can achieve much, however the months are the moments where the baby steps, and probably the most important steps, are taking place. It is during the months that we work towards whatever it is we set out to do. Some months we come along in leaps and bounds, other months our day to day lives take over, whether that be working, exercising, socialising, sleeping, cleaning, etc etc. But at the end of the year, none of this matters...as long as those steps have been gradually taken over the year, we will feel some kind of satisfication, some sense of accomplishment.
So....during June, whilst I haven't ticked all of the above boxes, I have discovered, that life happens. Whether we want it to or not. Things happen to us, around us, inside us. Ticking the boxes, whilst making us feel good about ourselves, is not as important as having installed inside of us, a deep rooted individual sense of happiness. I don't think this kind of happiness comes from achieving the massive achievements. I'm not denying these feel good or bring happiness, because my word they do! But whats more important, is enjoying the happiness that is in our world on a more frequent basis. The first coffee of the day (my one true love), the sun shining when the forecast was rain, laughing with friends, a sweet treat left on your desk, a night in on the couch, appreciating the sound of a voice on a phone or seeing a loved ones email in your inbox.
These goals will remain on my list, and I know that come Dec 31 this year, each will have a variety of ticks and successes beside it.
During June, I didn't really achieve all I set out to do, but I did reignite the deep sense of happiness with life which I have always had.
And I've remembered, that this is what makes me, truly happy.
June 24, 2011
Injury time
As I type I have an ice pack on my hip and have just popped a few heavy duty anti-inflammataries.
This morning I would have told you that my running training was going splendidly. My good friends Cookie and Dottie wrote me an amazing (and incredibly challenging) running programme which I have been adhering too quite strictly. I can run for 40 minutes and stop and get my breath back within about 30 seconds, and in fact last week I accidentally ran nearly 10km. Hmmmm but something has gone wrong. As of today I am nursing a hip strain. Positive thinking..tomorrow it will be magically gone....(extreme positive thinking I know).
The thing that annoys me is, it is my body that lets me down, not my fitness. I'm 28 years young and after years of sport, and much pavement pounding (I have previously run a half marathon), I feel like my body has creaks and cracks and I'm not sure how to fix them. It is deeply infuriating as there is really is something I just love about running the streets. Its the fresh air, the sun beaming down, the time to drift in and out of songs and thoughts and being hit with that runners high afterwards.
Alas, I am not hanging up my running shoes just yet. Tomorrow I will rest, and Sunday I will try again. And tonight, 3hours till I can take my next pill...
This morning I would have told you that my running training was going splendidly. My good friends Cookie and Dottie wrote me an amazing (and incredibly challenging) running programme which I have been adhering too quite strictly. I can run for 40 minutes and stop and get my breath back within about 30 seconds, and in fact last week I accidentally ran nearly 10km. Hmmmm but something has gone wrong. As of today I am nursing a hip strain. Positive thinking..tomorrow it will be magically gone....(extreme positive thinking I know).
The thing that annoys me is, it is my body that lets me down, not my fitness. I'm 28 years young and after years of sport, and much pavement pounding (I have previously run a half marathon), I feel like my body has creaks and cracks and I'm not sure how to fix them. It is deeply infuriating as there is really is something I just love about running the streets. Its the fresh air, the sun beaming down, the time to drift in and out of songs and thoughts and being hit with that runners high afterwards.
Alas, I am not hanging up my running shoes just yet. Tomorrow I will rest, and Sunday I will try again. And tonight, 3hours till I can take my next pill...
June 19, 2011
London in photos
It was a deliciously sunny evening last Tuesday and I couldn't bare the thought of sitting indoors so I took myself and my camera for a wander through Primrose hill and along the canals to Camden, some of my favourite parts of London. The canal lent itself to some good shots, but I am realising more and more that I really need to put some good reading time in to learning how to get the most from this camera and maybe even think about doing a course.
Anyway here is one of my favourites....I just love the colours and the reflections on the water.
Heres another quite interesting one. Its taken looking through the bridge, that guy in the left of it was arguing with someone across the canal. Had I not been so intent on getting my shot I would have tried to figure out what the argument was all about, but for now we can only imagine! (Canal turf wars maybe?!)
Anyway here is one of my favourites....I just love the colours and the reflections on the water.
Heres another quite interesting one. Its taken looking through the bridge, that guy in the left of it was arguing with someone across the canal. Had I not been so intent on getting my shot I would have tried to figure out what the argument was all about, but for now we can only imagine! (Canal turf wars maybe?!)
June 7, 2011
June massive
June is going to be incredible for me, I can just feel it.
I've set myself some wee goals, and am feeling full of motivation to achieve them.
1. Train to run a 10km race on 10 July (in under an hour might I add, I don't want to just finish it!)
2. Cook one new dish a week
3. Start a rock climbing course (my new found interest since school camp!)
4. Share a photo of the week ...
5. Take part in training course to become a mentor for students with Autism.
Will keep you posted on my progress :)
I've set myself some wee goals, and am feeling full of motivation to achieve them.
1. Train to run a 10km race on 10 July (in under an hour might I add, I don't want to just finish it!)
2. Cook one new dish a week
3. Start a rock climbing course (my new found interest since school camp!)
4. Share a photo of the week ...
5. Take part in training course to become a mentor for students with Autism.
Will keep you posted on my progress :)
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)