I wanna do it my way .... Yoga

I have been practicing self-designed yoga  for a while now.  I am not very good at it, but that's ok. It is my 15 minutes of feel-good breathing and stretching, whenever I can manage it.  

I have a standing up routine for outdoors (on the end of a pier, or a quite spot in a park) and a lying down routine for the carpet at home.

My  life timetable is so erratic that making a proper class is a major issue.  When I did make it to a class, the teacher spent a lot of time correcting my position.  It hurt.  That isn't what I wanted, I wanted to enjoy it, not grimace and feel stupid.

I bought a couple of yoga books - especially two by Tara Stiles (yoga guru to the stars!) and put together my own routine; included positions I like to do and found easy to sustain and generally made me feel good. 

And I do it - at least 3-4 times a week.  Badly and awkwardly, but I do it. And I love it.
 
Choosing the positions that I love makes me enjoy it totally.  I do it when it is quiet, or I do it playing music I love. My time, my choice.

My yoga and my walking (read ... dawdling while daydreaming) make me happy.  Riding waves in summer is fun.  Dancing to great music (either by myself or with good friends)  is good for the soul.  Gentle and no pressure. 

I have come to terms with the fact that it doesn't make me happy to do exercises I don't like to do - at least not anymore.

I used to be really into the adrenaline rush.  I did fun runs, half marathons, triathlons and trained and pushed and motivated myself into every bit of pain. 

Then, I decided .. NO MORE.   

'Push ups' may give you gorgeous arms but they are a chore, not a delight.

Sprinting up hills may be great for fat burning, but it is not fun.

Hey life is too short ... I will do it my way; gently, relaxingly and happily.  Just not gracefully!

For those of you who chase the rush; if you love it ... do it.  After all, happiness with yourself is  the reward.

remembering something funny

If you are a hoarder, like me, you keep things that seem special at the time; and then re-find them years later and sometimes wonder why you kept them.

Then, there are the other things that you love to re-find.

Sorting through my stuff (in my continued quest to de-clutter) I found this gem that never fails to make me giggle.....

A newspaper article titled 'Wonderful world of wacky words'.

Word meanings....

Coffee: a person who is coughed on 

Flabbergasted: appalled over how much weight you have gained

Abdicate: to give up all hope of ever having a flat stomach

Esplanade: to attempt an explanation while drunk

Willy-nilly: impotent

Lymph: to walk with a lisp

Gargoyle: an olive flavoured mouthwash

Balderdash: a rapidly receding hairline

Testicle: a humorous question on an exam 

Negligent: describes a condition in which you absent-mindedly answer the door in your nightgown

Oyster: a person who sprinkles their conversation with Yiddish expressions

Pokemon: a Jamaican proctologist

 

Still giggling

I am grateful for ....

Here is your prompt ... what (or who) are you grateful for this week?

Me? 

I am grateful ....

... to four very important people in my life. I am grateful to know that I am an important part in each of your lives, and that you know you are important in mine.

.... for the people I have met at my new job, who have made me feel so welcome and who have already shaken me out of the work rut I was in.

.... for winter, because it means that I can eat soups puddings and other things I wouldn't normally eat if the weather is hot.  Also, being warm in bed when it is freezing and raining outside.  How good is that?  

All hail the Hoodoo Gurus!!! Dig It Up!!!!

In a blast from the past, I got to relive some of my inglorious uni days (with one of my BFF) when I went to the DIG IT UP extravaganza on ANZAC day this year.

The Melbourne Program for Dig It Up!

Firstly, I insisted on seeing the magical Ron Pino (ex Died Pretty) with his gorgeous emotive voice and erratic hand and arm movements.  His set was not long enough (never is).

Then, BFF and I wriggled our way to the front of a heaving, pulsing, mosh pitting hoard of youngish to middle-aged groovers (and the not so groovy) to be front row for three of the best fun bands.

It was all happening, with the Flaming Groovies (Chris, Cyril and George) providing lots of shimmy-ing and shaking .  BFF insisted that Cyril's Beatle-esque bowl-cut was a wig because she had a photo of him from the 90's where he was very receding (and she emailed it to me too .. so Cyril, your secret is out!). 

Chris - Flaming Groovies                                                                                             George - Flaming Groovies

 Cyril - Flaming Groovies - note the bowl-cut

Ahhhhh - Cyril is second in the line - note the hair line!

Flaming Groovies Melbourne Set List

Then, a musical masterpiece with the Blue Oyster Cult - all musical maestros and some serious heavy rock.   They were better than I remember them, and I remember them to be amazing! It was their first ever time in Australia.

I got a copy of their set list from the gig from a lovely roadie.  Treasure! 

Then - the Hoodoo Gurus! who played the entire Mars Needs Guitars album plus extras.  BFF was beside herself with excitement - being so near (but still so far) from the sexy Brad Sheppard.   He still had the kicks, splits and pelvic guitar playing going - and he must be over 50!  He actually still looks pretty good!  BFF got the set list from the Hoodoos (thank you again roadie) and that made her day.  

(Although the Hoodoo Gurus were good fun; playing straight after the Blue Oyster Cult you couldn't help but compare the musical genius of the Cult to the more basic music of the Gurus! Sorry guys - but still love ya!)

With ears ringing and sore hamstrings from bopping on the spot (shhhhh .... and a few too many apple ciders too)  we found our way to public transport and home to bed.

Eternal Student

My lack of recent posts is not because I'm not inspired.  It is just that I am 'under the pump'.  

I am doing a Certificate III in Hospitality ... not just for something to do; hopefully to get a part time job to  supplement my income and help pay off my eternal mortgage.   

However, doing the course is almost like a full time job, and then in the evenings I do my real job.  So, time is precious, unless I don't want sleep or exercise or anything normal.

I am up to my ears in Margarita and Cosmopolitan recipes, and tomorrow we texture milk and practice 5 plate carries!  Help - I hope the plates are plastic!

:)

Winter snuck up on us!

When did the nights get cold?  I swear that last week I was in T shirts and shorts, sitting outside on a balmy evening, swatting the mosquitoes.

The last two nights have been almost icy ... 4 degrees C (39F for you non metric bods!).  

Getting out of bed is double difficult because it is so cold (and I am awful in the morning at the best of times!)

Feeding the dog outside is an act of bravery (for me at least) because the dew on the grass makes my feet wet and cold.  

I know, I am a whimp, but I love 'the hot'.  I don't know how 'the hot' disappeared so quickly?

Brrr, bring on summer!

  

Post Easter weight gain cure

Easter is a licence to eat badly for at least three or four (or more) days.  

Yes, I know it indicates a complete lack of self control, but those little strawberry filled Easter eggs (that have never, ever, ever been introduced to a real strawberry),  my favourite Cadbury cream eggs (which I bought for my sister in industrial quantities and help her to eat half of) just sit there and dare you to eat them!  

They do! I swear it.  

Not to mention hot cross buns and ... because of the Russian part of my heritage  Paschka and Kulich (a sweet cream cheese spread over a sweet yeast bread .. yummy with a cup of tea - or three).

It doesn't stop there though, because when I visit my sister, I need to share a few glasses of wine, or champagne or whatever else ... so I roll from one meal into the next in a slightly hazy state .... and love it.

So, on arriving back home from visiting the 'wilds of outback Wodonga' (thanks for a wonderful weekend babe!) I sat down and felt bloated and blah and in serious need of sleep.

The good thing about over indulging is the way it motivates you to tackle your 'return to health' kick:

So for the next two weeks, this is what I will be doing until I normalise my body again .... 

- I will eat lots of low fructose fruit, veges and water.  (Low fructose fruit includes berries, pineapples, lemons, limes, rhubarb, avocados and bananas. Veges must include leafy greens)

- For at least a week avoid cane sugar (unless you can't, absolutely, help it)

- Try to minimise my carbs, and aim for high GI if I need a carb fix (oats and brown rice!)

- I will exercise every day - yoga, running, walking etc

- I will drink no alcohol. None. Zip

- I will re-establish a routine - lots of sleep and fresh air. 

Yup, after 4 days of enjoyment it takes two weeks to get back to normal. Go figure!

What do you do?  

Happy Easter Everyone

I know I am supposed to celebrate the religious significance of this holiday but all I can think of is having time to do nothing (does sleep count as something?) , visiting my sister on her 'farm', seeing an old friend that I don't see enough of and eating yummy things.  

So, what ever Easter means to you, Have a wonderful Easter  hop...hop...hop.....

SHOULD I HAVE BOUGHT IT?

 I bought a house at auction.  

After looking at 34 properties (and countless properties not worth looking at).

It was one of the first places I went through.  And it is the only one I loved from the moment I walked though the door.  It felt like home. It ticked all boxes ... and more. 

I thought I had no hope of winning ... it was too perfectly 'me' ... there were too many people interested (I went to see it four times and it was crowded each time ... everyone loved it!) ... the asking price was too high ... 

Auction day.  I had done my homework and knew what I could afford.  I had studied 'how to bid at auction' websites; asked the selling agent a million questions; took my gorgeous friend with me for moral support (and to say  'NO' if needed).   I was ready.   

I was the only bidder.  I stood there - not bidding - and no one else bid either.  I had to throw my intended action plan out of the window; and bid first ........... and that was it.

It hadn't reached the asking price, but after negotiating (and more throwing away of action plans) a price compromise was reached.

When I got home, I started thinking ..... what was wrong with it?  I didn't find any structural problems, ownership issues, leaks, grumpy neighbours,  chemical poisoning, mad skeletons etc. Was I missing something? Should I have bought it?

Or should I look at it another way ... my accumulated good karma is paying off (I truly think I am blessed with the important things). Perhaps this was meant to be.  

I intend to do something nice for someone today, and tomorrow, and the next day .... 

VALENTINES DAY - SIMPLE THINGS

The small and simple things make you feel the most loved; not the gift given just because it is Valentines Day (and the pressure is on) ... (although flowers any other day are much more special!). 

My Valentines Day - I went to see my mum for breakfast before work, spent the evening with my daughter walking the dog, and had a poem written for me.  Three things that mean more to me than any gift or flowers.

The effort and the symbolism are more important than the gift; the pleasure of the memory lasts forever;  flowers die, earrings lose their lustre, cards get lost in boxes.  

SIMPLE PLEASURES

Sometimes we want too much, and forget the simple joys. 

I love this quote ......

“This morning, with her, having coffee.” (Johnny Cash, when asked for his definition of paradise.)

 I have my own ideals for paradise ... shhh; they are secret .... :)

New Years Resolutions - Gala Darling

From a blog written by Gala Darling (if you have never read it; I highly recommend it).  

I love some of her New Year resolutions, and I thought I would share my favourites with you: Warning – some of them are a bit girly....

©      Keep champagne in the house at all times.

©      Add a big sparkly necklace to even the simplest ensemble.

©      Wear your favourite things until they are totally worn out (& don’t worry about saving them for a “special occasion”).

©      Celebrate everything & nothing

©      Eat smart, nutritious food.

©      Make an effort to sweat on a regular basis.

©      Think before you purchase.

©      Sell or donate anything you don’t wear.

©      Get your feet dirty, & leave the beaten track.

©      Do things that are out of character or terrifying… Take a risk! Leave safety behind you. Don’t conform just because you’re afraid.

©      Spend time volunteering. Donate money to your favourite causes. Make an effort to recycle.

©      Be more compassionate, less judgmental

THE YEAR IS A CLOCK - LET'S SHAKE TIME UP

The year is a bit like a clock.

11.30 pm: The 'build up' to Christmas is frantic; with everyone trying to get things done.
11.40 pm: Then, on Christmas day, the eating (oh boy; the EATING!!!) and getting together with family and friends.
11.50 pm: Boxing Day; the cleaning and left overs (and sales; if you are into that sort of thing).
Then two of three days of recovery and
12.00 midnight: New Year.
12.05 am: Then two of three more days of recovery and back to work .... or holidays.     etc etc etc

Then back into the old house routine or work or parenting or whatever your life involves.  And the year goes on...... until next Christmas and it all starts again.
Sounds familiar?

I gave up on New Year resolutions long ago.  I thought it was a bit of a waste of time waiting for a certain day to start to 'make things better' etc.  Why not start now?

This year though, I have made a resolution.  And that is that this year will not be routine.  I will try to mix it up as much as possible.

Of course, I have a bit of a head start, I am selling my house and planning an overseas trip.  But, for the rest of it, I am going to try and do something a bit out of the norm every week (I thought everyday may be pushing it a bit).

Will let you know how I go.  Spontaneous, that's my new middle name!

HAPPY AND GRATEFUL

I heard people ask all winter ‘when is summer going to be here?’ Now that we are having a hot spell (+30C over a few days) people are complaining that it is too hot. 

In the supermarket last night I was talking to a young guy on the register.  He was telling me how he hated this weather – it was too hot to do anything, too hot even for the beach!

I was gob smacked, because I LOVE (notice the capitals) LOVE, LOVE the heat.  Two of my happiest hot day memories was when I was a nut-case triathlete (they don’t call it try for nothing!) and I raced at Noosa two years in a row (and came second in my category both times, may I add!).

I was always behind in the swim, kept up the pace on the bike, but blitzed the run.  Why?  I love running in the heat.  Going for a 10 km run (after a 40km bike and 1.5km swim) was my idea of heaven.  I actually overtook all the fish-finned swimmers and Cadel-like bikers on the run. (Being hosed off by the locals as you run past is pretty good too!)

Being hot makes me feel alive. I move more freely, I feel more motivated, I have creative ideas that I want to do .... NOW.

It reminds me of a James Michener book I read ‘the Drifters’.  (If you haven’t read it, it is a great holiday read.) Britta is one of the characters.  She hails from Norway and craves the sun.  She travels to the great places of sun ... Marrakesh, Mozambique, Spain and Portugal, and refuses to go back to the cold and the Scandinavian half year of darkness. She feels alive in the sun too.  She was the character I identified with most.

What is the point of all this chatter?

Are we ever totally happy with our circumstances?  Don't we always want more or better? Newer, shinier?  (Cooler; as my young supermarket friend wishes.)

My post today is going to highlight what I am grateful for:

The love of my friends and family; I am grateful to be part of their lives. 

I appreciate the experiences that my life's adventure has given me, and I am grateful for that.

I cherish the memories of people I have loved but will never see again, I am grateful to have those wonderful memories.  

I also love the sun and I am grateful that it is summer once again. 

Vive le Soleil (long live the sun!)

Let the sunshine in: The 'Tradies in shorts' thermometer!

Yesterday, in Melbourne Australia, there was further proof that Spring is on its way (beside the pages rolling over on my desk calendar and my restless feet whispering 'holiday .... holiday').

The sun shone

Yup, by 9am the sun was shining warmly and the temperature climbed up enough to feel warm-ish. 

The best bit?  The ‘tradies’ were in shorts!

I had solar panels installed at the ‘seachange’ yesterday, and four young tradesmen came to start the job at 7am (yawn!).   

They were all wearing long pants and fluoro safety jackets to start with, but by 10am they were all in tee shirts and shorts.

Is this one of the seasonal indicators?  The ‘tradie’ thermometer: With summer will it be shorts only (on the young ones) or shorts and blue singlets (on the older ones who can’t cut the naked torso any more)? Then when winter rolls in again, the knitted 'beanies' and khaki coloured long legged work pants and yellow fluro safety jackets get shaken out.  

Either way, I basked my cold bones in the sun shining through the window and sat outside with my cup of tea when I was having a break from painting (painting window frames is probably the most awful painting job in the world;  apart from skirting boards.  Hope to show some 'before and after' pics of at least one room soon.)

C’mon Summer!

Can you feel the change in the air ..... Spring, Saturn and other things too

Every year I get restless at this time of the year.  I feel sensitive to seasonal changes, and the spring season (southern hemisphere) affects me more than anything else.  Every year I get very restless and restive and day dream more and get motivated to do everything I have put off doing.  Maybe it is the sun shining and the warmth coming through.

However, this year it is also the time that Saturn will lessen its affects on all of us. 

Wha?????  I didn’t know that Saturn was affecting me ... until I saw the article I have reproduced below**.  

Of course ... I Google ... I need to know more.

Apparently Saturn has a major effects on us every 22 years of our lives.  So every 22 years we undergo a change in our lives and circumstances, and the way we see ourselves. 

Unverified evidence suggests that this is the time of increasing divorces (every 22 years there are peaks), burgeoning health fads, taking courses, visits to exotic holiday destinations etc, etc, etc.  

Try this: However old you are now ... take off approx. 22 years and calculate how old you were and where you were 22 years ago.  Was it a time of change? 

Are you considering any changes now?

My challenge to you ... think about the last two years in your life and read below what has been influencing your star sign. 

Then look at other peoples star signs and tell me ... does your sign seem more ‘you’ than anyone else? (From www.news.com)

“There are two months until Saturn changes signs from Libra to Scorpio.

Saturn helps us grow, but learning its lessons can be tiring. Where you are experiencing trials, Saturn is affecting you, be it on your natal chart (the chart for your time, date and place of birth) or solar chart (the chart for your star sign).

Here’s a rundown of where each sign is affected (and has been for more than two years): Aries – your relationships, but in some ways, your whole life! Taurus – the daily grind. Gemini – your ability to have fun. Cancer – home and family. Leo – your ability to think positively. Virgo – financially. Libra – your whole life! Scorpio – your fears. Sagittarius – your friendships. Capricorn – your work. Aquarius – your freedom of movement. Pisces – your fears regarding money and letting someone get close.

As the cycle draws to its October close, you’ll feel Saturn’s lessons more strongly, but hang on. Life could improve once it is over.”

** Take all this with ‘a pinch of salt’ (I am a scientist and shouldn’t even consider thinking about any of this esoteric ‘guff’, but I try to be open minded...there is something more out there... I just haven’t found what it is yet).

Sorry to indulge.. me and Sir David!!!!!!!!

Hi All, 

Just a quick one .... I had the ultimate pleasure and excitement of meeting Sir David Attenborough yesterday at the Monash Science Centre.  

What a lovely, lovely, sincere man.  His documentary series and his book 'Life on Earth' were profound influences on me when I was in my late teens, and I am eternally grateful to him, even though he doesn't know it (although I tried to tell him). 

His legacy has continued to contribute to my life in many positive ways. 

Below - the proof, with my good friend Cilla who was as excited as me!!!!!!!!!!

What did we chat about????   For me to know ....

Many thanks to Steve Morton for taking the photo and forwarding it to me.

Don’t you love variety

I have to go on a ‘road trip’ tomorrow for work.  It is a three hour drive each way, to pick up some samples.

I know the way well, driving the route at least 5-6 times a year.  It takes me through hills and forests and small towns as well as right through the heart of Melbourne.  On a rainy day, or a sunny day, there is always something to see.  Eagles and hawks hovering, rainbows, gorgeous  huge white and grey clouds trying to lift over mountains in the distance, sometimes the scars from bush fires, the ‘grey’ tourist caravans (retired couples spending the inheritance!) with ‘Oscar and Violet, channel 79’ inscribed on the side of their van; just waiting for your radio call.  Love it!

You know the best thing about it.  The freedom.  You can stop at a local bakery at any time, you can play your favourite songs on the CD player and blare out a few tunes.  I like to take my camera and stop to take photos of nothing and everything.  But the best thing .... I am actually working.

I love my job.  But the variety is what keeps me fresh and keen.  If I had to spend each day behind the desk I would go stir crazy. 

I go ‘bush’ sometimes, or to business lunches, or give presentations interstate, even getting the morning coffee.

In your  own job, don’t the events that happen infrequently make your day?  When I was teaching high school, all those years ago, sports days or student free days just shook up the routine enough to make the rest of the week feel shorter and better.

When I was packing bulk goods in London (that was really ALL THOSE YEARS AGO) every time a new product came and we had to package it, it was great because we could look at the new stuff and laugh about it (Val Doonican sings the hits, again...) or wonder if we could use it (socks with individual toes – bought them, wore them, hated them, donated them to the second hand shop).

So, my road trip tomorrow; bring it on.  

The Great Ocean Road ...... ROAD TRIP!!!!!!!

Last Easter I had a wonderful long weekend along the GOR (Great Ocean Road).  Apart from the unusual gorgeous scenery, surf (or lack of; at Apollo Bay) and tourist-y attractions, there are a few things to do/see that are not in the tourist brochures.

Cape Patton Lookout

It is easy to miss this one if you are driving toward Lorne because the sign is covered by dozens of stickers from all over the world.  It is a tourist-made tourist attraction.  The lookout view itself is spectacular, but the sign is an artefact in its own right.  It is easier to see coming the other way, the sign is still intact!

Breakfast at La Bimba, Apollo Bay

Easily the best breakfast I have had for years.  Generous and authentic.  You don’t get the standard sliced smoked salmon; you get chunks of smoked trout, artisan bread etc. Coffee is great (ask for a mug – the huggable mugs are gorgeous on a cold day), the view (if you get a veranda seat) is cosmopolitan and the cakes looked super divine and are combinations that you wish you had thought of (pity I was too full from breakfast to go back for cake later!). 

Up-Market, Lorne

There is a market upstairs from one of the main street shops which is made up of un-manned stalls.  Sellers put up their wares in a designated space and one person at the front of the shop runs all the stalls.  The wares range from the run of the mill Indian/Balinese imports to local-made produce, art works (good and not so good), second hand goods, clothes and jewellery.  Great for a browse.

Down near the river at Anglesea

If you go for a wander near the river at Anglesea there are a couple of shops almost on the river bank itself, near the foot bridge.  There’s a little restaurant where you can watch the overseas tourists wander around with their backpacks, a lovely little organic grocer-come-deli with local produce and bread and a kitch but expensive homewares-type store.

Speaking of local produce, though this is not technically part of the GOR, around the back near the Coles supermarket in Ocean Grove is a great little fruit shop called ‘Elvis Parsley and Grapesland’.  True! Great name! Great quality fruit and veg with some organic choices too!

There was a shop with a similar name ‘Grapes land’, in Woodford, where the owner used to sing “Suspicious Limes” and “Viva Las Vegies”.... in Elvis gear no less.  Unfortunately it has closed ... but I would have loved to see that!

Do you have any hidden GOR treasures for me to explore next time?