all for believing

And then there were two

2012-02-09T16:24:00.003+11:00

So Monica is moving to Bathurst. Weird to think I have had over a year to prepare and she's got two and a half weeks! This is all going to be so interesting.

The parentals are left with two childers.

2012-02-06T13:08:00.003+11:00

Gosh, that was turning out to be a bloody nightmare. I didn't mention it on here but I did a nice hefty $5000 worth of damage to my car in November last year. Finally decided to make a claim through AAMI a few weeks ago and man do they have me jumping through hoops!

I can't pick my own smash repairer unless I get two quotes prior to the AAMI assessment, which was just this past saturday. My parents took the car in for me and told me that the EuroAutos got the job. YES! So I take my car in this morning and get a rental free of charge, from the lovely man who runs the smash repairer. While shopping they phone me saying that there seemed to be a problem with the job.

I call AAMI, turns out it was Kings Park Prestige who got the job, not EuroAutos. Then I have to talk to the AAMI assessor and man I had to whinge and say my parents were told one thing and the computer says another. Bloody drama, especially seeing as my car is already at EuroAutos. I pleaded my case and he changed it over. But hell, that was bloody annoying, I was thinking I would have to go back and change everything over. I'm not going with AAMI any longer.

Well that was embarrassing

2012-02-04T21:36:00.000+11:00

I had a session with Bill today. It was amazing I was no where near as tight and it was far, far less painful. It's exciting how quickly my body is progressing. I have a million exercises I need to do multiple times a day. But the benefits will be extraordinary. He said it could be back to normal. Or as close to as possible. Don't really want to get my hopes up too much though and then be disappointed.

So I farted. It just came out while he was applying a shit load of pressure to a point on my arse. My muscle relaxed and woop!! Out it goes.

'SORRY!!'

'That's okay, it's only built up pressure.'

The humiliation!

Call me racist, but arsehole of an Indian on the bus!!

2012-02-02T17:31:00.001+11:00

I have to type thisshit up!!! SO, I’m on the bus atthe back sitting against a window seat, on the phone booking myself anappointment to do with my knee. I’m juggling my diary, phone, pen, wallet, business cards and I’m justgetting off the phone with an Indian sits next to me onto my coat. I awkwardly pull it up, yet he lands onit again, so I pull it out from his arse. I get all my crap into my bag and am about to shove my headphones inwhen he totally leans over me.

Dickhead- I think you can move over.

Me- (can’t believe heeven suggests such a thing and with such a demanding tone. *think about it*) No, I’m already on the edge of theseat.

Dickhead- *looks* Youhave plenty of space to move over.

Me- No I don’t, I’malready on the edge of the seat.

Dickhead- You haveplenty of space, look at everyone else. They’re all the way over.

Me- They’re leaning onthe window. I don’t want to dothat, because then my back won’t be straight and it will mess up with myposture.

Dickhead- I thinkyou’re being very rude.

Me- I think you’rebeing rude.

Dickhead- You shouldmove over.

Me- I have been catching the bus for oversix years everyday and no one has ever had a problem with the way I sit on a chair! If you have a problem with it you canmove. There are plenty of otherseats around *points to the 10+ freespaces available* so you can move if you’re not happy sitting here. And actually I would prefer if you didmove because I don’t want you sitting next to me being all tense. *shoves head phones in ears*

Dickhead- *doesn’t move*

Me- *wants to punch him in the head. Maybe I was a little rude? I could have moved. But no. I didn’t like histone. I bet it’s because he’sIndian and thinks that he is superior to woman. No I’m not taking this bullshit*

Dickead- (45mins into bus ride) *gets off*

Me- (almost home)

Person behind me- *taps me on shoulder* Don’t worry about that guy. He was so obnoxious and I was going to slap him in the headmyself if he didn’t stop.

Me- Thanks so much. At firstI thought maybe I was rude, but then I was like no, it was him.

Person behind me- If he has a problem he should go back to his owncountry where men rule.

Me- I was thinking it, but I would never say it.

Person behind me- *nods*

Me- *feels so much better*

The Psychology Shop

2012-01-31T15:20:00.001+11:00

I have been trying to track down this journal for ages. YES! I have found one of the best sites ever.

So many products to tickle my fancy.

http://www.thepsychologyshop.com/in-my-humble-opinion/

2012-01-31T12:29:00.002+11:00

Okay, I definitely overdid it last night with the stretching and exercising. It's so painful to walk. Hello limp.

I thought I was doing the right thing

2012-01-30T20:16:00.002+11:00

Another physiotherapist named Michael is entering my life. I had my first session with him today and boy was it eye opening. I think with the combination of Michael and Bill I may actually get my knee working properly and completely eliminate all the resulting pain from it.

I'm a combination of relieved, curious, eager as well as totally frustrated, pissed off and upset. It seems as though I spent thousands and thousands of dollars that I did not have on a physiotherapist that didn't do the right things for me. It infuriates me, as this may have been avoided if I realised straight away, but I really didn't know any better. Looks like I am going to have to invest a shit load more into proper rehabilitation which should have been addressed in the first instance.

Honestly I want to cry.

Edit: AND, one thing that really bothers me is the fact that I had told my past physiotherapist that I was having right lower back pain and I was positive it was to do with my knee. He said there was no way the two were connected no matter how adamant I was. So wrong.

Knee Tales

2012-01-29T10:22:00.000+11:00

My knee is stillbugging me and I’m not happy with my leg twisting in and having a slightlydeformed look to it. As much as Ipush through the pain and keep on running, sometimes I can’t push through itand I end up with a slight limp the next day. Though I still think the workout it totally worth it. Myright lower back and left knee are starting to have serious issues as well as Ihaven’t been walking properly for over two years.

I revisited my surgeonwho was surprised to see that my knee was much better then he thought it wouldbe. In two years I have progressedto the sixth month stage of rehabilitation for an ACL reconstruction. He considered me an ‘early Christmaspresent’, which I thought was rather nice. But whaaaaat, six months *shakes head*

Tanya is seeing aSports Scientist who is a muscle and tendon manipulator. I asked her to plead my case and see ifhe could do anything about it. Ihad my first visit on Friday night after an exceptionally long day at work.

All Bill had to do wastouch my thigh and he cringed at how tight and all seized up my musclesare. I had been dreading thisappointment, as Tanya had told me it is a very ‘painful’ treatmentprocess. On her first visit therewas a rugby player in another room screaming his head off trying toescape. Doesn’t really paint apretty picture.

The treatment wasquite painful. He likened someareas to going over a cattle grid; everything is that tight. Apparently I also have muscles thataren’t sitting in the right places –tops! I didn’t find it any more painful than the physiotherapy I went through,but this went for an hour, which was an awful lot longer. It was a physical and mentalworkout in itself and required lots of clenching, but no screaming! Walking out I felt rather awesome albeita little bruised. I can physically see the change anddifference to the angle of my knee and it is slightly easier to walk.

What he does is applyso much pressure at points in the muscles so that the muscle completely crampsup, the nerves then send a signal to your brain to relax, plus my willingnessto as well!

I’m supposed to beseeing a new Physiotherapist tomorrow morning who also dabbles in the work ofmanipulation. I’m curious to hearwhat he has to say about Bill’s methods. There is no ‘scientific evidence’ to back up Bill’s twenty years ofpractice (he developed the treatment, there is no one else out there who doeswhat he can do) and because of that physiotherapists tend to cringe and are generallyhorrified. Though the truth is ineach and every one of his patients. An Achilles heal injury generally puts people out for months. He’s treated people and had themrunning again in three days. Ifthat’s not proof then I don’t know what is.

I have a decision tomake.

CRUNCH TIME!!

2012-01-25T15:25:00.000+11:00

I wish I was referring to food!

I have a place to stay, a bed, a new mac a lizard and I'm going to uni. That's all I need to pack up my life and move to Newcastle right?

101 Dalmatians

2011-12-30T01:16:00.001+11:00

I love my new 101 Dalmatian pi's by Peter Alexander. Thanks Moika and Takles. They're cute and I like cute things (haha taking the piss out of Tak here) I have to get the DVD, my video is shot!

The power of a good book.

2011-12-30T01:10:00.001+11:00

Unbelievable. I'm ready and rearing to go to bed at 8:30pm, I pick up Christopher Paolini's 'Inheritance' and suddenly I'm not tired, I attempt sleep, fail and have to get up and watch some Private Practice. It's almost 1am! How did that happen!? I was so tired! Mainly because I was trying to catch up on sleep from two nights ago when I only managed to get to sleep from 5am. Awful to say the least!

I put it all down to my impending move in February. Everything is ready and set to go. I have a place with four boys and a girl. Only met the girl, but I honestly can not wait. She is super lovely and the boys sound great. I really need to get away from such girl orientated activities! They're starting to drive me crazy.

It's going to be weird the first few weeks. Trying to settle and be able to call the place home. It's all happening so damn fast! I only have four weeks of work left. O.O Now that really puts it into perspective.

I'm pretty much set. Picked up my new Macbook Pro (it's so damn swish), printer and new camera; which was an absolute bargain! I picked it up for $199, went back into JB today and it's at $400; INSANE!!! I sort of started hyperventilating with that shopping trip as we got Dad an iPad 2 for his 50th and Monica picked up and iPod, so my card got a bit of beating. I was going to get the iPhone too, but had to ask him to put it back on the shelf. I couldn't justify it at the moment, no matter how much I want a new phone!

I really need to sort out this crap with 3. Not only do I not get reception in Newcastle, but I am having some serious problems with it in my own home, which is just ridiculous.

Well that's my mini update, it's been a while. No doubt I will be on here a lot more often next year! Have to keep everyone in the loop. Plus I will no doubt have plenty of time on my hands, not sure what I think of that just yet.

Bad vibes

2011-12-01T08:25:00.001+11:00

The whole Apartment chick was just 'off'. I spoke to her a couple of days ago saying that I was really interested and keen, but I wasn't getting the right vibes from her. Not really sure why she was so stand-off-ish. Anyways she said she would get back to me last night, which she did. I only just read the e-mail now and I have this innate need to not only defend myself...but also MR G!!!

Truth be told if it was her roomie moving out that was staying we would have gotten on like gold. She was really friendly and helpful.

I'm glad it didn't work out, because I was starting to not feel comfortable at all!! Urgh, I feel like I should reply to her, though I will probably say something I shouldn't!

Thanks for you interest in the place. It was really nice to meet you. However I have thought about it and do not feel comfortable with a lizard in the house. I hope you find what you are looking for in a place, and wish you all the best.

SO, now I am planning to go up to Newcastle again. There was this house that I also checked out last weekend with a 20 and 21 year old boy and girl. That would have been my second choice. Though they've had a lot of interest in the place and I can see them going for someone a little younger. That aside, we all had an awesome chat and it was really comfortable and easy.

My brain hurts

2011-11-28T15:04:00.001+11:00

Trip to Newcastle was very much worth it. Basically I've been offered to stay with two girls in a Townhouse in Merewether, only thing is the room is soooo dark and tiled. I can't imagine myself really relaxing there. They're so lovely, it's a shame really...haven't told them I've picked somewhere else though.

I'm so keen on this Apartment in Bar Beach. I would be living with another girl. It's really light and airy. Completely has the same taste as me, which was made even more evident when I walked into her room and stated we both have the same quilt covers. CRAZYYY!! The only thing sort of deterring me from it is that it's $25 more then this LOVELY house in Merewether (on the same street as the townhouse) that I would be sharing with two others (male and female, a little younger then me). This is by far the best deal. Though ultimately I am totally leaning and gearing towards the apartment.

I'd say the real thing that's making my decision rather difficult is the fact that Centrelink give you peanuts when it comes to rent assistance! I'm also sort of freaking out over the fact that I need to find a new job. With a job it will be fine and sweet as. Though really the less you pay the better. Too hard...my brain hurts. I need to make a decision really soon though! Otherwise I will get no sleep whatsoever.

2011-11-17T15:22:00.001+11:00

Watched the glee episode from last night at work today *ninja* Keep your lips sealed y'all!!
Freaking amazing!!!

NAYA...it's all I need to say really.

maltesers

2011-11-14T15:04:00.001+11:00

Clearly I'm not doing myself any favours when I decided to go down to Priceline and get myself a bag. My Dietitian put me back on my diet from the start because I've been having problems again. *rolls eyes* The surgery I had really didn't help. Basically sent me back to where I was. BUT, I do feel better and am ruining it with lactose laced chocolatey treats. I can't believe I used to eat the stuff EVERYDAY with no problems. My body is waCk.

2011-11-13T11:47:00.001+11:00

I’ve started applying for work in Newcastle next year. I’ve applied for two and I heard from both of them, one a clear no and one a ‘your application was successful and now here’s a bunch of stuff for you to do for me.’ It sounds like the perfect job. The only problem is flexibility with working hours and days. Who really wants to hire a student!?

Ahhh, I can’t believe I have to do this all again so soon! It’s so much harder to get a job up there as well, because there’s just not that many. A search for Part-Time Receptionist roles only got me 16 hits in the last 30 days. That’s really not that much at all. One of the problems is that I want a sitting down job, due to my screwed up knee. That limits me SOOOoo much. Not really sure what I’m going to do. Though I really don’t want it to start stressing me out. Wish I could just keep my cooshy Medical Receptionist position here. That’s another thing, I really want to stay in the Medical Arena, otherwise I’m afraid I will lose any sense of care or motivation. Truth is, kind of really all freaks me out. You can only live on your savings for so long and I really want to avoid that.

Turtle Nightmare

2011-10-31T16:28:00.001+11:00

I’m one week post op and have spent the last two days trying to sort out my bros 16th birthday present, which I completely organised everything for and let’s just say my Mother didn’t even look at the info I gave her for two weeks, until I cracked a shit and MADE her call people, because it’s not even my gift to him! MMMmmmmggrrrr…I am in PAIN right now…elaborate shortly.

He’s getting a turtle. We bought an awesome 4ft second hand tank that came with a filter, gravel and all the chemical agents required. SOOOO…my Mum finally cleaned it. I decided that my brain couldn’t handle watching the television set anymore because I keep getting a horrible headache first thing in the morning and I it feels like my eyes are gonna fall out. Now that I can finally walk around without bending over like an old lady desperate to get oxygen into my lungs I decided to clean all the rocks, fill up the tank and get the filter going.

WELL, there was some oil shit at the bottom of one bucket…so I washed the buckets separately and only put the gravel that look A-OK into the tank . This stuff was stuck too my hands so badly it took a mixture of laundry soap, metho and eucalyptus oil to get it off my hands. I was peeved cos I had almost no energy and I didn’t want to deal with it (OH THANK GOD, the mac just died and I thought I lost this post which resulted in a slight rise in blood pressure…anyway) So I started filling up the tank with water. But it was really cloudy and I could see an oil slick developing on the top of the water and I was like, ‘You have got to be absolutely shitting me’. Then it turned into an argument with Mum so I stormed into my room and decided to fume in there for a while. I was so damn cranky. I’ve had a cranky week. I blame the surgery…and the pain.

An hour later I decide it has to be dealt with NOW! So I removed the rocks and slowly got the water out, cleaned the tank with dishwashing liquid to remove the oil, vinegar, then wiped it down a million times. An hour later, talk about EFFORT!! It was supposed to be as simple as, rinse the rocks, shove them in, fill up the tank and get the filter going. No such luck.
Today I decided to step into the car. Was sort of hard to drive, headed to the nursery. Got the rocks, then headed to the pet shop to get the UVB light the turtle needs.
Washing the rocks was challenging in itself! I couldn’t carry the 20kg bags up to the backyard cos I’d probably bust my hernia again, which I so didn’t need. So there was a lot of traipsing backwards and forwards for two hours. OMG, so tired and my incision was just SCREAMING at me to stop!! Thankfully Monica got home just at the right time and cleaned the remainder of them! Which I thought…yes THOUGHT would be great to set up the filter! BUT NO…that decided to be a bitch too!!! I haven’t even put it all together because the lever that’s supposed to click into place just won’t do it, no matter what I do. I’ve been playing with that for around 30minutes and have gotten jack of that.

This damn tank which is supposed to be soooooo simple is turning into an absolute nightmare. I’m tired, in pain and just wanna sit on the couch and be fat!

…to be continued… no doubt something else is gonna go wrong!

2011-10-21T14:30:00.002+11:00

Now that all the pain and discomfort has subsided I can safely say that getting that remedial massage the other day was so beneficial. I can move and I'm not sore anymore. YES! I'm so going to go again.

Snow White

2011-10-20T10:34:00.006+11:00

I'm totally psyched for the new Snow White adaptions coming to screen soon!!

Okay, I'm really not a K.Stewart fan but this version, 'Snow White and the Huntsmen' looks splendidly dark and creepy!

The untitled version starring Julia Roberts looks equally fantastic catering more for the masses I assume. The costume, sets and ultimate feel of each films already speak volumes.

2011-10-20T10:09:00.000+11:00

I've been in desperate need for a back massage the last few weeks. Though not any old back rub that you can get from the spa. At 2pm yesterday during work hours I made my way down to an Asian remedial massage and alternate therapies centre that I walk past on my way to and from work everyday. (I figured they're fantastic at what they do)

BOY did that Asian lady work my back, neck and shoulders! She kneaded and kneaded my knots. I find it amazing that she could find all the problem areas, as there were so many. It was wonderful if not extremely painful at times and proved to be a rather interesting nights sleep. I'm definitely going to go back there. They know EXACTLY what they're doing and are affordable at $40 for 45 minutes. Some of the places I googled were double this. I feel a lot more limber!

RADICAL CHANGE!

2011-10-19T15:27:00.000+11:00

Yep, I'm a blonde again. Well strawberry/peach blonde. I decided to go for it. At the end of the day it is only hair!

I've had mixed responses. Those that have any style or interest for the wild and out there, LOVE IT and it shows all over their faces! Then there are those that I knew would smile and nod, 'ohhh, it's not quite how I imagined.' It's okay really. It's not for everyone.

I myself am still really trying to get used to it. I think I should have gone more for the strawberry instead of halfway. It's turned out a little more peachy hued then I would have liked. I don't know why I am umming and ahhing over giving the Salon a call to fix it up. Mainly for the fact that there is no way I will be able to get it done before my surgery on Monday and I don't know how they would feel about changing it two weeks from now.

Ultimately I REALLY like it, but I don't love it.

LOVE the new Peter Alexander Disney Collection

2011-10-14T09:55:00.000+11:00

I want soooo many of them! But especially these:

The photo really doesn't do them justice. But they're so silky and pretty!

http://www.peteralexander.com.au/tem/PA_petersworld.tem

He stole my money!

2011-10-09T20:29:00.004+11:00

The dream I had last night was strange indeed.

I was a bridesmaid for a friend who was getting re-married. I broke her tiara and I also broke something else that I was supposed to wear.

It then morphed to a side walk where I had a bag with $10 000 cash in it. A construction worker across the street came over and asked me something and then took off with the bag. I immediately gave chase and yelled to my friend and her mother to call the police. I was desperate that they did!

The police turned up and caught the guy, though the cash was no longer in the bag. They told me the guy freaked out when I gave chase and figured that whatever was in the bag had to be of some worth.
They found the money had be dumped on the side of a road down a cliff. All the bills where mixed up in the terrain. The police made the construction worker and his mates collect it all

CHASE
To dream that you are chasing someone signifies that you are attempting to overcome a difficult goal or task. You may also be expressing some aggressive feelings toward others.

MONEY
To see or win money in your dream indicates that success and prosperity is within your reach. Money represents confidence, self-worth, success, or values. You have much belief in yourself.

TIARA
To see or wear a tiara in your dream symbolizes feminine power and mystique. You know how to use your femininity to get your way.

BREAK
To dream that you break something indicates that changes are ahead for you. You need to "break" away from some situation and change the direction that your life is headed in.

It's all very interesting because the $10 000 figure is very significant to me right now. It's my goal for next year and I've basically reached it. The only thing is I have surgery and various other expenses coming up that are going to impinge on my saving and I won't have as much as I would like. Though considering the circumstances I believe I have done very well with paying off my medical debt and being able to go overseas.

All the symbols signify the change I will be going through next year with moving to Newcastle. When I gave chase I could see/feel myself breaking ground and moving the distance.

It's rare but the few vivid dreams I've had have ALWAYS transcended into what's going on in my life. I think it's amazing!

Little girl finds out she's going to Disneyland

2011-10-09T19:44:00.000+11:00

This is one of the most grateful, appreciative kids I've ever seen open up a gift! What a sweet little girl.

2011-10-07T13:38:00.002+11:00

I need to make these. CAH-UTE!

2011-10-06T15:51:00.001+11:00

It's one of those days. I'm feeling ridiculously bored right now, though maybe a little more antsy! I'm really starting to get sick of work. Don't get me wrong, I love what I do, but there really isn't enough 'work' for me to do. I could easily cut my week down to 3 days and I would still get it all finished.

In hindsight I really don't have all that long left. Going to Thailand was EXACTLY what I needed. Yet since I've been back I've found it slightly more difficult to sit in a chair all day long. It really stresses me out. I'm not usually good with sitting in positions for long periods of time anyway. That's sort of why I loved baking. Because I was constantly moving and once I finished baking all me muffins, I could leave.

Now I'm deciding whether or not I should head to the gym tonight as well. I SHOULD, and I know that once I get there I will feel awesome but I would like to be there, well NOW!!!

2011-09-29T14:25:00.002+10:00

Naya is just too clever! I completely love it!

http://twitpic.com/32gv5u

2011-09-29T14:12:00.000+10:00

Nabbed straight from Lea Michele's twitter feed, she's excited? I'M EXCITED!

http://yfrog.com/kjoiyutj

I've been holding out

2011-09-29T10:56:00.001+10:00

I told my boss this morning that I would be leaving in February next year. It was a sad moment. Though I feel doubly terrible as my co-worker only told me she was pregnant the other day and was planning on telling him on Friday. Double whammy.

I also feel a little guilty telling him my news first, though I justify it with being an opportune moment for me and I've had my secret for almost a year. So that trumps baby, right, RIGHT? Plus I am leaving like 4 months earlier. So why do I feel bad?

Offered Mum the opportunity to fill my position. She's seriously contemplating it. Though I honestly don't think I can work with her. I told her I would go insane. It would be great...but I do not want to train her. NO FREAKN WAY! Anyway it will be interesting to see what eventuates.

11. Travel the World.

2011-09-27T13:26:00.001+10:00

(I've been dreaming about thisfor years. Especially visiting Italy.)

ARRRR MAHHHH GAWDDDD!!! I am so tired and I don't reallyknow where to start, too much has happened! I am going to have to writethis over a few days.

SO...I may not have traveled the world yet, but I havestarted...with THAILAND of all places! I don't want this to be one ofthose boring travel blogs, so I will do my best breaking it down.

DAY 1

- A hell of a lot of TRAVELLING! With a start time of 5am.

- Sydney to Adelaide, Adelaide to Singapore, Singapore to Phuket!

- It was raining on arrival in Phuket and rather humid. A fewthings I noticed:

One - the power lines are rather insane.

Two - up to four people were sitting on motorcycles.

- Arrival to nice steamy Resort at around midnight, with a ROCK HARDbed

at 3am Sydney time.

Basically I decided I wanted to save myself $300 with flights. I am a tight arse. Though whist being in Thailand Moika and Ibecame totally stinge-oes!! Apparently 200 baht is too much for a shirt!(approx. AU$6).

DAY 2

- RAINING CATS AND DOGS!!!

- Hung out at the local retail store at Patong Beach calledJungceylon.

- It was a Sunday, it was 10am and there was nothing open excepttheir giant Walmart type place called Big C Extra. We fell in love withBig C Extra spending a whole two hours exploring the place. They have rawmeat and seafood sitting out, you serve yourself. That area absolutelystunk! And they sell rice and oil in 10 kilo bags.

- When we finally emerged we found that all the shops were open.

- Back to the power lines. Obviously they’re seriously shit,because we were plunged into absolute darkness about 5 times whileshopping. Perfect for shop lifters.

- I ate Pad Thai. Naturally.

- We had our feet sucked by fish. One of the most intenselyticklish sensations ever.

- Sent postcards hoping theywould arrive before us (they did, by one day! YES!)

DAY 3

- Still raining, we brave the Patong Beach area and get ourbargaining voices on and bought dodge-o t-shirts.

- Experienced the awesomeshady business of buying DVD's in a dark back room.

- I saw a man selling a hammock on the side of the road. Ibargain, I buy for $13. It’s definitely the most random item we boughtthe whole trip. Why not eh!?

- Maccas. It doesn’t look particularly appealing, pork burgeranyone?

DAY 4

- NO RAIN, perfect weather for our tour to Phi Phi Island and threeothers, incredible amazing water!

- Wild Monkey’s!! They jump on our speedboat, the guides givesone Pepsi. Hmm...

- We snorkel and I see clownfish, angelfish, parrot fish etc...and ahell of a lot of urchins! This was really rather awesome.

- Monica’s nose gets so burnt it blisters.

- We feel feral and jump in pool on return.

DAY 5

- BIG BUDDHA! I really wanted to buy my Baka a littleimage/figurine...something for a lark. She would totally flip out andthis would be highly amusing.

- It’s half built and when it’s completed it will be absolutelyincredible.

- Our taxi driver was cool, he took us to a Temple as well. Itwas hot, there were a lot of cats.

DAY 6

- Insect world and our first day in a Tuk Tuk. Freak, todaywas HOT! Butterfly room was a furnace. I wish I could have stayedin their longer but I could barely breathe.

- *shudders* The tarantulas were bloody feral, I didn’t likegetting close to them. Thailand can keep them.

- Butterflies were lapping up our sweat!

- I saw a little gecko on the wall. :D

- Tuk Tuk man then took us to Old Phuket Town, where there were nosupposed markets. We ate, we had cheap cocktails and then we headed back.

- Dressed up for the Simon Cabaret!!! Lady Boys! Thiswas the cheesiest thing ever, but so cool. Thai people can’t dance sexy! Lady Gaga, Cher...etc.

- SCREW THEM BITCHES!!! When we walked out of the theatre wewere mobbed by performers encouraging us to take a photo and demandingpayment. I was in a state of shock and I couldn’t think and they stressedme out! So I pulled out 500 baht... ‘:O oh...we share, weshare.’ Picture was a piece of crap. Grr...ruined my night.

DAY 7

- Magic Show. Totally depressed me! The show was alittle lame. I felt bad for him. There was like 15 people in theaudience (we got free tickets).

- It broke my heart, there was a baby elephant that was used in atrick. It looked terrified. Moika and I were so upset that the poorthing was up there and we had to see it.

- So, we went and had cocktails.

DAY 8

- ElephantHills! I was so psyched to get out of Patong and into the wilderness. Three hour drive later and getting to really know our fellow tour peeps.

- Uponarrival we were just in awe by the place. It was beautiful, it washeavenly and it was quite frankly perfect. They made us the most amazinglunch. We explored our tent expecting to be roughing it. CLEARLYNOT!!

- Preparedfood, fed, bathed the elephants. They’re incredible creatures and I lovethem so much more now. We did not ride them, I don’t condone this. If you ever go to Thailand please refrain from this tourist attraction, it’sonly cruel. Some of the mahout’s who care for them, do not treat themwell and it’s just no life for them.

- Spentthe late evening forcing myself to start reading ‘Girl with the Dragon Tattoo’,but unable to concentrate wishing I had brought my own book. Woke up toMoika coming into the tent trying to find her way around with the light fromher mobile...tsk

DAY 9

- Woke up having had to share a bed with Moika and getting next tono sleep. She moves...A LOT!!

- Through the mangroves. Only Moika and I with 5 tour guides.

- I wasn’t thrilled about the whole thing but was pleasantlysurprised. They’re nothing like Australian mangroves which are ugly andstink.

- Saw black and yellow snake, kingfisher, fish, hermit crab (I hadfun playing with him)

- Pissed off with ourselves for not bringing our books. Actually started enjoying mine. Moika started Eclipse...bahaha, awesomeSHIT!

DAY 10

- Woke up having a decent night’s sleep with Moika, she controlledherself. Unfortunately for her she was concentrating so hard on notmoving that she wasn’t as lucky. :P

- Jungle trekking! More like creek trekking. We only toosneakers for this not knowing that it actually involved walking up a stream themajority of the way.

- I was stubborn and refused to give into having to submerge myshoes and hopped from rock to rock to bank to rock to stick the wholeway. Moika and co followed suit.

- Jungle man made us a beautiful lunch and wowed us with his coconutopening expertise.

- Slightly drenched and deciding we had had enough water for the daywe thought it best to put on our ponchos and continue on our way.

- Three hour drive back to our Patong resort. It absolutelyPOURED!!!

- Pissed thatmy FOSSIL watch had been slightly ruined by DEET. More annoyed withmyself for lack of judgement when I knew deep down it was likely to happen.

DAY 11

- Enjoyed our last day lounging around our resort.

- Stressed out when there were a few problems with our accommodationpayments. Australia screwed up so they sent the bill there, totally resolved. Thank goodness.

DAY 12

- AIRPORT! O_O Horrible, horrible. Our plane fromPhuket arrived 1am in Singapore. We had to go through immigration to getour bags (for some stupid reason they couldn’t go all the way to Sydney). We then proceeded to wait the whole duration of the evening to get into theterminal at 6:30am.

- Tried to sleep and failed.

- Read, played Quidditch, stretched and went a little insane.

- Plane ride was rather horrible. SO TIRED, tried to sleep andflinched awake every 3-5 mins. I think Moika thinks I have terrets. I kind of believe I do too. It’s just awful and I get it is quite often,but not that bad.

- Got home at 9pm, got to bed at 11pm

DAY 13

- Back to work! *sighs*

Untitled from Alina V on Vimeo.

Priceless!

2011-09-09T14:59:00.003+10:00

2011-09-09T14:17:00.001+10:00

I booked our holiday to Phuket during the wettest season. Smart. Haha, somehow I don't know how this little bit of information escaped me, for I recall looking up when was best to go.

NEVERMIND, there will be no where near as many tourists. Plus I wasn't planning on being dry the whole time anyway and it will definitely add a lot more excitement to our trip.

I've been really looking forward to this for a while. We're jetsetting off tomorrow morning. I am so NOT looking forward to the plane trips. I'm stocked up with sleeping pills, lavender oil and my silicone earplugs.

And if it gets just TOO WET on some occasions we can just spend our whole time at the spa :P

2011-09-08T14:43:00.000+10:00

I really need to take stop using THAT business card as a bookmark and actually call the woman. Hypnotherapy and counselling. I think I could really benefit from it and I can tell because my body is starting to flip out again slowly. I have my guesses...

Let's talk about SWEAT!

2011-09-06T16:09:00.000+10:00

Okay so my sister Tanya tells me that I go too far with some of the things I discuss and mention. Which just seems absurd to me because all of these things are natural body functions and nothing to be ashamed of.

SO...I'd say I sweat fairly easily. It can be the middle of winter, I am freezing cold and somehow I still manage to sweat through a jacket. I really despise it. Though I think that Monica may have introduced me to the invention of the century:

It WORKS like a charm. Do yourself a favour and spend the $12.95 on this beauty.

29 Gifts

2011-09-05T09:48:00.000+10:00

Yesterday was an absolutely glorious day that started off at 6am, which I wasn't particularly pleased about yet embraced and actually got out of bed instead of trying to force a few more minutes out of my body. Though by the time the evening hit, it was clear to me that the day felt like it was going on forever and was prolonged even further by my mid afternoon nap.

I'd finished my book, gone to the gym, showered, went to the chemist, piled the family in the car for afternoon tea and Father's Day festivity, had a nap, watched a few episodes of Daria, ate Dinner and then it was only 8:30pm and I was wide awake. You know when you get to that point where you just don't know what to do with yourself. I suggested we play a game!! Though I then had to wait forever for everyone to get organised, so I entertained myself with 'Salad Fingers'. Which is quite frankly some seriously MESSED UP SHIT, but freakn fantastic in my books.

In the end I lost all interest in playing anything. I didn't want to watch tv, I didn't want to go on the computer and I was starting to get frustrated with myself. So I picked up a new book. '29 Gifts' by Cami Walker. GOOD DECISION!!! It's about a 35year old woman who gets diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis. She lets her illness take over her life, until one day a friend tells her she needs to stop thinking about herself and challenges her with a 29 Gift Prescription that ultimately changes her life. I'm only a quarter of the way in, but I do know that you need to read this! It's beautiful how the act of giving can light up your life.

2011-09-03T20:16:00.001+10:00

It amazes me how it can take a tragic event for people to really see and appreciate what is right in front of them. It also fascinates me because I am so aware of the notion that the unexpected can strike at any moment. Somewhere in the back of my mind I am prepared for the most traumatic of circumstances. I may not know how to deal with the situation, but I am mentally adjusted with the idea that although I don't necessarily want to have to experience particular circumstances, I know that it is still a possibility. Is that messed up and negative? I don't really think so. I'd say it's a coping mechanism for me.

I'm mentioning this because since the aftermath of Catherine's unforeseen devastating death, I've had a close friend -whom I've been trying to reach out to for the last year- unexpectedly tell me how much she values having me in her life. This was a beautiful wonderful surprise. While it is slightly disheartening that it took an event such as this for her to have this revelation, at least she had it. People go through life taking things for granted. They watch the news and see horrible things happening around the world all the time, but they inadvertently distance themselves from it because they don't have a deep understanding of it or nothing like it has directly affected them in any way. So they watch and then they forget. Or maybe they do it on purpose, until if and when a day such as this ever comes.

I think this whole knee thing has really changed who I am for the better. I'm more aware then I've ever been before. And while it was so difficult to have to go through I am so grateful for where it got me today. It's been two years and I finally feel like I have control of not only who I am, but of my body again.

2011-09-03T19:43:00.001+10:00

The Help.

A very liberating film. I thoroughly enjoyed Emma Stone's performance as Eugina Skeeter, caught up in the Southern town of Jackson trying to gain experience in a man's world of journalism and social racial angst. It was touching, moving and rather empowering.
http://thehelpmovie.com/us/

I'd like to think that if I were brought up in that era that I may have also been a driving force. To live this life, to be ALIVE, what does it mean? A nice philosophical question for you all. A conversation that I shared with my fellow viewer today. I don't live for God and I don't breathes God's name. I don't believe I will die and go to heaven. In fact I'm not really sure what I think, but I do know that I am alive here and now and I can not predict what's going to happen. Though I do have faith that it will all work out. I have faith because there are stories and facts (yet some may consider them fiction) that prove or make us hope and believe there is a driving force that connects us all in some way. I love the idea of being spiritually connected and aware with everything that goes on around us. We only know this one life -regardless of what happens and comes after this- so I believe that I live THIS life to my full potential, embody everything it has to offer and recognise the beauty in everyday, then I am content with whatever death will find me.

What I know for sure is that there is no way I am going to be put in a box and buried underground. Nor do I like the idea of being put in a pretty vase to live out the rest of my glory days on a mantle piece. Scatter me, let me go and become part of this world once again. There is no need for memorable plaques or urns. I hope that my body can save many peoples lives and live on through them. Be of practical use. That would be my last gift to this world.

2011-09-02T13:58:00.000+10:00

ohhhh...what a nice surprise. I won a neck and shoulder wrap for pain management. Something which I entered on the Body and Soul magazine months ago!!

Reminds me of the competition entry days. Seriously, if you're not in it to win it you won't ever get anything. In a space of a year I got to go the Harry Potter and Prisoner of Azkaban Premiere, 2004 Aria Awards, Tina Arena Concert and few other little bits and pieces.

2011-09-02T13:45:00.000+10:00

:D I'm happy and debt free and clear of medical bills. Of course my bank account isn't quite as full as I'd like it to be, but it's great to know that for at least the next few months I don't have to worry!

Naturally I am scouring Anthropologie for loads of GIFTS to buy EVERYONE ELSE!!! Christmas is coming up and I am planning ahead. But this one is FOR ME:

http://www.anthropologie.com/anthro/index.jsp

2011-09-01T13:43:00.001+10:00

I've had a good list of topics that I wanted to discuss, but I haven't been particularly blogger savvy of late. I blame a lot of this due to my new Pottermore obsession (and maybe a little sheer laziness). JK Rowling is a genius I tell you! I feel rather chuffed that I am one in a million AND that I am officially a SLYTHERIN! I honestly thought I would be a Ravenclaw or Gryffindor. But this is far better! GUYS...you have to get onto it when it opens to the world in October! It's great, I brew potions at work in between calls and scanning. Total multi-tasker.

I've been really unsure about my whole St John's Ambulance participation. Truth of the matter is the Division I am a part of really is more geared to the older generation that don't mind slapping on a band-aid every other weekend. I'm looking for a little more blood and guts! OK OK OK, I won't get too far ahead of myself because I would probably be shocked in the first instance if I happened upon such a scenario before my first aid skills kicked in. Let's just say I find the weekly meetings boring as shit and an utter waste of time. Socially it would be wonderful if and when I got to really know all the members, but for some reason I have kept my distance because I know I won't be hanging around. I don't know, I guess I'm probably denying myself some really great friendships for a short time. I spent a BMX duty with an 18 year old who finished year 12 when he was 16 and is currently in his 3rd year of nursing. You could say he fully supported my lack of interest in the Division I am a part of and said if I really want to get out and see the nitty gritty I have to put myself out there and go to all the state duties. Talking to him re-motivated me and I think it's exactly what I need. Maybe when I get to Newcastle and have more experience under my wing I will feel more confident to put myself out there. I am also sort of second guessing my skills and ability. Which I so shouldn't do, but I HATE it when people watch me doing ANYTHING, especially if it's something new. I would rather do it and then tell them I stuffed afterward. Not very practical with these situations I know, but I feel more at ease and in control. I did a duty on Saturday and within my first 10 minutes of being there I had two kids come down off their bikes. One was fine, the other had a bleeding nose and a sore hand. Nothing I couldn't handle...and GREAT in a way, because I was able to take control of the situation without someone breathing down my neck. Despite the parents. But hey, they trust.

My sister has been back from the US for two weeks and already all shit has broken loose in the house. Everyone else picked up the slack while she was gone and since she's been back it is more apparent then ever that she isn't pulling her weight and definitely the culprit. It really annoys me because she just doesn't get it. Everything has to be spelled out to her, because she has such a lack of common sense. It's like she's looking at the world through rose coloured glasses. I swear to god! I'm really trying not to let her bug me, because while she was away our relationship got the break it needed to get strong again. I actually starting to miss her in the end. Only took me seven weeks to get to the point. Which is interesting, seeing a few years ago we constantly hung out together. Hmmm...but one thing I can not tolerate is her insistence to tell me how 'horrible' I am at any opportunity she gets. That really bugs me and actually upsets me, because she's the only person EVER that has said that to me, constantly. I don't get it either, I think it's because she doesn't understand me. I will put it down to ignorance, but she seems to think it's okay no matter how many times I tell her her assumptions of what I said/meant were taken in the wrong context.

Anyway...pfft, 'Daria's cousin or...WHATEVER'. (I've been watching DARIA...a LOT!)
ACTUALLY, haha this reminds me of something. Quinn totally reminds me of Tanya. Every time Monica and I watch it we piss ourselves laughing at how shallow and materialistic Quinn is. It's gold. Coincidentally I remind everyone else of Daria and I quote:
Tanya, "...it's because you're so horrible."

Yeah I had to say it. :P

2011-08-25T12:00:00.002+10:00

August is almost over. *takes deep breath* I have so many thoughts running through my head at the moment I don't even know where to start and I will probably forget to mention something!! I can't even really process how quickly the year has gone. It's FANTASTIC...but I am also starting to feel anxious about the inevitability of moving out of home next year and studying! WHAT?

I've had it really good for the last six months though. As soon as I found employment I started sleeping so well (more often then not from sheer mental exhaustion) with peace of mind knowing that I will be just fine for the next year at least. Though we've already past halfway and in the back of my mind (well not so far back anymore, it's dominating my thoughts) I keep thinking about all the things I need to do/consider and I'm starting to not sleep so well again, with my limb flinching coming back with a vengeance. It's so tiring when you almost reach that blissful state of sleep and then your leg jerks, repeatedly!!

I've spent the best part of my work day niggling peoples brains and researching places to rent in Newcastle, probably close to the coast. It's proved to be quite successful, now I need to find some time to check out these places over the next few months, before all the offers come out and I am scraping around to find something.

It's kind of interesting actually. I initially was totally against moving in with other people, wanting to have total domination and control, but I think I've come the realisation that it may be a lot nicer not having to worry about EVERYTHING. As long as I find a few people that I can comfortably live with and gel with, then I'm happy! They just have to be accommodating to MR G!!!

I now have the horrible task of finding out all the eligibility requirements with Centrelink. I know what I'm entitled to, it's just meeting all the wage thresholds etc. Hopefully they don't deny it to me for saving! That would be the shit! I already feel like I should have saved far more then I have. But I've had fun and I don't regret any of it, knowing that the next three years I'm going to be poor! Really can't complain.

In other news. Mary Poppins was BRILLIANT! I can't believe that stunts they pulled, just GENIUS!

Go see RED DOG. Lovely true blue Aussie film and story that will touch your heart. This dog was incredible to say the least.

2011-08-16T18:21:00.000+10:00

Okay it's official. I have a full blown lesbian crush on Glee's Naya Rivera!

Damn she's smoking!!

Nothing short of a tragedy.

2011-08-10T09:53:00.011+10:00

I woke up to a shocking message on Saturday morning. A girl whom I had gone to high school, wife of a friend, had died the morning previously.

Numb, pretty much sums up how I felt and still feel. I'm going to share what her husband had to say about the whole situation. I think it's so important to understand the severe ramifications that certain individuals actions can have on other peoples lives.

Catherine Elizabeth Taylor, my beautiful wife and the 24 year old mother of our incredible daughter, was killed at approximately 7.28am on Friday 5th August on her way to work.

I deliberately use the word "killed", rather than the term "died".

A 20 year old male with a suspended license, driving a manual V8 Commodore, lost control after exiting a roundabout. He hit a median strip (witnesses say the Commodore became airborne) and collided head-on with Catherine. She died instantly.

The coroner earlier today has informed me the details of the injuries she sustained and assured me that Catherine would not have had any inclination of what happened. There is little but some comfort in knowing that she did not suffer.

The driver of the Commodore was uninjured, but taken to the local hospital for drug and urine tests. A number of serious criminal charges are pending, including "Dangerous Driving Occasioning Death" which can carry a ten year gaol sentence, however this will not bring me closure.

Even before his license was suspended, the driver of the other vehicle was not licensed to drive a manual V8 vehicle. Witnesses at the scene report hearing an engine revving hard immediately before the incident. Clearly the driver lost control in a vehicle more powerful than he could handle, and as a result killed a young innocent mother, a much loved daughter, sister, friend and for myself an indescribably loved bride.

Obviously the family is quite distraught about this tragic loss of someone we loved so dearly. Her three year old daughter will take quite some time to understand what has happened to her mummy. Some members of the family are very angry that it has happened, but anger is not why we are writing this.

We would like all drivers reading this, whether young or old, to take note of the possible consequences of their poor driving decisions and limited skills.

We would want all parents of young drivers to exercise more care and control in relation to the cars their sons and daughters drive, and under what conditions. Someone gave this young man the keys to the powerful V8 manual car. Let's hope that some other parent will refuse to hand over the car keys to their child.

Please discuss this tragic accident amongst yourselves, your family and friends. Open discussion about the risks and results of poor driver education and behavior might help save a life, and then Catherine's death will not have been totally in vain.

We can't bring Catherine back. Let's all work together to minimize future tragic and pointless losses.

2011-07-29T15:16:00.001+10:00

I've been getting free magazines from work weekly. Cleo, Woman's Day, Grazia, Madison...etc. I am really not a magazine kind of girl. I took home a Dolly the other day and put it on the bench. Hours later while I am watching TV Dad starts reading out stuff from the 'sealed' section. Highly, highly entertaining.

In other news I got the dang biggest acupuncture needle put into my back the other day. About 2 inches deep, I couldn't believe it when I saw the size of the thing.

2011-07-29T14:09:00.001+10:00

I received a very unexpected gift from a friend of mine. We drifted apart after the last couple of years after a bit of a misunderstanding. It was all recently resolved and to come home and find a package addressed to me was so, so touching.

It made me re-think and realise that the connection we have is still there and that maybe through all my analysing I missed a few important points that will never change. We're two completely different people now and have traveled different paths...but at least we both know that and accept it.

It's just so nice to know that I don't always have to be the initiator. Though with some people, that will never change.

2011-07-24T20:05:00.000+10:00

I've always had the urge (when spelling my last name) to say:
'V for VAGINA, not B for BREASTS!!'

Like it's Quidditch!!

2011-07-24T20:01:00.002+10:00

Seriously must thank you Moika for introducing me to this. I freakn can't stop listening to it!

SO FREAKN AWESOME. If you love Harry Potter you will LOVE THIS!

2011-07-23T12:10:00.000+10:00

Can't believe I took so long to actually join a gym. It's been just over a month and I feel incredible! I've been going four days a week. Lots of Aqua Zumba with old people, which is hilarious, but I do actually like it.

Getting onto the weights has been awesome as well. Now I don't have so much of the back pain I get from sitting around at work all day. The weights works it all out. PLUS...my arms and my legs look like MINE again!! Getting that muscle tone back! It's so nice to look at yourself and feel like you're living in your own body and not someone's elses. I feel so much fitter, stronger and so much more confident in my ability again. Yes my knee still causes me pain and I just wish I could run and run and run, but I can't, but I am slowly accepting it. Upwards and onwards!!!

2011-07-23T12:05:00.002+10:00

Really all kinds of awesome and amusement!

2011-07-20T10:48:00.000+10:00

I am feeling the fine pinch of diet hell! I don't know why people actually choose to do this to themselves. Met with my Dietician last night and I will be on this elimination diet for probably the rest of the year. Slowly reintroducing foods to test my tolerance. First up is avocado in a months time, I can't wait! I love the stuff.

Panda Speakers

2011-07-15T14:16:00.001+10:00

My amazon order is LARGE! Pending a shipment of $320+ not including shipping, BUT OMG, this speaker is so DAMN COOL!!! I have to have it!!

http://www.amazon.com/GOgroove-High-Powered-Portable-Laptop-Speaker/dp/B00475LJC2/ref=sr_1_21?ie=UTF8&qid=1310703171&sr=8-21

2011-07-12T12:45:00.000+10:00

Just had an argument regarding the plural for 'lens'. He seemed to think it was two. I said no, 'lens is ONE! If it was a plural it would be with an e.s for lenses'. Shocking *rolls eyes*.

2 and 7

2011-07-07T09:56:00.000+10:00

2. Have a stone massage.
7. Get laser hair removal.

I took advantage of all those deal websites and bought myself a one hour hot stone massage/aromatherapy massage. TOTAL BLISS!! I used it last night whilst I was waiting for the rest of the crew to arrive for the musical productions of Hairspray!
It was an awesome night, minus my desperate attempt to try and find something to eat for dinner and completely ruining the diet I am on. I had a Caesar Salad. They drowned it in dressing, with god knows what in it AND I naughtily scoffed down some of the croutons. I felt so ILL afterwards. It was disgusting.

Had my 3rd laser hair removal treatment on Tuesday (after I had to go get medical clearance from my GP to OK it, as the meds I'm on are photo sensitive) *rolls eyes* of course it can't be easy. I am LOVING IT! With another 7 treatments to go, I can't wait until I'm done and hair free.

http://alinatherantingllama.blogspot.com/2010/11/next-thing-on-my-list.html

2011-06-25T20:09:00.000+10:00

I FINALLY JOINED A GYM! I should have done it at least a year ago with my knee. I've spent the last month trying to find a gym that had a pool attached to it as well. People have been telling me for ages that I really should do aqua aerobics. Well here's the thing...I really don't like pools. Though the few times I have finally been able to venture into the water I have noticed how much more limber my knee becomes and how much easier it is to walk.

WELL...after much deliberation I had my first C2K Aqua Aerobics class today and BOY did it make a huge difference. It was all really, really old ladies and my swimmers were so not appropriate. If I really got into it I would have lost my top!! So today was spent trying to find a training swimsuit at the shops that I actually LIKE and is not a full piece (I did find one that was absolutely ADORABLE...and I was about to buy it...but really, I am just not confident without board shorts. Which is something I will just have to work on).
WELL...I found nothing and resorted to looking online. I just ordered a pair by FUNKITA, they're cute and loud (picture). A little pricey -$80 +$7.50 postage- but they're suitable for what I need them for and at the end of the day that's why I ordered them. Plus some of the training suits I saw today were hideous to say the least.

I am thrilled to finally working out and getting back into the swing of things. It's been too long and it's just not me. I know I made my knee a huge excuse (well...it hurts like shit to work out) but it's gotten to the point where I really don't want to be restricted by anything.

Some curious thoughts from Shirley Maclaine...

2011-06-20T20:11:00.000+10:00

Somehow I found myself watching Oprah earlier today (I am assuming they're just playing repeats of her best shows or something?), anyway her guest star for the whole program was Shirley Maclain. What an absolutely fascinating women.

She has such a different perspective and opinion on all those questions that us humans are trying to find an answer to everyday. She made a very good point with our need to have things 'proven'. Which all makes some sense, we like validation, yet in doing so I think we have found ourselves a lot less spiritually aware and it really is starting to become a big problem. Which brings us to today's society and the generation of children growing up being so technologically advanced, that they're becoming social retards and unable to communicate with each other on a basic level. It's all going to hit us where it hurts in the future sometime, it's just a matter of when and how exactly it's going impact progress. Shirley recommended that spiritual education needed to be introduced in schools, which I believe is a far better idea then religion, which is so damn specific.

I think it's far more to have self worth, be connected spiritually with the universe and have a complete and utter sense of grounding, then to have alternate religions and beliefs forced down your throat. Lets face it, no one is right, yet no one is wrong either. But people/individuals are wrong by not having an open mind and shunning those who have a different opinion. Meh...it's all so damn complex I could talk about this for hours, which I'm assuming would get rather boring for those reading.

What I find really interesting is that Shirley has such a huge sense and understanding of who she is, that she willingly put herself in a completely barren area of Mexico, with her dog as her only companion. For someone who has had such a huge impact in Hollywood and no doubt spent an awful lot of her time in the spotlight, it's a very different private life to lead. It makes me question why I feel so anxious and on edge at the prospect of moving to Newcastle. When I know I will be surrounded by thousands of people and make new friends. Yet it is that initial period of getting comfortable. I really don't like change and I hate feeling uncomfortable, but I always MAKE myself do it.

There was also talk of reincarnation. She doesn't like attending funerals, doesn't cry and would much rather spend her time celebrating the individuals life then be consumed by grief. She doesn't think anyone dies. They will always live again somewhere as someone else. Which is really a nice thought. While she has offered me quite an alternate light on the subject I can't see myself not being able to mourn the loss of someone in my life. Give me a few days and I will cheer up and bless their new found release...but there is no way I wouldn't be able to to turn up to a funeral to say goodbye. Which brings me to the subject of being buried in a box six feet under. No thanks. I am getting cremated, END OF STORY, and NO I will not be kept in an urn. Just scatter the ashes for pete sake, is rubbish after all!

On that note I am going to read Shirley's book, 'I'm Over All That'...and I will let you all know what I think!!

2011-06-20T11:39:00.000+10:00

I have officially started my one month diet. It's almost midday and all I have eaten so far is a Mandarin and it's because I am thinking too much about what I can't eat.

I really did set it off with a bang yesterday. Glorious lunch at Wildfire with my boss, his family and a co-worker and her husband. Beautiful day, exquisite food, wine, the most amazing sourdough I have ever tasted, a delectable dessert and a surprise bonus at the end of it. I really can not complain!!

http://www.wildfiresydney.com/

PASSION FRUIT BAVAROIS with candied orange rind, milk chocolate twigs, aerated honey, puffed rice and mint. Honestly one of the most amazing things I have ever tasted. The mousse just melted in my mouth and the rest of it just created the most incredible textural experience, and really that's what made it.

2011-06-18T11:05:00.000+10:00

I had to drink 1L of water this morning prior to a pelvic ultrasound OH MY WORD!!! I downed 500ml and called it quits. I'm glad I did, driving to the Imaging Centre was so hard with a full bladder. Upon arrival I asked if I could go to the bathroom...nope. *cringes* I was so HOT and my bladder felt so painful/horrible/uncomfortable which in turn made me stressed/anxious/agitated and when I finally was able to relieve myself I cried!!!! Oh blessed! Never would I have thought it would be so nice to PEE!

Do I really look like that mirrors?

2011-06-17T14:16:00.002+10:00

I was in David Jones last night trying on the sweetest dress [which I didn't end up buying because it was a size 6 and just not quite roomy enough for my liking, it was half price though :( ], when I got a glimpse of my arse in the 6 or so mirrors at all different angles...SHOCKED I tell you!! I was thinking to myself, 'Shit do I really look that bad!!!'
So my question is why do all these fashion stores have such HORRIBLE lighting in their change rooms!? It does nothing for ones self esteem and I find myself needing to do the following:

5 steps to a great butt

By Damien Kelly First published: August 29th, 2010

Show your butt who's boss with these bottock-defying moves.

Work your way to a trim, taut behind with these buttock-boosting moves.

1. Pelvic raises

Lie on your back and bend your knees to 90 degrees with your feet flat on the ground. Drive your hips up as high as you can and clench your backside. Try to isolate your glutes and feel a bit of a burn after a few reps. If this is too easy, you can do a one-legged version.

Sets and reps: 3 sets of 12 to 15

2. Business card squats

To fully engage your buttocks in a squat can be difficult. A physio once told me a novel way to remedy this. Place a business card between your cheeks (yes, the lower cheeks). Clench the card and do a squat. Your goal is to do the squat as deeply as you can without dropping the card. If you can go quite deep, your recruitment is good. If not, you need to practise.

Sets and reps: 3 sets of 10

3. Dead lift lockouts

The dead lift targets the buttocks, hamstrings and lower back. Bend forward at the hips, as though taking a bow, while holding a weight. Keep your spine straight by looking forward, sticking your buttocks out and keeping your knees soft. To recruit the right buttocks muscles, as you come up out of the dead lift, squeeze your buttocks and then, once upright, thrust your hips forward and squeeze your buttocks even more.

Sets and reps: 3 sets of 10

4. Squat jumps

An easy way to increase the workload on a muscle is to force it to do dynamic work. When you jump in the air and then land, your muscles are forced to work extra-hard to control and decelerate the landing. Just make sure you sink relatively deeply into the squat immediately after landing and, while descending into the squat, keep your heels grounded. If you stay on your forefoot, your thighs will do most of the work.

Sets and reps: 3 sets of 10

5. Lunge and wiggles

The lunge is a common and effective buttocks exercise, but an easy one to get wrong. Assume a wide lunge stance, feet shoulder-width apart. Your front foot is flat and your back foot up on its forefoot. Drop your back knee down towards the ground and, as you do, keep the majority of your weight through your front heel. To ensure you're doing this correctly, try wiggling the toes on your front foot throughout the movement.

Sets and reps: 3 sets of 10 each side

Buttock muscle engagement rules

In most cases, keep your heels grounded and weighted throughout the movement.
If your knees are collapsing inwards it can mean that your glutes are inactive. Try to keep your knees in line with your second toe throughout.
Clenching your glutes can help to initiate muscle activation.
Control the downward phase of movements.
You should feel your glute muscles burn during exercises like the ones in today's workout. If so, you're on track.
Power and speed, as in sprinting, can increase the workload on the glutes.

http://www.bodyandsoul.com.au/body+fitness/workouts/5+steps+to+a+great+butt,10003

2011-06-17T08:35:00.000+10:00

I haven't worn orthotics my whole life, until I recently went to a Podiatrist and got fitted with a pair. I tell you, it was a life changing move. It's amazing how much easier it is for me to walk now, with my impaired knee and all. I bought a new pair of shoes a few weeks ago and decided to wear them yesterday, without the blessed orthotics. Bad move!! I can't believe how much my feet crave them now. They're aching from lack of support! I advise everyone to go to a Podiatrist and invest in these!!! (only if necessary of course)

FOR GOOD

2011-06-16T08:53:00.003+10:00

WICKED
with a mash of

GLEE

AHHHHHHHHHHHhhhhhhhhh, I can't stop listening!

Mental Diet

2011-06-16T08:48:00.001+10:00

I am planning on checking out the case study from Monash University just out of curiosity. Basically, any food typed I CAN'T EAT!! The handwritten words are all the substitutes. I have a fun month ahead of me.

2011-06-15T08:32:00.000+10:00

O_O...I saw my Dietician last night. I have to go on the most insane diet. A process of elimination. It goes against all my morals. No avocado, NO BREAD on any sort, unless it is spelt (what the hell is that), no stone fruits.

2011-06-13T20:11:00.000+10:00

My family decided to go on a last minute trip to Wiseman's Ferry today. There were cops and ambulance officers everywhere. They were looking for the bodies of two Indians that had capsized their boat and drowned the day previously (three on board).

I was trying to work out how on earth they could possibly drown in the Hawksbury River at that point. The shore was so close, turns out they weren't wearing their life jackets and can't swim. Unbelievable. One of them was lucky enough to be rescued. Yet horrible all the same.

The weird thing though was once we got home and saw it on the news, we had seen each of the people who had reported. It's kind of surreal.

I am SO SO MAD!!!

2011-06-11T11:31:00.001+10:00

That's it!! I hate 3 now! It sucks though, because I have a whole year before my contract expires. I didn't get my bill for the month of May and as a result I incurred a $10 dishonesty fee. Yeah I know it's only $10 but I thought I would just call them and see if I could work something out, seeing it was there mistake for not sending the bill in the first place.
So I finally get to the person I am supposed to be talking to and the bastard just hangs up on me!! RUDE FREAKING INDIAN!!!! So I call again through the channels and am left sitting on HOLD for 15 minutes!! FLIP...now I am super mad because I have just wasted an hour freezing my butt off and gotten nowhere. I could just pay it...but I really don't think i should HAVE TO! I am considering just paying them out, not including the dishonesty fee. That might stir them up a bit.

High School students are HELL!

2011-06-10T14:52:00.000+10:00

I left work early yesterday, at the request of my boss doctor, and found myself amongst a sea of immature High School students on the bus home. I honestly wanted to rip my ears off so I didn't have to listen to the screech and wail of their voices on mass.

This is why I love GREYS!

2011-06-10T14:47:00.001+10:00

Just because it's a drama, doesn't mean you can't make it a MUSICAL!

HECK YES!

2011-05-29T11:33:00.000+10:00

I forgot to mention that while I was reading Jodi Picoult's 'Sing me Home' a passage just leaped out at me.

My friend and I have participated in the following, and I'm thinking I am rather overdue for a follow up session.

Right now, Vanessa and I are about to be late to a movie because my mother is talking about a breakthrough with one of her clients. "So, I bought two dozen bricks and I loaded them in the back of my car," my mother is saying. "And then, when we got to the cliff, I had Deanna write on each of the bricks with a Sharpie marker - keywords, you know, that signified her emotional baggage."
"Brilliant," Vanessa says.

"You think? So she writes My Ex on one. And made peace with my sister on another. And Didn't lose last 20 pounds after having kids, and so on. I'm telling you, Vanessa, she went through three markers alone. And then I got her on the edge of a cliff and had her hurl the bricks, on at a time. I told her that the minute they hit the water, that weight was going to be off her shoulders for good."

2011-05-26T13:28:00.000+10:00

My friend bought me the new Jodi Picoult book for my birthday 'Sing me Home'. I have only read two others previously, 'Fragile' - which I loved so much, but the ending ruined it for me - and another one about an Amish family, which was alright. However 'Sing Me Home' really, really appealed to me! I actually loved it. Perhaps because the subject member was not in the least bit conservative and perfect for this day and age.

In short it's about a previously heterosexual woman who is desperately trying to get pregnant. She deals with the loss of a few babies, health problems, a divorce and finds herself in the arms of a woman; who she will end up marrying. She asks her now ex-husband to release the last three embryos they have left to her and her spouse, so that they may have children. It all ends up in court and I am pleased to say that I figured out the twist to this ending! Go read it. I was impressed.

2011-05-26T12:19:00.000+10:00

Taking on board my new appreciation for horse riding (thanks to ticking it off my list of things to do in my lifetime and really enjoying it), I am seriously starting to contemplate taking it on board as a new recreational activity.

Because I really, really want to.
It gets me outside and into the wilderness.
Seeing as I really don't see myself hiking and bush walking all that much in the future due to my knee, I figured that this is one of the best ways to explore and do all the things I love, without having to put up with all the pain.

I have to take some annual leave over Christamas. Three weeks is far too long to have off and nowhere to go (after last year, the last thing I want to do is sit around). So I was thinking I might do a horse riding trail ride over 5 days or something. I will have to condition my arise so it can handle it though. Which means I am thinking about starting it on a weekly basis. NOVICE! Hmmm...we will see what eventuates. But know that I am super keen.

2011-05-20T20:16:00.002+10:00

When it's too hard, or I don't want to do something, my mentality is,
'it will be over before you know it'.

Hot feet!

2011-05-17T13:24:00.001+10:00

My slippies arrived in the mail last night. They're amazing and I am looking forward to a winter free of frozen toes!!!

http://cazalyslavenderfarm.com.au/products/heat_packs_wheat_and_lavender

I am such a dag.

2011-05-16T08:56:00.000+10:00

:) After helping a patient fill out paperwork, she came back with a bunch of pink snow peas to thank me. It was so damn sweet and nice, you don't see that very often.

2011-05-11T13:15:00.001+10:00

It's funny when people have a 'space' on the internet to 'be themselves', but I just find it so interesting how the images say so much more about them, then words ever could.

I got a book from my friend. Hardly any written words. It's a story told in images. I haven't 'read' it yet, but the illustrations are incredible.

The Invention of Hugo Cabret

http://www.theinventionofhugocabret.com/index.htm
They're turning it into a film. I am fascinated!

YES!

2011-05-07T21:46:00.000+10:00

I am now a Probationary Member number 2 for St John's Ambulance. I've my new swanky uniform as well. It's all happening!

getting my entertainment fix

2011-05-07T21:43:00.000+10:00

Gotta love the business.

Saw the lovely (Megan) Washington again last night and she was brilliant as ever. Seriously if you have not listened to one of her songs, do it.
This one is fun:

She's a brilliant Australian artist and listening to her again last night made me appreciate her so much more. There is no two songs that sound the same. They've all got such a unique different sound. Her duet with US Lissie was absolutely brilliant as well. Watch it! This is from the Brisbane gig, but the Sydney one was of course...just as mesmerising. For some reason the audio isn't in sync. Though it's all about what we hear!

As I was walking from work on my way to her gig last night I hit a huge crowd gathering for the premiere of 'Water for Elephants'. It took me about 15 minutes to walk through Pitt Street Mall. There were THAT many people there. Though I did get kind of excited being amongst it all. Let's face it. I may have stayed to see Reese and Robert.

Just came home from seeing the film with Mother and Monica. I've been waiting for it's release for a while and I have to say it reached all my expectations. Truly beautiful and magical.
The only thing which surprised me was the ending. I went into it thinking it was going to be a tragedy and clearly I was mistaken. I never seen such a hushed,slow to move audience before. It was a nice change.

Rear end on the mend

2011-04-24T11:12:00.000+10:00

The title, I honestly couldn't help myself! *chuckles*

As some of you may know our family kitty cat, Sasha, managed to get herself a perforated vulva one rainy, stormy night. We're not quite sure how it happened (probably a fight with another cat). She didn't come home that night and the next day when she came in I noticed that she was slightly pink and bloody. After it didn't clear up after a few days Dad and Monica were sent to the vet. Probably the worst thing we could have done. Dad doesn't have an OUNCE of compassion. He wanted to put her down because she was going to cost too much. Bloody ridiculous. Sometimes his heartlessness really, really bothers me. At the time we were unsure whether she had an abscess or a fistula, obviously hoping for the former.

The next day on our way to the Easter Show we got the call with her diagnosis. She also hadn't peed for days and her kidneys were severely enlarged. She underwent surgery on Friday to fix the hole in her vulva. She's stumbling about disorientated; due to the collar touching her whiskers and throwing her sense of balance off.
We have to keep it on for 10 days until she has the sutures removed. It's going to be a rather LONG 10 days.

At 3am this morning I was awoken from a very deep slumber having heard some sort of bashing. It registered deep in my subconscious that it was Sasha and I leaped out of bed. I found her collar on the kitchen floor and her lying around in the lounge room. I seriously was NOT looking forward to the prospect of trying to get the collar on her alone. After some deliberating I decided to go wake Mother so she could help me, but thankfully Tanya was on her way to the bathroom and spent the next hour with me stopping Sasha from licking her wounds, feeding her, letting her have a long drink, visit the bathroom and then pin her down to reapply the collar and tie it up a firmer.

She's pretty much fine at the moment. Except when we administer her medication and she froths at the mouth trying to get rid of it. I'm just so glad that it wasn't a fistula and that it was easily repaired. There is no way in hell that anyone was going to let Dad have his way. She wasn't sick and I could never justify putting down an animal that isn't terminally ill or suffering severe injury with little prospect of recovery and a long life.

2011-04-12T09:10:00.003+10:00

I decided to get an Influenza vaccination last night, considering my impending contact with humans increasing every day.
Blah...I really don't feel crash hot. Damn side effects. I intended to work HARD today, instead I just feel like I want to go home and sit in front of the couch.

Decapitation and Tarantulas

2011-04-08T11:18:00.000+10:00

I had the weirdest, horribly disturbing dreams last night.

One involved being decapitated in some sort of accident requiring surgeons to attach my head back onto my shoulders, joining all the veins and arteries back together. Somehow I survived and could still talk, regardless of the fact I was headless.

Decapitation
To dream that you are decapitated, indicates that you are not thinking clearly and are refusing to see the truth. You need to confront the situation or the person despite the pain and discomfort you might feel in doing so. The dream also suggests that you have the tendency to act before you think.

The other was based around a mammoth sized tarantula leering and entrapping live food in the corner of a room.

Tarantula
To see a tarantula in your dream, represents your dark and sinister side. A tarantula is also symbolic of a woman figure in your life.

Spiders
To see a spider in your dream, indicates that you are feeling like an outsider in some situation. Or perhaps you want to keep your distance and stay away from an alluring and tempting situation. The spider is also symbolic of feminine power or an overbearing mother figure in your life. Alternatively, a spider refers to a powerful force protecting you against your self-destructive behavior.

I don't quite know if I want to go to sleep tonight! They were WACKED!

tsk...I want to whinge

2011-04-06T12:38:00.000+10:00

...I could not get to sleep last night! Not only was my right big toe throbbing like no tomorrow, but I had a massive stabbing pain shooting through my knee. I tried to ignore it, but it was CLEAR it would not give up until drowned it in Voltaren Gel and Tablets. Seriously frustrating, I had to get out of bed and it was cold. :P
Toe is still throbbing...knee is being cooperative.

In other news I am sick to death of Channel 10 not airing Glee each week!

Oncologist shortfall expected to worsen

2011-04-05T14:54:00.001+10:00

Good to know that I am picking a profession that has a serious shortage! May a bit of a boring interview for some of you. But it gives me hope for the next few years.

Simon Lauder reported this story on Tuesday, March 23, 2010 12:21:00
ELEANOR HALL: Some of Australia's top cancer specialists are calling on the Federal Government to urgently address a shortage of oncologists.
A study by the Medical Oncology Group of Australia found that Australia needs at least 100 more oncologists.
It also found that fewer than half the cancer patients who are eligible for chemotherapy are actually getting it.

Simon Lauder has our report.

SIMON LAUDER: They're the chemotherapy specialists and they're struggling to keep up with about 210 new patients each per year. Medical oncologists are working an average of eight hours a week outside of normal hours and it's still not enough.
Associate professor Michael Michael is the consultant medical oncologist at the Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre in Melbourne.

MICHAEL MICHAEL: All of us are, I think in the public setting, I think all of us are working excess number of hours to ensure that we are accounting for appropriate patient care and also to carry out the appropriate clinical research expected in parallel with that patient care as well. In the private setting, the scenario in terms of work load would be quite excessive I would image.

SIMON LAUDER: Professor Michael is also the chairman of the medical Oncology Group of Australia. It recently surveyed the profession to try to measure the workforce for the first time.
The survey found there is a shortfall of between 92 and 157 positions nationwide, with the worst shortages in rural areas.
The survey also shows chemotherapy isn't being utilised as much as it could be. Professor Michael says 51 per cent of cancer patients are eligible for chemotherapy, but only 19 per cent have it.

MICHAEL MICHAEL: It does start to signal warning bells that perhaps the number of patients that should be seen and should be treated with chemotherapy is not as it should. Whether that is high in the rural areas compared to the city and urban areas is probably a reasonable assumption but it is obviously that we need to ensure that all patients that require chemotherapy are appropriately referred and seen within a reasonable amount of time.

SIMON LAUDER: Has the increased success in treating cancer over the years contributed to this problem in a way?

MICHAEL MICHAEL: I think we are actually seeing, I mean there is two things. One, we are seeing an increasing number of cancer patients. We are seeing that this increasing success of cancer treatments, more and more patients are therefore suitable for treatment.
We are also seeing with more successful treatment that patients are actually living longer with their cancer and therefore they are going through more and more subsequent lines of chemotherapy so therefore their cancer journey is much longer than it was say 10 years ago.
So I think that all these issues are increasing to the workload requirement on medical oncologists.

SIMON LAUDER: The chief executive officer of the Cancer Council of Australia, Ian Olver, says the figures are surprising. Professor Olver says the shortfall is so big it can't be met using oncologists alone. He says nurses may have to take on extra duties.

IAN OLVER: We were surprised by the extent and the percentage of patients particularly missing out. This is a very serious problem and even if we increased the training positions they'd take several years for those to become fully trained oncologists.
So we need to look at several different ways of solving the problem, including attracting oncologists into Australia from overseas and thinking about different ways of working within the clinic. Again, models which have been successfully employed overseas.

SIMON LAUDER: And given Australia's aging population at the moment, what are your fears if this problem isn't addressed properly?

IAN OLVER: The aging population means that the incidence of cancer is going to go up so this problem is going to continue to worsen as the years go on unless we start addressing it now so I think the aging population adds a sense of urgency.

SIMON LAUDER: Professor Michael Michael says a major step to fixing the problem is more federal funding for oncology training.

MICHAEL MICHAEL: We need more training positions. We need to also improve access, especially to rural patients, to chemotherapy services and there is a move by the Government to set up regional cancer centres and they obviously need to be expanded but they also need to be able to attract trainees and to attract physicians to go there to set up practice there.

SIMON LAUDER: The Medical Oncology Group study projects Australia could have a shortage of about 200 medical oncologists in four years' time.

ELEANOR HALL: Simon Lauder reporting.

2011-04-05T12:32:00.000+10:00

I booked in to donate blood again in May. I am going to try and do it at least three times a year. I mean come on, it will help save 3 peoples lives, each and every time. It doesn't take much.

I want!

2011-04-05T11:46:00.000+10:00

Man...I really want to get myself a good SLR. I'm looking at the Canon EOS 5D Mark II, but I can't justify spending that amount of money at the moment, when there will be things that I really NEED! I will just swoon before it. :( *sniffs*

many identities

2011-04-05T10:13:00.001+10:00

It's funny how being a secretary and and saying"....Alina speaking', gets interpreted so differently! I was just called:
Alicia

AND in the past:
Helena
Melina
Angelina
Selena
Belinda

Plus a few more that I can't remember.

Get rid of the rubbish to collect more

2011-04-05T09:56:00.000+10:00

I was strolling around the back streets of Castle Hill on sunday night, when I happened across a dining room table and chairs. In the rapidly dimming light I quickly gave them a once over and deemed them fit enough and in smashing condition.

In my excitement I walked home quickly and spent the next 15minutes trying to coax and convince my Father to get into his ute and help me load them up! Threatening him with having to buy me brand new furniture finally got him going.

He wasn't happy though. We finally just cleared the garage of all the junk that had been collecting over the last few years for a 'garage sale' that never quite eventuated and I am apparently bringing in 'more rubbish'.

:P Well I'm happy! It means I don't have to buy a dining suite now, or a couch, or a tv, or a bed, or a bookshelf, or coffee table etc...because everything is being laid into my hands for free. Heck yes! I am going to have disjointed, mismatching furniture and it's going to work!

2011-04-01T20:37:00.000+11:00

I got ready this morning forgetting to put on mascara and only realised as I was waiting for the bus stop. No big deal, but I am the kind of person that HAS to wear it, because my eyelashes are so light.

Well it turns out that in some twisted turn of events, maybe I wasn't supposed to wear it, specifically because a woman at work today would make me shed a few tears. Thank goodness I wasn't wearing any! And to hell with that biatch of a woman. So un-called for. GEEZ!

new and exciting

2011-03-21T16:40:00.000+11:00

As I walked past Forever New yesterday, this dress caught my eye.

I HAD TO HAVE IT!

Got an awesome belt to go with it as well.

Can't wait to wear it.

The goodness of Hazelnut!

2011-03-21T16:36:00.000+11:00

I made these.

They were epic.

Everyone has requested future baking.

That's success.

Not the chocolate?

2011-03-20T21:42:00.000+11:00

:O It has come to my attention that the dessert that I love and has treated me so kindly over the years, may now also be one of the culprits causing me so much pain and discomfort over the past year.

I ate three rows of chocolate not long ago and I am not feeling crash hot. Now it may be because I indulged in it far too much, or it could be the lactose. I choose the latter because I used to be able to handle the chocolate in large doses without any repercussions. :P
I may have to resort to dark. Something which doesn't particularly please me.

Finally, I know what's wrong with me

2011-03-18T18:44:00.000+11:00

My Gastroenterologist just called and I am LACTOSE INTOLERANT!!

:( CHEESSSSSSSSE!!!!!!!

17. Be involved with Shave for a Cure

2011-03-17T21:22:00.000+11:00

the next thing on my list

WELL! I definitely did it! This would have to be one of the far more rewarding things on my list! It has been an incredible experience! I am so glad I did it...and with my longest mate Charlotte! If she hadn't mentioned that she was contemplating shaving her hair and getting involved this year, I don't think it would have happened just yet! So here's to just jumping straight into it!

Now that my hair doesn't feel alien to me, I am finally starting to enjoy it.

Click here to donate

Seven ways to improve posture

2011-03-15T08:32:00.000+11:00

I get such horrible back pain sometimes. I know what I 'should' be doing about it, but I often don't make myself do it, until it does hurt. Which is really just plain stupid, seeing as I should be aiming to prevent it! The following article states the OBVIOUS, but it's a good refresher. I really need to improve my posture.

Just a few simple steps can make you taller and slimmer.

Its never too late to get your back into shape. Follow our seven steps for improved posture and you'll be straight as an arrow in no time.

Stand before a mirror, front on and side on, to see where your problem is. Now, stand tall with your feet comfortably apart. Draw in your stomach, draw your pelvis up and move your shoulders down and back. Imagine you've got a thread attached to the top of your head and it's drawing you up to the ceiling - feel your body lengthening and straightening. Now look at your posture again. You should look taller and thinner.

Exercise your rhomboids. These are the muscles in between your shoulders. To work them, draw your shoulder blades together, hold for 10 seconds and release. Do this five to 10 times every day and you'll soon see a difference.

Work your spine. Lie face down on a yoga mat or your bed with your arms out in front of you and your legs straight. Lift one arm and the opposite leg, hold for a count of 10, then repeat on the other side. Do this in the morning before you get up and at night when you go to bed.

Core strength. A strong core helps support your back and abs, and makes good posture easier. Allan Menezes, from the Pilates Institute of Australasia, recommends the following exercise to build a strong core. Stand straight and imagine your midsection has been replaced with an apple. Now, imagine that an apple corer has removed the core of the apple, leaving a void right down the middle. You need to pull in your midsection, front, sides and back (and up through your pelvic floor) to fill in the apple. Pull in tightly, imagine the void getting smaller, keep pulling in, then hold and release. Do this once a day and keep holding for a little longer each time until you can hold for 30 seconds or more.

Pay attention. Good posture is a habit and one you'll need to concentrate on until it becomes natural. Every time you stand up, check your posture - is your body in a straight line? Ask your family or friends to remind you to straighten up whenever you're slouching.

When you sit, push your bottom to the back of the chair and sit up straight, with your feet flat on the floor. Do this at work, at home and in the car and pull in your core - never waste a chance to whittle your waist.

Try to sleep in a position which helps you maintain the curve in your back, such as on your back with a pillow under your knees; with a lumbar roll under your lower back; or on your side with your knees slightly bent. Avoid sleeping on your side with your knees drawn right up to your chest, or on your front, especially on a saggy mattress, as this may cause back strain and can be uncomfortable for your neck.

By Linda Drummond First published: September 26th, 2010

10 health rules for women

2011-03-15T08:28:00.001+11:00

I don't buy the newspaper. Dad has it delivered every single week. When I was younger I only used to read the entertainment section. Now all I read is the 'body + soul'.

Girls, want to live a longer, happier, healthier Life? Her are 10 ways to do just that.

In 1996, England's Oxford University started a long-term health survey, tracking the behaviour of 1.3 million women. Thirteen years later, results show links between alcohol and cancer, as well as the healthiest time to have children. The study has gone on to inspire other important health findings. So here are the top 10 activities you should include in your life, according to research sparked by the Million Women Study.

Have children in your 20s

Starting a family before you're 30 reduces the risk of developing breast cancer by seven per cent, the Million Women Study says. Pregnancy reduces oestrogen in the body, and it's this hormone that is believed to fuel cancer. But Associate Professor Jane Smith, from the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners, says: "Many things increase breast cancer risk, including having type 2 diabetes and drinking alcohol. "Everything in life involves risk, so if you're not ready to have children in your 20s, don't rush into it. Children can create other health issues, including stress, so start a family when you're ready."

Drink tea

You might not associate your oral health with heart disease, but the link between the two is becoming more apparent. Germs in the mouth create tiny blood clots that can cause a narrowing of the arteries, and in turn, heart attacks. Drinking black tea is one of the best ways to fight plaque and cavities, according to researchers at the University of Illinois. "Green and black teas contain chemical properties that reduce bacteria in your mouth," says Smith. "Of course, having sugar in tea counteracts the benefits!"

Have sex 200 times a year

How's this for an anti-ageing technique? Having more than 200 orgasms a year can reduce your physiological age by six years, according to a study at Columbia University. "There's nothing bad to say about safe sex," says Dr Ronald McCoy, spokesperson for the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners. "It's great aerobic exercise and releases hormones that make you look and feel happy. It's an essential part of life."

Get some sun

Vitamin D can help women struggling to conceive, shows a study by Yale University School of Medicine. Women who were given extra vitamin D reduced their risk of polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) by 99 per cent during the study. "We already know vitamin D reduces depression and strengthens bones," McCoy says. "It may be that when women boost their vitamin D, they become more active, which in turn reduces PCOS." The main source of vitamin D is from UV rays, but this isn't a licence to sunbake for hours on end. "Twenty minutes of sun a day is all you need to get the benefits."

Watch your medications

Some medications, including anti-inflammatories and acne treatments, can make the skin more sensitive to sunlight, causing it to burn more easily, according to research from Purdue University in the US. "This is a rare chemical reaction, but it can happen, especially with antibiotic acne remedies," Smith says. "Your doctor or pharmacist should warn you if the medication they're prescribing is likely to cause a side effect. If you do notice a rash or are experiencing unusual skin problems, go back to your GP."

Cut back on booze

The risk of breast cancer is between 11 and 22 per cent higher in women who drink alcohol compared to non-drinkers, according to the Million Women Study. "The risk increases by 10 to 12 per cent with each additional standard drink," says Anita Dessaix, program manager at the Cancer Institute NSW. Research shows two alcoholic drinks a day can also increase the risk of cancer of the pharynx by 75 per cent and of the oesphagus by 50 per cent. "Alcohol is often part of everyday life, and it can be hard to avoid it completely," Dessaix says. "But it's vital to have regular alcohol-free days. If you do fancy a tipple, the Australian Alcohol Guidelines suggest no more than two standard drinks a day."

Get enough folic acid

Folic acid is usually associated with preventing birth defects, but it can also reduce the risk of blindness in women. When taken alongside vitamins B6 and B12, folic acid can decrease age-related macular degeneration by 41 per cent, a study from Harvard Medical School found. McCoy recommends taking a multivitamin containing the recommended daily intake of folic acid. "Boost your quota by eating green, leafy vegetables such as spinach and broccoli," he says.

Avoid cola drinks

Bone density in women who drank four colas a week is four per cent lower than women who swear off the fizzy stuff, shows research from Framingham Osteoporosis Study. "Phosphoric acid, which is often found in diet fizzy drinks, is believed to interfere with calcium absorption," Smith says. "As well as cutting back on the sparkly stuff, increase your bone density by eating plenty of dairy products and doing regular weight-bearing exercise, such as walking."

Start weight training

Regular weight training can help prevent back pain, an American study says. People with chronic backache who took part in a 16-week resistance-training program reduced their pain by 60 per cent. Those who did aerobic exercise reduced their back pain by just 12 per cent. "Resistance training is the best form of exercise you can do," says Sam Mower, exercise physiologist at Harness Your Health. "It prevents osteoporosis and boosts your lean muscle mass. It's great for reducing your heart rate too."

Wash your hands

"Washing your hands regularly with soap and water is the most effective thing you can do to prevent catching infectious illnesses such as influenza," McCoy says. "It's much more effective than wearing a mask, as most germs are transferred to your mouth and nose by your hands. Standing more than a metre away from someone when they sneeze means you're also less likely to catch anything."

And the three things you shouldn't do

If they seem to good to be true, they often are. A study of 200 GPs revealed they believe these are some of the biggest health hoaxes ever:

Cupping Favoured by actress Gwyneth Paltrow, this technique involves the placement of heated cups on the skin to stimulate blood flow and ease pain. Studies can't find conclusive evidence it works.

Colonic irrigation A water-filled tube is inserted to "cleanse" the bowel. There's no evidence to support its effectiveness.
Food intolerance tests DIY food intolerance kits are expensive and results are variable. See a GP if you think you have a food intolerance.

By Katherine Chatfield First published: January 24th, 2010
http://www.bodyandsoul.com.au/health+healing/news+features/10+health+rules+for+women,8017

Two year M2 upgrade!

2011-03-07T16:22:00.002+11:00

This just makes me want to cry! It's not a big deal in the morning because I leave early enough that no traffic has built up, but in the afternoon I get stuck in traffic and it seriously PISSES ME OFF! I hate the stop starting! Plus too many people drive to work anyway. It's damn stupid. Why did they have to close the bus lane. TWO YEARS! That's a damn long time. I won't even be around to see the upgrade.

PLUS, it has come to my attention via my sister that it's bumper to bumper all along it...an accident. Just my luck.

Stupid damn roads. I HATE TRAFFIC!

I'm getting closer to saving a life every single day

2011-03-06T17:46:00.000+11:00

I'm feeling really tired. It's been one hell of a week and I still have another 3 days of work before I get a brief respite.
Today I started day two of my AFA Advanced First Aid training. It's been SO INTERESTING and soooo much information to retain, remember and then be able to use practically.

But I can now confidently administer Analgesic gas, Penthrox/Penthrane. I can give you a green whistle to suck on if you're in severe pain! Does that feel slightly more reassuring?
I can also insert an Oropharyngeal airway if you stop breathing on me. Hook it up to oxygen with a Soft Bag Resuscitator and away I go. Of course chances that I have this equipment on me is SLIM TO NONE, but if I'm on duty with St John's Ambulance and I ever have to use this equipment (fingers crossed I don't) I can HELP...and that feels SO AWESOME I tell you!

It's good to know that I am gaining SO MUCH from being a volunteer. I'd say I can't WAIT...but it's such a morally wrong statement.

Birthday trip with 5 and 18 crossed off the list

2011-02-27T09:55:00.001+11:00

the next thing on my list

5. ~~Go Horse Riding. (I'd really like to do a mountain trail or something. I've never really given horses a chance and I can see myself really liking this.)~~

I'm definitely going to consider taking up horse riding more seriously. Despite the fact that my friend was thrown off a horse and suffered minor swelling of her finger and bruising on her butt...and then forced straight back on. I know that it is inevitable that it will happen and I just have to be prepared for the unexpected.

18. ~~Have a photo with a Llama.~~

A week ago I celebrated my birthday and tackled two things off my list in the Hunter Valley. Despite some of the drama associated with this weekend, I can honestly say I had a GREAT TIME!!

The Saturday was filled with wine tasting/buying, chocolate buying, HORSE RIDING, eating at another winery all SWEATY, more wine tasting/buying, playing with two awesome donkey's, preparing dinner/dessert (FOOD was all wonderful guys! Even though it didn't quite all go to plan), playing Pictionary and watching Tim Burton's Alice in Wonderland; before hitting the sack.
It was an awful LOT to pack into one day. I spent far more money then I ever anticipated. It was all GOOD! I even managed to find three incredible picture books at a service station that had a mini market stall - Enid Blyton, fairytale and Nursery Rhyme MAGIC! (I will have to take some pictures)

Day two and a VERY, VERY good friend made the most incredible breakfast for my friends and I. THANK YOU SO, SO MUCH - you're awesome.

The only problem was we gorged so much on breakfast and the Llama lunch was so soon after. WE ATE A LOT! The Llama's were awesome, I love watching them eat. The goats were a lot of fun. The Llama Phillip, that I was trying to walk, was rather stubborn. But I did GET MY PHOTO!

All in all the whole lunch was a little disappointing and far overpriced for what it was. It wasn't structured enough...and we only got to hang out with Phillip. But no matter.
So I bough some incredible Lavender salad dressing and tea from their shop and half of us headed to Dungog to go antiquing and the other half went to Maitland and visited a cheese shop. I would have liked to have done both! But there just wasn't enough time in the day.

Physio IS OVER!

2011-02-26T15:06:00.003+11:00

ONE YEAR AND SEVEN MONTHS,
Thousands of dollars,
a load of PAIN;

I don't know what I am going to do with myself.

Design Functionality

2011-02-26T14:52:00.003+11:00

Teddy Bear blood bag

It might appear a little confronting, but this is just so, so clever and is an ingenious way to incorporate industrious design. Not only with functionality within the health care system, but to also act as a comforting aid to children; despite the notion that the life is being sucked out of a teddy bear.
article on Dunne and Raby's design it's a good read.

Can you spare a penny or two?

2011-02-17T16:47:00.000+11:00

As I'm sure you're all aware, my friend and I are participating in 'The World's Greatest Shave' this year! It's something that I have been meaning to do for a few years now. I even added it to my list! ( The next thing on my list! ) Number 17!

We've been pretty successful so far with donations for only just starting! But just to emphasise the point a little more, if you have not yet donated PLEASE visit LOSING LOTS OF LOVELY LOCKS , click on my name and make a donation. As little as $2 will make a HUGE difference. It doesn't take much to improve the life of another.

My Etsy store has made quite a few number of sales as well! (the amount will be added in one lump sum in the end). But if you would rather splurge on yourself and improve the life of another, by simply purchasing an item from http://www.etsy.com/shop/chemira can make ALL the difference.

I will definitely be putting up photos/videos with the end result! It's so exciting and I am working on the hair dressers doing it for free (I'm pretty sure they're good to go with it, just need to check with the Big Boss Lady)...but I am EXCITED for this!

If we reach our goal of $5000 I will SHAVE it all off too...so get sponsoring.

I fainted?

2011-02-08T09:45:00.000+11:00

OKAY, I have to write about this straight away. I FAINTED!? ME...what the hell! I am still in shock and disbelief over it. Not to mention still a little light headed.

So this morning I went downstairs to Perfect Vision to watch my boss, an Ophthalmologist perform a few eye procedures. First up was Collagen-Cross Linking for a keratoconus. Basically scraping the top layers of cells off, before blasting it with ultraviolet light, to fix the curvature of the cornea.

I'm standing against the wall, in my scrubs, amazed that I was in theatre and watching the procedure actually happening before me. It was only about 10 minutes total. But by the end of it I noticed that my head was starting to spin, my vision was starting to dim and I was leaning with my back against the wall desperately trying to shake it off.
Well, my vision totally wavers, I black out and next thing I know I'm on the floor. No one noticed because I must have slid down the wall. I quickly stood up thinking I was fine...but then I felt it starting to creep back over me. That's when my sense finally kicked in and I said I needed to sit down. Next thing I know I'm sitting on a chair, tea, water, biscuits fly at me. A blood pressure check and I am chaperoned back upstairs behind the desk. I found it so embarrassing, I wanted to cry! I really want to go and see more, but I thought I would be pushing it if I threw myself back in straight away. I've come to the conclusion that it was the whole notion that I was in the room ACTUALLY watching it happen right and front of me and the mask. Lack of oxygen; it's definitely what tipped me over the edge. So I am going to give it another attempt next Tuesday. UNBELIEVABLE!

I actually did it

2011-01-22T11:15:00.000+11:00

I was saving my 100th blog for something really pivotal. And I think I nailed it.

2010 was definitely a year of challenges, finding myself and realising what's important to me.
I have been working toward creating change in my life and pursuing an untraveled path. Deciding to throw out all past aspirations and redefine what I believe my purpose in life is, took many, many months of discovering who I am.

I took the time to really envelope myself in the mark of 2011. I didn't go out and party hard. I did what I usually always do. Stayed at home with the family and chilled with our guests. But this year I was more attuned to what was happening around me and really embraced it.

Within the first week I was blessed with full time work with the Ophthalmologist I work for. I never saw it coming, and was overjoyed that someone had finally given me a chance, and it turned into exactly what I was looking for.
I accepted the offer and figured that no matter what happens with my uni application this year, working is far more beneficial to me in my current situation.

UAC said they would be e-releasing offers via e-mail on January the 19th at 9pm. I hopped online and finding my inbox bare, I resigned to the fact that I wouldn't be getting an offer for any of the nine courses I had applied for this year. So coming home from work on Thursday afternoon exhausted, sick and having had to stand on the bus home, made finding a letter from UAC sitting on the bench a little exciting and worrying. I didn't know what was going to be in it at all. Having teared it open and realising that everything I have worked towards has come true, left me in absolute UTTER ELATION. Next year I will have moved out of home and will be going to Newcastle Uni to study a Bachelor of Medical Radiation Science (Radiation Therapy) for the next three years.

UNBELIEVABLE! I thought that I would be hard pressed to be accepted. Having studied in the area of Creativity my whole life and being rejected by Nida twice and actually being accepted in a science degree amazes me. Something I only really started pursuing in the last six months has eventuated. All this proves to me is that this is what I am meant to do. I put just as much effort and push into everything associated with it, to prove that I was serious in this undertaking, that my past has nothing to do with the decision that I have made here and now, and it looks like it has paid off.

It gives me real peace of mind knowing that I have a year to plan everything as well. This is the start of a most wonderful adventure. I can feel it with every fiber of my being and for the first time in my life it just feels SO RIGHT. To feel this and to know this, is one of the greatest gifts I could ever hope for. I have listened to myself, spoken to myself and became attuned to my emotions and that is how I got my answer.