Melbourne through my iphone

Just got a new iphone and was very excited to experiment with photography on my new toy. I soooooo love Hipstamatic. Its amazing! Even turns my boring old shots into works of art! Below are a compilation of some of the photos from my recent girly trip to Melbourne...

Shotover Jet Boat Video

Have to say this was one of the highlights of my life racing in this boat through such awesome scenery. Hope to canoe and canyon through there one day too. See the video below. Amazing!

Shotover Jet Boat Video: See the Shotover Jet video. Watch the jet boats skimming at speed through the narrow Shotover Canyons, see full 360 degree spins, thrills and much more.

New Zealand

Well well this gal has procrastinated too long. Had an amazing time in New Zealand earlier this year. Been meaning to upload photos and will now finally do it. Have to say that New Zealand has the most beautiful scenery of any place I have been in the world so far. Followed a close second by Lake Como in Italy. Here are a few highlights :)

One of the reasons I was able to convince my husband to travel was reminding him that his favourite movie of all time LORD OF THE RINGS was made there! lol Below is one of the settings for the scene with the large statues either side of the ravine (trying to sound like I know what Im talking about l0l).

Apparently Xena is filmed in New Zealand and we stumbled across these costumes displayed in a shop/museum. Funny thing is, when I was in my 20's, my then boyfriend and good friend used to say I reminded them of Xena.... Must have been the leather lol

The spectacular view from our hotel window.

People may recall I am the cow whisperer. Tried to whisper this bull, but he was having none of it. Did manage to get him to crack a smile though. He really loved my knock knock jokes :))

Sheep whispering attempt.... see for yourself lol

Stuck!

....wonders how many times an intelligent woman can super glue her fingers together in one day before she is considered an idiot? Im hoping the answer is two! lol

You might be forgiven for thinking Im a cheapskate but...

Well I'm laughing now, but funny how I didnt see it coming...

Most weekends I find myself routinely wandering over to the local shopping mall for coffee and to read the paper. Upon entering the centre there is always this little middle aged lady dressed in a Salvation Army uniform rattling her little white collection tin seeking donations. She has never actually asked for money, but we all know the drill. Collection tin = donation!

Anyway, (I need to preface this with self justifying ramble lol) the Savos are a great organisation, and I've never been one to avoid donating to charity; I sponsor a child, have regular monthly donations to charities, and heck my husband and I even work for charities! The only thing I resist is feeling obliged to give to everyone everytime they ask. Sooooo.... each weekend when I enter the shops I have found myself trying to look distracted.... by my watch.... my phone.... my shoes... a fly on the wall, whatever would help me avoid her gaze.

Now embarassingly this went on for months.... until... this weekend, when I was earlier than usual... and happened to notice this nice little old Salvo lady hobbling towards the entrance door with.... wait for it.... a white cane walking stick to assist her as she was blind and could NOT see! OMG too funny. Something straight out of a Mr Bean skit surely.

Happy Festivus everyone! :))

The Pool

Has been stinking hot in Sydney over the past month, the last week in particular, with temperatures reaching around 40 degrees celsius each day. Fortunately, we are blessed with airconditioning and a pool, and lets just say we depended heavily on both to keep us sane.


Have really enjoyed relaxing in the pool and find it incredoubly cathartic. I think my most peaceful experience in life is floating on my back with ears under water so all I can hear is the swooshing of the water. As I look up at the sky I watch 60 foot gum trees sway slowly in the breeze and leaves fall one by one slowly like feathers towards me. I often find myself reaching out to try and catch the leaves as they fall.

Have learnt an interesting fact about myself. I am very buoyant and can float easily, even in a sitting pose with arms and legs crossed. Quite a skill.... perhaps I belong in a freak show? (DONT ANSWER!!) lol

Another thing I constantly find myself doing, is rescuing bugs which are drowning. I think Ive saved two bees, christmas beatles, moths, baby spiders. The strangest thing I saw was one day getting into the pool and noticing several baby spiders the size of small coins drowned. I thought was wierd but what surprised me most was when I was lying on my back and noticed a web spun from a tree on high from one side of the pool down to the edge of the pool where I was swimming and slowly, one by one, these baby spiders were using the web like a flying fox to scale down to me. Unfortunately, for the spider, it underestimated the landing and dipped into the pool and was proceeding to drown like those who preceded it. Fortunately for the spider, I came to the rescue and lifted it safely to the waters edge so it could go on its merry way. IRONICALLY, we are calling the pest exterminator soon to kill all the bastards... so really, I dont know why I bother! lol

Resolutions

Lets face it, sometimes I suck at keeping my New Year's Resolutions. My guitar is still unplayed gathering dust from years back (although still determined to learn one day!! ;) and numerous other goals remain partially complete. Im a world class procrastinator! lol Last year my goals were simple, however... to be happy and healthy... and I can say that for once I did reasonably well. Overall I cant complain. This year, rather than focus on a number of goals which inevitably initially excite me, then end up burdening me by years end, I will set simple meaningful goals and the rest can just slot in.

Goal number 1: Declutter my life - that is; get rid of a lot of the things I have been hoarding over the years with an aim to one day use. Give stuff away. Throw stuff away. Do whatever it takes. The exciting thing about this goal is that I have already progressed it. Yesterday my husband and I cleared out our garage and back rumpus room which I will be turning into my art studio. Today I took a car load of things to donate to a second hand shop. Was very cathartic! :)

Goal number 2: Meditate and pray more - I need to slow my life down. To destress. I'm keen to start yoga and pilates again, and also to pray and focus on things that really matter.

In reality, I could set 101 more goals, but if I am able to achieve these two goals for the year then I will be a truly happy and blessed woman :)

Happy New Year everyone... may you reach your life goals too :)

Happy New Year!

Happy New Year one and all. May 2011 be a time of blessing and fulfillment, health and happiness.
We had a few days away up the coast with inlaws so were keen to have a quiet NYE at home. Watched fireworks from our balcony (not quite as spectacular a view as the Sydney Harbour ones above) while drinking Baileys and reflecting on the blessings in our life. We then went and skinny dipped in the pool! lol

The weather has been so hot over the past few days, averaging between 30 and 40 degrees, so Ive been swimming most days and lazing about reading by the pool. Its a hard life :) I had my camera on hand to snap the view when floating on my back gazing at the sky as well as the insect which crawled over my hand on route to the neighbouring plant.

Magnets to inspire

Just bought these. Love them :)