And in my next life I would like to be a fairy princess...

...although with these shoes I reckon I could pass as one just now ;-)

I love them....highly impractical...but faced with the choice of sensible shoes to wear or ones that make me smile I picked these!

Goal update (seeing that's what this blog is supposed to be all about)

Health & Fitness

Lose 20kg
Not there yet by any means. In fact, it's safe to say I haven't lost any weight (or what I had lost I have put back on). I have started a new healthy eating regime today though and I am writing down what I eat...long may it continue.

Aim for 3 Curves workouts every week
I haven't been to Curves regularly for about 2 and a half months which is shocking...I am determined to get back into it though and will be aiming for 2 workouts this coming week.

Do at least 1 other type of exercise each week (swimming, long walk, badminton etc)
To some extent I have been managing this although it's only ever been taking the dog for a walk. I got on the treadmill this morning for 15 minutes and hope to do that 3 times this week (plus 2 curves workouts will mean 5 lots of exercise).

Stop taking the pill and monitor effects to see if my health improves
I've done this! (Yay, something I can say I have completed!) Am feeling much better having come off the pill - things still aren't quite back to normal hormone wise but I'm pretty certain they are gradually coming right. I'm so glad I did this.

Attend meditation or yoga class for relaxation (and if I like it - continue to attend)
Something else I've done! I did go to a meditation class but I'm not convinced it was for me so haven't pursued that any further. I am trying to find other ways of relaxing (which don't involve emptying my mind...too difficult!)

Cut MSG out of diet completely
I've not done too badly with this. I had a relapse a couple of weeks ago where I was craving salt and vinegar crisps and all other things MSG. I'm trying to get back on the wagon now though and have discovered Salt and Vinegar Pringles don't contain MSG which is a big help!

Writing
Edit novel completed during NaNo 2007 and submit to at least one contest
Haven't got very far with this although I did start looking at the novel a couple of months back but haven't done anything further on it since.

Write at least one 50,000 word novel
I am planning to do NaNoWriMo again this year which is when I will write this year's novel.

Research and submit query for 2 magazine/newspaper articles
Nothing here yet but there is still time.

Wedding
Get a date confirmed for the wedding
It feels like we have gone backwards rather then forwards on this. There is definetly nothing confirmed and we have really had to go back to square 1 in terms of location as well.

Work out a wedding budget
We have done this to some extent which is how we ended up at Square 1. The plan to get married in Italy just isn't going to be feasible due to budget restraints.

Work out a plan of what needs to be done when and put into action
Need to work on this some more once we have decided if we are going to get married in NZ next year...which is the current plan.

Try wedding dresses on once lost 15kg
Not yet - see Health and Fitness!

Relationships
Update K and G NZ blog regularly (at least once a month) so family and friends can see what we are up to
I'm managing this and trying to update weekly or fortnightly which is pretty good going. Whether or not anyone is reading it is another matter...but I feel good knowing the updates are there if people want to read them!

Commit to one evening (or weekend afternoon) per week of quality time with Graeme, by ourselves (ie, go out for dinner, watch a movie together, play a game etc)
Well, we haven't set a certain day each week for this but I think we are doing okay here. Mostly spending time together at home, for example - curling up on the sofa and watching Ice Age last night or playing Singstar.

Email, text or phone one of my close friends/family members at least once a week to keep in touch
I've been trying with this one...there's definetly more room for improvement but I'm not doing too badly. Have been texting and speaking to family and trying to email and Facebook message friends.

Creativity/Personal Development
Make time at least once per month for scrap-booking or other crafts
Am definetly achieving this goal. I am so pleased with the amount of creativity I have achieved so far this year! Lots of scrapbooking pages and other projects. I am currently taking an online scrapbooking class which is proving lots of fun, I am taking part in the monthly scrap your day challenge and I have been attending classes locally too! I am having lots of fun being creative.

Attend a class/workshop to learn a new skill (Italian for beginners, drawing, painting, ceramics)
Well - I am counting the Herbs course as this goal so another thing ticked off! I may go and do something else like ceramics later on and I am really keen to do a photgraphy course but not sure I will get that done this year.

Update this blog regularly (aim for once a week) to keep tabs on where I am at with achieving my goals and what obstacles are in my way
Well I certainly haven't been updating and monitoring my goals weekly which is probably why the health and fitness goals have gone out the window. Today is a new day though and I will be trying hard to keep on top of my goals.

Overall

I'm fairly pleased with how I have done so far. I could do with a little bit more balance in the areas...it seems I am overdoing it in some areas which is affecting my success in others...but that has always been my problem.

I feel that if I can get the health and fitness routine back up and running and make some decisions about the wedding that it will all be coming together.

I miss trains...

Handwritten on Thursday 12th June at 10am

I'm on the train from my hotel in Greenlane to Britomart in Auckland (I'm here with work) and I've realised I miss trains!
This is the first train I've been on in New Zealand (& yes, it will be 3 years here at the end of this month...crazy, huh?)
There is something relaxing about the sound of the train on the tracks and the slight rocking of the carriage.
Don't get me wrong - I don't think I could go back to a daily train journey but every now and again it would be nice to sit back and stare into space as I journey to work (rather then fight that manic Palmy traffic...yeah right!)
Of course, the train I'm on was 10 nminutes late and I couldn't be doing with going on some train company's timetable every day - that's just too annoying - but while I sit here today I'm grateful for being on a train once again and having that feeling of being chauffered to my destination giving me time to do and think whatever I want (within reason).
Maybe the fact that I am writing these thoughts down rather then staring blankly at the scenery as it flashes by or the groovy colourful pattern on the seat covers means I am just not equipped to be a train commuter anymore.
Wow - I can see the Sky Tower! I'm off to have an adventure in Auckland knowing I'll (hopefully) be back in safe, quiet, comforting Palmerston North later tonight.

PS - how badly do I need an iPhone so I could write and post this blog message live from the train...that would be so cool!

Yeuch...

Feeling yucky at the moment...have been sick over the weekend and then had to go to the dentist this morning for 2 fillings. I came home and crawled into bed feeling like a hamster with over-stuffed cheeks. Not a good look. Slept a couple of hours then finished reading a really cool book (if you like that sort of thing). Then I came down to the lounge and watched a bit of Ellen and now there is nothing on the telly and I am considering watching a good ole Rom Com Chick Flick to lift my spirits again.

I really need to have a look at my goals again soon but I don't feel like I have the energy today. Can you believe it's June already...that's just down-right crazy...we're almost half way through the year and I'm fairly certain I am not half way through my goals.

I am off to use up all my remaining energy on picking a movie. Might be back later this week in higher spirits (I hope).