Pace

Blogging Prompt 5 of Shimelle's My Freedom class:

How do you prefer the pace of life? Do you wish things would speed up or slow down? Illustrate with something that has been on your mind or on your calendar or share your preference between working slowly or quickly on a crafting project.

Hmm, not too sure about this one. I decided to think about it over the weekend and then didn't really get around to it so I am making this up as I go along (as per usual!).
I think I quite like anticipation...although saying that I am known to be quite impatient!
I enjoy the build up to things (like holidays or seeing people after a long time) and I am a planner and a list-maker so I tend to have fun with getting ready for things. I would only want things to speed up if I was organised (and even then I would probably decide to have more time and do a better job of getting ready!).
I can also be a teeny weeny bit of a procrastinator (okay, so quite a big procrastinator - hence the name of this blog) which can cause problems because I sometimes leave things to the last minute.
Moving to New Zealand has been about slowing life down a bit and I think I've slowed it down enough.
I think I'm fairly happy with my attitude to time overall (apart from needing to work on the procrastination of course!).
I do know I don't want to wish my life away by focusing so much on the next big thing that I miss out on all the great little everyday things that can happen.
I started a gratitude diary back in February which has been quite enlightening. I try to write down 5 things at the end of every day which I am grateful for. I've recently been going back and looking at entries from 5 months ago and it's interesting to reflect on the daily things that would otherwise have been forgotten.

If anyone reading this is keen to slow down and appreciate the everyday I would definetly recommend starting some kind of daily gratitude log. It's also made me much more positive.

Suitcases and Poems

So more of the My Freedom blogging prompts tonight.



The prompt for Day 3 was "Play a game of ‘What’s in your suitcase?’ on your blog by listing your necessities for travel, then ask your blog readers to comment with their own list. You can include pictures or links for items you consider must-haves."



And the Prompt for Day 4 was "Have you ever been inspired by the words of a poem? Share the poem with your blog readers and tell them how you came to value its words."



Hence the title of today's post! I still feel a little behind because prompt 5 is already out but I have decided to ponder that some more before blogging about it.

(The yellow suitcase is one of the bags I own that I use for travelling)

So...in my suitcase...there is always so much more then I will ever need but I am one of those people that has to pack heaps of things because you never know if you will need them or not!

In the last 18 months I have begun travelling for work. The regularity of trips away from home has taught me that I don't need quite as much as I think I do. Anyone who knows me well will know I am a HUGE list-writer and packing lists is right up there on my lists of lists I make!

I tend to just note down things on an index card when going away overnight or for a few days but when we are going further afield the mother of all lists comes out to help keep me organised! The list is a take on Flylady's suggestion and features different sections for things to do before I pack, things to do when I get home as well as items to be packed by category and bag they will go on (I know this seems insane and extremely scary to some people but it works for me and helps keep me calm when I have pre-travel nerves). The list becomes more important then what actually gets packed in the end!

Here is a brief list of what I would normally pack regardless of length of time away from home:

• iPod
• purse/keys/phone + charger
• notepad and pen
• book for reading (and in most cases a magazine too)
• lollies (especially when travelling on a plane when my ears feel like they will burst and I need something to crunch to take my mind off it)
• pyjamas
• clean clothes
• spare plastic carrier bag (because they have so many uses!)
• camera
• paracetamol

And on to poems...I enjoy poetry and always have. I love studying the flow of words and reading the words in my head to try and work out the rythym the author intended. I studied poetry a fair bit at school and English was one of my favourite subjects so most of the poems I remember are ones I originally studied at school.

I have always enjoyed 'To Autumn' by John Keats...maybe because I was originally an Autumn baby...the words he uses are just beautiful and Autumn is probably my favourite season:

SEASON of mists and mellow fruitfulness,
Close bosom-friend of the maturing sun;
Conspiring with him how to load and bless
With fruit the vines that round the thatch-eves run;
To bend with apples the moss’d cottage-trees,
And fill all fruit with ripeness to the core;
To swell the gourd, and plump the hazel shells
With a sweet kernel; to set budding more,
And still more, later flowers for the bees,
Until they think warm days will never cease,
For Summer has o’er-brimm’d their clammy cells.

Who hath not seen thee oft amid thy store?
Sometimes whoever seeks abroad may find
Thee sitting careless on a granary floor,
Thy hair soft-lifted by the winnowing wind;
Or on a half-reap’d furrow sound asleep,
Drows’d with the fume of poppies, while thy hook
Spares the next swath and all its twined flowers:
And sometimes like a gleaner thou dost keep
Steady thy laden head across a brook;
Or by a cyder-press, with patient look,
Thou watchest the last oozings hours by hours.

Where are the songs of Spring? Ay, where are they?
Think not of them, thou hast thy music too,
While barred clouds bloom the soft-dying day,
And touch the stubble plains with rosy hue;
Then in a wailful choir the small gnats mourn
Among the river sallows, borne aloft
Or sinking as the light wind lives or dies;
And full-grown lambs loud bleat from hilly bourn;
Hedge-crickets sing; and now with treble soft
The red-breast whistles from a garden-croft;
And gathering swallows twitter in the skies.

And reading that back has also reminded me of my favourite hymn - another Autumn theme:

Autumn days, when the grass is jewelled
And the silk in a chestnut shell
Jet planes meeting in the air to be refuelled
All these things I love so well
So I mustn't forget
No, I mustn't forget
To say a great big thank you
No, I mustn't forget.

(rest of words can be found here)

I'm also a fan of How Do I Love Thee? by Elizabeth Barrett Browning:

How do I love thee? Let me count the ways.
I love thee to the depth and breadth and height
My soul can reach, when feeling out of sight
For the ends of Being and ideal Grace.
I love thee to the level of every day's
Most quiet need, by sun and candlelight.
I love thee freely, as men strive for Right;
I love thee purely, as they turn from Praise.
I love with a passion put to use
In my old griefs, and with my childhood's faith.
I love thee with a love I seemed to lose
With my lost saints, I love thee with the breath,
Smiles, tears, of all my life! and, if God choose,
I shall but love thee better after death.

And finally - when you need to smile you can't beat a bit of Spike Milligan - this one has always been a favourite of my Mum's...

Today I saw a little work
Wriggling on his belly.
Perhaps he'd like to come inside
And see what's on the telly.

Phew - that's more then enough blogging for today I think! But I'm hoping to be back tomorrow with some thoughts on Prompt 5.

Back to class and potential regular blogging

I am taking this online scrapbooking class at the moment but it is so much more then just a scrapbooking class. The class meets several of my goals...it involves my creativity and scrapbooking, my writing and learning more about myself.

It also includes daily blogging prompts! Now, I don't promise to blog everyday but I will try and be a bit more regular and answer some of the prompts!

The class is over 5 weeks and the themes this week are time and travel. At the start of each week we get photograph assignments, then some journalling/writing assignments mid week before design assignments to get it all down on scrapbook pages at the end of the week.

I have been giving a lot of thought to both of this weeks themes...especially during the 3 hours of driving I did today to attend a course for work.

I will attempt the first 2 blogging prompts now.

My Freedom Blogging Prompt 1 - Post a picture you take from your clock adventure as you look for all the time pieces in your house. Tell your blog readers about this project and you hope to make time for it.

I haven't had much of a chance to take many time piece pictures yet because it's been dark when I've been getting home from work but I will do some work on this later on in the week and try to post a picture then. I thought I had a picture of me at the human sundial in Wellington and was going to post that but I can't find it. I did find this sketch though (courtesy of Google images) so you can see what I am talking about!

My Freedom Blogging Prompt 2 - If you could travel in time for just one day, where would you go and what would you do?

I don't want to have regrets about my life. I am trying very hard to look at everything that happens from different angles to find the good in everything (this is very difficult sometimes but with a little time I normally find at least one good thing to say about something I would have previously regarded as bad). For this reason I don't want to go back in my own lifetime to change something I did because I like to think that I wouldn't be the person I am now if I did that. I am also not keen to go forward in my own life because with my positive outlook (or attempt at it anyway!) I want to think that what happens will happen and yes I can choose my path but I want it to be a little bit of a surprise.

So I think given the chance I would like to go back in history to a time before I was born. I have always had a fascination with egyptian times as well as the regency era so I think it would be cool to go back to either of these times to experience life as it was. And again, thanks to Google images for these two...

And now - who knows - I might be back tomorrow with another blogging prompt answer!

Quizzy

Just emailed this to a few people so decided to post it on here too. I 'stole' it from a blog I subscribe too. A very interesting trip down memory lane.

Ten years ago:
It was 1998 (wow, aren't I clever!) which would have made me 16 and just finished school and my GCSE's - I would have finished my exams and my results wouldn't be out until August. I had plans to carry on at Sixth Form in September to do my A levels. I was working at Sainsbury's Supermarket, Southend. I was an Aunty (just once at this stage). And wait a minute....I think I was in Spain with 3 girls from school (only 1 of which I am still in contact with). I was drinking alcohol but think I had given up on the idea that smoking was cool at this point. I had big plans for seeing more of the world and am quite happy to report I didn't do too badly. I was friends with Vikki and Sarah but hadn't had much to do with Lou yet and Graeme was not even on the radar! I'm fairly certain that I thought I knew everything and was extremely grown up when in actual fact I had a hell of a lot still to learn. Hmmm, 1998 doesn't seem like long ago but the person I was then seems a million miles away from the person I am now.

Five things in todays 'to do list':
1) Go to Curves (haven't been since 16 May - naughty!)
2) Find some corporate sponsors for the rebrand in August
3) Get warm....it's freezing in here and the heater is on full
4) Write up my interview notes from Friday and Saturday
5) Start an online scrapbooking class by Shimelle

5 Snacks I enjoy:
1) Home made cookies (I just had some and they were yum!)
2) Crackers and cheese (brie is my favourite)
3) Anything with chocolate
4) Hot buttered toast
5) Cookie slice which is completely unhealthy but so amazingly yummy.

5 Things I would do if I was a millionaire:
1) Send open tickets to all my close friends and family so they can come visit me in NZ and do some extra travelling too
2) Finally get married and have it exactly as I wish with no budget worries (This will happen anyway but just not on a millionaire scale!)
3) Get my Mum and Brother and his family into NZ to live
4) Take a sabbatical to do some travelling....definetly to somewhere warmer
5) Possibly volunteer overseas but maybe I just like the idea of that rather then actually doing it!

5 Places I have lived:
1) Palmerston North, New Zealand
2) Southend area, Essex, England
3) Glasgow, Scotland
4) Colchester, Essex, England
5) In my own little Katieland (95% of the time)

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).

Handbag (Tagged by Kelly)

Kelly tagged me to do this so here it is!

1. Take a photo of your handbag

2. List what is in it (no leaving anything out!)

Okay so my bag is pretty old - the make is Custard and I got it for a bargain in a surfy type shop in Braehead Shopping Centre, Glasgow many moons ago. I'm sure it was a fiver or some other complete steal! It's not my full time bag as I tend to swap. I normally use a different bag for work but as I have been on holiday this week I downgraded to a smaller bag. It's still quite a "Mary Poppins" number though in that I seem to be able to cram a lot in.

And here is a list of what's in it currently:

• Purse (purple, make: Jag, containing: various credit and eftpos cards, loyalty cards for a number of places where I don't seem to shop, 2 pairs of earrings - I have a habit of taking them off half way through the day and chucking them in my purse, $2.20 in change)
• 2 packets of tissues - one menthol, one plain
• my red iPod Nano in it's pink snoopy bag (bought in Hong Kong at the night markets)
• a pink highlighter (I love hightlighting things randomly and I also like pink)
• a Gap (organisation I work for) pen (not pictured)
• Panadol (7 left on the strip of 10)
• a silver packet which contains a rugby trading card which you get free in packets of crisps - this is from the bag of crisps I got from the cinema last week and I'm saving it for my boss's children who collect them
• Mills and Boon Novel - The Inconvenient Bride by Anne McAllister - for some light hearted reading when the going gets tough
• Whitcoulls $20 voucher (remaining from $30 of vouchers I got from my birthday last October) - I have been saving it for something really special that I wouldn't normally buy and so far have not found anything that merits it's worth
• my crappy Nokia cell phone circa 1960 (at least that's how old it looks) - I really want a new one but don't have the inclination to spend the huge amount that phones seem to cost here in NZ
• United Video coupons - from last Saturday and Tuesday when I got movies and a Singstar game for my week off
• Purple glasses cleaning cloth although I can never find it when I want to use it and end up using my sleeve or bottom of my top instead
• Camera case (which also normally holds the camera except I needed the camera to take the picture)

Wow - that was quite fun! And for once I don't seem to have too much crap in my bag! On any other day it's quite possible by bag could have contained any of the following:

• poo bags for walking the dog
• dog treats
• Graeme's sunglasses
• umbrella
• shopping list
• craft stuff
• water bottle
• notepad
• diary
• a wad of old reciepts mostly from Starbucks

but not today!

So there you have it. I tag anyone who reads this that has the inclination to do it :-)

I'm back! (already!)

I said I would be didn't I?!

Well, day 4 (including weekends) of my 9 days off and I am loving it.

I am feeling pretty laid back and relaxed and I've also done a few things that make me feel like I've achieved something too...it's all good.

• I have baked a lemon cake (all gone) and some chocolate chip cookies (which won't last long once Graeme gets home!)
• I have scrapbooked 1 page (I am waiting for something to dry and then it will be finished and I might take a picture and upload it)
• I have decluttered the bathroom
• I have taken the dog to the vets because he had a gash on his foot on Friday night - he's now on meds and twice daily cleaning with salt water
• I have read
• I have watched one of my 6 DVDs that I hired for this week
• I cut the grass
• I have done heaps of laundry
• I have slept in
• I have been t'internet surfing
• and I am sure there are heaps of other things too!

Oh yeah - and I have taken a couple of photos too including this strange, arty shot

I really do want to learn more about photography. It would be cool to take a class in photography but I would need to find out if I could do it with my point and shoot camera - I don't have enough funds to buy a super dooper 'proper' camera right now. I am occasionally pleased with the photos I manage to take with the current camer though including this one

And as for the rest of my week off? We shall see but I am hoping for more of the same plus I should probably fit some exercise in there too!

I'm hoping to be back again in a few days!

I just won't know to do with myself...

I have a week off and it feels very strange.
The cool thing is that's it's all lieu time so I don't need to take any leave.
I've been really looking forward to it.
But it still feels weird.
I can't remember a time I took a whole week off just to be.
When I wasn't sick or wasn't going anywhere or didn't have visitors coming.
So it's a whole new experience.

In typical me fashion I have numerous lists on the go of things that it would be 'good' to do this week.
'Good' can be defined in 2 ways:
1) it has to be done and even though I may not enjoy it - I will feel better once it's done
2) it's something I enjoy doing so it will be fun

So I hope for a week (or 9 days once I count the weekends...although day 1 is nearly done so 8 more days to go!) of sleeping, watching movies, taking photos, scrapbooking, exercising, decluttering, giving myself beauty treatments, blogging, baking, emailing, journalling, doing projects and completing chores.

Of course each of these different activities have their own list and then I have tried to create a spreadsheet so I complete one of each type of activity each day....am I crazy or what?!

So far today I am nowhere near done with all the activities but I've done some.
I have a terrible habit of beating myself up (figuratively rather than literally) over uncompleted items on lists but this week I am going to try real hard not to do that.
I will do what I get done and that will be it.

I have spent heaps of time today being inspired by some cool artistic peoples blogs and found some really cool quotes.
Here is one that I might re-read every morning of my week off:

This bright, new day...complete with 24 hours of opportunities, choices and attitudes...a perfectly matched set of 1440 minutes.
This unique gift, this one day, cannot be exchanged, replaced or refunded.
Handle with care.
Make the most if it.
There is only one to a customer.
[Author Unknown]

And I hope to be back here blogging at least a couple more times this week :-)

Lazy Saturday afternoons

As much as I winge about how cold and miserable it gets once the clocks of changed I must to admit it has it's benefits. With the start of the soccer season comes Saturday afternoons all to myself to do with as I wish!

Last week I was crafty...this week I am finally getting round to rewatching the BBC Pride and Prejudice adaptation on DVD. Graeme got me it for my birthday last October (!) and the weather has been far too nice up until now for me to justify watching it!

Today it is chilly and was raining earlier (although it's cleared up now) so I am sat here surfing the net on the laptop while watching P&P. What more could a girl want then spending the afternoon with Colin Firth!

I am even considering wrapping up in a blanket, making myself a hot chocolate and putting the fire on!

and then maybe I'll go a little crazy and have a nap ;-)

Tough times

It's been a tough few weeks for one reason and another. I am considering changing the security on the blog so people have to be invited and then sending an invite to people who I want to read about my boring (!) life. Maybe once that's done I can share a bit more about what's been happening but let's just say work has been crazy but the light at the end of the tunnel is getting closer. I have been working silly hours and trying to hold the fort but soon I will have some extra help and support.

I need to have another look at my goals soon and work out where I am at. Now that the dust is starting to settle.

I have been doing some stuff I enjoy this weekend - namely scrapbooking which I love! Here is a layout I did on Friday night while Kill Bill was on (we have this movie on DVD - both volumes - and yet we watch it when it's on telly complete with adverts...weird!)

A self portrait I took because I bought a new scarf I liked and then I decided to do a different kind of page inspired by some scrappy/art blogs I've been reading lately.

And here's another one I did a few weeks ago while I'm sharing:

I also made a mini album yesterday for my sister in law's birthday. I'm really pleased with the way it turned out. May post some photos of that another day.

Art and scrapping is keeping me sane at the moment. I love being creative and I must admit I love winter because it gives me a good excuse to say snuggled up inside being crafty!

Phew! It's Friday baby!

It's been a big week. A very big week.

And I am so glad it's Friday.

I don't really have any plans for the weekend so I plan to catch up on sleep, exercise, eat some healthy food and relax.

And we now have wireless internet - woo hoo! So I am writing this post in the lounge, on the laptop, during the advert for American Idol. It's fab. Now I can check my emails in bed! Seeing as I plan to spend a lot of time there this weekend this wireless malarky could come in quite handy!

As for the work situation - I didn't get a promotion but I did get what I wanted. I still get to work in a job I love and I have a new manager who sounds like she is really switched on. I am hoping to meet her next week. So it's all change at work but I am hoping it's a move forward and will all be for the greater good.

I recently did an exercise to try and determine my key values which would help me with my goal setting. I realised that balance is a very important value to me. It's interesting - I just google imaged 'balance' and a lot of pictures of scales have come up. I am a libran so I suppose I should have realised that balance would be important to me. This weekend will be about regaining some balance and trying to feel levelled (trying to use another word for balance!)

Balance was possibly the reason I was so keen to try meditation...I did go along to the class last week but I am not certain it's for me. It certainly was an interesting afternoon but I am not sure that it will help me with where I am at at the moment. So meditation will take a backburner for now and I will investigate some other relaxation methods that will help me switch off.

And I also finished my Herbs course this week which was good. I am glad I signed up for it. It's definetly given me some inspiration for using herbs for cooking, crafting and also for medicinal purposes!

I'm off to chill out in front of American Idol and have a relaxing weekend. More on the other goals later methinks.

Weekend...woo hoo!

Yay! It's the weekend - just what I need! It's been a long and tiring week.

I have quite a lot to do this weekend (eeek!)...

I am going to a Learn to Meditate class on Sunday afternoon so come the end of the weekend I should be centred and enlightened....here's hoping!

I have a job interview next week so I have to prepare for that.

I need to go to work for a wee while tomorrow to get some stuff finished before a heavy week next week.

I need to get to the gym and have a go on the Treadmill again (which I've had a couple of go's on so far and man, do I have a long way to go!)

I want to get some writing done this weekend.

Plus I want to sleep...

In fact, I'll think I'll go and make a start on that last one just now

Putting me to shame!

I hope this link works - http://www.stuff.co.nz/4428343a10.html

Just in case it doesn't - here's a brief overview of the story.

A 10 year old boy who goes to a Junior School in NZ gets up at 6.30am every morning to write before he goes to school. He had his first novel published aged 9 and he has sold about 50 of each of his books and has orders for more.

Wow! What the kids are up to these days eh?

Of course - at the age of 10 I was working hard for the parents business and feeding the zoo of animals we had which is my excuse for not getting published by the time I left Primary School.

I'm not entirely sure what my excuse is these days but I am trying!

Currently 'thinking' about my edits on my NaNo 07 novel and also have some ideas bubbling for the next story. Have been doing lots of research on the web of how published authors edit their stories. Now I just need to sit down and get the edits made.

Methinks I need a deadline....

You cannot be serious

No, but really, someone please tell me how it got to be MARCH already? !
Where has this year gone! I know I was away for the first few weeks of January but February flew by be with the blink of an eye. Is the whole year going to be like this?

It already feels like so long since I saw everyone in the UK over Christmas and New Year and now, to realise it's March! I have a lot to get done in the next 12 months so I better get crackin'!

I started a food diary yesterday (yawn!)...I hate doing it but have to to make sure I am scoffing the right foods. I have a plan in action - I want to average a loss of 0.5kg per week between now and next May. It's do-able - I just need to stay committed. Now, I just want the treadmill to be delivered (impatient? me? never!) while I have some motivation so I can have a go at that!

I like Autumn - it's probably my favourite season but I am looking out the window at the trees blowing all over the place and the sleet-ish rain coming down and realise I'm not quite ready for summer to end yet...I need a bit more sunshine to keep me motivated at least until I can get a healthy new routine in place. I'm gonna wish for a few more weeks of sunshine...at least until the clocks change on the 6th April!

Woo-hoo! I'm now the proud owner...

...of this beast!
Now I just need to wait for it to be delivered (hopefully over the next few days) and then I can start some kind of programme of walking and building up to jogging and then to running.

All part of my masterplan to take over the world of course (insert evil laugh here)...well, to look good in my wedding dress anyway!

Motivational TV + Music

I am loving The Biggest Loser at the moment...it's very motivational - almost makes me want to go out and run up mountains to prove to myself I can...of course I could only do this with the lovely Bob (personal trainer) by my side ;-)
Isn't he bendy in this photo....hmmm, intriguing!

I am also trying to come up with a motivational playlist (exercise wise) for my iPod. I'm looking for songs that will get me moving quicker and will keep me going when the going gets tough. So far I'm thinking of these:

• Start Me Up - Rolling Stones
• Stronger - Kanye West
• Eye of the Tiger - by whoever sang that!
• She Moves in her own way - The Kooks
• Some Jimi Hendrix
• Some Killers
• Whole Lotta Love - Led Zepplin
• Don't Stop Movin' - S Club 7
• Beautiful Day - U2
• She's a Rainbow - Rolling Stones
• Chasing Cars - Snow Patrol
• (Doing naughty things) in the bushes - Oasis *name changed for polite purposes!
• A little less conversation - Elvis
• Carnaval de Paris - Dario G
• I wasn't built to get up - The Supernaturals
• Last Night - The Strokes
• Nowhere to Run - Martha Reeves and the Vandellas
• Lots of Stereophonics
• Filthy Gorgeous - Scissor Sisters

Ok - it's official - I have the strangest mix of music possible! I have also just discovered a heap of music on iTunes I forgot I even had so I am going to go and play! The exercise playlist might need a bit of tweaking but hopefully it's a good start!

Where I'm at

Nearly 2 weeks since I last posted - oops! I have thought about doing it a few times but then haven't got around to it. Nevermind - I am updating now! And just in time too. I think by updating this it will help me see where my goals are coming along nicely and where they need some more work!

Health and Fitness update

• Weight lost so far - I seem to be losing and putting back on the same couple of 100g these last few weeks so need to do better at watching what I am eating and getting my exercise levels up.


• I only managed 1 curves workout last week and I haven't been to curves yet this week. I am planning to go tonight and then Saturday plus either Thursday or Friday.


• I did the 7km walk last week but this week I missed it (was feeling really lethargic and had some other stuff that was more important - my job application!)


• Also, on the other exercise front - we are looking at buying a Treadmill (from TradeMe) as we can both use it and I can build up my running without feeling like a red faced bad runner on the streets! It will be good for the winter too when I don't want to go out walking or to the gym when it's dark and cold.


• My hormones have been all over the place with coming off the pill. I am taking Evening Primrose and Bio-zinc to try and balance myself out and just need to see what happens. I've heard it can take anywhere between a month and 18 months to get back to normal after coming off the pill having been on it for a long time. The average seems to be about 6 months so I just need to wait and see.


• I have found details of a Learn to Meditate class that is taking place locally on Sunday 9th March so have called to book in for that and managed to rope in a friend to come along as well I hope. It's a 3 hour class and costing $30Nz which I thought was quite reasonable. I'm hoping it's enough of a taster to see if it works for me and if it's something I should pursue further.


• As for MSG - I have virtually cut it out. The 2 times I have eaten it in the last few weeks I have really felt the consequences afterwards - my allergy symptoms go crazy, my nose runs constantly and I feel really tired. Must remember to check all labels before I eat anything!


• No chocolate - that's going well although I haven;t been a complete angel! From 6th February to today (27th) I have had 4 days where I have had chocolate. So it's not completely out but I am pleased I have had so many days without it!

Writing Update

• I am working on editing my NaNo novel. I'm currently trying to story board my plot so I can work out where there are holes that I need to fill and also to see if there are any scenes that don't move the story on. Unfortunately it's not going to be edited in time to submit to the end of February NZ Romance Writers contest but hopefully I will find another contest later on in the year I can submit it to.


• I have had a few ideas for a 2nd story so need to start noting these down so I have something to work on when I'm ready to start.

Wedding Update

• The only thing we've been able to work on so far has been the budget. We have had some disappointing news that we aren't going to get some money through that we were hoping for and that we had planned to use on the wedding. So it's a case of trying to work out what we can afford, how we can get the money together and then getting something booked.


• Obviously with the money not coming through it's put a huge strain on the idea of getting married in a Italian castle. We talked about it though and we want to get married there - even if we have to have fewer guests and pizzas for dinner rather then a la carte food at the reception! So we need to do some serious maths equations and work out how the hell we're gonna make it happen!

Relationships Update

• I put a post on the K & G NZ blog last week and will aim to do another over the next 7 days so I'm happy people are getting a glance at what we've been up to. I think maybe I need to email round to remind people the blog is still there and I am finally posting to it again though!


• We had a lovely Valentines Day together with a meal out. We have also spent some time with friends out together which has been good. I need to try and plan something for this weekend which is cheap (to save for the wedding!) and fun that we can do together. We did play Singstar last weekend by ourselves which was heaps of fun and may be considered 'quality time'!


• I managed to catch up with 2 NZ friends that are not in Palmy anymore over the weekend which was great. Now I need to make sure I'm replying to friends and family back in the UK that have sent emails. I'm not doing too badly at this!

Creativity/Personal Development

• I've been in touch with my scrapbooking buddy (!) and we've agreed to meet up in April to get going on the scrapbooking again which is good. I've spent a small amount of time looking over pages I'd planned etc over the last couple of weeks and hope to spend some time scrapbooking over the next few weekends (if the weather turns bad - if it's good, I will make the most of it and save the crafty stuff for when it's cold and dark!).


• I've had 2 out of 4 of my All About Herbs class so far which has been interesting. I also learnt about Herbal Crafts this week so that appeased my crafty side! Next week we look at Herbs used in Medicine and the final lesson is about Herbs in cooking.


• I've not updated this blog regularly over the last 2 weeks but I'm updating it today. Will try and do little posts in between these big full update posts just to keep my goals fresh in my mind.

Phew - so that's the update on my goals!

I'm also in the process of applying for a promotion at work and have spent quite a few hours trying to decide if it's the right thing to do. I am hoping to finish my application tonight and submit it tomorrow (it closes on Friday) and then it's all up to fate. At least this way I won't look back and wished I'd done more. I can only apply and see what happens.

And maybe one of these days I'll get around to telling some of my friends that this blog is here ;-)

Mid Week Update

Not a bad week so far.

Health/Fitness - I haven't had any chocolate since last Tuesday (5th Feb) so the stickers are lining up nicely on the calendar each day (heart shaped ones in bright colours!)

I went to Curves on Monday so 2 more work outs to go before Sunday (hopefully Friday and Saturday).

I also walked the 7km Striders walk/run last night. Did it in about 1hr 14min which seemed quite slow. It did rain for most of the walk though so I was soaked through and needed windscreen swipers for my glasses by the time I got to the end!

My healthy eating could be healthier so I need to try harder there...I have been busy concentrating on no chocolate at this stage. Once that becomes easier/more of a habit I will kick start that.

Writing has been a total no go-er...there is a competition I would like to enter my novel into that closes at the end of February. That means I need to get some serious editing done between now and then. We shall see. It definetly isn't ready to be submitted as it is.

I have booked next Monday off as one of my lieu days after being in Auckland recently. This gives me the opportunity and time to have a good look at it and make a decision about whether I am submitting it to the soon to close competition.

And I have signed up (with Graeme) to do a 4 week evening class at a local school that offers night classes. It's called All About Herbs and teaches you how to grow and look after them and then how to cook with them and use them in beauty products too. That should be fun and counts as one of my creativity and personal development goals. Talking of creativity - I also made Graeme a Valentine's card so have stretched my artistic craft muscles this week!

My relationships goals are being covered this week as I will be spending time with Graeme tomorrow in honour of Valentines Day (we are probably going out for dinner). I've also updated the NZ blog in the last week so working to keep in touch with friends and family.

And last but not least - the wedding....I spoke to my Dad over the weekend regarding the wedding as we are currently trying to work out our budgets and what we can afford so I needed to speak to him and ask some questions.

All in all, I think I am trying and gradually working towards the things I want to achieve.

I hate budgets!

Today I really dislike my job.
Overall, in the big scheme of things I quite enjoy what I do and I believe in what the organisation I work for is supposed to stand for.
The bad days happen when I can see that people are taking advantage or not following the rules that are put there for a reason.
The other thing that infuriates me is when people expect you to complete a complex task (budgets for instance) with no guidance, a tight deadline and ridicoulously set up spreadsheets that have no logic.

So that's my rant over. At least when I get these budgets off my desk I will be able to concentrate on recruiting volunteers for 2009 which is a fun part of my job!

Some good, some bad...

I have not yet eaten any chocolate so I am doing well on that front.
I have a shiny heart sticker on the calendar from not eating chocolate yesterday and am well on the way to getting another today.
I must be quite a visual person and I defiently like stickers as seeing the stickers line up during the month of November as I was reaching my daily word count for NaNoWriMo prompted me onwards. I hope using them for the No Chocolate thing will help me stick with it.

As for this week's other goals....

• I was doing fairly well at bed before 10.30pm but blew it last night when I stayed in the bath for an hour with my iPod blaring (from speakers - I wasn't wearing my earphones in the bath!) and reading a book. I will make sure I get to bed before 10.30pm tonight and tomorrow (Friday) as well.
• It's been a bit hit and miss with the vegetables so I must try harder with this and keep track so I know how many I've eaten.
• I haven't made it to curves once yet this week (eek!) but did take the dog for a long walk on Wednesday. I'm going to pack my gym stuff to take to work tomorrow. If I don't go to the gym tomorrow I will go swimming with Graeme and I will definetly go to Curves on Saturday morning.
• I haven't done any editing of my NaNo manuscript yet this week so need to get some done over the weekend.

I feel really quite tired and have been quite emotional these last few days. I think this could be a reaction to coming off the pill. It's now been 15 days since I last took it. I have been taking Evening Primrose Oil and Vitamin B6 as they are supposed to be good for regulating hormones so will see how that goes. It's hard to find motivation when I am in this kind of mood and I've spent most of my 'free' time reading the last few days rather then focussing on my goals.
I am going to plan the weekend so I get a combination of things I need to do and things I want to do in the hope I do complete some tasks by rewarding myself with relaxation!

I'll see how it goes!

40 days without chocolate...

I am not a religious person.
I can't remember a time when I have given something up for Lent.

But yesterday - I bit the bullet.


In a moment of stupidity I declared - out loud - with Graeme as my witness - that I would give up chocolate for Lent.


So now I have to go 40 days without chocolate.
And of course, it turns out it is longer then 40 days...the Sunday's don't ususally count as Lent but I think it's best if I go all the way through.


So starting today (Wednesday 6th February 2008, Ash Wednesday) I will be trying very hard not to eat chocolate. And if I suceed, I will treat myself to a small easter egg to enjoy on Easter Friday (21st March 2008). That is, of course - if I want chocolate by then.

Perhaps I'll be cured of my addiction!


There are some exceptions - which have been discussed with Graeme (who is also giving up chocolate for Lent which should help me avoid temptation!).


We are allowed:
*hot chocolate drinks
*chocolate milkshakes
*mocha frappacino's
*to finish the carton of cookies and cream icecream in the freezer BUT we are not allowed to buy anymore.


So I will be marking each day I succeed at not giving into temptation with a gold star on the calendar!

My focus for this week

I am back in Palmy after a long weekend away in Auckland for work. I didn't get much down-time at all so unfortunately got no further with the editing of my novel. I did manage to do some planning for this week though.

I am going to try and review my goals each week and decide which ones I need to focus on and how I am going to do this. I plan to do this each Sunday.

So for this week I will be focusing on WRITING and HEALTH & FITNESS.

For the WRITING side of things I want to try and manage 6 hours of editing on my novel this week. Wednesday is a public holiday so I will spend a couple of hours then and also Saturday and Sunday.

As for HEALTH & FITNESS I need to catch up on some sleep and rest after a busy weekend so plan to be in bed by 10.30pm each work night this week. I also want to eat 3 portions of veggies every day, do 3 curves workouts this week (hopefully today or tomorrow, Friday and Saturday) and go for 1 long walk (possibly the 7km Manawatu Striders walk on Tuesday, if not - a big walk with the dog on Wednesday).

I'm going to try and keep Wednesday free from any arrangments with other people. It will be nice to have a quiet day with Graeme, get some things done I want and then relax without any time constraints.

While I was away, Graeme got me the 'Eat that Frog!' anti-procrastination book from the library so I will also be taking some time to read that this week.

And it's my Mum's birthday today so I will be speaking her tonight and telling her how great she is!

And maybe...just maybe, I might go public with this blog this week and email a link to my closest friends so I can get a little support along the way...

Researching...

In typical Kate fashion I have been doing lots of reading up on goal setting.

I tend to spend lots of time doing this then run out of steam when it comes to the actions required! But I am feeling determined this time.

I came across an interesting series of articles in Next magazine written by a life coach. The issue I have has installment 4 of 12 but I was lucky enough to find the previous articles on the life coaches website. There are also some work sheets and things on there that might be useful.

I am also interested to read a book that the life coach recommends...mainly because of it's quirky sounding title: 'Eat that Frog: 21 Great Ways to Stop Procrastinating and Get More Done' by Brian Tracy. They have it at the library so will try and get my hands on that one. I, obviously, could do with some tips for stopping procrastination!

I'm off to Auckland with work tomorrow (Thursday) until Sunday. It's a new part of my job which I haven't experienced yet so I'm looking forward to that aspect but I'm not really happy about that length of time away from home at the moment. Having just got settled again at home after our big trip overseas and feeling really run down, working long days and being away from my bed and Graeme and the dog is going to be upsetting.

On the health side of things, I ended up at the doctor's on Monday lunchtime due to on-and-off chest pains I'd been having since Friday night. After an hour of being monitored I got to see a doctor and apparently I have acid reflux which really doesn't seem all that bad compared to the excruciating pain I was in. I've got some medication to take although I have been warned (by a friend) that the tablets can cause more problems then good. At this stage it's good because the pain has stopped but I shall monitor how I am feeling and make sure the pills don't do me any harm.

I haven't done much exercise this week and won't get started on that now until next week.

I do plan to take my NaNo manuscript with me to Auckland on the offchance I get some time to myself and can continue with my read through and editing. And I will be giving lots of thought to my goals and doing some more 'research' if I get the time.

And today I picked out images from Google Images that suit each of the catergories for my goals (2 examples above)...to help me visually link what I am saying to each of my goals.

My Goals for 2008

Hot on the foot of my first welcome post, here are my goals for 2008 along with a brief introduction:

The main priority for me this year is going to be my health and fitness. I have spent too many years wanting to lose weight and get fitter without enough results. I am planning to get married in May 2009 so I hope this will work as a deadline for me to get to a weight and shape I am happy with.

I feel I had a successful 2007 in terms of writing because it was the first year I wrote a 50k novel and I want to carry on this year by editing the first novel and working on a second.

Planning the wedding may take up a lot of my time later in the year so I am going to include reference to this in my goals.

Health & Fitness

• Lose 20kg
• Aim for 3 Curves workouts every week
• Do at least 1 other type of exercise each week (swimming, long walk, badminton etc)
• Stop taking the pill and monitor effects to see if my health improves
• Attend meditation or yoga class for relaxation (and if I like it - continue to attend)
• Cut MSG out of diet completely
  

Writing

• Edit novel completed during NaNo 2007 and submit to at least one contest
• Write at least one 50,000 word novel
• Research and submit query for 2 magazine/newspaper articles

Wedding

• Get a date confirmed for the wedding
• Work out a wedding budget
• Work out a plan of what needs to be done when and put into action
• Try wedding dresses on once lost 15kg

Relationships

• Update K and G NZ blog regularly (at least once a month) so family and friends can see what we are up to
• 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)
• Email, text or phone one of my close friends/family members at least once a week to keep in touch

Creativity/Personal Development

• Make time at least once per month for scrap-booking or other crafts
• Attend a class/workshop to learn a new skill (Italian for beginners, drawing, painting, ceramics)
• 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

Queen of procrastination

Being the queen of procrastination I have always had a difficult time sticking to new years resolutions and achieving my goals.

After some success last year...by achieving one of my long time ambitions - writing a novel - I decided if I can do that I should be able to achieve other goals as well.

Part of my novelling success was, in part, due to my broadcasting of what I was trying to achieve to as many people as possible. This was at the advice of Chris Baty who wrote 'No Plot, No Problem' and who is the creator of NaNoWriMo (National Novel writing Month). Being accountable for what I was setting out to achieve seemed to help me focus and carry on, even when the going got tough.

So I have decided to set up this blog to make myself accountable for my other goals in the hope and belief that I will achieve what I want to this year.

So that is why this blog is here. It will either become a tool of procrastination for avoiding other tasks or will become something I procrastinate about!

And yes, you could say I have procrastinated already this year as I am only just publishing my goals but I like to think I have been mulling them over to make them more meaningful and achievable ;-)