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!