Old friends are the best friends - 19th Jan 2012

This time next week I will be whirling around the dance floor with my three best friends at one of their weddings. And, I'm so bloody excited! Today was one of those days where perspective was easy to find and there was a whole lot to be grateful for. 
I feel so incredibly privileged to have three people in my life I have known since the age of 12, and can still call them by best friends. They each enrich my life in different ways but there are two common threads - they make me laugh and they make me a better person when I am around them.
Today I got to speak to all of them, which doesn't happen that often (thanks to lots of babies and busy jobs). The conversations alone made me laugh. Nothing has changed, "What are you wearing next week?" "Should we get our hair done?" "What songs are on the playlist?". Old friends really are the best friends.
The pic above is of Tracy and I at her Hen's dinner. The ridiculous hair styles, don't ask, just another in joke from our school days. 

Finding satisfaction in the smallest things - 18th Jan 2012

This is sleepy Cuba. She is the baby we are not having and possibly the sweetest dog I've ever met. Tonight she curled up next to me on the lounge for a cuddle. Priceless. I just can't say no to that face (which admittedly looks a bit squashed in this pic).

Inspiration required - 17th Jan 2012

I've stumbled across a website www.morningcoach.com which I am secretly (or not so secretly now) loving. Basically it's a personal development site which has 'Thought of the Day' type posts and other such stuff. 
I love a good inspirational quote. While I know this makes me sound a little loopy, I've been known to purchase a wide array of paraphernalia (cups, cards, keyrings, magnets to name but a few) featuring quotes. Favourites include "Imagination is more important than knowledge" and "Does my bum looks big in this". The latter is a magnet featuring a peacock with a huge fanning tail. Classic.
Anyway, this quote popped up on my Facebook wall this morning and it instantly felt like a good mindset for the day and for this project. This is essentially an underlying theme of the Perspective Project. In essence I have wasted a big part of the last two years floating along feeling a little lost and not knowing how to get my groove back. But now I'm on my way again. "It's never too late to be what you might have been." 

Happy Birthday Payten - 16th Jan

Happy 4th Birthday Payten. Glad to see you are putting the birthday face paint to good use. The butterfly faced big sister giving baby Zander a big cuddle. What a perfect niece and nephew. xx Aunty Trice.

The last day of holidays. Reality here I come - 15th Jan

Ok, here we go. It's the end of the day on the last day of holidays. I just caught myself mid shower giving 'me' a big pep talk. I know, it's odd, but I do some of my best thinking /problem solving in the shower. Despite the end of my holiday existence looming, the pep talk went well. It's official, I am taking a new approach to work this year - less stress, greater work life balance and more realistic expectations of myself. I'm feeing positive and empowered. This all sounds funny now, lets see how tomorrow goes. Fingers crossed.

We are getting a new puppy! - 14th Jan 2012

The picture says it all. Rocco is joining our little family and Cuba is getting a super cute puppy to keep her company. It's soon to be two grown ups and two dogs, perfect, we hope. Despite living in a one bedroom apartment we've bitten the bullet and decided that Cuba needs a dog to hang out with. The theory is great, let's hope the reality matches. 
Stay tuned for what I am sure will be some hilarious moments in the coming few weeks. If the Cuba puppy experience was any indication there are giggles ahead, largely based on fights between James and I. It's the grown ups behaviour that is most amusing.

A walk with Cuba by the water - 13th Jan 2012

Taking in the beautiful view - that was today's lesson in appreciation. This is the edge of the park where we walk Cuba (our cute dog) most days. It is picture perfect, but I have become so use to seeing it, I sometimes forget to stop and admire the view. This project has been brilliant to date in making me stop and acknowledge what is around me. I know this was the plan, but I didn't expect the impact to be so powerful. I can honestly say I have a new found appreciation for the brilliant things in my life. Gee, I wish I'd thought of this earlier.

A dying battery wins - 12th Jan 2012

I am proud to announce the arrival of my new iPhone 4S. I truly expect this magnificent piece of technology to enrich my life in ways I am not yet even contemplating.  


Initially I'm just stoked it has full battery life. My poor old iPhone 3 decided it was only suited to social media tasks and web surfing. None of this talking to people via voice business. I am excited to once again have enough battery life to go old school (I'm sorry, I just can't bring myself to spell it with a k). 

Tasting the delights of Wildfire - 11th Jan 2012

We had a fantastic meal with old and new friends at Wildfire tonight. Happy Birthday Megan Parker. We will certainly miss you guys. Don't forget, Sydney is ready for you and our couch is waiting. You are always welcome.

Blowing out the candles - 10th Jan 2012

This blog appears to have a special guest star in the form of my niece Payten. For someone who has a very firm, and publicly acknowledged desire not to have children, I am very taken with this one. She is my special friend. The crazy aunty is a great job because it's all the fun stuff like reading books, playing puzzles and buying irresponsible presents. None of the serious stuff.


I anticipate that she will continue to pop up throughout the year, as I often call her for a chat (that is a very lose description as she is not yet four) on those days when I need a giggle. She always makes me laugh.


Today we had a cake for her birthday as I will miss her party on the weekend. Big P and Mini P eating chocolate cake - another of life's little pleasures.

Ticking off the Bucket List. We are off to Tahiti - 9th Jan 2012

OMFG. We've done it. We are going to Tahiti. I am not sure what else there is to say apart from, Bucket List, big fat overexcited tick.


Bring on August when James and I will be staying in one of the bungalows above for what we are dubbing our second honeymoon (such an excessive trip felt like it needed a proper excuse). Yippee.

Taking our tourists to the zoo...and Summer Bay - 8th Jan 2012

Who would have imaged that a random trip to Palm Beach would be the highlight of Megan Parker's trip to Sydney. Yes you guessed it, the real life Summer Bay turned a grown woman into a giddy teenager. Megan, thank you for making my day with your unbridled excitement. It topped off the champagne and cupcakes overlooking the beach. And you thought the giraffes at the Zoo were going to be the highlight of your Sunday!

Cruising the Harbour - 7th Jan 2012

Round two in the "Sydney dazzles Simon and Megan" campaign. I think James and I are enjoying the sites of this tour even more than our visitors may be! Here we are on a harbour cruise. Looking pasty and windswept (me, not James) but falling in love with Sydney summer. The Perspective Project continues to score goals.

Sydney welcomes the Parker-Boulter's - 6th Jan 2012

They are the visitors we have been waiting for - the great Simon Boulter and is lovely wife Megan Parker. Boulter was one of the first people James and I met in London all those years ago. He won our hearts by greeting us at the door of the Victoria Camel late one night with a beer for James and a red Cruiser for me. We knew in that moment he was one of the good guys.


Today Simon and Megan arrived in Sydney to spend four days with us. To say we are excited is a slight understatement. There is something about showing good friends around your city that makes you appreciate the everyday brilliance of it. We've decided to pull out the big guns in a bid to convince them they should ditch cold and grey London and come to live in Sydney with us. It's a long shot, we know it, but we will give it a good crack.


First stop Cafe Sydney. Incredible view and beautiful food. Sydney 1, London 0. 

329 not out. Brilliant batting - 5th Jan 2012

Anyone who knows me, knows I love cricket. And that is love with a capital L. One of the true pleasures of having three weeks off over the Christmas break has been the ability to sit on the couch for hours on end and watch every over bowled. 


Today was a special day as a cricket spectator. Michael Clarke - 329 not out. Full respect. It was a brilliant innings and I relished the opportunity to watch it.  

Feeling inspired. Yoga may be the answer - 4th Jan 2012

The yoga buzz is still surging through my veins, or is it the lactic acid surging through my muscles? The brain feels invigorated and calm all at the same time, however my muscles are like those of a couch potato who jumped straight off the couch and attempted a marathon. 


I found this quote in the pic on my new yoga bag. I love it. I'm going to add this to my 2012 Bucket List and attempt something that scares me each day.

I'm finally starting yoga. Woo Hoo - 3rd Jan 2012

This day has been many years in the making. Finally, after much talk and very little action for a very long time, I have finally started yoga. I feel ridiculously excited just typing that!


And now for the annoying bit. I'm about to become one of those people who rave about how yoga has changed their life. I know, it's slightly premature, I've only been to one class. But before you judge, let me try to defend myself.


Firstly, I felt sightly self righteous just standing on the mat striking a pose I've only seen flexible people do in the movies. (I do however admit I was neither flexible nor glamourous ie Scarlett Johansson in 'He's Just Not That Into You'). Secondly, I could feel muscles stretching that I didn't even know I needed to work on. Third, it was quiet in my brain. This is the amazing bit.


There has never been a moment in my life where my brain isn't whirling with multiple thoughts. It's never a quiet place in there. I'm forever making lists of things to do, places to go, work to finish, plans to action. Just stuff. But this was different. For the first time, ever, not a single thought entered my head apart from the pose I was trying to achieve at that exact point in time. Amazing.


It would be wrong not to share the funny bits too, in the interests of full disclosure. There is nothing inspirational or soothing about watching a grown man strike revealing poses in bike pants with no shirt one, as he sweats it out in a room heated to 30 degrees. Taking a deep breath and exhaling the sound 'Om' for four outward breaths made me feel like a new age fool. However, the little fart someone accidentally squeezed out (swear it was not me) doing one particular move did make me laugh. 

Chilling with Nath & Erin - 2nd Jan 2012

We've just had the most fantastic few days with Nathan and his girlfriend Erin. It was great to share a house with him again, even if was only for a few days. Come back from WA soon you two, we miss you. Family really to through your life back into perspective.

Happy New Year. It's going to be a good one - 1st Jan 2012

HAPPY NEW YEAR. Hello 2012, I've been waiting for you. Sydney's fireworks really are something else! We had the most incredible night at Opera Bar, with front row seats to the most spectacular fireworks show I've ever seen. It really is the best way to bring the new year in.


So what's the plan for 2012 you ask? It starts with a list - like all good plans should. It's my new Bucket List. You see, I've decided that part of my 'blahness' has been due to the fact there are only two things left on my original Bucket List. These two things are to live in New York and stay in an over-the-water bungalow in Tahiti. The former isn't going to happen any time soon (much to my disgust) and the latter is something I hope to tick off one day/year soon. The result is, I need some new goals to work towards and get excited about. 


This list is the starting point for the positive changes this year will bring. Some are big ticket items on the Bucket List, some are smaller things to focus on and incorporate into my daily life. Here we go:

• Visit the seven wonders of the world (four to go)
• Dive in Belize
• Get more involved in Sydney life and culture - concerts, events, restaurants, shows and sights
• Take up yoga
• Achieve a MUCH better work life balance
• Start writing my travel book
• Get back to my 'wedding weight' (I know, it's unrealistic but every girl needs a goal)
•  Go to the beach more

First tick off the list - I made it to Bondi Beach for a swim on the first day of 2012. I'll have the list ticked off by June at this rate. Side note: apologies for the fact I look naked in the pic above. I can promise whole heartedly this is not the case, just a bad angle!

Farewell 2011, with a cocktail - 31 Dec 2011

As far as years go, 2011 hasn't been a bad one, but I am more then ready to bid it farewell. In some ways it's because it was my year of 'blah'. While it sounds non-eventful, 'blah' turned out to be worse than the first year we moved back to Australia which was characterised by shock (sometimes amusing) at the new reality of my non-European life. This year felt worse because I finally admitted to myself that I am in fact a bit lost. I then spent much of the year trying, and failing, to work out how to get my groove back.


That's why I am so excited about 2012. I think I've worked it out! It's all about adding new things to my 'Bucket List' and looking at my life with a new perspective. This blog is only nine days old but already it feels as though it's given new purpose to my life. That purpose is writing. I love it, I miss it and I haven't done enough of it lately.


Another thing I love, my family. Tonight I am lucky to be spending New Year's Eve with my fantastic husband, my brother and his girlfriend. This is particularly special because I only get to see my brother Nathan a few times a year. I miss him a million times over. Hence today's picture - a vodka cocktail with my Nathan.

Treating myself to a Ghermez cupcake - 30 Dec 2011

Indulging my sweet tooth with a Ghermez white chocolate cupcake - one of life's little pleasures.

Time for a massage. Gee I love holidays - 29 Dec 2011

And today, the 'treat yourself' mantra continues. Just topped off yesterday's pedicure with a massage @ the clinic. The perspective looks pretty good from here. These really are the glory days of this project.

Ohhhh pedicure - 28 Dec 2011

Ohhh the joy of being on holidays. A sleep in, followed by a few sessions of cricket watched from the couch, topped off by a pedicure. I really could be a lady of leisure.

I love shoes! - 27 Dec 2011

Like aunty like niece. It seems Payten has inherited more than just my defiant and annoyingly independent personality (apologies again Danielle). She loves shoes too! Dad use to call me Imedla, after Imedla Marcos and her famous collection of 2700 pairs of shoes. It appears we have a mini Imelda on our hands. 

Lazy days in the hammock - 26 Dec 2011

A perfect Boxing Day. Had a swim then a snooze in the hammock during the lunch break of the Boxing Day cricket match. It doesn't get much better than this.


This 'Perspective Project' is proving quite easy so far. Being on holidays has been the prefect start. My biggest worries are what to eat, deciding how much cricket to watch (the answer is you can never watch too much) and how many newspapers and magazines to read. This is my definition of complete relaxation. However I have no doubt these posts will get much harder (and probably a little hilarious) as soon as my holidays end. 

Merry Christmas - 25 Dec 2011

What a fantastic day! Santa made a visit, the sun came out for perfect swimming weather, way too much food was consumed, then we beat the pinata with a cricket bat to finish the day off with some lollies.  

The best part of cooking a cake is licking the bowl - 24 Dec 2011

As predicted my niece is proving to be a source of great entertainment during the holidays. Today we cooked a cake. Well, to tell the truth, Nanny Kath cooked the cake, while Payten and I licked the bowl. It's always the best part.

Using marker pens as nail polish - 23rd Dec 2011

Day One of 'The Perspective Project' started with a laugh. My niece Payten decided to paint her nails...with a marker pen (as you do at the age of 3). Watching the process made me laugh for a good 10 minutes. Being home at my parents house, surrounded by family for Christmas has proved to be the perfect start to my new approach on life. There is so much to be grateful for and so many things to laugh at. I have a feeling Princess Payten will be making quite a new appearances in this blog over the next two weeks. Her and I are part of a mutual admiration society. I think she is pretty close to perfect and she thinks I'm amusing and have exciting things in my handbag and suitcase.  

About This Blog: Why I'm finding some perspective in 2012

When I sit down and take stock, my life is pretty superb. So why am I feeling so bloody 'blah' about this seemingly perfect life?

I have an inkling I feel the same as many of my fellow 'thirty something' ex-travelers. While we now have it all on paper - fantastic husband, super cute dog, great family and friends, good job, living in a gorgeous city - the daily grind of life without the excitement of regular travel is taking the spring out of my step (to say the least).

In my case, I'm still struggling to adapt to life in Sydney after six years in the UK and 18 months traveling the globe. It was always going to be a tough adjustment. I miss jumping on a train and arriving in Paris two hours later. I miss cheap and easy weekend breaks in the Mediterranean and I really miss shopping.

But enough of the whining, 2012 is the time for change. I've need to start appreciating the good things in my life and taking more enjoyment from them. I don't want to be that person who wakes up one day in a shitty situation wishing life was like it use to be...ie the life right now I am not appreciating. And so, The Perspective Project was born. 

Every day for the next year I am going to take a picture or find an image that represents something that has made me smile that day. The purpose of the exercise is to be more aware of the great things around me and take more pleasure in today, instead of wishing for something better tomorrow. I also want to laugh more.

I snapped the first picture on 23rd December 2011...and so the project begins!