tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23440810534880237132024-03-06T00:53:29.914+13:00ScribblesA place for a twenty-something university student to rant about life, love, literature and the search for happinessScribbleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05380089303451451752noreply@blogger.comBlogger437125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2344081053488023713.post-43947417480126044112012-07-29T13:53:00.004+12:002012-07-29T13:53:52.596+12:00And so I wrap up my single (blog) life...It's time to bid farewell to this blog - a bittersweet moment. Looking back over the articles (and over the years), my life changed SO much. New job, new man, hundreds of new experiences. As I moved into the married phase of my life, however, it started to feel less like me. I didn't post anywhere near as much... I lost my mojo.<script type="text/javascript">
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I'm pleased to say, however, it's back! I'd love for you to follow me on my new blog, <a href="http://www.sweetmamam.wordpress.com/">Sweet Mama M</a> (the title is purely aspirational at the moment, don't worry!). Click through and have a read - I hope you will love it and it would be great to still be blog friends!</div>
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<br /></div>Scribbleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05380089303451451752noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2344081053488023713.post-32418908758742792012-06-10T13:05:00.000+12:002012-06-10T13:05:14.608+12:00Where have you been?Wow! I haven't made a post since the end of February and we are now in June. The truth is that I never meant to leave it so long but life really did smack me upside the head. I really underestimated how busy life would get with my new job and planning a wedding. It was so overwhelming and the day after the wedding I was so tired that I looked like I had a stroke!<script type="text/javascript">
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In saying that, I did have the best time and I'm so glad that SB is finally my husband - even if he got the flu the week after our wedding :). And what kind of blogger would I be if I didn't give you a few sneak peeks of guest photos - we're still waiting on our pro pics and video to get back.</div>
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It sort of feels like the beginning of a new chapter in our lives and as such, I'll be phasing out Scribbles as my blogging vehicle over the next year and starting to blog at a currently secret location. Continue to follow me here for sporadic posts here and there and a big announcement when the new blog goes public!</div>Scribbleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05380089303451451752noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2344081053488023713.post-54437739074044725822012-02-29T10:03:00.000+13:002012-02-29T10:03:04.687+13:00February, I hardly knew you...<script type="text/javascript">
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It's not all doom and gloom though. Despite the turmoil I've managed to maintain my weight at the lowest it has been in five years. I'm only 7 kg away from my first goal weight at which point I will have lost 25kg (that's like a five-year-old, right?). We've managed to go on a couple of spectacular all-day dates, one to the Devonport Wine & Food Festival and one to Hamilton for fabulous Mexican food and a walk around the Gardens. I turn 27 tomorrow and I'm still alive. Despite her treatment setbacks, so is Mama Scribs. We're getting married in just over 90 days and we're looking for a new rental closer to where we would like to settle down.<br />
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I guess it all comes back to that Balance word. I feel like I'm nowhere near where I want to be at the moment but at least I feel like I'm making progress. It's like that shampoo ad that shall remain nameless... it won't happen overnight, but it will happen!Scribbleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05380089303451451752noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2344081053488023713.post-81367835679596562912012-01-28T18:42:00.000+13:002012-01-28T18:42:14.576+13:00So excited!The darling Em of <a href="http://www.lickmycupcakes.com/">Lick My Cupcakes</a> is coming to New Zealand this week and we get to have dinner with her (and her lovely man) on Friday! She was one of my first lady-blogger friends and it will be great to finally have a big smooshy cuddle with her in person!<script type="text/javascript">
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Who wouldn't wanna hang with these cool kids?</div>
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<br /></div>Scribbleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05380089303451451752noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2344081053488023713.post-85719910630918998582012-01-18T15:45:00.001+13:002012-01-18T15:45:41.357+13:00I think I could have happily lived in the 50s...It's now just one week until I go back to work. I think back to the middle of November and how big the chasm of time felt, the time when I was going to be "funemployed". Two and a half months seems like a really long time but it has just gone by in a flash. I know it sounds cliche but it is totally true.<script type="text/javascript">
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I really worried that I'd feel unfulfilled while staying at home. The financial side of things has been harder - while we certainly haven't struggled, we haven't had a lot of disposable income either and I will have to catch up on my contributions to our wedding account that I would have made in the time I had off (about $1500). What surprised me is how little not working mattered to my sense of self.</div>
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A few of my friends who have had children lately feel a loss of a sense of self when not working - that who they are in their job is a large part of their identity and an identity that they can no longer affiliate themselves with. I haven't felt the same. While I love teaching, it isn't as much of my identity as I thought and the desire to teach flows out in different ways when I'm not in a classroom.</div>
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This got me to thinking about the future. We hope that we're blessed enough to be able to have children. We've always assumed that I will stay home if financially possible because we both had SAHM/WAHM mothers when we were young. This time has made me realize that I would be blissfully happy to do that if we have the opportunity; something my thirteen-year old self would have been horrified by.</div>
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As modern women we can have it all, or we can have the parts we want. Part of me wants to be a 50s housewife staying home with my (possible future) children, cleaning and cooking lovely meals for my man and that should be no less judged than the woman who choses to go back to work.</div>
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Scribblettes, when you look into your future, what do you see?</div>Scribbleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05380089303451451752noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2344081053488023713.post-47265776206677129222012-01-12T16:09:00.000+13:002012-01-12T16:09:05.386+13:00Normal?So... I'm going to try on wedding dresses tomorrow. Squee right? <script type="text/javascript">
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So I'm stuck wondering why I'm not feeling so squee.</div>
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I wonder whether it's because I'm not yet the size I'd hoped to be when I first went dress shopping. I don't think that anyone should tie their sense of worth (and their beauty as a bride) to a dress size, but I'd hoped to lose all my weight in a year - at 30 kg from my largest, maybe I should have been more realistic. I'm now hoping to be 7 kg lighter than I am now by the time the wedding and at my goal weight by my weight loss anniversary in November, an additional 5 kg.</div>
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I'm also wondering whether... well... I don't care so much. I want a pretty dress but I really don't have many of the details set in stone. White or off-white, silhouettes, sashes, one-strap/two-straps/strapless... I don't really mind! I'm thinking that it will probably be chiffon but I'm certainly not tied to it. I've organized the things that really matter to me and maybe I'm just one of those brides that doesn't care that much about the dress.</div>
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I see our day out as a really fun outing with mum and French "sister" C - especially seeing we're taking in "high tea" at the Langham. I'm just hoping I feel a little bit more of the magic once I'm in the dresses!</div>Scribbleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05380089303451451752noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2344081053488023713.post-45011526795660262122012-01-08T12:05:00.000+13:002012-01-08T12:05:56.483+13:00Monthly Resolutions - Jan<div style="text-align: justify;">
So yesterday I told you about my word for the year and some of you have fantastic words of your own! I think Bridey hit the nail right on the head when she said that you know it's the right word for you when the thought of it scares you a little! So what does balance mean this month?<script type="text/javascript">
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<li style="text-align: justify;"><b>Relationship:</b> No phones during meal times (with the exception of when SB is on call) - focus should be on each other at these times and it's a bad habit we've let creep in</li>
<li style="text-align: justify;"><b>Health:</b> Eating whatever I want as long as I'm under calorie intake for the day - I've started calorie counting to get the rest of the weight off and I know that I should eat healthy but I'm giving myself permission to have whatever food I want within reason. It's working well so far and I don't feel deprived</li>
<li style="text-align: justify;"><b>Work/Social:</b> Trying to occupy myself at home or within walking distance of home as much as possible - we're feeling the pinch financially with being on one income and still saving for the wedding and I know I will be grateful for this quiet time once everything takes off again.</li>
<li style="text-align: justify;"><b>Financial:</b> Being honest with friends and family about our ability to do things with them this month that cost a lot of money - we either don't do it or we come up with another solution.</li>
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Simple intentions when written down, not quite as easy to do in real life - but it's meant to be a challenge, right?</div>
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How are you planning your goals/resolutions/intentions this year? Annually? Monthly?</div>
</div>Scribbleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05380089303451451752noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2344081053488023713.post-84369533110633112782012-01-07T14:07:00.001+13:002012-01-07T14:07:18.971+13:002012 - the plans<div style="text-align: justify;">
I like to choose a word for each year, a word that will inspire my actions. I almost went with "preparation" because I feel a lot of things we have planned for this year will help prepare us with the future. In saying that, preparation is going to be constantly on my mind and I don't think I'll need a reminder. I like the idea of the word being a reminder of something I don't manage well by myself! My 2012 word is...</div>
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I need more balance in my life. In 2011, I tried to "balance" my life by just throwing myself into everything... uh, yeah, not balance. Balance in 2012 means being selective about I do, throwing my FOMO (fear of missing out) out the window, doing what benefits me and my family and being content and grateful for what I do have.</div>
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It's an attitude change and one that I think needs to happen for my personal sanity. I know that certain months will be consumed more by certain aspects of life than others (May = Wedding, October = Teaching) and so I'm doing my intentions in a slightly different way. I have some things that I would like to achieve by the end of the year but the breakdown of my goals will be monthly. Each month I will post seven or so things I would like to achieve in order to help me maintain that balance. Let's see how that goes!</div>
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Tomorrow I will post January's intentions - I know we're a week in but I have been working on them already, just haven't had time to post (and you'll understand why when you see one of those intentions!) See you tomorrow with the deets!</div>
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What's your word for the year?</div>Scribbleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05380089303451451752noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2344081053488023713.post-38846979330257695562011-12-29T12:49:00.003+13:002011-12-29T12:53:25.591+13:002011 in Review<span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><strong>Borrowed this from the lovely <a href="http://www.chandeleah.com/blog/">Leah</a>... it is great to do just for some personal reflection!</strong></span></div>
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<strong>1. What did you do in 2011 that you’d never done before?</strong> </div>
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Start planning a wedding, create a joint account with someone, Christmas shopping for the in-laws as well as my own family, go to the trots (and see a friend's dad take out the evening!), celebrate Christmas with my french "sister" C, understood rugby, modelled in a photo shoot... I'm sure there's plenty more but that's what comes to mind!</div>
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<strong>2. Did you keep your new year’s resolutions, and will you make more for next year?</strong> </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
I did well with most of my goals - </div>
<br />
<ul>
<li style="text-align: justify;">I lost weight - not as much as I had wanted (about 12 kg this year)</li>
<li style="text-align: justify;">I was more active</li>
<li style="text-align: justify;">I am a far more organised, decluttered person</li>
<li style="text-align: justify;">I moisturised more (I'm definitely a lot more vain than I used to be)</li>
<li style="text-align: justify;">I read (to date) almost 90 books - won't make 100, but better than the 50 I thought was possible.</li>
<li style="text-align: justify;">I got out of debt</li>
<li style="text-align: justify;">I did NOT keep clothing purchases under $60, despite my best efforts!</li>
<li style="text-align: justify;">I did make more and we have had many more home cooked meals this year than in previous years.</li>
</ul>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
For next year I plan on making intentions rather than goals - the things I am aiming for are not necessarily as measurable as those I aimed for this year.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<strong>3. Did anyone close to you give birth?</strong> </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Yes, my bestie! Little J is just the cutest little guy and when I cuddle him it makes my ovaries explode - clucky much?</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<strong>4. Did anyone close to you die?</strong> </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Yes, a friend from high school died very unexpectedly on his flight back to NZ. It shook many of us who knew him to the core and made us all appreciate that we don't know how long we have on this earth.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<strong>5. What countries did you visit?</strong> </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
None, this year was a year of saving for us! We did manage to get in a couple of domestic holidays this year in Northland and in Tauranga as well as a long weekend in Wellington. We will be spending NYE in the Coromandel (1 night in Tairua and 1 night in Whitianga) and we are hoping to get up and visit SB's aunt in Kerikeri some time before the wedding. Then it will be save save save again before the honeymoon!</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<strong>6. What would you like to have in 2012 that you lacked in 2011?</strong> </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Balance... 2011 had some epic highs and epic lows. There were times when I felt that I had very little to do and times when I was working 13-15 hour days. It may be foolish to think that this is possible in a year where we are getting married, but I hope that this year is more balanced than the last.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<strong>7. What dates from 2011 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?</strong></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
22nd of February - SB's birthday and the Christchurch earthquake. I remember sitting at his parents' house, terrified that I had not heard back from some of our friends and thinking the worst. Luckily, everyone was okay!</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
14th of May - the day we got engaged! </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<strong>8. What was your biggest achievement of the year?</strong> </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Getting out of debt (aside from my bulky student loan) - it is a huge burden off my shoulders and makes me feel so much more positive about merging our finances.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<strong>9. What was your biggest failure?</strong> </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Not losing more weight - I always knew that PCOS would make the weight loss difficult at some point, and have stagnated around the same weight for three months. I'm now on medication to combat the insulin resistance so I'm hoping to see some positive changes in the new year. I have between 8-18 kgs to go (doctor designated healthy weight range) so would at least like to hit the 8 kg mark before the wedding!</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<strong>10. Did you suffer illness or injury?</strong> </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Not substantially - I did however do some physio to strengthen what has been a problem knee joint for me ever since I had an accident at 19. I learnt some very interesting things about my body and muscular structure so I think that this was a good thing!</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<strong>11. What was the best thing you bought?</strong> </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
I really didn't buy a lot this year... hrmmm. I got a fabulous dress at Pagani that looks vastly more expensive than it was and has already had three outings in the three weeks I have had it!</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<strong>12. Whose behaviour merited celebration?</strong></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
My students who attended night classes to improve their exam results, SB who did not complain when he barely saw me for weeks on end, my cousin who was called back into ICU (previously worked there but is a public health nurse now) on the night of the Christchurch earthquake and dealt with an unimaginable amount of horror and strain.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<strong>13. Whose behaviour made you appalled and depressed?</strong> </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
All the dirty politicking around the election - it seemed like no party was immune and that just made me sad.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<strong>14. Where did most of your money go?</strong> Debt repayment - le sigh. But now I am out of overdraft and CC debt and plan to never go back there!</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<strong>15. What did you get really, really, really excited about?</strong> </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<strong>16. What song will always remind you of 2011?</strong> Party Rock Anthem – LMFAO</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<strong>17. Compared to this time last year, are you:</strong></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<strong>a) Happier or sadder?</strong></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Happier, for the most part</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<strong>b) Thinner or fatter?</strong></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Thinner, although nowhere near thin.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<strong>c) Richer or poorer?</strong></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Richer, both in knowledge/experience AND financially</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<strong><br /></strong></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<strong>18. What do you wish you’d done more of?</strong> </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Exercise! That's one of the reasons my bubble butt hasn't disappeared.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<strong>19. What do you wish you’d done less of?</strong> </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Worry about things that I cannot control</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<strong><br /></strong></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<strong>20. How will you be spending Christmas?</strong> </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
It was pretty hectic - bacon sandwiches for breakfast and present opening at our house, Christmas lunch at Mama & Papa Scribs and then Christmas dinner at SB's parents... it's funny to see the cycle move round. Instead of our parents racing everywhere to please everyone, it's us!</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<strong>21. Did you fall in love in 2011?</strong></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Fell deeper in love, as I hope to be doing each year for the rest of my life.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<strong>22. What was your favourite TV programme?</strong> </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Home and Away - sad, I know! We also started watching Parks & Recreation which I really enjoy!</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<strong>23. Do you dislike anyone now that you didn’t dislike this time last year?</strong> No, not really… although I'm finding I have vastly less time for people with negative attitudes and those who expect me to do all the work in the friendship.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<strong>24. What was the best book you read?</strong> </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Women, Food & God by Geneen Roth - a really interesting look at the psychology behind emotional eating. Not as spiritual as the title sounds</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<strong>25. What was your greatest musical discovery?</strong></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
I'm not sure this counts but I was blown away by Nicole Scherzinger singing Christine's role in Phantom of the Opera on the Royal Variety Show... who knew she could actually sing?!</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<strong><br /></strong></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<strong>26. What did you want and get?</strong> </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Engaged to my darling SB - cannot wait to be his wife!</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<strong>27. What did you want and not get?</strong></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
An extended contract at the school I was teaching at this year - loved the staff and loved the students. Still, I am grateful that I have been given a permanent position at a new school and will be able to make my home there!</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<strong>28. What was your favourite film of this year?</strong> </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
X-men First Class - loved seeing how it all began. I also was really intrigued by the movie Moon (released in 2009) and will be using it as my film study with one of my classes next year.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<strong>29. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you?</strong> </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Worked, and I turned 26. When you are a teacher, you don't get your birthday off work. SB's birthday is a week before mine so in the weekend between we had Thai with a group of dear friends.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<strong>30. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?</strong> </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Reaching my weight loss goal (are you sensing a pattern here?)</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<strong>31. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2011?</strong></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
My French sister told me that I was elegant and I think that sums up what I have been aiming for this year. Modest, understated elegance.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<strong><br /></strong></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<strong>32. What kept you sane?</strong> </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
SB, my blogger friends (including some particular ladies, you know who you are).</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<strong>33. Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most?</strong> </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
I don't do wild celebrity crushes but I'll post the attraction that makes SB laugh the most - Patrick Stewart. I could listen to that man talk for hours!</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<strong><br /></strong></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<strong>34. What political issue stirred you the most?</strong> </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Nothing really - what irritated me most was when people tried to make things into political issues that weren't.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<strong><br /></strong></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<strong>35. Who did you miss?</strong> </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
I think the people I miss the most are still there, I just miss the closeness that we used to have. It's part of life though, friendships rise and fall and not every single one is forever.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<strong>36. Who was the best new person you met?</strong> </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
My Welly girls - it was great finally meeting them face to face, including <a href="http://www.chandeleah.com/blog/">Leah</a> who I managed to catch before she flew off to her new adventure!</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<strong>37. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2011</strong> </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
That my personal values include honesty and integrity and that even when it seems counter-intuitive, those values still work for me.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<strong>38. Quote a song lyric that sums up your year</strong></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
"Life is a rollercoaster, just gotta ride it" LOL</div>
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SB and I have no plans today and it feels marvellous. Knowing us, it's still a time to get things done (and get the house in apple-pie order - nothing sexier than a guy cleaning the oven, even if it is because he spilt pizza all over it last night!) but we can go at our own pace and be relaxed - and that's fantastic! The days ahead are busy with final preparations for Christmas, helping Mama Scribs prepare the house, spending time with my lovely french "sister" C and visiting wee J (clucky much?). And just because I don't like making things easy for myself, I'm changing up my lifestyle.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
I've started a new medication for my PCOS and it has had some interesting side effects! PCOS sufferers often suffer from insulin resistance, making it harder for them to lose weight. I've plateaued with my weight loss and so in conjunction with my doctors, I made the decision to start taking a drug (Metformin), commonly used for diabetics. While it's a common prescription for PCOS women (if you are not on the pill, you're likely to be on Metformin and I'm on both), it's considered an off-label use; basically, we know it works but we aren't willing to do the official clinical trials required to put it on the label. Ergo, most of the information about side effects available is for diabetes patients! Luckily, an online PCOS forum made me realise I'm not alone in my side effect...</div>
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<div style="text-align: justify;">
HOT FLUSHES</div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Yes, that's right, in adjusting my hormone levels, it's making me heat up like a menopausal woman. Interesting to say the least! I think that's the reason I had to take a nap before going out yesterday afternoon - running hot and cold all day during a humid Auckland afternoon is exhausting! Given that the side effects can be far more debilitating, I'll take that. Especially my PCOS sister seem to think that it is a temporary thing :)</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
So hopefully this kick-starts my weight loss even over Christmas, with all the delicious food. I can already notice a diminished appetite and zero cravings so that's gotta be a good thing! Will be squeezing myself into wedding dresses come January and it would be great to lose at least four kilos by then!</div>Scribbleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05380089303451451752noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2344081053488023713.post-4903183846228534302011-12-15T11:51:00.000+13:002011-12-15T11:51:44.277+13:00December Rush!I don't know about everyone else, but my run up to Christmas has just been insane. Yesterday was the first day that I had nothing on since the start of the month (and that was only because the Women in Business event I was going to was cancelled) and I was so exhausted I slept in until 2 pm! I can't remember doing that since I was in my teens!<script type="text/javascript">
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So what's been going on for us in December?</div>
<div>
<ul>
<li>Helping Mama Scribs tidy and organise her house in preparation for my "exchange sisters" arrival (lucky her, she gets my <a href="http://www.beeofservice.co.nz/">Bee Of Service</a> skills for free)</li>
<li>Getting a few loose ends tied up for <a href="http://www.beeofservice.co.nz/">Bee of Service</a>, now in hiatus til after Christmas</li>
<li>Hanging out with my bestie, having pedicures and going for beach walks before baby arrived</li>
<li>Throwing our annual Christmas BBQ</li>
<li>Bachelorette Day Out with gorgeous friend J, doing a scavenger hunt in Auckland City then celebrating throughout the afternoon in a vineyard on <a href="http://www.waiheke.co.nz/">Waiheke Island</a></li>
<li>Attending a Year 8 mixer of all the contributing schools to my new high school - they had all been learning to ballroom dance and it was so adorable!</li>
<li>Spending a day learning about the new school's peer support programme and finding out about some of the more interesting characters in my new form class</li>
<li>Finding out my bestie had given birth to her new little boy and literally squealing - for those of you who know me IRL, you know I'm not a squealer (btw, my cluckiness has hit new heights!)</li>
<li>Trying out a <a href="http://www.diosahair.co.nz/">new hair salon</a> and loving it - have found a new hair home!</li>
<li>Spending time with my adorable friend <a href="https://www.facebook.com/pages/Anges-Beauty-Biz/213147578724144?sk=wall">Ange</a> - she's a make-up artist so we caught up with all the goss while she did my makeup for...</li>
<li>Watching J & V get married and have the <a href="http://www.elevationcafe.co.nz/">cutest little reception</a> up in the Waitakere Ranges - the view was amazing, we even got to see the Christmas in the Park fireworks (although they looked tiny from so far away</li>
<li>Fulfilling our church service obligations - we're on the greeting roster which is fun, we just get to say hi to everyone and hand out programmes as they enter.</li>
<li>BBQ for Papa Scribs' birthday - just great to spend that time with the family</li>
<li>Going to the hospital twice to visit the new baby - so adorable and squidgy. Very cool to be back in the place of my birth too!</li>
<li>Spending two days on a professional development course on how to raise Maori achievement in high schools - to be perfectly honest, I had thought that, given my background, it wouldn't be of that much use to me but it's really opened my eyes to some of those conversations I have with students in my classroom.</li>
<li>Attending the Foo Fighters concert - it pissed down with rain and I am so grateful to my bonus brother (future bro-in-law) for packing some plastic sheets. I ripped a head hole in one and managed to stay vaguely dry LOL. The concert was well worth it though!</li>
</ul>
<div>
No wonder I needed a solid sleep! The 2 pm things sounds really bad but in my defence, I didn't get to bed until 2 a.m. after the Foos - had to drop Bonus Brother home and then have a shower to warm up before bed!</div>
</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
There's still plenty to look forward to in the December Rush too:</div>
<div>
Dinner with old uni mates - SB's work do at the races - Cupcakes and Cocktails party for my dear friend <a href="http://www.missmelicious.com/">Missy</a> - more cuddles with babies - my exchange sisters arriving in NZ - midnight mass on Christmas eve (tradition for SB and I) - Christmas Day - the Boxing Day Blowout party that's tradition in my fam - Mama Scrib's Birthday & New Year's Eve (haven't the foggiest what we are doing to celebrate that yet!)</div>
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<br /></div>Scribbleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05380089303451451752noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2344081053488023713.post-84447577113381145742011-11-24T09:51:00.001+13:002011-11-24T11:03:47.739+13:00A weighty subject - the winds of change!What a difference a year makes! We were up in the Bay of Islands for our summer vacation over the new year. I was sunburnt and I used that as an excuse for not feeling well but the reality was that my body (and this was nothing new to me) was just not coping with the strain of humidity and heat. Siestas or trips in the air-conditioned car were almost a necessity to get through the day. I didn't climb a hill at Cape Reinga because I thought it would be too hard and I was already loathing the walk back in the sun to our car. I look back now and I'm disappointed in myself that I had let things get to that point. In January of this year I had already lost five kilograms from my biggest size but I was still so limited, not only by by the weight but by my mind.<script type="text/javascript">
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Now? Now I don't let much hold me back. I love going for a walk and am so glad to have <a href="http://amerrylife.com/">a new buddy </a>who can come for daytime walks with me. Even though I was completely inappropriately dressed, I walked 7 kms yesterday - because I wanted to. I'm not afraid to sweat and I certainly don't feel ill when I am hot. A further eleven kilos down, I'm not yet at my goal but I feel healthy - it feels good. I'm looking forward to summer rather than loathing the heat and hope that, by kicking up the exercise over the next couple of months, I can enjoy the final months of 2012 Summer at a healthy, happy weight! Twenty-five kilos in a year and half - I can do it!</div>Scribbleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05380089303451451752noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2344081053488023713.post-26403803392121863102011-11-17T13:11:00.001+13:002011-11-17T14:08:29.911+13:00The Housewifely RoutineMy contract wrapped up on Monday so for now I am officially unemployed. Don't feel sad though - very exciting things are happening on the job front for both of us - just a matter of signing paperwork now! It still means, however, that I have around nine weeks of "down time" ahead and the changes in SB's job mean it is unlikely he is going to be able to take much time off at all! Our beach holiday plans have gone down the can.<script type="text/javascript">
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So what's a girl to do when she's on her own for a few weeks? If she's a nerdy super-planner like me, she makes a routine!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXE1w4jmZTxbSCnFrgtr4hLFyIQgI6HR5G0n4qQ_1DOiCdkE_QBbEFZILz2z-AyEVC0q5GKIx_6d8ncbTp14k3oKTYUMjiiTP2w-HU-Ak6osr7Mjbqllze7WqHkJFHJdWtfoE3mPWWeC3t/s1600/Screen+shot+2011-11-17+at+1.33.01+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="128" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXE1w4jmZTxbSCnFrgtr4hLFyIQgI6HR5G0n4qQ_1DOiCdkE_QBbEFZILz2z-AyEVC0q5GKIx_6d8ncbTp14k3oKTYUMjiiTP2w-HU-Ak6osr7Mjbqllze7WqHkJFHJdWtfoE3mPWWeC3t/s320/Screen+shot+2011-11-17+at+1.33.01+PM.png" width="320" /></a></div>
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I'm wanting to embrace all the opportunities available to me - I doubt that there will be any time in the future where I will be as free to chase those opportunities as I am now (with my stupendously wonderful fiance's support). I'm also wanting to remain flexible - Bestie is on maternity leave in two weeks and I want to be as available as I can be to her and to my mum as she starts her new chemo. Thus - the guidelines!</div>
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The weekends take care of themselves! We don't have a single weekend day free between now and Christmas and I'm so looking forward to the fun those events will entail! It's the weekdays that have the potential to drive me mental! I do deserve some time to relax - especially after the insanity of the last ten or so weeks - but I don't want to settle into the complacency of slothfulness! Likewise, I want to get some big days out in but I do need to be aware of budget - we are a one-income household as my holiday pay has already been earmarked for different things. So....</div>
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Each week will have 1-2 Weekday As, 2-3 Weekday Bs and 1 Big Day Out - in theory. Let me show you how this works for next week:</div>
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Monday - Weekday B (meeting up with <a href="http://www.twitter.com/marytairua">@marytairua</a> in the afternoon!)</div>
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Tuesday - Varied Weekday B (helping <a href="http://www.getoutgertrude.wordpress.com/">Mum</a> out with getting their house in order for C to come and stay)</div>
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Wednesday - Weekday C (heading into the city, meeting up with several different friends, big walks once in town)</div>
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Thursday - Weekday A</div>
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Friday - Work (another weekday type that will occasionally be slotted in, not frequently enough to be on the list)</div>
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Some people can be laissez-faire and blow wherever the wind blows... I just can't. I think that the routine will really help me gain everything I need out of this sabbatical from the "busy life".</div>
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So do you think I'm a giant nerd? Do you plan out your holiday time this way? How do you ensure that you have balance?</div>Scribbleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05380089303451451752noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2344081053488023713.post-84934963319011116772011-11-06T21:12:00.000+13:002011-11-06T22:12:13.419+13:00All quiet on the writing front...I haven't written for a while lately - mainly cause I don't know what the heck is going on!<script type="text/javascript">
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Our little family has been put into a massive state of flux in the last fortnight or so with job opportunities and decisions having to be made, values to be reassessed and our mini-family to think about. As you can imagine, our evenings (when not consumed with work and our other commitments) are being absorbed by big, deep and meaningful discussions while we decide the best path forward.</div>
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SB and I are still madly in love and I'm so lucky to have him by my side as we stand at this fork in the road and decide which path to take. I'll be back in a week or so and hopefully be able to tell you more about what we have decided - cryptic I know, but all will become clear.</div>
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<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">The Road not Taken</span></b></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px;"><i>Two roads diverged in a yellow wood,</i></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px;"><i>And sorry I could not travel both</i></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px;"><i>And be one traveler, long I stood</i></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px;"><i>And looked down one as far as I could</i></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px;"><i>To where it bent in the undergrowth;</i></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px;"><i><br /></i></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px;"><i>Then took the other, as just as fair,</i></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px;"><i>And having perhaps the better claim</i></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px;"><i>Because it was grassy and wanted wear;</i></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px;"><i>Though as for that the passing there</i></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px;"><i>Had worn them really about the same,</i></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px;"><i><br /></i></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px;"><i>And both that morning equally lay</i></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px;"><i>In leaves no step had trodden black.</i></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px;"><i>Oh, I kept the first for another day!</i></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px;"><i>Yet knowing how way leads on to way,</i></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px;"><i>I doubted if I should ever come back.</i></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px;"><i><br /></i></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px;"><i>I shall be telling this with a sigh</i></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px;"><i>Somewhere ages and ages hence:</i></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px;"><i>Two roads diverged in a wood, and I—</i></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px;"><i>I took the one less traveled by,</i></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px;"><i>And that has made all the difference.</i></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px;"><i><br /></i></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px;">-Robert Frost</span></div>
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<br /></div>Scribbleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05380089303451451752noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2344081053488023713.post-83912897858269920172011-10-29T09:16:00.001+13:002011-10-29T09:16:53.183+13:00A follow up to the Anxiety post<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilyafoqmadTdj_Vt2JPMer6jL0Ixm7R-7S3ikviFebKfiuNV-knPf_ydjZbuiIolvqaFKdFxP0PZVlsXcj-_JwZAPXzrhr4RaA0ae5rU1YOFMfjET54dTR0Fk_9wq4_m-MPi7yPw84hF3H/s1600/Screen+shot+2011-10-27+at+5.52.29+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilyafoqmadTdj_Vt2JPMer6jL0Ixm7R-7S3ikviFebKfiuNV-knPf_ydjZbuiIolvqaFKdFxP0PZVlsXcj-_JwZAPXzrhr4RaA0ae5rU1YOFMfjET54dTR0Fk_9wq4_m-MPi7yPw84hF3H/s320/Screen+shot+2011-10-27+at+5.52.29+PM.png" width="213" /></a></div>
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Saw this the other day and it did make this frazzled girl smile... although I've done a remarkable job of remaining zen at work while wanting to karate kick people across a room!<script type="text/javascript">
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They say you can't get away from your problems but I think that I managed to do it, at least for a little while, in Wellington. Maybe the walking all day just left me so physically exhausted that I had no choice but to fall asleep at night... maybe it was the booze LOL. I slept solidly through each night - no longer the case now that we're at home.</div>
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At the doctor's yesterday, I had a check-up. I needed a new prescription of my BCP and I asked for some sleeping tablets. It's standard practice at my doctor's clinic to note down what is causing your insomnia (stops abuse and addiction of tablets, I assume) so I actually had to discuss what I'm anxious about. I thought that maybe it was mum's health concerns but what it actually boiled down to was a lack of control that I have on my future.</div>
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It's two and a half weeks until my contract ends and we've made the decision that I won't be working (so that I can spend more time with my family over Christmas - we don't know how many Christmases we have left together) and running the numbers, we definitely can manage for a fair while on SB's income alone. Part of me is very apprehensive about relying on him to "take care" of everything. It's not that I think that he won't but I have been fiercely independent since, well, forever. It's hard for me to be dependent on other people but I'm guessing that's something that I have to learn.</div>
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My anxiety also stems from job uncertainty for 2012. I really want the opportunity to have a position with flexible hours and be able to be fulfilled in all areas of my life - that's why I started <a href="http://www.beeofservice.co.nz/">Bee Of Service</a>. I just didn't expect to be put in the position where that is a serious reality next year. Changes in Ministry of Education funding have seen the bottom fall out of the secondary teaching market and it's entirely possible that I won't have a permanent teaching job next year. Kinda awesome, kinda sucks when we have a wedding to plan and pay for!</div>
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I need to get to a place of peace and serenity with my situation, a place where I am lowering these levels of anxiety to a healthy zone. I need to trust that this situation is this way because it is meant to be, because there are lessons that I am meant to learn from this phase of life. I need to trust that it will work out because it always does. I fear that feeling that way is only going to come with time.</div>
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How do you destress and become less anxious, Scribblettes?</div>
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</div>Scribbleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05380089303451451752noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2344081053488023713.post-71018701620270996662011-10-16T23:27:00.001+13:002011-10-16T23:38:04.555+13:00Relaxing Domestic GetawaySB and I have just returned from a lovely mini-break to Wellington! It was great to get away from all the pressures of home (well, almost all, had the laptop with us so I could keep an eye on enquiries for <a href="http://www.beeofservice.co.nz/">the business</a>) and just enjoy time together. We managed to catch up with a few of the people we correspond with on Twitter, all as equally lovely IRL as they are online. In the interests of not boring you silly with all our tales, enjoy our pictorial essay below!<br />
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</div>Scribbleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05380089303451451752noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2344081053488023713.post-72418270384632647762011-10-08T21:35:00.001+13:002011-10-08T21:35:21.025+13:00Apparently I don't understand what the word holiday means...I'm on holiday once again - and I'm solidly booked right up until we head away to Wellington on the 13th! I'm really excited about it - for the most part anyway. I've got a couple of appointments teed up for <a href="http://www.beeofservice.co.nz/">Bee of Service</a> and I'm so excited about the business getting properly underway! It's nice to be spreading my wings a little bit further than my family and friends (although I love you guys too)!<script type="text/javascript">
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I'm a bit bummed out that Monday means a return to work to iron out paperwork at work - another teacher declared that it was the most depressing part of the job. I think they're probably right. You join teacher because you're passionate about changing lives... and it doesn't feel like the paperwork does much to change teenagers into fully-fledged adults. Still, it is one of those necessary evils. Far better to get it sorted in peace and quiet than to attempt to get it done when I start teaching tutorials again next term!</div>
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I'm also all about the grooming this week - I have a haircut, pedicure and clothes-shopping trip (thanks to winning a $100 voucher from <a href="http://www.dress-smart.co.nz/">DressSmart</a> on Twitter) planned before our trip... I'm going to hit Wellington as glam as possible after an eleven-hour train ride! The haircut is totally necessary, the pedicure a great chance to catch up with a friend and the clothing shop purely a case of luck :)</div>
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This may sound like I'm all glitter and kittens... I'm not. <a href="http://www.getoutgertrude.wordpress.com/">Mum</a> had some bad health news this week, I got rejected from a teaching job without even an interview and I had a day that resulted in me bawling my eyes out at my desk (and scaring a couple of students to boot when they walked into my class without knocking). I'm just choosing to focus on the positive things for now and celebrate what I DO have than despair about future events - it's not like I can control them!</div>
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So here's to a busy four days with little time to mull over things outside my control. Here's to successful meetings, awesome haircuts and hanging out with friends. Here's to looking at the shiny side of the coin!</div>
Scribbleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05380089303451451752noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2344081053488023713.post-71853159555539853822011-10-03T10:35:00.000+13:002011-10-03T10:38:17.603+13:00The Pot Calling The Kettle BlackI was harassing Corinne of <a href="http://www.frockandrollonline.com/">Frock and Roll</a> yesterday about her absence from our little online community - then I logged onto Blogger and realised I haven't posted for a couple of weeks. Ooops. I wish I had a great excuse but the reality is that life has been busy and when it hasn't been busy, I've just wanted to snuggle on the couch (or be tucked into bed - I've been that exhausted) with my future hubby. September has been hard for us, our usual routines upset by my second job (at the same school, just to be confusing). You have to make hay while the sun shines, right? I'm attempting to get financially on track so we're not hit too hard by my fun-employment period and while tutoring in the evenings means I feel totally shattered by the weekend, it also means that things won't feel too tight. It would be fantastic if <a href="http://www.beeofservice.co.nz/">Bee of Service</a> could completely cover the shortfall but we must plan as if it won't.<br />
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There are nights that I look at the whiteboard in my classroom and think that life shouldn't be this hard. I wonder why I went back to university to become a teacher when I can't get a decent break in the education system. Pity party for one (and sometimes two) over here! I love working overtime on stuff I love - it never makes me sad to make time in my day to work on Bee Of Service (even if it is 11 pm!) and I'd quite gladly give up whole days of my weekend and holidays to help people achieve their organisational or event goals. It's hard when I'm working overtime literally for the love of money at an organisation that will be booting me out on my rear in just over a month's time. <br />
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I have fun, I'll admit - I had a lovely dinner out with Bron on Wednesday! Saturday was really good - we went into town, explored the Queens Wharf Fanzone, had dinner at <a href="http://www.wildfirerestaurant.co.nz/index.htm">Wildfire</a> (which I feel like I am STILL digesting) and watched two Rugby World Cup games at a gorgeous little bar called <a href="http://www.viewauckland.co.nz/pubsandbars/andrew-andrew-userreview-66530.html">Andrew Andrew</a>. I'll take chillaxing on a leather banquette watching the game on a projector over the asphalt floors of "The Cloud" any day! Five weeks from now I'll have all the time in the world to get over my burnout and focus on my small business... on grey days like today (both inside and out) it's just a little bit harder to see the light at the end of the tunnel.<br />
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The thing I failed to remember on Friday (and what I keep reminding myself now) is that everything WILL be okay. I don't mean that to sound trite, I truly believe that it will be. I survived until now, didn't I? At the beginning of last year, I had no job. I started relief teaching and most weeks had more work than I could possibly handle. I got a long-term relief job at another school that year and learnt more about classroom management (in the battlefields) than I could have possibly learnt at any course. At the end of the year, I got my current job, a job that has taught me so much about myself and the importance of family and community. Wherever I go to from here, it will continue to teach me the life lessons that I still need to learn. If one of those lessons is learning to rely on SB for a month, then that's what it will be - I hope that it's learning some exciting new skills though!<br />
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Whether you have belief in a Christian God, a higher positive power or just in yourself, you need to believe that it will be alright. You need to believe that what you are going through has purpose and is teaching you a lesson that you need to know... think on what that lesson is!<br />
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What lessons are you currently learning, Scribblettes?<script type="text/javascript">
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</script> Scribbleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05380089303451451752noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2344081053488023713.post-42149650135636420952011-09-14T10:37:00.000+12:002011-09-14T10:37:23.600+12:00Loves and Loathes of September<strong><span style="color: purple;">Loves:</span></strong><br />
<ul>
<li>Our engagement party is this weekend! Our lounge and dining area currently looks a little unkempt (and is likely to start looking more so) as I finish off the DIY part of our decorations. I'm glad I decided to outsource a couple of things - the reality is that it is sometimes better to pay someone else for their time than to try and do it yourself. Even with working two thirteen-hour days this week (less than will be usual) I've still managed to get in bed at a decent hour and avoid tears - yes, I am about nine years old inside!</li>
<li>The beautiful sunny days we've had recently - hard to love this when the wind is literally blowing a gale but the fact that we've had a few lovely warm days must mean that proper spring is on it's way, right?</li>
<li>That <a href="http://www.colpanna.com/">Liv Bambola</a> has confirmed that she is coming to the wedding! This is something that friends of mine who aren't as web-connected really don't understand... Liv knows me better than a lot of the people I am friendly with in real life. She's been in my life for my change of careers, when I met the man of my dreams and when I realised that he was the man of my dreams. Along with others (you guys should know who you are!), you've experienced both the light and the dark sides of my life - not just my "public face". Through DM conversations on Twitter and Facebook love, you've become not just web friends but real friends. So as hard as it is to understand, there are some of my ladies whom, although we live oceans apart, I would love to be there for my special day. That's why I'm so excited that she has confirmed that she can come!</li>
<li>Seeing a metal rooster in a garden store and thinking "Knock knock, motherf**ker" - hand up if you know what I'm talking about :)</li>
</ul>
<strong><span style="color: red;">Loathes:</span></strong><br />
<ul>
<li>Finding out that yet another person dear to me is dealing with cancer... honestly, f**k cancer. I don't swear often on the net, but it totally applies. Stop ruining people's lives!</li>
<li>Spring Mating Season as a teacher - proven fact, as the weather gets warmer, the student population suddenly gets a lot more coupley and the PDA gets a lot more full on. I wish I was joking... I'm really not. I'm considering getting a spray bottle - hey, if it works for domestic animals, should work on people, right?</li>
<li>The plateau... I'm plateaued at around seventeen kilos down. I really need to lose another ten at least before would be happy but this is so frustrating. I'm getting to the point where I'm sabotaging myself to stay here - "If I'm not going to lose anything or gain anything then I may as well eat what I want". Yes, I'm aware that sentence makes absolutely no sense... it really makes me question what in me makes me think that way.</li>
<li>Money - it's not that I loathe money itself (it definitely has good uses) nor am I loathing the lack thereof (I'm actually not too badly off at the moment). I guess I'm loathing having to think about it... loathing adjusting wedding budgets, loathing the thought of extra money and the sensible things I should do with it instead of blow it on fun stuff. Ha ha, maybe I'm just loathing being a grown-up :)</li>
</ul>
What are you loving and loathing this month, Scribblettes?<br />
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</script>Scribbleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05380089303451451752noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2344081053488023713.post-9605893047351164422011-09-03T13:49:00.001+12:002011-09-03T13:49:16.551+12:00Quiet times...It's been a rough week - there's no denying it. Both SB and I caught a virus that was going around - knocked me out for three days and had to stay off work to avoid spreading the germs. On Tuesday, the second day off, I hopped on Facebook to be stunned by the news that an old school friend had passed away very unexpectedly. Wednesday I started to feel better, only for SB to start to feel worse. Thursday night we had a phone call to say that SB's dog had taken a turn for the worse and that we should pop round the following morning if we wanted to say goodbye. We did, and without going into the finer details, it was clear that putting down the dog down was the best thing to do. This morning, I attended the funeral of my school friend. It was heart-breaking to see his girlfriend stand by the coffin, unmoving, their life together cut so short.<div>
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So SB and I are sitting on the couch, watching music DVDs and having a whiskey and dry for the ones we've lost this week... it's a quiet time and that's a good thing,</div>
Scribbleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05380089303451451752noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2344081053488023713.post-71221444180543331062011-08-27T11:42:00.003+12:002011-08-27T12:05:47.506+12:00The new business!!!<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>Yes, it's finally launch time! My <a href="http://www.beeofservice.co.nz">new business</a> is:<div><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiL4ZvW5x2l4qVekLwNSEwiXgjoAtiLjK5HSiBsJ66WWexxREtSNXpwDK5TUU6zrS8M2OYIrV5e__zVLhpKSn6btSA-ELUtuDzw9NENGUC7JLpgp3HmYbrUU4vtHqoRgzehpWHuCr1YRY0y/s400/Bee+of+Service+Logo+%257E+Landscape+%257BRGB%257D.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5645315036202922306" /></div><div><div>None of this would have been possible without some very talented ladies I've had the pleasure of meeting through the blogging world. <a href="http://www.juliettemaxwell.com">Juliette Maxwell</a> helped me with the technical aspects of creating my business site (domain registrations, DNS propogations and contact forms, oh my!), <a href="http://www.highheelsonline.co.nz/blog/">Amanda</a> (of Gondwana Heels fame, currently running a fab competition on her <a href="http://www.facebook.com/pages/Gondwana-Heels/165182853510084?ref=ts">Facebook</a> page) provided me with sound financial advice and, of course, the delightful <a href="http://www.nikkihassett.daportfolio.com/">Nikki Hassett</a> (also known as <a href="http://www.flairtoremember.blogspot.com/">Flair To Remember</a>) provided the gorgeous corporate identity that I am so pleased about!</div></div><div>
<br /></div><div>So what do we do? The <a href="http://www.beeofservice.co.nz">website</a> provides much more detail but essentially we are a planning and organisational service focused on the mid-range of the market. New Zealand has a lot of large wedding and event planners but few willing to focus on the<a href="http://www.beeofservice.co.nz/blissful-buzz/"> little events</a>. That's where our business steps in! We also offer <a href="http://www.beeofservice.co.nz/domestic-buzz/">decluttering services</a> for the home and <a href="http://www.beeofservice.co.nz/digital-buzz/">digital clean-up</a> services - basically a one-stop organisational shop for people who are time-poor (and who isn't, these days).</div><div>
<br /></div><div>I'm beyond thrilled to have made this dream a reality. If you'd like to help out, Scribblettes, <a href="http://www.facebook.com/pages/Bee-of-Service/229296833775460">like us on Facebook</a>, <a href="www.twitter.com/BeeOfServiceNZ">follow us on Twitter</a> and spread the word to those you think we could help! Don't forget to nosey around our <a href="http://www.beeofservice.co.nz">website</a> and contact us if we can help you!</div>Scribbleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05380089303451451752noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2344081053488023713.post-65285298917161392492011-08-24T13:07:00.002+12:002011-08-24T13:37:15.074+12:00Busy, busy...<div align="justify">I'm keeping up with my intention to use downtime efficiently at the moment - the reality is that I need to if I am to keep things in order. My days are really full at the moment so it's good to be able to use that quiet time before a class begins to check on net stuff for the business and The Shrinking Violets - or in this case talk to you!</div>
<br />What's making my life so busy? Here's a sample week :)
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<br />Monday - wake, check emails and read RSS to do with the business, work day-job 8.20-4.30, home (where I do more business stuff, more wedding planning, exercise, marking of students' work and try and be a good housewife!) - I'm hoping to add in a hot yin yoga class this day also.
<br />Tuesday - same as Monday, with the addition of aquarobics in the evening
<br />Wednesday - early work finish of 3 pm, this is generally when I try and complete major errands and decent cardio exercise
<br />Thursday - same as Monday, considering adding in an additional aquarobics class
<br />Friday - same as Monday, usually date night for SB and I
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<br /><div align="justify">The weekends tend to be solidly packed with social/personal commitments at the moment, surprising because in previous years they have tended to drop off in winter. Things are only set to get busier in the next couple of weeks as I'll be taking on tutoring for extra cash. It might seems like this is crazy or really unenjoyable but I'm loving it. I feel fulfilled in almost every area of that life and that's a good place for me. I have my phone diary and task list to keep me in line and this works well for me :) I know it seems pretty peculiar to my friends that we're booking out coffee for three weeks ahead but if it's what makes it work, it makes it work.</div>
<br /><div align="justify"></div>
<br /><div align="justify">I guess what I'm trying to say, Scribblettes, is don't let others judge you for the way you live your life. I know that some people think I'm taking on a lot, but I'm happy. If you are happy with the way you live your life (and the people that are important to you aren't disadvantaged), do what makes you happy. After all, isn't that what really matters?</div>Scribbleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05380089303451451752noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2344081053488023713.post-5138406380297249862011-08-21T19:43:00.004+12:002011-08-21T21:38:38.686+12:00What I want...<div style="text-align: justify;">Lately I've been overwhelmed by a Verucca Salt type urge to buy an iPad - "SB, I want a 16G iPad and I want it NOW". With some upcoming tutoring opportunities (and a very generous hubby-to-be that believes I should see some of the fruits of my labour), this might become a reality. I thought in the same little "I want, I want..." vein (or should that be vain? LOL), I'd compile a list of what I'm lusting over at the moment!</div><div>
<br /></div><div><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 279px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7SyCjYkIMKihDRudlfRPK7ihyMQrCs7Sh2bBPqywkanpZ9TgRX0vbUBuQ-lI1n6Wj6eFYxDswg2x2AqWxa9nhn75pGzcveZEUmeXvKqILf9q7RuIBGcqjjNORXumw7Ws6VH7ESiD4yiF5/s320/TheNatasha.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5643234970166890786" /><script type="text/javascript">var gaJsHost = (("https:" == document.location.protocol) ? "https://ssl." : "http://www.");document.write(unescape("%3Cscript src='" + gaJsHost + "google-analytics.com/ga.js' type='text/javascript'%3E%3C/script%3E"));</script><script type="text/javascript">var pageTracker = _gat._getTracker(UA-5174089-1);pageTracker._trackPageview();</script><div>
<br /></div><div>1. <a href="http://store.apple.com/nz/browse/home/shop_ipad/family/ipad/select?mco=MjE2MjYyNzA">White 16 Gig iPad</a> - to 3G or not to 3G, that is the question</div><div>2. The <a href="http://www.forevernew.com.au/Natasha-Applique-Tablet-Case.aspx?p7245&cr=071700">Natasha Tablet Case</a> from Forever New - how could I not?</div><div>3. <a href="http://www.forevernew.com.au/High-Low-Hem-Silk-Animal-Print-Dress.aspx?p4302&cr=070700">High-Low Hem Silk Animal Print Dress</a> from Forever New - I would feel so glam in this!</div></div><div>4. A course of microdermabrasion - my skin's texture is just awful at the moment</div><div>5. A pair of pants that didn't feel baggy - put on my "tight" jeans today only to find out that they are no longer so... this losing weight bizzo is expensive!</div><div>6. A concession pass to yoga lessons - <a href="http://www.chandeleah.com/blog/">Chandeleah</a> has got me wanting to try <a href="http://www.hotyogaasylimb.co.nz/about_your_yoga.html">hot yoga</a>! I think I might try their hot yin class first!</div><div>7. A new <a href="http://www.swimwearonline.co.nz/Default.aspx?TabID=30269&TabIDOrig=30268&ProductID=3508&categoryid=1442&langID=0&CurrPage=1&Search=&SearchCurrPage=1">swimsuit</a> - nothing too sexy, something that will hold the "girls" in place while doing aquarobics... I very nearly had a wardrobe malfunction last session!</div><div>8. A new home office set-up - this will definitely have to wait until the business makes some money!</div><div>
<br /></div><div>Phew, it feels good to get that all out! I don't feel quite as needy anymore! In my experience, when you put it out there it's far more likely to happen - whether you believe it's God or the universe, I'm sure you've had a similar experience!</div><div>
<br /></div><div>What are you wanting at the moment, Scribblettes?</div>Scribbleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05380089303451451752noreply@blogger.com3