Sunday, June 11, 2017
2017 - has wings and is flying past
Welcome back for 2017.
How fast is the time flying again.
And with this the return back home home to colder weather from the most amazing holiday i have ever experienced in Bali.
With my short holiday experience last October 2016, visiting the Ubud Writers and Readers Festival, Ubud Bali with the girls from my bookclub.
This is my epic Part 1 - week 1 in Bali , May 2017
My love for the island and my desire to explore further, my plan to return was was started. My goal was to have an experience of new places, culture, and to see how the locals live, and to experience some lesser visited sites, with less tourists around.
My plan came to frutition on 30 April 2017, 2 weeks of bliss in Bali.
Along for part of the journey was one of my oldest school friends, who had never had the pleasure of travelling overseas before.
After buying cheap plane tickets with Tiger airways and then having the tickets cancelled as Tiger no longer flew directly to Bali, I had to change to Air Garuda.
My flight experiences both directions were very smooth and uneventful with Air Garuda, along with my 30kg of luggage, mostly presents for my friends in Bali and some items for an orphanage in Lovina.
We were off on our adventure.
Landing smoothly and being greeted by the hot and humid weather was our lovely driver Ary, waiting amongst all the other drivers at the airport exit. With our name on a board. The feeling of being greeted and welcomed personally made for a very welcoming start to my holiday.
Off to Ubud we headed. Skillfully navigating the crazy traffic of Bali, and with roads closed and many detours due to the many ceremonies that are performed regularly in this idyllic island. We finally arrived safely to the beautiful and spiritually inviting village of Ubud and our first accomodation - Honeymoon Guesthouse 2, where we were welcomed by my other friends and out for dinner at a local cafe.
Day 2 - leisurely breakfast at our hotel, Honeymoon Guesthouse 2, Ubud A short stroll to the shops to find some thongs (flipflops) as my friend packed to left thongs, the first of many moments of laughter, and then a visit to Cafe Lotus for a cool refreshment. A must visit for its beautiful Lotus ponds, sent in front of a palace temple. Such a beautiful backdrop of any meal. In the evenings there are dancing performances.
After lunch we were greeted by our driver Ary and friends Wira and Luis, who were going to show us more about life in Bali over the next 2 weeks.
We were honoured to be the guests at my drivers house and met his wife and children, and a short tour of a traditional Balinese compound/house. With a surprise birthday cake to celebrate our recent birthdays.
We visited Elephant Cave and temple, the Mask museum, set in lush tropical forest, with an amazing collection of traditional masks and costumes, ie Barong masks.
The end of the day was celebrated with dinner - Indus restaurant, Ubud. We were treated to yummy Balinese food and cool cocktails. Sharing our meal with our lovely driver Luis and his wife and child. It was an honour to be able to have them join us in the meal.
Day 3 - my regular morning swim began. Such a refreshing way to wake up with a rainy morning.
With a quiet morning at the Honeymoon Guesthouse 2 and a massage and relaxation, before moving to our next amazing accomodation.
With the new day came new experiences at ARMA museum and resort. This resort is beautiful and has an amazing art gallery in the most tranquil gardens, with community temples and dance classes for local children to learn tradition dancing.
Day 4 - Exploring the local sites around Ubud, Temple in Batubulan, visiting several Batik houses, observing the process of batik and weaving on display at some of the more touristy Batik centres. I was taken to the most beautiful silver smith jewelers- Sarawati Silver, Batubulan with gorgeous gardens and a variety of birds in cages.
A visit to Bali is not complete without observing and visiting a traditional mudbrick house and compound. Where the family still carry on with the wood carving and skills that they have been doing for decades. But i find it ironic, that with a traditional style they have power leads leading to the open style rooms, to the tv mounted on the wall. Traditional meets modern conveniences.
With a late lunch at a local Balinese restaurant - Rapuan Cili, Mas Ubud, overlooking a swimming pool, a good chance to taste local cuisine. Ending our day with a much needed massage from my massage lady in our rooms.
Day 5 - FUN FUN FUN - Greenbike cyclingtours - I highly recommend joining with this company for a bike tour through the Kintamani Volcano and Mount Batur, with a stop off at a coffee plantation at BAS Agrotourism, Bali Coffee Plantation. Where we got to sample the tea and coffee on offer including Kopi Luwak coffee beans that have been pooped through a Cevik cat. Beans are collected , washed, cleaned and dried and then roasted. On this day unfortunately as we got to the top of the mountains, it began to rain, and the view of Lake Batur was not so clear.
And then it was time to get on our bikes and ride down the hills, through the rice fields and the villages. And through the jungle tracks for a bit more excitement. I had so much fun, bouncing down the hill and dodging the pot holes in the road. Avoiding the motorists and scooters going past on the road, dogs and children along the way.
We called into another traditional compound, where we were greeted by the family and shown how to make traditional ceremony offerings. I found this fascinating. I was impressed with the bike company and their support of these villages, by having us visit, they are creating employment for the local villages along the bike route.
We passed many rice fields and children out flying kites over the rice fields. Young children driving past on scooters with 2 or 3 of them on the scooters. Something you would not dream about doing in Australia.
At the end of the ride we then took a 30 minute drive to the most amazing lunch spot, newly opened Green Kubu. The food was spectacular and so fresh and yummy. Nice clean toilets and beautiful landscaping. The guys here have done an amazing job at setting up this new cafe/restaurant, surrounded by rice terraces.
Day 6 - Friday. Our big adventures continue with an overnight trip to Lovina in the North Central of Bali. Lovina is on the coast and seemed to be part of a big city - Singaraja. Singaraja is known for its universities and is quite a busy place. Traffic is horrendous as it is in most places in Bali.
We had several stops on the way to Lovina.
Jatiliwah rice terraces - these rice terraces cover a huge area of the Island and just seem to keep going on every hillside all you see are the rice terraces. It is fascinating to see how the rice industry thrives in Bali, compared to the very different style of rice farming in Australia. The small plots that grow rice on the hillside in Bali, compared to the vast kilometres of land and water, required to grow rice usually on flat land in Australia.
It is beautiful to see, all green, or progress of the rice, it may appear yellow as it is becomes ready to be harvested. And then the new crops are replanted and it all begins again.
Bedugul Gardens are a must to visit, situated on the side of a hill, and overlooking the Lake Beratan. I found them to be peaceful and relaxing although we did not have a lot of time here, there are a huge variety of trees in the arboretum, a hotel and various other buildings to be explored on my next visit.
Lake Beratan has the floating temple on it, which we missed on this trip.
Make sure you stop at the markets on the edge of the lakes, and try the donuts from the vendors, ooohh so yummy. We also tried the grilled corn with cheese and chili. It is always interesting tasting the local food. The markets here also had a lot of the local colourful fruits for sale.
As the road wound around the mountains we came to a carpark, where an old lady was handing out bananas to feed to the wild monkeys on the side of the road. It was entertaining watching the interaction with the monkeys and also the lady hitting us up for payment after you have fed the bananas to the monkeys.
Our last stop before arriving at our accomodation, was to visit the Orphanage - Panti Asuhan Narayan Seva. Narayan Seva Children's home . www.narayanaseva.com. Where we were given a tour of the orphanage. I found it overwhelming and an amazing experience, to meet the 2 ladies who run this home for 80 children. Seeing the children all smiling and happy in a caring environment, where they may not of previously had this support in their lives if this home did not exist. They support the children to go through their schooling and even some of them onto University. I am full of admiration for the job that these ladies do.
We finally arrived at our accomodation in Lovina, Aneka Resort. Where the rooms were inviting in a minimalism style. The swimming pool, which did have a swim up bar in it, was a welcome relief to the end of another hot and humid day. This resort is situated on the beach, where the sand is not the usual white colour but a black colour from the volcanic sands in the area. Where the fishing boats all line along the beach during the day and night, and go out to fish early in the morning.
We did find a nice restaurant and resort next door, with live music and outdoor seating on the beach at the end of our evening, where we indulged in gelati while listening to the last couple of songs of the night.
Day 7 - Saturday - Aneka Resort Lovina. Up early at 5.30am to be on the beach at 6am for the sunrise dolphin tour. This was reasonably inexpensive and the tour was booked through the resort. Here began the new experiences for us all, with the small wooden boats, looking like canoes with stays on the side. I was surprised how stable these boats were.
Watching the sunrise over the ocean was a magnificent experience, i would have been happy just skimming across the water in the boat and relaxing watching the sun come, with all the beautiful colours of reds and oranges over the coastline.
We then got to join in with quite a lot of boats in an area known for the dolphins to pass through, as it a feeding area for the dolphins. The dolphins seemed to be smaller and black in colour than the dolphins i have seen in Australia.
We did see the dolphins going past us. I enjoyed watching the dolphins and observing the coastline as we were out on the water.
However, i was not completely comfortable with the boats speeding up towards the dolphins and cutting them off as they swam across the bay. Instead of the dolphins riding the wake of the boat alongside the boat, the dolphins seemed to be swamped by boats surrounding them and then they would disappear again under the water to reappear further away in the water.
It was a pleasant start to the day despite this and on the way back to the resort, the driver showed us the coral and fish under the boat.
Breakfast was enjoyed at the buffet at the hotel, with a late checkout we were able to have another swim and a massage before starting our journey back to Ubud.
We stopped at Git Git waterfall, there are 2 waterfalls in the one area, with the twin waterfall up higher and a single waterfall down the hill and a lot more stairs down further.
These waterfalls were very nice to visit and pretty. I recommend you hire a local guide at the entrance to the waterfalls, as they know the area well and can show you safely to the waterfalls. Wear comfortable footwear as some of the steps are quite slippery.
The local villagers actually live in this area as well, and there are a couple of natural springs with beautiful clean water in them.
At the bottom of the twin waterfall is an exit where some adventurous tourists were appearing from as they had been canyoning in that area.
Back through the winding roads we continued on our way back to Ubud.
And to our next accomodation where I was to stay for the remainder of my trip.
Bliss Spa and Resort, Ubud. This is a traditional style accomodation with a lovely spa on the premise.
A nice small restaurant that had very yummy food and a good selection to chose from for breakfast.
Very reasonably priced accomodation.
After settling into our rooms, I had the pleasure of an invitation to visit my guides family for dinner.
I was very honoured to be invited to visit them and meet them in their house.
They are a lovely family and I look forward to reuniting with them again on my future visits to Bali. I
I had taken with me a selection of Australian toy animals, and it was fun to present these to the children and explain to the children a little bit about these native animals, I was entertained with some guitar playing and chatting with the children. I loved this time with this family and it made my visit to Bali all the more special to me.
Day 8 - Sunday - rest day where my girlfriend and i could chill out for our last day together and do the last of the souvenir shopping before she jetted home to Australia.
With a quick visit to Cafe Wayan and Bakery for lunch, and a lovely mojitos or two with some amazing food, usually for me it was satay chicken and rice.
A lovely walk through the streets and briefly passed the Ubud markets and then onto our last stop in town of a quick drink to cool down at Casa Luna Restaurant, owned by the same people as Honeymoon Guesthouse.
The remainder of the day was spent having a well deserved massage and pedicure at Bliss Resort and Spa ready for my adventurous and another busy week ahead for me.
Here ends part 1 and week one of my adventure in Bali.
I had the pleasure of having amazing people looking after me, my guide and drivers being organised and personalised trip with Wira, Ary and Luis from Yode Wira Bali Tours- Gusti Yode. He can be contacted on facebook, Email yodewira@yahoo.co.id or What'sapp - +62 81 239 762 460.
Following photos are from week 2 - as my adventures continued and my blog will be updated in time.
Kerta Gosa, Klung Klung, Justice Department
Snorkelling at Amed with my friends
3 wise monkeys - Monkey Forest Ubud
Water Temple - Tirta Gangga
Ulawatu - coast line
Turtle Conservation and Education Centre, Serangan, Denpasar
How fast is the time flying again.
And with this the return back home home to colder weather from the most amazing holiday i have ever experienced in Bali.
With my short holiday experience last October 2016, visiting the Ubud Writers and Readers Festival, Ubud Bali with the girls from my bookclub.
This is my epic Part 1 - week 1 in Bali , May 2017
My love for the island and my desire to explore further, my plan to return was was started. My goal was to have an experience of new places, culture, and to see how the locals live, and to experience some lesser visited sites, with less tourists around.
My plan came to frutition on 30 April 2017, 2 weeks of bliss in Bali.
Along for part of the journey was one of my oldest school friends, who had never had the pleasure of travelling overseas before.
After buying cheap plane tickets with Tiger airways and then having the tickets cancelled as Tiger no longer flew directly to Bali, I had to change to Air Garuda.
My flight experiences both directions were very smooth and uneventful with Air Garuda, along with my 30kg of luggage, mostly presents for my friends in Bali and some items for an orphanage in Lovina.
We were off on our adventure.
Landing smoothly and being greeted by the hot and humid weather was our lovely driver Ary, waiting amongst all the other drivers at the airport exit. With our name on a board. The feeling of being greeted and welcomed personally made for a very welcoming start to my holiday.
Off to Ubud we headed. Skillfully navigating the crazy traffic of Bali, and with roads closed and many detours due to the many ceremonies that are performed regularly in this idyllic island. We finally arrived safely to the beautiful and spiritually inviting village of Ubud and our first accomodation - Honeymoon Guesthouse 2, where we were welcomed by my other friends and out for dinner at a local cafe.
Day 2 - leisurely breakfast at our hotel, Honeymoon Guesthouse 2, Ubud A short stroll to the shops to find some thongs (flipflops) as my friend packed to left thongs, the first of many moments of laughter, and then a visit to Cafe Lotus for a cool refreshment. A must visit for its beautiful Lotus ponds, sent in front of a palace temple. Such a beautiful backdrop of any meal. In the evenings there are dancing performances.
After lunch we were greeted by our driver Ary and friends Wira and Luis, who were going to show us more about life in Bali over the next 2 weeks.
We were honoured to be the guests at my drivers house and met his wife and children, and a short tour of a traditional Balinese compound/house. With a surprise birthday cake to celebrate our recent birthdays.
We visited Elephant Cave and temple, the Mask museum, set in lush tropical forest, with an amazing collection of traditional masks and costumes, ie Barong masks.
The end of the day was celebrated with dinner - Indus restaurant, Ubud. We were treated to yummy Balinese food and cool cocktails. Sharing our meal with our lovely driver Luis and his wife and child. It was an honour to be able to have them join us in the meal.
Day 3 - my regular morning swim began. Such a refreshing way to wake up with a rainy morning.
With a quiet morning at the Honeymoon Guesthouse 2 and a massage and relaxation, before moving to our next amazing accomodation.
With the new day came new experiences at ARMA museum and resort. This resort is beautiful and has an amazing art gallery in the most tranquil gardens, with community temples and dance classes for local children to learn tradition dancing.
Day 4 - Exploring the local sites around Ubud, Temple in Batubulan, visiting several Batik houses, observing the process of batik and weaving on display at some of the more touristy Batik centres. I was taken to the most beautiful silver smith jewelers- Sarawati Silver, Batubulan with gorgeous gardens and a variety of birds in cages.
A visit to Bali is not complete without observing and visiting a traditional mudbrick house and compound. Where the family still carry on with the wood carving and skills that they have been doing for decades. But i find it ironic, that with a traditional style they have power leads leading to the open style rooms, to the tv mounted on the wall. Traditional meets modern conveniences.
With a late lunch at a local Balinese restaurant - Rapuan Cili, Mas Ubud, overlooking a swimming pool, a good chance to taste local cuisine. Ending our day with a much needed massage from my massage lady in our rooms.
Day 5 - FUN FUN FUN - Greenbike cyclingtours - I highly recommend joining with this company for a bike tour through the Kintamani Volcano and Mount Batur, with a stop off at a coffee plantation at BAS Agrotourism, Bali Coffee Plantation. Where we got to sample the tea and coffee on offer including Kopi Luwak coffee beans that have been pooped through a Cevik cat. Beans are collected , washed, cleaned and dried and then roasted. On this day unfortunately as we got to the top of the mountains, it began to rain, and the view of Lake Batur was not so clear.
And then it was time to get on our bikes and ride down the hills, through the rice fields and the villages. And through the jungle tracks for a bit more excitement. I had so much fun, bouncing down the hill and dodging the pot holes in the road. Avoiding the motorists and scooters going past on the road, dogs and children along the way.
We called into another traditional compound, where we were greeted by the family and shown how to make traditional ceremony offerings. I found this fascinating. I was impressed with the bike company and their support of these villages, by having us visit, they are creating employment for the local villages along the bike route.
We passed many rice fields and children out flying kites over the rice fields. Young children driving past on scooters with 2 or 3 of them on the scooters. Something you would not dream about doing in Australia.
At the end of the ride we then took a 30 minute drive to the most amazing lunch spot, newly opened Green Kubu. The food was spectacular and so fresh and yummy. Nice clean toilets and beautiful landscaping. The guys here have done an amazing job at setting up this new cafe/restaurant, surrounded by rice terraces.
Day 6 - Friday. Our big adventures continue with an overnight trip to Lovina in the North Central of Bali. Lovina is on the coast and seemed to be part of a big city - Singaraja. Singaraja is known for its universities and is quite a busy place. Traffic is horrendous as it is in most places in Bali.
We had several stops on the way to Lovina.
Jatiliwah rice terraces - these rice terraces cover a huge area of the Island and just seem to keep going on every hillside all you see are the rice terraces. It is fascinating to see how the rice industry thrives in Bali, compared to the very different style of rice farming in Australia. The small plots that grow rice on the hillside in Bali, compared to the vast kilometres of land and water, required to grow rice usually on flat land in Australia.
It is beautiful to see, all green, or progress of the rice, it may appear yellow as it is becomes ready to be harvested. And then the new crops are replanted and it all begins again.
Bedugul Gardens are a must to visit, situated on the side of a hill, and overlooking the Lake Beratan. I found them to be peaceful and relaxing although we did not have a lot of time here, there are a huge variety of trees in the arboretum, a hotel and various other buildings to be explored on my next visit.
Lake Beratan has the floating temple on it, which we missed on this trip.
Make sure you stop at the markets on the edge of the lakes, and try the donuts from the vendors, ooohh so yummy. We also tried the grilled corn with cheese and chili. It is always interesting tasting the local food. The markets here also had a lot of the local colourful fruits for sale.
As the road wound around the mountains we came to a carpark, where an old lady was handing out bananas to feed to the wild monkeys on the side of the road. It was entertaining watching the interaction with the monkeys and also the lady hitting us up for payment after you have fed the bananas to the monkeys.
Our last stop before arriving at our accomodation, was to visit the Orphanage - Panti Asuhan Narayan Seva. Narayan Seva Children's home . www.narayanaseva.com. Where we were given a tour of the orphanage. I found it overwhelming and an amazing experience, to meet the 2 ladies who run this home for 80 children. Seeing the children all smiling and happy in a caring environment, where they may not of previously had this support in their lives if this home did not exist. They support the children to go through their schooling and even some of them onto University. I am full of admiration for the job that these ladies do.
We finally arrived at our accomodation in Lovina, Aneka Resort. Where the rooms were inviting in a minimalism style. The swimming pool, which did have a swim up bar in it, was a welcome relief to the end of another hot and humid day. This resort is situated on the beach, where the sand is not the usual white colour but a black colour from the volcanic sands in the area. Where the fishing boats all line along the beach during the day and night, and go out to fish early in the morning.
We did find a nice restaurant and resort next door, with live music and outdoor seating on the beach at the end of our evening, where we indulged in gelati while listening to the last couple of songs of the night.
Day 7 - Saturday - Aneka Resort Lovina. Up early at 5.30am to be on the beach at 6am for the sunrise dolphin tour. This was reasonably inexpensive and the tour was booked through the resort. Here began the new experiences for us all, with the small wooden boats, looking like canoes with stays on the side. I was surprised how stable these boats were.
Watching the sunrise over the ocean was a magnificent experience, i would have been happy just skimming across the water in the boat and relaxing watching the sun come, with all the beautiful colours of reds and oranges over the coastline.
We then got to join in with quite a lot of boats in an area known for the dolphins to pass through, as it a feeding area for the dolphins. The dolphins seemed to be smaller and black in colour than the dolphins i have seen in Australia.
We did see the dolphins going past us. I enjoyed watching the dolphins and observing the coastline as we were out on the water.
However, i was not completely comfortable with the boats speeding up towards the dolphins and cutting them off as they swam across the bay. Instead of the dolphins riding the wake of the boat alongside the boat, the dolphins seemed to be swamped by boats surrounding them and then they would disappear again under the water to reappear further away in the water.
It was a pleasant start to the day despite this and on the way back to the resort, the driver showed us the coral and fish under the boat.
Breakfast was enjoyed at the buffet at the hotel, with a late checkout we were able to have another swim and a massage before starting our journey back to Ubud.
We stopped at Git Git waterfall, there are 2 waterfalls in the one area, with the twin waterfall up higher and a single waterfall down the hill and a lot more stairs down further.
These waterfalls were very nice to visit and pretty. I recommend you hire a local guide at the entrance to the waterfalls, as they know the area well and can show you safely to the waterfalls. Wear comfortable footwear as some of the steps are quite slippery.
The local villagers actually live in this area as well, and there are a couple of natural springs with beautiful clean water in them.
At the bottom of the twin waterfall is an exit where some adventurous tourists were appearing from as they had been canyoning in that area.
Back through the winding roads we continued on our way back to Ubud.
And to our next accomodation where I was to stay for the remainder of my trip.
Bliss Spa and Resort, Ubud. This is a traditional style accomodation with a lovely spa on the premise.
A nice small restaurant that had very yummy food and a good selection to chose from for breakfast.
Very reasonably priced accomodation.
After settling into our rooms, I had the pleasure of an invitation to visit my guides family for dinner.
I was very honoured to be invited to visit them and meet them in their house.
They are a lovely family and I look forward to reuniting with them again on my future visits to Bali. I
I had taken with me a selection of Australian toy animals, and it was fun to present these to the children and explain to the children a little bit about these native animals, I was entertained with some guitar playing and chatting with the children. I loved this time with this family and it made my visit to Bali all the more special to me.
Day 8 - Sunday - rest day where my girlfriend and i could chill out for our last day together and do the last of the souvenir shopping before she jetted home to Australia.
With a quick visit to Cafe Wayan and Bakery for lunch, and a lovely mojitos or two with some amazing food, usually for me it was satay chicken and rice.
A lovely walk through the streets and briefly passed the Ubud markets and then onto our last stop in town of a quick drink to cool down at Casa Luna Restaurant, owned by the same people as Honeymoon Guesthouse.
The remainder of the day was spent having a well deserved massage and pedicure at Bliss Resort and Spa ready for my adventurous and another busy week ahead for me.
Here ends part 1 and week one of my adventure in Bali.
I had the pleasure of having amazing people looking after me, my guide and drivers being organised and personalised trip with Wira, Ary and Luis from Yode Wira Bali Tours- Gusti Yode. He can be contacted on facebook, Email yodewira@yahoo.co.id or What'sapp - +62 81 239 762 460.
Following photos are from week 2 - as my adventures continued and my blog will be updated in time.
Kerta Gosa, Klung Klung, Justice Department
Snorkelling at Amed with my friends
3 wise monkeys - Monkey Forest Ubud
Water Temple - Tirta Gangga
Ulawatu - coast line
Turtle Conservation and Education Centre, Serangan, Denpasar
Salt Making Kusamba Beach - East Bali - Building my muscles!!!
Sunday, December 11, 2016
As 2016 comes to an end
Whats been on the desk this year???
Time for the annual desk clear off, after a busy and very fast moving year 2016.
This year saw my eldest child finish High school and my youngest playing a lot of tennis and enjoying his Junior High School year.
Me, I continue to work for the same company that i started with 18 months ago, with the occasional drive of the forklift around the warehouse and generally talking to much throughout the day.
The desk - it keeps growing with an abundance as the dumping zone for anything that doesn't have a home. Swim bag, Bali souvenirs, receipts. The pile is now back under control again. Like life it is a rollercoaster and has its ups and downs along the way.
This year saw me travel to Bali in October to attend the Ubud Writers Festival with some girls from my bookclub. What else do you do in a book club, besides discuss books, read wine labels and enjoy the company of lovely friends for a quick trip overseas?
This was my first trip overseas in 23 years and to say i was shell shocked for the first 2-3 days was probably an understatement, new language, new culture, crazy busy traffic.
I experienced the joy in a cooking class, Balinese style at Casa Luna - Honeymoon 2. This was an eye opener with a tour of the market in the morning and then learning how to prepare and cook the ingredients for a very tasty and for me adventurous introduction to Balinese meals.
I met some lovely people from this class from Australia and overseas, and hope to keep in touch with them since leaving Bali.
The writers Festival was very inviting and had so many interesting writers, authors and people involved in it. I was pleasantly surprised with the events i did attend , how much i enjoyed them and learnt a lot about other cultures, and discussions about their writings. My favourite being the cooking class, we attended a luncheon with Magda Szubanski at Maya Ubud resort, a Literary Jalan Jalan, walk and morning tea at Moksa restaurant Ubud - permaculture garden.
To hire a driver and guide in Ubud is a must, to go and explore the outlying tourist points of interest. This made my visit to Bali very special , and to be able to share this with new friends and explore a variety of places with a lot of laughter and fun.
I am not normally a fully spiritual or religious following person, but the impact of my visit has been huge, I found some inner peace and a new kind of motivation to set new goals in life and to re-look at who i am and what i want out of life. (no yoga classes attempted).
Rewind to 2-3 years ago on this blog site where i was exercising and trying to lose weight and stay healthy. This all fell apart with a new job and new stressors in my life.
But now I feel i can regroup and get back on track again with my life.
My goals include another trip to Bali in 2017. Where i can explore further places and less touristy places. To find a place in my heart and what it is in Bali that i have brought home with me, it is like a new type of peacefulness or calmness but i have yet to work out what it is. To bring creativeness back into my life and being. To be able to walk up and down the millions of stairs near the waterfalls in 30 degrees and 90% humidity.
So for now that is it for 2016 and i wish you a very Merry Xmas and Happy New Year for 2017.
Thursday, June 02, 2016
2016 - a new year a new job and not a lot of blogging but still a messy desk
Well the story of my redundancy went like this - week one apply for jobs, week two have phone screening interview, week 4 or 5 had a face to face interview and week 6 or 7 I learnt how to use Skype and conduct another interview with the HR department. So over a period of 8 weeks and many other applications for jobs and a couple of interviews on 1 June 2015, a year ago yesterday, I found myself back in the workforce again.
The few weeks i had were very nice, catching up with friends and being free to do what i wanted in between applying for jobs and having interviews. These all being quite stressful and the not knowing of when I would be successful of having another job.
Someone was looking over me, and put me to the test. I now have had the priveledge of working with a great team of guys. Have now obtained a Forklift licence, of which i can actually use and move things around the warehouse when i need to. I organised a team training session for everyone to get a First Aid certificate in my first couple of weeks. It has been a very big learning curve with learning how to do a warehouse stock take, how to order parts and process orders for customers.
The ups and downs of a year of working fulltime, is the lack of motivation to get out and get to the gym especially as the days get shorter. My home desk keeps getting messier again.
Interesting weekends with the family , as the eldest child -adult obtains the 120 hours required to obtain P plates in Victoria. So far we have visited 3 towns and had 3 family pub lunches and games of pool.With many more hours to go, comes the enjoyable mystery of where we will go every weekend and which pub will be dine at, and how many more hours will it count towards the 120 hours.
The few weeks i had were very nice, catching up with friends and being free to do what i wanted in between applying for jobs and having interviews. These all being quite stressful and the not knowing of when I would be successful of having another job.
Someone was looking over me, and put me to the test. I now have had the priveledge of working with a great team of guys. Have now obtained a Forklift licence, of which i can actually use and move things around the warehouse when i need to. I organised a team training session for everyone to get a First Aid certificate in my first couple of weeks. It has been a very big learning curve with learning how to do a warehouse stock take, how to order parts and process orders for customers.
The ups and downs of a year of working fulltime, is the lack of motivation to get out and get to the gym especially as the days get shorter. My home desk keeps getting messier again.
Interesting weekends with the family , as the eldest child -adult obtains the 120 hours required to obtain P plates in Victoria. So far we have visited 3 towns and had 3 family pub lunches and games of pool.With many more hours to go, comes the enjoyable mystery of where we will go every weekend and which pub will be dine at, and how many more hours will it count towards the 120 hours.
Monday, May 11, 2015
What's on my desk today ????
Some days I don't know what I will find on my desk, besides old shopping receipts.
Hidden treasures that have been tucked away in a rush to put them somewhere.
Todays mini treasure is #Daisy by #MarcJacobs and a lovely lace tin from #IKEA.
Thursday, May 07, 2015
It seems time flies and we are already into May 2015
May 2015
So here I am back again at the "Where is everything again?" stage - hence the title it will be Somewhereonthedesk!
It is 5 months since my last post, in that time I have been dabbling in learning how to use other Social Media platforms, including Twitter (@genangel14), Instagram (genj68), Yelp and Flickr. So far the L plates are still on display.
January saw a visit to the Lego exhibition at the beautiful Royal Exhibition Buildings in Melbourne. It also found myself and my family sitting in a the rain at the Melbourne Zoo, listening to the Zoo Twilights and the awesome music of Bernard Fanning and Little May and the first of an upgrade in accomodation to the top floor and penthouse of the hotel we were staying at overlooking the Crown Casino area.
As 2015, was to be my year of new experiences and some life experiences for my children we embarked on a P & O Cruise in February on board the Pacific Jewel for 3 nights. Leaving Melbourne Friday night as the band played on the top deck as the city disappeared in the distance and we headed out through the heads and towards Burnie in Tasmania for a day. I can now say I have been to Tasmania, albeit a very short visit and for one day only, which included a bus trip to Devonport to see some of the sites and an hour visiting Burnie's art precinct and museum in the rain. Further experiences were had when we decided to learn to ride the Segways on the ship, only after the ship was able to turn out of the gale force winds, with King Island sheltering its return back to Melbourne. We all managed successfully to stay upright on the Segways in the wind, as the boat rocked and we traversed through the obstacles supplied to test out our skills. It was so much fun, almost like having the cold wind on your face from snow skiing in winter time.The cruise was very enjoyable and fantastic entertainment,in the bars and the atrium and throughout the ship. A new experience for the following week was still feeling the motion of the boat for a few more days even though we were back on land.
I became unemployed, through an involuntarily redundant a few weeks ago.
Since then I have had a lovely time catching up with friends I don't otherwise see very often when I am working full time. With a day trip to Echuca on the Murray River and a trip to Melbourne for womens business networking with Samara Magazine.
Hence my love of good food and nice red wines of my local area has become a bit of a passion recently.
I celebrated my birthday in style with a night at the Park Hyatt in Melbourne (@ParkHyattMelb)with my husband. Where we explored the city at night and found some fantastic bars and restaurants to visit, including Siglo rooftop bar, Lui bar in the Rialto Tower, Federation Square for breakfast and cafe Duomo in historic Block Arcade for lunch.
Once we overcame the shock and amazement at the accomodation upgrade that we received - An Ambassador Suite, we enjoyed the gas log fire and relaxed in front of it until it was time to adjourn to the Executive Lounge for evening drinks and canapes. Absolutely everything at this hotel was spectacular and the service and attention to details grately appreciated by us and made our stay memorable.
Join me for my next blog where I take you through some of the trials of job searching.
Cheers for now
Thursday, January 01, 2015
HAPPY NEW YEAR and welcome in 2015
This is my Happy New Year post... while i have been enjoying a few days off work, and getting my desk back into order and ready to start another busy year. The Xmas period has flown by.
It has been spent visiting my husbands family for a quiet Christmas lunch and boxing day visits.
With a quick visit to Beechworth and Stanley in North East Victoria where I grew up and we had a lovely visit with a friend I have known since kindergarden. It is always nice to catch up amidst the chaos that is life and family and work commitments. This was followed by a visit to Albury where we had dinner at Hogs Breathe Cafe with some other friends, it was entertaining as always and the food and wine were very enjoyable. I also got some time to catch up on the after xmas sales for a few bargains. It is always relaxing to visit this area, where the towns are surrounded by the hills and mountains of the North East, although there are areas that are very dry as it is the middle of summer and rain is far between.
The last 2 months since my last post have seen the busy Christmas rush and xmas parties come and go. With my work xmas party having a fantastic live band, endless homemade pizzas out under the stars on a beautiful Australian summer night. My husbands xmas party resulted in him receiving a Safe Driving Award for the last 26 years of driving a truck on the major highways between Melbourne and Sydney. So in all both work xmas parties were an enjoyable way to end 2014.
November saw a fun girls weekend away partaking in a variety of wines and wine bars in Melbourne. Always good fun for the spirit to have fun and shopping in the city.
I enjoyed a fun time playing twilight tennis for the 8 weeks leading to xmas, we had a couple of wins , a few wines, and social BBQ's to end the night. All in all it was a fun way to fill in a Wednesday night and exercise as a bonus. I look forward to participating in a mixed doubles team after the holidays finish.
The kids continued to have a great Saturday morning tennis season and continue to improve each week and I look forward to the last few weeks being played in 2015.
2015 will see me with High School students only , as my youngest starts his adventure to a new school and a new bus trip to school. There will be a big learning curve and change to the morning routine as previously a 4 minute walk was all that was required every morning to school.
I am excited for him to be going to high school but also apprehensive to look back and see how quickly the last 11 years of an association with the local Primary school have come to an end. Primary school was ended on a high note with my youngest being awarded a certificate for Information Technology. So proud of him and look forward to seeing him bloom in a new environment.
Exercise and the pursuit of Happiness and a Healthy body.
If you have read my previous posts from 2 years ago, I have participated in a few rounds of Michelle Bridges 12 WBT. I had fun, lost some weight , met lots of lovely ladies and had a few great weekends away. 2014 saw me start off the year on the wrong foot, until July when i received a health warning shake up and since then have seen 8 kg's disappear, dropped a dress size and making shopping for clothes pleasurable again. Increase in the desire to exercise. I am the lightest I have been since I had my last child 13 years ago, to me this is an achievement to make me smile. My foot improved and I have been enjoying regular walks out and about my neighbourhood. It feels great to be able to get out in the morning and see the sun rising and hear the birds in the forest starting their day as well. Or in the evening strolling around being free to get out and about. I will never take my feet and their importance for granted. New Brooks sneakers arrived in the mail this week, and they are like walking on air.
Swimming has become my new best friend. I have a long way to go but going from 2 laps to now being able to do 12 laps , is improving my breathing and stamina. Another exercise that I find I am enjoying and meeting other like minded people with the occasional Water aerobics attended on the weekends.
Creativity - Craft
By the time I work full time, creating driver schedules around the countryside, accomodation and flights, and playing tennis and swimming . I finally finished photo calendars 2 weeks before xmas.
My garden corner has been utilised regularly for afternoon teas during the year, the Spring flowers have all now finished and it all needs a big weeding session to keep it under control. This is next on my to do list.
My desk is clean again ready for a new year. I may still be able to find things Somewhereonthedesk.
Wishing everyone a fantastic and safe New Year for 2015.
It has been spent visiting my husbands family for a quiet Christmas lunch and boxing day visits.
With a quick visit to Beechworth and Stanley in North East Victoria where I grew up and we had a lovely visit with a friend I have known since kindergarden. It is always nice to catch up amidst the chaos that is life and family and work commitments. This was followed by a visit to Albury where we had dinner at Hogs Breathe Cafe with some other friends, it was entertaining as always and the food and wine were very enjoyable. I also got some time to catch up on the after xmas sales for a few bargains. It is always relaxing to visit this area, where the towns are surrounded by the hills and mountains of the North East, although there are areas that are very dry as it is the middle of summer and rain is far between.
The last 2 months since my last post have seen the busy Christmas rush and xmas parties come and go. With my work xmas party having a fantastic live band, endless homemade pizzas out under the stars on a beautiful Australian summer night. My husbands xmas party resulted in him receiving a Safe Driving Award for the last 26 years of driving a truck on the major highways between Melbourne and Sydney. So in all both work xmas parties were an enjoyable way to end 2014.
November saw a fun girls weekend away partaking in a variety of wines and wine bars in Melbourne. Always good fun for the spirit to have fun and shopping in the city.
I enjoyed a fun time playing twilight tennis for the 8 weeks leading to xmas, we had a couple of wins , a few wines, and social BBQ's to end the night. All in all it was a fun way to fill in a Wednesday night and exercise as a bonus. I look forward to participating in a mixed doubles team after the holidays finish.
The kids continued to have a great Saturday morning tennis season and continue to improve each week and I look forward to the last few weeks being played in 2015.
2015 will see me with High School students only , as my youngest starts his adventure to a new school and a new bus trip to school. There will be a big learning curve and change to the morning routine as previously a 4 minute walk was all that was required every morning to school.
I am excited for him to be going to high school but also apprehensive to look back and see how quickly the last 11 years of an association with the local Primary school have come to an end. Primary school was ended on a high note with my youngest being awarded a certificate for Information Technology. So proud of him and look forward to seeing him bloom in a new environment.
Exercise and the pursuit of Happiness and a Healthy body.
If you have read my previous posts from 2 years ago, I have participated in a few rounds of Michelle Bridges 12 WBT. I had fun, lost some weight , met lots of lovely ladies and had a few great weekends away. 2014 saw me start off the year on the wrong foot, until July when i received a health warning shake up and since then have seen 8 kg's disappear, dropped a dress size and making shopping for clothes pleasurable again. Increase in the desire to exercise. I am the lightest I have been since I had my last child 13 years ago, to me this is an achievement to make me smile. My foot improved and I have been enjoying regular walks out and about my neighbourhood. It feels great to be able to get out in the morning and see the sun rising and hear the birds in the forest starting their day as well. Or in the evening strolling around being free to get out and about. I will never take my feet and their importance for granted. New Brooks sneakers arrived in the mail this week, and they are like walking on air.
Swimming has become my new best friend. I have a long way to go but going from 2 laps to now being able to do 12 laps , is improving my breathing and stamina. Another exercise that I find I am enjoying and meeting other like minded people with the occasional Water aerobics attended on the weekends.
Creativity - Craft
By the time I work full time, creating driver schedules around the countryside, accomodation and flights, and playing tennis and swimming . I finally finished photo calendars 2 weeks before xmas.
My garden corner has been utilised regularly for afternoon teas during the year, the Spring flowers have all now finished and it all needs a big weeding session to keep it under control. This is next on my to do list.
My desk is clean again ready for a new year. I may still be able to find things Somewhereonthedesk.
Wishing everyone a fantastic and safe New Year for 2015.
Thursday, October 30, 2014
2014 and its nearly over already
Wow , how the last 16 months have flown past again.
With another finale in November in Sydney with a group of 12 wbt girls from Shepparton, a fantastic weekend was had. Followed by a cruise on a tall ship on Sydney Harbour, a lovely way to see the sites of the harbour. I can't believe it was 12 months ago.
An adventure to Brisbane for Xmas to visit family, it was a lovely time but very busy. Highlights included the cruising on the Brisbane river on the city cats, the kids catching a fish with Grandpa. Catching up with my nieces and siblings.
We had a long drive to get there and a very long drive home along the Eastern coast , stopping in Sydney for two nights.
In Sydney we spent the day on the Parramatta river ferries and spent the afternoon visiting the Maritime museum which included going inside the submarines and warships, these are really fascinating. A lovely visit followed by the end of the Xmas holiday period and back to work again.
My creative spirit came out at the end of the summer with the removal of the kids cubby house, which had been in the garden for 12 years and I spent the last couple of weeks before xmas in 2000 painting the cubby in 30 degrees while 8.5 mths pregnant, with my youngest child.
So it has now become time to say farewell to the cubby and create my own garden room, where it can be used by everyone and we can start to enjoy the backyard again.
I created an arbour using the cubby house roof, and lifted it up onto four posts to give it some height. Some paint and it was ready to go, during my April holidays I spent paving around the area and building up the garden on the sides of the paved area.
I have enjoyed shopping in the garden centres and finding nice things for my garden. Lots of lanterns and pretty pots and a marble table to go in the corner. A trip to Ikea to purchase foldable chairs and a table.
This spring saw the garden bloom with lovely tulips, daffodils, irises and freesias making it very rewarding for the work that I had done to create this garden.
This winter saw a visit to Falls Creek for 2 nights, where we had the most perfect snow, it had been stormy and the resort had a lot of snow, the day we arrived so did the sun, and there was not much more snow for the season. The ideal conditions allowed me to get back on my skiis and feel the wind fly past my face and the feeling of freedom (and aching legs) was fantastic. Thank god for the bike riding we had done during the winter as preparation to keep fitter and prepare for the snow skiing, this made the skiing less painful. The youngest child had a ski lesson and had fun learning to ski.
It was nice after many years of not visiting the snow to spend time in the mountains , its like a world away from reality.
I am working full time and enjoying what I do, hence my blog is not updated regularly.
Recently I spent a wonderful weekend in Sydney having a get together with my mothers cousins. It was fantastic to be in a group of people and have different stories to tell and somehow are all related along the way. This is the 3rd get together and the 4th will be eagerly awaited for 2015.
Tennis, is big in the family with the youngest playing Saturday mornings, and this year the parents help score but the games are actually quiet entertaining and fun to watch. I have joined a twilight group and having a fantastic time having a hit and giggle, and sometimes the balls actually go over the net.
Life is good at the moment, a few health issues have seen me try to get back on track again, and recently get back to the goals I achieved last year and had since gone a bit haywire. My husband is home more often at night as he is no longer doing long haul truck driving, allowing me to go out at night to enjoy a bookclub and tennis nights, and the occasional movie out.
Where do I want to be in 3 mths time, enjoying the warm summer ahead, being able to walk comfortably on my sore foot, healthy and to progress with being fitter.
I have a craft cupboard full of things and a patchwork quilt that has not yet been finished, maybe these will get completed in the near future, along with Photo calendars to make for xmas, and photo books for 2014 to be completed.
Until next time
Cheers for 2014
With another finale in November in Sydney with a group of 12 wbt girls from Shepparton, a fantastic weekend was had. Followed by a cruise on a tall ship on Sydney Harbour, a lovely way to see the sites of the harbour. I can't believe it was 12 months ago.
An adventure to Brisbane for Xmas to visit family, it was a lovely time but very busy. Highlights included the cruising on the Brisbane river on the city cats, the kids catching a fish with Grandpa. Catching up with my nieces and siblings.
We had a long drive to get there and a very long drive home along the Eastern coast , stopping in Sydney for two nights.
In Sydney we spent the day on the Parramatta river ferries and spent the afternoon visiting the Maritime museum which included going inside the submarines and warships, these are really fascinating. A lovely visit followed by the end of the Xmas holiday period and back to work again.
My creative spirit came out at the end of the summer with the removal of the kids cubby house, which had been in the garden for 12 years and I spent the last couple of weeks before xmas in 2000 painting the cubby in 30 degrees while 8.5 mths pregnant, with my youngest child.
So it has now become time to say farewell to the cubby and create my own garden room, where it can be used by everyone and we can start to enjoy the backyard again.
I created an arbour using the cubby house roof, and lifted it up onto four posts to give it some height. Some paint and it was ready to go, during my April holidays I spent paving around the area and building up the garden on the sides of the paved area.
I have enjoyed shopping in the garden centres and finding nice things for my garden. Lots of lanterns and pretty pots and a marble table to go in the corner. A trip to Ikea to purchase foldable chairs and a table.
This spring saw the garden bloom with lovely tulips, daffodils, irises and freesias making it very rewarding for the work that I had done to create this garden.
This winter saw a visit to Falls Creek for 2 nights, where we had the most perfect snow, it had been stormy and the resort had a lot of snow, the day we arrived so did the sun, and there was not much more snow for the season. The ideal conditions allowed me to get back on my skiis and feel the wind fly past my face and the feeling of freedom (and aching legs) was fantastic. Thank god for the bike riding we had done during the winter as preparation to keep fitter and prepare for the snow skiing, this made the skiing less painful. The youngest child had a ski lesson and had fun learning to ski.
It was nice after many years of not visiting the snow to spend time in the mountains , its like a world away from reality.
I am working full time and enjoying what I do, hence my blog is not updated regularly.
Recently I spent a wonderful weekend in Sydney having a get together with my mothers cousins. It was fantastic to be in a group of people and have different stories to tell and somehow are all related along the way. This is the 3rd get together and the 4th will be eagerly awaited for 2015.
Tennis, is big in the family with the youngest playing Saturday mornings, and this year the parents help score but the games are actually quiet entertaining and fun to watch. I have joined a twilight group and having a fantastic time having a hit and giggle, and sometimes the balls actually go over the net.
Life is good at the moment, a few health issues have seen me try to get back on track again, and recently get back to the goals I achieved last year and had since gone a bit haywire. My husband is home more often at night as he is no longer doing long haul truck driving, allowing me to go out at night to enjoy a bookclub and tennis nights, and the occasional movie out.
Where do I want to be in 3 mths time, enjoying the warm summer ahead, being able to walk comfortably on my sore foot, healthy and to progress with being fitter.
I have a craft cupboard full of things and a patchwork quilt that has not yet been finished, maybe these will get completed in the near future, along with Photo calendars to make for xmas, and photo books for 2014 to be completed.
Until next time
Cheers for 2014
Wednesday, May 08, 2013
Round 1 2013 Melbourne Finale
Michelle Bridges 12WBT Finale Melbourne Crown Casino 4th May 2013
This is me, I enjoyed celebrating getting through round 1 2013.
Albeit not a very successful round again, I gained 2 kgs through the 12 weeks and managed to remove the 2 kgs by the end of the 12 weeks. So I started and ended at the same weight. Easter had a bit of an impact and although i tried to be good, somehow the chocolate kept appearing and just had to be eaten. My bad.
I have however, been pursuing a better level of exercise in my life, I had a trial for 21 days at the local Fernwood Gym. I enjoyed trying out the Body Balance classes and learning how to do pushups and use my inner core again. Which is a nice feeling.
During my birthday week of holidays, i also had 3 person training sessions, after the initial shock and wanting to punch the trainer , cause my thighs hurt a lot, I can now work out harder and the impact on my muscles subsides quicker, doesnt take a week to be able to move again.
I am continuing on my path with the personal trainer once a week. It is so nice to feel my muscles being used. My legs are way stronger than they were 3 weeks ago, I can do squats, 20 squats is nothing now, compared to a couple of weeks ago, where i would struggle to do them without the wall or ball behind me.
I enjoyed joining in the Michelle Bridges finale workout, after volunteering at the finale last year in Sydney I decided that it looked almost like fun, and people worked at their own pace. Mine being a beginner stage and low impact. So I gave it a go, Melbourne turned on the weather, cold wind and sprinkling of rain, nothing unusual in that. The sun finally came out near the end of the workout.
My goal for myself in the next 12 weeks, is to keep meeting with the personal trainer and not giving up, when it is too cold to get out of bed in the morning but JFDI.
To try to cut out chocolate at least for a week and then see how i go after that, reducing my sugar intake to try to make my body move again.
I am not joining in the round 2 of 12WBT but am going to try to move my body on my own.
My next goal is to be able to fit into a smaller dress size at the end of these 12 weeks, or to have lost 2-5 kgs. But to do this i will need to stay focused and continue on with my exercise quest. If I really work hard who knows I might be able to go to the finale as a +1 if I can find a ticket, but to do that I will need to lose weight and reach my goals by the end of July.
Keep moving forward.
Am I focused? I dont know!!!
Cheers
Thursday, April 11, 2013
2013 so far...
Welcome back to my blog.
Today I have entered the next year in my lifes journey - so I thought I'd write down my thoughts.
I have been struggling to continue with the Michelle Bridges 12WBT. Some weeks it comes together and some weeks it doesn't. I am about to finish my fourth round in 3 weeks time.
The weeks where following my change of employment in December from Part time to full time had quite an impact on my progress. And last week after Easter and an abundance of chocolate eggs, I realised I had got out of control.
This week I have been able to take a step back , while i have had a weeks holiday at home with my kids.
I booked myself in to see a Personal Trainer and oh my, am i hurting all over. First session found some thigh muscles that hadn't been used properly for quite a while and my second session found the calf muscles and a few more upper arm muscles that I hadn't fully utilised in quite a while. And with another session to occur this week, I'm not sure how I will go next when i can only fit in one session during the week.
I have been going to the gym when i get there sometimes once or twice a week, walking around my neighbourhood, but with not so healthy eating choices I have not made a move forward in my exercise and weight loss.
This week I have also attended a Body Balance class. Some things I struggled with but I gave it ago and got to the end of it and was happy that I made it through.
A walk up the local telecom tower in the middle of town, saw me climb successfully to the top, and down again. While I watched the kids run up and see them throw popcorn to see how far it would fall from the top.
Sometimes I feel I'm not getting anywhere, but tonight I decided to have an overall look at where i have come. I have kept off 7 kgs from the time before I started the program to today. I have lost and kept off 39cm off my entire body. 1-2 kgs still keep bouncing like a rubber ball, but just don't seem to get going on the downward spiral permanently.
These are small figures but they are my figures and the start, and continuation of my journey.
I have learnt to get back into the kitchen, my hubby loves it that there are now fruit and veges in the fridge when he goes looking for something to eat. He has enjoyed the new meals that i have been learning to create. I still haven't quite convinced the kids that what I make is all that they will get, I still make them something that I know they will eat, rather than wasting food on them.
I'm concentrating on more exercise this week to try to get my body moving again.
How will I go once I am sitting at my desk all day at work next week? I honestly dont know, but knowing now how a PT session works, I am determined to fit at least one of these in a week to push myself that extra bit.
I watch some of my friends and family preparing for the Tough Mudder and SpartanWarrior races and can't understand the pleasure they get from them, i suppose it is their personal challenges in their fitness.
I can't see myself attempting these events but can see myself as improving my fitness for my own health and wellbeing, continuing on as a life style change.
My kids notice the changes, when we go bike riding or walking, they are not having to wait for me anymore and I can keep up with them. Making family outings much more pleasant.
My goal for this month is to attend the finale workout and participate fully in the workout and make it to the end. (In Sydney I volunteered and enjoyed it thoroughly but realised that everyone participates at their own pace and level). To get to this goal I am going to fit in one PT session a week and get to the gym as often as I can fit it in. Playing a game of tennis on a Thursday evening with my child.
I'm looking forward to the end of this round and being part of the Finale Cocktail party, and looking forward to getting dressed up for a change and having a weekend away.
I'm not disappointed in my progress although it goes slowly sometimes, but every little bit forward eventually adds up to the big picture.
I'm fitter and healthier for it.
Until next time.
Cheers
Today I have entered the next year in my lifes journey - so I thought I'd write down my thoughts.
I have been struggling to continue with the Michelle Bridges 12WBT. Some weeks it comes together and some weeks it doesn't. I am about to finish my fourth round in 3 weeks time.
The weeks where following my change of employment in December from Part time to full time had quite an impact on my progress. And last week after Easter and an abundance of chocolate eggs, I realised I had got out of control.
This week I have been able to take a step back , while i have had a weeks holiday at home with my kids.
I booked myself in to see a Personal Trainer and oh my, am i hurting all over. First session found some thigh muscles that hadn't been used properly for quite a while and my second session found the calf muscles and a few more upper arm muscles that I hadn't fully utilised in quite a while. And with another session to occur this week, I'm not sure how I will go next when i can only fit in one session during the week.
I have been going to the gym when i get there sometimes once or twice a week, walking around my neighbourhood, but with not so healthy eating choices I have not made a move forward in my exercise and weight loss.
This week I have also attended a Body Balance class. Some things I struggled with but I gave it ago and got to the end of it and was happy that I made it through.
A walk up the local telecom tower in the middle of town, saw me climb successfully to the top, and down again. While I watched the kids run up and see them throw popcorn to see how far it would fall from the top.
Sometimes I feel I'm not getting anywhere, but tonight I decided to have an overall look at where i have come. I have kept off 7 kgs from the time before I started the program to today. I have lost and kept off 39cm off my entire body. 1-2 kgs still keep bouncing like a rubber ball, but just don't seem to get going on the downward spiral permanently.
These are small figures but they are my figures and the start, and continuation of my journey.
I have learnt to get back into the kitchen, my hubby loves it that there are now fruit and veges in the fridge when he goes looking for something to eat. He has enjoyed the new meals that i have been learning to create. I still haven't quite convinced the kids that what I make is all that they will get, I still make them something that I know they will eat, rather than wasting food on them.
I'm concentrating on more exercise this week to try to get my body moving again.
How will I go once I am sitting at my desk all day at work next week? I honestly dont know, but knowing now how a PT session works, I am determined to fit at least one of these in a week to push myself that extra bit.
I watch some of my friends and family preparing for the Tough Mudder and SpartanWarrior races and can't understand the pleasure they get from them, i suppose it is their personal challenges in their fitness.
I can't see myself attempting these events but can see myself as improving my fitness for my own health and wellbeing, continuing on as a life style change.
My kids notice the changes, when we go bike riding or walking, they are not having to wait for me anymore and I can keep up with them. Making family outings much more pleasant.
My goal for this month is to attend the finale workout and participate fully in the workout and make it to the end. (In Sydney I volunteered and enjoyed it thoroughly but realised that everyone participates at their own pace and level). To get to this goal I am going to fit in one PT session a week and get to the gym as often as I can fit it in. Playing a game of tennis on a Thursday evening with my child.
I'm looking forward to the end of this round and being part of the Finale Cocktail party, and looking forward to getting dressed up for a change and having a weekend away.
I'm not disappointed in my progress although it goes slowly sometimes, but every little bit forward eventually adds up to the big picture.
I'm fitter and healthier for it.
Until next time.
Cheers
Monday, December 03, 2012
Round 4 12WBT Challenge
Welcome to my update as I start my next journey through my challenge to lose weight and get fit. With the guidance, encouragement and support of the 12WBT, Round 4.
I have started off super motivated on my return from the Round 3 finale in Sydney, what a weekend I had, I enjoyed my participation as a volunteer at the finale. It gave me the opportunity to see what the finale work out was all about but also feel part of a team, by helping set up and handing out water to the participants. I got to meet lots of fantastic people and very inspirational people and their stories, about there journeys along the way. To end the day with a lovely cocktail party in Sydney. It was all fantastic.
Other highlights of my weekend were meeting relatives and friends who I havent seen for a long time.
I came home motivated, even got up and went for a morning walk. (Well that lasted all of one day), but the intention was there.
I struggle through the menu plans with the lovely menus and recipes supplied, but there are just some things I am not able to eat, so time is necessary to sit and reorganise my menu for the week. It is time consuming but necessary to have a smooth running week, from this comes a grocery list, which then enables me to have a variety of healthy food in the fridge and cupboard. Opposed to the box of chocolates that came with my flowers last week and had EAT ME !! all over them. I did eat them but not all at once, and not all in one day, they were consumed over a week in rations. But I had so much enjoyment from them, and reminded me of the person who had given them to me throughout the week.
I get there in the end.
Now I face a new challenge, a new job, and with that the new location of work, new routines, new hours at work, I will have to become very organised during the weekend to make sure my next week runs smoothly. I will have to change the times i exercise around my work etc. This all takes time to get used to again until the routines settle down.
I Will not give up.
But without 12WBT I probably wouldn't have had the confidence to get in there and apply for the new job that I am about to start, new challenges to tackle and JFDI attitude will keep me going and see out the end of the year of 2012. SO I thank Mish and her 12WBT for the support and encouragement from the program to move forward and prepare me for further challenges and not to give up.
Next
Ready for the xmas challenge.
I have started off super motivated on my return from the Round 3 finale in Sydney, what a weekend I had, I enjoyed my participation as a volunteer at the finale. It gave me the opportunity to see what the finale work out was all about but also feel part of a team, by helping set up and handing out water to the participants. I got to meet lots of fantastic people and very inspirational people and their stories, about there journeys along the way. To end the day with a lovely cocktail party in Sydney. It was all fantastic.
Other highlights of my weekend were meeting relatives and friends who I havent seen for a long time.
I came home motivated, even got up and went for a morning walk. (Well that lasted all of one day), but the intention was there.
I struggle through the menu plans with the lovely menus and recipes supplied, but there are just some things I am not able to eat, so time is necessary to sit and reorganise my menu for the week. It is time consuming but necessary to have a smooth running week, from this comes a grocery list, which then enables me to have a variety of healthy food in the fridge and cupboard. Opposed to the box of chocolates that came with my flowers last week and had EAT ME !! all over them. I did eat them but not all at once, and not all in one day, they were consumed over a week in rations. But I had so much enjoyment from them, and reminded me of the person who had given them to me throughout the week.
I get there in the end.
Now I face a new challenge, a new job, and with that the new location of work, new routines, new hours at work, I will have to become very organised during the weekend to make sure my next week runs smoothly. I will have to change the times i exercise around my work etc. This all takes time to get used to again until the routines settle down.
I Will not give up.
But without 12WBT I probably wouldn't have had the confidence to get in there and apply for the new job that I am about to start, new challenges to tackle and JFDI attitude will keep me going and see out the end of the year of 2012. SO I thank Mish and her 12WBT for the support and encouragement from the program to move forward and prepare me for further challenges and not to give up.
Next
Ready for the xmas challenge.
Wednesday, November 14, 2012
My bumpy journey through my fitness challenge
As I near the end of my 2nd round of participation in the 12WBT, I try to focus on what I have achieved over the last 12 weeks, and I then need to look back and accept that the last 12 weeks didnt go along quite as planned.
When i reflect on my last 6 months to know I have lost 9kgs, and put only one back on over the last 12 weeks, due to a few bumps in my routines and health along the way. I have lost a total of 34 cms off my body.I have dropped a dress size. I am the lightest I have been since 2004. I am happy that I have made this change to my life, so far.
My fitness has improved slightly in the right direction and i have worked out this week that my aching and sore hip is from trying to run on the road. So I have resolved that walking is better in the long run and that any exercise I get out to do is for the benefit of myself and my mood and body.I can still walk and talk, and my chest doesnt burn anymore. I struggle to attend the gym but when i get there I feel a lot better for it.
I managed to get one big work out in for the 12 weeks, a free PT workout near our local lake, and sponsored by 24 FIT gym . I made it, slowly and couldn't move my legs for the next 3 days, but felt an achievement, in that i had actually got out of bed and made it to a class.
As I get ready to have a fun weekend in Sydney to celebrate with the other participants in the Round 3 of 12WBT, I will be also thinking about what my new goals will be for the next 12 weeks and what I am hoping to achieve. I am hoping from the enthusiasm from the 12WBT workout and challenges I will become more motivated to get it together and bring home some of the motivation with me, so that I can start moving forward again in my challenge to get fit.
During this current round, I didnt join in the weekly challenges, I struggled to keep up with the planned menus, I struggled to just get everything together.
Goals for the next 12 weeks, include getting some motivation back, to increase my exercise routine and get to gym at least twice a week. With a couple of walks in between. To learn how to do the exercise routines as suggested in the program.
To try to get back on track with my meals and to reduce the chocolate and sweets that keep creeping back when things don't go right or I feel depressed or frustrated.
To get through the silly season of the year with an increase in fitness and a reduction in size and weight will be an achievement within itself.
To enjoy some more active time with my kids and husband with bike rides and outings together.
TO SMILE WHEN THINGS ARE NOT GOING WELL and JFDI.
When i reflect on my last 6 months to know I have lost 9kgs, and put only one back on over the last 12 weeks, due to a few bumps in my routines and health along the way. I have lost a total of 34 cms off my body.I have dropped a dress size. I am the lightest I have been since 2004. I am happy that I have made this change to my life, so far.
My fitness has improved slightly in the right direction and i have worked out this week that my aching and sore hip is from trying to run on the road. So I have resolved that walking is better in the long run and that any exercise I get out to do is for the benefit of myself and my mood and body.I can still walk and talk, and my chest doesnt burn anymore. I struggle to attend the gym but when i get there I feel a lot better for it.
I managed to get one big work out in for the 12 weeks, a free PT workout near our local lake, and sponsored by 24 FIT gym . I made it, slowly and couldn't move my legs for the next 3 days, but felt an achievement, in that i had actually got out of bed and made it to a class.
As I get ready to have a fun weekend in Sydney to celebrate with the other participants in the Round 3 of 12WBT, I will be also thinking about what my new goals will be for the next 12 weeks and what I am hoping to achieve. I am hoping from the enthusiasm from the 12WBT workout and challenges I will become more motivated to get it together and bring home some of the motivation with me, so that I can start moving forward again in my challenge to get fit.
During this current round, I didnt join in the weekly challenges, I struggled to keep up with the planned menus, I struggled to just get everything together.
Goals for the next 12 weeks, include getting some motivation back, to increase my exercise routine and get to gym at least twice a week. With a couple of walks in between. To learn how to do the exercise routines as suggested in the program.
To try to get back on track with my meals and to reduce the chocolate and sweets that keep creeping back when things don't go right or I feel depressed or frustrated.
To get through the silly season of the year with an increase in fitness and a reduction in size and weight will be an achievement within itself.
To enjoy some more active time with my kids and husband with bike rides and outings together.
TO SMILE WHEN THINGS ARE NOT GOING WELL and JFDI.
Tuesday, July 17, 2012
Week 7
Going into Week 7 is hard work, going backwards a bit, but trying to keep going forwards.
Tomorrow will tell me how far behind i fell this week. I have upped the exercise more than last week from nothing to some the last 2 days so far for this week.
This weeks challenge is to create a tshirt logo, I will share with you my 2 designs that i have submitted.
I have had fun putting these together.
Tomorrow will tell me how far behind i fell this week. I have upped the exercise more than last week from nothing to some the last 2 days so far for this week.
This weeks challenge is to create a tshirt logo, I will share with you my 2 designs that i have submitted.
I have had fun putting these together.
Wednesday, July 11, 2012
A month has nearly gone by
The time flies so quickly, a few weeks have gone by since i last made notes on this page. Since then my total weight loss has come down to 6kgs, I am so happy that it is going in the right direction. I am naughty and have not been as dilligent as i would like to be, but I am a mum and also only human and when I see chocolate in front of me , well that habit hasn't yet gone, but is being curbed a bit.
I am enjoying my occasional visits to the gym and my walks around the neighbourhood with my kids. I do realise that it is going to get harder soon, and that I will have to up the exercise to get things moving.
I had a lovely day at Falls Creek, in the Victorian mountain ranges, playing in the snow with my kids, we had a beautiful sunny day to toboggan down the toboggan run. I have achieved one of my goals this year and that was to take my kids to the snow, I handled walking up with the toboggan a lot better now than i would have a few months ago.
I love the meals that are in the meal plans, and my husband enjoyed having real meals again, he has started to loose weight as well.
Here's to another week and hoping it isnt going to be as hard as the last week I just go through.
Until next time
cheers
I am enjoying my occasional visits to the gym and my walks around the neighbourhood with my kids. I do realise that it is going to get harder soon, and that I will have to up the exercise to get things moving.
I had a lovely day at Falls Creek, in the Victorian mountain ranges, playing in the snow with my kids, we had a beautiful sunny day to toboggan down the toboggan run. I have achieved one of my goals this year and that was to take my kids to the snow, I handled walking up with the toboggan a lot better now than i would have a few months ago.
I love the meals that are in the meal plans, and my husband enjoyed having real meals again, he has started to loose weight as well.
Here's to another week and hoping it isnt going to be as hard as the last week I just go through.
Until next time
cheers
Thursday, June 21, 2012
My experiences so far on the 12WBT as I head into the end of week 3. I have started out slowly following the meal plans supplied, the suggested meals are fantastic. I have been adventurous and I have been introduced to two new meals that I would not normally indulge in, using red curry paste. I have been enjoying being in the kitchen and preparing meals. Unlike a few weeks ago where it was a big effort not to get something frozen out of the freezer and quickly microwave it. I have been preparing really nice meals from scratch, so even if I don't reduce my size hugely over 12 weeks, I will at least know I am able to cook tasty meals for myself.
My exercising is taking off slowly, having a few walks around my neighbourhood, a new membership to a gym, which I have been using and setting myself realistic goals that I know I can start out and maintain. Looking forward to spending time this week and starting a new gym program to keep myself motivated. My start with some exercise DVD's did quite keep going as I had hoped I might, but at least I know they are there when the crunch comes to get things moving, if I cant get outside or to the gym.
It is actually nice to see stretch marks, and feel a bulge less around the stomach as the last 3 weeks have progressed. Will be interesting next week when the 4 weekly measure up takes place.
The weekly inspirational videos have been a really great boost in the middle of the week, for motivation and to keep on track. I love that I dont have to make an appointment to see anyone to help me set up this program and that I am in control of how much or little I put into my efforts.
I am very happy that I took the step to change my lifestyle for myself, no packaged products, no merchandising endoursements that have to be purchased to take part in the program, the menus can be adapted to meet any budget (with a little bit of time and preparation).
Overall I have been feeling really well for the last couple of weeks and my chocolate addiction is slowly changing to a mini chocolate addiction.
Cheers until next time.
My exercising is taking off slowly, having a few walks around my neighbourhood, a new membership to a gym, which I have been using and setting myself realistic goals that I know I can start out and maintain. Looking forward to spending time this week and starting a new gym program to keep myself motivated. My start with some exercise DVD's did quite keep going as I had hoped I might, but at least I know they are there when the crunch comes to get things moving, if I cant get outside or to the gym.
It is actually nice to see stretch marks, and feel a bulge less around the stomach as the last 3 weeks have progressed. Will be interesting next week when the 4 weekly measure up takes place.
The weekly inspirational videos have been a really great boost in the middle of the week, for motivation and to keep on track. I love that I dont have to make an appointment to see anyone to help me set up this program and that I am in control of how much or little I put into my efforts.
I am very happy that I took the step to change my lifestyle for myself, no packaged products, no merchandising endoursements that have to be purchased to take part in the program, the menus can be adapted to meet any budget (with a little bit of time and preparation).
Overall I have been feeling really well for the last couple of weeks and my chocolate addiction is slowly changing to a mini chocolate addiction.
Cheers until next time.
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