#blogjune Post 19 - Words

This post I'm going to do something different and as there are no rules for #blogjune, I'm guessing it's ok.

Today I'm sharing local author, Jenn J McLeod's post: A sad and angry sea - and we grieve

I hope you all take time to read Jenn's post and also read her books!

As a runner, it is common, being out on the streets/parks early, that you might be the first to discover something - even a dead body.  It is one of my fears that this may happen to me one day.  And as Jenn and her partner experienced with walking the beach - there have been times walking our local beach during a time when someone has gone missing at sea that you worry it might be you that discovers the body.

Sorry to be a bit depressive this morning - it's raining, it's Sunday and it's work tomorrow - the mood suits!  Actually, I have a Body Shop party to go to in a few hours so the mood is set to pick up.  And not to be too humorous but I did not the link with bodies and Body Shop!

I promise a much lighter post tomorrow!

Epiphany - Blog 12 Days of Christmas

So this is the post where I am supposed to look back over the past 12 days and discuss what I may have learned or: a sudden, intuitive perception of or insight into the reality or essential meaning of something, usually initiated by some simple, homely, or commonplace occurrence or experience.

I can't say I have found the meaning of life, or had any insight into reality.  I can say that I have once again enjoyed sitting down at the end of the day and reflecting on what was and then trying to put it into something remotely interesting to others.

What I can say is that in the space of 12 days I have regained my running mojo and even pushed out a 16.5km run today without feeling like it was a chore.  It was hard but it was enjoyable.  On the home stretch I even enjoyed the bush on either side of the road for the birds that were singing, the lagoon that I ran past, and the view from the top of the hill overlooking the beach.  I made peace with being in the right place - this beautiful place I live and love.

I felt that again after a splash in the surf with my family as I was sitting in the hot midday sun looking out over the ocean watching two dolphins swim past and a sailing boat in the distance.  And up front, an 8 year old girl and her dad sharing so many laughs and moments in the surf - their bond warms my heart!!

In the afternoon, walking along the river, out on the boardwalk - secretly trying not to be too annoyed by the tourists - but instead lap up seeing my locals and saying hello.  Having a short conversation with my daughters friends mother.  Over hearing some visitors from Sydney saying how it was nice that everyone here says "hello" unlike in Sydney.  My home, my community, my friends, my people!

There will always be hard times, tough times - but happiness can't be all the time as then we wouldn't appreciate it as much!

Being awesome is something to strive for in all aspects of your life and something I will be striving for in 2015.

Expecting miracles, celebrating achievements, being creative, enjoying moments of laziness, being alert and waking up, being healthy and celebrating being here and now, and making the most of open doors - this is what 2015 will be for me!!

Until #blogjune......

Day 8 - Blog 12 Days of Christmas - Opening Doors!

Today's mantra: Old ways won't open new doors.

Ok let's step back a bit and tell you what I did today.  I started the day with the Sawtell New Year's Day Fun Run 5.25km.  I ran this for the first time in 2014 and found it a very hot and challenging run.  It was the same this year. 

However, I managed to run a faster time by 51 seconds than last year.  And, I also managed to beat a fellow local runner that I come across a lot in the local fun runs I do.  Unfortunately or fortunately I seem to be a bit of a competitive person when it comes to running.  I spotted the runner early on - thinking that they weren't going to run this year because I had not seen their name on the registration list - and kept them in my sight.  At first I thought I would not be able to beat them because of a not so good run at the Dorrigo Show Fun Run in which the heat and hills got the better of me and I walked most of it.  But this time, I won the mental battle!!  And this has been huge for me as I have been battling a bit with my running since the Ipswich Park2Park and my issue with hills.  It seems this run has put my head in a good place for 2015 - with regards to running anyway!

After the run I met up with a fellow Running Mums Australia (Facebook running group that I am a member of) who I had come across during the run.  Seems the world gets smaller every time I meet someone through running.  In Ipswich back in April 2014, I met a lovely lady at my first parkrun - it was her first too.  We became friends on Facebook, as you do, and found we had a mutual friend.

Today after meeting the fellow RMA we found we also have a mutual friend and that she works in the local high school.  I talked about fate in a previous post and strongly believe that once again I have met these people for a reason.

A visit to the beach was in order to cool down and then an afternoon of not doing much at all.  It was really hot - seems to be a theme in the blog posts today!!

So back to the mantra - this is another thing to add to my list to work on this year.  I am going to change my approach to work - not sure how yet but I do believe it needs changing.  My attitude and thoughts towards work are something I will be working on but also how I approach things at work.  This will, I hope, lead to new opportunities!!

Here's a link to a video of the start of the Sawtell New Year's Day Fun Run that my hubby took.  Look out for me waving at the camera at 15 second mark.

Strive to be more you than you've ever been #blogjune #15

Today's mantra: Strive to be more you than you've ever been.

Today we conquered a walk. A walk that we've been wanting to do as a family for a while but just have never got round to it.  So at 10am we drove to Wenonah beach.  Got out of the car and headed South to Valla Beach along the beach.

I estimated that it would be around 4.5k - well it was 5k down the beach and another 5k back so 10k in total and we did it.  My husband's feet were a bit sore and mine were a bit too - bare foot on hard sand will do that to you.

Miss A only had one melt down due to not being allowed to go swimming - it was still cold.

As a family we spent 2 hours together doing exercise!!

Strive to be more you than you've ever been - I'm not sure the world is ready for more of me!!!

On the eighth day of Christmas...

I wished you all a Happy New Year!!

I had a little sleep in this morning, until 6am.  Then I was up and thinking about what to eat for breakfast that would not cause me any incidents during my fun run at 9am.  I decided on toast with peanut butter and honey and a banana (well half a one because it was a bit too ripe).

I got the rest of the family up at 7.15am and we headed up to Sawtell at 8am.  I was worried I was running late and would not be able to find a park and register before 9am but we got there in time and all was good.

It was hot!  The run was to start at 9am but didn't get away until 9.15am.  It was good to have my family there to support me and take video (and another one) and photos of the run.  Apparently, there were about 300 people participating.

Did I mention it was hot?!?  Well the first leg of the run after you have done a loop of the main street of Sawtell takes you up a fairly lengthy incline.  Then it's flat for a few kilometres and then you hit another hill about 1/2 km from the finish line.  I didn't do any sprints to the finish in this run as it was just too hot.  But it's given me good practice for the next run at Coffs on Australia day.  I plan on doing the 10km.

Once I had completed the run, we headed to the inflatable slide for Miss A to have a go and then headed home to get changed into togs (swimmers) to go to the beach.

I was pretty tired so we only splashed around at the beach for an hour or so and then headed home, stopping for an ice cream on the way!

Until I did my walk this afternoon, I spent most of it watching Man vs Food - which really is quite an amazing and disgusting show - disgusting because of the amount of food consumed.

I'm sure I'm supposed to mention some resolutions in this post and perhaps some reflections on the year just passed.  2013 was a fairly ordinary year except for joining bootcamp and meeting some wonderful women that live in my area.  Taking up jogging and losing weight and completing two 10km fun runs.

On the job front, there wasn't really too much excitement.  We implemented ebooks and emagazines are in the process of installing RFID (Radio Frequency Identification).  But personally work did not see many amazing achievements for me.  In fact, I think it's safe to say I'm in a bit of a rut.  Changes happened external to the library in our organisation that has affected moral a little and I'm looking for ways to improve on running the three branch libraries and being a better manager/supervisor.  Perhaps 2014 will the be year.  No I think 2014 will be the year - it has to be.

So for 2014 I would like to continue running and complete the following runs (I hope) - half marathon at Port Macquarie in March, half marathon at South West Rocks in June (I think), half marathon at Ipswich in July, and half marathon at Coffs in September.

I'm also going to trial doing speed sessions on a Tuesday morning with a running friend.  These are held in Coffs so it will mean having to be ultra organised on Tuesday mornings.

Work wise, I'm going to work on being less emotional, more organised; getting the libraries in the face of our organisation; making the performance appraisal process and goals more meaningful for my staff; and continue learning.  And getting some motivation back!

Miss A and I before my run today

 

On the fourth day of Christmas....

I ran 14.66km; did the grocery shopping (I know, I know, I should be doing it online); went for a swim at the beach; and watched trashy TV (yep a trend is developing).

As part of my training for the half marathon I am doing in March 2014 at the Port Macquarie Running Festival, I am to do hill repeats.  For non-runners, this means you run (with effort) up a hill, walk back down, turn around and run back up the hill, walk back down and so on until you fall over in a heap - well no I believe my training program does suggest doing this a certain number of times.

Through discussions with those that have trained before, the best hill to do this on in my area is the hill road leading to the Urunga Cemetery.  Now those that you are my FB friends will note my post yesterday about my concerns of running this road on my own.  I mentioned my fear of stray spirits/ghosts.  Well, you will be happy to note that I ran this hill today and as soon as the headstones were in my line of sight, I quickly turned around and ran back down the hill.  I had planned on doing the hill again but was just not quite ready.  I noted that even the cicadas stop making noise the closer you get to the headstones - what's with that?!?!

Grocery shopping - the love/hate relationship I have with thee!  A number of people have suggested to me that I convert to online shopping.  Now I really need to see things on a shelf - not sure why but online shopping has not grabbed me.  I need to see all the different brands/prices/specials lined up together in order to make a good purchase decision.  So no online grocery shopping at this stage.  Instead I braved the congested Pacific Hwy and hit the energy zapping shops.  However, all was not lost as the checkout lady made my day by just happening to be free so I didn't even have to wait!!  This never happens!!

Beach - how I love thee!!  After lunch - well really it was around 3pm, we headed down to the beach for a swim.  The beach we go to is just 5 minutes drive from home.  We splashed around for a bit and then Miss A wanted to climb the dunes, which then turned into running up the dunes and down the dunes.  Much to my husbands disgust, I mentioned that this is a good form of training for running.  He muttered something under his breath about training and shook his head.

Trashy TV - yes you are trashy but I watch you anyway!  We (ok my husband who can not say no) recently signed up for pay TV - this time with Foxtel.  Last time it was with Austar.  They are all the same to me.  I was a bit peeved as it is not a luxury we can afford but he managed to get a good deal.  We made some changes to our package yesterday and opted out of the movies and opted in for the documentaries and adventure.  Now it's all Man vs Food and Dirty Jobs Down Under.  Not to mention the Location, Location, Location Australia marathon I watched the other day.  My husband is a night owl so he loves it.  Especially shows like Ghost Hunters and Ghost Adventurers - hence my fear of the Urunga Cemetery!

Tomorrow we are in for hot, hot, hot weather and apparently a day of interesting (there is a word the weather guy uses but it escapes me for now) weather.  Apparently, North and South winds will meet and cause instability which may lead to storms - here's hoping!

What did you do on the fourth day of Christmas?

#blogjune Post 27 Part 1 - I ran again

As I am on a quick break from work, I thought I'd do a quick post about my motivating start to the morning.

I know to some, what follows will be no big deal - for me it is!

I joined the marathon ladies and one gentleman this morning for another run.  It was to be 5km but we ended up doing 6.8km.

Once again I can say that I really enjoyed running with a group and did not feel at anytime that I could not keep going.  I even pushed in a sprint at the end.

What made this run special for me as opposed to other runs I've done, is that we ran along the beach as the sun was coming up.  I don't think there is anything better! 

Even though it was cloudy, the sun did turn the clouds pink and it was beautiful.

It is during times like these, that I really love living here!

Here is a photo a friend took of me walking along the beach we ran along this morning.  Different time of the year and day but still beautiful!

Blog12daysxmas Post 12 - The end of the road

Today's Destiny Card is Courage.

On the 12th day of Christmas and final day of #blog12daysxmas.... we went to the beach for a swim and then fell on the lounge and watched cricket.

I can not believe that the weather has been so good for my holidays.  I'm not back at work until Thursday 10 January so I am hoping the great weather continues.

You will note from previous posts that it has pretty much rained since we moved here 4 years ago.  This year has been the first "real" summer we have experienced.  And while it is starting to get a bit worryingly dry, I can't help but feel blessed that the weather has turned it on while I'm on leave.

This is also the first summer I have spent at home.  The last 4 years has seen me visit "home" in Qld for a week in January.  After last year's heat wave in Ipswich, I vowed that I will no longer visit Ipswich in summer and give up the beach.  So Ipswich visits will happen outside of summer - sorry to all my Qld family and friends.  But with weather like this can you blame me for wanting to be at the beach.

Well this is my final blog post for #blog12daysxmas and I am proud to say that I blogged for a total of 36 days straight.  My goal for 2013 is to blog at least once a week.

So thank you to all who have followed me on my blogging challenge journey and I look forward to blogging each week and participating in any other blogging challenges that happen in 2013.

Blog December Post 25/Blog 12DaysofChristmas Post 1 - Initiative

Today's Destiny Card is Initiative.

Initiative:

The ability to assess and initiate things independently.

The power or opportunity to act or take charge before others do.

 

On the first of December I decided to take the initiative to challenge myself by blogging everyday of December.  I have noted some twitter friends of mine have taken the initiative to blog the 12 Days of Christmas - @jobeaz and @KRidwyn and I'm sure there are others on my twitter list that will join in - just look for #blog12daysxmas

 

I took part in #blog12daysxmas last year and found it an excellent initiative to force me to reflect on things - well at least for 12 days and that is what lead into #blogDecember for me this year - I wanted to see if I could go for more than 12 days.  So I am going to take the initiative and make my #blogDecember posts merge with #blog12daysxmas posts.

 

So on the first day of Christmas.... We took our guest, a very long time friend of my husbands, for a drive to Sawtell and Boambee (just South of Coffs Harbour and North of us at Urunga).  There are two great lookouts in these towns (suburbs of Coffs) that overlook the ocean and Sawtell has an ocean tidal pool.

 

 

(Photo above is the tidal pool at Sawtell)

 

From there we drove to the Coffs Harbour Jetty precient and went to the lookout there - it looks over the Jetty and Muttonbird Island.

 

(Photo above is looking over Coffs Harbour Jetty and Muttonbird Island)

We then went home and had a rather plain Christmas day lunch of toasted sandwiches and quickly drove 5 minutes up the road to Hungry Head beach for an afternoon swim.  We spent two hours splashing in the waves and it was a great way to finish Christmas day.

What I have found by having my husband's friend visit us, is that I'm getting to look at my backyard through fresh eyes and re-evaluating why we love living here.

As I sit here and hear the thunder roll off the mountains (and pray we will get some rain), I think how lucky I am to be living in this beautiful place.  Unfortunately we all have times where we get caught up in the stresses of work and economic pressure and forget to look around us and see what we have.

I have a beautiful family (who are all in good health) and we live in a beautiful place - what more could I ask for??!!  Merry Christmas everyone!!

(Photo above - me and my beautiful family)



 

Blog December Post 24 - Enthusiasm or lack of

Today's Destiny Card is Enthusiasm.

And today I unfortunately don't have the enthusiasm to blog.  There are absolutely no ideas coming to me about what to write.

All I can think of is that it is hot and we are going to go to the beach today - that's where my enthusiasm lays - at the beach.

I have always been enthusiastic about reading and libraries.  I finished reading Zoe's Muster by Barbara Hannay (great read by the way) and I'm looking at my other pile of books with little enthusiasm to start them.

And today, I can't even think about libraries with enthusiasm - I am on holidays and I need to let go because thinking about libraries leads me to think about work and I don't want to think about work these holidays.

I apologise for the lack of enthusiasm in this post but I suppose it is the holidays and it is Christmas eve and it is hot and I just want to go to the beach!!

Perhaps my enthusiasm for blogging and a great idea will pop into my head later!

Have a great day!