August update

Things have been busy for me in the last month - more time at work, more time running and less time blogging. That's why I thought I'd share some highlights of the last couple of weeks.

1. A new toy.

Our rice cooker recently had a meltdown and committed suicide in fairly dramatic fashion. I knew he (she?) wouldn't be long for this world the day I bought him...for $9! This time around, I opted for a device that could do more than just steam rice and bought a pretty sexy five-in-one contraption that steams, pressure cooks, slow cooks, fries...and has some soup function that I'll never use (this one's definitely a "she"!). We've been experimenting with the slow and pressure cook functions over the last few weeks. Highlights have included flaked lamb shank ragout, a slow-cooked American-inspired chicken dish (that was, among other things, cooked in pickle juice!) and a Moroccan lamb stew (pictured).

2. More cycling.

We have enjoyed some warmer weather down in Melbourne and my beloved and I have seized the opportunity to squeeze some more cycling into our lives.

Bikes pictured in Southbank, Melbourne.

3. Markets. 

We're about to head overseas for a few weeks (fear not - there'll be updates, as always!) and find markets to be great places to stock up on presents for our OS pals. Locally made products always seem to please....not to mention the benefits for the shopper - sunny weather, beautiful scenery and crepes smothered in Nutella!

Images from the Southbank Sunday market, Melbourne.

Three month recap

In early August (my last blog post), I marvelled at the fact that it had been 6 weeks since I had last blogged. I hate to say it - it's now been 15 weeks since my last post - over 3 months. Wow. I could pull out all the excuses at this point and claim I have been too busy...and, well, the truth is I have. But that's no fun. Instead, I'll share with you some of the fun bits of "busy" and assure you that normal blogging will resume as of right now. Here goes:

Garden

In August, we started to get our garden ready for Spring. Basically, for complete amateurs like us, this meant planting fruit and veggies and throwing down some mulch. We're currently growing strawberries, tomatoes, lemons, oranges, zucchini, chilli, garlic, avocado, passionfruit and a whole host of herbs. Having moved into a house with a beautiful established garden, we just couldn't bring ourselves to rip out a garden bed to make room for a veggie patch. Instead we've dotted our edibles around the garden in various pots and baskets. I'm pretty happy with the results.

Study

I'm proud to announce that I have finally finished my MBA after 5 long years. Gone are the days where I whine about the pressures of study. Welcome back life!

Travel

The twelve months or so to mid-year were very much filled with jet-setting adventures. Since then, I've kept things pretty small scale and enjoyed some time with friends in beautiful Paynesville.

Food

After completing a chocolate-making class, I'm honing my chocolatier skills - oh yes, everyone is getting choccies this Christmas!

I've also been increasingly dabbling (with the help of my beloved) in the art of barbecue and general carnivorous behaviour (look away now vegetarians!). Our most recent exploit: slow-cooked, sticky pork ribs.

Fun stuff

Weddings

My beautiful best friend was married in early November. She opted for the most amazing wedding cake - not only a delight to look at, but a delight to eat! Check out the Three Sweet Treats webpage if you're interested in celebrating an occasion with a delicious work of art.

Girly stuff

Did you know that there's such a thing as magnetic nail polish? Well, there is. (The things you learn when you no longer have to study!) By holding a magnet to your fingernail as the polish is drying, one can create some pretty funky nail art...well, pretty funky for a first time user, at least!

Chilling out

At the end of the day, there's nothing better than coming home, putting up your feet and getting some kitty love!

Article...on me!

I've been reading the very talented and witty Charlotte's Great Fitness Experiment for at least a couple of years. The girl is hilarious, honest and can contort herself into a mean pretzel-like configurations! When she tweeted a couple of weeks back to ask if anyone had tried hypnosis for weight loss, I jumped at the opportunity to discuss my "hypno" experiences. Little did I know (okay, I totally did know, but thought it would be fun!) that the story would be picked up by Shape magazine. So here you go, guys - the wonderful Charlotte on hypnosis, weight loss and yours truly can be read here*.
[EDIT: I've had a number of people contact me to ask about my hypnotherapist. If you're in the Melbourne area and interested, check out her website]

*FYI: the totally knobby looking photo of moi was taken at Playa de la Concha, San Sebastian. For those who are interested, you can read about our time in San Seb here and here.  

Action

December 13 – Action 
When it comes to aspirations, it’s not about ideas. It’s about making ideas happen. What’s your next step? 
(Author: Scott Belsky)


I'm sorry folks, I just can't deal with another inward looking post. I'm a well-balanced, happy person and have been feeling almost interrogated by the last few reverb10 prompts. Please allow me to use this:

...and, for shits and giggles, this:

Thanks for your understanding! 

Body integration

December 12 – Body Integration
This year, when did you feel the most integrated with your body? Did you have a moment where there wasn’t mind and body, but simply a cohesive YOU, alive and present? 
(Author: Patrick Reynolds)


Oh dear, we have another navel gazing prompt today...but hey, at least y'all got some gingerbreads between my self reflection, right?! 
I'm not sure I can recall a moment when my mind and body felt totally integrated in 2010. However, one event comes to mind when I think about this topic. It occurred during a few hours of pampering (facial, massage, hair treatment etc...bliss!) at a local day spa. During the facial, I recall feeling so relaxed that it were as if my mind and body were totally physically disconnected. In contemporary literature, when we read about people dying, analogies of people's souls floating above their body are often employed. While I was in no way (I hope!!) close to death, I did feel as if I was having a bit of an "out of body" experience. There's nothing like a day spa to reach new heights of relaxation!

11 (three!) things

December 11 – 11 Things 
What are 11 things your life doesn’t need in 2011? How will you go about eliminating them? How will getting rid of these 11 things change your life? 
(Author: Sam Davidson)


These prompts are getting more serious by the day! I have to say that I'm pretty content in life and really cannot identify "11 things" that I'd like to eliminate. Three is all I can muster at this point in time. I'm also not sure that I can be bothered going into how I will go about eliminating these "things" from my life and I think that any changes to my life as a consequence of their elimination are fairly self-evident (i.e. work it out for yourself!). So, here goes - 11 (or three!) things I want to eliminate:


1. Embarrassment at my achievements - I am fairly kick ass in an academic sense, but constantly downplay my intelligence, fearing that people will regard me as conceited. However, I am aware that there is a way to balance pride in one's skills and modesty. (N.B. On re-reading of this point, I realise that it's hard to believe someone could be embarrassed by their achievements and describe themselves as "kick ass" in the same line...oops!)


2. Pessimism - My beloved Magpies may be ten goals up (60 points for all you non-AFL fans out there) with only five minutes of game time remaining, but in my mind, there's still a very real possibility that they will lose. This approach can, at times, spill over into other aspects of my life. I suppose a negative approach guarantees that if the worst does indeed eventuate I will be prepared. On the other hand, it makes for rather miserable footy viewing companion!


3. Taking things personally - I have moved forward in leaps and bounds in this area in 2010, thanks to a dear friend recommending this book. Now, I'm really not one for self help books, but this really is a little gem (and, incidentally, isn't what I'd consider a conventional self-help book). Essentially, Ruiz's idea is that nothing others say or do is because of you - rather, their words and actions are a projection of their own reality. This realisation has certainly had an effect on my people pleasing antics and I would like to further cement the notion in my mind in the coming year. 


So there you have it, folks - the three "things" I need to work on eliminating in 2011. I feel as if I'm getting worse at this reverb10 business as the days of December tick over. I hope I'm not boring any of my readers - my sincere apologies if this is the case. You will be pleased to know that my next post will feature gingerbread...so hang in there! 

Beautifully different

December 8 – Beautifully Different. 
Think about what makes you different and what you do that lights people up. Reflect on all the things that make you different – you’ll find they’re what make you beautiful. 
(Author: Karen Walrond) 


I have agonised over this topic for a number of hours and think it may warrant a focus group, which is not only extremely self-indulgent, but would take far too much of my time! After asking a number of friends and receiving an array of answers ranging from "You don't make me hate you" (always a good sign coming from a friend, right?!), "You're an educated Collingwood supporter with all your teeth" (astounding, right?!) and my beloved's "your bum" (yes, it is disproportionally "ample"), I decided to trawl through the archives of my brain for some sort of idea. 


After a big meal accompanied by a few beers and a cider (a girl needs her inspiration after all!) I recalled a comment printed in my high school yearbook, which was written by a school friend who remains a very close girlfriend to this day. In the annual review of the school year, each completing student was individually pictured along with a "girl most likely to..." caption. Captions typically appealed to the 18-year-old female psyche - "Girl most likely to marry an oil tycoon" and "Girl most likely to breed echidnas as domestic pets" - that sort of thing. 


However, I think that my friend may have pinpointed one thing that makes me different when she provided my caption - "Girl most likely to be right...even when she isn't". While the statement could, in part, be attributed to my debating abilities, I think it also describes my strong sense of justice and the passion with which I defend those people and things that I care about. Although this description may lead some to believe that I'm a stubborn, argumentative type, I don't think that is entirely correct. I am very open to new ideas and diverse opinions, but I am strongly passionate about my family, friends, cat babies and a number of more general issues that lie close to my heart. 
To be perfectly honest, I don't really feel like venturing into navel gazing territory on why this may or may not make me beautiful (if you are even still reading!). Instead, I'll leave you with what I think is a very pertinent quote by artist Peter McIntyre:

"Confidence comes not from always being right but from not fearing to be wrong"