having two day weekends
sleeping in on one
canoodling on the other, or both
reading in bed
living really close to a farmers market
having bookshelves
with books
close to a park
fresh coffee in the morning
candles
a welsh corgie
a job that didn't take up former blessed free time
little herb and vegie garden
summer, again
or even spring
weekend newspapers
a wicked brunch place
good stereo
boots
more running shoes
a bike
fresh flowers
kisses
Monday, March 14, 2011
Sunday, March 13, 2011
When bloggers do good*
When Kate emailed us with the idea for Run4CHCH, I think I can speak for all of us when I say, we never thought it would take off the way it did, ever. We hoped we would get 100 people and raise $1000, never thinking we would hit the $ target less than 2 days after we let people know about it.
It's Sunday afternoon here in NZ, and on our fundraising site alone we've raised $8690.64 so far! And yes, we've moved our fundraising target :-)
This morning I headed off to meet up with Pip, Kate and Phil for our run in Wellington. It was a stunning morning, just a slight breeze, if that.
I met up with Pip then Kate and Phil - I'd never met either Kate or Phil before - and they were just lovely, seriously nice people - Pip is awesome too! I tend to get a bit tongue tied when meeting new people, so next time I probably be a lot more talkative :-) Although Phil and I did have a great chat whilst running, clearly me being the slower one it was cool of him to run with me and I was really happy that I was able to talk and run at the same time, once I worked out my breathing! From then on I could even answer in more than three words, and talk even more. We ran along along Oriental Bay and around the bays to the 2.5km turn around and then back. It was really nice and warm, and there were loads of people out running and cycling. Phil and Kate took some photos during the run - which I shall nab once they are up ;-)
I really enjoyed the run, because I normally run alone to train and with others during races, but I've never run and chatted with someone before for an extended amount of time, normally because they are faster than me! I really enjoyed it, and I am going to join a running group when I move to Toronto for sure. I don't know that many runners in Wellington, although it might be worth joining a group for winter training.
We then headed to the tugboat for a well earned chat and some food, which was awesome. None of my other mates run, or anything like that, so it was great to be able to chat about running, and cycling and that kind of stuff with people who have the same interests - usually any running chat is held during my pt session with my trainer so being able to talk with others was great!
I am personally really appreciative to all the bloggers I emailed that spread the word about Run4CHCH - And of course everyone else that supported us in the last few weeks. The response is something I don't think we ever expected, and it really has gone global
Thank you awesome people, thank you, thank you, thank you.
*super special thanks to Kate, Phil, Pip and Mike for being the best people they can be :-)
Saturday, March 12, 2011
Thursday, March 10, 2011
things i love thursday - the nz edition
le'esscience - Gillian's sleep blend is da bomb, along with her massages.
cheese english muffins - I only buy them twice a year, because it takes me less than 48 hours to get through a packet.
afghan biscuits - we never had bought biscuits growing up due to finances, home made biscuits could be found on holiday at my Nan's though. These are the only biscuits worthy, in my opinion, oh an maybe coconut cremes. (also bought around twice a year).
air new zealand - best airline ever. they have all these awesome deals, their staff are great (besides the one chewing gum on my flight from Dunedin a few weeks back). They have also just started introducing ginger cookies on their flights, very helpful if you suffer from motion sickness! If I wasn't moving, I would work for them*
wellington - it's farking hilly i tell you, but you know what after all that hill running that auckland bridge crossing during the marathon didn't bother me at all. I was like 'what steep section, where?' Also if you can run here, you can run anywhere - however i have never run in snow. But have almost been blown away by gale force winds whilst running several times, this is normal, and horizontal rain.
*I got the all clear to move to Canada! Late October/early November and I am all systems go to Toronto! I know no one there, so if you know a blogger, prospective flatmate or employer, let me know!
cheese english muffins - I only buy them twice a year, because it takes me less than 48 hours to get through a packet.
afghan biscuits - we never had bought biscuits growing up due to finances, home made biscuits could be found on holiday at my Nan's though. These are the only biscuits worthy, in my opinion, oh an maybe coconut cremes. (also bought around twice a year).
air new zealand - best airline ever. they have all these awesome deals, their staff are great (besides the one chewing gum on my flight from Dunedin a few weeks back). They have also just started introducing ginger cookies on their flights, very helpful if you suffer from motion sickness! If I wasn't moving, I would work for them*
wellington - it's farking hilly i tell you, but you know what after all that hill running that auckland bridge crossing during the marathon didn't bother me at all. I was like 'what steep section, where?' Also if you can run here, you can run anywhere - however i have never run in snow. But have almost been blown away by gale force winds whilst running several times, this is normal, and horizontal rain.
*I got the all clear to move to Canada! Late October/early November and I am all systems go to Toronto! I know no one there, so if you know a blogger, prospective flatmate or employer, let me know!
Tuesday, March 8, 2011
Autumn, operation organise and the weigh in that wasn't
It's Autumn here and the weather has changed in the last week or so to darker, cooler, wetter, a hint of months to come. Everything from now on gets busier and peaks around June, actually there are numerous busy peaks - I've got a marathon at the end of April, start my Japanese lessons in May,a half marathon mid June, my Japan trip in August and the busiest period of the working year from April through the end of June.
one of the views from my bedroom, the leaves have started to turn up in readiness for winter
I'm going to have to become much more organised, and I've come up with a list will hopefully might help - feel free to add anything to it, what helps you through winter? Keeping in mind NZ is lacking in double glazing, central heating and insulation!
- start making soups and freezing them for winter - got an awesome winter soup recipe? Do share!
- do the same for casseroles (and tasty leftovers for the next few weeks)
- make heaps of the ww granola i love, and try different oat recipes out
- get outside for lunch even if it's just to get a coffee or walk to the gym
- have more early morning starts, for some reason it tends not to rain before 6.30am, or at least it didn't last year during run training
- clean up the apartment for winter - we didn't spring clean this year, so I am going to find time to clean up the cupboards, reorganise things, and have a good clearout!
- buy an electric blanket
- buy some warm clothes, i always tend to be colder than I should be during winter, not sure why i make myself suffer through, but this year i'm determined to be warm! This year i'm going to get some boots, a wooly hat, a merino undershirt (or something similar), and some tights so I can wear skirts in winter too.
- knit a scarf or two, depends on my patience
Operation organise has begun - today, the pantry - well part of it.
I live in a three bedroom apartment, with two others. This means sharing communal space, including the pantry. I use two of the shelves, the one above and below the middle shelf. The bottom shelf has more communal stuff and things we can't fit on the other pantry shevles, like my housemates beloved iced tea!
before
We are also in the process of organising a baking shelf of sorts, it's a work in progress. Below is storage for wine, and the giant bag of onions I bought over the weekend - I'm always using onions, so thought I should get a bag this time.
It was good to tidy it up, I only thought I had one tomato tin, nope, I've got four! And heaps of garlic.
after - so much more space, and I can see what I have now, rather than guessing.
I also bought a cake carrier from tupperware a while back, as I kept baking for work and leaving plates there. When i'm not baking for work it makes and excellent storage container for pasta (no, i can't eat whole wheat pasta since I started longer runs - doesn't work with my system...) ,and rolled oats.
pasta and oat storage
And the weigh in that wasn't? I keep switching between my housemates scales and the ones and the gym, and they read a lot differently. So i'm sticking to the gym ones, and there won't be another weigh in until next Friday/Saturday - there is a semi special reason for that. The other reason is I have not tracked very much the last week or so, but either way from next week onward i'll be weighing in weekly on the one set of scales even if i've had an off week.
Part of this post was inspired by Phil and her pantry clean out and Kath and her Home Neat Home series.
I'm going to have to become much more organised, and I've come up with a list will hopefully might help - feel free to add anything to it, what helps you through winter? Keeping in mind NZ is lacking in double glazing, central heating and insulation!
- start making soups and freezing them for winter - got an awesome winter soup recipe? Do share!
- do the same for casseroles (and tasty leftovers for the next few weeks)
- make heaps of the ww granola i love, and try different oat recipes out
- get outside for lunch even if it's just to get a coffee or walk to the gym
- have more early morning starts, for some reason it tends not to rain before 6.30am, or at least it didn't last year during run training
- clean up the apartment for winter - we didn't spring clean this year, so I am going to find time to clean up the cupboards, reorganise things, and have a good clearout!
- buy an electric blanket
- buy some warm clothes, i always tend to be colder than I should be during winter, not sure why i make myself suffer through, but this year i'm determined to be warm! This year i'm going to get some boots, a wooly hat, a merino undershirt (or something similar), and some tights so I can wear skirts in winter too.
- knit a scarf or two, depends on my patience
Operation organise has begun - today, the pantry - well part of it.
I live in a three bedroom apartment, with two others. This means sharing communal space, including the pantry. I use two of the shelves, the one above and below the middle shelf. The bottom shelf has more communal stuff and things we can't fit on the other pantry shevles, like my housemates beloved iced tea!
We are also in the process of organising a baking shelf of sorts, it's a work in progress. Below is storage for wine, and the giant bag of onions I bought over the weekend - I'm always using onions, so thought I should get a bag this time.
It was good to tidy it up, I only thought I had one tomato tin, nope, I've got four! And heaps of garlic.
I also bought a cake carrier from tupperware a while back, as I kept baking for work and leaving plates there. When i'm not baking for work it makes and excellent storage container for pasta (no, i can't eat whole wheat pasta since I started longer runs - doesn't work with my system...) ,and rolled oats.
And the weigh in that wasn't? I keep switching between my housemates scales and the ones and the gym, and they read a lot differently. So i'm sticking to the gym ones, and there won't be another weigh in until next Friday/Saturday - there is a semi special reason for that. The other reason is I have not tracked very much the last week or so, but either way from next week onward i'll be weighing in weekly on the one set of scales even if i've had an off week.
Part of this post was inspired by Phil and her pantry clean out and Kath and her Home Neat Home series.
Sunday, March 6, 2011
On the other hand
In other news...
I am so much more findable via google now. Not that I have too much to be concerned with, besides my mini rant against the food bloggers, and meh break up posts, it's pretty PG around here.
I didn't track at all this past week, a combination of not getting to the supermarket, being away for work, and general disorganisation! Going to sort that this weekend - Lost another 2kg last week, so will report back with weigh in tomorrow.
I bought an awesome jacket for my tv debut - would have never normally looked at it, but needed something to wear as I had no red or black in my wardrobe. I'm in LOVE with the jacket. The girls in the shop were really helpful, and I'm happy they picked it out for me. My wardrobe is in need of an overhaul.
I've got a peroneal strain in my foot/leg. Not cool. I'm stuck on the bike at the moment, with a little bit of treadmill work. And alot of physio and exercises. Still on track for the marathon at the end of April. And will still be running/walking next weekend - at the back of the pack - come say hello!
I need some good winter recipes idea people?! No, it's not spring here :-(
I am so much more findable via google now. Not that I have too much to be concerned with, besides my mini rant against the food bloggers, and meh break up posts, it's pretty PG around here.
I didn't track at all this past week, a combination of not getting to the supermarket, being away for work, and general disorganisation! Going to sort that this weekend - Lost another 2kg last week, so will report back with weigh in tomorrow.
I bought an awesome jacket for my tv debut - would have never normally looked at it, but needed something to wear as I had no red or black in my wardrobe. I'm in LOVE with the jacket. The girls in the shop were really helpful, and I'm happy they picked it out for me. My wardrobe is in need of an overhaul.
I've got a peroneal strain in my foot/leg. Not cool. I'm stuck on the bike at the moment, with a little bit of treadmill work. And alot of physio and exercises. Still on track for the marathon at the end of April. And will still be running/walking next weekend - at the back of the pack - come say hello!
I need some good winter recipes idea people?! No, it's not spring here :-(
Saturday, March 5, 2011
Be Amazed, Be You.
Sometimes things happen that are completely unexpected. The run that Kate, Phil, Pip, Mike and I launched over a week ago has taken off. As you can see in my previous post, we hoped to raise $1000 and get 100 runners from all over the world. In just over a week we have managed to raise over $3500, and have had emails in from all over the world. We've been interviewed on the radio, done podcasts, had mentions in the newsprint, news websites, other bloggers have let their readers know about the run, and this morning I went on national tv live to talk about our little fundraiser. I think I can speak for the five of us and go we never expected this kind of response, and we are just thinking WOW.
I've been on tv once before, I think I was about six, my father initially trained as a tv cameraman, and one time they needed some children for a local commercial, nothing huge - for memory it may have been for a shopping centre. So I went along, had a chat to some people, whilst all the time being filmed, having no idea that I was - or more so unaware - I probably just thought they were setting up things, and then was that, commercial was filmed before I was aware it had started.
Today was a bit different, it was going to be live tv. I was nervous, very. But also knew the opportunity was HUGE. Pip came along with me and unfortunately wasn't able to be interviewed :-( But I am really glad she was able to come along, and be part of our tv efforts. We arrived and waited in reception briefly, before we were taken in and headed to makeup. I'd been sent instructions on clothing etc the day before, so knew they would touch up my makeup to make it tv ready, and adjust my curly hair. Everyone I met today was so welcoming, and made me feel at ease, I don't think i'll ever forget it.
Once my hair and make up was done, we headed to the green room, and I signed my release form and chatted to the other guests and staff. The guy that would be interviewing us came in to introduce himself and have a bit of a chat. Again, he put us all at ease, was very friendly, and genuine - I'm going to write them all a letter this week.
Time passed quickly and the stage manager came out to get us, and soon enough I was standing on the edge of the set with the sound technician getting my microphone on, and just pumping about the whole thing. The cameras looked light - although i'm sure they are not! Everyone was calm, chatty and friendly. The set was sparser than I expected, and it was all very surreal! Soon enough we were sitting on the couch getting sorted and our positions correct, and then it was all go. The co-host said we would on in total for about 8 minutes - and it would fly, and that it did.
And it went just fine!
I don't think i've ever had such a hit of adrenaline - as soon as we went off air after the interview ended, it just hit, it's only just starting to drop off. Pip couldn't shut me up the entire drive back into Wellington!
When I took up blogging years ago, I don't think I could have ever anticipated the opportunities or insights it gave me. I blogged about a lot of aspects of my life, and met some amazing people both in person, and online. Today also proved that if you do anything, do what you love and you are passionate about and the rest will follow.
And one other thing, don't ever hold yourself back from doing something because of your weight, ever. I admit late last night I did think that maybe it would stupid of me to represent the five of us on tv, because I didn't 'look' like a runner. And well, that's just crap. I am a runner, I may be slow, but I am a runner.
Today, I think I may have finally realised what i'm capable of, and what other people are capable of too. YOU are capable of anything, and I really do mean anything.
Follow your dreams, your heart, and your passions, and you'll take yourself to places you never imagined, and trust me, you'll never look back.
I've been on tv once before, I think I was about six, my father initially trained as a tv cameraman, and one time they needed some children for a local commercial, nothing huge - for memory it may have been for a shopping centre. So I went along, had a chat to some people, whilst all the time being filmed, having no idea that I was - or more so unaware - I probably just thought they were setting up things, and then was that, commercial was filmed before I was aware it had started.
Today was a bit different, it was going to be live tv. I was nervous, very. But also knew the opportunity was HUGE. Pip came along with me and unfortunately wasn't able to be interviewed :-( But I am really glad she was able to come along, and be part of our tv efforts. We arrived and waited in reception briefly, before we were taken in and headed to makeup. I'd been sent instructions on clothing etc the day before, so knew they would touch up my makeup to make it tv ready, and adjust my curly hair. Everyone I met today was so welcoming, and made me feel at ease, I don't think i'll ever forget it.
Once my hair and make up was done, we headed to the green room, and I signed my release form and chatted to the other guests and staff. The guy that would be interviewing us came in to introduce himself and have a bit of a chat. Again, he put us all at ease, was very friendly, and genuine - I'm going to write them all a letter this week.
Time passed quickly and the stage manager came out to get us, and soon enough I was standing on the edge of the set with the sound technician getting my microphone on, and just pumping about the whole thing. The cameras looked light - although i'm sure they are not! Everyone was calm, chatty and friendly. The set was sparser than I expected, and it was all very surreal! Soon enough we were sitting on the couch getting sorted and our positions correct, and then it was all go. The co-host said we would on in total for about 8 minutes - and it would fly, and that it did.
And it went just fine!
I don't think i've ever had such a hit of adrenaline - as soon as we went off air after the interview ended, it just hit, it's only just starting to drop off. Pip couldn't shut me up the entire drive back into Wellington!
When I took up blogging years ago, I don't think I could have ever anticipated the opportunities or insights it gave me. I blogged about a lot of aspects of my life, and met some amazing people both in person, and online. Today also proved that if you do anything, do what you love and you are passionate about and the rest will follow.
And one other thing, don't ever hold yourself back from doing something because of your weight, ever. I admit late last night I did think that maybe it would stupid of me to represent the five of us on tv, because I didn't 'look' like a runner. And well, that's just crap. I am a runner, I may be slow, but I am a runner.
Today, I think I may have finally realised what i'm capable of, and what other people are capable of too. YOU are capable of anything, and I really do mean anything.
Follow your dreams, your heart, and your passions, and you'll take yourself to places you never imagined, and trust me, you'll never look back.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)