The toe

An Inconvenient Truth

December 23rd, 2007

I finally got round to watching an inconvenient truth yesterday (and yes, I did fall asleep during parts - but I got the jist).

This has once again inspired me to be more environmentally conscience and active. I want my kids to understand how they affect the world and how they can make a difference.

Go on - save our planet - you can do it!

http://actnow.com.au/Themes/Environment.aspx?sort=alpha

Posted in MY Opinion, MY Way | Comments Off

Midwife Wisdom, Mother Love

October 31st, 2007

A great book by Sarah James, a midwife and mother of four.

Sarah’s honest account of her own labours give me the confidence to not only demand a natural, active labour as well as to actually do it! It makes you realise, you can be in control!

A great read!

Posted in My Book Club, MY Opinion | 2 Comments »

Is a tan worth it?

September 13th, 2007

Saddened by the news that 26 year old, Clare Oliver lost her battle with skin cancer today, reduced me to tears.

For me, her tragic and avoidable death raises 2 questions:

1. Why does it take a tragedy like this for the government to crackdown on solariums, when it has already been proven that solariums are dangerous?? In a NSW health fact sheet on solariums found online states:

‘Using a solarium is not a safe way to tan. A solarium tan will not protect your skin against skin cancer. In fact, using a solarium can result in serious damage to your skin. Solariums are enclosed sun beds built with light tubes that emit UVA and UVB radiation from above and below your body. Even small doses of UVA and UVB damage the skin, contribute to the ageing process, and can cause skin cancer.

The national organisation responsible for setting practice standards (Australian New Zealand Standards) has released operating guidelines for solariums AS/NZS2635:2002 Solaria for cosmetic purposes. The new standard restricts operators from advertising their product as being safe or healthy and bans use of solariums by young people under the age of 15, requiring written parental permission for under 18-year-olds. It also warns customers to avoid the use of unsupervised solariums.

NSW Health does not recommend using solariums. If you choose to use a solarium, think carefully about all the risks. Solarium operators must provide you with correct information about the risks and ask you to sign a consent form before use. If you are unclear about the risks, or feel uncomfortable with what the operator tells you, it is strongly recommended that you opt not to use the solarium.’

We’ve known for a while that they are not safe, yet solariums have been given free rein to advertise and promote their sun beds as well as offering 20 sessions for the price of 10 and actively encouraging customers to use sun beds every second day and use speed cream - this was the advice and promotion that would ultimately end Clare’s life.

2. Is having a tan really worth it? Potentially cutting your life short, enduring surgeries which can leave scars (I have a couple myself!) and prematurely aging yourself… Clare Oliver said she was at peace with herself and she’d lived her 25 years (barely 26) - but what choice did she have but to be at peace with herself, her decisions and her short life?

Posted in MY Opinion | No Comments »

We’re having a baby!!

September 5th, 2007

That’s right, my little family will become three in early 2008.

Pat and I are over the moon with joy and each week brings something new and exciting - a bigger belly, weird cravings, an energy burst (still waiting!!), but whatever comes our way, I’m happy to be sharing this time with my amazing husband.

My posts may become even more emotional now than ever (blame it on the pregnancy hormones) but I will try to visit a little more regularly now that the morning (all day) sickness is passing and the tiredness seems to be easing.

Currently, I am 13 weeks and bub measured 7cm (CRL - crown to rump length). Seeing our bubba on screen reduced me to tears - although I’ve come to accept that I can now start crying over nothing these days (something Pat finds so funny!). NT scan results were all great and now we’re looking forward to our 19 week scan in October - can’t wait to see our little pudding again.

Click here to see our first baby pic (ultrasound scan)

Posted in MY Opinion, MY Way, MY Life | 1 Comment »

The Unexpected Elements of Love

August 13th, 2007

I have just finished reading my latest novel, The Unexpected Elements of Love by Kate Legge - this being her first novel. Kate is an award winning journalist who lives in Australia. The novel is based in Sydney - which is quite nice as I actually knew of the area she writes about - that doesn’t happen very often!

The book is based around two families in very different stages of life and love. The way it is written, makes you fall in love with the characters and at times, grab them by the shoulders and shake them violently enough to make them see sense.

Overall, a good read and one that is recommended.

Posted in My Book Club, MY Opinion | 1 Comment »

Fabulous Nobodies

August 8th, 2007

I just finished reading Fabulous Nobodies by Lee Tulloch, a Melbourne-born writer.

Based around a character Reality Nirvana, who lives and breathes fashion…her only aim is to be fabulous. A sensational book with great detail.

Truely inspirational to those trakkie-wearing, no time for makeup, forgot to do the hair, any old dress will do kinda girls. It reminds you to take pride in how you look (not to the extent that Reality does), but you do start to realise, that people do take notice of how you look and for me…well, let’s just say, I don’t want to be remembered for some of my latest looks.

It pays to look good - and you know what they say - look good, feel good.
Definitely worth a read, and if you’re like me, you’ll get through this book within a couple of days :)

I’m quite keen to read some of the other work published by Lee after ‘Fabulous Nobodies’ which was her first book published.

Posted in My Book Club, MY Opinion | No Comments »

Red Kite Colour Ball - 4th August!!

July 18th, 2007

The annual Red Kite Ball is on again in 2 weeks. It’s a great cause and a great night out! Don’t miss out - buy your tickets now.

Eight years ago, eight young professionals had 1 big idea: they wanted to throw a fresh, vibrant and memorable party that would make a difference to the lives of children with cancer. This is how The Colour Ball was born.

In the eight years since its inception, the Y4K Colour Ball has raised an incredible $500,000, and thanks to the help of great sponsors, this year’s Solid Gold Ball promises to be bigger than ever before.

Saturday 4 August 2007, 7pm until midnight

Foundation Hall, Museum of Contemporary Art
140 George Street
The Rocks
Sydney

Visit the website for more info about Red Kite and the Ball:
www.redkite.org.au/colourball

Posted in MY Way, MY Work | No Comments »

The Wind in the Willows

July 16th, 2007

I have been trying to read The Wind in the Willows for a couple of weeks now and I just can’t get into it.

I have decided that it is time to accept that I am not going to read the book…so I dropped it into the library and am onto my next book.

Anyone else have issues reading Wind in the Willows?

Posted in My Book Club | No Comments »

Shindlers List

July 9th, 2007

I watched the movie Shindlers List on the weekend…just to get a different perspective of the war. I’ve seen it before (ages ago) and I remembered the little girl with the red coat and some other horrifying moments, but I couldn’t remember the whole story.

Shindlers story is remarkable, although I can’t help but remember that he did start out as a war profiteer. None-the-less, he risked alot and did plenty to save about 1200 people from death.

Please remember though, not only the Jewish per persecuted during the war. Gypsies, mentally and physically disabled people, Soviet POWs, homosexuals, Jehovah’s Witnesses, social democrats, communists, partisans, trade unionists etc were also killed in the war. It’s also the saddest fact that over 1.5 million children were killed during the war.

I think it’s really sad that there is a word for it. Genocide. It doesn’t really sound as terrible as what it means, but don’t you think it’s sad that we have a word that describes mass killings based on religious, etical, racial or national reasons?

Next I shall watch the Anne Frank movie and read the book. Not sure why I’m doing this to myself…war of any kind really disgusts me, especially WWII. But I’ve started on this journey now and I have to finish it.

Posted in My Book Club, MY Opinion | No Comments »

When I grow up….

July 2nd, 2007

I want to own my own business…that way I can do as I please. Pat and I have worked out that I need to be my own boss and work the way I want. I am particularly stubborn and strong headed. I am also passionate and loyal and always up for a challenge…so I am also great to work with :)

For now though, I’m happy to have a boss and not own the company - mainly because I’m not quite sure what kind of business I want to own and run and no-where near having the capital to set it up!

Anyway - watch this space!