It’s been 4 1/2 days, and we haven’t stopped. The trip culminating today with a climb on the Great Wall of China – as we made it to tower 23 there were cheers and smiles all round, even exchanged by strangers. Such a feeling of satisfaction and achievement. It was breathtaking – in both senses of the word.
I have travelled a lot, and this experience rates amongst the best for me so far.
My good friend Alicia Curtis recently shared the following TED talk from Susan Cain with the readers of her blog (check out her post Time for deep thought).
It touched me so much that I thought I would share with you, dear reader.
I have always been an introvert, so Susan’s talk really resonated with me. Throughout the entire 19 minute talk, I just kept thinking:
‘this is me…this is how I have felt, acted, been treated, lived, and now where I find myself – reconnecting with books, with quiet time, with my thoughts and myself…and I no longer feel guilty for it.’
If you can spare 19 minutes, I ask you to watch Susan’s talk.
The world needs introverts.
We have arrived and embarked on our first eating out attempt today.
We were doing well thinking we ordered chicken. But when it got to our table, I suspected we had ordered intestines. I’m ok with food, but not offal!
We’ve recently joined the ranks of parents who get up ultra early on a Sunday morning to take their kids to sport.
Den’s son has wanted to play football (Aussie Rules) for about 2 years, and so this year we finally enrolled him.
Of course, we didn’t think about the early Sunday mornings! But, it is so worth it to see the little guy out there having fun – and to actually hear him say that he wants to go to bed on a Saturday night as he ‘has a game in the morning’.
I also think Denis is especially enjoying getting in the mix with the coaches and the team.
We are so proud 
although I must admit it wiped me out for the entire day!
Yesterday I posted a health update, and today I realised I forgot to tell you the BEST bit (yes – even better than the sans 10 kilos!).
My biological age is down from 33 to 22! How awesome is that
Me at 22
I just wish my knees and hips felt like they were 22 again…and how long was my hair!? My lord!
It’s been a while since I’ve given you an update on my health, and what better time to do so than following my most recent appointment (check out the post ‘The Allergy Tests Are In’ for some background).
Yesterday afternoon I popped in to see my naturopath (Michelle) to get the results of allergy test #4, to get my measurements taken and my new batch of natural remedies.
All I can say is ‘yippee’!
Michelle was actually quite shocked when she first saw me – in a good way that is. She said I looked so incredibly healthy – like a new woman. She says all the nice things
The test results were, once again, good. I’m consistently improving, which is fabulous. My diet is still quite limited, but I can now eat a few more things and it’s getting easier to handle.
Great news is that my eczema has totally cleared up, my hair is healthy, my circulation is better, the bloating has decreased and the pain is pretty much gone (unless I cheat with my diet). My sinuses are heaps better, I’m not getting many leg cramps, I can think more clearly…oh and I have officially lost 10 kilos, and shrunk pretty much all over…sad to say that I’ve lost 4cm’s from my chest. Poor Denis 
and poor me as almost all of my clothes no longer fit me! I know…I have nothing to complain about
The fatigue is still a killer, but as Michelle says, after years of extreme stress it will take my body a while to recover. Again I can’t complain with the progress I have made in 5 months.
I am a new woman…with a size 10 ass and slim legs I’ve never had slim legs before. I like it!
After a bit of a hiatus, I’ve been trying hard to get out and about with the camera at every opportunity I can to practice.
My latest experiment has been with movement, and what better opportunity than a rally drive!
This was last years christmas present to Denis, and he enjoyed it thoroughly. And to be honest – so did I!
There is nothing like the grumble of cars through your body, dirt and adrenalin…and I was just watching!
Of course, catching it on camera was a challenge!
Myself and Denis would highly recommend the experience.
If in Australia, you can purchase an experience, amongst many more, at adrenalin.com.au.
If you need any more tempting, check this out:
A few weeks back I shared with you the song / music video ‘Unpretty’ by TLC.
In response to the post, the lovely Joy Page Manuel who blogs at Catharsis, shared with me this song by India Arie. It’s titled ‘Video’. I had never heard it before but have fallen in love with the song! The verse I especially like is this one:
When I look in the mirror and the only one there is me
Every freckle on my face is where it’s suppose to be
And I know my creator didn’t make no mistakes on me
My feet, my thighs, my Lips, my eyes, I’m loving what I see.
My lovely friend Monica Choo recently got me onto Instagram, and I’ve been enjoying taking a few snapshots with my iPhone whilst out and about. I’m especially enjoying it because of it’s randomness, which is encouraging my randomness in photo taking.
Here are some of my faves so far:
Pic 1: I took this whilst lying in bed, delaying the inevitable getting out of said bed. These are our bedroom lights. I have no idea how long the third light has been out for?! I guess we should replace the light bulb one day…or actually install the new light fittings we bought over a year ago.
Pic 2: One of the three frangipani trees I am so proud to have growing in our front yard. I love frangipani’s. They remind me of summer!
Pic 3: I went for a walk on my lunch break a few weeks ago and took this pic by the river in a suburb called Guildford.
Pic 4: This pic is of my Mum and I spending An Evening on The Green, waiting for her fave singer Jon Stevens (and his band Noiseworks) to entertain us (amongst other Aussie bands such as my childhood have 1927 – Mum was trying to get me to get their autograph but I had a shyness attack…). We had a blast, and Mum got to shake Jon’s hand AND get his autograph!
Good thing is that I haven’t yet become addicted to Instagram, but I suppose the potential is always there! Oh, and if you are on Instragram, connect with me (I’m @neanster77).
It’s been a while since I’ve shared with you some of my photos, because I’ve been insanely busy.
Sitting here on the couch with the flu, I’ve been forced to stop…which has given me a little time (once I could lift my head off the pillow) to have a little play.
This is a before and after my attempts at editing. Tell me what you think.
