kateonthenogo

KateOnTheNoGo - Shutting Down

2009-01-18T07:51:00.003+11:00

Dear Friends,

KateOnTheNoGo has posted her final post.

Dont be concerned. For all of my known regular readers, I will be contacting you individually to let you know my new blog address.

For all of my unknown or unrecognised regular readers, please contact me at kateeighty@gmail.com for the new address.

Thank you all for following my journey.

K x

The Hardest Day of My Life

2009-01-17T19:23:00.008+11:00

The alarm rang in my ear loudly. It startled me but then the reality set in. It was 5am and it was time to get up. Bags to check, protein shakes to drink, toast to eat, endurance race to run. I sat on the edge of my bed, listening as my race partner was downstairs pacing the kitchen. I wondered what it was that drove me to do something like this - the fun? the opportunity to meet people? the challenge? The reasons would not come to me. It was still dark outside and my thoughts were still back with the pillow, wondering what it would feel like just to lie down one more time... just for a couple of minutes.

I couldn't. I needed to get up. I stood up and felt a twinge in my right thigh. I wondered whether it would be a problem in the coming hours. I then realised that a twinge would no doubt soon be a burning sensation, not just in my right leg but my whole entire body.

These were the thoughts that entered my mind - and I was not even out of the bedroom yet.

Team Adventure Crabs (our team name) dropped our bikes off at the transition field and then drove a further 10km back to the registration park. There were buses there to take up back up to the starting gate. First though, were needed to sign in and receive our maps - the first time we were to see our planned route, at least for Stage 1 of the Race.

We immediately had to get to work. You see, all we were give was a map with the letters from A - J on it. The letters were spread out in a vast, dense piece of bush. It was our task to reach each of those letters and get to the "exit" of Stage 1 as quickly as possible. You did not need to reach each of the letters in any order. The idea was to develop a strategy to get each of them or else suffer a time penalty. We had to decide whether we were to take on Stage 1 on foot (making it, in essense, a trail run) or attempt to design a track to take our mountain bikes with us. This would allow us to gain as much distance on the bikes between the letters - as long as we did not pick a route which exposed us to a "technical route" (ie. almost like a black diamond run equivalent in mountain biking terms). We had to consider which way would be the best, which way may require us to carry our mountain bikes (if it got too technical for us) or whether we got to certain points, dropped our mountain bikes and ran into the technical area to grab the letter and run back. We had little under an hour to decide what we were going to do. We soon resolved that we were just going to take our mountain bikes in and hope for the best.

We were lucky enough to have a couple of supporters (my wonderful mother and wonderful aunty) come along to keep our spirits high as we watched the other competitors arrive. It was pretty clear that there were some very serious adventure racers and athletes and we decided then that we were just best to go at our own pace and just enjoy the event. Out of 100 teams, there were only 5 all female teams.

A couple of checks of the bike, the pumping up of tyres (the one thing i forgot to do the night before!) and another laugh and chat with Team Crab Cheer Squad (mum and aunty) and we were just about ready to begin. It was so wonderful for my mum to be there - on her birthday!!!

Everyone gathered to receive their pre-race instructions but it was clear that everyone was more focused on working out a way to get to the letters quicker than anyone else. It was a concern for a lot of people that the most popular (and more accessible) letters to obtain would be grabbed first, creating a possible bottleneck. Joy (my partner) and I decided that we would take a somewhat alternative route and take a chance. By now, you aren't thinking about how much pain you are about to endure. You are wanting the start to arrive so that you can put your plan into action. And then it was ready, set, go....

We started off and soon realised that a lot of people had the same idea as us. This didnt matter to us - we were happy to hold on and wait up the back than get caught up in the barging and pushing amongst the all man (more serious) competitors. Soon enough, we were on our way.

While some decided to trail run to a couple of letters, Joy and I decided that we would train run to collect our "control card" (ie. the card that you had to mark the letters on) and then race back to get our bikes. This proved to be a fairly sensible decision, because it meant that we could avoid the big boys belting down the trails.

Joy and I emerged from the 800m sprint to the control card and headed straight to our bikes. I felt a little average after the first 800m and began to wonder whether i would really be up for the entire race.

However, I was cheered on by Team Crab's cheer squad once more and decided that quitting was not going to be an option. I hadn't trained hard just to quit now. And I was about to get on a bike - the leg which i knew i would feel more comfortable on than any of the others (kayak, run).

Joy and I grabbed our bikes and off we went. It felt good to be on the bike and I must say, riding a mountain bike is a far more comfortable ride than the carbon fibre road bike. The wheels are far thicker, and there is suspension. This suspension would prove invaluable in the hours ahead, due to the technical MTB trails that we were about to face.

I gave the supporters one more wave and then it was head down. This was when it started to get tough.

Joy and I were gone at least 2 -3 hours. The orienteering was tough, the trails were, at the beginning, hard to find. We soon got into a rhythm and slowly marked each of the letters off from our control card. We opted to jog down a number of the technical trails, with the more experienced men on the MTBs absolutely flying down past us. These guys seriously had no fear - and they all wanted to be first at the very end.

Joy and I were very proud of our efforts, having managed to get all of the letters and make our way out and back down to the Stage 1 bike transition to Stage 2 (the run/kayak leg). The first 50 people to arrive were to run first, and the last 50 were to kayak first. Lets just say we were closer to 100th than we were 1st so we were required to jump in a kayak first.

Before we went off onto the kayak though, we had to plot the map of Stage 2. The map and location of the markers #1 - #17 were mapped out on the blackboard and we had to quickly transfer them onto our map.

It was pretty clear from the way I felt that this was going to be a long day. I had already used up my 2 litres of water plus the 1 litre of gatorade and I wasnt sure where i was going to get more water from. I was cranky, my blood sugar levels were down, and my legs were throbbing. The competitive streak had kicked in and I was frustrated that we were in the last group of people to reach Stage 2. Its so hard having this competitive streak whilst being just a beginner at the sport.

Nevertheless, Joy (who was so good at keeping my spirits high throughout the whole event) hurried me along and we made our way into the bush doing a quick 1km run to the kayaks. This was to be the last time we would see the Team Crab Supporters for a further 3 or so hours (hence no photos).

I would say that the 3 hours that followed were the hardest 3 hours of my life. While the kayaking gave the legs a rest, it required a lot of cardio and upper body strength. The kayaks were hard to control, as they did not have a keel, so we found ourselves zig zagging. With a little bit of patience and a whole lot of might, we managed to get into a rhythm and slowly make our way almost 3-4 km up the wide Nepean River. It certainly didnt help with water skiers and jet skis flying past us, creating waves which rocked the kayak.

The end of the kayak leg felt like it would never come but it did. We clambered out of the boats and began the "Trek".

This is when you begin to learn so much about your body. While your legs are screaming and your heart is poundering, you find yourself in this "space" mentally where you know that if you keep running with one foot in front of the other, you will cope. It was hard to trek and keep out for the numbers at the same time. The numbers were often concealed by dense bush and on a couple of occasions we nearly missed them.

Just as we were getting into a good rhythm, the trail stopped and we found ourselves in amongst a massive Gorge. Cliffs were as high as sky scraper buildings, the glare of the sun pounding down on us, and we had a rocky landscape to navigate. The only way we knew we'd eventually get back home was if we stuck close to the river. By now, we had picked up another team of 2, and we ended up trekking with them for much of the way back. When I say way back, I mean nearly 2 hours of traversing boulders, through the river, through dense bush and often, up steep inclines. We later found out that one of the male competitors had broken their leg at this point. Looking back, it simply amazes me how those men would have sprinted across this landscape in the time that they did it. It defies belief.

At this point, you want to go home. However home is nowhere in sight. Cliffs in the distance, running water and just a whole lot of rocks. Your ankles hurt from the constant impact of going up and down the boulders. Your knees hurt every time you land. Your palms hurt from pushing bushes away. Your eyes hurt from the glare. Your neck hurts from the strain of climbing. Your quads hurt because they are doing much of the work. It is at this point that your mind starts wandering and you often misstep because you are tired. On occasion, one of us would slip and fall but on each occasion, we willed the other to get back up. This is when you do most of your complaining. You ask yourself "why did i do this?" You swear that you will never do something so stupid ever again. You angrily snap at your partner when they say even the slightest thing. Dehydration kicks in. You want to give up, but you realise that you actually cannot get out - you have to just keep following the river.

By now we had received 12 numbers, with only 5 to go. We look across the river to find number 13 and realise that there were two options. Either take the long way around the river to get to the other side, or it is up to one of the team members to swim across. Having never been afraid of water since birth, i did not hesitate to take the gear off, shoes off and dive in. Getting to the other side of the river and up onto the rocks was the hardest thing to do. Your shoulders are aching because of the kayaking. Your legs are screaming because of the mountain biking and trekking but the water is cool enough to give some relief, even if it would be temporary.

Once i had to get the wet socks and shoes on, i realised that this would make it more difficult to run. Wet socks and shoes create blisters on the feet and they came quickly thereafter. The end was near but it seemed so far away.

The last leg was one final kayak of about 1.5km - some five and a half hours later, we were heading home. And this was when the mind and body seems ready to fail. Thankfully, my partner was far the strongest out of the two of us, and she continued to push me right to the end. I had never felt exhaustion like this before. All i could think of was "what would have happened had i not trained like i had trained in the last month?" There was simply no way that I would have made it.

We had no idea where the finish of the kayak leg was, until we heard my name being shouted out amongst the trees above. The Team Crab Supporters were following us to the end, cheering us on. I could see my mum looking at me, concerned. By then, i could not even muster a smile. By far the hardest part was to come - Joy and I needed to pull the kayak up a 80 degree incline up to the finish banner. This was what nearly broke us. No one was allowed to help us lift the kayak and on a couple of occasions, both of us fell.

We finally got up to the top and there was a small cheer. We were home. We ripped off our life jackets, and stumbled to the finish line, holding hands as we crossed. The feeling through the pain was indescribable. We had finished.

And to satisfy my competitive spirit, there were at least another 7 or 8 teams behind us.

We had done it.

Smart Cookie = Funny Shoelaces

2009-01-15T21:11:00.002+11:00

So some brainiac who wanted to race triathlons and/or adventure racing tried to work out how to take their running shoes on and off as quickly as possible. They soon realised that it was the whole "tying-of-the-shoelace" regime that was slowing them down. So what does the brainiac athlete do? Invents shoelaces that allows them to put the shoes on and pull them off as quickly as possible and with as little effort as possible.

[Exhibit A] See top of laces - no tying required. You put a "tie" at the end of the shoe lace and it is actually the linking of the top of the laces and the bottom of the laces [see Exhibit B] that tightens the shoes. [Exhibit C] is just an excuse to show off my sexy leg. he he he

Its Just a Case of Waiting....

2009-01-15T20:01:00.003+11:00

Tapering is frustrating.

You know your body is going to need to endure pain in the coming 48 hours so the natural thing to want to do is to condition your body ready for the event. Tapering though means that you have to just sit... and sit... and sit.

After training up to twice a day for the last 2 - 3 weeks, just sitting it out is torture.

Worse still, you're piling up on carbs while you do it.

Eek!

Grand Slam Time!

2009-01-15T19:54:00.002+11:00

Guess who is going down to Melbourne for big Grand Slam event that is the Australian Open! Yup - Quarter Finals, baby!!! ME!!

I've had such great luck lately. It's all about just staying positive!!!

:)

Another Event In the Pipeline

2009-01-13T21:59:00.004+11:00

This time its a 48 hour enduro trek in a team of four. Your team needs to trek 100km in 48 hours!

We are still in the early stages of planning but we need a certain amount of $$ fund raised for the Wilderness Society in order to gain entry into the event.

I suspect we will need to hold a couple of trivia nights in order to fundraise the money needed!

Stay tuned for more details soon!

Good Fitness Karma - Woohoo!

2009-01-13T21:57:00.002+11:00

I "won" three free personal training sessions in a competition at the gym today. I placed my name on a sheet last week at the gym (was highly skeptical doing so!) and surprise surprise, my name was picked.

Woohoo!

During the Race - Fuel

2009-01-13T21:46:00.003+11:00

Particularly for Adventure Racing, what you consume during and after the event is just as important as what you consume before hand when you train.

You see, given that you are going to be running, biking and kayaking with all of your belongings, there is a hard decision to make - whether or between not using up your energy by carrying a big pack, and then carrying enough food so that you can get energy into your body to be able to last the distance.

You have to consider whether or not you are prepared to load your pack up with food and drink for energy or leave a lot of it behind for the sake of performance.

Thankfully, someone worked out that you can actually carrying around very little with you and still get the benefits of a whole heap of food. They put it in the form of "Energy Gel".

You consume one of these 15 mins before the race, and then one every 45 mins.

I have to be honest (I am sorry to the makers, GU) but this stuff is revolting. Imagine melting down toffee then throwing in a can of Red Bull (energy drink) and then mixing it all in together to form a thick, sticky honey like paste. Its the stuff that dentists would cringe at.

Thankfully its all over in a second. You throw it down your throat, chase it with water and off you go. Within 10 - 15 mins, you get a burst of energy that is indescribable! They dont generally recommend using this stuff unless you really are doing endurance activities!!!

Ah, the things we do for the love of the game!

Tapers and Carb Loading

2009-01-13T20:48:00.003+11:00

Sounds like foreign language, huh! Nope, this is what an athlete does 2-3 days prior to his/her endurance event.

Tapering means dropping the level of training down to very low intensity or no activity whatsoever. It allows the body to not only rest, but allows the "Carb Loading" to take effect.

Carb Loading often mistakenly gets called "carbing up" but it just doesnt mean sitting down to a big bowl of pasta just before the event itself. Rather, Carb Loading is all about moving your diet from low carbohydrate (high protein) to high carbohydrate. It means breakfast, lunch and dinner plus snacks will generally have things like breads, potatoes and pasta in it. This goes on for 2-3 days prior to the endurance event.

Why do they do this?

Its not as simple as "carbohydrates give you energy". Yes, they do give you energy but through the process of tapering and carb loadings, you are effectively allowing your muscles (which are unusually resting) to store up glycogen in abnormally large amounts so that when its time to require your muscles to perform over a long period of time, your muscles can do it.

So, tomorrow, i'm gone to sit on my backside in front of the TV and eat a huge big bowl of pasta and ENJOY IT! Its been so long!

Can This Be Sustained?

2009-01-12T19:35:00.004+11:00

For the last two weeks, everything has centered around preparing myself for the event this Saturday and the forthcoming triathlon. I don't need to do it and I don't have to do it. I could either not attend the events or go to them and just try really hard on the day like I used to do when i used to do this kind of mad training years ago.

However, this time around, I wanted it to be different. I wanted to use this last fortnight to really test myself - both physically and mentally. I wanted to put myself into the shoes of someone who lives this existence every day of their lives.

Realistically, I could not sustain this level of training and hold a job down like mine. I was able to do this and hold down the job only because it was over New Years, where work wasn't so busy.

So this is the way I am living my life.

________________________________

Physical Training

Sunday - Kayaking 1.5 hours (morning);
Monday - Running Interval Training (morning); Bike Race Distance 12km (evening);
Tuesday - Swimming Drills (lunch); Gym Session Upper Body (evening);
Wednesday - Yoga (lunch); Running 2.5km (evening);
Thursday - Rest Day (Stretch);
Friday - Swimming Drills (lunch); Rest (evening);
Saturday - Half Distance Bike/Run (morning); Gym Session Upper Body (evening);
Sunday - Long Bike Ride (35km);
Monday - Running 7.5km (evening).

Eating and Drinking Habits

Breakfast
Every day begins with a high protein/low carb breakfast - either muesli with low fat greek yoghurt loaded with fresh fruit, or rye bread with eggs, avocado, tomato and mushrooms (i've got a special order i always put in at the local cafe);

Mid Morning
I try and snack on as much fruit as i can but after such a big breakfast, i find myself not really that hungry. Knowing I have a training session at lunch though, i generally need to fuel-up!

Lunch
After the first training session, I have my protein shake. Theories show that muscles form better, and recover quicker if you have a protein shake in the half hour after the training session. I then go down to my local fish shop and get grilled fish and salad, or i use up the salad ingredients from home.

Mid Afternoon
This is when the cravings strike. And boy do they hit hard. This is when you want to run to the nearest candy machine and raid it of every snack that even so much as has a grain of sugar in it. All your mind can think of is sugar, sugar, sugar. This is the typical slump that everyone gets each day, but mine seems to come at me at the speed of a mack truck down a highway. I generally will grab fruit, but i have been known to sneak the odd handful of sweets (preferably jelly beans or other candy - not chocolate though, dont really like that).

Evening
Having survived the sugar craving, and managed to get through the second training session, I get home and have my second protein shake for the day. I generally dont struggle for energy in the evening sessions, unless i've been totally consumed by the mid-afternoon slump. Dinner generally consists of a whole lot of different vegetables and some meat, or a mixed bean salad.

Night Time
Second sugar craving of the day and this one hits late at night and there is no candy bar machine to be found at home! This is the hardest period of them all. This is when I raid every cupboard in the house, looking for anything and everything possible. Anything to stop the cravings!!! I generally pace the kitchen at around midnight, but often go away empty handed. I deliberately leave my cupboards empty for this reason. Importantly, i make sure i don't go for the loaf of bread or any kind of carb.

Evening
Having survived the sugar craving, and managed to get through the second training session, I get home and have my second protein shake for the day. I generally dont struggle for energy in the evening sessions, unless i've been totally consumed by the mid-afternoon slump. Dinner generally consists of a whole lot of different vegetables and some meat, or a mixed bean salad.

General Rules
No white flour, white bread, white rice or anything that contains complex carbohydrates;
Good carbohydrates are obtained through wholemeal goods, and vegetables;
Eggs are my good source of protein but for every 3 eggs, I take out 2 of the egg yolks (egg contains a high degree of fat);
I do not avoid fat altogether - butter is good in small doses, avocado is the best source of good fat, and soy products are okay if you can handle it.
Strictly one coffee a day (I make it a large strong skim milk cappuccino though - wont let that opportunity go to waste!);
No soft drinks, only water and juice, but not too much juice as it contains a high level of natural sugar.
No alcohol - strictly NO alcohol.

Supplements
6 x omega 3 fish oil
2 x multi vitamin
1 x tumeric
2 x Liver Support Tablets
4 x Glucose Tablets
2 x Protein Shake

________________________________

So this is the way I live my life. Very regimental. Hardly sustainable when you have a high level job and a penchant for lollies and coffee - like me!

But this is all about discipline right now. Nothing more. Nothing less.

Brand New Purchase!

2009-01-12T19:17:00.001+11:00

Woohoo! Beautiful new Scody cycling jersey, my first ever cycling jersey... in pretty purple!

Live. Sydney.

2009-01-10T20:29:00.002+11:00

An awesome sunset tonight!!!

While the World Is Sleeping....

2009-01-07T22:09:00.002+11:00

People in Gaza are dying.

Sorry to darken the mood, guys, but this kind of stuff messes with my head.

I have been somewhat an "observer" of this conflict for many years. I started trying to understand it after I watched a very biased documentary in favour of the Palestinians. I vowed that before i came to my own conclusion as to who was wrong and who was right, I would learn as many facts as possible.

To this day, i have not cast an opinion on who is right or wrong, despite reading so much about it. Why? Because it is such a complex issue and its very hard to find unbiased reporting on the issue.

Therefore, I choose not to take any side.

This frustrates me, because I feel as though i am being ignorant in some way.

But then i see the mess that is Gaza right now and I think to myself "surely the bombing needs to stop, the rocket launching needs to cease, and surely the relevant parties can put their civilians before their need to 'win' any form of senseless war." And when i mean "senseless war" i mean any war. Any war fought these days is senseless, particularly when we were faced with World War II. Wasn't that the war to end all wars? What did we learn from that??? Nothing, it seems. The US is supporting Israel, good old Chavez is egging on Hamas, and whilst all of this is happening, Russia is ceasing the provision of gas supplies to the Ukraine - IN THE MIDDLE OF WINTER!

This world really sucks sometimes.

:(

I Conquered Everest!

2009-01-07T21:39:00.002+11:00

Okay, that was a dramatic post title but it feels like I conquered at least a BIG psychological mountain today.

I decided that today was the day I would get the 2.5km run out of the way. Rewind to the previous post about the fact that I do not "desire" running in any form or fashion.

Well, i did it. I ran the 2.5km. Furthermore, if i wasn't watching my distance closely, i think my mind or body could have allowed me to run further - 3km, 4km, who knows.

I felt comfortable doing it, despite the fact that it was 31 degrees celcius (nearly 90 degrees fahrenheit) here in Sydney Australia this afternoon. It was still at 31 degrees at 7.30pm too!!.

I got into a pretty steady rhythm and just kept jogging.

It doesnt seem far, 2.5km, but for someone who up until today had only jogged on treadmills, its a HUGE achievement.

Woohoo!

Yes, I Am Blogging Lots

2009-01-07T21:36:00.001+11:00

This training induced insomnia means that I have plenty of time at night to sit and post.

Prior to getting active again, I was struggling to keep my eyes open past 9pm (no kidding!).

Now, midnight passes and I am still running about the house, climbing the walls, playing on the PC.

So frustrating! My body is craving sleep!!!!

A Day In The Life Of.....

2009-01-06T22:28:00.002+11:00

My days are very long at the moment.

Given that I am coming into the final two weeks before the first event, I have had to step up the training regime. Call me a little bit crazy, but I have based my training over the next two weeks on a training system that the National Interagency Fire Center has designed for its firefighters who have been sitting out the winter season and are just about ready to get back into fire season. It sets out the following core aims:

(1) cardiovascular development;
(2) muscle strength
(3) muscle endurance
(4) flexibility
(5) rest.

I then did a bit of research on triathlon training and am trying to incorporate the training required for that into the NIFC plan.

In short, i am training two times a day.

For example, yesterday involved interval training (running on treadmill at high speed intervals, three mins apart) and then a 10km cycle as quickly as possible.

Today, it was a run to the pool, series of swim drills over a 1000m distance, and then a quick run back to work. I then had a 1.5 hour session at the gym doing upper body weights.

Tomorrow is a scheduled "light load" day which is a relief.

I am having to eat a massive amount of food - veggies, fruits, protein shakes, more veggies, wholegrain breads and the odd glucose jelly bean for quick energy source. If I am not careful, I will empty the shelves of the local supermarket!!

The only problem at the moment is that when it comes time to sleep at night, i cant sleep. My body is still running at its fast pace and i am finding it hard to settle. This isnt very helpful when you are so exhausted by the end of the day and you have a huge amount of training to do the following day.

Anyway, this is my life.

All so that I can achieve one very straightforward goal - to enter and finish my first triathlon.

K

Confessions of a Beginner Athlete

2009-01-06T22:14:00.005+11:00

[Pic courtesy of http://www.theage.com.au/ffximage/2006/03/14/tough_love_narrowweb__300x421,0.jpg]

I am scared. It is true. Three people in as many days have said "you know, i'd do triathlons, but it is the running bit that is what stops me from doing it." I too shared these same sentiments. Over the past couple of years and as late as 2 months ago i had adopted the attitude of "cant run, never will." I am not the best of runners, in fact, I can barely make it down to my local cafe and back in a slight jog without feeling like my chest is about to explode.

So what the heck am I doing?

I believe that my fear of running, like everyone elses, is borne not from their body's inability to do it but their mind. Yes, I fear that I will struggle through the Kathmandu Series' run legs, and yes, I fear that i may cough up a lung half way through the run leg of the triathlon in 4 weeks time.... however, its all psychological.

I can swim for miles without drowning, I can cycle 25-30km in an hour, so what is it that stops me from running? It isn't a physical issue because i have been checked out my a doctor. I am fit as a fiddle, no blood pressure problems, no joint issues, no back problems, no knee injuries, no blocked left ventricle in my heart.... It is a mental issue because when i think of running, i think "DISCOMFORT" and "PAIN".

"Discomfort" and "pain" doesn't equal "can't do it." It equals "i would prefer not to do it."

So, I would prefer not to run. I would prefer not to run because it causes me pain and discomfort. This is my fear. However, when you know you are physically able to do it, and you know that doing a triathlon has always been a lifetime goal, its enough to put those fears of pain and discomfort aside for nothing more than 20 - 30 mins of running.

That is all. 20 - 30 mins. Out of 24 hours in that particular day, i will only be in pain and discomfort for 20 - 30 mins.

Doesnt seem so scary now, does it?

Shout Out to the United States

2009-01-06T22:05:00.003+11:00

First of all, thanks for the emails/comments of support for my quest for athletic world domination. I have noticed a whole heap of people from the US coming across to say hello from Mel's Blog so this is a shout out to y'all and a "thanks for dropping by". Oh, and thanks to ye ol faithfuls, EC, Angel, Jin, Maria and everyone else!

I figure, the more people I can get onboard, the better. Not only can I use it as motivation to keep on going, I can hopefully promote the idea that activity and exercise CAN change people's life. While I have been on and off the wagon for many years, i have commenced working solidly over the last 2 months to get my body into better shape. I am not even CLOSE to where i want/need to be in terms of fitness to achieve some of the things i have in mind in 2009, i feel like i really am beginning to see results - in mind AND body.

Thanks again to everyone. It means a lot.

And also a shout out to my life coach, J. I wouldnt have started this if it wasnt for you. You are truly a wonderful soul. x

I've Done It. I've Done It.

2009-01-05T20:43:00.002+11:00

I have entered into my first Triathlon. An entry level one, but its still a Triathlon.

On 1 February 2009.

That is only four weeks away.

I am already training hard for the Kathmandu Adventure Series, so I thought, why not extend the training period for a further 2 weeks?

Call me crazy, i dont mind.

Training for the Challenge Series

2009-01-03T17:08:00.004+11:00

After 6 days of indulgence and laziness, i realised today that i have TWO weeks left before the Kathmandu Adventure Series so I had to get out again. I choose to kayak from Point Piper to Shark Island and back.

(Map provided by www.airviewonline.com.au)

While the weather wasnt so great for kayaking, I still managed to take my camera with me to get some great photos. Obviously I couldnt take the shots while i was kayaking across the harbour, i managed to get some when on Shark Island.

My kayak!

Shark Island has one of the best views of the Harbour Bridge and the Opera House.

Jet boating is a relatively new activity for tourists in Sydney. I havent tried it yet. I was concerned at one point that the jet boat would run straight over me. He didnt end up doing it, but the waves created by these things are hard to kayak through!!

As I kayaked, sightseeing planes zoomed up and around me. There are about four zooming around the harbour at one time.

See above for what looks to be one of the entrants of the Louis Vuitton Cup which is to be held in New Zealand later this month. That said, i investigated on google just then and I cant see this boat as a confirmed entrant... nevertheless, I've had the pleasure of being on one of these boats, and boy, are they amazing!

Better Late than Never!

2009-01-03T11:05:00.002+11:00

I have been assigned the letter "H" on EC's Blog so here goes... I agree with Angel, its harder than it looks!

Here're the instructions, if you want to play along: You leave a comment on this post, and I'll assign you a letter. Then on your Blog you list ten things you love that begin with your assigned letter. When people comment on your list, you assign letters to them, and the chain continues ... on and on and on and on!

1. Hugs
2. Hearts
3. Happiness
4. Humility
5. Hopeless romantics
6. Handymen (he he!)
7. Holidays
8. Health
9. High Heels
10. H20

Phew! That was tough!

Day @ the Zoo!

2009-01-02T19:43:00.004+11:00

Chilling Out @ Peats Ridge Music Festival

2009-01-01T19:48:00.003+11:00

The busiest shop in town! The Mayan Coffee Tent! The lines were always large, particularly in the early hours of the day!

The days would begin for many with a coffee by the river.

The atmosphere was very relaxed - just a lot of lazing about with the music in the background.

Due to the 30 degrees celcius weather, many spent a lot of their time in the river nearby....

....including me!

But I managed to stay out of the sun as best as possible.

Peats Ridge Music Festival - the Kooky and the Crazy!

2009-01-01T18:14:00.000+11:00

No Festival Is Without Rain - Peats Ridge Music Festival

2009-01-01T17:00:00.000+11:00

A music festival is not a good festival without one day of good solid rain! In this instance, rain came early on Day 1. It was shortlived but not before people enjoyed the puddles, and I enjoyed the use of my baby pink scottish gum boots!

Mud wrestling - Peats Ridge style!

Here i am, enjoying the rain!

The festivities continued nonetheless!

And soon enough, the rain stopped and it was back to the fun!

Capoeira @ Peats Ridge Music Festival

2009-01-01T16:45:00.000+11:00

Throughout the days, for those who needed a break from the music, there were a number of workshops in which partygoers could participate, including this Capoeira class. Wikipedia describes capoeira as follows:

Capoeira (IPA: [ka.pu.ˈej.ɾɐ]) is an Afro-Brazilian art form that ritualizes movement from martial arts, games, and dance. It was brought to Brazil from Angola some time after the 16th century in the regions known as Bahia, Pernambuco, Rio de Janeiro, Minas Gerais, and São Paulo. Participants form a roda or circle and take turns either playing musical instruments (such as the Berimbau), singing, or ritually sparring in pairs in the center of the circle. The game is marked by fluid acrobatic play, feints, and extensive use of sweeps, kicks, and headbutts. Less frequently used techniques include elbow-strikes, slaps, punches, and body throws. Its origins and purpose are a matter of debate, with the spectrum of argument ranging from views of Capoeira as a uniquely Brazilian folk dance with improvised fighting movements to claims that it is a battle-ready fighting form directly descended from ancient African techniques.

Festival-goers trying their hard at basic capoeira movements...

...and then let the experienced dancers show them how its done.

It requires great agility and fitness!

And a little bit of acrobatics as well!

West African Dancing Workshop @ Peats

2009-01-01T16:41:00.000+11:00

Another workshop held was the West African Drum and Dance Workshop. I gave it a miss, but my friends said it was a real cardio workout!

Peats Ridge Music Festival By Night

2009-01-01T16:08:00.000+11:00

Each night at the Peats Ridge Festival, people came out and enjoyed the music in the various tents. The carnival atmosphere was wonderful and the summer nights allowed for great fun to be had.

Solo artist playing in a session in one of the smaller tents.

The main stage was always alive and loud.

The party atmosphere was fantastic, with lots of fluoro light hula hoops.

This allowed some great photo opportunities!

Beautiful lanterns hung from the trees surrounding the festival tents.

The Peats Ridge Festival Freak Show - New Years Eve 08/09

2009-01-01T15:41:00.000+11:00

The sun began to go down and the freaks came out. It was hard to work out whether people were dressed in costume or whether it was their ordinary style of dress. Either way, it goes down as one of the WEIRDEST new years i have ever experienced - but it was a whole bunch of fun!

KateOnTheNoGo & Friends - Peats Ridge New Years 08/09

2009-01-01T14:55:00.000+11:00

And not to be outdone by crazy people, I went a little crazy myself. AM and I raced out down the freeway to the nearest material store and spent Day 4 of Peats Ridge pulling together out New Years outfits. Erica arrived and the party began!

A little bit of Bollywood and a Latino Goddess!

It was hard to do costume makeup in the middle of a valley at dusk. But we managed!

And we went in looking hot, hot, hot!

Getting ready to go and party.

Here I am, partying in the disco tent!

Partying on New Years Eve - Peats Ridge Festival

2009-01-01T13:24:00.001+11:00

Some Time Off

2008-12-22T19:57:00.001+11:00

Hi all,

Just to let you know that KateOnTheNoGo will be out of service for a couple of weeks over the Xmas/NY break.

Have a super christmas and beginning of 2009!

If you need me, you know where to find me!

K

Words for Times Like These

2008-12-21T13:02:00.005+11:00

My fave poster, EC, has this song on her website that describes her best. It is so appropriate for me right now!

Sugarland's "Stand Back Up"

Go ahead and take your best shot,
Let 'er rip, give it all you've got,

I'm laid out on the floor,
but I've been here before,

I may stumble, yeah I might fall,
Only human aren't we all?

I might lose my way,
but hear me when I say,
I will stand back up,

You'll know just the moment when I've had enough,
Sometimes I'm afraid, and I don't feel that tough,
But I'll stand back up,

I've been beaten up and bruised,
I've been kicked right off my shoes.

Been down on my knees
more times than you'd believe,

When the darkness tries to get me,
Theres a light that just won't let me,

It might take my pride,
and my tears may fill my eyes,
But I'll stand back up,

I've weathered all these storms,
But I just turn them into wind so I can fly,
What don't kill you makes you stronger,
When I take my last breath,
That's when I'll just give up,

So, go ahead take your best shot,
Let 'er rip, give it all you've got,

You might win this round
but you can't keep me down,
'Cause I'll stand back up,

And you'll know just the moment when I've had enough,
Sometimes I'm afraid and I don't feel that tough,
But I'll stand back up

You'll know just the moment when I've had enough,
Sometimes I'm afraid and I don't feel that tough,
But I'll stand back up.

On To Happier News!

2008-12-20T10:52:00.002+11:00

While I feel terrible for trying to move the news away from Dad, I am compelled to lift the tone of this blog up a little to tell you that i have purchased my flights to LA to fly out on the 10th July 2009. The plan is to then fly on to New York, then onto the Carnival Cruise down to the Carribean and then off to Atlantic City after coming back into New York. It will then be back to LA for a bit of Disneyland and then home. A whole 2 and a half weeks of fun, fun, fun.

New York has always been a dream of mine. 2009 is going to be all about fulfilling life long dreams.

Does anyone else have a life long dream they are going to achieve this year?

NoGo's 101 on How to Not Give Up The Fight

2008-12-20T10:28:00.002+11:00

My father is unwell. Quite unwell. We are not sure if he will be home for Christmas. Rather, he is in hospital, paying for what could be the ultimate price of having bad health in his life time.

This situation renews my fight to not ever give up on my quest for ultimate health - through mind, body and soul.

If there is any message I want to convey not only to myself but to others, it is this - you only get given by God one body in this lifetime.

Before we really understand the meaning of this, to be kind to ourself both physically and mentally, will we have to lose someone or something in order to find this out? And despite many of us who have lost someone as a result of bad health, has this taught us any real lessons, or are we still consuming bad food, drinking, smoking and not exercising? Do we have to lose our own health, be stripped completely bare, find ourselves mentally in the most desolate of places, in order to realise just how important it to be kind to ourselves?

It reminds me of part of a poem that someone gave me the other day:

"Before you know kindness as the deepest thing inside,
you must know sorrow as the other deepest thing.
You must wake up with sorrow.
You must speak to it till your voice
catches the thread of all sorrows
and you see the size of the cloth.

Then it is only kindness that makes sense anymore,
only kindness that ties your shoes
and sends you out into the day to mail letters and purchase bread,
only kindness that raises its head
from the crowd of the world to say
it is I you have been looking for,
and then goes with you every where
like a shadow or a friend."

~ Naomi Shihab Nye ~

A Short Message To A Special Someone

2008-12-18T20:36:00.004+11:00

You are right. When I put my mind to something I do it.
Thank you for the support you've given.
Good luck for the future.

Honesty. Integrity. Grace.

k x

Frustration!

2008-12-18T06:53:00.000+11:00

For the last couple of days, I've been struck down my a mysterious stomach problem.

This is not allowing me to get out and train! Its causing a great deal of frustration and sadness.

Ugggh.

Am I Training For An Ironman/Ironwoman?

2008-12-16T20:47:00.008+11:00

One of my regular readers has asked this question so I will take the time to set out what is going on.

Am I Training For an Ironman Race?
Yes. Sort of. Kinda. No, not really. An Ironman is a far greater endurance event than I could possibly survive... at this stage. An Ironman usually involves running 50km, riding 70km and swimming 10km. This would kill me, not make me stronger!

Rather, my ultimate goal over the next three months is to work towards the "BRW Triathlon", which is to take place on 5 April 2009. Triathlons, at least at entry level, are only generally 4km runs, 10km rides and 500m swims. However, they are still quite hard, because with these short distances. Very fit people sprint through these Triathlons very quickly.

What Are All The Other Events For?
I am currently scheduled to do the following upcoming events:

1. Kathmandu Adventure Series - this is expected to involve two people doing the following - a 2km trail run, 10km MTB, 1km kayak, 5km MTB, 5km trail run, 7km MTB, finishing with a 2km kayak - January 17th, Blue Mountains.

2. Gear Up Girl - this is a new addition to the plans as of today. It is a 60km ride from Cronulla to Olympic Park in Homebush. Its time to get the beautiful Kuota out into a pack - March 7th, Sydney, NSW.

3. Great Ocean Road Otway Classic - this is the biggie. I fly down with my bike to Torquay, where i will be at the starting line with thousands of others to compete in this Classic. 150 gruelling kms, approximately 5.5 hours in the saddle - March 29th, Torquay, VIC.

4. BRW Triathlon - this is the star attraction but will be conditional upon whether i can convince two other people from work to enter with me and whether or not there are any spaces left. If i cannot compete in this, I will find an alternative event - April 5, 2009.

Why Am I Doing This?
My first response is "why not?" But that wont satisfy those who are eternally curious!

Firstly, I have been spending a significant amount of time with a Life Coach. I have identified things in my life which i have always wanted to achieve but never believed I could, due to certain hard wiring. I dont want to "win", I want to "achieve". There is a stark difference.

Secondly, all of my life I have struggled to find draw the necessary connection between what I am mentally capable of and what I am physically capable of in order to reach my true potential athletically. I am learning that the two feed off each other. The pain experienced in our bodies is not due to failure on our part to be able to do something. Rather, its our body telling us that it needs to continue to be moulded. My body has wanted to be conditioned for many years. I simply haven't drawn the connection between mentally wanting it and physically gaining it in order to be disciplined about it.

Importantly, I have taken a look at the kind of person I want to be. I have also looked at the kind of people who i would like to surround myself with. I have always been anti drugs, and relatively anti-drunks. Why would I not want to participate in activities which expose me to these kinds of people? I am certainly not going to meet athletic types (and perhaps Mr. Right) at 2am in a stuffy smoky bar, am I?

I have some huge challenges ahead of me in the coming months.

But this is a girl who travelled across Europe at 20 on her own. This is a girl who put herself through law school. This is a girl who picked up and moved alone to Scotland one day.

Why would I not be capable of doing this?

Charlotte and I

2008-12-15T21:46:00.000+11:00

Sydney In Summer - View from My Office

2008-12-15T21:00:00.001+11:00

First Race in January, Not March!!!

2008-12-15T18:16:00.003+11:00

Training Log: 15 December 2008

Run: 2 Km treadmill
Rate: 10.5km/hr (medium pace)

** (lunchtime gym session - back and shoulders)

Hurdles: Bad period pain!!!! BOO!

The big news is that the first event is actually IN FOUR WEEKS TIME!!!

I've been asked by someone to pair up with them for the Kathmandu Adventure Series in mid January in the Blue Mountains. What does this entail? It will be as much a mental test as a physical one!

A typical course may involve:

Leg 1: 2km trail run
Leg 2: 10km MTB
Leg 3: 1km kayak
Leg 4: 5km MTB
Leg 5: 5km trail run
Leg 6: 7km MTB
Leg 7: Finishing with a 2km kayak.

Just to keep us on our toes a natural obstacle (eg. mystery discipline, creek crossing etc.) or two maybe thrown in to add a little spice.

Looks like i have to kick into a higher gear for the training now - and over christmas too!

Lucky i am on a strict detox at the moment!!! I have a lot of work to do in preparation. Thankfully I have managed to shift a bit of weight and can probably shift a fair bit more in time for the race.

How exciting - and scary all at the same time!

Beautiful Sydney

2008-12-14T21:49:00.000+11:00

Wind in the Willows

2008-12-14T19:57:00.002+11:00

Training Log: 14 December 2008

Total Km: 18 km cycled (Centennial)
Time: approx 30 mins
Cadence: Medium
Speed: Medium
Hurdles: When will these windy days stop?!?? Riding a carbon fibre bike in a head wind is HARD WORK.

**** morning gym session too (upper body).

The Stuff Of Which Champions Are Made

2008-12-14T09:48:00.003+11:00

My diet is now consisting mostly of veggies, fruit and protein shakes. The only way I am going to be able to transform my body is by going right back to the basics in terms of eating. I'm loading up with 2 protein shakes a day (generally after exercise) and getting more protein from eggs. I am trying to avoid breads (I'm carb sensitive) and getting my fats from avocado rather than butter/sweets/chocolate (okay, i had a icecream last night! he he he).

Havent given up coffee yet though! Thats a little extreme.

Pain is Gain

2008-12-14T09:26:00.002+11:00

I woke up this morning feeling sore from yesterday's efforts and I cringe at the thought that if 25km if going to kill me, what is 145km going to do to me? The good news is that I still have three months to get it right. Also yesterday involved a series of rather large climbs (which is why 25km actually felt like 145km this morning!!!).

Its funny how it screws with your mind, the fact that you can easily do 20km around a relatively flat circuit in 30 mins, yet go out for nearly an hour and a half up and down the big hills of Sydney and only get 20km done.

Now, its off to fix my running - i have three months to get running, cycling AND swimming perfected to a fine art, ready for the BRW Triathlon.

You guys KNOW how much I love this stuff!

Tough Ride

2008-12-13T19:34:00.002+11:00

Today was a really tough ride - the first real "road" adventure of some meaningful distance.

The session here reads 15.1km, but it was probably more 25km because i went in and out from the main roads, plus a lap of Centennial Park.

Phew, it was hard work! It was also 30 degrees celcius, which made it harder!

http://www.whereis.com/#session=MTk2

Fun in the Sun!

2008-12-13T14:05:00.003+11:00

I WILL BE SPENDING MY BIRTHDAY IN JULY IN THE BAHAMAS!

The itinerary has been set for the July holiday - I am departing New York on the 11th July, and sailing down with Carnival Cruises down to the Grand Turks, and then Half Moon Cay in the Bahamas, and then off to Nassau! My birthday will be spent in Half Moon Cay, where I will be snorkelling with big turtles!

So excited!!

Weight of the World

2008-12-12T19:02:00.000+11:00

Training Log: 12 December 2008

Gym Session @ Lunch (Weights Upper Body)
40 mins

The Greatest Challenge I've Ever Set

2008-12-12T02:46:00.004+11:00

I've done it - i've signed up for my first bike event: Great Ocean Otway Classic, in March 2009.

A guelling 145km ride over 5 hours - I am booked in, flights paid for, I am ready to go!

Run Forrest, Run

2008-12-11T21:52:00.002+11:00

Training Log: 10 December 2008

Rest Day (Raining)
1 hour Yoga Class

Training Log: 11 December 2008

Gym Session @ Lunch (Cardio)
40 mins

Run Home (Approx 5km)
35 mins

2008-12-10T07:12:00.000+11:00

Life Is A Beach

2008-12-10T07:10:00.003+11:00

Training Log: 9 December 2008

Total Km: 10 kms cycled - Double Bay - Rose Bay - Bondi Beach - Rose Bay - Double Bay.
Time: approx 40 mins
Cadence: Medium
Speed: Slow
Hurdles: First real adventure on road with cars but at 5.30am, it was okay.

*** weights session at lunch in gym

Wet n Wild

2008-12-08T20:59:00.000+11:00

Training Log: 8 December 2008

Total Km: 20 kms cycled
Time: approx 35 mins
Cadence: High
Speed: Medium
Hurdles: Wet roads and sore legs from cycling over 40km on the weekend.

Weapon of Choice!

2008-12-07T21:06:00.000+11:00

Black and White - Ella

2008-12-07T20:27:00.004+11:00

Pounding the Pavement

2008-12-03T20:42:00.001+11:00

Training Log: 3 December 2008

Total Km: 20 kms cycled
Time: approx 35 mins
Cadence: High
Speed: Medium
Hurdles: Another strong head wind and a sore backside!

*** 45 mins at the gym at lunch too.

Kate Is Back On The Go - This Time, On Two Wheels!

2008-12-02T21:26:00.003+11:00

Training Log: 2 December 2008

Total Km: 25 kms cycled
Time: approx 45 mins
Cadence: High
Speed: Medium
Hurdles: A strong head wind!

Electric Storm

2008-12-01T20:55:00.001+11:00

One of the hardest things to photograph is lightening. You need a slow shutter speed, but that doesnt necessary help because you cannot predict when the lightening will occur. I was lucky to get not just one shot, but two.

2008-11-26T08:22:00.001+11:00

2008-11-24T19:10:00.000+11:00

2008-11-24T19:06:00.000+11:00

Another Cute Photo

2008-11-24T18:39:00.000+11:00

Beautiful Little Ellie

2008-11-22T21:24:00.001+11:00

Kate On The Boat

2008-10-07T20:48:00.002+11:00

Check out the photography that I did this weekend at the Heaven Can Wait Regatta - the Boy participated in a 24 hour yacht race and of course I got out the camera!

www.kateontheboat.blogspot.com

KateOnTheGo is Working Again

2008-07-27T15:24:00.003+10:00

Through miracles (and also some guidance from The Boy), I've managed to restart KateOnTheGo after Google mercifully took it off me.

I am not sure what I intend to do with it, but atleast it is back in the form that it used to be - readable.

K

I'm Still Here

2008-07-27T15:17:00.002+10:00

Hey all,

I havent blogged in quite a long time - and for that I am really sorry.

I have been busily trying to sort my life out now that I have the new job - it does consume quite a fair bit of my time now, but I am working hard at achieving a good balance. The good news is that I have someone helping me achieve that good balance - I have a new "the Boy". Well, not exactly the "new" Boy, because he has been in my life for quite a long while now, but only recently we have settled down into somewhat of a functional (dare I say) relationship. He's a wonderful person, he keeps me sane when there is madness around me, he challenges me, he keeps me level headed.

Will post shortly again soon.

Melbourne, Australia

2008-06-23T18:49:00.002+10:00

Contrasts - Bondi

2008-06-15T15:14:00.008+10:00

Calm Bondi Beach in Summer.....

Wild Bondi in Winter.....

Report Card

2008-06-15T07:43:00.002+10:00

Challenge: A

Excitement: A

Opportunities to Travel: AAA

Team: A

Yes, this is the report card of my new job.

Wow. Wow. Wow. This job is going to be so challenging. And what kind of job does KateOnTheNoGo love doing? CHALLENGING JOBS!

I've entered the world of blackberries, business class flights and own offices.

How do I feel about it? Overwhelmed but so ready to take on the challenge.

I look at my new business cards, at my new title, and I smile to myself. How did I land this job? What did I do to get such an amazing opportunity?

Then there are the obvious questions - how will I stop this job from consuming my entire life? How am I going to develop the tools in order to deal with the stressful times (its all roses and candles at the moment!).

I guess these are things which I am going to have to learn, as time goes on.

First Destination: Melbourne, Australia.
Hotel: The Westin Hotel - http://www.westin.com.au/melbourne/index.html
Purpose: Meet and Greet.

Stay tuned. I may have some opportunities to photograph, but only limited.

Will keep you posted of course!

K

Exhausted.

2008-06-12T20:30:00.001+10:00

No other word for it.

Full stop.

Back Against the Wall

2008-06-11T22:19:00.000+10:00

My back is completely against the wall.

But this is where great achievement is obtained.

I am so overwhelmed by the things that need to be done, but so excited about the difference I can make.

Phew!

So tired!

2008-06-09T19:18:00.001+10:00

"Great achievement often happens when our backs are against the wall."
Robin Sharma

2008-06-09T17:34:00.000+10:00

2008-06-09T17:22:00.000+10:00

It was the final day of freedom (ie. unemployment) and what do i do?

10am - Coffee with M @Bondi Junction.

12.15pm - Coffee with Sylvia @ Cremorne.

2.15pm - Coffee with Leah @ Double Bay.

Coffee. Coffee. Coffee. Coffee. Coffee. Coffee. Coffee. Coffee. Coffee. Coffee.

I cannot drink anymore coffee. In fact, when I am wide awake at 4am tomorrow morning on my first day at work because today I drunk too much coffee, all I am going to think about is the fact that I shouldnt have drunk too much coffee.

Ugh.

Great Expectations

2008-06-08T20:03:00.000+10:00

Tonight, I was sitting there reflecting on something that someone said during somewhat of a "discussion". The person said to me (quote unquote)

"What is it that you are looking for? A husband?"

I try to avoid using this blog as a service to get messages to people who I think are reading. I believe that if you have to say something, you say it to them directly. Accordingly, I do not ever put anything on this blog about someone unless I approach them about it first. I havent had a chance to approach them to discuss this, simpy because I havent had the chance and to be honest, its not big deal given the state of play now with that particular person. But I'm reflecting on it tonight and I can't help but comment on it because it feeds into another discussion I was having with someone else tonight. This girl had just had a six month relationship break up, and she was terribly upset because "she was going to marry him".

The thing is, I actually am not particularly swept up on the idea of marriage. Before you all go and accuse me of being a feminist bra burning corporate machine, let me explain. I truly believe in the "fairytale". Boy meets girl, boy and girl connect, boy and girl get to know each other, boy and girl commit to being with each other and only each other and they live happily ever after. There is no point in time where there is a ceremony with cringe-worthy speeches and ugly taffetta bridesmaids dresses. Call me naive, but being together a lifetime doesnt get sealed the minute you walk down the aisle and is certainly not guaranteed the minute you "marry someone". Marriages are breaking up every day, day in day out. Men and women are committing adultery left, right and centre. What has marriage done to stop two people from breaking up?

Thanks for the idea of a husband, but no thanks. I'd rather continue the search for someone that really and truly loves me for me, every day, for the rest of my life. I won't need a ceremony to make me feel more comfortable each day. I'll be comforted by the idea that my man wakes up each day and loves me just that little bit more than the day before. That is more important to me than finding someone that I can label as "my husband".

So no. I'm not looking for a husband.

Ready.

2008-06-08T16:30:00.000+10:00

"The best among us are not more gifted than the rest. They just take little steps each day as they march towards their biggest life. And the days slip into weeks, the weeks into months and before they know it, they arrive at a place called Extraordinary."
- Robin Sharma, The Greatness Guide.

Waiting

2008-06-08T12:08:00.000+10:00

for the scones to cook...

The Primary Issue Facing Americans

2008-06-08T11:48:00.000+10:00

The Economy ?

Foreign Policy ?

My view is that whoever takes on the Presidency is going to have to focus on the domestic situation. However, I fear that in doing so, the US will drop the ball with respect to the mess it still has to clean up as a result of Iraq and Afghanistan.

This is what happens when I watch too much CNN on rainy days.

Its Raining

2008-06-08T11:46:00.001+10:00

Its pouring with rain today.

The problem is, I've spent the entire week doing nothing. Along comes the weekend, I'm all ready to get out and play, and its raining!

I think I will go and bake scones.

Call Me Naive But.....

2008-06-08T11:29:00.000+10:00

With all of the talk about American politics right now, I've noticed something that really annoys me.

I repeatedly hear commentators say:

"Oh [such and such] will appeal to the Latino vote."

"Oh [such and such] will appeal to the Women vote."

"Oh [such and such] will appeal to the Black vote."

"Oh [such and such] will appeal to the Jewish vote."

"Oh, [such and such] will appeal to the Young vote."

So does that mean only the older, white male population of America will be voting for a President without personal bias??

Those that are willing to pigeon hole minority groups like this, I believe, insult the intelligence of humans and challenge the true nature of democracy.

Right.

I'm done.

Live. Sydney. Rainy Day.

2008-06-08T10:56:00.001+10:00

A Day Out On the Harbour

2008-06-07T16:36:00.000+10:00

Dunbar House, Watsons Bay

Doyles, Watsons Bay

One of the many pieces of prime real estate, Point Piper

Another mansion, Point Piper

1 O'Connell Street Bell Tower, Sydney

The famed Opera House

The Sydney Skyline

On the Harbour, Sydney

Circular Quay, Sydney

Something Different - Citiscapes

2008-06-07T12:25:00.000+10:00

The Beauty of Forgiveness

2008-06-06T19:27:00.000+10:00

Today I spoke to Owen, my boyfriend from when I was in Scotland.

It is so nice to put aside all of the hurt and pain and talk like human beings again.

We tend to allow the past get in the way of so much, when all it takes is a little forgiveness and a whole lot of love.

Rummaging Around...

2008-06-06T11:08:00.000+10:00

Today, I was cleaning out my old bedroom at my mum and dad's home and I discovered an old journal of mine, dating back to 2001. Back then, I was at the ripe old age of 21, and I thought I had the world figured out. I thought I had MYSELF worked out at that stage. Interestingly enough, one of the entries was written on 12 September 2001 which (as you may know) was the day that Australia woke up to find out that the planes had been flown into the World Trade Centre. In the space of 24 hours, I realised that I didnt have the world, or myself, figured out at all.

"Its 2.15am on Wednesday morning. Why am I awake? At 11pm, I was woken up by Dad, telling me something that has personally devastated me. I need to document this for history's sake because something that has happened could ultimately affect the way the world works.

America has shut down totally. Massive terrorism has struct, the World Trade Centre is gone. The Pentagon is on fire. Plans are crashing. Borders are shut. Airports have been evacuated. In all honesty, I cannot begin to imagine the amount of people who have just died. I am prbably never going to experience this in my life again. I hope the world doesnt. I cant sleep. I worry. I am distubred. I am scared. I am terrified for my own country. I am terrified for America. I can
only imagine what daybreak will bring... I just cant believe it...."

"... Well daylight has arrived. I feel very empty. I nearly broken down in tears at the service station when I bought the newspaper. I just came into my room just then and cried. I have never felt a feeling like this before. What kind of world do we live in?"

Newspaper stands are empty today... stuff that just doesnt happen has happened... I just cannot write words to match what is going on right now. All TV stations are onthe news, Wall Street has shut down. Its night fall, nearly 11 hours or so after it has happened and I dont think I've ever experienced anything like this."

Television

2008-06-05T19:38:00.000+10:00

Today I watched a television show on Animal Planet. I love pay tv. The show was called "Meerkat Mansion". All about the mating rituals of meerkats. Facsinating stuff.

Cutting edge television.

*sigh*

I need to start work again. And soon.

.

I Am Not Ashamed to Admit...

2008-06-05T09:27:00.000+10:00

.... that it is 4.28pm on a raining Thursday afternoon, and I am snuggled up in bed with the covers over my head.

he he he

Can I stay unemployed forever?

Please?

So...

2008-06-05T07:54:00.001+10:00

Barack Obama it is!

More Rummaging Around

2008-06-04T23:15:00.000+10:00

Florence, from back in 2005.

2008-06-04T15:52:00.000+10:00

I live in the most beautiful city in the world. I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now!
Its taken me many years to reach this point! ha ha

Family = Love

2008-06-04T15:45:00.000+10:00

I have travelled down to spend a couple of days with my family. It could be because I dont know how much time I am going to get to spend with them in the coming months. I certainly hope that I will have just as much time as I did before, but you just can never tell. I dont like the thought of not being around my family. I gave up Scotland because I could not bare being without my family. Some people need their families more than others. I need my family. Who knows, one day I may have a family of my own that will mean just as much.

The only bad thing about coming home is that the cupboard is FULL of chocolate and junk food.

Terrible.

Its Just Dawned On Me....

2008-06-02T21:36:00.000+10:00

.... in eight days, I will be the Corporate Lawyer for the entire Asia Pacific Region for a multimillion dollar global company.....

Sheeesh!

Not bad.

Kinda scary.

But am ready for the challenge!

Keeping It All In Perspective

2008-06-02T18:57:00.000+10:00

First Day of "Unemployment"

2008-06-02T18:22:00.000+10:00

Today was technically my first day of unemployment.... unemployment which is only going to last a whole eight days, but I still like to think of it as unemployment. The reason is because its the only time that a person really can relax and not be responsible for any kind of work at all. Its fantastic. That said, as you all know, I dont cope well with idle activity so my first day was quite a struggle. I didnt really know what to do with myself. I found myself firstly going to the gym, and then grabbing my usual newspaper and coffee and sitting down on the promenade of Watsons Bay. I manage to spend a good hour and a half there, reading the newspaper from cover to cover, before that became boring.

I then went and stood up at the Gap, staring out across the ocean, hoping i'd spot some whales or some form of marine life to keep my occupied for a little while. Whales often come up to the Heads and into the Harbour if the water temperature is warm enough, however today wasnt my day. I soon tired of that and decided that it was far too cold.

How am I going to survive the next eight days??

Relaxing is difficult when you are a workaholic.

World Press Photos 08

2008-06-01T16:56:00.000+10:00

Today I visited the World Press Photos 08 exhibition at the State Library of NSW.

As many of you know, its always been my dream to make a living out of photography. As many of you also know, the salary of a travelling photographer doesn't match that of a corporate lawyer, hence why I have never made the leap across. Despite this, by seeing the World Press Photos exhibited and watching so many people being moved by the stories behind the pictures, that tiny glimmer of hope that one day I will be able to spend just one year of my life photographing the world reemerged.

http://www.worldpressphoto.org/

One Chapter Ends, Another Begins

2008-05-30T07:31:00.000+10:00

Today is my last day at my current employer.

WOOOOOOHOOOOOOOOOO!

I'm ready to begin my next challenge.

Hurt

2008-05-28T08:26:00.000+10:00

Is this what I get for being a good person to you?

And all of the things I'm finding out now, how could you do?

But I will not change, I will just grow

From now on I know

Let the silence be heard. Let the silence be heard.

Life Changing Experience

2008-05-27T21:30:00.000+10:00

Life's messages come in various forms. Tonight, mine came to me sitting down to dinner at the local pub. When you least expect it, it happens. Phew!

Amazing Weekend!

2008-05-25T16:02:00.000+10:00

I think I have fallen in love with horse riding. Well, I've always enjoyed it, but this weekend, I had an amazing time at the Ranch, riding them, looking after them, learning so much about them. They are awesome creatures, and I have never understood just how powerful and how beautiful they can be until now. Obviously, the more I ride, the more confident I get and the more I understand about their behaviour. The more confident I am, the more control I have when I am on one, and the more exciting it gets.

I took two out today, the first one being Happy, who is a relatively safe, calm horse and then I took out Jack, who liked to run a little wild. I found him breaking out into a canter when I least expected it and I would often have to pull him back and settle him down. Its so amazing that you can have such a powerful creature under your control!!!

My Travels

2008-05-24T18:23:00.000+10:00

You all know that every now and then, I like to post these to remind myself of the amazing experiences that I have had.

The good news is that from next week, there will be more travels!