Number 153 - A lucky find!

Number 153- Find a four leaf clover and a make a wish come true

Its seems that my 15 year old self was busy ticking off my bucket list without my knowledge!

Rummaging through old boxes I stumbled upon this little gem. An envelope from 9/6/96,when my teenage self had found a four leaf clover while hanging out it the local park with my friend Amy and decided to carefully keep it in an envelope to be forgotten until 17 years later.

I guess its a little reminder that you never know where your luck will come from, and that when you need a little charm (particularly before a scary Nepalese flight!), it may be yourself who had it sitting there all along.

So excited to have found this little treasure!

#1 Numero Uno – My Everest

So, it’s actually happening. In what has already been a year full of incredible moments I have decided that this is the one when I should take on my biggest of “Big List” dreams, one that also happens to be my toughest of challenges.

For so many years I have talked about trekking to Everest Base Camp taking that chance to look up at the tallest summit and the pinnacle of the world. For so many years I have quietly placed it in my “tomorrow” pile, knowing that to achieve my dream I would have to conquer what has become an overwhelming fear.

I’m not quite sure when my fear of flying first began. When I was younger, travelling both to see my Dad overseas and on adventures with my parents I never thought twice about jumping on a plane. In fact the endless movies, the pre-flight McDonalds and bad plane food were all pretty exciting.

I do recall an incident in my early teens flying into Bangkok airport through an electrical storm when our plane was struck by lightning. My Mum’s reaction to being scared is to laugh hysterically and me, sobbing (like the rest of the plane) kept saying “It’s not funny Mum!!!” However, I have flown hundreds of times since then and it only in the last five years that I have really struggled. I’ve become the white-knuckle flyer who stares at the seatbelt sign and holds on to the seat during even the mildest of turbulence. Friends and strangers have held my hand to calm me down and I can’t remember the last time I got through a movie.

So, I’m guessing I’m not an ideal candidate to fly into one of the scariest airports in the world. Located 2800m above sea level, surrounded by the Himalayas and with a sloping runway less than 500m long, Lukla Airport also boasts highly changeable weather meaning trekkers can wait for days to get in and out with even the most skilled pilots suggesting “non-flammable clothing like hemp”.  Words like “fireball”, “suicide” and “insanity” are fairly common and reputable choices such as Yeti Air and Buddha Airlines don't exactly instill confidence. (Does Buddha give you more or less chance of meeting your maker?!)

The first step to overcoming my trepidation was to simply book my flights into Nepal. Knowing that I may get the opportunity to see my cousin while I was there was the extra motivation I needed and once I’d gotten my three weeks leave approved (real life is so inconvenient), it was a few simple clicks and Voila! This little lady is now firmly booked on a Singapore Airlines A380 (via Singapore for some encouraging Mum hugs) departing in October. Bravo CJ!

Having been told that I couldn’t miss out on seeing Gokyo Lakes I put the call out for guide recommendations to tie this in with Everest Base Camp. It turns out everyone’s guide is THE BEST. It also turns out that everyone’s guide is super friendly and helpful, and after weeks going back and forth it was impossible to make a decision.

Then a little aviation incident stopped me in my tracks. Seeing news of the Asiana crash in San Francisco led me into a downward spiral of sleepless nights and Googling Nepalese aviation statistics. 34 fatalities last year and almost 100 in the last three years. Three accidents in the last two months alone. Speaking with my boss, it appears he was chatting with a group in his hotel in Kathmandu and they all lost their lives a few hours later. He hadn’t told me knowing it was stop me going. To say I was spooked would be putting it mildly. I started researching all alternatives to flying anywhere in Nepal. 

However, I’ve never been one to let fear get in the way of a good story (I’ve jumped out of a plane and head first off a bridge!), and the very wise Ralph Waldo Emerson said “Always do what you are afraid to do”. So first thing this morning I confirmed with my lovely friend Sangita at Himalayan Glacier Trekking. 18 days to Everest Base Camp, Gokyo Lakes and Cho Lo Pass, to an altitude of almost 6000m and most importantly with two hair-raising flights in and out of Lukla Airport. So, sixty years after Edmund Hillary stood atop the tallest summit in the world, I will look out the window of that tiny plane and remember to say to myself "I am conquering my Everest" Then perhaps like my mother I will laugh.

Flashback Friday - #121 Dress up as a Mascot

Kiteman - The Big Red Kite Guy

I'm a Sydney Swans fan. For those not from Australia, the Swans are an Australian Rules football team and despite the fairly unintimidating name they're pretty good. But most of all they have an awesome mascot and yep, he's a swan. A big one, and his name is Syd. Syd the Swan. His full name is Syd 'Swannie' Skilton but thats a story for another day.

Syd 'Swannie' Skilton on his Scooter

As a kid (and I know this is a little strange for a little girl), I wanted to be Syd the Swan. I guess its because as a vertically challenged female I was highly unlikely to ever get to play full forward. So was born a strange little dream to one day get to dress up in a giant mascot costume.

Flashback Friday #81 – Make my own Pair of Shoes

Flashback Friday -  #81 – Emelda Marcos Meets Jimmy Choo. Sort of.

 

As a girl who rivals Carrie Bradshaw for her love of elegant footwear this dream had long be thrown about as a family joke. It was a way for me to save money on my shoe addiction which had started the day I said my very first word “Shoe” (no, this part is not a joke). My mother knew she was in trouble when the prancing in high-heels began as a toddler, then as a teen I was already an avid collector. My brother was ready to stage an intervention after moving my 200 pairs to my 5^th share house ("You only have two feet"!). So was born the idea to make at least one pair all on my own, so I could at least appreciate the artisans who make my feet so happy.

CJ starts the shoe obsession

Number 78 - Whale Sharks (and then some!!)

Oyster Stacks

I don't even know where to start after the incredible weekend I have just had!

I have wanted to swim with a whale shark for about 5 years now having seen the photos of a work colleague that were mind boggling. Beginning this blog, I decided I would do at least a couple of the big things and this was certainly one of the biggest dreams.

Whale sharks are the worlds largest fish and can be up to 12 metres long (I'm struggling to get past 1.5!). In terms of size it rivals some of the largest dinosaurs in weight. In short, it's one massive fish.

Whale sharks are found in temperate waters around the world and one of the best places to see them is Ningaloo Reef, off the Exmouth Cape in Western Australia. Exmouth is 1200km north of Perth (the nearest capital city) and was established as a US Navy Base in World War II as a communications hub for submarines.

My first concern was the flying. Being a somewhat apprehensive flyer I was a little hesitant about the propeller planes that service regional Australia. However, excitement beats fear and so I found myself on my way to Perth. A couple of small meltdowns later (and some encouraging text messages!) and I was settled in my Dash-8 flying over the outback on my way to Exmouth.

Aerial outback views

 Once I had recovered from my Flying Freak-Out, I managed to properly appreciate the aerial view. Incredible patterns in the earth made me wonder how Aboriginal Art could so closely resemble these, when they had never seen this perspective. The colours, contrasts and accidental designs were breathtaking. It was the first of many "I can't believe I'm here" moments.

Aerial Outback Views

Number 24 - A Rubik's Cube, a little metaphor for life?

In the spring of 1974, Erno Rubik, the 29 year old Hungarian sculptor and professor of architecture invented the puzzle that was to become the aggravation of one eighth of the worlds population. 

Since it's release in 1980 it has become the worlds best selling toy (over 350 million) earning a place in New York's Museum of Modern Art, a spot in the Oxford Dictionary and a fairly impressive list of film credits.

As a true child of the 80s, it has been a minor but niggling addition to my list but I soon realised that this little niggle would give way to full blown obsession once I seriously began trying to solve it.

Number 82 - Smashed it! Half Marathon - Fully Finished.

We did it!!!

When Charlotte sent an email in February proposing we take on the half-marathon I was dubious to say the least. She suggested we train with Can Too to give ourselves the best possible chance and make it an experience for the greater good.

Our first training run started pretty easily in Centennial Park, a few laps around an oval and generally getting to know everyone. A few weeks later we did our first 5km time trial and things suddenly felt a whole lot tougher.

A few weeks after that I got knocked over by a chest infection that had me out of action for almost 6 weeks. With doctors throwing around words like whooping cough and pneumonia I was starting to worry about whether I was running out of time to train for the big day. As it turns out the doctors still don't 100% what I'd had and I was told to rest, use an inhaler and "be careful". So with that sage advice in mind, I decided to head back to training!

My first session back looked like this.

 

Despite my impatience to get back into training, running in torrential rain was probably not a genius plan. After a few kms in the wet, our coach Gordo gave me the "raised eyebrow" and I obediently gave up.

It turns out Charlotte and I had hit the rocky part of the training journey.

Charlotte had injured herself taking on the Tough Mudder, I was still on a Ventolin inhaler (having learned the hard way that I shouldn't go on even small runs without it!) and we were only a few weeks out from the race. To say we were a little nervous about our ability to race 21km was putting it mildly.

Despite this we tackled whatever training we could manage and kicked ass with fundraising for Can Too and Cure Cancer. Both of us reached our targets, were suitably embarrassed with bright orange feather boas and glitter hats during our "Star Ceremonies". Knowing we've done our bit to continue critical funding for cancer research has been one of the most rewarding parts of the last couple of months.

After 12 weeks of preparation we were ready (ish!) to face race day.

The night before to calm my nerves I got all my race gear laid out (no-one was going to miss me in that fluoro orange!) then like any normal person does before a big race, I got dressed in my Playboy Bunny costume and headed off to a Vegas party. Drinking tap water and sticking to my planned pre-race meal of fish and rice, I watched as others sculled champagne and scoffed hot dogs. At 9pm as Elvis was marrying Celine Dion to Lenny Kravitz, I decided it was time to head home to get as much sleep as possible before my 5am alarm.

 
Five am, 19th May and I was seriously nervous. A quick breakfast of champions, some water and I was very glad to see my brother who had so generously offered to support me around the race. 

Number 64 - My First for Life. Davos Bloody Donors

Donating blood has been on my Big List for a long time and I've given it many attempts but for various reasons (my rebellious belly piercing, my more rebellious tattoo, travelling to 'risky' countries and not just having enough of the stuff),  I've been a Blood Donor Reject. Unwanted. I was a bloody loser.


My brother's best friend is just like another brother to me and has been since I was five. His wife Edwina is like a sister. Following the diagnosis of Dwee's very dear dad  'Davo' 12 months ago, Davo’s Bloody Donors was founded and I knew that I had to step up and stop being a Bloody Loser. I was going to be a Bloody Winner.

Number 82 - Half-Marathon Fundraising Star! (THANKS TO YOU!!)

With 10 days to go, I've reached my fundraising goal (exceeded it actually!) for Cure Cancer Australia and I'm all set to run the daunting 21km. Thanks to my incredibly generous friends and family I am officially a Can Too Fundraising Star. Complete with orange glitter hat and certificate, I now get to wear my full day-glo running shirt and running hat!

http://cantoosmh2013.gofundraise.com.au/page/CJsHalfMarathon2013

Number 36 - Beer Baby

As a toddler living in Perth in the very early 1980s, my Dad would fall asleep by the side of the pool leaving the warm dregs of his VB stubbies. In my pink and white terry towelling dressing gown I would cheekily wander around and drink these nasty dregs while my Dad dozed in the sun. It might be for this reason (or because I later developed a later love of champagne!) that in my adult years the smell and taste of beer makes my stomach turn. I had tried in Mexico to drink a Corona, my brother had tried to do his brotherly duty and force a beer down his sisters throat but to no avail. I'd only ever managed a few sips before it had gotten warm and nasty, and I could drink no more.

Number 101 – Heavenly Hawaiian Massage

As I celebrated my 32nd birthday (once I figured out I wasn't actually turning 31!), I decided to treat myself with one of my easier list items. With Mum flying into the country for the weekend it was a perfect opportunity for some girly time and to see if both of us could relax!

Knowing how much I love getting massages and after me raving about a massage I'd had in Bali, my friend Charlotte recommended I try the Lomi Lomi telling me it was an experience not to be missed. I've had massages all around the world and some pretty amazing ones so I was more than happy to take Char up on the challenge.


Ka Huna Lomi Lomi massage is an ancient style of massage, traditionally performed to honour the body as a temple. It’s designed to relax, rebalance and invigorate the mind, body and spirit. During a treatment, the practitioner moves around the massage table with flowing hula movements, using their hands and forearms to massage the client. Below is a Ka Huna demonstration.

After a bit of research I found Sydney Ka Huna located in Paddington, literally up the road. Mum and I arrived to a a small studio and were greated by our therapists Natalia and Jae with huge smiles. http://www.sydneykahuna.com.au/

After being taken into a balmy room, Natalia talked through the process and what to expect. It was time to get ready and I quickly realised this is not a massage for the overly modest. Getting down to my birthday suit (appropriate for a birthday treat!), I was given a little sarong to preserve what modesty I had left. 

Lomi Lomi massages you from head to toe in long strokes, going over and under the body in constant rhythm, slathering you with oil. The therapist breathes in time with the strokes and after 10 mins I was already starting to nod off.

An hour and a half later on was floating on a cloud. With rhythmic drums, tinkling bells and heated towels I was in heaven wishing there was a way to make it last just a little longer. When they tell you to take your time, how long do they mean??

Number 101 complete, though I think I may need to go back a couple of times just to make sure!

Sunshine Awards on a Rainy Day

This morning while blearily participating in an early conference call with my colleagues in Argentina, we were discussing the miserable weather. Torrential downpours in Sydney were nothing compared to the flooding and fatalities that had occurred overnight in Buenos Aires during a crazy storm. I felt a little sad that a vibrant Sydney summer was ending and a solar powered me was potentially going to be just a tad bit flatter.

Deciding that I would curl up on my couch and work from home for the day, I opened my computer to discover that I was the very proud (and somewhat baffled) recipient of a Sunshine Award! Fortuitous when it seemed to have abandoned me so heartlessly! 

So what exactly is a Sunshine Award? Well it’s here I will steal the words of Laura Maya whom I thank for bestowing me a morning of happiness and your usual ray of joy. A Sunshine Award is awarded from one blogger to another to recognise “bloggers who positively and creatively inspire others in the blogosphere” so entirely apt that the person who is my blogosphere inspiration is also my award benefactor!

The way the award works is this: Thank the person who gave you the award and link back to them. Answer questions about yourself (I’ve decided to change one and see if my nominees do the same!). Select  up to 10 of your favourite bloggers, link their blogs to your post and let them know they have been awarded the Sunshine Award!”

I decided to do some research a found that just by searching for this award I stumbled on some amazing blogs. So here is my contribution to send a little warmth out into the ether.

Who inspired you to start blogging:

My cousin Laura Maya Frot (though I occasionally call her Laura Poole whichI have called her since we were knee high). We grew up together creating make believe and racking up our parents phone bills. Now as adults we get to live our dreams and she inspired me to write about them (though she has a way with words I can only aspire to!).

How did you come up with name for your blog:

A few years ago inspired by the Sydney New Year’s Festival “Year of” symbol on the Harbour Bridge. I decided that rather than have New Year’s resolutions I would have a different “Year Of”. I started with a “Year of Positivity”, “Year of Fun” and “Year of Action” , then 2013 became the “Year of Magical Moments” and ultimately the year to focus on some of the things on my Big List.

What’s your favourite blog:

I actually tend to follow more blogs than I can count through Twitter and Facebook, so rather than reading a blog religiously, I tend to focus on posts that focus on particularly interests of mine (which are fairly eccelectic!). I’m particularly interested in the issues surrounding Human Trafficking and Sexual Exploitation, Child slavery, womens issues,  and on lighter notes; Bucket Lists, Food and Travel, Fashion and Photography.

Tell us about your dream job:

I actually love my job (I know!) working for a company whose philosophy is Conscious Business, while in my spare time I intern as a Project Manager running campaigns to raise awareness about Human Trafficking (http://www.projectfutures.com/ ). But ideally, travelling, drinking champagne, eating good food and being able to volunteer full time would be perfect!!!

Is your glass half full or half empty:

My glass is bubbling over (like perfect pink champagne!) and I really do love my life. I like to think of myself as a rational optimist (to steal from Matt Ridley’s book). I really do feel that our generation can use our voices to effect change.

If you could go anywhere for a week’s holiday where would it be:

Everest Base Camp, Nepal and Tibet are right at the of the top on my list. There is the small matter of a big fear of the tiny plane to be overcome but it will be done.

What food can you absolutely not eat?

Oranges, Mandarins, Grapefuits. It’s the citrus thing. It does bad things to me, I don’t miss it. The smell me sick, so of course people manage to eat them around me all the time and orange juice is the only thing served at every breakfast ever. And it can make cocktail hour tricky.

Dark Chocolate or Milk chocolate?

We just had Easter. I can barely think about this without feeling like I need at Lindt Intervention. Milk. And Dark. And White. And Honeycomb.

How much time do you spend blogging?

Nowhere near as much as I would like. I’m relatively new to the blogosphere and being completely over-committed in my life I find that I am restricted to perhaps once a fortnight, at most once a week. I’m hoping that as I get into the swing of things I am able blog more.

What’s Your Lucky Number?

The Number 4. I believed this since I was little. Because I was born in April, on the 14, my older brother Dean (whom I idolised) had the football jersey number 4 and I always thought it was the start of a star.

My Sunshine Awards Go To........

Nisha Dua @ http://devourbeauty.blogspot.com.au/

Sebastian Terry @ http://100things.com.au/blog/

Catherine Shepherd @ http://www.champagneduchess.com/

Steph Lorenzo @ http://projectfutures.com/blog/

Kristi Odom @ http://www.kristiodomphotography.com/blog/

And of course one of my favourite people in the world (and someone I’m missing alot at the moment!!) Trust me if you can live like this lady and her super-hubby then you’ve got life figured out.

Laura Maya @ http://free-to-dream.org/