Welcome To Sydney

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Sydney, Australia is a beautiful part of the world. It is set around nature. Sydney Harbour—arguably one of the best in the world is on one side, with national parks on all other sides. It is a multi-cultural city, with people from all parts of the world, often living in pockets of like-minded people—mixing original customs with their new life, which adds to the vitality of the area. As a result, in Sydney, we can source all ingredients for international cooking by going to the specialist communities.

The strangest thing for first time visitors to Sydney may depend on where they are coming from. Living near Sydney Olympic Park—Sydney’s major sporting and entertainment venue—on the train I regularly overhear conversations of newcomers to the area discussing their first impression of Sydney.

Fellow Australians coming from the country Australia discuss:

  • Trains – how they work and how easy they are to use
  • The number of people
  • The traffic
  • The multiculturalism of the city
  • The fast pace of life
  • How long it takes to get anywhere

International visitors discuss:

  • Our sporting obsession
  • How fast we talk
  • Our strange slang and colloquialisms—they thought we spoke English
  • How slow our trains system is
  • How long the flight was
  • The temperature—especially with the high temperature and humidity in Summer

Wherever you come from, always remember you are welcome. We love visitors and it appears visitors love us. According to the following websites, Sydney is rated one of the top cities in the world to visit.

http://www.travelandleisure.com/worlds-best-cities-2014-winners-list#top-cities-overall

http://news.distractify.com/culture/trip-advisor-top-cities/?v=1

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Luna Park North Sydney View

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Sydney Harbour Bridge

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View Over Sydney City

So, come on Down Under. Our beaches, plants and animals are unique. Join the millions of others who have experienced our relaxed, fun-loving way of life. There will always be someone to say—G’Day Mate.

http://dailypost.wordpress.com/dp_prompt/welcome-stranger/

One Lovely Blogger Award

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I would like to thank Cancer Is Not Pink for nominating my blog for this award. I am excited to accept it as an acknowledgment that I am developing a voice my fellow bloggers can connect with.

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The One Lovely Blog Award nominations are chosen by fellow bloggers for those newer and up-and-coming bloggers. The goal is to help give recognition and also to help the new blogger to reach more viewers. It also recognises blogs that are considered to be “lovely” by the fellow blogger who choose them. This award recognises bloggers who share their story or thoughts in a beautiful manner to connect with their viewers and followers. In order to “accept” the award the nominated blogger must follow several guidelines:

  • Thank the person who nominated you for the award.
  • Add the One Lovely Blog logo to your post.
  • Share 7 facts/or things about yourself.
  • Nominate 15 bloggers you admire and inform nominees by commenting on their blog:

7 facts about me:

1. I am just finishing writing a book on how eating disorder recovery is possible—I have worked in the field for over 20 years.

2. I love purple.

3. A possum lives in the gum tree next to our house.

4. I am having a white Christmas this year in Canada, not with family in sunny Australia.

5. Dark, dairy or white chocolate—dark.

6. Disney is my favourite, especially Mickey Mouse.

7. I love the quiet.

My 15 nominees are:

1. LESS©NS LEARNED

2. Expressions of a girl

3. Bleeding My Emotions

4. BRANDYMUZZ

5. BETZCEE RAMBLES

6. JOYROSES13

7. Phoenix Grey

8. The Muservation

9.  Faithful Homesteader

10. Live Now – Dream Later

11. Notes Tied On The Sagebrush

12. The Beespeak

13. MISSFRESH77’S BLOG

14. My Own Private Idaho

15. More thoughts, vicar

 

 

Big Day Ahead

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In Australia, today is the 2014 NRL Telstra Premiership Grand Final. One of the largest sporting events annually in Australia, the Grand Final is broadcast nationally and internationally across many countries. This year the two teams left standing of the original 16—South Sydney Rabbitohs and Canterbury Bankstown Bulldogs. The last time these two teams faced each other in a grand final was in 1967, as the Rabbitohs last won a premiership in 1971. Both teams have very loyal fans—honour and pride is at stake.

For many, the big day out begins with the commute to Sydney to attend the game and carnival atmosphere at Sydney Olympic Park. If you are one of the lucky 83 000 plus who will be attending the game, your day is planned out for you. Anyone like myself who lives in the area can minimise the stress by getting into the spirit at home, staying off all roads leading into Olympic Park and if attending the festivities, walk.  Helicopters fly over head regularly, providing security checks as the afternoon progresses and become part of the build up to game time.

The general population, relieve their anxieties and pre-game nerves by organising and attending Grand Final parties at home or where possible by watching the game at their local Leagues Club. These family B-B-Q’s and parties have developed their own traditions, usually include several drinks and if your regular team is not in the Grand Final, every one attending will choose a preferred team to win and follow them. Sometimes this team may be the one they dislike the least.

 

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So wherever you are around the globe, join us if you can for our big day ahead and learn a little about Australian culture as you go. Its been along time coming and following in the family tradition of being Bunnies supporters, I will dress in red and green and hope my sisters’ team gets up tonight.

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Go The Rabbitohs

http://dailypost.wordpress.com/dp_prompt/big-day-ahead/

Howling At The Moon

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“Follow your inner moonlight; don’t hide the madness.” — Allen Ginsberg

Do you follow Ginsberg’s advice — in your writing and/or in your everyday life?

I love a bright, full moon. It appears to call me, drawing my attention to it from wherever I am. It reminds me of the marvels of the universe and how anything is possible if we believe—man landing on the moon.

The moon controls the tides and my experience is that it also affects human behaviour. Working in acute psychiatry, traditionally the night of the full moon would be the busiest for the month, with more people presenting to emergency centres requiring help with their mental health for various reasons. There doesn’t seem to be any agreed reason for this situation, but many people can attest to it being true.

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My favourite full moon I saw in China during the mid Autumn Moon Festival in 2013. It was bright full and red—although very difficult to photograph. The Chinese people celebrate the power of the moon in this family celebration that dates back more than 3,000 years.

Moving forward, I think the time of the full moon each month would be a great time for reflection and goal setting for the next month. Speaking our goals out loud makes them real and gives them power. What better way to do that than to howl them to the moon. If required you can plan for this event by checking the date of the next full moon on any calendar. Let’s join with others who for centuries have used the power of the moon to help them achieve their goals.

http://dailypost.wordpress.com/dp_prompt/howl-at-the-moon/ 

World Smile Day

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Today, 3rd October is World Smile Day. The happy smiley face was created in 1963 by Harvey Ball. Ball states that “World Smile Day is open to every person on the planet. No matter what colour they are, or who they might pray to, no matter what country they live in.”

In celebrating World Smile Day, Harvey simply asks “each person to live the day with a generous heart, do one kind act and help one person smile.”

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Google Images World Smile Day 2014

How can you make someone’s day, today? It is the little gestures that make a difference. Use today to launch your new—one act of kindness daily plan. Pay kindness forward and see how quickly your world changes.

Although the following film clip has no bearing on World Smile Day, I couldn’t resist putting it into the post as I think it is a clever part of the movie—Forest Gump.

What do you think?

Have a great day and smile.

 http://dailypost.wordpress.com/dp_prompt/ready-set-done-3/

 

 

I Think, No—I Write

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To be, to have, to think, to move — which of these verbs is the one you feel most connected to? Or is there another verb that characterizes you better?

I find myself regularly using the phrase, I think. I hate the phrase. What does it mean anyway? It is okay if you are explaining exactly what you think, however, I find that I use the phrase like a question. For example:

“The meeting is on Wednesday, I Think?”

If, however, you want the statement to be more powerful, consider the following

“I am telling you that I think, it is important to do…. because……”

My other favourite verb is ‘ to write.’ I can think thousands of thoughts daily but, they only become truly mine, when I write them in either my blog or my book. Writing, helps me to clarify my thoughts and ensures I am using  a phrase correctly. Writing also helps me take the useless—I think—out of my vocabulary. Instead, practicing clarity and power around my thoughts, allows me to emphasis my thoughts as own. And, it is completed by perfecting my use of the statement—I Think.

 

http://dailypost.wordpress.com/dp_prompt/verbal-confirmation/

Truth Serum Special Guest

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You’ve come into possession of one vial of truth serum. Who would you give it to (with the person’s consent, of course) — and what questions would you ask?

In my younger years, I received a Queen’s Award through the Girls’ Brigade. My very beautiful certificate is said to be personally signed by the Queen. As part of achieving my award, I learnt a lot about the royal family and since then they have faced many changes. Queen Elizabeth 2 throughout her reign has lead the monarchy and the Commonwealth well and is highly respect and much loved the world over. It is for these reasons, I would like to give the truth serum to her to develop an understanding of how she has coped so well, in this role for so long.

My questions are:

1. Did you personally sign my Queens’ award?

2. How much time did you spend with your children when they where growing up?

3. What is your favourite memory?

4. What is the biggest political issue you have dealt with during your reign?

5. What are your hopes for the future of the monarchy?

6. Who will be our next king—Charles or William?

7. Do you have any fears for your great grandchildren?

8. What is your favourtie food?

9. What is your biggest regret?

10. Are you always as nice to everyone you come in contract with daily including your staff as you appear to be?

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Photo courtesy Google Images

Thanks for playing your majesty. Your secrets are safe with me.

http://dailypost.wordpress.com/dp_prompt/truth-serum/

 

 

Shaolin Temple – Part 1

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Map of the Shaolin Temple Scenic Area

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Entry gates to Shaolin Temple Scenic Area

This is the first of a three part series to share all aspects of our visit to this remarkable place—Shaolin Temple, Shaolin Kung Fu and the Pagoda’s and surrounding natural area.The natural beauty of area surrounding the Shaolin Temple is amazing. Known as  Scenic Area Shaolin Temple, it literally means “temple in the woods of Shaoshi Montain. It was built in 495 AD to house the Indian monk Batuo.

Today the Shaolin Temple—one of the four holy Buddhist temples of China, is recognised as the birthplace of both Chan Buddhism as well as Chinese Kung Fu. The temple is located near Denfeng City, Hennan Province at the foot of Mount Songshan. In 2010, it was included on UNESCO’S World Cultural and Heritage List.

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The Shaolin Temple

The temple itself, to my surprise looks small from the front—although I don’t know what I was expecting. After stepping over the threshold—a brick strip in the doorway blocking evil spirits from entering—I was humbled to be in such a significant ancient building.

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Monk guarding one of the entrances with threshold visible

On entry to the temple we experience the Hall of Heavenly Kings and are greeted firstly by two Buddhist warrior attendants.

 

 

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One of two Buddhist warriors

 

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Two of the Four Heavenly Kings

Inside the hall are the figures of the Four Heavenly Kings whose job is to inspect people’s behaviour, help the troubled and bless the people that visit.

As we move through the hall opens out into a large courtyard which is the centre of prayers, activity and celebrations. There are many pits in the ground that are said to be eroded and left by the monks over the years as they practiced Shaolin Martial Arts.

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One of 18 Buddist Arhats in the Shaolin Temple

We walked around the temple and took in the ombience.

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1500 year old tree

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An example of the ornate roof decorations used throughout the temple

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On leaving the Shaolin Temple, we found the renovated original well that is still able to supply clean, sweet water. It was built for the exclusive use of the monks and then later its use extended to the broader community.Shaolin Temple 2-9-13 178Visiting the Shaolin Temple was a special experience. Despite its commercialism today, you can still get away and understand the lifestyle of the monks over centuries in this beautiful part of the world.

 

The Great Divide

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When reading for fun, do you usually choose fiction or non-fiction? Do you have an idea why you prefer one over the other?

I love books. Every bookstore or market I pass, if I have time, I will enter—my favourities are the second hand ones. I love the smell, texture and feel of older books. I also love hunting for the hidden treasures.

My preferred books are non-fiction—self-help, success manuals or cooking books. I love the Dummies series and have many titles in areas that interest me—coaching/mentoring, publishing, computers and psychology—just to name a few.

The authors of some my success manuals include, such great leader and teachers as—Jack Canfield, Anthony Robbins, Wayne Dyer, Robert Kiyosaki (Rich Dad, Poor Dad), John Bradshaw and Spencer Johnson (Who Moved the Cheese).

One of the reasons I prefer non-fiction books is that they match my writing style. My imagination isn’t vivid so I describe things as they are. The more conversational the better, as I do struggle with formal writing. If there is a purpose behind why I want to read it, I will preserve. Otherwise, I will give up and move on to something else that catches my attention.

My preference for non-fiction books definitely helps me, as I complete my book on how eating disorder recovery is possible. I have worked in the field for over 20 years and my book is full of the practical knowledge I have learnt along the way.

Whichever side of the great divide you sit, what is important is that you read for fun. It is the best way to improve your writing.

http://dailypost.wordpress.com/dp_prompt/the-great-divide/

 

Madeline

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“In an old house in Paris that was covered with vines lived twelve little girls in two straight lines. In two straight lines they broke their bread and brushed their teeth and went to bed. They smiled at the good and frowned at the bad and sometimes they were very sad. They left the house at half past nine in two straight lines in rain or shine — the smallest one was Madeline.”

Growing up as a teenager I loved the Madeline books. Because I was studying French, I thought I was clever because I could also read the French version. From memory, the opening paragraph of the movie (above) is also the opening paragraph of the books. I like this as it automatically places you in the scene, allowing you to understand the order, values and safety in their lives.

Recently, I watched Madeline again, reliving many memories from my younger years. Madeline, (the only orphan of the group) is always getting into trouble but she has a big heart and connects easily with people of all ages. She and her friends have many adventures or break outs from the order of their lives—each one dealing with many different issues. Somehow, having these issues or movie themes addressed in a children’s movie seems to give them more power. The themes and life lessons I found Miss Clavel and her twelve little girls address through their adventures include:

1.Problem solving skills

2. Loyalty

3. The importance of friendships

4. Abandonment

5. Speaking your mind

6. Stray animals

7. Believing in yourself

8. Class distinction

9. Connecting with others

10. Standing up for what you believe in

11. Looking after each other

12. Orphans

13. Greed

14. Animal rights

15. PETA (People for the ethical treatment of animals)

16. Peer pressure

17. Hospitalization

18. Fun

19. Loss/Death

20. Change

21. Rich verses poor

22. Paris lifestyle

23. The Arts

24. Children’s education

25. Criminal activity

26. Rescuing others

27. Animal instincts

28. Attempting to fit into society

29. Vegetarianism

30. Family traditions

Next time you are considering a movie for all generations give Madeline a try. It has something for everyone. For a young girl Madeline has a strong and lovable personality. The movie has many lovable characters and has someone for everyone. Which movie character do you connect with the most?