Inner Child

When was the first time you really felt like a grown up (if ever)?

I grew up early. As the eldest child I have always been responsible, however, I have always had time to nurture my inner child. I don’t believe that we are ever too old or grown up to have fun.

 

Growing up

When was the last time you had fun, did things you enjoyed as a child or played with your own children. All of these things are great stress relievers and help us to remember not to take ourselves too seriously.

Make a list of ways you can connect with your inner child:

  • Dance while you are doing the housework
  • Run in the rain or puddles
  • Play with the Lego and create a masterpiece
  • Read children’s books
  • Go to a theme park
  • Watch an animated Disney movie
  • Build a snowman or a sand castle
  • Play Sing Star or sing into a hairbrush
  • Colour-in
  • Draw with chalk on the cement
  • Play elastics or skipping rope games
  • Go to the playground
  • Play with your children, grandchildren, nieces or nephews
  • Eat your childhood favourites e.g. fairy floss

It is certainly important to be responsible and grown-up most of the time. However, take some time out of your day to have fun, help your creativity and connect with your inner child. You’ll be glad you did. It will help you laugh which has its own health benefits.

https://dailypost.wordpress.com/dp_prompt/all-grown-up/


Dog Sledding

Yesterday, although Quebec has a lack of snow, my husband and I had an amazing experience. We went dog sledding. Despite it being in jeopardy initially, luck was on our side.  A light snow fall overnight allowed it to happen. Without the snow, the track would have been to icy for us inexperienced sledders to manage.

Our venue was the spectacular Pourvoirie Du-Lac Beaufort only 20 minutes out of Quebec City.  For about 10 minutes in the shop, there were twice as many Australians as Canadians because the other couple booked to dog sled to our surprise were fellow Aussies.

Our first stop was to feed the Huskie puppies. They were so cute and ate from our hands.

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Now we were off to complete our training to be able to drive a dog sled.  Manu, our musher explained that because of the ice they had only given us 4 dogs in our teams. Any more dogs would be too hard for the drivers to control. Then it dawn on us. This wasn’t going to be as easy as we first thought.

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Manu was a very experienced musher and his team lead the expedition.  Our dog sled was the first for the day so the dogs were full of energy. We were given several instructions; the main one being to keep the dog teams apart as they will fight. Soon we got to experience stopping wasn’t as easy as any of us thought and the dogs kept running into each other. When this happened the front team started attacking the team from behind. Manu sorted it quickly and we were off again.

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In the dog sled team, all dogs are trained to a specific position depending on their abilities. The smartest dogs are the lead dogs and there are two of them. They are the ones that sense danger and stop the team if things aren’t right. They also listen to the orders of the sled driver. The middle dog  was the point dog. He is a strong dog to pull the sled. The last dog is the wheel dog and he is the strongest dog giving extra help when needed.

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Initially I sat in the sled and my husband was the driver. It took me 5 minutes to realise I didn’t want to drive as stopping was too tricky. At times we went close to ponds and I was very grateful I  wasn’t driving and that i didn’t end up in the water. When it came to change overtime Manu was very pleased neither of us ladies wanted to drive. His opinion was that the conditions were too hard for us to manage, which made it dangerous. It definitely was a psychical workout for the boys as they were sweating. I agreed, driving yesterday was a boy job and I was not offended. My job was photography and as we were moving quickly this wasn’t easy.  Fortunately we both succeeded at our tasks and we had a great morning.

If you ever get the chance connect with nature and go for a dog sled. It’s amazing.


Secret Santa

You get to choose one gift — no price restrictions — for any person you want. The caveat? You have to give it anonymously. What gift would you give, and to whom?

The best secret Santa’s are personally matched. For my secret Santa I would choose to honour my daughter. The fact that there is no limit to my present makes this task even easier. I would give her the gift of Demi Lovato singing at her 21st birthday party. She has admired Demi for several years and finds her very inspiring.

Demi’s honesty about her struggles with various mental health issues and her determination to keep on track, make her a great role model for young people. Her belief in getting help is so strong, she has set up a scholarship program to help young people with payment for mental health treatment called Lovato Treatment Scholarship Program.

My daughter and I are also a fan of one of her recent songs – Let It Go – the theme song from Frozen.

Now, I am so excited I can’t wait. I am looking forward to seeing the look on her face. The fact that she won’t know it is me is irrelevant. It will be so good to see her meet her idol.

https://dailypost.wordpress.com/dp_prompt/secret-santa/


Changing Christmas

The holiday season: can’t get enough of it, or can’t wait for it all to be over already? Has your attitude toward the end-of-year holidays changed over the years?

Christmas is a special time of year. For me, it usually involves a glass of champagne while opening presents with my family in Sydney. We all then travel to spend the rest of the day with our extended family. On occasions we are lucky enough to see all members of both sides of our family in the one day.

In Australia, Christmastime is usually hot. The question on everyone’s lips is will the bush fires stay away long enough for the volunteers to celebrate and enjoy a lunch with family and friends.

This year I get to learn about and love Christmas in a new way. All my life I have dreamt of  a white Christmas. So we have left sunny Sydney and are heading to hopefully snowy Quebec. Google tells us it is one of the few places in the world that has the best chance of snow on the ground as well as falling on Christmas day.

It will be very different for me only having my husband around on Christmas day. I will miss the rest of my family, but I am loving the build up to Christmas in Canada. Christmas traditions I am experiencing include:

  • The cold
  • The fires
  • Hot chocolate
  • Snow
  • Christmas parades
  • Ugly sweaters
  • Mulled wine
  • Hot toddies
  • Hat, gloves and coats
  • Snowmen
  • Snow shoveling
  • Snowflakes
  • Christmas markets
  • Christmas tree shopping
  • Christmas movie marathons daily
  • The smell of Christmas
  • Sugar cookies
  • Street Carolers
  • The weather report
  • Flights cancelled due to bad weather

I was surprised to see everything that I had seen on television happens in everyday life. And I love it. It’s great to see how the other half of the world lives during this special time.

148 - The Parade - Santa Arrives

St John’s Newfoundland’s Christmas Parade

 

https://dailypost.wordpress.com/dp_prompt/getting-seasonal/


The Ocean Train

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Last weekend we traveled from Moncton, New Brunswick to Montreal, Quebec by VIA’s The Ocean  Train.  It is Canada’s longest continuously running train and it’s full journey goes from Halifax, Nova Scotia to Montreal. The Ocean Train links Atlantic Canada to Central and Western Canada and has done so using the same name since July 3, 1904. It follows a route established by the Intercolonial Railway in the mid 1800’s.

Our journey took 18 hours so we choose  sleeper car. And we were pleased we did. No only did this give us a private space, bunk beds, a shower and toilet, it also gave us access to the viewing carriage. This is the last carriage of the train and is higher than the others with a glass ceiling. It was a relaxing way to watch the picturesque scenery speed by.

Traveling on this train during winter had other advantages. The sight of beautiful Christmas lights in the towns we traveled through. Unfortunately, because of the speed we were traveling, we were unable to take photos as the lights went streaky.  They were however, beautiful against the crisp, white snow.

I loved waking up during the night and looking out the window. I imagined what life was like for the people living in these  towns in remote Canada.

This was a great experience. I loved every minute of the 1 042 kilometre journey through the snow.

 


Honorary Newfies

Prior to becoming part of the 10th province of Canada, Newfoundland and Labrador in 1949, Newfoundland was an independent Dominion. For this reason, Newfies, (the common name for people from Newfoundland) identify being Newfoundlanders first and then Canadian. Rum has played a major role in their history and today, they use it to  extended a welcome to its visitors.

The story goes that years ago Newfoundlanders traded salted cod with the Jamaicans for their rum barrel ends. They would then add water to them, creating their own rum. This brew was rough and remained nameless for years. Then one day an American naval officer was offered some after diner. He noticed that the other officer drank his shot quickly in one go. So he did too. Then, he let out an almighty screech that brought his captain running. Asking the question,

“What’s the screech about.” asked the Captain?

The officer replied stating “tis the rum.”

And that is how Newfoundland’s rum was named. Today, the name is the same, although now good quality Jamaican rum is used. It is this rum that is basis of the Screeching-In ceremony.  This ceremony helps tourists feel welcome  and makes them an honorary Newfy after participation.

The Screeching-In Ceremony takes four parts.

1. Drinking something from Newfoundland – Screech Rum

2. Eating something from Newfoundland – Bolonge

3. Saying something from Newfoundland – Too weird to remember.

4. Kissing something from Newfoundland – a frozen cod. Yeah.

009 Michelle post ceremony 1

To join with tradition, my husband and I were Screeched-In recently. It was fun. We have now joined nearly 200,000 visitors who can now call themselves, Newfies. Screeched-In at Trapper Johns, St Jon’s Newfoundland. If you ever go to Newfoundland join the fun.

004 -  Schreeching Certificate


Dream Day

You’re given unlimited funds to plan one day full of any and all luxuries you normally can’t afford. Tell us about your extravagant day with as much detail as possible.

I have been given access to the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow. But only for one day, so how will I spend it.  I would wake up in a house on a private beach and begin my day by an early morning swim. Then a walk on the beach to a champagne brunch attended by my extended family. We enjoy the following brunch menu.

Brunch Menu

Chicken

Ham and cheese croissants

Bacon

Eggs Benedict

Waffles, maple syrup and ice-cream

Raspberries, strawberries, blueberries

Organic Muesli

Organic Greek yoghurt

French champagne

At the completion of brunch, a stretch Hummer will pick us up for a day at the day spa. After dropping the others off, my husband and kids will go shopping for a new outfit.  But feeling so good after being pampered all day deserves to be shown off. I think a fancy six course dinner for two at a top restaurant with matching wines is in order. Special foods and wines to help celebrate my dream day.

http://dailypost.wordpress.com/dp_prompt/feeling-fancy/


Keep It Simple

Today, write a post about the topic of your choice — using only one-syllable words.

Life was not meant to be easy. But why is it so hard to keep it simple. How do we start?  The answer may be to break it down. To stamp out the big words.

1. Write what you want to say. Use any number of syllables.

2. There will be many words with one syllable ignore them.

3. Circle the words that need to be cut down. Even three to two makes it simpler. Write a list of options and pick the best.

I wrote the first draft of my book in this style. The shorter the better. The easier it is to read. Stamp out big words. Keep it simple and see the power.

http://dailypost.wordpress.com/dp_prompt/one-at-a-time/


Lessons From My Blog

What’s the most important (or interesting, or unexpected) thing about blogging you know today that you didn’t know a month ago?

Blogging is a never-ending journey. This is my 150th post. And I am excited there is always something new to learn or do.  So what are some of the things I have learnt recently?

1. Working out what my audience wants is tricky and seems to vary.

2. Connecting with others is the key.  I don’t expect others to stop by my site without me reaching out to them. This  is only half the journey and doesn’t work.

3. I make sure that my writing is clear and not open to interpretation. I use the KIS principle, keep it simple.

4. Writing daily makes it easier. I stopped for a few days and I lost momentum.  Now it takes me longer to write my posts until I get back into a system.

5. The more I blog, the more I want to blog. I love that you can sit at your computer anywhere in the world, share people’s lives and they can share mine.

6. The more I blog, the more I realise the power of the internet and the role of my voice online.

7. Finding viewers is hard but working my blog helps keep them. I appreciate everyone who stops by and visits my blog.

http://dailypost.wordpress.com/dp_prompt/recently-acquired/


Countdown To Christmas

‘Tis the season for suspense-building lists.

‘Tis the season to be jolly. This year however, it took a long time to come. After 12 months of planning, my husband and I are exploring Canada on our countdown to our first white Christmas.

As Australians, the usual question is “how hot will Christmas day be? or “will the bush fires stay away till at least boxing day?” This year the question is “will it snow on Christmas day and how cold will it be?” As we are having Christmas day in Old Quebec City one of the top places in the world to guarantee snow falling as well as being on the ground, we are hopeful.

Just a week ago we began our grand adventure and countdown to Christmas.

We are fascinated by life in Northern Hemisphere, eating afternoon tea in a house older than our country, adjusting to walking on snow and ice as well as trying and learning about new things.

Our six week Canadian adventure includes visiting:

1. St John’s Newfoundland

2. Halifax, Nova Scotia

3. Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island

4. Moncton, New Brunswick

5. Montreal, Quebec

6. Kingston, Ontario

7. Toronto, Ontario

8. Niagara Falls, Ontario

9. Old Quebec City, Quebec

10. Ottawa, Ontario

Whilst we will be missing our usual Christmas traditions, we are proud to be sharing new ones with others half a world away.

103 - Lake Quidi Vidi

View over Quidi Vidi Lake, Newfoundland

133 - Govt House at night + with snow

Christmas Tree Government House St John’s

http://dailypost.wordpress.com/dp_writing_challenge/countdown/