Sleeping Beauty’s castle is the land mark of all Disneyland parks. This one is from Hong Kong Disneyland. It reminds me of being watching The Wonderful World of Disney on Sunday evening as a child.
http://dailypost.wordpress.com/dp_assignment/photography-101-landmark/
Springboard, platform and show diving has been part of our world for a decade. Supporting our daughter, diving has directed our holidays for many years including taking us overseas on four occasions. I took the above photo at Luna Park in Sydney, before her performance in the dive show—Sky Pirates.
The above see-through dive tank is one of only two in the world. The other is square also owned by Aqua World. It was a different experience seeing the lower half of a dive—the part that is usually covered by the sides of the pool.
http://dailypost.wordpress.com/dp_assignment/photography-101-water/
What is your favorite time of day?
I like sunset. Hopefully, I have finished work for the day and it is the transition between working and relaxing. In summer in Australia, many people attempt to predict the heat of the following day by the colour of the sunset—the redder the hotter. I am unsure of the truth behind this tradition.
What’s your favorite charitable cause and why?
My two favourite charities go back to my childhood.
How do you like to spend a rainy day?
My perfect rainy day would be spent in the countryside on an old comfortable lounge, in front of an open fire, reading a good book, sipping wine and looking out the window at the drizzling rain on the surrounding green landscape. The last time we had this experience was on the weekend of my husband’s 50th birthday a few years ago. It was so relaxing we never wanted to leave the lounges and didn’t—waiters bought our meals to us. It was heaven.
When writing by hand do you prefer to use a pencil or pen?
I always write with a pen. I find them smoother and more consistent to write with. If I am writing with a pencil I find that I need to print and this does not help the flow of my thoughts. The fact that I have written with a pen since attaining my pen license in the third grade, 45 years ago helps. I am comfortable with the pen although it must not be too thin—I prefer the chunky style as they fit into my hand better.
Bonus question: What are you grateful for from last week, and what are you looking forward to in the week coming up?
Last Sunday I went out to purchase a new outfit for my work Christmas party. I didn’t have a lot of time, so I wanted to go to only one shop that had a 25% sale and buy something quickly—preferably purple. Success. I left the shop 20 minutes after arriving, with a new black skirt and purple flowing top that works with my body shape.
Going to Newcastle to visit my extended family and celebrate our joint birthdays. It will also be the last time I see most of them before 2015 as we will be in Canada for Christmas.
http://ceenphotography.com/2014/10/27/share-your-world-2014-week-43/
Today you can write about anything, in whatever genre or form, but your post must mention a dark night, your fridge, and tears (of joy or sadness; your call).
This month sees Toastmasters International celebrate its 90th birthday. Founded in 1924 by Ralph C. Smedley, it began as a single club in Santa Ana, California to help young men learn the art of public speaking. 90 years later there are 14,650 clubs in 126 countries and Toastmasters is continuing to grow.
Today, Toastmasters International’s membership is over 300,000 and it uses the tagline “Where Leaders are Made.” Emphasising the connection between public speaking and leadership in modern career paths.
I joined Toastmasters International in 2010 and have enjoyed my journey to becoming a competent speaker. I completed my first speaking manual —Competenat Communicator twice to develop my confidence writing and speaking, before I began the my Advanced Manuals, which I am now half way through.
The skills that I have learnt and honed at Toastmasters have definitely helped in both writing my book and commencing blogging. They help me think on my feet and this year in the impromptu speaking competition—Table Topics—I was runner-up at Area, something I am very proud of and a personal best.
My favourite part of Toastmasters, especially as a sponsor of a new club is seeing people make their first speech to the club called the Ice Breaker—for obvious reasons. This a particularly stressful time for many new members due to fear, anxiety and lack of confidence. However, mentorship and support from club members gets them through. After presenting their first speech, it is not uncommon for members to cry tears of joy as they realise that they really did do it —the planning, preparation and practice paid off.
If you are looking for a supportive way to achieve personal growth and develop at your own pace I would recommend you consider joining a Toastmaster Club near you. They are a proven way to enrich your life for 90 years.
An event create by amommasview in response to a Blogging 201 assignment.
What in nature makes you chill out the most and why?
My favourite way to chill out is on a mountain covered in snow. Coming from Australia this is a rarity, which is what makes it special. I can go to the beach— my second favourite place—any day I choose, but not play in the snow. I love the serenity of having no-one else around—just me, my partner and nature’s beauty on top of the world. The stark contrast between the crisp white snow, the bright shining sun and the Alpine trees.
Wherever possible I like to spend my birthday at the snow. I was last there on my final day being forty —my husband and I were at Whakapapa, New Zealand. It was a great day.
In less than a month, we travel to Canada to fulfill our dream of a white Christmas. After six weeks living in the snow—I may no longer see snow as my favourite way to chill in nature.
http://amommasview.wordpress.com/blog-eventschallenges/nature-chills-challenge/
You step into an acquaintance’s house for the first time, and discover that everything — from the furniture, to the books, to the art on the wall — is identical to your home. What happens next?
“My, what great taste you have,” I said. My new friend looked at me with confusion written all over her face.
“Thank you” she said sheepishly, wondering what I would say next.
“Do you realise that this house and everything in it, is exactly the same as my house?” I replied.
“Your kidding. I’ve been collecting my things for thirty years and I don’t even know where you live,” she said.
“I believe you because many of them tell their own story. They would take a lot of effort to purchase today—they belong to the 80’s.” I replied.
We spent the next hour discussing our experiences with our belongings— where we had bought them and the story behind them. Although many of our stories were similar, some were vastly different. My miniature bottle collection was started as a 21st birthday present by a friend, whereas my new friend commenced hers after travelling overseas and bringing her free in flight alcohol bottles home.
A small selection
The more we talked—the more we realised we had in common. Then, an idea hit me.
“We seem to be similar people, with similar ways of thinking. Let’s write a series of books together. We could get them done in half the time but with double the resources. What do you think?” I asked.
“Yes I would love to. Sounds great.” she said, as she grabbed her ideas folder from the coffee table. And, with that our new writing career began—here are a few of our titles.
http://dailypost.wordpress.com/dp_prompt/doppelganger-alert/
What would be your preference, awake before dawn or awake before noon?
I wake around dawn most days to get to work on time. I needed to get up even earlier this week to take my daughter to work and it reminded me of how much work you can get done early in the day. Staying in bed until noon would waste so much of my time these days. I am sure when I was younger, I would have given you a different answer.
If you could choose between wisdom and luck, which would you pick?
Wisdom can change your world and help you achieve your goals. I believe that many people interpret good use of wisdom as luck. From my experience—very few things rely on luck—usually they appear to be luck but they are actually the culmination of planning and positive thinking. Without wisdom—even the winning the lottery type of luck is short lived.
If you were given the opportunity for free sky diving lessons would you take them? Why or why not?
Yes. I have wanted to sky dive for many years now. I think it would be an exhilarating feeling. However, if I had to do it alone my answer would be, no. My jump would need to be a tandem jump—so someone experienced was in control.
Is the glass half empty or half full. What is in the glass?
I am a positive person so my glass is always half full. Even in difficult times, I will focus on what I do have rather than what I don’t have. My glass is of course filled with a very expensive French Champagne to celebrate the joy in my life.
Photo credit: Google Images
Bonus question: What are you grateful for from last week, and what are you looking forward to in the week coming up?
Last week I arranged to self-publish my book with Balboa Press. This takes even closer to being a published author in 2015. Exciting and scary. I did have a little glass of champagne to celebrate.
http://ceenphotography.com/2014/10/20/share-your-world-2014-week-42/
Do you take time out each day to have fun or play? Playing doesn’t need to be a planned event, it can be done in several ways, alone as well as by connecting with others. Consider some of the following ways to add daily fun to your life:
By not taking yourself so seriously for at least five or ten minutes hopefully longer, you can recharge your mind, reduce your stress and improve your mental health. Playing brings people together and helps to strengthen family, friendships and teams.
Consider ways that you can add more fun to your life. Think outside the box, connect with your true self and grow through play and having fun.
Have you ever been white water rafting? My husband and I went on the Tongariro River, New Zealand, to celebrate my 50th birthday. It was amazing. We were feeling brave, so we tackled the No.3 rapids—higher up the river.
I loved:
Our guide told us the river is different everyday. He can never take the rapids for granted. They change constantly and if he isn’t focusing on the rapids, everyone’s life could be in danger—heads and rocks don’t mix well.
The mighty Tongariro River
All eight passengers on our boat were from different countries, so during our quiet times on the river, we were able to learn more about the world.
If ever you get the chance to go white water rafting—take the risk. It will change how you think about life. You have absolutely no control over what happens and it is the best. Handing over trust to the boat’s guide allows you to enjoy the ride and take notice of your surroundings.
Lower Tongariro River
Thanks for the experience!