Tag: Memories

Fire Beware

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Your home is on fire. Grab five items (assume all people and animals are safe). What did you grab?

In the Sydney bush fires of 1994 I had to do consider this in real life. All main highways into Sydney were cut off by bush fires and we lived on the northern end of the city. We overlooked a major bush gully that hadn’t had a bush fire through in 30 years so officials were very worried about what would happen if it caught alight.

My life has changed greatly since 1994 so what I would pack today is different to what I packed them although core items are the same. In 2015 my choices are:

  1. Formal documents that are difficult/unable to be replaced including passports, insurances, special awards, medical information.
  2. Camera bag which includes the USB’s of digital photos.
  3. My handbag which contains mobile phone, wallet, keys and other everyday essentials.
  4. My prepacked overnight bag containing a change of clothes, toiletries and sleeping device to make a difficult situation easier.
  5. My laptop and associated hard drives which hopefully will give me access to everything I want.

https://dailypost.wordpress.com/dp_prompt/burning-down-the-house/

Rideau Canal

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What was the last picture you took? Tell us the story behind it. (No story behind the photo? Make one up, or choose the last picture you took that had one.)

We have just returned from six weeks in Canada, where we took literally thousands of photos. It was a fun time. However a little disappointing as the lack of snow meant many of the things we had planned were not doable. Our last planned event was to skate on the Rideau Canal—the world’s longest skateway. It opened 4 days after we left, so we only got to see the preparation and dream.

 

Oh and experience our coldest temperatures ever, -18 feels like -29. The other problem we had to content with was the frostbite warning. We were attempting to take photos but had to limit them because our fingers were going numb and the cameras couldn’t cope with the cold.  One passerby heard our accents as we were taking our last photos and stopped to advise us get inside as quickly as possible. Our solution as it was a bright sunny day despite the cold, was to stop taking photos regularly and as long as we were warm to continue exploring what Ottawa had to show us.

https://dailypost.wordpress.com/dp_prompt/moment-in-time/

Connecting With Naure

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Tell us about the last experience you had that left you feeling fresh, energized, and rejuvenated. What was it that had such a positive effect on you?

I love spending time with nature. It energises me, makes me forget my troubles and grounds me. Nature is everywhere. Living in the city doesn’t mean I can’t connect. There are many ways within 15 minutes from my house or work place I can connect with nature. These include:

  • Walking barefoot on green grass anywhere
  • Enjoying the flowers in a local park
  • Sydney Harbour
  • Wetlands
  • Swimming in the harbour beaches and pools
  • Parramatta river
  • Mindfully walk around the neighbourhood looking and listening for wildlife

If I wanted a day out I could travel to the beach, bush or the mountains. Both of these are favourites of mine and I enjoy both in all seasons. In one of my early posts I discuss getting back to the beach for the first time in many years in late autumn.

Other ways I like to energise myself is to get amongst mother nature herself. I love watching sunrises and sunsets, playing in the rain, watching thunder storms particularly over the ocean and recently in Ottawa walking in the snow storms. So when I feel I need for a little or big pick me up, I connect with nature, energise myself and get on with the day.

2014-12-29 16.07.322013-12-12 16.05.25

https://dailypost.wordpress.com/dp_prompt/re-springing-your-step/

Using My Brain

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Let’s assume we do, in fact, use only 10% of our brain. If you could unlock the remaining 90%, what would you do with it?

I am unsure I could cope with using 100% of my brain, although I do believe I use more than 10%. I have images of it constantly going and not giving me time to catch up. My brain sometimes seems full now, so how would using more of it change my life. Irrespective, I am up for the challenge and would like to further develop skills using the left and right sides of my brain as they are responsible for different things.

Left Side Brain Right Side Brain
Analytical Believes
Classic Music Big Picture
Control Can Be Absentminded
Critical Thinking Cat Lovers
Details Oriented Colour
Dog Lovers Creative Storyteller
Facts Creativity
Language Dreamer
Logic Emotions
Mathematics Fantasy & Mystery
Order Good at Arts
Organised Good at Sports
Past & Present Images
Patterns Imagination
Perception Intuition
Practical Listen to Music /TV While Studying
Prefers Verbal Instructions Passion
Rarely Absentminded Prefers Visual Instructions
Rational Present & Future
Reason Recognises Faces
Safe Risk Taking
Science Rock Music
Study In Silence Spatial Awareness
Structure Spontaneous & Unpredictable
Write Non-Fiction Thinks Better Lying Down
Write Fiction

 

Going through these lists, makes me realise I do use both sides of my brain. I am mostly a right brain person however, I use more of my left than I first thought. My goal is to develop my current skills further and see where they takes me. Afterall,

“Who knows, but you have to be in it to win it.”

https://dailypost.wordpress.com/dp_prompt/brain-power/

Weekly Photo Challenge: New

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Possibility. Opportunity. Potential. As another year gets underway, let’s celebrate the new.

Today we had our serious day of winter weather. The first day of real snow in our 5 weeks in Canada. Whilst on the odd occasion it has snowed before never was it like this. When we left our motel this morning the streets were clear. By the time we returned home there was 15 cm of snow. It was awesome. Fine powdery snow that was fun to walk in, although I am sure I found muscles I didn’t know I had. I have never not seen the streets not cleared before, so it was difficult at times to tell where the footpath ended and the road started.

Winter Fun in Ottawa

I am hoping it continues to snow tomorrow as the prospect of freezing rain, another new experience actually doesn’t excitement me. But que sera sera, whatever will be will be. It’s all part of understanding what it is like to live in Canada, which is why we traveled from Australia in the first place.

https://dailypost.wordpress.com/dp_photo_challenge/new/

Inner Child

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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/

Honorary Newfies

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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

Weekly Photo Challenge: Sydney 2000 Flame

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Show us something that is lost, but not forgotten.

Cauldron From Sydney Olympics

Cauldron From Sydney Olympics

Cauldron From Sydney Olympics

The Sydney Olympics ended 14 years ago, however the Australian Olympic spirit lives on. This cauldron once adorned the stadium. It has been mounted on legs and now forms a beautiful sculpture  in Cathy Freeman Park.

Every four years during the Olympics, our flame is re-lit.  I love watching it. These photos were taken during the 2012 London Olympics. It still has the water attached, which is turned on periodically during hot summer days as a place for the children to cool off.

Sydney 2000 has gone but is definitely not forgotten.

http://dailypost.wordpress.com/dp_photo_challenge/gone-but-not-forgotten/

Share Your World – 2014 Week 43

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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.

  • Salvation Army—supports disadvantaged families. In May every year, the Salvation Army holds their Red Shield Appeal. As a teenager I was a regular volunteer, knocking on doors and collecting donations, which I loved.
  • Legacy—supports families of returned defence force men and women, in need after their death. The annual Legacy collection is the first Friday in September. My grandfather was in the first and second world wars, so Legacy has always been close to my heart. I have many memories of supporting this cause from school—selling pins in the local shopping centre.

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/