Last day of the Year 31Dec 2011

Been a while......................
My life has changed dramatically.
New job - new attitude - new peace within

So today I say thank you for my life
For all that I am - for all that I have been through - for all that I am yet to be

I sit here knowing finally that I am enough. That all is good right now. And that I have a bright and wonderful future, yet to come.

Yes it has been a year to be grateful for and  a life definitely worth treasuring. So fare thee well 2011.

Cheers to the past, cheers to the future but best of all cheers to today.................

Day 17 - New Job

Well its the start of my last week at the first design job I've ever had. It is with excitement that I look towards my new job and all the possibilities it holds but I can't move on without acknowledging what has come before.

I started on a journey to change my life. I was miserable, in a job I hated and some part of my said enough. Some part of me decided to dream and then decided to reach for that dream. And I ending up grabbing that dream with both hands. I still sit here years later with wonderment that somehow that dream was mine. I think of my family and the part they played in me achieving that dream, in reality I wouldn't have done it without them.

Firsty Yol, Bas, Evynn and Shaan who opened up their home and their lives to me when I had nowhere to go. Not just me but my dog as well. And even though me "temporarily" living with them turned to over 7 months of me taking over their lounge room it was never a hassle. And then Di, Jero, Amy and Charlotte welcomed me into their home when I was trying so hard to break into the design field. Never saying to me just get any job, knowing how important it was to keep trying for that dream.

I've nearly come full circle, when I buy my house I will have come full circle.

But today I'm grateful for my first design job that started out as a 3 month contract and after over 2 years has led me to the next stage of my journey.

So excited - so grateful - so blessed

Day 16 -Charlotte

Well it was Charlottes birthday last week. The youngest of my nieces.
A true Gemini is Charlottle - stubborn as a mule/sweet as sugar and she was definitely born as a girly girl cos it seems to be ingrained in her. She definitely hasn't learnt it from anyone.

I think because she is the youngest and the last of my nieces I am cherishing every moment she wants to spend in my company. Whether it be on my lap watching a movie, a gloriously long hug or a sleepover - every day is precious.

Before too long she will be too big to sit in my lap, too busy for sleepovers or just grossed out by too much smooching and hugging.

Let me just state I look forward to the ever growing, ever changing relationship I will have with her as I do the rest.

But just for now, at this time in her life, I will give thanks that its all about hugs and kisses and sleepovers, all things sparkly and painting nails..........all the joys of being around a 5 year old.

I am especially grateful and blessed that she wants to spend time with me, so for now that is what I will enjoy whenever I get the chance.

Day 15 - Second chances

So today was my 2nd photoshop test. My 1st test was horrendous. I worked myself up and as a result didn't do basic corrections. Yep I really stuffed it up.
But then, by the grace of God, I have been given a second chance at a job I want. Who would have thought it.

And today.... I nailed that photoshop test. Yes siree I did.

Whether I did what they were looking for or not remains to be seen. But I am happy with what I created - yep - I can walk away with my head held high this time and for that I am truely grateful.

Day 14 - Creativity

So as part of the giving up smoking campaign I decided I needed a big project to keep me occupied during the evenings to take my mind off it etc.

And this it is has done but more importantly I've achieved something. Admittedly its only paper chandeliers but the joy of working with my hands, creating something pretty/cool/interesting/challenging - it has re-awakened all my creative juices and opened up my world of possibilites that I seemed to have closed down for a long time.

Oh the joys of creating - art, images, life - one moment at a time, one decision at a time, one day at a time - how powerful it seems when all the little things add up - one by one by one

Day 13 - Smoking and me

Well hard for me to believe but its been over 5 days since I've had a cigarette.
I was so scared of giving up - thinking being a smoker defined who I was. Or maybe because last time it felt like a friend dying and the fact I didnt even last 24 hours.

Grateful to have made it to day 5, and so grateful for the willpower to say no.

Day 12 - new hot water service - Yeah

I am so grateful that our wonderful owner has now installed a gas hot water service. I guess you never realise how bad something was until its replaced.

I've gone from having a choice of really hot shower or cold shower to just right shower. Nothing is better than a just right shower to set your mood just right for the day.

And lets not forget that we now have constant hot water in the kitchen - no more boiling kettles to wash dishes - yeah yeah yeah.......