My favourite things

Christmas is nearing, my house is looking stunning, the tree is decorated in flickers of red and gold and my sling back chair is waiting for me to perch in it with a cup of herbal tea. Everything is starting to wind down and people are getting excited about their plans for the festive season. If you haven't yet heard Christmas music playing in stores near you your ears are switched off. Today is all about one of my favourite songs that I remember hearing at Christmas as a child: My favourite things. So here is a list of 10 of my favourite things in the Christmas season.

My favourite things:

• Traditions- I've begun creating my own for the past few years and its lovely, but old traditions are great too. Something so lovely in the sentimentality of traditions no matter how great or small.
• Decorating the house & cooking my speciality dishes or getting brave and trying something new
• Donating time and or gifts to people who don't have family/much (health, money etc) at Christmas (that's a tradition my parents instilled- such great parents).
• The present game- where the fun is the focus and the presents are not. Superb fun!
• Getting surprised
• Sharing an experience with someone
• Singing at the carols on a picnic blanket
• Making snow angels (if I'm in the Northern Hemisphere) or beach angels (if I'm in QLD)
• Seeing families actually spend time together. Sons laughing with Dads, Mums with daughters. The excitement people get over finding the perfect gift for someone they care about and the anticipation of how much they'll like it.
• How loved I feel whether I am with people or on my own- thanks to the real Christmas (and Easter) story.

Dating- an almost lost past time.

Today I'm going to talk about everyone's most loved and hated topic. Dating. Dating is an art form- men will say its simple but then they won't be able to justify why they rejected someone they flirt with, are attracted to and enjoy spending time with- but they do this. I'm certainly no genius especially since I'm single but doesn't dating begin on the premise of interest?

The dating scene is different now to years ago. Courtship is now only present in Jane Austen novels; holding a door open is only for men who don't fear feminists and women well if they could explain everything by rules we'd all be hitched by now. Facebook, Twitter, Snapchat really all make dating or attempting to so fickle and without effort. So where's the interest?

Like everything if you're interested you invest in it. TIME. Yes people show love through various forms of the five love languages but this is one thing that is universal. Time is something that no person can get back. I guess this is where you are expecting the usual ra-ra about making sure you spend your time with people worthy of it. Don't worry I'm not going there, I'm completely aware that people already have their Facebook news feeds scattered with suggestive memes about the choices we should be making. Instead here's what I want to say; dating gets as interesting as we want it to based on the invested interest we cultivate with those we are spending our time with.

Sounds simple right? As I said before I'm definitely no expert, even in the past I have enjoyed the easier things as opposed to the right things. All of us do and then we wonder where did the spark go? Right now I'm sitting beside 2 people who have clearly been married for a while, they are sharing a meal. Conversation? None. It gets me wondering in all my single-dom dating know-how (cough cough what hilarity) why two people choose to go out and not communicate. I mean I completely understand how great the feeling is when you are in someone's company and neither of you feel the need to talk but when one part attempts conversation and the other responds with an overflowing answer of 'yes' or 'no' you can understand how dinner suddenly hurls into an argument of buts and wells.

This is how I see the scene...isn't invested interest saving your cashola and dealing with the issues you have then having a romantic dinner where you are dressed in better attire than your gardening clothes and both parties can't wait till the front door of the house opens again? Or am I speaking too simply? Either way the more I see couples, especially that have ages together the more I feel they have forgotten their greatest blessing. To love and be loved in return. After all there's plenty of people still waiting for their salt to their pepper, the sweet to their sour who are wishing a person with courage, humour and a kind heart would stand up.

So here's the challenge this Christmas season- don't just spice up your date night; spice your conversation up. Don't just be there in the room, let the other person know what your communicating across a room without speaking (other than cheeky favours) and don't just make time and think your job is done.

If your single why not take a chance? Who wants to known as no-balls Barry? Or heartless Harriet? Flirt, make people enjoy your company and not your pants because when that's gone that's one shit conversation.

Time flies

Wow its the end of November and I'm not sure how I got here! I'm not alone am I? The year has been quite epic- emotion filled, new job, new house and some new friends- it has been quite a busy time. Still knowing how much I have done does not mean I'm less horrified of the time of year that we are up to. It has been an AGE since I wrote and I guess that's why I feel like an 80year old typing as opposed to a Gen Y member flaunting her flashy fast paced typing skills. Time has damaged the fabric of my writing. So where do you start when it literally has been months. To be honest I don't know, so I'm just going to fill you in on what's been happening and not making any promises. Yes, that got you hooked right? I guess it's because I have intended to write so many things and then life happens. This is where I will introduce Brickers.

Brickers is the name I have decided to suddenly adorn my new house with. Brickers is a lovely 90s style townhouse with open plan living down stairs, you know the kind that just includes the lounge room and dining adjoining because its realistically only big enough for a living room. The kitchen is my favourite part of the house adjacent to this open plan liv/dining style and I love it the most because it is English. It has exactly about 1 metre space from bench to bench and shares its space with the laundry. I cannot quite explain what's so lovely about hearing the washing machine get off balance while cooking a roast or watching the elimination phase of X Factor. Reminds me frequently of how tranquil and serene my house truly is. The most glorious factor of the house though has got to be the black, maroon and shit brown bricks that make our house so full of life. I have learnt both the ways of decorating with contrasting colours and minimalism, since drilling bricks isn't a past time I'm an expert in. Either way quite quickly the new house has quickly become a home, its super nice to have independence again, a shorter trip to the gym, to work & air-conditioning. Creature comforts have returned, boxes are emptied and home life is chilled. So this is where I am writing from...for now. As you would have read recently I am jet setting away again in a few months so I apologise in advance if my thoughts end off in a tangent! What I am most recently excited about though is the season of Christmas. It's lovely and I typically get into the habit of surrounding myself in the spirit of Christmas, so look out for my ramblings on that. You'll probably hear me getting quite sentimental and reflective; but who doesn't at the end of a year!

I hope all have been keeping well...until next time...

The constant craving

A lot of people understand what it means to want to travel but some don’t fully understand the constant craving you can have for travel. My thirst and hunger for travel is something that cannot be supressed.  

I was like this before I left to live in Greenwich, London, UK however it is so much stronger since then, I think this is because travel wasn’t just about learning about other cultures and exploring new places but about the place I got to be at with myself. When I left a few years ago I really needed a change and I didn’t really recognise how much I needed that change until I had left and was living in a different country for a while, but it’s not this feeling that gets me hooked on travel. It’s the discovery face. Well that’s what I call it. It’s when you walk in to a room, see a historic sight for the first time or finally come to terms with what you have achieved by making your travel goal a reality and it’s like all your Christmas’ have come at once. If you’ve never experienced that before it’s akin to realising how lovely the person you are with is and just how much they adore you. So this craving is back, never left really, it’s not something you can turn off or entertain with little Australian holidays, though don’t get me wrong I love my country, it’s a strong desire I know I would strongly regret if I didn’t do it.

Having travelled and having life deliver its twists and turns I know two things for certain- life is too short to supress the things we desire most and it’s far too easy to try and justify to ourselves that we shouldn’t or aren’t able to do the things we love. The bottom line is if you will miss it don’t remove it from your life. Recently plenty of people have been questioning my reason to take time off work when I want to in order to do the things I want but I know for a fact the desires I have, round world trip, climbing Mt Everest, snowboarding in Canada, seeing the New York skyline to name a few are things I’d miss if I didn’t experience them so right or wrong is somebody else’s eyes I’m doing what I’m doing. I know I’m not going to look back after 40 years or so of work and say ‘I regretted those 4 months off travelling the world and climbing the biggest mountain yet’.

To those celebrating Thanksgiving, I hope where ever you are that you are with loved ones, enjoying the time you have and planning for memories you’ll never regret. Happy belated Thanks giving! xo


 

 

Inspiration station for this week...

It's been a while since I did inspiration station, where you take ideas from images and script a story. Here's four very different pictures for you to choose from...or if your super clever mould a few together to make it something epic.

Happy Monday! Xo

The silent killer society suffocates in conversation

What happened? Why would they do it? Why didn't they ask me for help? Did I do enough for them? These are all the questions that go through someone's head when they lose someone to suicide.

Suicide is the most tragic thing in society and yet we fail to recognise that it needs to be discussed. In many places the details of suicides are not talked about, even reported upon significantly because people are concerned that others will get 'ideas in their head' but the very notion of recognising a problem but failing to deal with it through appropriate communication is the biggest injustice of all.

After losing six people I know to suicide, one of whom I was asked to mentor I cannot express how close the endemic issue of suicide is to my heart. Suicide is not specific to culture, race, religion, social status or family background; it can strike everyone and I wish no one has to personally experience the grief associated with it. This is not a reality though.

Most people will know of someone who has attempted or in fact committed suicide in their lifetime. The gut wrenching why questions of the grieving period come out to haunt you again coupled with a stack of 'I don't understands.' It is this that I want to speak about.

Suicide isn't something people consider lightly, they are not (in genuine cases) attempts for attention but rather the person's acceptance of the belief that exiting the world is their only option for relief. To everyone else this is a crazy idea but not to the 'victim'. Time and time again you hear people saying how selfish the person was, and in some respects I agree but I also think; the person was not mentally stable, why was that and why didn't they feel they could reach out?

Here's where I want to talk about Matt*. Matt* was a 13 year old who had already received a contract with an professional sporting club. He was a bubbly person who excelled not just in his chosen sport, but at any sport that he did. At 19 I was lucky enough to work with him and witness his extraordinary talent.  Matt* was always bubbly in his demeanour, never expressing any issues despite having the opportunity with plenty of support people around him. After about 1 year of working with him I changed careers, another year passed. Matt* was 14. It was this year one horrid day I was to find out he had committed suicide. No details were ever discussed to protect this wonderful child and other children his age, also because many were grieving; that I understand but within the space of a year I had lost 5 other people I knew all under 18 years of age. All suicides.

I remember newspaper articles reporting a tragedy by no details- probably because suicide is listed as a crime. I understand that but what that fails to recognise is the ability to talk about the issues surrounding suicide just like we can for murder, rape and other haenus crime that typically expel more gruesome information more expediently in various mediums- The Woolwich attacks are just one piece of evidence of journalism never censoring crime in the media. Why be silent about this silent killer?

Can society not see at its most basic level that by saying in advertising campaigns 'talking about depression and suicide is important' and then not actually doing it themselves in the media is an utter contradiction? We cannot expect suicide rates to fall while we pretend like suicide fails to exist. Hosting 'are you ok' days attempt to address an issue but are really Band-Aids for the fact that we should be sincerely concerned for the welfare of others, and not just who we get along with, frequently. Asking people each day if we notice unusual behaviour if they are ok, never making assumptions and if we cannot help them pointing them in the direction of people who can is essential.

Suicide needs a voice. Adolescents should be growing into adults and old age, not killing themselves before they get to enjoy the things we as adults take for granted. By only talking about it quietly we are suffocating the real issues that underpin the desperation of those who seek our help. If we fail to shed light on suicide then we best be prepared for burying our children for years to come.

Why am I writing about this? Well I think its obvious that perhaps I will open a can of worms but if that means it will open up a realm of good, healthy discussions about helping people of all ages, especially young ones to overcome their inner struggles I do not regret it.

Encourage conversations amongst all ages, genuinely care about the welfare of others and make a stand to get suicide talked about in society so we can save our future generation from this silent killer. I certainly don't want to be in an auditorium of 2000 mourners again howling in bewilderment for a talented lost soul.

-Please note I have utter respect for Are you Ok days etc what I am urging is people to do MORE, just like the organisations that endorse these campaign days to shed to light on BIG issues.
-Names & details were all changed. This is an piece intended to instill love not grief, I hope that you are encouraged to help others & if I have offended anyone I sincerely apologise it is most definitely not my intention.

~Jules

 

If you don't know about these companies you need to:

http://www.beyondblue.org.au/



http://www.suicideline.org.au/


Samaritan Crisis Line
http://www.samaritanscrisisline.org.au/?gclid=CMbn2euIg7kCFUpZpQodLHwAAg

Intrinsic desires fuel nostalgic past time

So a few months ago I decided that I would begin this grand notion that I would write letters to my friends (and even people who weren't my friends) in the hope that I could gain people's interest back in the art of letter writing.

The concept was something so ridiculously simple yet enjoyed by all who were on the receiving end. The process what not about making me fill a void with something else to make me busy but rather the fact that I loved using wax seals and receiving letters; and I know that its something everyone likes. After all as an adult what mail do you receive these days other than bills?

Here is where The Travelling Nostalgia began. I collected peoples' addresses and began writing to people. I developed a Facebook event and a # for Instagram & would tease people about who was next. I really enjoyed it. Most people I wrote to didn't respond, not even a thanks on Facebook and yes I am long time friends with 95% of the people whom I wrote to but this wasn't the point.

While The Travelling Nostalgia couldn't continue without people replying I wanted it to be something that's pure purpose was to make someone feel special & give the opportunity to begin a dialogue. Ultimately if someone wants to engage in that dialogue, spoken or written, that is entirely up to them. Did it perhaps made me feel like I wasted my time in sending them letters? Only if I chose to view it that way and I've got to say some days it was hard not to, with wax 5 dollars a pop and 20 sheets of my 500year old card at $27 to get delivered from Melbourne to rural Queensland. But I needed to remember that true giving comes when you don't expect anything back. The greatest joy I had was indulging in what is basically an extinct art form in modern day- letter writing.

Why have I told you this? To encourage you in the hope that you see whatever you write needs to only serve you. If you intend it to serve an extrinsic purpose without any intrinsic desire to partake in writing then you will not enjoy literature to its full extent, in whatever form it takes. So pick up your pen, write what you want & care not if people respond how you want, write it be responded to as you will it.

Stay motivated, Jules

This week's inspiration...

New post, new week, new start. Ever rode a roller coaster where you knew what was going to happen? Well life's certainly not been like that for me over the past week. History could have helped prepare me for the week however not how I was to react to it or how it would turn out. Without discussing the things of which have made the week a roller coaster ride I want to say this...life really is about making it pick up.

When I first went on the Superman Escape at the Gold Coast's Movie World with my brother I was horrified, I knew that I would be propelled forward to 100km/hour in less than 7 seconds and that I would essentially be hanging vertically in the air as I entered the exhilarating part of the ride- more like life altering. What I didn't know was the ride was something that I would crave several times afterwards despite my body shaking with residual G forces and that the initial experience shared with my brother would be one I'd cherish for years to come.

Over this past week it would be easy to dwell on negatives, however I have been able to see the positives around me and somehow pull out of things & it with this attitude that I am far more beneficial to those who need me. I don't always find this easy, like everyone things mount up sometimes and the little things become a mountain of psychological defeat. The important thing- we created it, we can destroy it.

Today, I want to share with you a list of positive affirmations to get the good shining out of your face and helping you see the thrill in the roller coaster ride of life. This will be this week's inspiration station as well. I hope you enjoy it & that you gain as much as I do from forgetting the fear, stress, pain, strain & embracing the best of every situation.

Do you know your own strength?

Strength is something we find when we least want to. In life we are thrown curve balls that require us to heave ourselves off the floor, dust ourselves off and adorn a smile. Internally we may feel completely incapable yet all of us do it frequently. Sometimes we don't even acknowledge how courageous we are in our ability to deal with all the things that we have to. When life gets busy, its easy to forget all the little things that we have accomplished.

Being strong isn't about showing a brave face its also about being able to let yourself be weak, vulnerable and more to the point being alright with the fact that this vulnerability and weakness is completely ok. We all know bravado and façade is easy to do- in some aspects of our lives we all wear masks, whether it is by not sharing all of what is going on with us or through embellishing the truth but true strength comes in being bare. Complete nakedness of the soul where we see our shortcomings, successes, our past, those who surround us and what we are prepared to accept is strength in a pure form.

Be proud of your own strength lovelies.

-This is for all those amazing people I know who have inner strength beyond understanding, who have overcome things they shouldn't have had to in their lifetime. Thanks for the inspiration.

The latest

There is nothing quite like waking up to the sound of the birds chirping while they go about their business, the sky still decorated with a grey hue and your body blissfully floppy in the crisp bed sheets. Its 6am and I'd usually be at the gym and through an hour of my workout moving the bod in tune to 'phat beats' played in the background, so its particularly delicious that I'm just taking my time today. The last couple of weeks has been pretty hectic, I've had a bit of a roller coaster ride & I'm pleased to say the lows are over and I keep sky rocketing.

Lately I have been into my local travel agent to book a white Christmas and an around the world trip for next year which includes the climbing up to Mt Everest base camp. Every 5 days or so I watch a video of people who have done the trek and it spurs on my motivation to train and prepares me a little more mentally for how I will feel when I accomplish my biggest goal yet. I thought perhaps I'd feel overwhelmed knowing I'll be climbing 5.4km and still in freezing conditions (once at 3000m and above) but the videos actually just instil in me a belief that I know I am capable of achieving my goal- makes the 5am mornings all worth it.

Unfortunately though this combined with my decision I recently made to start study again means that I have to get the juggling act under control. So officially today (I'm a sucker for busy-ness it appears) I am a tourism management student, a teacher, a Everest base camp climber (I preempt that stuff only way to do it psychologically), a soccer coach & a blogger. But despite allll that I know that I can be successful in all of those things & still go to bed at 9.30 (except on karaoke nights!) hahahaha. So let's see huh! The challenge begins!

This week you will see me writing about something that has come back to the forefront of my mind since the roller coaster began & a few other topics I find interesting and important to write about because...if literature isn't covering the topics then who is? So with that said...happy Monday, enjoy your week & I hope you like the reads I have on offer coming up! xo






Please note the images are not my own

Week 3 Readers seek asylum in AWR

This week one AWR reader requested that I write on the topic of Asylum seekers, since it's a big issue in Australia at the moment I decided to take on the huge task of attacking a topic that confronts many people in Australia and indeed other nations. I hope you like the finished project...feel free to comment.

Week 3- World seeks asylum from inner hatred #rawwrites
You are worthy. You are loved. You are no more significant than the next person.

These simple things are concepts that the world has lost. We can try and label Australia as being the only country with serious border issues but we would be being naive. We would also be naive if we neglected what underpins an individuals ideology seeking asylum in our country- the basic needs to feel safe, have clothing, water, food and shelter. It's really not asking much of our leaders. But is it that simple?

Currently the Australian Government has an epic task on their hands to decide how the 'boat people' as their so disgracefully known, will be dealt with. No government has been successful at it to date, none probably will (considering its complexity) and no level headed Australian can suggest one party is more successful than the next. The reality is our service men and women have a better idea of the truth of who we let enter the country then we are lead to know. Even still they assist these people.

Politicians tasks are difficult, they are not a popularity contest despite what media and society in general promotes them to be. A great politician considers his or her people with no regard for the criticism they receive because their purpose exists beyond selfish means. It will mean some people won't like what they do or say, but ultimately if they are liked entirely for what they do the question begs, what have they actually done?

Asylum seekers are seeking refuge from the painful things that bind them in their own countries. Corrupt governments, military, police; racial and religious wars that are entrenched based on the notion that one person's life is more valuable than the next. It is not. You only need to comment that a family should forgive the person who murdered their loved one for their severe shortcomings and your an enemy of the state; current society. What happened to developing a belief that difference is valuable, forgiveness soul replenishing and naivety destructive?

This is not bound to one generation either. Parents tell their children, sort it out with a fight boys; treat them like this back because they don't deserve any better. Races tell other races that they are better because of their knowledge never recognising that if we collaborated we would be the wealthiest beings the world has ever had; because of knowledge.

The task of turning people away from your country is difficult, but whether people are turned away or accepted does not change the fact that people will do whatever they must to get their basic needs. Ultimately it is not a question of to accept a person into a country or not, it is the inability for individuals to see the basic concept that all are equal. Get that right in our own countries and our own backyards and the demand for somewhere greater will be removed.

That is not an Australian issue that is a worldwide issue and its not about asylum it's about respect for human life and decency.


-If you like this original post written by Julia Trask, please share the link with them. Alternatively go to A Written Revolution's Facebook page & get liking!

Confessions of a house sitter

Slide open the curtains, peer through to the scenery as you lie in crisp bed sheets rested in a house on top of a hill. As the sun hits noon, the heat warms the skin and makes the Jacuzzi seated on the deck even more appealing then in the early hours of the morning. The golden retrievers walk around the edge of the spa wagging their tails in excitement for the fact that they have company, ball clenched tightly in their jaws ever ready for a game of fetch. This description is an image of just one day with one client's pets in their home, it is the answer to the frequently asked Friday question...

What do you do on a weekend? Common place question asked by a host of people on your average Friday. But still I find that when people ask me what I do on weekends and find out that I house sit they get excited and quietly start planning their holiday away from home. Little do they know, their home becomes a sweet little oasis of freedom and a chance to make a dream a reality if for just a weekend at a time.

For several years now I have been wanting to get a dog, it has become even more apparent after I lost my precious dog Samantha 1 week before I was due to return to Australia from the UK. Combine that with my desire to own a home (despite not having the funds because I'm putting adventure first) and you've got a 'Faux Pad' complete with pet.

For the last year I have been house sitting in my local area and have thoroughly enjoyed it. The first time I wasn't unsure about how I felt about it all, but I grew to love it quickly. Saving up for travel living with the olds & using house sitting to earn extra cash on top of my 'real job' and all the while getting to 'own' someone else's pet feels just as good as having my own minus the mass responsibility.

Since beginning house sitting I have experienced both highs and lows of the job. My first client lost one of her dogs to old age and it felt like I was losing Sam all over again. But I was kidding myself if I thought I wasn't going to get attached to other people's animals. In the high moments I have seen babies walk for the first time, taught dogs new tricks, met some fabulous people, but most of all I love how happy people become knowing their pets are safe whilst they are travelling. Its the perfect win- win situation.

 It probably wouldn't come as a surprise to anyone then that at this point in time I am house sitting and when this house sit is over, I have yet another house sit. I enjoy the variety of pets and clients- especially getting to know the different family dynamics. It's also super lovely when you're greeted by a pooch who is ecstatic to see you. So whilst I enjoy lavish perks that some of my client's houses offer the best is still in the company of man's best- the dog.

My Liebster acceptance questions answered!

 

It’s been a while coming, a few months ago I was nominated for a Liebster blogging award for little blogs that grab people’s attention, it’s a kind of pay it forward process and something of which I felt quite privileged to be listed as a part of somebody else’s list. Since then however I have been meaning to answer some questions as part of acceptance of this award, so I have finally done it. Here we go…

  Questions for my nominees

1. How do you normally find new blogs to read?

I find blogs through Pinterest, Google plus and a lovely little blogging community Aussie Blogs to Love- which is growing exponentially. I also find blogs when I’m just looking for something specifically through google (eg; travel ideas/tips etc).  I typically follow smaller blogs like mine; it feels great to support fresh new talent in the blogging world.

2. What's your preferred leisure activity when you have a spare hour to yourself?

An hour to myself- singing around the house or more recently at the beach, bare feet in the sand & with no regard for the public.

 

3. What's your guilty pleasure?

My guilty pleasure would be head to toe pampering sessions at the local beauty salon. Guilty? Because it’s ridiculously expensive to get everything done. Cheaper guilty pleasure- bath tub, bottle of wine, acoustic playlist.

4. When and why did you start blogging?

I started blogging in January this year (2013). The reason I started was to have a means of getting my writing out in the world and hopefully start getting known for what I love doing. I was significantly encouraged by a publisher I met in Cork, Ireland to get my work out there in as many means as possible, so I followed his advice., albeit about 6 months later and still with nervousness about my website illiteracy. However, A Written Revolution is also very much something that is just for me; achieving little goals like new readers, comments and nominations are just an awesome bonus!

 5. What's in your handbag?

Wallet, glasses, memorabilia from my late Grandmother, lipstick, tissues, water, mints, camera, pen, paper.

6. Name your three desert island albums or movies.

My acoustic playlist, Remember the Titans and Amazing Grace.

7. What philosophy do you live by?

Don’t care what people think, do what you want to do and be happy about doing it. Never reject experiences for things & remember when life gets dodgy remember that everything happens for a good reason.

8. Are you doing your dream job? If not, what is it?

I don’t think I’m doing my dream job, but I know that I am good at my job and I’m making a difference. Plus it pays the bills & my dream job typically doesn't have a great track record for financial stability. My dream job would be singing acoustic covers and originals in a lounge bar with a grand piano and an acoustic Fender as accompaniment, as a supplement to a writing career.

9. Favourite item of clothing?

Probably cute hats & sweet accessories. I guess that’s not clothing though hey- but they do completely change clothing.

10. Favourite apps or programs for blogging/photography?

My favourite apps for photography are Instagram and Instaframe. I also enjoy using the Blogger app on my iPhone as well, gives a bit more freedom- however the layout never turns out as well as I would like.

11. Describe your last 'aha' or 'forehead slap' moment.

I was telling my brother recently of some great little ‘firsts’ I had accomplished on my holidays, first time I had been to a zombie film, first time I’d eaten Turkish and then he asked ‘so you’ve never had a kebab? They’re Turkish food.’ Yeh, total aha moment. Like my family and good friends say, ‘She’s very intelligent but sometimes I really wonder if there’s anything there, I guess something’s gotta give.’ Got to love the old backwards compliment. Hahaha.

Week 3 Topic #rawwrites #project

So as you know week 3 of the Raw Writes project requires the readers of A Written Revolution to post what topic they would like me to write to. So hit me with it! If there is a large list, I will complete all of the suggestions, so no one feels left out. Please keep in mind- inappropriate suggestions will be disregarded. I doubt you will suggest anything of the kind, but its the net & I'm covering all bases.

Thanks for your suggestions & I hope you are enjoying your writing! xo

Travelling Freedom!

One random morning when I was living in Greenwich, London I looked around the streets, up at the old church and through to the Greenwich marketplace and sighed 'wow'. It was that pivotal moment that months of planning, saving and nights in, lead to. I remember happily weeping at the joy I experienced knowing that I'd successfully made Greenwich my home. I had truly fallen in love with the place, the new culture, new creature comforts I had developed and people I had met. It is this kind of moment that I am now looking forward to enjoying again.

Prior to leaving for the UK I really had no idea on what to expect. Books and webpages will tell you things but nothing beats having a first hand experience for yourself. I continuously surprised myself with the ability to get out of my comfort zone on many occasions; it was a kind of selfish discovery of which I am utterly convinced I am a better person for. So this time round and now having seen parts of Austria, Ireland, United Kingdom, Germany, Singapore, Abu Dhabi (albeit with extreme jetlag) and with my previous experiences of cruising Vanuatu and New Caledonia I feel a little more equipped for what's next. And yes, I've become super pleased to share my 'great finds' with other travellers.

So what are my tips for travelling:

 

• If moving to another country definitely read up on all the important things like emergency care, health etc & register with appropriate authorities; but especially expect banking to be vastly different (even in 'first world' countries) and budget as well as you can for it. Use cash more than cards, debit cards won't necessarily show the transactions you make till 2weeks after you have bought something. Any refunds? Don't expect the money for approximately 5 days. Australian banking is super quick- you will find out how spoilt we are when we go abroad- but the best part is that it takes you back to using cash and thinking in advance about putting your money to what you love the most on your trip.

 

• PLAN where you want to travel before you go. I thought there would be nothing greater than winging some of it, however you are left with too many options. Once you get to Europe you'll realise exactly how cheap travel is and how close the neighbouring countries lie. You may find yourself spending lots of spending money on food and entertainment in places that aren't your top priority just because you love travel- save your cash.
• This may contradict the previous one, but do NOT book flights/trips through your home country for Europe, use Expedia.com, TNT Travel & all the other various discounted trip companies- your money will go further!

• Soak up CULTURE, HISTORY and everything that is UNIQUE about where you travel. Everyone loves the countries they were born in (typically) however it would be an injustice to the beauty of the world to travel with eyes wide shut.
  
•  VOUCHERS, VOUCHERS, VOUCHERS...many places have travel cards for a  day/weekend. These are by far the best choice to make when it comes to transport around a city you aren't familiar with, you will pay more if you buy a ticket for each ride. Also, at some train stations you'll find 2for1 vouchers- USE THEM! At London Bridge, Paddington, Waterloo & Victoria stations you'll find booklets that include tours of football stadiums, high teas, day trips to the English countryside, discounted entry to palaces and more. For the London vouchers its a matter of paying for your train ride to and from the venue and showing your receipt, but it still always costs less than a full admission to sightseeing paradise.
•  Buy the transport applications for the areas you are going to. Then once you have them on the screen of your smart phone take a snapshot & save it to your camera roll. This way regardless of signal you can map your next stop.

• Budget what you think you'll need for your trip & then DOUBLE it. It might sound crazy but it's better than having travel & debt blues when you land back on home soil.
• Use lastminute.com, expedia.com, tripadvisor.com to reduce costs. As well you can't go past the most authentic experience you'll every receive... AirBnb (airbnb.com). AirBnb is a company that operates across a host of different nations and brings back the tradition of old school bed and breakfast. You will stay with locals in their own homes and be informed of places to see, eat or indeed...places not worth your worry. Truly the greatest business concept going! If you stay with people in Ireland, like I did, you'll be sure to have a merry time!

• My best and most important tip: Don't wait for people to travel with. Travelling alone is not scary, it is highly rewarding. The nature of life is, everyone is busy- it would be an epic shame to be waiting for someone when your circumstances change rendering you unable to go. Don't let anyone hold you back; as Nike says...Just do it! 

 

 

 

Topic writing- what to choose?

Topic Writing

At times we involve ourselves in projects that require us to write to topics, like the Everyday in May project I completed earlier this year. When we have a very specific topic it can become hard to identify ways to enthral an audience, especially if we know hundreds of others are writing to the very same topics. So what is the best way to write to topics? I have compiled a wee list of suggestions to nail topic writing.

• On a monthly project have a look at the topics and decide what the overall mood of the topics are- choose which ones you are going to add comical colouring to, make sure there is enough variation between the different days.
• Think about the topic based on the idiosyncrasies that exist between people and situations involved around that particular topic. For example: If your writing topic is 'luxury' you could always write a piece on how the avid luxury traveller becomes confronted by the flip flops of a lastminute.com guru mid Sheraton experience.
• Think of different ways to present the writing. Can you create a quote or image that is just as effective as a paragraph of work?
• Research images on the topic (some of us admittedly don't have the ability to witness the topics we are required to write about) to get the juices flowing. You'll create a mental Rolodex of descriptors that will cohesively connect your thoughts together in a clever piece of writing. My suggested place to go...Pinterest.
• Be brave. Sometimes people react the most to hearing about YOU. If that means sharing with your audience some inside information let them in. After all, people will read what they connect with and nothing could be more real than yourself!

I hope you find these tips helpful. Please do share any others you have found useful. What's the good of knowledge if we aren't sharing it anyway?

The 2nd week #rawwrites

It's been a while, apologies for the mass break in between posts- turns out that its way harder to alter most things about what's going on in your world whilst trying to complete a project you designed. Either way, I am back on track. You will DEFINITELY have the next 4 weeks straight up- one today, another next Monday and well...I think you get the drift! Hope you like. And that you haven enjoyed your #rawwrites project

Week 2

 

 

What's new & next?

Well its definitely true that things happen when you are happily busy. The last little while I've improved my diet, responded to body alerts to 'take it easy' and got my self acquainted with new people that are now part of life's little circles. There's been travel, adventure travel plans altered due to weather, first birthday celebrations and a new job. A hectic yet lovely ride. I'm so pleased that what I managed to get down on paper and napkins can now make its way to the blog!

How brilliant is it to start something new? It doesn't matter what it is, it always gives you a fresh beginning; it is definitely as good as a holiday! On Monday I entered my new office, clear shelves and desk and immediately I was a buzz with all the opportunities you have to decorate it differently, make it my own space, a total reflection of who I am.



It's probably no big surprise that a big part of me has been my travelling experiences, living in London and learning about different cultures. I miss it immensely. I am lucky to say that since nailing down, having bare bones weekends of enjoying the free joys like the beach and focussing on fitness I have finally got myself into a position to think seriously about travel again (I also have to thank my new job stability for that!). It is such a nice feeling, living in debt, yeh totally not fun- but do I regret it for the experiences I had? Hell no! So the question is...where to?

I have made a list of itineraries (I love that sort of stuff- whether its for me or others) and now its up to sitting down and nutting it out! With budget book, Lonely Planet, previous experience and a couple of magazines to widen my mind to places I may have not thought about yet- I'm feeling excited about that next chapter!

A letter to my 16 year old self #rawwrites

Dear Joey,

So you’re reading a letter from the future in your present, crazy huh. I’m sure you’ll sit a while and try and grapple with the situation before just agreeing that the notion is sweetly quirky and you’ll go for it- you just won’t tell anyone for fear of them finding out you’re a bit different! Well sweet I’m here to tell you, lots have changed and also, some not so much.

This year and next you will find some of the toughest years and you will feel like giving up plenty of times but you know that you are far stronger than your silly, frustration, ‘heat of the moment’ words and actions. Don’t forget what you have already learnt so far- you are never alone, you learn from every experience and you are a good person.

Don’t let people dictate who you are. Care less what they think and remember when they are ‘having a go’ that they are insecure in who they are and really they just need some love and support. Try and give it to them, but be prepared they mightn’t accept it or be pleasant about it, popularity and accepting help don’t go hand in hand. That’s not your fault, that’s just teenagers.

When you succeed in things celebrate them. Don’t let anyone stop you from shouting from the rooftops that you are good at something, you deserve to do that for working hard. Cherish the moments with your sister and brother because before too long you’ll be in different places missing each other and realising how important now really is. Most of all though this is what I want to say:

Boys don’t know what to do with themselves, teenager or adult, stick to your loves and the right people will come to help, hurt and love you just when you are meant to receive them. Whether they hurt you or not they are all blessings, you are going to grow from those experiences exponentially and you will learn how much you are loved in different ways, so don’t stress about it. Life will have ups and downs but it is in far better hands than you fully fathom yet. Don’t ever stop doing what you love regardless of the pay check you would receive from it, money isn’t worth anything when you’re playing with your own happiness. Go and travel as soon as you can, soak up as others’ cultures and then do it again and again.

Finally, it’s great that you have high expectations of yourself but let loose girl. Let yourself off the hook and remember life isn’t one whole big goal, something’s just go belly up and that’s ok, there’s nothing wrong with you.

Love,

Your future 27year old self

 

The Raw Writes Project #rawrites

I'm wondering, how many of you have tried to write a letter to your younger self (a project inspired by DearMe.org) ? I have written journals since I was 7 and I still have all of those journals bar a couple and I've frequently thought about that project. I've also thought about what I would say/write to my kids (when i have them) come graduation time, either at school or higher education institutes, plus the sadder things of...if I could be granted the time to write my 'wishes' for those closest to me when I left them, what would I say & I suppose more importantly..what would I leave out?

A few years ago I wrote an auto-ethnography. This is a piece of work that looks at your life from several axes. It could be cultural, religious, geographical, social or environmental. But it all boiled downed to..how are you, you. I found the experience superb. You gain so much from learning more about yourself and you can also see what underpins your writing..because as most writers will tell you, whether it is intended or not, parts of ourselves get revealed in our writing.

Anyway, thinking about my previous project (Every Day in May) and the DearMe project I decided to come up with something different. It is NOT a 30 day challenge it is a way to motivate you to write from the inside, out. It is not arduous but emotionally it could be, either way it'll be great! So please do join me! This is what I've got...

5 weeks- 5 tasks, 1 per week.

You can take as much time to complete as possible in each week. However you are only required to do one post per week. To link up with each other attach the hashtag #rawwrites & the image above. The tasks are below:

Wk 1- a letter to my 16year old self. If super keen upload to DearMe.org. While you're there check out the other letters. Super brilliant reads!

Wk 2- life's wishes; a note/s you'd leave on the kitchen bench if you knew the days left in your 'lot'

Wk 3- reader handover- if you are a blogger request a topic of your reader's choice. Keep promoting your page via link ups/guest posts if necessary to complete. Not a blogger? Ask a friend/ family member to pick a topic for you. Photograph the reader request.

Wk 4- descriptors- if you could give yourself advice on anything right now only using descriptive words what 8 words would they be? List them.

Wk 5- write the inside of a card to your 'child' (your own or sibling if childless) who is about to experience a massive event (graduation, wedding, first baby). For this task you will also design the card showcasing your creative, design side.

I hope you enjoy the project & unravel a little more of the crux that makes you a good writer/person etc.

Tips to improve writing

Hey there readers, how's your week going? First I would like to say that its so lovely to have new people coming here to read. Lately I've had a few people ask the question..how do you write and how come you enjoy it so much? So today I'm going to answer you...

When I was younger & even as a 'new' professional I always knew where to place my words and that everything made sense (unless of course I was making a brain snap or forgot to edit-rarely since I dorkily enjoy it) but never could explain why. That is until I went to a literacy course a few years ago and got to know linguistics.

Linguistics is a field of mass information but when understood helps to create beautiful writing; fabulous sentences and hence blissful texts. Although I loved poetic devices etc it was essential to know the nuts and bolts as its own subject. Enter prepositional phrases, adjectival clauses, connectives, conjunctions, present and past participles and I've already probably got some people confused. But alas, acquaint yourself with these little munchkins and you're in for a literary treat! To save mass confusion in a complex world of words here's a few tips and strategies to get your story writing better.

1. Get to know Master THEME and RHEME. Theme used to be taught as the base moral of a story- this is out (though moral/invited readings as still very much important to the teaching of reading/writing). The most important thing is that people know the theme is the beginning of the sentence up to the first noun. Why know this? Well because what you preface the sentence with indicates to the reader what/who is the most important noun and therefore what the whole sentence should revolve around. Who is master RHEME you say? He is everything AFTER the theme up to the full stop. You can layer your writing in a theme/rheme pattern to create cohesion however doing this constantly makes for a rather 'heavy' piece of text bogged down by too many words.

2. Adjectives & adverbs. Lovely little cherubs they are but how do we use them for good? The biggest thing here is not so much the use of them but the placement of them in association with the noun (adjective) or verb (adverb). Do you want to state 'he quickly ran' because you want the image to be of quick movement or do you want to say, 'he moved from the back if the room to the front quickly' ...if its the later the pace isn't really that important. Be aware though you can overload your readers with too much description that the message is lost.

3. Senses- I've said it before & I'm saying it again. When you write keeping in mind your 5 senses you will engage people who respond to texts in different ways. The example below is done while thinking about coffee (yes my addiction shines through again).
Eg: sight- the coffee was caramel in colour, it reflected my tired face and was deliciously decorated with chocolate dusting.
Taste-the coffee immediately warms my lips & the back of my throat, it has full flavour.
Smell- freshly ground coffee and chocolate granules waft up through the nose.
Touch- the coffee mug feels heavy in the hand as I lift it up for a drink. The smooth ceramic is warming my hands.
Hear- as I drink I hear my throat clunk open and close as I let the coffee into my stomach but the time the mug clinks the table again I'm ready for another sip.

Well, that is it for now...there is much more I would like to share with you what I have learnt and use regularly, however I'm not a fan of information overload & I bet you aren't either! So let me know, if these tips help you and what tips you follow when writing as well! Till next time...

Happy Writing :)