I really like to make a list of the highlights of a year as it draws to close because it is so easy to forget just how many joyful things you do and get to be apart of; and how much you have achieved if you don't take stock on some level. I always feel so deeply overwhelmed whenever I look back at everything that I have achieved and shared throughout the year and reflecting on a year is a really lovely thing to do that really helps you to count your blessings and focus on the abundance in your life.
Here are my favourite highlights from 2018, all of which have brought me a great deal of joy, a sense of belonging, a feeling of enrichment and have provided me with many memories to reflect upon during the quieter and more contemplative times of the year.
FEBRUARY: Chinese New Year- the Year of the Dog, Rockabilly Festival, dinner and coffee dates with friends, Curry/movie night get togethers kicked off.
MARCH: White Night Festival, International Women's Day, Cooking Day at Enfield with friends, My Birthday, Jesus Christ Superstar, The Begonia Festival, The Arts Trail, the Egg Painting session at Enfield on Easter Saturday.
APRIL: Craig's Birthday, Eating Hot Cross Buns and good quality Chocolate on Easter Sunday, Dinner Parties, the Autumn School Holiday Break, Movie Nights at Enfield with mates, Apple and Quince harvesting.
MAY: Mother's Day, The Festival of Light at the Great Stupa in Bendigo, a Daylesford Chocolate Mill visit, meeting Daniel Kish (aka. The Batman- echolocation expert), Spicywatch's 4th Birthday.
JUNE: Zoe's 21st Birthday, Winter Solstice Celebrations, Mushrooming, Completing my Level One Braille Qualification, Weekend Breakfast Dates with friends, the Winter School Holidays.
JULY: Alice in Wonderland at ACMI, Winter Movie Marathon nights, Flashy Cocktails and Long Lunches with my friends, When I Grow Up Art Exhibition, All day Baking and Soup making Sessions, Prospects dinners, eating Homemade Apple Pie with my Family.
AUGUST: Dinner parties, Dress-up Events at School (Book Week, 100 days of School, PJ day), committing to 30 days of 30 minutes of extra exercise (which I have continued with ever since).
SEPTEMBER: Father's Day, Seeing the Showcase Performance at school, Commencing 20 minutes of daily Transcendental Meditation (have also continued with this all year), the Spring School Holiday Break.
OCTOBER: Halloween horror movie/ dinner night, Rediscovered the joy of the local Botanical Gardens, School trip to Melbourne Zoo, Landcare Open Day, Cocktail and Perfume Night at The Lost Ones.
NOVEMBER: Bonfire Night, Anniversary weekend at Skenes Creek, Dinner Dates and Movie Nights, Sunday afternoon Live Music at Smythesdale Pub.
DECEMBER: Dinner Party with friends, Having a KK to spoil and one that spoilt me as well, Staff Christmas function, Student Graduation, the Foundation Team Dinner, Summer Holidays kicking off, Christmas Day, Champagne Breakfasts, Reuniting with my nephew.
Seriously, it has been the best year, I have so many things to be grateful for and so many reasons to celebrate what a wonderful life I have. On top of all of that, Spicywatch hit 11,000 return readers this month and I cannot tell you how wonderful it is to think that people are not only reading my blog and reviews, but are returning for more, it is just incredible to me. I am truly thankful to each and every Spicywatch reader for their continual check ins to my website, for their beautiful comments and their amazing support throughout the year.
May 2019 bring you all much peace, much happiness and an abundance of all of the best things in life. I look forward to delivering more reviews and movie information to you all in 2019 and sharing my personal life experiences with you along the way as well.
Happiest of New Year's wishes to you all, may your resolutions be fulfilled, your hearts be full and your hangovers minimal; may you discover many new, enjoyable challenges and rewards in the new year and I hope that 2019 allows you to find your groove in all things,
Sending all of my love to you,
Happy New Year,
From Spicywatch xx
Release Date: 2000
Rating: G
Running Time: 78 mins
This animated movie completely cracked me up, I am pretty sure that I got more out of this than my kids, and that my laugh could be heard three doors down. Created by Walt Disney Animation Studios, directed by Mark Dindal and written by David Reynolds, The Emperor's New Groove took six years to develop and was met with generally favourable reviews for it's fast paced, fresh and hilarious antics.
The arrogant and unpleasant South American Emperor Kuzco (David Spade) has been turned into a llama by his devious advisor Yzma (Eartha Kitt). When he becomes stranded in the jungle, he finds hope in the form of Pacha (John Goodman) a kind-hearted peasant that agrees to help Kuzco to take back his throne and his natural form. However, Yzma and her bumbling side kick Kronk (Patrick Warburton) have plans to finish Kuzco off and they are trying to tracking him down.
Unlike other Disney animations, there isn't a princess in sight and the only royalty to be seen is unscrupulously sinister, so it would be fair to say that this was definitely a break out film for Disney animations. What this film really has going for it is the humour, it is very funny and witty. Kronk is easily the funniest character in the movie, so it is easy to see why The Emperor's New Groove 2 - Kronk's New Groove was made as a spin off, that character deserves his own movie; and having also seen the second, I can say that it too is a worthy children's movie and a decent sequel.
FINAL SAY: I was a junior chipmunk, and had to be versed in all the woodland creatures.
4 Chilli Peppers