I'm not going to lie about it, 2019 was NOT my favourite year. It was a year when things that could go wrong did go wrong for me. It was year of loss, sorrow, illness, confusion and things just frickin breaking or catching on fire (seriously - catching on fire people - just nuts!), but you know what I have to say about that? I say, well yeah it was pretty shitty a lot of the time, but I survived it. And I am stronger and smarter and calmer and wiser because of it all, I have learnt more about myself and others this year than I ever thought that I could learn in one year and even though I am praying that 2020 is somewhat kinder and gentler to me, I am actually proud that I have managed myself as well as I did in the face of all that adversity.
And it really wasn't all doom and gloom anyway, some really good stuff happened to me in 2019 as well, and I would really like to focus on those peaks and forget about the valleys right now.
And it really wasn't all doom and gloom anyway, some really good stuff happened to me in 2019 as well, and I would really like to focus on those peaks and forget about the valleys right now.
JANUARY: Torquay Chocolaterie, New Zealand North Island, Glowworm caves, Hobbiton, Ziplining, Sailing, Seth's 14th birthday, Dialogue in the Dark, Korean BBQ with my nephew and family, DEDICATE - 30 days of Yoga journey.
FEBRUARY: Zoe graduated University, Chinese New Year- the Year of the Pig, Seth joined Sonika, Academy Awards Night.
MARCH: Castlemaine Markets, Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde, Spa Day in Daylesford, International Women's Day, My Birthday.
APRIL: Craig's Birthday, Queenscliff winery trip, Good Friday breakfast, Eating Hot Cross Buns and good quality Chocolate on Easter Sunday, April holiday break.
MAY: Game of Thrones Gathering and Final episodes, Mother's Day, Illumin8 at the Great Stupa in Bendigo.
JUNE: , Zoe's Birthday, Run at Karova, Spicywatch's 5th Birthday, Winter Solstice Celebrations, Mushrooming, Completing my Level Two Braille Qualification, Winter School Holidays, Spa treatment in Daylesford.
JULY: Beauty and the Beast, Winter Movie Marathon nights, Dumpling Making day, Winteractive, Convent Gallery, eating Homemade Apple Pie with my Family.
AUGUST: CZ Conference, Prospects Dinners, Clothing Swap Day, Book week Dress Up Day.
SEPTEMBER: Father's Day, Trivia Night, Buskers Festival, White Night, Emmy's Night, Spring School Holiday Break, Lal Lal Long Lunch.
OCTOBER: Thrift Shopping Day, Cocktail day out with friends, Popcon, Werribee Zoo Trip with school, Halloween horror movie/ dinner night.
NOVEMBER: 25th Anniversary in Vanuatu, incredible Support, Care and Love from my dear family and friends when I lost my father.
DECEMBER: Carols in the Paddock, Summer Holidays kicking off, Christmas Day, Champagne Breakfasts, American BBQ at Crown Casino, Cocktail Night, Wedding in Torquay.
FEBRUARY: Zoe graduated University, Chinese New Year- the Year of the Pig, Seth joined Sonika, Academy Awards Night.
MARCH: Castlemaine Markets, Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde, Spa Day in Daylesford, International Women's Day, My Birthday.
APRIL: Craig's Birthday, Queenscliff winery trip, Good Friday breakfast, Eating Hot Cross Buns and good quality Chocolate on Easter Sunday, April holiday break.
MAY: Game of Thrones Gathering and Final episodes, Mother's Day, Illumin8 at the Great Stupa in Bendigo.
JUNE: , Zoe's Birthday, Run at Karova, Spicywatch's 5th Birthday, Winter Solstice Celebrations, Mushrooming, Completing my Level Two Braille Qualification, Winter School Holidays, Spa treatment in Daylesford.
JULY: Beauty and the Beast, Winter Movie Marathon nights, Dumpling Making day, Winteractive, Convent Gallery, eating Homemade Apple Pie with my Family.
AUGUST: CZ Conference, Prospects Dinners, Clothing Swap Day, Book week Dress Up Day.
SEPTEMBER: Father's Day, Trivia Night, Buskers Festival, White Night, Emmy's Night, Spring School Holiday Break, Lal Lal Long Lunch.
OCTOBER: Thrift Shopping Day, Cocktail day out with friends, Popcon, Werribee Zoo Trip with school, Halloween horror movie/ dinner night.
NOVEMBER: 25th Anniversary in Vanuatu, incredible Support, Care and Love from my dear family and friends when I lost my father.
DECEMBER: Carols in the Paddock, Summer Holidays kicking off, Christmas Day, Champagne Breakfasts, American BBQ at Crown Casino, Cocktail Night, Wedding in Torquay.
See, loads of good things happening all year long! If you just look hard enough at what you've been doing, you can always find the positives. And although this year has really tested my fortitude, it has also proven to me that I have some incredibly strong, kind and generous people in my life that have really supported me through the tough times, and that is better than so many others things and pretty much makes up for things catching on fire as well!
So onward and upward I go, 2020 has arrived and along with it an opportunity to rise up, dust off and face the world again with a fresh perspective and some new found optimism. I feel that brighter days lie just ahead!
So onward and upward I go, 2020 has arrived and along with it an opportunity to rise up, dust off and face the world again with a fresh perspective and some new found optimism. I feel that brighter days lie just ahead!
INSTANT FAMILY
Release Date: 2018
Rating: M
Running Time: 120 mins
I saw this comedy/ drama with absolutely no expectations whatsoever, in fact I was half expecting to not like it at all. So I was pleasantly surprised when I found out that it is not only heart warming and completely feel good, but it is also based on a true story about the experiences of a real life foster family.
Pete and Ellie are a well off childless couple who decide to dive head first into foster parenting. They take on a trio of Latinx kids who bring their own baggage, drama and trauma into their home and change their lives forever.
As you would imagine, shenanigans abound as the family all attempt adjust to each other, but underneath all of that is some genuine and heartfelt interaction that bravely explores family boundaries, unconditional love and human kindness, which makes this film a winner.
The acting and casting is terrific, with Mark Wahlberg and Rose Byrne shining as the haphazard foster parents, Octavia Spencer offering comic relief as foster parent trainer Karen and the three child actors Isabela Moner, Gustavo Quiroz Jr. and Julianna Gamiz all delivering meaningful and believable child angst throughout.
Overall, a really pleasing and heartwarming comedy that the whole family can enjoy.
FINAL SAY: Your real kids are different. You can't erase them.
3.5 Chilli Peppers
Release Date: 2018
Rating: M
Running Time: 120 mins
I saw this comedy/ drama with absolutely no expectations whatsoever, in fact I was half expecting to not like it at all. So I was pleasantly surprised when I found out that it is not only heart warming and completely feel good, but it is also based on a true story about the experiences of a real life foster family.
Pete and Ellie are a well off childless couple who decide to dive head first into foster parenting. They take on a trio of Latinx kids who bring their own baggage, drama and trauma into their home and change their lives forever.
As you would imagine, shenanigans abound as the family all attempt adjust to each other, but underneath all of that is some genuine and heartfelt interaction that bravely explores family boundaries, unconditional love and human kindness, which makes this film a winner.
The acting and casting is terrific, with Mark Wahlberg and Rose Byrne shining as the haphazard foster parents, Octavia Spencer offering comic relief as foster parent trainer Karen and the three child actors Isabela Moner, Gustavo Quiroz Jr. and Julianna Gamiz all delivering meaningful and believable child angst throughout.
Overall, a really pleasing and heartwarming comedy that the whole family can enjoy.
FINAL SAY: Your real kids are different. You can't erase them.
3.5 Chilli Peppers
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