Day 168...

WEDNESDAY 18.02.15 - I am thankful for... Lent

*Picture from www.calendaronpics.com

Today is Ash Wednesday, the first day of Lent. It is the preparation before Easter where we traditionally fast, repent and observe spiritual discipline. Every denomination does things differently. Within our church there is no rule saying we have to 'give up' something for lent, but a lot of us tend to anyway. It's a great exercise in discipline and knowing that there is something much more important that the things we give up. I have chosen to give up coffee, chocolate and soft drinks. Probably the things I consume most that I can definitely live without (chocolate will be hardest though!). I'm not sure how difficult it will be, will have to wait and see. I am thankful for the opportunity to show myself that I am a lot stronger than I think, but not letting myself give in to cravings I might have. So wish me luck!

Day 167...

TUESDAY 17.02.15 - I am thankful for... My Garmin Vivofit

My mum bought both my sister and I a Garmin Vivofit for Christmas. It is the Garmin version of a Fitbit I suppose. It wasn't something I asked for or even knew about to be honest. But I'm really thankful I have it! It displays the number of steps I have done, the number of steps to go until I achieve my daily goal (or + if I go over), the distance I've stepped in kms, the number of kilojoules burned and the date and time. It's quite handy because it helps you keep track of how much movement you do throughout the day, which is something I find really important. Thankfully I achieve my goal due to my work but on weekends, However, if I have a lazy one, it may take some effort to achieve that and it's good to be aware of it. What a neat little invention. So thanks mum for my awesome Christmas present :)

Day 166...

MONDAY 16.02.15 - I am thankful for... the RSPCA

On the way home from work today I was listening to Triple J's afternoon program, Hack. They interviewed a reporter for Four Corners who briefly summarised a story they were presenting tonight on their show. Greyhound trainers using live bait to "blood" their race dogs. Using, piglets, possums, rabbits, cats, chickens etc.. putting them on a mechanical lure whilst still alive and let the dogs chase them and kill them. I was disgusted. What an abhorrent thing to do! Not to mention the fact it is illegal. A small group of investigators was able to gather video evidence of this and pass it onto the RSPCA, the organisation with the authority to do something about it. When they received the evidence they immediately conducted raids on these greyhound training facilities, along with the police and Animals Australia and shut down and suspended a number of people in the industry. We live in a day and age where cruelty to animals is not only not acceptable, it's disgusting. I am thankful that we have the RSPCA that are actively looking out for the welfare of those who can't speak or look after themselves. They are a fantastic organisation and I hope in years to come, with their help, we can stamp out animal cruelty for good.

Day 165...

SUNDAY 15.02.15 - I am thankful for... Spending time with my boyfriend :)

*Picture from internet

As we were unable to spend Valentine's Day together, my boyfriend and I made the most out of today. The weather was beautiful took me to the beach, bought a fish and chip lunch and we sat in the park opposite the beach looking out into the water. It was awesome! When you both work and have a few different commitments each, it can be hard to find quality time together. We are definitely finding that we can't spend as much time together as we'd like, but it's all about making the time together as quality as possible. I think we achieved that today. So I'm thankful for days like today where I can spend time with my boyfriend :)

Day 164...

SATURDAY 14.02.15 - I am thankful for... Love

*Picture from www.funmozar.com

Ahhhh. Valentine's Day. The international day of love. Whilst I realise the purpose is to celebrate with your partner or spouse, I like to extend the message of love to my closest friends and family. Obviously, we should show people we love them more than one day a year, but it's a good reminder to make sure those around you really know how much they mean to you. I'm not saying do this through cards and chocolates and flowers etc... because really it's what my friends and I call a "Hallmark Holiday" - made for card, flower and chocolate businesses to make heaps of money. I even told my boyfriend not to bother with that stuff! I myself am at home all day today on call for work whilst my boyfriend is at his soccer registration day all day. But we plan to spend the day together tomorrow :) I also sent a message to a few people telling them how much I love them and how special they are. That's all you need really, a gesture to make someone feel valued. I am thankful that love exists. It's not just about feeling something for someone, but what you do for them. It's such a powerful thing, the strongest of bonds that exists. I hope and pray you all feel loved today.

Happy Valentine's Day.

Day 163...

FRIDAY 13.02.14 - I am thankful for...Darts

*Picture from www.burwoodrsl.com.au 

Tonight at youth group we played several darts games. It's been a long time since I played darts so needless to say I was a little rusty. Ok, very rusty! The youth group really took to it though and seemed to have a lot of fun. One of the girls even discovered that she is a seriously good shot! We also used the darts to pop balloons with bible verses inside them. It was quite hilarious watching the darts bounce off the balloons that weren't blown up enough to pop easily. All in all the darts contributed to a really good night, which I am always thankful for.

Day 162...

THURSDAY 12.02.15 - I am thankful for... My new phone

My new phone came in the post today! Hooray! I got the idea from my friend who also just upgraded her phone. I decided to have a quick look online and discovered I could upgrade to a new phone on a cheaper plan than what I'm already on. So I decided to do that. My old phone works perfectly so I'll be able to sell it and save money on my new plan. I do have less data on this plan though, but I don't really need data anyway. I chose to spend my hard earned on money on things that are more important to me. So I'm thankful for my friend's idea and for ability to save money with a new phone. It's a win win situation really!

Day 161...

WEDNESDAY 11.02.15 - I am thankful for... Quiet days at work

*Picture from www.listdose.com

Quiet days may not happen very often, but when they do I'm certainly appreciative of them! Today I did one pacemaker check in our cancer therapy centre and one pacemaker check on the ward. That's all the clinical work that was needed today. The rest of the day was a good opportunity to do that admin stuff that you put off until you have quiet moments. I also am able to read new scientific articles and journals on-line about advancements in Cardiology. Yes, we have already established that I'm a nerd, but what can I say? I love my job! I love the fact its always growing and advancing, always something new to learn about. So today I am thankful for those days where there is not much clinical (with patients) work to do and I have the opportunity to catch up on other things in a non-stressful manner.

Day 160... Hard to believe

TUESDAY 10.02.15 - I am thankful for... Hot shower

*Picture from www.lydony.com

How good is a hot shower? Even in the summer I have at least a little bit of heat in my shower water. I came home today just feeling a bit stiff and sore. Stretches helped a little bit, but I was still feeling a little uncomfortable. A hot shower was just what the doctor ordered! Standing under the flow of hot water over my back and arm muscles... heaven! So another fairly short one today, but I'm really grateful I can have hot water for my showers. I do enjoy them!

Day 159...

MONDAY 09.02.15 - I am thankful for... 40 days of community

Tonight at bible study we started a series called 40 days of community. It is a devotional series created by Rick Warren, an American pastor and author, and focuses on what we are here on this earth for. I am really looking forward to going through this series with my bible study group and my church (which is following the same series ever Sunday). Whether Christian or not, I believe everyone is here on this earth for a purpose greater than themselves. Time and time again we have seen amazing things when humanity reaches out, comes together and rebuild from devastation, conquer hatred and unite in peace. This series is more tailored to what we can do within our community and I think it's a really important step into changing the world for the better. I can't wait to see where this goes.

Day 158...

SUNDAY 08.02.15 - I am thankful for... Grocery shopping

*Picture from www.clevercoupons.com.au

Call me crazy, but I really enjoy grocery shopping. I don't find it stressful at all, even when the shops are absolutely packed. I enjoy going up and down the aisles, trying to sort out what I will eat for the week. I try and use it as time to myself, to not think about anything else. I go at a time where I don't have to rush it and take all the time I want or need. I realise I only shop for myself, and this may change once I have children and need to do shopping for a whole family, but for now I will just continue to enjoy it. I've also decided I need to be more conscious of how much food I buy and how much I will need for the week, so as not to waste anything which unfortunately happens from time to time whether I mean to or not. Therefore I am thankful for grocery shopping, for the time to myself and the reminder that I have the means to eat food. Simple as it may seem, many people around this world just don't have the ability to purchase or retrieve food due to circumstances like poverty. I will never take the ability to go grocery shopping for granted.

Day 157...

SATURDAY 07.02.15 - I am thankful for... My immune system

*Picture from www.healingthebody.ca

Anyone who knows me knows that this might be an unusual thing to be thankful for. Why? Because my immune system is probably lower and less active than the average person. I have a blood condition called Neutropenia, a lack of white blood cells in my blood called neutrophils that help fight infection. This leaves me more susceptible to bacterial, fungal and viral infections than the average person. I do get sick and run down quite a bit, and today was one of those days. I was fine this morning, went to my Saturday Zumba class, came home, went for a reflexology session (soooo relaxing!) but got home and felt so sick, for some unknown reason, that I just had to go to bed. In bed at 6pm on a Saturday night when I was supposed to be hanging out with my boyfriend? NOT OK! I slept for a few hours and woke up at 9pm and still unwell, forced myself out of bed to have a shower. So why am I thankful for my immune system which clearly doesn't work as it should? Whilst I was humphing and feeling sorry for myself I was reminded of those people who are even less fortunate than I. Those that have next to no immune system do to immunosuppressants from organ transplant, those undergoing chemotherapy for cancer. Those with more life threatening conditions than I have. I may get sick a lot, but they are mostly just colds and flues that eventually pass. They don't leave me with significantly less quality of life. I have been fortunate in my life that the more serious illnesses I have had have been able to be 'fixed' or 'cured' with little to no change in my quality of life. So as I go to bed, feeling sick for the millionth time, I am thankful that my immune system will eventually fight this sickness and I will get better, it may just take a little longer.

Day 156...

FRIDAY 06.02.15 - I am thankful for... My swimsuit

 

Whilst I was away at Port Macquarie I found the most perfect one piece for me. Nice style in my favourite colour. Tonight we had our first night back with youth group, a pool party. I was thankful tonight to have good swimmers to wear to swim in. It may not seem like much but I was really thankful for it tonight, they are very comfortable and I don't feel like they are going to fall off at all. Very important! So whilst it's a short one today, and may seem a little materialistic and superficial, I am thankful I have something that I can wear swimming that allows me to be comfortable while doing so, important for all women like myself who aren't bikini models.

Day 155...

THURSDAY 5.2.15 - I am thankful for... New work shoes

I have been getting really sore feet lately, especially by the end of the day. This morning when doing a check on the ward I thought I stepped in something so picked my foot up to check, only to discover the soles of my shoes had completely worn away without me noticing. Ah, light bulb! Time for new shoes. Luckily for me today was pay day. So at lunch I went to the shops, found a pair of shoes I liked in first shop, tried them on and they fit perfectly. What are the chances!? Then back to work and new shoes went on and old shoes went straight in the bin. It all seemed to work out for me so perfectly, I couldn't have planned it better. Hopefully this will solve the problem of my sore feet, I guess I'll know in the next few days. Therefore I am thankful for new shoes, for the means to buy them, the timing and just having shoes in the first place when many around the world don't.

Day 154...

WEDNESDAY 4.2.15 - I am thankful for... Moisturiser

The temperature inside the hospital, particularly in our department, is FREEZING to say the least! It could be 40 degrees Celsius outside, but you'd never know it inside as they crank up the air-con. The building we are in also houses the cath labs and operating theatres, so yes they have to be cold for the machinery and for sterility. However, it can make working within the building a little uncomfortable. And if we are cold and fully clothed, imagine how the patients about to have surgery feel! All this cold, dry air definitely has an effect on my skin. Thank goodness for moisturiser! I was given this cute little apple moisturiser from my colleague that sits on my desk at work and has been an absolute God send of late. So I am thankful I have it to keep my hand from drying out and cracking, and the fact that it looks cool is an added bonus.

Day 153...

TUESDAY 3.2.15 - I am thankful for... Pinterest

I don't know what it is, but I'm really hooked on Pinterest at the moment. If you don't know what it is, or haven't heard of it, it's a website that allows you to see, collect and share different pictures and ideas. Like a virtual pinboard. You can search for different topics and 'pin' them to boards you can create yourself. You can even send your pins to other people on the site. It's really great in my opinion. I love to look at different ideas, projects or products that people have posted. There are so many pictures for topics I'm usually interested in like photography, fashion, food, home designs, holiday destinations, craft and scrapbooking etc... but you can find just about anything you want to. My best friend even messaged me today to say just how much she loves it! I guess the website it another social media tool, sharing content. However I like it because you can use it for inspiration, ideas or just plain dreaming. So thank you to the creators of Pinterest. It's a lot of fun!

Day 152...

MONDAY 2.2.15 - I am thankful for... Extending my holiday

*Picture from www.memorialmedical.com

Last week I decided that I would extend my Europe holiday in June/July by 3 days. Why? Because I can! It cost me just over $100 to change the flights to the exact same route, just on the Friday instead of the following Monday. Today I booked accommodation in Dublin for those extra 3 days. How blessed am I that I can do that! It's only just under 5 months until I go. I'M SO EXCITED IT'S INSANE! There's still a bit left to do, a few more things to decide and organise, but I'm so thankful it's all coming together smoothly. I am so, so thankful that I have the means to travel and take this holiday, and the excess leave from work to do it with. If any of you have tips or must see places in Ireland and England let me know!

Day 151...

SUNDAY 1.2.15 - I am thankful for... One of my besties, Dani

Today is one of my two amazing best friends' birthdays. I haven't asked if she minded being the subject of my blog today, so fingers crossed she doesn't get mad! The three of us have been best friends for over 20 years. I met both girls when I moved to Brisbane at 6 years old. We went through primary school together, different high schools, and Dani and I attended the same Uni doing similar courses. We even got to live together for a while, along with her now husband, before I moved to Sydney for work, one of the best times in my life, sooooooooooo much fun! There are so many things that make this girl an incredible person and friend. I could probably almost write a thesis on it! During our years of friendship she has always been there for me. The good times, the hard times, the joy and the sadness. Listening to my whinging and complaining and never afraid to tell me what she thinks and if I'm being stupid. We've been through a lot together. Her friendship and loyalty has been selfless and unwavering, I only hope I have been the same for her. There have been so many times she has or was willing to drop everything and come to help me, for example, when I burnt my hand catching my hair straightener (#epicfail) she was willing to miss a compulsory uni tute to take me to the doctors. When I was in hospital, she and my other bestie came and sat with me for an entire afternoon playing games to keep me company. She has visited a few times when she was able here is Sydney and last year I and my other bestie had the pleasure of being bridesmaids for her wedding. I could not imagine my life without her, nor would I ever want to. So, even being so many miles away and unable to celebrate her birthday, there's is nothing I am more thankful for today than her. I even made cupcakes in her honour! I only hope everyone finds best friends of the same calibre as I have. They truly are a blessing, enriching my life beyond imagination.

Day 150... Still going strong!

SATURDAY 31.1.15 - I am thankful for... Finishing Projects

On call again. After having a great week off, it's not so bad. So with all my time at home I got to focus on finishing a project I've had on the go for a few weeks. I had some cards of different sorts I loved, just lying around doing nothing, and decided to make a simple art piece out of them. I guess you can I was Pinterest or Better Homes and Gardens inspired. The first frame, on the left, contains vintage Disney cards I got as a present from my sister. The middle frame has postcards, designed by different people, that I got in my summer edition of Frankie and the last frame has little positive quote cards that were given to me, by a good friend, as a thanks for helping her out on her wedding day. The problem initially was that I wanted to keep all of these but needed a way to be able to display them, if only for my benefit, and came up with this. In saying that I'm well aware that it's not like a proper work of art, anyone could have done it, but I was really happy that the finished product looked almost like it did in my head. Don't you love it when that happens?! So I am therefore thankful for finishing my little project and getting my creative juices flowing again!

Day 149

FRIDAY 30.1.15 - I am thankful for... Traffic

*Picture from www.econews.com.au

Yes you read correctly. I said I was thankful for traffic. I'll explain. Today we travelled back from Port Macquarie to Sydney as I'm oncall for the weekend. I guess you can blame me for cutting the holiday short. It was a relatively good drive back... until we hit Sydney. 3hrs to get to Sydney, 1hr to get THROUGH it. I have always hated Sydney traffic, it is, in one word, ridiculous! There is traffic 24/7, it just differs in severity. I think for the whole hour the 3 of us in the car 'gahhh'ed and 'grrrr'ed and 'stupid driver'ed and 'what!'ed and 'come on!'ed etc... Not that we yelled any of these at anyone, road rage is not acceptable, but like most people we just got cranky at the car. I mean when think about it, we had just driven 3hrs and WE were tired and WE wanted to get home and WE should have been able to in the time WE wanted. I got home eventually and then I thought about it. How incredibly selfish to get angry about traffic. How incredibly stupid. Yes traffic is annoying but getting cranky and frustrated is not going to make it better or go away. And who knows the circumstances of the people stuck in the traffic with you? So while I'm not thankful for actual traffic, I am thankful that we struck traffic. It should have been a good lesson in patience and looking out for fellow drivers on the road, being as safe as we can. I will try and remember this next time I'm stuck in traffic, and no doubt that will be sooner rather than later.

Day 147...

WEDNESDAY 28.1.15 - I am thankful for... Lazy days

*Picture from www.freehdw.com

Another rainy ay in paradise. But hey, at least I am in paradise, or fairly close to it. So today was a lazy day. We watched TV, movies, I read my book and we did swim in the pool for a while, it was a great temperature considering the weather. We even went up the road to get dinner instead of making it ourselves! Even with the weather I have found it relaxing and recharging. Making the most out of what we have. So I am thankful for days where I am able to be a little lazy, do as little as possible. It doesn't happen very often at all and when I get back to work it will be full steam ahead. So enjoying it while I can!