It's the end of Blogtoberfest as we know it...

Well the end has arrived. I had my doubts about my ability to make it to the end when I began this journey way back on the 01/10/10 (or 10/01/01 for my American friends!), but here I am...

Seriously. Who am I kidding...

 I've been partying... Singing... and taking it easy!

I was a hopeless Blogtoberfestie, and didn't even attempt to post every day as the lovely host has done. I also haven't been able to visit very many other festival goers, but it has had some benefits for me that I would like to share. Apart from anything else, I managed to post 15 times this month. That is an improvement of nearly 100% on my previous total number of posts!!

Blogtoberfest has rekindled my interest in blogging and I believe it has come at a time when I am beginning to start contemplating my study again. I began this blog to document my PhD journey. I swiftly put up a few posts, then stopped. This mirrored my study journey really and as I have mentioned previously, I then gave up - both study and blogging - for various reasons.

 Now, I'm not one for new years resolutions, but this seems like a good time to make a resolution, and mine is this:

I will continue this blog as a way of developing a community of interest, which will (hopefully) mirror - in some ways - the process of my study.

Blogtoberfest has introduced me to a lovely new community. As I said I have not been around to visit many of you, but my plan is to continue on this journey of discovery. I am interested in the process of how things happen. It is about the journey not the destination and all those other cliches floating around.

I think one of the reasons I have such a passionate interest in process is that I have become quite immediate since I got sick. I believe this is because of the nature of my illness and how it relates to energy, so for years I have felt the need to get things done now before I run out of energy - and also time.

Ironically what this illness continues to teach me is the importance of taking time to stop and get the process right because it can have a huge impact on the outcome.  I don't enjoy having a chronic illness, but as a firm believer in everything happens for a reason, I had lessons to learn, and I may not have learnt them any other way.

So Blogtoberfest, I bid you farewell but not goodbye. I thank you for providing me with the impetus to get back on the horse (so to speak); for the joy of meeting new people and catching up with old friends and of course for the opportunity to learn. It is my great joy in life and I am lucky to be able to pursue it as I want.

It's the end of Blogtoberfest as we know it... But not the end of this little blog. Thanks Tinniegirl. XXX

What's that Skip...?

I mean Willow?

In our house the real decision makers are not the humans!

Anyone who lives with cats will know what I'm talking about. Willow is the more aloof of our cats, and she is particularly sensitive to change. Holden is happy as long as tinniegirl is there - she is his home!

Willow is actually a really good judge of the feel of a place. Sometimes I think it would be good to be able to take Willow along when we look for our new house, and let her choose. When we moved into this home she was quick to get out and about and explore the garden. This was a sign of a good house for us. In past houses, it had taken Willow up to 2 weeks to come out of the cupboard.

Let's hope she likes wherever we end up this next time. Come on Willow, manifest the right place!

PS for those who didn't grow up with Skippy, he was an amazing kangaroo who was the best friend of Sonny. He would lead Sonny to people who were in trouble and make a clicking sound. Sonny would then always ask "What's that Skip" or What's up Skip".

Sharing a Computer ...

 ... During Blogtoberfest ... When you live with the lovely host ...

1.  can be frustrating!
2.  is a great excuse for not posting!
3.  demonstrates the need for a new computer!
4.  decreases time available for random surfing and/or shopping!
5.  is simply not on!!!

I NEED a lovely shiny new computer!!

Image sourced from bindapple.com

Low c - cultural Exchange

Over the last few weeks there has been some cultural exchange going on at work. One of my colleagues is here from America, and she was saying the other day that she had never heard sprinkles called 100s and 1000s.

This conversation led to a discussion of fairy bread and freckles. She was intrigued by the idea of fairy bread particularly, and myself and the rest of the aussies, recounted stories of countless birthday parties that included fairy bread. I decided to introduce her to the unique flavour experience of fairy bread the next day, and also bought her a packet of freckles.

Imagine my surprise when I turned up at work yesterday to be greeted by a packet of fairy pretzels. What is a fairy pretzel I hear you ask. My colleague had turned a packet of ordinary pretzels into fairy pretzels in honour of fairy bread and freckles.

Check them out! They are delicious. I couldn't believe that someone would go to the trouble of dipping pretzels in chocolate, then in 100s and 1000s! So sweet!!!

We had a lot of fun with them yesterday. It really made my birthday at work. I told her to get straight onto marketing them!!

I love silliness and laughter at work. I find it energising, helps to make the day pass and breaks up the sometimes very serious nature of my work. Anyway, we have had a lot of fun at work lately with food and also with the pronunciation of words.... How do you say squirrel??

On Birthdays and other things

Well It's my birthday. A very quiet one for me this year. Unlike a few years ago!

Tinniegirl is not home tonight as she is looking after her mumsy who has had a day procedure today, so I am alone. It has not been bad, I have been on the phone for about 2 hours fielding birthday calls, which has been lovely.

I think birthdays can be interesting times. Another year over, unknown adventures ahead. It's a time to choose whether you think back on what has been or look to what might be. This year for me, I am doing a bit of both. I have chronic fatigue syndrome, and this has been a watershed year for me in terms of my health. Earlier this year, I was becoming increasingly desperate trying to manage my illness. I was lucky enough to come across a fantastic man who I believe saved my life, my relationship and my job. The rehab program that I have undertaken since April this year has changed my life! Last week I rode my bike to work and then home again. It was something that I could not have even thought about doing 6 months ago. I can look back with pride to see how far I have come in a short time. 

I look forward as well to a future. I could not see a way forward 6 months ago, now I can again begin to realise my dreams. I will return to study next year, and get on with completing my PhD. I will be returning to playing guitar with Concordia, I am able to consider travelling again, and really I will be able to achieve whatever I choose. This is a great year.

Happy Birthday to me!!! Here's to many more!

Pictures of the day

Mind Mapping

Have you heard of mind mapping?

A friend of mine recently told me about mind mapping and how it had helped her with organising her studying.

While I am currently on a leave of absence from my studies to concentrate on improving my health, I bought this book the other day. I am feeling heaps better and thinking a lot about getting back to study. This seemed like a good way to begin, after all what harm can it do to organise my brain?

I have read The Brain that Changes Itself,  so I know about the possibilities of my brain, but sometimes it is hard to believe my brain is capable of the things I read about!!! 

I approach my new challenge with an open mind (it's kind of like hitting the open road and seeing where the wind takes you!). Mind Mapping here I come - I'll let you know how it goes!

Sesame Street: Will.i.am's Song "What I Am"

I was a fan of sesame street growing up, still love Elmo, and I also like the Black Eyed Peas, so I think this is fab! Check it out.

Self Portrait

Today I'm joining in self portrait day for Blogtoberfest. 

 

This is the first self portrait I took with my new camera. I love taking these shots!

Here I am again on the beach at Port Douglas recently, and

 

and here is one of Tinniegirl and my good self a few years ago!

Another Lazy Sunday

What's the best way to spend a sunny Sunday?

Sitting in a cafe, late morning on a sunny Sunday

Watching the world go by.

Maybe some shopping, a swim and then some reading in the backyard.

Perfect!

Does anyone else think it's cool that the date is 10/10/10!!?

What are you up to?

Dum de dum de dum. I wonder if there's anything happening this weekend.

Briiing briing... Huh, oh the phone, Hellooo, hellooo, who is it?

... I can't hear you, can you please speak up!

... PARDON! I CAN'T HEAR YOU!!!!

 ... what! a party! Fantastic!

... Sounds great, whereabouts?

... look forward to it, see you soon...

A sense of community does make a difference

A couple of things have happened this week at work, that have got me thinking again about community.

On Monday my music therapy colleagues and I had peer supervision. This is a time that I look forward to every month where we get together to talk about our clinical work and try to help each other to see things from a different perspective. We have been doing this since July, and we are really enjoying the process. It was my turn to present an issue, or something that has been bothering me about work. I work in an acute paediatric hospital setting so there are some pretty meaty things that come up sometimes, and this time put aside for us every month is fantastic. We are a small community of 5, but this experience helps to remind us that we are a little community within the larger community of the hospital. It also helps me to realise what a resource I have in my colleagues.

I also went along to the staff choir for the first time. I have been working in this job for just over a year now, and I have been repeatedly encouraged to go along to choir by a number of my workmates. It was a lot of fun, and I enjoyed the opportunity to sing just for me, and not for/with my patients.

I realised it had been a long time since I regularly played music for me.  I mentioned a few days ago that I was hoping to rejoin my orchestra this month, and the choir experience has strengthened my resolve to make it happen. This was another experience of community. The choir is an open choir, no auditions, no previous choir experience, or expertise needed. It is made up of cleaning staff, patient assistants, kitchen staff, allied health staff, as well as doctors, nurses and the CEO. I know of no other opportunity that brings all hospital employees together as equals. Quite a unique experience.

I had a very productive day at work today. I wonder if this is related to the sense of community I felt?

For me it reinforces my view of how important community can be.

Lazy Sunday lies ahead

The weather is perfect

The world championship cycling is on the TV - Go Cadel

Daylight saving Time has begun

It's great to be alive

I Love Books.

I am a book fan. I dream about having a library in my house that is wall to wall shelves absolutely chock full of books. Books provide opportunities for escapism, learning, adventures, sharing lives, and so many other things. They offer endless possibilities for those who similarly indulge in my passion for them.

Sourced at google images

 There are 3 bookshelves in my house, 2 of which are in my study. They house books related to my study - of course - as well as favourite books that I cannot bear to part with.

My theory about books is, they are there to share their stories with others. I give away lots of books, and I get lots of books from my family members and friends. I see this as a very simple way to build community, however, there are just some of these joyous adventures and places of wisdom that I wish to have the opportunity to take over and over.

I give away lots of my books to op shops for strangers to share and I get a little thrill from thinking about who will read this story next. So I was very excited when I got to work last week and a colleague had an idea about a book sharing shelf. She had cleared some space above her desk where people could bring in their books and they could be shared with others in the office. What a great opportunity  to build more meaningful relationships with colleagues. Books tell you a lot about a person, and it is a nice feeling to find that you like a similar style of books to someone else. It makes me feel connected and this is what we all as humans are striving for to improve out quality of life.

So get to it, share you books and you will feel great!

(PS so far so good for me and Blogtoberfest!)

BLOGTOBERFEST ... for lapsed bloggers

My name is Becoming Dr Doc, and I am a lapsed blogger!

I began blogging in May this year, stopped in May this year, then started again last week - in September this year.

Perhaps foolishly, I have decided to join in with Blogtoberfest - hosted by tinniegirl. By taking the plunge and joining in, I have opted in to blog every day in October!!!!!! (This does indeed seem a crazy thing for a lapsed blogger to do.)

If you look closely at these photos, you can see the city - very tiny - in the centre of the photos.

I took these photos from the window of a moving car, and the size of the city is how I see the end of October at this point in time! As a lapsed and extremely episodic blogger, posting every day for the next 31 days seems almost like an impossible task, but I am going to take on the challenge.

I may not succeed in posting every day, but if I post more often than my weekly average for the year, I will have exceeded my total posts - for ever and always, and this seems like a worthwhile goal.

It will be an exciting month, our house is being auctioned, it is my birthday month, and I am planning to rejoin my orchestra group after a few years break so there should be lots to talk about.

A festival is a great way to go about building community, which is something I like to wax lyrical about, and so with gusto I say, put your hair in pigtails, pitch your tent, turn up the music and let's party - it's festival month.