Lately: Autumn 2023 Edition

I was inspired by Olivia to do another Lately post. They are always enjoyable to write, and I am home from work with a cold right now, and feel like being distracted by pleasantries.

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Note: please overlook the fact this is an autumn edition, even though we are a few days off winter here in Australia, as I write... ;) 

WATCHING...

• Gilmore Girls Season 5 (I know, I know, I said no more, and then I found season 5 at the Bookfest for a few dollars and missed it so much I caved in.)
• Julia & Julie (because I just finished "My Life in France"... I wanted MORE - it was too short lived :'()
• The Batman trilogy (one of my friends who is crazy passionate about film hosted them all in a cinema (which he used to work at) so we could watch it all together on the big screen
• Dirty Rotten Scoundrels (I've heard of the musical and wanted to see what the movie was all about... aside from seeing Michael Caine before he had gray hair, I apparently hadn't been missing out on too much)

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READING...

• "My Life in France" by Julia Child (delicious to read, even though I've never done French cooking)
• "It Ends with Us" by Colleen Hoover (one of my work colleagues leant it to me saying I must read it... definitely not the style I usually prefer. That one paired with "A Thousand Boys Kisses"... I don't think I need any more romance for the rest of the year)
• "Ben-Hur" by Lew Wallace (wish me luck. There's a reason the list ends here.)

CONSUMING...

• Chai lattes and chai tea (one of the few teas I ENJOY)
• Coffee, always 
• Pumpkin soup (my mum makes a mean pumpkin soup, and it's quite often the highlight of my winter - that and minestrone)
• Cinnamon rolls (a lady from our home group made them for us last week and I have decided I have a new favourite food)

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SINGING...

• The Tuck Everlasting musical (because, rehearsals, and also outside of rehearsals they are just permanently engraved into my brain)
• "Mister Snow" from Carousel and "Who Needs Love" from Ever After the musical (both of which I'm prepping for an upcoming audition... also please tell me you HAVE listened to the delightful entertainment that is Ever After the musical?!)
• "I Can Do Better Than That" from The Last 5 Years because it's FUN (and yeah I did rewrite some lyrics ;))

ENJOYING...

• Learning to swing dance! I went to a 1940s costume swing dance party and it was a blast. An absolute blast, I tell you. I want to go back to that chaotic era of red lipstick and swishy skirts and energetic dancing. 
• Cuddling our pet hare, who was adopted into our family just before Christmas, last year. He is much like a cat in personality, and can often be seen in someone's lap or hiding behind our couch, snoozing.
• Leading worship for my local church. I only recently started this year, and have only been able to do it a couple times, but it's honestly been such a blessing. I'm often just backing or singing harmony, but I have lead a few times as well. Singing worship songs with a small band and leading a room full of people in praising the name of Jesus... it gives me many thrills.

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LISTENING TO...

• That Sounds Fun podcast (it never fails to brighten my day)
• Tuck Everlasting soundtrack... over and over (and now trying to avoid it as much as possible)
• Michael Buble & Frank Sinatra radio on Spotify (I choose this as our waiting room music at work because I love it and it makes me happy)
• Caity Gyorgy (I've just discovered her! I love how she makes up lyrics to otherwise instrumental jazz songs, it's so clever. I am in awe.) 

WORKING ON...

• Running our new head office at work (eeekk I feel like I'm now a combination of sales rep and manager and real estate agent and HR)
• My mix belt. Always. *sigh*
• Getting off-book with my understudy lines (it's way harder as an understudy... :/)

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DAYDREAMING OF...

• Travelling internationally... especially to Italy.
• All the different careers I could pursue, while simultaneously staying in my current job (I've always done this; I'm so indecisive - some days I'm like, "I was made to be a counsellor", or "I should definitely pursue paramedicine", or "I could be a support worker" or "maybe I should do retail?")
• The day when I get to play a lead role in a musical... someday, some day. :D

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What have you been up to, lately?

I'm Still Alive

So at what point do you just give up from sheer embarrassment at the length of time between posts? (Just asking for a friend... is 14 months too long?)

Well, hello.

Hello, friend.

It's been a minute. I'm still alive. 

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I'm not sure where to begin. I technically wrote the first version of this post at the end of 2022, but decided not to publish it as I had no clue when I would post again. I really dislike posting once every 6 months, or 2 years, and I wanted to provide some consistency if I was to return. I've been itching to get back into writing again. So, please take the fact of me posting this as a promise to try and provide some consistent posts moving forward into this year. (I mean, we're already in March, but hush.) I've been scurrying around finishing up a handful of drafted posts so I can actually back myself this time, in case I get swamped by life again. 

Part of the reason I can feel semi-confident to keep my word this time is because I've cut back on my work hours this year, to have time for things like this. And my own sanity. Because that deserves a bit of my time, too. ;) (Oh, and time for theatre, not going to lie.)

I guess I'll start by summing up how 2022 disappeared. (I wrote one post in January, and then vanished, ha!) That year got tangled up with working around 37 hour weeks, faithfully going to singing lessons (and loving it as much as ever), learning first jazz dance then modern jive dancing, doing music gigs, and musicals. There were many emotions felt over the course of that year. It started out difficult (imagine you ask your community theatre to do one of your dream musicals - Little Women - and they put on said dream musical, but because of government mandates you are not allowed to participate, so you stand by and watch other people perform it). A lot prayer of requests for grace, which lead to helping backstage for said dream musical once the mandates were lifted (but the show was already cast and well into rehearsals). It was very humbling and powerful, to LITERALLY shine a spotlight on the cast onstage, and mic all the performers for every show. A show that I wanted to be a part of with every inch of my being. (But that's a whole other post... which will be coming later.)

And then, a new opportunity. Another musical; perhaps not a favourite, but a well known one. I auditioned, more for the sake of not letting this opportunity go by with regrets, and for practice. I was confident I had completely bombed it afterwards, as my nerves had made my voice shake. (Even though I knew I had told a story well, the perfectionist within me waved it all away with the excuse of failure.) 

I got the call. I was in! I was cast in Mamma Mia! An ensemble member (and later found out, hand picked by the music director out of around 35 people to be a group of 8 for a small vocal group; the only ensemble (with a cast of 50+) to be given a mic and three extra songs). I laugh now, when I look back and remember how I thought being an ensemble member would be a breeze after playing the role of Anne. Little did I know, I would have to learn twenty songs, and multiple dances, and what felt like endless harmonies.

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A lot of growth took place within those few months. (Plus a lot of imposter syndrome, in every way, shape and form imaginable.) The theatre company was a lot bigger and higher-standing than the previous one I'd become a part of, and I travelled over an hour both ways for rehearsals three times a week. (Which meant on a Monday and a Wednesday, I'd travel 45mins to work, work an 8 hour shift, drive 45 mins back, eat dinner in 10 mins, and drive 1hour 10 mins to rehearsals, rehearse from 7-10pm, then drive 1 hour 10 mins back.) Oh, and work the next day. Like I said, crazy. But a whole lot of fun. Mamma Mia! was like a 2.5 hour party onstage.

There was an ongoing journey with healing, grief, and the craving to know God in more infinite and deeper ways. A longing for His church and a caring community. 

By the end of 2022, I was at a bit of a loss. I loved my life and wanted to start from scratch all at the same time. How does one find balance? To continue working and growing, to pursue what you love and sets your soul on fire (in my case - singing, dancing, acting, theatre, music), to grow closer together with others, study the Bible with fellow believers, sing songs of praise and worship, move your body daily... and yet somehow still have time to potter around the kitchen late into the evening, with the soothing tones of Michael Bublé playing on Spotify, or tickle the ivories and make sure you don't lose a skill that was sorely obtained? 

I wanted to have time to just sit, and think, in my daily schedule. Cuddly our little baby bunny. Look at what my little sister made that day or watch what new sports trick my little brother could do.

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So I decided to drop my work hours. Nothing major, but it was an exciting milestone for me. After tossing it over in my head for a year, I finally sat down with my boss. I do love my work place, I love what I get to do, but I was not ready to commit even more of my life and energy and time to it. I now work four days a week, most of which I am in charge of a local head office (which makes me endlessly happy, mostly because I can choose the background music based on whatever mood I'm in). (I know, it's the little things.)

Some people would think I'm going backwards. That I'm crazy for not accepting a higher position in the company, or pursuing to climb the ladder. But that's not for me. Not at this point in my life, anyway. At the end of the day, the most precious commodity we have is time. And I knew if I looked back in twenty years, I would not regret taking care of myself, loving others well, and being happy and fulfilled with my life. On the other hand, I knew I would regret spending even more hours at work if it meant I was unhappy, burnt out, and empty (even if the numbers in my bank account were big and shiny).  

So here's to a fresh start. Here's to taking care of yourself, your body, your mind, and to taking care of others. Here's to living your life the best way you know how, regardless of the many voices telling you to do more. Here's to slowing down a little, so that you're ready when the fast days come. Here's to filling up the cup, so that you're not running on empty. And here's to you, wherever you are right now. If you've been running on empty for a long time like me, here's your invitation to slow down and know that you have a choice. You can rebuild your life if you have to. It doesn't need to be one huge decision (although it can be). It could just be a lot of small, baby steps, that lead you to a healthier version of yourself. I hope you value yourself enough to do that.

Until next time. Xx (Which I promise won't be in two years.)

Currently: DEC 2021 Edition

Hi Friends! 

It's been awhile. I was having to work extra hours for work, filling in for some people, and then I went away for a 10 day beach holiday with my family which was wonderful (although it rained most of the time *sigh*). Life doesn't stop. There has also been some other stressors and difficulties that have arisen in my personal life, and I've been having to take time to come to terms with them, and deal with it. 

All that to say, I will be getting some time off work (nearly two weeks?) over Christmas, and blogging is one thing I am hoping I can return to during this time. I have a stack of half finished posts in my drafts that I am excited about, and hope to get out to you shortly. In the meantime, here is a little life update of where I've been at lately, in bullet form because that's always fun. ;)

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Reading:

• "With Every Letter" by Sarah Sundin - I have just finished this one, and did really enjoy it! I rarely read that genre, but it was quite well done, and a sweet story. I'm a sucker for war romance stories, anyhow.
• "Crazy Love" by Francis Chan - this was a re-read for me. I read it a couple years ago and really grappled with what I thought. It's a challenging read - I don't agree with all of it, but it's a good thought-provoker. 
• "Alternative Shakespeare Auditions for Women" by Simon Dunmore - this is mostly just to educate myself more for auditions and theatre in the future. ;) I've already bookmarked some particularly good ones, and rather enjoy whispering them out loud dramatically.
• "On The Way Home" by Olivia Gwyn - this is a poetry collection book by a dear fellow blogger, Olivia! I purchased it off Amazon and I'm so eager for it. I've already read a third and can't put it down.

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Watching:

• Bleak House - this is the miniseries that BBC did years ago. It's a re-watch for me. The show is a little slow-moving (and so looong) but hey, that's Dickens. ;) Esther is such a dear.
• White Collar - it took us 2 FLIPPIN' YEARS to finish re-watching this darling series! My two older sisters and I have had such contrasting work shifts we struggled so much to find a night when we were all home and not having to go to bed early for work. But we finished it, and now I'm sad haha. xD
• Dune (2021) - saw this one in the cinema last weekend! It was actually really good! I knew absolutely nothing about the story - I hadn't even seen the whole trailer - but went with a group of friends. I was blown away by Timothee Chalamet's acting and let's just say I am now kinda obsessed with him.

STOP IT GUYS
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Listening to:

• Christmas music! - Duh. I posted on Instagram a couple of months ago asking for some recommendations and got some fantastic ideas from my fabulous friends. I purchased Josh Garrel's "The Light Came Down" album and Pentatonix's "The Best of Pentatonix Christmas", as a result. Also enjoying all Sleeping at Last's Christmas songs.
• Sunday in the Park with George - I listened to the entire soundtrack (and when I say listen to - I have to sit down and intentionally think through it all as I listen, so it's often a big deal haha). Very fascinating. Clever, clever music. I love admiring other people's creativity.
• Podcasts - always, all the podcasts. Particularly digging any and all "Whoa! That's Good" episodes. So encouraging and uplifting. I always come away with some things to chew on.

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Singing:

• Songs for a gig! - well, that has just passed, actually, but for a solid 6 weeks we were madly preparing for a 2 hour show with 2 setlists of our own choosing. 4 of my siblings (and myself) along with 1 of our friends formed the band, and we played a mixture of country, Bluegrass, gospel, blues, pop arrangements etc. A nice variety. I had 3 solos and multiple group songs. It was a great experience!
• I'll Stay by Riley Clemmons - this is a song I've been working on with my singing teacher and ugghhh, it's one of the hardest I've ever done. I've been playing around with different sounds using my voice, and specifically working on a controlled belt and this song has almost conquered me. xD But I'm so determined I shall get that belt downpat, some day.
• Solveig's Song - another song I'm working on with my singing teacher, on the completely opposite end of the spectrum haha. The timing has been very challenging for me, but it shall not defeat me. ;)

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Writing:

• Editing for work - I've been blessed with the opportunity to do some other tasks and responsibilities at my receptionist job. Now, alongside admin work, I'm also doing marketing and editing/proofreading for the company, and oh my goodness, I love it so much! Who knew editing could be so much fun.
• Journaling - always and forever. Journaling, bullet journaling... all the journaling.
• Blog posts - Well, hopefully. :D

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Appreciating: 

• Spring/summer rain! - Seriously, we haven't had such a wet spring for years and years! Flooding has even occurred and it's not even JANUARY yet, guys. Crazy. But I love the green outside and the storms that have been rolling in... even if that means I can't go the hydro classes I signed up for. *frowns*
• Coffee. So much. - Yeah, my coffee intake has really skyrocketed in the past 3 months. I think it coincidentally collided with when we were rehearsing for our gig multiple weeknights on top of my working the two jobs and doing everything else I normally do on top. That might be it. And now I just have it 'cause it's nice. ;D

Okay, I'm not quite up to Lorelei's intake yet ;)

• Quiet moments - they are few and far between, but I'm trying to be more intentional in making time to just be still, even if it's just a few minutes every day. It might sound silly, but I really struggle with this. I'm always go, go, go to the next thing, and run around with a mental to-do list in my head 24/7, but sometimes, it's important to rest, and breathe and speak a few words to God in the stillness. Especially outside, when the sun is setting.

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Struggling with:

• Single wings/kickback tap dance steps - so I'm ridiculous enough to be learning an intermediate/advance tap dance routine (but it's so fun, and it's a routine for Another Day of Sun from La La Land so how can you not?!). Within this routine are complex steps such as single wings and kickbacks etc. I was definitely NOT taught those in my beginner tap class, so I've watched countless YouTube tutorials on how to do them and some of them say it takes 2 years to get some of those steps and I'm like "heck no! I don't have time for that!" xD
• Saying no - Yeah, that's no secret. I suck at saying no, I also suck at making decisions. I'm not mature enough for this, guys.
• All the political drama etc happening right now - without going into further details, the current situation in Australia regarding a certain virus and restrictions that have happened, with lockdowns and societal exclusions... it's all just an absolute massive headache. And it's so political it's almost funny. But so infuriating. Australia is not in a good state right now and I've never seen it more divided. I don't think I've ever been more concerned about the future. It changes from week to week, and people are losing their livelihoods and freedoms and houses. It's awful.

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Learning:

• To choose a few things and do them well - ohh boy, that's a big one. As Jordan Lee Dooley often states, it's so important to steward your time, your resources and your energy well. And I've been very reckless about that. I want to do all the things, all at once. But I'm learning how valuable it is to cut down on a few good things, in order to make the most of what you DO have, and not give half-heartedly to everything. An example of that is, I will be quitting my cafe job at the end of the year (such a hard, sad decision :() and going part-time with my reception job next year, so I'm no longer exhausted trying to juggle two jobs.
• It's OK to not be OK, but it's not OK to not tell anyone - yeah, a bit of a mouthful. But true. This year has been one of the hardest - if not THE hardest - years I've ever experienced. And there have been many times where I wasn't OK, but found it hard to tell someone. And yet, when I do, everything becomes so much easier. And I wished I'd told them sooner. So to anyone out there who is finding life a bit too rough at the moment, this is your nudge to tell a trusted friend or family member, and reach out for some help and support. I PROMISE you won't regret it.
• You can't expect to progress if you're not prepared to commit and practice consistently - ain't that the truth. I'm a big achiever, but I'm also guilty of cutting corners to achieve things faster and perhaps less thoroughly, so I can get on to the next thing (especially when it comes to my hobbies). But that kind of defeats the point. So I guess this goes hand in hand with what I said about stewarding things well - carefully choose what you want to invest in, and steward it well, committing to doing it to the best of your ability, and consistently. 

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I could probably continue, but that will suffice for now. I've been keeping busy with work and singing and hydro classes and allll the Christmas parties and events hehe. On a scale of 1-10, how excited are you for Christmas right now? I think I'm about an 8, but it's inching higher with every day. Now I'm off to go wrap some Christmas presents! 

Let me know in the comments how you all are doing, and what's been keeping you busy!

Mini Movie & Book Reviews + What I've Been Up To

Hey friends! 

Well, the title says it all, but I thought I'd give you a highlight in different aspects of my life from the past few months. It's the little things, you know. :)

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Books I've Read

• "Rhythms of Renewal" by Rebekah Lyons

This was a fantastic read! For anyone who has struggled with the feelings of overwhelm or anxiousness, this book is a life-send. It has four different 'rhythms' - rest, restore, connect and create - to steer towards a life filled with peace and purpose. I loved how practical it was (SO much great, practical advice!), how life-giving and inspiring the message was, and also that it was very Christ-centred as well. Highly recommend!

• "Don't Waste Your Life" by John Piper

Perhaps a slightly less easy read than the others, but definitely worth it. Piper writes with clarity and strong conviction, and I came away very challenged, and also re-inspired to live my life in a deeper way for Christ, and not for myself.

• "Romanov" by Nadine Brandes

(The only piece of fiction in this list - shocking!) This was a book I won in a giveaway put on by the authoress, and wow, the cover alone was enough to send me in raptures! (But also, free book mail? YES PLEASE.) I really enjoyed it! At first, it lagged a little and I hoped it would quicken up, but once it did speed up, I couldn't turn the pages fast enough! I thought the ending was great (though very unbelievable, but I do believe that's why it's called fantasy ;)) and I will definitely read it again at some point.

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• "Girl, Wash Your Face" by Rachel Hollis

Ehh, this wasn't as good as I'd hoped, to be honest. I'd heard great things about it, and while it was easy to read, I didn't get a lot from it. While I liked the idea of the book, there was only one chapter that stood out to me ("I should be further along by now"). It did motivate me again to really pursue the dreams placed on my heart, but that's about all the book did.

• "Bread and Wine" by Shauna Niequist

Ohhh. *hugs this book* I LOVE LOVE LOVED this book. Just, perfection. <3 I don't know if I'll actually make any of the recipes (ha!) but I genuinely loved just reading about it and picturing it. She writes in such a soothing way, with such gentle tones; this is literally comfort food in a book.

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Movies I've watched

• "Hidden Figures"

Excellent movie! It was well-woven together, and I really appreciated the message it shares, showing us how poorly people (particularly women) of colour were treated, and the racial injustice that they have had to fight, and that they are still fighting. I admire those women a lot, and I think the movie did a good job portraying their stories. (Also, their SASS. I love it!)

• "Love Never Dies" (2012)

This was a recording I saw during lockdown (a limited time free viewing) of the Australian production in 2012, starring Ben Lewis, Anna O'Byrne and Simon Gleeson (who I saw live in the role of Jean Valjean in Les Miserables back in 2015!!). It's a filmed stage production. I actually hadn't heard or seen this story before, and my feelings are rather mixed. On one hand, there were some gorgeous songs (I mean, "Love Never Dies", anyone? That's enough to inspire me to learn opera!) and it was definitely intriguing, but morally the story is pretty sketchy, and it seemed inferior to Phantom of the Opera. (Also, the plot holes annoyed me.) Anna was stunning though, and her voice is scrumptious.

Still can't get over how beautiful she is.

• "The Parent Trap" (1940)

Finally got to watch this one! Hayley Mills is always lots of fun, but I must admit, the 1998 one has my heart. My favourite part in this one (which the newer one doesn't have) was when the twins sing "Let's Get Together", because I personally think almost any movie is improved upon with singing. ;D

• "Mamma Mia"

This was a lot of fun! It's ridiculous, high-energy and complete nonsense, but sometimes, that's just what one feels like! ;) The story is quite shallow and the plot revolves around behaviour and values I do not in the lease condone, but if you can get past that, the music is fun and the setting is beautiful. (And now I really want to go to Greece and start a hotel on an island!!)

• "Mamma Mia: Here We Go Again"

This was one of those sequels that are at least on par with the original, if not better. If you like Mamma Mia, then you're bound to like this one. Again, morally it's quite dreadful but the music is fun, and Lily James is awesome. (Also, was anyone else quite amazed at how much Amanda Seyfried had aged in 10 years??) It's particularly fun how they have all of the exact same cast 10 years later. 

Just casually dancin' on a boat

TV shows I've watched

• Lego Masters

This is a kind of reality TV show (and yes, I know, reality TV shows are not everyone's thing which is totally fiiine) and it's SO FLIPPIN' CREATIVE. I'm no Lego fanatic, but this was a really entrancing show. The contestants have such incredibly creative and skillful ideas and create such beautiful masterpieces and stories and just WOW. This was a family favourite!

• Emma Approved

I have heard SO many good things about this, so I started watching it on YouTube the other day... and please no one hate me, but I actually found it... kinda boring? I have limited screen time, and it didn't sell it to me to spend hours watching it. It was quirky and fun but I'd rather read a book or watch a musical to be honest. ;) Perhaps I should stick with it for a bit if it improves further on?

• Paramedics/Ambulance

Two of my all-time favourite TV shows to watch. It's a show where they film on-the-job paramedics and first-responders solving any scenario they're given in their jobs. I've often said in another life I'd be a paramedic haha (I still think it'd be amazing, but practically speaking I don't think I'm cut out for the job) and I find it absolutely fascinating. I have an even deeper respect and admiration for emergency workers, and it inspires me to live my life more selflessly, loving and helping others.

I mean, wearing those cool clothes alone sells it for me

• The Voice Australia

Okay, again, another reality TV/talent show, which I KNOW isn't everyone's favourites. But seeing as I'm so passionate about singing and vocals, I love certain aspects of this show. I always thought the blind auditions were a great concept, and I love hearing their coaching sessions and different styles of singing. I find it inspiring. (I also dislike certain parts of the show that are so obviously staged and there are some suspicions of the competition being rigged, but for me the pros outweigh the cons.)

Fun Things I've Been Doing

Play rehearsing

Obviously, I'm always involved in some way or another with theatre, so during lockdown I wrote a new play plot line and brain stormed some ideas for potential original musical songs, and also began rehearsing for the current play my siblings and I are doing. It's been extremely fun and I'm so pumped to perform it soon! It's going to be so great!

Mountain climbing

During the lockdown, I craved two things (aside from a normal social life because that's a GIVEN, haha): the beach and mountains. As soon as the lockdown lifted I knew those were two things I wanted to run to. Unfortunately, I'm still waiting to properly convince my family to come to the beach with me, but I have at least been able to climb a few mountains! And it's SO refreshing! The fresh air alone is enough to make me almost want to cry happy tears. Oh, adventure, how I've missed you.

Hosting a Grand Dinner

Way back in May, it was my parents' 35th wedding anniversary and we were stuck in quarantine, like the rest of the restless world. I knew I wanted them to have something special for the occasion, so I imagined up the best version of a date night we could give them. 

After daydreaming of a romantic Italian style dinner date, we ended up with a slightly less romantic option, but one filled with a lot of love and simplicity. All five of us kids made an entree, main and dessert for the dinner, and we had a bouquet on the table, calligraphy name tags, around a dozen candles (so it was completely by candlelight), strings of fairy lights diagonally hung over the table, a crooning Harrison Craig playing in the background, and our best silverware. We kept everything a secret up until the very last minute, when we told them we were taking care of dinner. I'll never forget the squeals (both from my mother and all of us delighted children) of excitement when they lifted the curtain and saw the little Italian-inspired restaurant awaiting them. Naturally, we had to help them eat it, and we were a merry, chatty group of seven that night. That was one of my absolute favourite memories of this year.

Learning some Latin fusion Charleston and tutting

After only starting this year, I was very disappointed when my tap dance lessons were on hold for months. However, my awesome teacher and dance school gave us access to filmed lessons on every single class that they offer - anything from ballet to hip-hop. I decided to take a crack at some of the lessons while I still had the opportunity, and thus got to learn some Latin fusion Charleston dancing, and also recently learnt a quick little tutting segment. It was super fun!

Experimenting with belting

After working on the song "I Just Want to Be a Star" from Nunsense, my singing teacher and I have been playing around with the proper techniques to belting. What I have learnt so far:

1. It's not as easy as it sounds

2. It sounds absolutely dreadful at first

3. If you're doing it right, your abs will feel like you just did three minutes of solid crunches

 However, we're keen to learn how to do it in a healthy way, and get our belts on! 

Basically my face when my teacher is explaining the technique of a belt

Food I've discovered to be incredible

Chicken parme

A friend made me this when I visited her the other day, and my immediate reaction was "I know what I'm choosing for my next birthday dinner!!" :D :D It's very easy, quick and tastes diviiiine. You basically smother a cooked chicken schnitzel in minced garlic, some kind of tomato pizza/pasta sauce, break up some pieces of ham to put on top, and drown it in cheese. After a quick bake in the oven it comes out like a pizza on a schnitzel! I'm clearly still not over it.

Peanut butter mug cake

Um, this is heaven in a mug! Except apparently I can only take such edible perfection in small doses, because it took almost an entire two hour long movie to eat the entire thing. (If anyone is keen for the recipe, let me know, and I'll share it.) It's full of rich, gooey peanut buttery, chocolate chip goodness, combining sweet and saltiness to perfection. (Topped with a high amount of calories, naturally.)

Just gonna leave this here 

 Cheese toast

You know, I can HEAR you laughing. Okay fine, so cheese toast is like... really, Gabby, REALLY?? What's new about this?! But c'mon, I've actually never had cheese toast before! Specifically for breakfast. My dietitian was intent upon getting more protein into my diet, so now I'm eating a lot more milk and cheese. You guys, my dietitian TOLD me to eat more cheese! Could this get any better?! So right now, I'm incredibly happy about my cheese toast in the morning. Sue me.

Spaghetti carbonara with parsley and chives

This is just a slight tweak to a well-known recipe but it changes it dramatically! The other day my sister made spaghetti carbonara, and added chopped parsley and chives (fresh from our garden) and MY WORD. That just raised it up another level. Highly recommend.

Cinnamon buns

I must admit, though I did not join the quarantine bandwagon and start a vegetable garden or bake banana bread, I did fiiinally make cinnamon buns (sticky cinnamon buns, to be exact)! I used a recipe that used buttermilk so I didn't have to wait for hours to do the dough because heck, if this is for breakfast, I AIN'T GETTIN' UP AT 4AM. They were definitely a hit, and I hope to make them again at some point in the future.

 

These are some of the cinnamon buns I made myself! (I promise they tasted better than they look haha)

Lessons I've Learnt

Don't be so serious

I sometimes get caught up on doing everything "right" that I forget to laugh and have fun. And I can take myself (and others) too seriously. So especially in the last few months, I've been more unafraid to share my goofy side. As some examples, I've been doing a lot of goofy dancing at my tap classes while we wait in line to dance single file across the room, and just the other week one of my work colleagues and I sang Hakuna Matata while whipping up some meals in the kitchen. (We kept it classy by harmonizing too, obviously. ;))

I can make omelettes!!

One of the few things that sends a shudder down my spine and penetrates my soul: when I am working in the cafe kitchen alone and an omelette order comes through. A shriek rises up from the depths of my mind and-- okay, okay, so it's not QUITE that bad, but this is something I've avoided like the plague ever since working in hospitality. However, in the last few weeks I've been thrown in the deep end and had to serve up omelettes to customers and would you believe it... they haven't been half bad! Like, actually IN ONE PIECE. In a shape resembling an omelette. I know, I'm just as shocked as you are.

Maybe someday I'll achieve the same omelette perfection as Remy.

I CAN drive in the city//I am a good driver

One of my biggest fears is driving. I'm not even sure why, but it freaks me out. I've grown a lot more confident over the past few years, but going new places - especially in the city - makes my heart rate spike and my legs shake and twitch with nerves (which isn't ideal when driving a manual and using the clutch, haha).  Just last week I did a significant drive by myself to a daunting suburb in the city and like, actually survived. And didn't even get beeped at! (Big tick.) It was a reminder that I am a good driver - I am safe and cautious and attentive. And I can do this.

Exercise is energizing

Hands up if you started out diligent and great with your exercise routine during quarantine and then slowly it's petered out? Yeah, me. I still do keep it up to some extent, but once work picked up and social life happened, I started making excuses. But what I always forget is how exercise, ironically, is actually ENERGIZING! And feeling "too tired" is actually a reason TO exercise, not avoid it. 

Take time to slow down and enjoy your life

Yeah, probably one of the biggest things I've learnt this year. I put a great deal more value on rest and slowing down, being intentional and enjoying the little things now than I ever used to. I used to get so caught up on the next big thing and kicking that goal, that I forgot to enjoy the here and now. I have been finding a lot more peace in the stillness, and contentment in the little peeks of sunshine in the everyday.

Via Pinterest

And that's it for today! I realize this is actually a really long post, but whoops, once I got started I found it hard to stop...

Let me know if anything on this list jumps out at you, and what you've been up to/learning yourself!