It seems appropriate that my last entry for 2005 is the well known Robert Frost poem:

THE ROAD NOT TAKEN


TWO roads diverged in a yellow wood,

And sorry I could not travel both

And be one traveler, long I stood

And looked down one as far as I could

To where it bent in the undergrowth;


Then took the other, as just as fair,

And having perhaps the better claim

Because it was grassy and wanted wear;

Though as for that, the passing there

Had worn them really about the same,


And both that morning equally lay

In leaves no step had trodden black.

Oh, I marked the first for another day!

Yet knowing how way leads on to way

I doubted if I should ever come back.


I shall be telling this with a sigh

Somewhere ages and ages hence:

Two roads diverged in a wood, and I,

I took the one less traveled by,

And that has made all the difference.

A Very Quiet New Years Eve for Me

I have a feeling I am the only nerd on the planet that is on his/her blog this late on New Years Eve. I have a confession to make. I intend to sit here and read travel websites right up until midnight.

Yes, i have turned my back on all New Years celebrations and have opted to sit this year out. Instead, I plan to turn to my best mate, my sister, and wish her a Happy New Year, and then lean down into Charlotte's cradle and give her a kiss on the cheek. I then intend to head home, and fall into bed, close my eyes and descend into a peaceful slumber.

New Years has always been the biggest night of my social calendar for the past eight years. I've stood under the Sydney Harbour Bridge and cracked a bottle of champagne all over my gorgeous dress, I have laid on a Central Coast beach with friends staring at the stars making resolutions, and (shamefully) I have had New Years nights where I have been too drunk to even make it to midnight! (those times were in my teen years, I promise!). And I cant go without mentioning one thing - if it wasnt for one New Years Eve (1999/2000) (as I am sure a few of you reading this blog are well aware) I would never have met a group of very important people in my life - Keri, Pauline, and the rest of the Williams clan.

But this year I made a conscious decision to hang up the Stilettos and watch 2005 slide by slowly and quietly with my family. It certainly would not have made sense me going out, blowing hundreds of dollars, getting horribly drunk and feeling sorry for myself. I can sit here and do that for free! (Kidding). I just need to save money right now. And stay away from alcohol. All of the girls have gone up to Byron Bay, NYE Party Central for the week but I had to pull out at the last minute because I needed to save the money (lucky I did - it now goes towards car repairs). Those that didnt go to Bryon have all gone and bought expensive tickets to see Fatboy Slim at Bondi, bought expensive tickets to go to Luna Park, or are at some other highly priced event on the Harbour foreshore. If I was still at my gorgeous unit in Drummoyne, I would have been able to sit on my back lawn with a bottle of champagne and watched the fireworks directly in front of me.

But it is okay. I made the decision to go away. I have made the decision not to drink alcohol. I made the decision to move back home with my parents. I have made the deliberate decision to be a social recluse for my own good. And I am never going to regret the decisions i have made, as long as I live.

Happy New Year everyone!

K

Courage

"Courage is doing what you're afraid to do. There can be no courage unless you're scared." -- Eddie Rickenbacker


"Courage is the art of being the only one who knows you're scared to death." -- Harold Wilson

Memories of Paris

What better way to remind myself of why I am going away than look over some more of my photos ...

Ahhh... Paris....

France, her mystery
Her history

Around each corner
A story unfolds

The quiteness of La Seine
The elaborateness of Le Tour Eiffel

Paris I adorent
As it is you I explore
We have developed rapport

En Paris ces't ma couer
En Paris ces't ma maison

One day we will meet again
One day we will meet again

Peter LeBuhn
http://www.poemhunter.com/p/m/poem.asp?
poet=119316&poem=2019563

A Parisian Confectionary Shop in Montmartre.

Le Maison Rose, a restaurant in Montmartre

I managed to capture some "Romance in Paris"!

The Little Black Cloud

Ugh.

The little black cloud has been hanging around in the past couple of days.

Will my car sell?

Will I have enough money overseas to settle?

Will I get a job?

Will I get lonely?

Will I just want to turn around and go home?

....what is it that I wanted to achieve by doing all of this?

I suppose all of this is natural.... the worry, anxiety, fear, stress.... I just need to go back to the reasons why I am doing what I am doing and realise that this is a step in order for me to grow up and show myself that I can fend for myself.

Happy New Year everyone.

Good Work Today

Maintained 152 bpm for 30 mins.

Light Activity Heart Rate of around 90-99 bpm.

Recovery Heart Rate of around 120 bpm after 2 mins of ending exercise.

Well done Kate!

Matters of the Heart

Getting me to a gym is not a problem. Getting to the gym and doing a workout which leaves me satisfied and makes me feel like I've pushed myself to the limit is another story. Most people struggle to get to the gym at the best of times. I dont have a problem with getting there, and beginning the workout. But after about 15 mins of activity, boredom sets in and I look for excuses to get out of the cardio area and into the weights room. Sure, resistance training is good for me, but I am not spending enough time with my heart rate high enough to be in the right "phase".

http://www.heartratemonitorsusa.com/Pages/TZ-2004-Pages/HRM/HRM-model/timex/HRM/timex-exercise-zones.html

This is a basic "training zone" graph, which anyone who wishes to make their exercise worthwhile uses as a guide. By looking at this guide, I can see that I am reasonably fit.

My maximum heart rate is 195 bpm (220 bpm - my age (25) = max bpm).

I have a "resting heart rate" of around 50-60 bpm. Before, my resting heart rate would have been about 70 bpm. An athlete has their resting heart rate in the 40's. Lance Armstrong, one of the fittest athletes in the world has a crazy resting heart rate of 32 bpm.

I have an "ambient heart rate" of around 70-80 bpm (ie. standing still, while awake). Before, my ambient heart rate would have been around 80 - 90 bpm. An athlete has their ambient heart rate in the 40's or 50's. I imagine Lance Armstrong's ambient heart rate would barely rise above 40 bpm.

When performing "lite activity", my heart rate goes to around 116 bpm.

To burn fat, I need to have my heart rate at approximately 60%-70% of my maximum heart rate, which should be around 116 - 137 bpm for atleast 30 mins.

To increase stamina aerobic endurance, I should really have my heart rate at approximately 70%-80% of my maximum heart rate. For fitness (not weight loss), having my heart rate hover around 156 - 166 bpm is good for me.

Here is my predicament - While my goal is to lose weight, its not really my goal at the gym. My goal at the gym is to increase my aerobic endurance. It would be perfectly fine if I could jump on a bike each day and begin peddling and keep my heart rate at under 137 bpm, and lose weight.

However now that I've become fitter, hovering under 137 bpm bores me. Walking or biking at a slow pace bores me. I cant keep that up for 30 mins because I risk falling asleep or losing interest.

In order to remain interested, I more or less get my heart rate up into stamina aerobic endurance range. I have to run on the treadmill or get on a bike and ride like I'm riding a 1000m sprint at the Olympics - and to do any good I have to keep it going for 30 mins, and keep ensuring that I linger at around 80% of my maximum heart rate. Today, I ran and held a constant bpm of 152 - 165 bpm which is around 80% bpm. This is definately where I want to be at the gym.

So is this really that good for me? For fitness and performance, yes. For fat burning, no.

My fitness book, "The Everything Total Fitness Book", Karpay, E 2000 at page 41 says:

"You are exercising at a level that builds fitness and performance. Your perceived exertion feels somewhat hard to hard and, althought it is challenging, you could talk if you had to. You are still aerobic but are flirting with being anaerobic. Since fat can only burn in the presence of oxygen, you won't burn as high a percentage of fat as in the lower zones, but you are burning lots of calories and they add up fast."

So is Zone 4 a good idea?

If I dont get into Zone 4, I walk away feeling like I havent really pushed myself hard enough.

I'm confused.

If anyone knows about this stuff, please let me know.

Or, if you are interested, next time you are doing exercise, check out your different bpm in the different zones and see how fit you are (or arent!).

Or, you could completely ignore this post (if you are feeling guilty or if you have been had over Xmas!).

Happy 1000th Hit!

Today, someone was the 1000th visitor to my website!

Mixed Feelings

This week has been a week of mixed feelings about a lot of things. I guess it is a concoction of nerves, sadness, excitement, and fear. I look at things differently now that I only have two and a half months left here in Sydney.

I pick up Tigger, my extremely overweight and fluffy cat, and I realise that it may be quite a while before I get to hug him again. And seeing he is very old, I may not get home in time to hug him again.

Yesterday, I put a "for sale" sign on my beautiful red little car. It has been my prized possession for five years. I have deliberately tried to ensure that it hasnt clocked up a lot of mileage, in anticipation of one day selling it in order to go away debt free. Now that the time has come to sell it, I feel that tiny bit of sadness, knowing that it will soon (hopefully!) be driving off to be someone else's car... with someone else's personalised number plates on it.

Lastly, I hold Charlotte in my arms and I look at her and wonder just how I am going to be able to walk away from her in only two months time. I am in too deep with her, my gorgeous niece, and I find it hard to let her go each day, let alone come March when I have to let her go for possibly years.

But then I have my map of the world, where I have placed little coloured dots on where I have already been in the world. Then I look at all of the places where I want coloured dots to be and realise that I have to go there now or I never will get there... never is there a better time for me to be going and doing what I am doing....

"I'm torn between what was and what could be." --Unknown

www.worldgames2005.de

"Fitness is not a 'destination' that you visit occasionally in your life. Rather, fitness is a 'road trip', or excursion, an ongoing state of health. Participating in fitness activities consistently and regularly is what ensures your best chances for improved quality and quantity of life. Fitness is the process and fitness is the reward."

- Karpay, E "Total Fitness Book", F&W Publications, 2000

I miss inline skating. I miss it so much. It used to be my life. Literally. I used to skate every day, compete every week, teach twice a week and work at the rink all weekend. When I wasnt at school, I was at the rink. Sometimes when I should have been at school, I was at the rink. Back in those days, it was all that mattered to me. I was going to be a champion skater and I was going to the Olympics. Then I grew up, and realised that becoming a lawyer was probably a better idea. Yet, the memories of those days are still firmly in my mind, like they were yesterday. Skating was my identity for so long. I was the girl that skated. I was the girl that used to always try and beat the boys. I was the girl that probably could have really done well if only she had stuck with it, and focused. My friends were all skaters. Now, skating is just a memory, and the worst part of it all is that unfortunately, in early 2000, they converted my skating rink, my childhood community, into a budget, $2 shop called the Warehouse. I had always said to my friends that when "I grew up" I would buy the skating rink. We would sit there and talk for hours about how we could turn the skating rink into a profitable business... unfortunately the skating rink ran out of money before we grew up.

Maybe in Europe I will get back into skating, whether it be on ice or roller. Its like riding a bicycle. You never forget.

The Countdown to 2006

So now that Christmas is over (it went by so quickly), and Christmas lunch has been shovelled into my stomach by the forkful, I cast my mind to the new year. 2006 is going to be a very important year for me - I am leaving my family, my home, my job, and all sense of security to venture out into the world. So, I want to make sure that I leave as well equipped as possible...

... but then I think of Thailand, and how I have five glorious days lying on West Rai Leh beach....

... and then I think of wearing my gorgeous Baku brown bikini...

... and it all just falls into a heap there.

So one of my new year's resolutions will be to lose 5 kilos by 20th March 2006. Its not a huge amount, but I think it will be a good idea to get to a weight where I feel I am most comfortable. I am probably at the most healthiest at the moment, and am probably at my most fittest. Still, I havent been dropping the kilos, because I have been concentrating on the fitness rather than the eating. I get the best results when I find that balance.

I have my motivation - Melissa at www.ouncebyounce.blogspot.com - a person that is committed and is actually seeing results! My goal will only require a 1/2 kilo loss a week, which wont be hard at all. Surely it wont be THAT hard!!!

I'm going to lie down so I can get out of this "food coma" (as my friend shelley would call it), where I have eaten far too much Christmas lunch.

Merry Christmas to all!

K

Charlotte's First Christmas

What a wonderful day Charlotte had as her first Christmas. It was a gorgeous day with blue skies and sunshine. It was a day of lots of food and drink. And for Charlotte, it was a day where she received a LOAD of gifts. There was a point where we had all received and unwrapped our presents and Annemaree was still sifting through the piles and piles of presents for her baby girl! Alec has had to make two trips in the car back to their place because she received so much. I think everyone was a little excited that there was finally a child in the house for Christmas. She received teddy bears, clothes, rattles, more clothes and more teddy bears. It was so much fun, unwrapping present after present for her.

The only problem was that.... Charlotte slept through the whole event.

She had already been dragged to Alec's family's Christmas breakfast and by the time she reached our house at 1pm, she was exhausted. She showed a tiny bit of interest at one point when the rattle was shaken in front of her, but other than that, it was just another day for Charlotte. Still, it was her first Christmas and we enjoyed it!!!

What a gorgeous little baby....

But while it was Charlotte's first Christmas, it will probably be my last here in Australia for a little while.... I may be back in Sydney next year but the likelihood of that is pretty slim. I have always wanted a White Christmas and I hope that next year I will have one... somewhere in some country in the Northern Hemisphere.

So as the sun sets on another Christmas, I think of all of my friends around the world, from England, Ireland, Turkey, the United States, and of course, those at Los Gorriones in Peru and I wish you all a very very very Merry Christmas.

Love to all,
K

Bring Back "Supermarket Sweep"!!!!

Yes. In yesterday's post, I mentioned Supermarket Sweep. It appears that Australia wasnt the only one to have been subjected to a show of this kind. As much as I joked about it yesterday as being "crap", the truth is, can you really have had a better concept for a game show? Isnt it art imitating life? Indeed. I cant think of a better way to earn money rather than spend it. Put me in a Coles shopping centre, with the aim being to race around, stuff your trolley as quickly as possible, and also find a blow up banana in the process.

http://www.ukgameshows.com/index.php/Supermarket_Sweep

In doing some research as to how many people care about Supermarket Sweep as much as Oreo and I, I stumbled across someone's own obituary about the great show:

Supermarket Sweep (1992-1994) 2nd best gameshow in Australian history. Ian ‘god’ Turpie was back (sadly without sparring partner John Deeks who was locked up in the Channel 7 basement somewhere) in this show where the entire premise was to pelt around a studio supermarket pouring goods of as much value as you possibly could into your trolley. There was a whole “pre-pelt” segment where you had to answer questions and shit to increase your time in the trolley frenzy portion of the program but that’s not where the charm lay. All the entertainment came from these ordinary people off the street hammering it around a supermarket, pouring bags of flour into their trolley, crashing into things and breaking jars of mustard. It was chaotic, it was anarchic AND it was hosted by Turps. Do YOU own a major supermarket chain? Will you sponsor me to bring it back? Please say you will.
It was originally set in a Coles supermarket but obviously when they yanked their sponsorship and nobody else would take over it became a generic store instead.

http://drivelwarehouse.com/tsp2/?p=1653

I couldnt have put it better myself. You simply cant get any better than people running around with a trolley, creating anarchy around a supermarket. It is almost like my mother racing around Woolworths on a Saturday afternoon, but with randomness (my mum does the shopping at the same speed, but in an orderly fashion which has only come from going to the same Woolworths for twenty-odd years).

There was a strategy to being successful at Supermarket Sweep, notwithstanding having it appear to be complete madness.

1. Its all about speed.

2. You do research before hand.

3. You pile in various types of items, however they MUST be of high value - do the research, know what expensive items there are in each area - eg. cans, baby items (Nappies were always the one that they all headed for), frozen goods etc.

4. Big bananas = good rewards.

Ahhh... the memories, the memories. I loved Supermarket Sweep. Sure, it was crappy television, but you just cant forget the 90's for its tacky but fun gameshows. Bring back Supermarket Sweep!

Christmas On The Cheap

I have had to budget this Christmas. Usually, I just race out on Christmas Eve, grab various things from various shops in this mad-like rush reminiscent of that game show on TV called Supermarket Sweep (is it only Australia that gets crap shows like that?). Rarely do I care too much about price tags or whether its worth the money or not. If I found it in time, and its something that they kinda wanted, it was good enough for me. This year, however, I had to carefully budget using a series of lists, economic diagrams, and compiled qualitative data in order to remain within my "allocated Christmas spending money". When you're trying to do Christmas "on the cheap", you begin to see that Christmas isnt just all tinsel and fruitcake.

"Be brave enough to live creatively. The creative is the place where no one else has been. You have to leave the city of your comfort to go into the wilderness of your intuition. You cannot get there by bus - only hard work, risking and by not quite knowing what you are doing. What you will discover will be wonderful - what you will discover will be yourself."

- Alan Alda

The Sun Sets of Sydney

Taken last night on sunset. The sky is pink/red, caused by the smoke from a large bushfire burning up north.

Christmas In Martin Place Sydney

Ho, Ho, Ho!

Christmas Confessions

I have a confession to make.

I am not feeling very Christmassy.

In fact, I am approaching this Christmas with unprecedented fear and trepidation.

I've woken up this Saturday morning to realise that I have to venture out of my non-Christmas haven into a shopping mall where Christmas will become a cold, harsh reality.

Maybe I am the Grinch.

Did the Grinch cringe at the thought of going to his local super-mall, where he had to battle his way through scores and scores of people with trolleys, prams and rolls of christmas paper stuck out of the vehicles at extraordinary angles?

Maybe the Grinch and I share things in common, like our annoyance at the same Christmas CD's that are dusted off by the shops each year, played at exceptionally loud levels, in order to compete with the next stores blaring Christmas soundtrack?

Am I the only one that feels the Christmas spirit drain out of you as you sit and patiently wait for a car park to become available in the mall's car park, only to find that the person isnt really exiting the mall, but merely putting into the boot their first round of newly purchased christmas presents and going back for more?

Give me sleigh bells and reindeers and snowflakes. I want mistletoes and pudding and angels.

I dont want the Christmas that has become so commercialised that even I have forgotten what it means.

*grumble*

This May Be A Joke Only Australians Get....

New anti-terrorism laws - Aussie Citizenship Test

1.How many slabs can you fit in the back of a Falcon Ute while also allowing room for your cattle dog?

2. When packing an Esky do you put the ice, or the beer, in first?

3. Is the traditional Aussie Christmas dinner:

a) At least two roasted meats with roast vegetables,
followed by a pudding you could use as a cannonball. Also ham. In 40C heat.
b) A seafood buffet followed by a barbie, with rather a lot of booze. And ham. In 40C heat.
c) Both of the above, one at lunchtime and one at dinnertime. Weather continues fine.

4. How many beers in a slab?

5. Does "yeah-nah" mean "Yes and no" or "Maybe" or "Yes I understand but No I don't agree"?

6. The phrases "strewth" and "flamin' dingo" can be attributed to which TV character? a) Toadie from Neighbours b) Alf from Home & Away c) Agro from Agro's Cartoon Connection d) Sgt. Tom Croydon from Blue Heelers?

7. When cooking a barbecue do you turn the sausages a) Once or twice b) As often as necessary to cook c) After each stubby d) Until charcoal?

8. Name three of the Daddo brothers.

9. Who was the original lead singer of AC/DC?

10. Which option describes your ideal summer afternoon: a) Drinking beer a mate's place b) Drinking beer at the beach c) Drinking beer watching the cricket/footy d) Drinking beer at a mate's place while watching the cricket before going to the beach?

11. Would you eat pineapple on pizza?

12. Would you eat egg on a pizza?

13.How many cans of beer did David Boon consume on a plane trip from Australia to England?

14. How many stubbies is it from Brissy to the Gold Coast in a Torana travelling at 120km/h?

15. Who are Scott and Charlene?

15a. How do you apply your tomato sauce to a pie? a) Squirt and spread with finger b) Sauce injection straight into the middle?

16. If the police raided your home would you: a) Allow them to rummage through your personal items b) Phone up the nearest talkback radio shock jock and complain c) Put a written complaint in to John Howard and hope that he answers it personally?

17. Which Australian Prime Minister held the world record for drinking a yardie full of beer the fastest?

18. Have you ever had/do you have a mullet?

19. Thongs are: a) Skimpy underwear b) Casual footwear c) They're called jandals, bro?

20. On which Ashes tour did Warney's hair look the best? 1993, 1997, 2001 or 2005?

21. What someone is more likely to die of. 1) Red Back Spider 2) Great White Shark 3) Victorian Police Officer 4) King Brown Snake 5) Your missus after a big night 6) Dropbear?

22. How many times must a steak be turned on a conventional four-burner barbie?

23. Can you sing along to Cold Chisel's Khe Sahn?Explain both the "follow-on" and "LBW" rules in cricket and discuss the pros and cons for the third umpire decisions in the latter....Name at least 5 items that must be taken to a BBQ.

24. Who is current Australian test cricket captain: a) Ricky Ponting b) Don Bradman c) John Howard d) Makybe Diva?

25. Is it best to take a sick day on: a) When the cricket's on b) When the cricket's on c) When the crickets on?

26. What animal is on the Bundaberg Rum bottle?

27. What is the difference between a pot and a middy of beer?

28. What are Budgie smugglers?

29. Did you cry when Molly died on a Country Practice?

30. A "Hoppoate" is: a) A breed of kangaroo b) A kind of Australian "wedgie"c) A disgraced Rugby League player?

31. What does having a 'chunder' mean?

32. When you were young did you prefer the Hills Hoist over any swing set?

33. What do the following terms mean: a) Mate? b) Maate c) Maaaaaaate?

34. Best Aussie name is what? a) Cheryl b) Charlene c) Bazza d) Thommo e) Shazza

35. What does the terminology 'True Blue' mean?

The Moon Last Night

Not too shabby for a 10x zoom!

Sleeping Beauty...

Another Day, Another Dollar....

Another day, another thousand lines by the media, another day of promises by the Government. Firstly, I apologise to all of my regular readers who come to my blog to hear me chatter away about my travels and usual, regular ramblings. After so many months of wanting to keep this blog non political, I have fallen foul and am now openly and willingly expressing my political views on this form. So, I promise you, once I run out of things to say, I will go back to talking about travel, photography, cute babies and cats.

Another comment from the public gallery....

"I am interested to hear the opinion of someone in the legal profession that the people who advocated that violence last Sunday were terrorists." Cass

Firstly, Cass, thanks for your comments, and your compliment about my blog.

I am not sure whether I would go as far as to say that those that participated or advocated the violence last Sunday were "terrorists" per se. I feel that the label of "terrorist" has formed a life of its own. So in my essay, I did fall short of saying that. But yes, I did say that if the Government took action under the new terrorist legislation, the activits (or idiots, however you may describe them) may have fallen foul of the sedition clauses within such legislation.

So what does this mean? Either it shows that:

1. there's more "terrorists" out there than we (and the Government) anticipated;
2. the Government were careless when drafting the provisions of this legislation, and made its application too wide; or
3. that their sedition laws are completely and utterly arbitrary and absurd.

The bottom line, Cass, is that the terrorism legislation was drafted in this way in order to satisy the voting public and give them some sort of sense of security against the unidentified "big bad evil" and I think has gone above and beyond what was necessary, so much so that those that behaved badly on the weekend may now be labelled "terrorists". The Federal Government wont take action in accordance with this new legislation because it wont be in the interests of the Goverment come election time. The Federal Government should have just left it up to the Crimes Act and other related legislation to prohibit ANY and ALL forms of violent behaviour or intent to harm another person BY ANY PERSON OR ANY RACE. Not create a law which it can pick and choose what it can and cant enforce depending on the current Government's policies.

We have now got a piece of legislation which I believe attempts to cosmetically address "terrorism" , but instead, actually oversteps the mark by infringing upon people's basic rights - when it suits the Government.

A number of legal commentators and legal organisations have come forth and opposed the new Anti-Terrorism bill on the basis that the sedition laws are too broad. The most outspoken of the groups has been the Law Council of Australia. I have added the link to a pdf, which outlines the problems that the Law Council of Australia as with respect to the new laws. You will see that it states that the sedition laws create problems for media, publishers and.... surprise, protesters!

www.lawcouncil.asn.au/shared/2418309974.pdf

Till next time,

K

Explanation of Statements Below

Thank you to all who have responded positively towards my essay. It actually didnt take that long, because once I get into a subject, I regurgitate it at such a rapid rate that I can usually prepare a piece like that within an hour or so! As I said before, I am a journalist disguised as a lawyer.

A few readers have raised some fair points and I wish to respond to them:

"what do you mean by saying "Kids are being taught mutliculturalism, but are questioning why there are particular groups of immigrants (or of non-European descent) that are not abiding by Australia's idea of multiculturalism.Isn't the point of multiculturlism that they may follow, and express, their own ideas of culture?" Anonomouse

I wholeheartedly agree, Anonomouse. I agree that the point of multiculturalism is to embrace each and every culture in the world, and for each culture, no matter what its differences are, to coexist in the same environment. However, I believe that in order for multiculturalism to be successful, it needs to operate in conjunction with the country's basic foundations and principles. In particular, all citizens regardless of race, gender, age, or cultural background must obey the rule of law of that country.

When I made the comment that "kids were being taught multiculturalism.... [but] there are particular groups of immigrants...that are not abiding by Australia's idea of multiculturalism", I meant that they are taught as above - that different cultures should happily co-exist so long as they obey the rule of law of that country. I believe that young adults in Australia readily accept this but get confused when they see people of different cultures deliberately disobeying the rule of law - and the police and government not doing anything in fear of being labelled "racists".

This is why I believe that to address this awful problem, we need to begin focusing on doing something about EVERYONE that disobeys the law, rather than particular groups that do so. And by doing so, we can go back to what multiculturalism really is all about.

"you point out the latant racism hang over in Australia, but you claim that the policy of ignoring the human rights of the economic migrants is unrelated to racism. Can't follow you here....I would argue that lack of respect for human dignity and racism are highly correlated" Anonomouse

What I said was that "I believe that the Australian Government is guilty of running a strict economic policy and strict national security policy which is treated as being more important that human rights. Again, this isnt an issue of race. It is an issue of economics and foreign affairs." In my own opinion, I do not agree with your statement that "lack of respect for human dignity and racism are highly correlated."

Dictionary.com defines racism as: "The belief that race accounts for differences in human character or ability and that a particular race is superior to others. " I think that it is easy to link the two, because a lack of respect for human dignity is often a byproduct of racism - those who believe they are superior generally hold a lack of respect for the dignity of those who they believe are substandard. However, it doesnt work the other way around. Those who hold a lack of respect for the dignity of illegal immigrants are not automatically racist.

I am in no way defending the Australian Government's actions, but I truly believe that their lack of respect for the dignity of illegal immigrants is a result of their strict economic policy rather than their honest belief that Australians are of a superior race. I remind you that Australia has a continual flow of legal migrants entering Australia, taking up residency and even being made citizens. Infact, Australia promotes the entry of migrants so long as they do it legally.

Australia's policy on illegal immigration is a "blanket policy". It is not directed at any one particular race, and no one race is treated more favourably than others in the same circumstances. If it cannot be found that the person is a refugee, then they are deemed "illegal immigrants". Once again, this is not fuelled by the idea tha Australia believes they are a superior race. Its the Government's strict economic policy that says "hey, we need to restrict entry to australia because we risk the influx of people, which will inevitably place pressure on our resources."

The lack of respect of human dignity arises from Australia's mismanagement of the administrative process of detaining illegal immigrants mandatorily. This isnt because the Government are racist. It is because the Federal Government place economic prosperity of those legally in the country above the dignity of those who arent. The Federal Government believes that to place the dignity of illegal immigrants, they would need to allow the illegal immigrants to stay. And this isnt in line with their economic policy.

"I do however think that latent racism is at work in the current federal government, because their constituency of hard core voters, is more racist. Witness the foot stamping adulation for Ruddock at the height of the so called 'boat people' crisis. Witness too the deliberate dog whistling over Australian Muslims following September 11." Mikey_capital

Mikey, this opens up a whole new can of worms. Again, the policy of the Liberal Party is, and always has been, that economic prosperity will always be paramount. I dont think their policy is based on a belief that Australia is a superior race. I think we are getting mixed up with racism and having the wrong order of priorities.

Was the Federal Government really voted in because of its constituency of hard core voters who you believe are more racist? Or was it voted in by the ordinary Australian who at that particular time, who had to vote at a time where security on home soil was at risk, and uncertainty as to our economy reigned. It was a case of "better the devil you know rather than the devil that you dont" - Australia wasnt ready to change its Government because it was going into a time of uncertainty. Again, this is a whole new topic...

"And as Crikey have pointed out this week, the Cronulla rioters that urged violence via mobile phones can potentially be charged under these new anti terror laws." Mikey_capital

Well, lets sit down and do the calculations:

Subsection 80.2 of the new Anti Terrorism Bill (No. 2) 2005 that a person is breaking the law if:

(a) the person urges a group or groups (whether distinguished by race, religion, nationality or political opinion) to use force or violence against another group or other groups (as so distinguished); and
(b) the use of the force or violence would threaten the peace, order and good government of the Commonwealth. "

Persons: Those who sent around the text message, those who publicised Sunday's events in advance, ie. talk back radio hosts and journalists, plus anyone who sent on the text message....

Urges a Group or Groups: The text message requested that people come to Cronulla....

To use force or violence: The text message was directed at seeking revenge through the use of force and violence...

Against another group or groups: The text message requested that such violence be directed at people of Lebanese, or generally, Middle Eastern background.

The verdict? I think that persons who acted in the above manner may have potentially fallen foul of the new anti-terror laws. I agree. In fact, any person, of any race, who has incited violence against a particular group (whether of race, religion, country of origin etc) and urged people to join them in doing so, would fall foul of anti-terrorism laws.

Will anything be done by the Federal Government? I strongly doubt it. The Federal Government would lose the next election.

Thanks to everyone that has participated in this discussion. While I try to avoid making this blog political, it is definately an issue which I believe is important for all of us to consider!

So, who's got an idea for the next essay topic?! *grin* I'm eager....

K

This Is Not An Issue Of Race - Cronulla

Could it be that our Prime Minister is right on this occasion? In today's SMH, at http://www.smh.com.au/news/national/dont-overcomplicate-riots-pm/2005/12/13/1134236036147.html states it very clearly:

Prime Minister John Howard says the violence of the past few days was primarily a law and order issue.

"I don't think we should over-complicate this," he said.

"Violence, thuggery, loutish behaviour, smashing peoples' property, intimidating people - all of those things are breaches of the law and I don't think the actions should be given some kind of special ... status because they occur against the background of this or that.

"If we start treating this behaviour for what it is we will far more readily settle things down and get back to a situation we all want."

However, earlier today, the media reports on www.ninemsn.com.au today that:

"Lebanese Muslim leader Keysar Trad and Maroubra's surfer gang, the Bra Boys, are attempting to broker a peace deal between rival groups following race riots in Sydney. "

Mr Trad states:

"What you are seeing today is people who are trying to ... heal the rift and to bring society together and show everyone that we can stand together united against violence and welcome everyone to the beaches and say that the beaches are a public space for everyone to enjoy."

I have never heard such load of rubbish in my life. Since when have the "Bra Boys" stood united with ANYONE against violence? The Bra Boys are one of the most prolific group of anglo-saxon young men who congregate together in Sydney and are well known in the area of Maroubra. I also know that the "Bra Boys" have a notorious history of participating in acts of violence as a "group". Their motto is "My Brother's Keeper", which symbolises a "one for all" mentality. This motto and what it means has even recently been brought up in court during the trial of Koby Abberton (one of the participants of these so called "peace talks"), who has been found guilty of peverting the course of justice (in relation to his brother's murder trial).

Why is it that the media and community groups think the "Bra Boys" should now have a say in how this issue should be dealt with? Lets see the "Bra Boys" admit to their own use of violence, breaches of local laws and history of past disrepect for authorities before they should be anywhere near a "negotiating table" on the issue.

This issue is about stopping violence by large groups of people regardless of ethnic origin. Its about STAMPING OUT all gang related activity not just around beaches but throughout Australia. Its not about "wagering peace deals" with different gangs.

Its about time the Police and Government begin to stop the blame game, and begin to enforce a "zero tolerance" on ALL gang behaviour, whether it be the "Bra Boys", the Bankstown boys, the Rebels, whatever.

The police watch a group of youths to ensure things dont get out of hand.







The average local of Cronulla just wants to have his beach safe and free from ANY gang related activity, regardless of the gang's race.

More Photos from the Front Line

The Defence of Lifesavers - Aussie Pride or Aussie Disgrace?














A worried Deputy Commissioner of Police takes haven in the Surf Lifesaving Club Headquarters













The idiots were so drunk they begun fighting with each other.














The Police seemed more concerned about getting their sun tans than stopping the crowd from being violent.
















A photo of all of the lunatics running to wherever a fight has broken out.












The media were all over Cronulla, grasping for "vantage points".

Kate Is Finally Commenting on Politics

It only takes one incident to set me off.....

Earlier today, I was asked by one of my loyal blog readers, Anonomouse, to outline Australia's National Immigration Policy and to also comment on whether Australia's "Nationalist" attitude is the cause of its (perceived) problems. So, I spent some time tonight reading up on the subject and have tried to explain it the best I can below.

(Before I proceed, I note that a lot of what is contained below is a reflection of my own opinions rather than based on any commentary provided by anyone else. Where I have obtained information from somewhere, I have provided a reference).

Australia's Immigration Policy in the Past - The White Australia Policy

By way of summarily, up until approximately 1966, there was a law in Australia entitled Immigration Restriction Act 1901. This piece of legislation and the regulations arising from it became known as the "White Australia Policy". This policy was based on excluding "non white" (or non-european) immigrants from immigrating to the Australian Continent. Non Europeans were not admitted, citzenship requirements were strict and well guarded and the government (as well as society) were committed to enforcing this non-white policy. Although today we may shake our heads as such obvious legitimisation of racism, we must remember that at such time, the United States, Canada and New Zealand all had their own racially restrictive immigration policies. Sadly, at this time, society believed that there were real racial differences and that their own race (the "European Race") was superior.

After a review of the non-European policy in March 1996, the Australian government announced that they would "loosen" the immigration legislation to allow well qualified non-European immigrants to enter Australia. It was in 1978 that the Australian government removed all restrictions on the country of origin of immigrants.

Notwithstanding the removal of the White Australia Policy, like many other countries suffering from a history of racial divide, it was hard to change the attitudes of Australians. It took time for people to accept that Australian borders were "open" to any, and there was a lot of anger. Many were concerned that immigrants would take jobs from low skilled workers, given that they were more likely to accept lower wages (Australian wages at the time were still considerably high compared to other countries). Also, given that non-Europeans often did not have English as their first language, many were worried that government resources would have to be used to assist them, rather than the funds going to Australian-born tax payers.

Australia's Immigration Policy - Multiculturalism

Over time, this attitude lessened, yet there was still a prevailing attitude that all people who enter Australia must "assimilate". That is, give up their culture and accept Australia's culture as their own. Sadly, it is this idea of "assimilation" that I believe still exists amongst many who were from the 1900's - 1980's era - which is of course our parents and grandparents.
However, these days, the Australian government has turned from White Australia Policy, to assimilation, to multiculturalism. Australia now has a "Multicultural Immigration Policy" which aims to " build on our suggess as a culturally diverse, accepting and open society." (www.immi.gov.ay/facts/06evolution.htm).

Australia's Multicultural Policy states that:

"the Freedom of all Australians to express and share their cultural calues is dependant on their abiding mutual civil obligations. All Australians are expected to have an overriding loyalty to Australia and its people and to respect the basic structures and principles underwriting our democratic society. These are the Constitution, parliamentary democracy, freedom of speech, and religion."

Those from the 1900's - 1980's era read this statement as "Australians believe in assimilation." ie. come to Australia, give up your culture and accept ours as the one and only" because it is the "overriding loyalty" to do so. However, a majority of those of my generation and younger read this statement and understand that it is perfectly fine for all different cultures in Australia to share their culture and to practice any part of their culture or relgion so long as it is not in opposition to our laws.

The unfortunate effect of having 1900's - 1980's generation teaching young children, the deep-seeded beliefs of White Australia Policy or assimilation is still there, and it is often handed down from parent to child, particularly in lower-socio economic areas where education is limited. Notwithstanding this, it doesnt matter how much education you provide to people, you learn from those that are closest to you. Accordingly, it is no surprise that there are still people out there, who are my age, who believe that all non-european immigrants should not be in Australia, or at the very least, reject all parts of their culture in order to live here.

Racism towards Non-Europeans in Australia Today

I would be wrong to say that it is not there. However, I dont believe that it is outright racism, in that some Australians believe that they are of a superior race to anyone who is not of european descent. There are some kids who are plain racists, and these are the fringe minority groups (neo-nazi) but these groups are in every country.

Rather, I believe that the anger in Australia is a result of "reverse racism". Kids are being taught mutliculturalism, but are questioning why there are particular groups of immigrants (or of non-European descent) that are not abiding by Australia's idea of "multiculturalism". That is, there are groups out there who are rejecting basic principles, the freedoms which underpin our democratic society. This is where I believe the problem lies. It is not a matter of pure racism, in that there is a belief that they are "superior".

It of course does not mean I condone the behaviour which I unfortunately had to witness on Sunday. In protest against groups who are rejecting our basic principles and freedoms, young Australians broke their own rules and forgot what they were "fighting for". It was made a "race issue" when really it should have been about stopping "gangs" OF ANY NATIONALITY from infringing upon anyone's freedoms.

Australia's National Immigration Policy

While Australia is slowly becoming a "multicultural society" (contrary to what a minority of young idiots proved on the weekend), the Government's National Immigration Policy is not something Australia should be proud of. I stress that the issue above relates to the legitimate immigration of foreign citizens using the proper processes in place by the Federal Government. Australia's handling of illegal immigrants is a completely different issue. I dont believe that the two issues are related in any way. The treatment of any multicultural person in our society is up to the people of Australia, and generally, I dont believe Australia should be ashamed (again, up until this weekend). However, the treatment of illegal immigrants and asylum seekers is really something that is beyond the average Australian's control - unless people actually start taking responsibility for the democratic process involved in electing the Government.

Do I think that the Australian Government are a group of people who are racist? No. I honestly believe that their actions are not racist. I do not believe that their decisions in relation to the detention of illegal immigrants and asylum seekers are based on the idea that Australians are of a superior race. Rather I believe that we have a Federal Government who is guilty of having wrong priorities. I believe that the Australian Government is guilty of running a strict economic policy and strict national security policy which is treated as being more important that human rights. Again, this isnt an issue of race. It is an issue of economics and foreign affairs.
In 2004, the High Court of Australia ruled that the Australian Government were allowed to keep asylum seekers in detention if they had not been granted Australian visas, and they are not allowed to remove them from Australia. This meant that the Australian Government could keep asylum seekers in detention for an indefinate amount of time, until they are available for deportation. The High Court held that it was not a form of punishment, rather it was a way to process them for appropriate deportation. However, due to the endless bureaucracy and circumstances of each individual, many asylum seekers are left in these less that adequate detention centres of "await their fate". They have no access of judicial review. These people are not criminals. They are often people who are claiming asylum based on their fears of remaining in their own countries. Often, these people escape their countries with no documentation, in fear of being returned for persecution in their own country of origin.

The United Nations and Australia's own Human Rights and Equal Opportunities Commission have investigated the mandatory detention of asylum seekers, and found that it is against international human rights, however, Australian law makers and judicial members continue to believe that such policy is crucial in order to maintain the economic prosperity and security of Australia. The Government believes that by readily accepting people who do not have identity is placing national security at risk. The Government believes that by allowing constant streams of immigrants into Australia will place a burden on Australia's infrastructure and funds. Whilst reasonable concerns, the Government is turning a blind eye on their obligations internationally to ensure the protection of human rights. The Federal Government's rigid economic policy has, in many cases, outweighed the social policy of Australia. Take the new workplace relations legislation, which effectively takes the power away from employees and into the hands of employers ("for the sake of Australia's economy" says Mr. Howard and Mr. Costello). This Government is always willing to ensure the economic viability at the expense of the effect that it may have on human beings and their social welfare.

There are plenty of arguments about this issue, and I try to avoid pointing the blame at anyone but I believe that if the Government is not willing to change its policy on mandatory detention of asylum seekers, Australia will sadly be unable to avoid the dark cloud which hangs over it in relation to human rights. I truly believe that the Australian Government can fix its problem by fixing the administration processes of its immigration department and they need to actually get some accountability for their actions, rather than hiding behind the "Its for the Good of the Economy" umbrella. Until then, I dont think I am going to be able to avoid those like Anonomouse coming to me and saying "hey doesnt your country have a bad human rights record?" While I can tell him that the majority of Australians promote multiculturalism, I unfortunately have to explain that democratic Australia voted a Government in who has its priorities in the wrong order.

And lets not get started on the Australian's refusal to accept the country's past treatment of its own natives, Aboriginals. Maybe that will be tomorrows essay, because I am exhausted!!!

Defending "Our" Cronulla

“an eye for an eye makes the whole world blind”

-Ghandi

There are times when I shake my head and wonder why society is the way it is.

Luckily, Australia has been a tolerant, free and peaceful country to live in. We have been a country that has been free of war on home soil. However, while I wouldnt call what I witnessed yesterday as "war on home soil", the violence which i witnessed was completely and utterly unneccessary.

The Facts

Sydney has a number of inner city beaches. These beaches are some of the most beautiful beaches in the world, and residents pay high rent and property prices to live nearby. If the residents arent rich, then they are die-hard surfers or beach attendees who love to escape the hustle and bustle of city life. The majority of my friends now live in Cronulla, one of the nicest beaches in Southern Sydney.

Along with Cronulla, these beaches however have become meeting points for large groups of young adults, mostly male, in high performance cars and the like. These areas are perfect for meeting, as the atmosphere is lively, there are lots of people around, and there are some reasonably good roads to drive very fast in their high performance cars. Unfortunately, the majority of these large groups are of Middle Eastern descent.

The city beaches have had difficulty with these large groups, or as they now call them, "gangs". Residents are sick and tired of the noise that their cars make, and local surfers and beach goers have had enough of the constant harrassment by the groups. In particular, the groups are allegedly very derogatory towards women in beach attire. The tension has been rising for some time. The locals have had enough. And the residents of other city beaches, like Maroubra, Brighton Le Sands, Coogee and Bondi have had enough.

The Catalyst

Last week, two Cronulla surf lifesavers were assaulted by a large group of men, of Middle Eastern descent. The media widely reported this event, and comments began to be made by local residents about something "finally needing to be done" with the gangs. An email was sent out a week ago for all people of the beach and "the Shire" (the area of the Southern Beaches) to come out on Sunday to show their support for the surf lifesavers, and to protest against the influx of gangs on the beaches. This email was then reported in the media, ensuring wide scale communication of the planned event.

Sunday's Violence

Sunday rolled on and unforunately, my friends and I had planned our Christmas lunch at a nice restaurant along the waterfront. We had heard that the email was going around, but didnt think that anything would happen, due to the high police presence expected (because of the email).

What we witnessed was a sad day for Australia. Given the communication of the email, it turned out to be a gathering of thousands of young kids from all around Sydney (not just the Shire) to protest against Middle Eastern people in general. Half of the people there were not even residents of Cronulla, or of the southern beaches. Instead, the email got circulated, the media published it, and it became a very violent situation. Large amounts of alcohol was consumed by already-drunk teenagers and young adults, and the police presence did not deter them from causing trouble. While 5000 turned out, there appeared to be a crowd of 200 kids that there out there to assault anyone of Middle Eastern appearance. It was disgusting.

A few questions:

1. Why did the media have to go and publish such an outrageous email prior to the event? Oh I know, so they can have something to report about over the weekend?

2. Why, when there was so much police presence, only 10 - 15 people were arrested?

3. Why, when there was so much police presence, did the police continue to allow the liquor outlets around the area to sell more and more alcohol?

4. Why has this argument become an argument about "race" rather than "gang violence"? Oh, I know why, because some Australians truly believe in an "eye for an eye", rather than realising that their actions are the basis of generalisations and short sightedness. There are plenty of anglo saxon beach gangs out there that now think they have a reason to "patrol" these beaches and inflict violence on anyone of middle eastern appearance.

And Sunday just showed that many australians are happy to let this happen.

I'm ashamed to be Australian today.

Approx 12 midday: Thousands of people converge along the beach in protest of "gangs" invading our beaches.

Approx 1pm - given the media coverage before hand, police were on hand of make sure the crowd didnt get out of hand.

Approx 1pm - Police were even in the water.

Approx 2pm - the crowd, fuelled by alcohol and soaring heat, decided to "target" anyone of middle eastern background.

Approx 3pm - it felt as though all the police and surf lifesavers were doing was sitting and watching.





Approx 4pm - the Police vans were ready to take the offenders away but clearly the Police were not making enough arrests.




More photos to come.....

A Bit More About Me

1. ONE OF YOUR SCARS, HOW DID YOU GET IT? Scar on right elbow, obtained while skating at a very high speed

2. WHAT IS ON THE WALLS IN YOUR ROOM? Paint. I’m a temporary resident so unfortunately I cant decorate;

3. WHAT DOES YOUR CELL PHONE LOOK LIKE? It's a silver phone. Anything fancier and my bill tends to increase.

4. WHAT MUSIC DO YOU LIKE TO LISTEN TO? I’m a sucker for pop music.

5. DO YOU KNOW WHAT TIME YOU WERE BORN? Around five thirty in the afternoon.

6. WHAT DO YOU WANT MORE THAN ANYTHING RIGHT NOW? To be sitting on a beach on the Med.

7. WHAT DO YOU MISS? Adam. I miss him heaps.

8. WHAT IS YOUR MOST PRIZED POSSESSION? My new Fujifilm SLR (digital camera)

9. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE SMELL? Petrol… kidding. Seriously, mum’s roast dinners.

10. DO YOU GET CLAUSTROPHOBIC? Incredibly. Was forced to participate in caving at a young age and have been psychologically damaged since.

11. DO YOU GET SCARED IN THE DARK? Not so much these days.

13. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE COLOGNE / PERFUME? Ralph Lauren Blue

14. WHAT KIND OF HAIR DO YOU LIKE ON THE OPPOSITE SEX? Clean hair

15. WHERE CAN YOU SEE YOURSELF BEING PROPOSED TO AT? Hopefully in Venice, on a gondola, at night. *dreamy sigh*

16. COFFEE OR ENERGY DRINKS? Coffee, of course.

17. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE PIZZA TOPPING? Cheese!

18. IF YOU CAN EAT ANYTHING RIGHT NOW, WHAT WOULD IT BE? Mum’s roast dinner.

19. WHO IS THE LAST PERSON YOU MADE MAD? Probably my sister but she deliberately tries to wind me up.

20. DO YOU SPEAK A DIFFERENT LANGUAGE? A little german. A lot of german when drunk.

21. WHAT WAS THE FIRST GIFT SOMEONE EVER GAVE YOU (OF THE OPPOSITE SEX)? A poorly written love letter...heheh

WAIT! HANG ON A MINTUE. WHAT HAPPENED TO 22-27? Someone got lazy and thought they’d throw this line in to avoid actually having to think up an entire 80 questions?

28. WOULD YOU FALL IN LOVE KNOWING THAT THE PERSON IS LEAVING? Story of my life.

29. WHAT IS THE BEST WAY TO TELL SOMEONE HOW MUCH THEY MEAN TO YOU? By remaining loyal.

30. SAY A NUMBER FROM ONE TO A HUNDRED: 56

31. BLONDES OR BRUNETTES? Whatever.

32. WHAT IS THE ONE NUMBER YOU CALL OFTEN? Mum’s phone!

33. WHAT ANNOYS YOU MOST? Ignorance and Apathy

33. HAVE YOU BEEN OUT OF [your country]? HAHAH I live for travel.

35. YOUR WEAKNESSES? Pushing myself mentally while exercising.

37. FIRST JOB? Skating Rink Attendant!

38. EVER DONE A PRANK CALL? No. I cant recall being that immature.

39. WHAT WERE YOU DOING BEFORE YOU FILLED OUT THIS SURVEY? Complaining of boredom.

40. IF YOU COULD GET PLASTIC SURGERY WHAT WOULD IT BE? A boob job. I’m sorry. But its true.

41. WHY DID YOU FILL OUT THIS SURVEY? Because I'm bored.

42. WHAT DO YOU GET COMPLIMENTED ABOUT MOST? My sense of humour?!?!

43. WHAT WOULD YOU DO IF ALCOHOL BECAME ILLEGAL? Continue to drink lemonade like I always do.

44. WHAT DO YOU WANT FOR YOUR BIRTHDAY? To see my best mates again.

45. HOW MANY KIDS DO YOU WANT? At most, 2.

46. WERE YOU NAMED AFTER ANYONE? No, don’t think so.

47. DO YOU WISH ON STARS? I sure do!

48. WHATS YOUR FAVORITE FINGER? I have never thought about it.

49. WHEN DID YOU LAST CRY? Saying goodbye to Adam in London last month! I am such a baby!

50. DO YOU LIKE YOUR HANDWRITING? Yes. I have obsessively neat handwriting.

51. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE LUNCH MEAT? Chicken but reconsidering it after recent Bird Flu outbreak.

52. ANY BAD HABITS? I bite my nails.

53. WHAT IS YOUR MOST EMBARRASSING CD ON THE SHELF? My N’Sync CD’s. HAHAHA (yes, we are talking multiples)

54. IF YOU WERE ANOTHER PERSON, WOULD YOU BE FRIENDS WITH YOU? I’m pretty high maintenance, so I would do it with caution!

56. DO LOOKS MATTER? No. It matters if someone doesn’t take care of their appearance though.

57. HOW DO YOU RELEASE ANGER? I write in my journal, or sleep.

58. WHERE IS YOUR SECOND HOME? Whereever my backpack is.

59. DO YOU TRUST OTHERS EASILY? No but its something I want to change.

60. WHAT WAS YOUR FAVORITE TOY AS A CHILD? My micro machine toy cars.

63. DO YOU USE SARCASM? Yes. A lot.

64. HAVE YOU EVER BEEN IN A MOSH PIT? Yes, and scrambled out with a number of injuries.

65. WHAT DO YOU LOOK FOR IN A GUY/GIRL? Honesty, loyalty, intelligence, passion, caring, fit, healthy.

66. WHAT ARE YOUR NICKNAMES? Grub. Feral.

68. DO YOU UN-TIE YOUR SHOES WHEN YOU TAKE THEM OFF? No. But I have to untie them to put them back on though.

70. WHAT'S YOUR FAVORITE ICE CREAM FLAVOR? Stawberry or of any berry-type.

72. WHAT ARE YOUR FAVORITE COLORS? Yellow, or green. At the moment.

73. HOW MANY WISDOM TEETH DO YOU HAVE? I have no idea!

74. WHO DO YOU MISS MOST RIGHT NOW? Adam and Janine.

75. DO YOU WANT EVERYONE TO ANSWER THESE QUESTIONS? Doesn’t bother me.

76. WHAT ARE YOU LISTENING TO RIGHT NOW? News Radio (international news).

77. LAST THING YOU ATE? Chewing gum.

78. LAST PERSON YOU TALKED TO ON THE PHONE? My sister, Annie. At midnight. Called me for really no reason at all. God love her. (??!)

79. THE FIRST THING YOU NOTICE IN THE OPPOSITE SEX? Whether they look me in the eye or not.

80. WHERE WERE YOU BORN? Australia.

You May Say I'm A Dreamer.....

Imagine there's no heaven

It's easy if you try

No hell below us

Above us only sky

Imagine all the people

Living for today

...Imagine there's no countries

It isn't hard to do

Nothing to kill or die for

And no religion too

Imagine all the people

Living life in peace...

You may say I'm a dreamer

But I'm not the only one

I hope someday you'll join us

And the world will be as one

Imagine no possessions

I wonder if you can

No need for greed or hunger

A brotherhood of man

Imagine all the people

Sharing all the world...

You may say I'm a dreamer

But I'm not the only one

I hope someday you'll join us

And the world will live as one

John Lennon died twenty five years ago. I was only six months old, yet when I look back on that time, I understand just how much the world needed John Lennon. When I listen to "Imagine" (possibly one of the most influential pieces of music of the modern time), I get chills up my spine.

"You may say I'm a dreamer... but I'm not the only one."

(Photo from www.redvoltaire.net/ IMG/jpg/John-Lennon-_390.jpg)

Images from Thailand

A resident of the ocean, Thailand
http://www.webshots.com/g/13/nw-nw/56338.html












Phang-Nga Bay, Phuket, Thailand
http://www.webshots.com/g/32/33028-sh/49761.html












Phuket, Thailand
http://www.webshots.com/g/32/33028-sh/49761.html

20th March 2006 - "D-Day"

The 20th of March is D-Day, or Departure Day. Yes, I have finally booked my one way ticket to London and it is now definately happening. Booking a one way flight is a lot different to booking a return ticket somewhere. It is, of course, a lot more permanent. It is a lot more definate. There is no backing out. I cant turn back.

After spending two hours at the travel agent, I came away with not only a one way ticket to London, but also a five day holiday on the way in Thailand. Yes, those pictures I have been posting have inspired me to stop off on one of the tropical islands in Thailand. I have decided that I should give myself a bit of a break before I hit the craziness of London and my new life. Importantly, I would like to think that by heading to the southern part of Thailand (ie. Kho Pi Pi, Phuket etc), I am doing my little bit to help the communities recovering from the Asian Tsunami that devastated those areas on Boxing Day last year. Five days in a little bungalow in the middle of nowhere with nothing but golden sand and crystal aqua water. I truly am lucky to be blessed enough to experience that. (Oreo, email me - there may be a possibility that you can head to Thailand at the same time as me, and therefore you wont have to do this alone).









After spending some time on these gorgeous beaches, I will then arrive in London on 27 March 2006, to begin a new life.

Time to Book the Airplane Ticket

Tomorrow I am going to book my airplane ticket - my one way airplane ticket to London. Its a scary but exciting thought.

k

Brighter Days

I am in better spirits today, yet still dreaming of a land far away...

Like Thailand...









http://www.photomediashop.com/wallpapers/images/wallpapers-1024/92-thailand-264-WP.jpg

Miss Grumble Bum

I am a bit whingy this morning. Yes, Miss Positivity is actually having a low day. *sigh*

I wish I was in the Carribbean.


http://www.travelblog.org/Central-America-Caribbean/Bahamas/Nassau/blog-19688.html


















Or Belize.....








http://www.travelblog.org/Central-America-Caribbean/Belize/blog-14846.html





Or Samoa

http://www.travelblog.org/Australasia/Samoa/blog-21352.html

Los Gorriones - A Little More Information

This is the outside of Los Gorriones, a picture which I have been given permission to use by "Papa" Gil.

I urge you all just to spend a little bit of time on their website - www.losgorriones.net

As I said in my entry before, I have never supported a cause ever. I am not the type of person to push "heal the world" messages onto people. But there has been something that has touched me about this place. I hope you see it too. I know Lesley has. I have given an excerpt of Lesley's entry on www.travelblog.org. Lesley even mentioned me in one of her entries, so I am now famous! (ermm.. well not quite) :

"The orphanage was set up using Gil and Chantal´s savings, and now relies completely on donations and the help of volunteers. A lot of their funding is received from their friends in Belgium. I would really like to widen the international circle of support. The very strong impression I have is that there is a lot of love in that place - much more so than in the orphanage where I currently work.

Gil and Chantal have made these children their lives, and this is the ethos adopted by all of the other employees and volunteers. The children are all very well cared for and very happy. It was an amazing contrast to the girls orphanage where I´m spending the remainder of my three weeks, and I must say a very positive contrast. I felt immediately at home there with the people. The kids are obviously given a lot of cuddles and physical attention, which is sadly lacking in the girls orphanage. They also have lots of fun!!

They have managed to successfully find homes for some of the children, but involvement doesn´t end there. Gil and Chantal will remain in contact with the family to ensure that the child is settling and is happy. Social workers will also be involved in the process. The main room is covered with photos of kids with their new families."

http://www.travelblog.org/South-America/Peru/Ayacucho/blog-29265.html

Keep reading Lesley's travelblog as she continues to report on her time in Peru. She is so lucky to be in Peru and she is preparing to head to Machu Picchu after Dec 10!!! It would have to be one of my dreams in life - to walk the Inca Trail and see Machu Picchu.

K xx

A Sunday Worth Blogging About...?

Well its a Sunday evening and I am on my blog. I look out the window and see bright blue skies, and sunshine. Ah, another hot sunny Sydney day. I didnt get to appreciate it. Instead, I spent the day more or less trying to not fall asleep.

BABY DUTY

Last night I was on "Baby Duty". It being another lonely Saturday night (i'm saving money and avoiding alcohol, so that renders Saturday nights dull for me!), I offered to stay over my sister's house and look after the baby. By doing so, this would mean Annie and Al could finally get some decent sleep, even if it is just a couple of solid hours.

Baby duty meant I was up at 11.30pm, 2.30am, 4.30am, 7.30am and 10.30am. When I'd hear her crying, I'd have to get up off the rock hard couch I was laying on, race down to the bedroom, pick up Charlotte, tip toe back down to the kitchen area, rummage around the kitchen for the pre-made breast milk in the fridge, warm it up, get her to drink 80ml, sit and patiently rub her little back for however long it would take for her to burp, and then rock her to sleep. I'd then need to tippy toed back down the hall, place her back in the bassinet, and then wait to see whether she'd settle.

Ah, if doing that for one night isnt contraceptive, I dont know what is!!! Kidding. I have a new found respect for any parent of a child. It was tough, and I cant imagine how hard it must be to do that, night after night. I found that I needed to be careful not to rock MYSELF to sleep while rocking her. I can only imagine how hard it must be after two weeks of poor sleep.

But I would do it again in a heart beat. I may not see my little Charlotte again for some time after March 2005, so I am making the most of seeing her as much as I can.

THIS WEEKEND

Apart from looking after Charlotte, my weekend has been pretty uneventful. I really am trying very hard not to spend money, which is difficult for me! i've had mum take away three of the four credit cards I have (oops) to stop me from spending. I cant wait until March, where I intend to pay them all off and leave them behind. So, because I cant spend money, I find myself spending time with family and friends. And exercising.

So how much do I exercise each week? Its a question people ask me a fair bit. "Dont you think you exercise too much? Dont you think you are overdoing it? Dont you get tired?" Not at all, I say. For me, exercise is a lifestyle, not a fad. I see people coming and going from the gym, wanting to lose weight. It seems to be their only motivation. Because going to the gym doesnt really give results in the form of weight loss (well, not immediately) and people really arent that interested in it, even if they drag themselves there. They go and torture themselves at a gym class and complain about it the whole way through. Then, they give up because weight loss simply isnt a strong enough motivator to put yourself through the pain.









http://www.theolympian.com/sports/fall2004allstars/Swimming/khougan.jpg

Well, fitness should have nothing to do with weight. Its only that society focuses on exercise as being the key to weight loss. It is true, I do agree, but I think people need to begin treating fitness as life decision, rather than a "means to an end". There are so many benefits to exercise that people seem to forget about. When I am active, my moods are regulated, my outlook on life is so positive, and I have so much more energy. And getting into exercise doesnt mean launching into a high powered gym routine where you nearly put yourself into cardiac arrest. Leave that for Hollywood and those corny aerobics videos. If your body cant enjoy the exercise you are doing, then your mind isnt going to continue allowing it to do it.

I started out just doing small bits of exercise. I used to walk to work, which would take me 30 mins. I would increase my incidental exercise - by that, I mean, taking the stairs instead of taking the elevator. Using my lunch breaks at work to walk around the park. You dont even need to join a gym. If you dont like going to the gym, DONT GO. Dont spend the money on a yearly membership because the only people that benefit are those that will collect your monthly fee. The only way fitness will become a way of life is by doing exercise that you LOOK FORWARD to doing, the exercise that you can enjoy. Find a friend to walk with. Get off the bus that one stop before your usual stop and walk the rest of the way. A recent study has shown that regular exercise is actually more effective than antidepressants when treating mild to moderate depression. I totally agree.

Okay, so last week this was my exercise schedule:

Monday - 1.5km swim (60 laps x 25m pool), or nearly 1 mile
Tuesday - 3 km run on treadmill
Wednesday - 1.5km swim
Thursday - 3km run plus weights, pushups, crunches + stretching
Friday - Rest day
Saturday - 3km run, plus weights, pushups, crunches + stretching
Sunday - 30 slow laps + stretching

While this week was a relatively boring week in terms of variation, I try and do the following:

Monday - 1.5km swim
Tuesday - Step Class (Lunch) + Boxing Class (Night)
Wednesday - Rest day or 3 km run
Thursday - Step Class (Lunch) + 1.5km swim (or 3km run)
Friday - 3 km run, plus weights, pushups, crunches + stretching
Saturday - see above, or 1.5km
Sunday - Spin Class (bicycle) or 3km run or 1.5km swim

I'm not writing this to show off about how much I exercise. I am just trying to show that by starting off slowly, and finding things that you enjoy doing, you can get to a point where you are doing a fair bit of exercise and it isnt such a drag. Of course, I ALWAYS make sure I have rest day after a big day of exercise, or make sure I leave 24 hours between each activity. I also try and make sure I dont swim two days in a row because i need my upper arms to rest. And in the same way, I try and not jog twice in a row, because i need to rest the lower part. By alternating, I am allowing parts of my body to rest while working the other. I try to explain to people that this is why I dont get too tired, and dont feel like I am overdoing it. I make sure that when I rest, I rest well.

Not allowing the body to rest increases the risk of injury and burnout. I dont know what I would do if I ever became injured, because activity has become such an important part of my day.

So that answers some of the questions I have been asked. :)

I sound like a fitness guru rather than a lawyer! hahahah