My Life in Mono...

September Goals

 

 

 

AUGUST RECAP

Read about my August Goals Here.  The last month, I only manage to achieve ONE of my goal, which is Mindful Listening.  I did this at home and at work especially.  I had a few clients who were so stressed because of the whole process that I just had to sit and hold their hands.  Once they let it out of their system, they pretty much felt better. 

I did not even attempt to do the other two.  No other reason than pure LAZINESS.  Sad I know. So I am going to attempt it again for the month of September. 

 

 

 

My Goals for September

Journal everyday

Right. I have to come at this from a different angle.  I think I am going to start picking up my pen and start with my gratitude journal again. Usually, my brain will start flowing from there. 

 

10 minutes of Movement

Since Yoga didn't cut it for me, I decided to change it up a little bit and do 10 minutes of any kind of movement. It may be walking, dancing or running on the spot.  I might even post my 10 minutes of movement on Instagram just so that I have accountability. If you want to join me please use the hashtag #10minutesofmovement

 

To Curate Love and Understanding

This month I plan to use my social media platform to spread love and understanding.  I sometimes go into a phase where I am angry with the world, i.e. issues with anti-vaxxers or racism and etc that I will post the hate towards these groups but I know there is a much better way to do that and it is to spread awareness from the ground of love and understanding.  Hence, why this month, I want to curate all my social media platform with all things love and understanding. 

 

August Favs

 

Here we are at the end of the month again.  I would say how quickly that went but you know I say that every month. To be honest, August went by like a blur.  I had things to do every weekend and we just welcomed my new niece into the world a week ago.  I also have had 2 workshops over 4 weekends and my trainer has pulled me aside to speak to me about that spark that she can see in me that may change what age group I study in the future.  You know, I have a feeling that she is right. 

 

WATCHING

I have been binge watching 2 shows this month while winding down at night.  I love my Netflix account, don't you? :)  The 2 shows that I have and am watching at the moment are The Good Witch and Downton Abbey.  

The Good Witch is light hearted with not much drama in it and I can't wait for season 3 to come out in October.  It mainly revolves around Cassie Nightingale who has the power of intuition and could read people perfectly. 

Downton Abbey.  I have just finished the first season and I have mixed feelings about this show. So far I am loving it but because I know a little bit about the show, I hear people talk about it when the season was still going on, I am a little bit reluctant to go on further BUT at the same time, I want to know. I do love the cast and the scenes.  It takes me back to my UK holiday in May where we visited homes and estates that look like the ones on the show. Maybe the next time we visit, I might take a trip down to the Estate that they shot it.  

 

TASTING

Not much of an exploration of taste this month only because Mum is still here and her food is still my favourite.  She did make me a batch of Seeds Granola the other week made with  maple syrup and I have to say it was delicious.  I will need to ask her for the recipe when I get a chance to sit down with her. 

 

LISTENING

This month, I have discovered a new podcast called Embedded.  Embedded is a podcast from the guys at NPR (National Public Radio) where they "take a story from the news and go deep".  NPR is based in America so ALL of the stories are based in America. What I like about it is that it opens my mind to things happening outside of Australia.  Sometimes I feel like Australia is a bubble where it doesn't report or cover International news often unless it is made viral by the internet.  This is an outlet for me.  The stories that they "go deep" on is really interesting and it often made me think what is it like to be living in those situations.  If you love the news and want to know more, Embedded is the one for you.  My favourite episode is one that is called, The Bikers. 

 

 

You know that feeling where you feel like nothing is happening but a lot has?  That is what I felt like in the month of August.  I am hoping your August was well. 

What was your favourite thing in August? 

10 things I am grateful for right now

 

 

Gratitude unlocks the fullness of life. It turns what we have into enough, and more. It turns denial into acceptance, chaos to order, confusion to clarity. It can turn a meal into a feast, a house into a home, a stranger into a friend.  - Melody Beattie 

The quote above couldn't have come at a better time.  I posted a frazzled moment on Instagram last night because I was feeling so down.  M and I have been trying to have our second child for a while and it has proven a difficult task.  I think back and laugh because throughout my younger life, I tried so hard not to fall pregnant and now it's the complete opposite.  

As mentioned, it is times like these, times where I feel like my life in completely lacking, times where I feel like I have been left behind, times where I feel "WHY ME" that my gratitude game is strong.  

  

10 THINGS I AM GRATEFUL FOR RIGHT NOW

1. A working electric kettle.  Yes. I am grateful for a kettle.  There is no better way to warm yourself up in winter than with a cup of hot tea.  
2. My mum.  She is here for a little visit and once a week I go over to my sister's place to spend time with her and eat her home cooked meals.  Usually this is also the time where I learn how to cook these meals. 
3. Miss 5.  Her endless cuddles and drawings of "I love you mums".  
4. My nephew and niece.  They shower me with endless cuddles and kisses on the cheek.  My nephew is at the stage where he is able to carry a conversation and it is often hilarious. 
5. My Kikki.K planner.  This year I went back to a pen and paper journal after not using it for a number of years.  So grateful that I am able to afford and find resources to properly use it. 
6. Bosses and colleagues.  I work in a very small law firm.  There are only 6 of us. It is like a little family.  We share everything and support each other through our hardship.  I feel like I come to the office to work with great friends.  My boss doesn't take himself too seriously and is a great mentor. 
7. Studying again.  Last month, I enrolled myself to study to become an Early Childhood Educator in Montessori.  It has been something that I have been thinking and wanting to do for the last 3 years and this year I decided to take the plunge.  
8. Hot water bottle.  Because.... well Winter.
9. Friends on social media.  Some I have met in real life and some I have seen grow and blossom into amazing and inspirational people. 
10. M.  Through our differences, I am grateful that he is on my side supporting me with everything. 

 

WHAT ARE YOU GRATEFUL FOR AT THE MOMENT? 

August's Goals

I spoke about setting goals in my previous post in March and I have been using my Goals journal religiously. I usually set 3 small goals per month and attempt to reach that goal.  I realised that I need a goal to aim towards and keep me motivated. 

With that said, I am going to share my monthly goals here on the blog and a recap of the previous months.   I am going to try to focus on the 3 aspects of my life which is the mind, the body and the soul. 

 

 

July Recap

 

Take walking breaks 

If you follow me on Snapchat, you would have seen some images or some videos of me taking walking breaks during my working day just going round the block.  It also helps that I have at least 3 Pokestops on my route, so I am definitely taking my walking breaks to visit these stops. HAHA.   

 

Plan social media and blog calendar for August 

I have to say I am happy that I did this because I have content for August by the second week of July and it is really exciting to see them.  I have learnt so many things from bloggers and social media experts out there that I am enjoying it very much. 

 

Spend one on one time dedicated to Miss 5 

This is my favourite goal for the month.  I realised that I have been neglecting Miss 5 in terms of spending quality one on one time with her.  For the past few months we have been so busy with our lives getting from one place to another and other people around us that I miss our mother daughter dates.  Every Thursday, we spend uninterrupted (this means that I am not on my phone as well) time together doing fun stuff.  In July it was her making dinner for us every Thursday night.  I am in the kitchen with her talking and making her favourite dinner.

 

My Goals for August

Journal everyday

This usually means doing a brain dump every night to get thoughts out of my brain and on to paper so it will not keep me awake every night. 

 

Mindful listening

Create mindful relationships through mindful listening.  A quote from Stephen Covy , " Most people do not listen with the intent to understand; they listen with the intent to reply." 

 

10 minutes of Yoga everyday

To do at least 10 minutes of stretching by doing Yoga at least everyday.  This can mean either doing a few cycles of sun salutations or Yoga with Andriene, who is my current favourite at home yogi. :) 

July's Favourite

 

How quickly did July go?  It certainly felt like the rush of the End of Financial Year was just yesterday.  July has been an interesting month for me.  I have been reading a lot and experimenting and practising a lot of self care hoping to learn and applying from it . I also have been discovering a lot of interesting things out there and thought I would compile it into a blog post of my July favourites.  This is one of the format that I will be trying out on my blog and hopefully I will be able to share my favourite things with you.  Kinda like Oprah's Favourite Things, only I don't give out freebies and share free links.  :P

 

WATCHING

Netflix has released the entire season of Gilmore Girls in Australia and I have been slowly watching it while doing chores around the house.  I am hoping to watch all 6 seasons (again!) before the release of the new episodes.  (Yay!) .  I do have the DVD box set for the series, which I think I will now sell it either on eBay or Gumtree as I would have no use for it anymore. 

 

TASTING

Mum is back in Perth again and with that comes her beautiful home cook food.  I always love it when she comes to stay. Not only do I get ideas of what to cook for my family, I also get to learn how to cook from her. She is a wizard in the kitchen.  She uses only the simplest ingredients and it still taste amazing.  If you are not currently following me on Instagram, please do as I will post most of her amazing home cooked meal on my feed. 

 

LISTENING

My Dad Wrote A Porno - This podcast is hosted by Jamie Morton, James Cooper and Alice Levine. OWH MY GOD! This is the funniest podcast I have heard. The fact that they have British accents makes it even funnier.  The podcast is about, well... about Jamie the host finding out that his dad wrote and published a Porn Novel titled Belinda Blinked. Warning, this podcast is NSFW.  If you have a very bad day, listen to one episode and I guarantee that your day will be so much better.  My favourite episode so far is The Tombola.  Hilarious! You will die from laughter. 

 

SMELLING

I am loving the smell of Lavender Peace (or Serenity) and Motivate from doTERRA at the moment.  I diffuse Lavender Peace to help me unwind at the end of my day.  The scent of Lavender and with a hint of vanilla makes me feel at peace.  I sometimes drop a few drops in my warm shower when I have a frazzled day.

Motivate is a new one in my oil collection.  I made a spritzer bottle with water, pink salt and a couple drops of Motivate to take to work.  It is said that it will help motivate you and uplift you when you need that extra oomph in the middle of the day.  I am still testing this blend out but I do love the citrusy smell and the peppermint in it certainly makes you feel alert at 3pm! 

 

FEELING

 While I was travelling around the UK in June, stumbled upon this Moroccan Argan Oil to use as my face moisturiser.  This stuff is amazing.  Not only that it is good for your face, Argan oil is also good for your hair so after applying the oil on my face, I run my palms along my hair.  I have been getting comments that how good my complexion is. I also added a few drops of Lavender and Frankincense  essential oil in it as they are good for your face. 

 

What was your favourite thing in July or currently? 

 

Hello! It's Me...

Hello friends. :)  

It has been a while I know.  A lot has happened in the last 4 months and if you have been following me on Instagram and Facebook, you would have a sneaky peek.  

I am currently trying to re-brand my blog as I realised that my life has certainly changed its course and so will my blog.  I hope you will still be with me as I will try a couple of format here and there.  Please feel free to give me feed back as well. 

So starting in August, I have new content all ready to go along with a couple of new format that I am testing. I will have a blog post twice a week and a special one on the first of every month. 

I am also looking forward to working with some brands (big and small).  If you happen to read my blog and owns a brand or happen to know someone who owns one, please send me an email. 

YEAY! 

Learning how to set goals

I spent a good part of the morning today at a Goals Setting workshop hosted by Kikki K.  I went to one of their Happiness one in January and enjoyed it very much.  The other reason that I love going to their workshop is, I get to come home with one of their beautiful journals. :) 

Helle, who conducted this workshop is amazing and inspirational.  I can relate so much with her when she told us a little about her life. When she was younger, she suffered from Anxiety and Depression and how she conquered it was pretty amazing.  I am always amazed by people who have overcome Depression.  They are my true heroes. 

I always come out from workshops or seminars like this inspired and gearing to go.  My only downfall is, I lack the motivation to keep it going.  Helle gave me tools today to help me set my goals and reach them.  I am capable of achieving my goals and I do have the tools to achieve it.  So there is really no reason why I always lose steam before I achieve them right?  Well.... not really...

I conclude that I have a couple of pitfalls:-

• I do not write them down as specific as I can.  We learnt how to use the SMART way, more on that in another post once I learn as much as I can about it. 
• Self doubt.  Yep. I sure do know this one by heart. I spoke about how I am slowly learning how to love myself here. 
• And lastly, procrastination.  YEP.  I am a big procrastinator.  I plan and plan and plan and I sometimes don't end up doing what I plan to do because I procrastinate. 

We were asked at the workshop "What our core values are?" and write them down.  There was a sheet with a list of words that represents core values.  The ones that jumped out at me today were Learning/Teaching, Nature and Balance. From your core values, you can set your goals up so there are less chances of you failing because it correlates to your core values.

There are some bits and pieces that I would like to note down and share:-

• Helle talked about the Rock Pebbles and Sand way to prioritise.  I still need to read and learn more about this method.
• Every elite athlete will need to physically and mentally rehearse.
• What you focus on, grows.  
• If it lights you up, you dont need anyone's approval 
• Helle introduced me to an inspirational speaker called Louise Hay.  I am already pinning her affirmations on Pinterest and also will be sharing her affirmations on my Facebook page. 

I am still learning so I am still trying to tweak my process.  If you have anything to share, please share them with me here or on my Facebook page. :)

 

Highlights of the week

1. Autumn is finally here! Cooler days and nights means that I can save on electricity. HA!
2. The Long Weekend. This means that I can experiment more on meal prep for the week. 
3. Discovering Smoothie bowls.  If you follow me on Facebook, Instagram or Pinterest, you will see that I have been pinning, sharing and taking photos of delicious smoothie bowls. 

Why we need friends?

Roy and I met when we were 11 years old.  We were in different classes but we knew each other.  It was at a time when everything was awkward. 

You remember.  Those, "why am I breaking out" days.  Those, "why am I angry all the time" days.  Those, "why am I bleeding down there" days.  Those days where everyone is telling you that anything is possible, yet, the same people are telling you, you shouldn't be doing that, days.  Those days where you kinda like boys, BUT, you are still scared that they might give you cooties. HAHA!  AH... those pre pubescent days.  

Roy and I became best friends when we were 14.  We were prefects in our school and we always try to work our favourite shifts together. Manning the school gates.  I remember we would sit in the little hut in front of the gate and just talk about the latest music videos we have seen and which teacher is giving us a hard time, it was almost every teacher but one.  He would help me out with homework, and I would help him out with girl problems.  

We were separated when I moved to a different city.  We kept in touch though through letters.  YES, SNAIL MAIL! He would tell me what the latest gossip would be in the old school and I would complain that my new school sucks and the people sucks. A few years later, he moved to my city to further his studies.  My task, at the beginning of every term,  was to pick him up from the airport and drive 1 hour and drop him off at his university.  His task was to pay me in the form of his late mother's pineapple tarts, for my "troubles".  This went on for a couple of years and then, I moved again.  This time to Perth. 

We were bro-mates, soul sisters, the bestest friend of all time.  We could read each other's mind just from a look. Even today, 4,045kms apart (yes, I googled that), we can still sense when either of us are in distress. It is like we are linked in some sort of cosmic energy, wave length type thing.  We would go without talking to each other for days and even months and then suddenly, one random text from him would appear saying that he can sense that I am in trouble, and I would be.  I don't know if it is a coincidence, but that didn't happen just the one time.  It happens ALL THE TIME.  When I was going through rough times with my marriage, I would get a text massage from Roy asking me if I am ok.  We would always comment on how eerie our connections because it seems like he has a crystal ball and is spying into my life and vice versa. 

Roy, if you are reading this, and I know you do because I told you to, I am grateful that you are in my life.  I am grateful that you were there for those awkward stages in life.  I am grateful that you knew when times were bad and called me to check up and I am grateful that you gave me space to get on with my life.  I am grateful that for our 25 years of friendship through thick and thin.  I am grateful that we can prove to people that it is completely ok for a man and and woman to be best friends and nothing more than that.   Thank you my friend.  Here is to the next 25 years of being best friends. 

 

Highlights of the week

1. My little girl started her formal schooling and she is coping so well. 
2. Air conditioning and cold water.
3. Not buying lunch 3 weeks in a row. Woohoo! 

Why I love myself

How many of us here are guilty of negative self talk and Self Doubt?  I am not a stranger to it. There was a point in time that the conversations in my head towards myself, is a negative one.  

"Look at your hair! It's so frizzy and unmanageable!"

"You can't fit into that dress! You have layers of fat around you"

"Why bother with make up? It makes you look weird"

"No wonder his eyes wanders, look at you! So unkept"

Yep! These are actual conversations I have had the pleasure of having with my own self. So much fun to be in my head sometimes. I spoke about negative self talk two years ago as well. This is an issue that I am still working on.  It is hard when you have had 30 odd years of practice.  

I have had the pleasure this week to discover a podcast called The Mindful Kind by Rachael Kable. In episode 8 she talks about negative self talk and how to overcome that.  She had an exercise where you sit with a pen and paper and set 5 minutes aside and start writing about what you think about yourself.  The negatives and the positives, no judgement.  I was surprised to see how much negative was there on the paper. She mentioned that at the end of the day, they are just thoughts.  They are usually and most probably not true. 

This week's gratitude challenge is all about self love.  Some may think that it is vain to love yourself, but as Mama Ru said, "If you don't love yourself, how in the hell are you gonna love somebody else!"

So, I am starting out small. :)  I am listing 5 points on WHY I LOVE MYSELF. 

I AM LOYAL.  They say it has something to do with my star sign, I am a Taurus by the way, that I am fiercely loyal.  Once I call you a friend, there isn't much that you can do to shake me off.  

I AM ALWAYS ON TIME. If you tell me to be at the beach by 2pm, I will be at the beach by 2pm.  I am almost never late unless there is a legitimate reason. Even then, I would have told you in advance that I am going to be late. :) 

I AM PASSIONATE. When I set my mind to doing something, I do it with passion.  Nothing can stop me in my tracks.  I am passionate about equal opportunities, as in gender equality and marriage equality, I am passionate about motherhood, from breastfeeding to bottle feeding and I am passionate about my family. 

I AM LOVING.  I love.  I love animals, I love my family and I love my close friends.  When I love, I care very deeply about the person and I would go the extra mile and take a bullet for them.  

I AM ENOUGH. I am enough.  I am enough as I am.  Sure I want and need to improve in some aspects of my life but at the moment, right this minute, I am enough.  I give enough and I receive enough.  

This is really a foreign concept to me.  Self love is not one that I am use to.  It is a little hard for me to replace Self Love with Self Doubt. Self Doubt seems to be so easy to do and the first thing that jumps in front in my head. I am working on it.  Hopefully by the end of this challenge, Self Love will finally replace Self Doubt. 

 Highlights of the week

1. All the rain that we have been getting.   
2. Breakfast cooked for me on Sunday morning. 
3. I did not buy lunch for the whole week! WOOHOO! 

12 Dates: James Parker Sushi and Sake Japanese Restaurant

Coming together is a beginning; keeping together is progress; working together is success. - Henry Ford

This year, one of our goals for M and my relationship is to spend as much one on one time together. 2 weeks ago I opened up a little bit about my marriage and I am thankful that I did. I won't go as far and say that I am happy what happened happened because I am not happy BUT I am glad that it was the rock bottom of our relationship and there is no other way to go from rock bottom but UP.

One of the catalyst of the marriage hitting rock bottom is the lack of one on one time with each other.  Both of us are always busy with things and agendas and almost all the time we have our little girl with us.  Personally, I crave that one on one time because we get to be just husband and wife and nothing else. That is how I came up with the idea of 12 Dates.  We promised to go on one date a month.  It doesn't have to be at a restaurant or watching movies, it can just be the two of us alone in the house just spending time together without the distraction of social media, the phone and a child. I love my child to death but I think it is important that she see her parents bicker less and love each other more.  

On with the date.  This month we decided to try this new Sushi and Sake place in town called James Parker Sushi and Sake.  I have heard good reviews about this place and the foodie, in me just leapt at the opportunity to try out this amazing place.  Amazing doesn't even begin to describe the place.  We were seated at the Sushi bar and we got to see the sushi chefs at work.  They were amazing, see that word again, and I am not sure if they were putting on a show for us or that is how it is in Japan, but I was in awe with their knife skills and how they plate up each dish. 

The food was so good that M, who is a little apprehensive of trying new food especially when it comes to seafood, wanted to order almost everything on the menu. The sushi was so fresh and the wait staff was so attentive.  The restaurant was not particularly busy and packed so the atmosphere was perfect.  We ended the night with a light stroll down the street to San Churros for coffee and dessert. 

It was a great night.  We both thoroughly enjoyed our child free evening. 

 

 

 

James Parker Sushi & Sake

Shop 2, 182 James St, Northbridge WA 6003
Phone: (08) 9328 2525