In the grounds of the historic Bendemeer Hotel this old statue of “Speak No Evil, See No Evil, Hear No Evil” caught my eye. The concrete frogs dressed in the Australian colours of green and gold gave the tradition monkey image an Australian twist. How fitting for a pub that has served and entertained the public since 1864.
What’s the first thing that comes to mind when you hear the word “fun”?
I love having fun. Doing something spontaneous that involves lots of laughter. I may be in my 50’s but I am happy to play games and have fun at every opportunity.
What is your favorite time of day?
I don’t think I really have one. Although there is something beautiful about sunrise and sunset.
Given the choice of anyone in the world, whom would you want have a evening with?
I would love to spend an evening with Louise Hay. She is a very powerful motivator and positive thinker. She thinks outside the box, has many creative ideas to solve problems and literally hundreds of positive daily affirmations. She is also the owner of Balboa Press the self-publishing company I am using to publish my book next year so I am sure she could supply some great tips.
Complete this sentence: Something that anyone can do that will guarantee my smile is…
Smile at me. I will always return a genuine smile and connect with the other person. If I smile at someone first and they return my smile, my smile gets bigger.
Bonus question: What are you grateful for from last week, and what are you looking forward to in the week coming up?
Last week I was grateful for family time celebrating my son’s birthday and my work Christmas party celebrating together the year that was 2015. This week I am looking forward to getting back to blogging more regularly as life has gotten in the way a bit recently.
http://ceenphotography.com/2015/11/09/share-your-world-2015-week-45/
I celebrate my little victories of life regularly as a way to encourage more positivity in my life. My most recent interesting victory was getting my head around kissing a frozen cod-fish to take part in Newfoundland and Labrador’s famous Screech-In ceremony.
My husband and I choose to be screeched-in at Trapper John’s Pub and Museum, once voted best pub in North America for its fun, food and hospitality. The pub was very interesting however dark which although adding to the ambiance made taking good photos difficult.
The experience began with the ringing of the Screeching ceremony bell. This alerts all patrons in the pub that someone has requested to be Screeched-In.
We choose Sunday 5pm just as the pub was opening for the night for our ceremony. Because of this the pub had limited patrons however all stopped what they were doing, making us feel very welcome as we went through the ritual to become honorary Newfies—Newfoundlanders slang name for themselves.
For more information about the Screech-In ceremony and our experience please visit my earlier post https://www.inspiringmax.com/honarary-newfies/
We loved Newfoundland so much that one day we hope to visit again, next time for several months.
For 36 years between 1976 – 2010, CN Tower was the tallest tower in the world at 553 metres in height. So last year when my husband and I visited Toronto, I was excited to reach the top and cross off one of the original things on my bucket list.
From the moment I entered the elevator I was amazed. It takes 58 seconds, yes less than a minute to travel 132 floors. There is also a glass panel in the wall and the floor so you can look out— if you dare. From the main viewing platform, the views were spectacular as we had chosen a clear winters day.
My favourite part of the CN Tower however is its glass floor. Built in 1994, it was the world’s first glass floor. I had set myself a goal I was going to walk into the middle and look down. Initially, although I knew it was safe—I was petrified. I started with taking a few steps out, sitting and looking down. Determined to not let it beat me, I kept persevering until I could walk across the glass floor. My mindfulness training paid off and I was able to enjoy this unique experience even though our photos don’t show the distance below well.
If ever you visit Toronto, Canada take the time and experience the the joy and challenges of CN Tower. In 2013, we visited Canton Tower in Ghangzhou, China which in 2010 became the tallest tower in the world however this honour is now changes regularly.
Treats and indulgences can take many forms. Share yours with us!
I love Disney so going to Disneyland is my favourite treat. Unfortunate, living in Australia means it is many years between my indulgences. I hope you enjoy these photos taken at Hong Kong Disney in 2012. They brought a smile back to my face.
If you could have three wishes granted for you alone, what would they be?
I would love to have a week’s writing and tuition in Tuscany, Italy.
I would love to have someone take over the final editing of my book and let me know that it is ready.
My last wish would be to win lotto so I could stop working, slow down my pace of life and move to the country.
What is the most incredible natural venue that you’ve ever seen in person?
I love the Blue Mountains, Australia and Niagara Falls, Canada.
Is your hair short (total neck and ear showing), medium (covering ears and neck), long (below shoulders) or extra-long (at least halfway down your back)?
My hair is medium length. Basically it won’t grow past a certain point. If is is not cut it grows outwards and gets more frizzy.
List some of your favorite blogs.
I have many favourite blogs so here are just a few.
https://flyinggoannas.wordpress.com/
https://hmflath.wordpress.com/
https://thechicagofiles.wordpress.com
http://amommasview.wordpress.com
Bonus question: What are you grateful for from last week, and what are you looking forward to in the week coming up?
This week I am grateful the difficult times of the last few weeks are over and improving. This week I am looking forward to getting back to working on my book and my blog.
http://ceenphotography.com/2015/09/14/share-your-world-2015-week-37/
Last week I was honoured to be nominated by Safar at Blisters, Bunions and Blarney http://safarfiertze.com/blog/ for the Sunshine Blogger Award. This award recognizes blogs that share positivity in the blogging community. I would like to encourage you to stop by her blog which covers many topics as you will surely find something that you can connect with and thank her for her consideration. I love looking on the bright side and look forward to sharing this award with other deserving blogs.
The Rules:
Answers to my questions:
1.Voltaire once said that a person should be judged by their questions rather than their answers – what question would you pose?
My question would be simple. It would be an honest “How are you going?
2. Mahatma Gandhi advised us to learn as if were were to live forever. What did you learn today?
This weekend through participating in Writing 101 I learnt how to add social media to a blog post. Initially this confused me however with perseverance I was able to do it and I am proud of myself.
3. Marilyn Manson suggests to be yourself and make a difference. What difference did you make today?
Working in mental health and focusing on positivity I believe I make a difference everyday.
4. Audrey Hepburn believes laughter cures a multitude of ills. What last made you laugh?
I agree with Audrey Hepburn and laugh everyday—the last time being an hour ago whilst watching comedy on the television over lunch. Humour can be found everywhere and is catchy.
5. Satchel Paige asks, “How old would you be if you didn’t know how old you are?”I am in my early fifties and most people if asked to guess would say I was in my late forties. A smile can take a few years off you and I smile a lot.
6. ‘Why?’ is the endless question of a child. What’s your why?
Unlike a child when I review why something happened I get an answer and make a plan to do it differently next time.
7. Oscar Wilde observed that we each are own devil and that we make this world our hell. What would you need to do to make this world your heaven?
I am constantly working on making my world better. There is no one thing for me that makes the difference it is a mixture of all my daily choices.
8. The UN declared 30 human rights. Was anything left out?
Not that I can think of.
9. John Stuart Mill argued that non-conformity and eccentricity is an essential service to society. Do you agree?
I think that having a unique personality, trusting your ability to follow dreams and not listening to the nay sayers is important as that is how society grows. Most successful people have broken the rules and gone against society to achieve their dream.
10. Woody Allen attributes 80% of success to just turning up. What might you have succeeded at if you had just turned up?
Giving things a go has taught me a lot over my life. I believe you have to be in it to win it so will give most things a go.
11. Think of a quote and ask yourself the question you would have liked me to ask
“In the end, we only regret the chances we didn’t take” Unknown
This quote helps to motivate me. It reminds me to take risks reap the rewards so that as the years go by I don’t have any regrets. So far it is working.
My nominees are:
https://koolitzable.wordpress.com/
http://bestplacesofinterest.com/
https://flyinggoannas.wordpress.com/
https://fromthestickstothebricksandbackagain.wordpress.com/
https://amommasview.wordpress.com/
https://beanzbeblogging.wordpress.com/about/
https://purpleslobinrecovery.wordpress.com/
http://acookingpotandtwistedtales.com/
Questions for my nominees:
This week, photograph a stationary subject from three different angles.
Stanley the Emu is an 18 metre high sculpture which stands guard over the Castlereagh Highway, 10 kilometres south of Lightning Ridge. The inspiration for Stanley came to artist John Murray when he was at Birdsville. His thinking was a bird for Birdsville, however as Birdsville is in Outback Queensland 1337 kilometres from Lightning Ridge transporting the very large sculpture became impossible.
Instead due to the overwhelming support from the people of Lightning Ridge who gave their time to create him and help to source the recycled steel and VW’s from which he is made, the decision was made to place him on the ridge after which Lightning Ridge was named and looking west towards Birdsville.
The making of Stanley to me signifies the Australian spirit and can do attitude that I am proud of. Photographing him from several different perspectives helps to realise the love and thought that went into his design and creation.
https://dailypost.wordpress.com/dp_photo_challenge/from-every-angle/
Imagine that tomorrow, all of your duties and obligations evaporate for the day. You get the day all to yourself, to do anything you please. What types of fun activities would make your day?
I believe taking time out to recharge and celebrate ME Time is important for mental health. This week I have been lucky enough to have a week of ME Time without any duties or obligations doing whatever I feel like for the day. It is liberating and relaxing. I am spending the week in Port Macquarie New South Wales, an area I first visited as a 10-year-old child. So how do I plan to spend my days when I don’t have my usual busy schedule to contend with. No problem. Below is a list of my options most of which I have already done:
It has been a great week staying in one place, catching up with myself and expand my experience of my amazing homeland, Australia.
https://dailypost.wordpress.com/dp_prompt/nothin-but-a-good-time/
Got a soul-mate and/or a best friend? What is it about that person that you love best? Describe them in great detail — leave no important quality out.
Finding your soul mate isn’t a journey you can plan. For me it happened when the time was right and I had to adjust my plans accordingly. Why we connected however, I have never considered—everything just fell into place. Personally I think it relates to having similar qualities and values that compliment each other including:
https://dailypost.wordpress.com/dp_prompt/born-to-be-with-you/