2007 is coming to an end, I am still recovering from Christmas gorging and my brain is on holidays, but I am posting! This is my final hurray for 2007 and I wanted to wish everyone a Safe and Happy New Year. I hope 2008 brings many new adventures and boundless love, health and prosperity for all (I am an optimist).

New Years has always been a time for me to contemplate the state of my life and my resolutions for the coming year, but this year I’m shaking things up a bit. 2007 was a great year for me and it taught me that happiness is only attained in the present, and being grateful for all the blessings I have, not only makes me feel good, but it opens new doors of opportunity for me. So, for the first time ever I am NOT going to make New Years resolutions this year.

Why? Is my life perfect? In short, no. However, focusing on what is lacking in life does not get us more of what we want. It only frustrates and makes me depressed. Besides, who sticks to their New Year resolutions anyway?

I am excited about 2008. I am excited about NOT putting all sorts of pressure on myself to ACHIEVE and ATTAIN. For years I have focused on goals and finding my life purpose, whilst striving to be A SUCCESS. The only thing was, no matter what I achieved, I never felt like a success. The life purpose always seemed to be this unreachable ‘thing’ and there were aways new goals to pursue. It was just a relentless cycle of constant striving and I get exhausted just thinking about it.

So, now I have a new path. One where I strive to only live in the present, be myself, stay honest, and seek joy and serenity in each and every day. It may sound flaky, but my previous choice of trying to control everything today to achieve goals tomorrow, while pretending to be some kick-ass modern woman with all the answers, only made me feel more anxious, disconnected and miserable with every passing year. I don’t have all the answers, I don’t know what tomorrow may bring and that sounds kinda exciting.

This New Years Eve I will be celebrating with my husband in prime position under the Sydney Harbour Bridge. I have loved fireworks since I was a girl, so this is going to be a great night for me, especially since my dad is babysitting my son and we have a night for adults only! We’ll see where that leads us…

Well wishes to all. I’ll be back next week with a post about the courageous Benazir Bhutto. May she rest in peace.

Cheers to all!

Kelly xx

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photo by BoazImages

Are you stuck for what to get your loved ones? If your family is anything like mine, everyone has more than enough. Isn’t that just the modern dilemma, how to gift in a society where over consumption is the national past time? Too often we end up effectively swapping spending with our loved ones. Have you ever thought of that? If my brother buys me a t-shirt I don’t really need and I could have bought myself, and I then buy him a book he could have paid for if he had really wanted it, then aren’t we just using Christmas as an excuse to spend money?

Now, I realise this may make me sound like a scrooge, but really I’m not. I am all for spoiling people on birthdays because they’re personal, they’re about YOU. But if Christmas is about the sacrifice of Jesus or the spirit of giving, whichever philosophy you fall in line with, then isn’t it better to GIVE to THOSE WHO REALLY NEED IT at Christmas?

You can still swap gifts on the big day; just set a low limit like $10 where everyone has to get creative and have a bit of fun with the gift giving. Then, with all that money you save, donate it to one of the many reputable charities who could put your hard earned dollars to good use. Here are a brief list of organisations who could use your help.

Doctors without Borders

International Red Cross

Amnesty International

The Smith Family

The Salvation Army

Barnardos Australia - Children’s Charity

Another option, which is just as noble, but maybe a bit more fun is that offered by Oxfam Australia. They have a catalogue of fair trade items which can be purchased online and given as exotic and well-intentioned gifts. They also have a division called Oxfam Unwrapped, which allows you to buy a specific ‘product’, such as a $10 chicken or a $117 donkey for needy people in a variety of countries across the globe. The upside of this is not only do you know what you’re paying for and where it’s going, but Oxfam then send out a funny card which you can gift to a loved one, detailing what you bought on their behalf. It can be a very cute and heart warming gift and is perfect for people who have everything, or even older relatives who genuinely are way past the need for more STUFF.

My particular favorite is to HELP A WOMAN IN INDIA START HER OWN BUSINESS. For a measly $14 you can assist a woman from a third world country to become financially independent. Think of the flow-on effect here. Self determined and proud mothers mean a bright and hopeful future for their children, and especially their daughters. Female equality cannot be achieved until women everywhere can choose how to live their lives, whilst having the means to do so. I can’t think of a better way to spend my cash this Christmas.

Giving instead of gifting. Give it a try. if not this year, maybe next. And to all of you I wish you the very best Christmas and New Year ever.

Lots of Love

Kelly

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photo by TW Collins

I was sent this today and I love it. Life wisdom and alcohol. My favorite combination…

1. Aspire to be Barbie – that bitch has everything.

2. If the shoe fits – buy one in every colour.

3. Take life with a pinch of salt… A wedge of lime, and a shot of tequila.

4. In need of a support group? – Cocktail hour with the girls!

5. Go on the 30 day diet. (I’m on it and so far I’ve lost 15 days).

6. When life gets you down – just put on your big girl panties and deal with it.

7. Let your greatest fear be that there is no PMS and this is just your personality.

8. I know I’m in my own little world, but it’s ok. They know me here.

9. Lead me not into temptation, I can find it myself.

10. Don’t get your knickers in a knot, it solves nothing; and makes you walk funny.

11. When life gives you lemons in 2008 – turn it into lemonade then mix it with vodka.

12. Remember every good looking; sweet, single male is someone else’s ex-boyfriend.

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“The more you praise and celebrate your life, the more there is in life to celebrate”.

- Oprah Winfrey

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First let me apologise for my lack of posting. I’ve just finished the second draft of my novel and was feeling a bit burnt out so decided I needed to take a bit of a break. This has involved much lounging around on the sofa with Janet Evanovich (well not Janet herself, but with her last book in the fabulous Stephanie Plum series) intermingled with the usual Christmas socialising. It’s been very relaxing, but ’tis the time to get back to business so here I am.

All this Christmas shopping, parties and drinks have made me realise that while this is a wonderful time to go out and catch up with your friends and generally spread good cheer, Christmas is also the time when our roads become death traps and the less desirable members of our species lurk around waiting to prey on unsuspecting revelers. With that in mind I’ve collated a few TIPS to KEEP YOU SAFE in the silly season.

• Don’t drink and drive. Even if it’s two blocks, or the streets are empty and it’s late and you’re tired. Leave the car at home. Deny yourself any temptation
• Don’t drink so much you leave yourself vulnerable. We all know a few drinks can make us do things we normally wouldnt, but it can also make us the target of sleaze bags who we are too inebriated to handle. Alternate water with alcohol and go out within a group where possible. And watch out for your fellow sisters
• Carry a small handbag and hold it close to your body to discourage bag snatchers. Leave most, if not all, of the credit cards at home, and only take as much money as you WANT to spend
• Lock your car doors while driving at night
• Get taxis when you can, and avoid waiting in vacant bus stations or on train platforms. On the train always sit near the guard and don’t kid yourself that it’s safe to walk home in the dark
• Don’t get into arguments with drunks. Walk away. Always
• Don’t shag anyone at your work Christmas party. Especially not your boss, and especially not your married boss. It’s the surest way to kiss your job and/or career reputation goodbye
• Do not accept drinks from strange men and do not leave you drink alone with anyone you do not know VERY well. Rohypnol dissolves easily into your drink and will make you an easy target for a would be rapist. And remember, strangers are not the only men to be careful of. Many women are assaulted by people they know or trust because of a vague association
• Only take you party drugs in safe surroundings with friends and do not under any circumstances take ICE or GHB. You’ll only end up locked up in the mental ward or the morgue
• Lock your doors even when you’re at home, and especially when you go for a shower or bath
• Always park near an entrance to the mall or shops. Don’t put yourself in a position where you may come out late from shopping to an empty car park and have to walk for ages to get to your vehicle
• And I know it sounds like a boogeyman story, but it does pay to always check the back seat of your car

Now, let me finish by saying I don’t wish to come across as a negative worry wart. Generally I have always been one of the more risk taking females around. But Christmas does become one big party for some of us and in this kind of break from our normal routine we can get lazy about taking the intuitive precautions we take at other times of the year. Christmas is special and should be all fun and games, so guarantee yourself a great festive season and stay safe.

photo by givepeasachance

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