Dr. Seuss Quotes

Determined To Dive - My Entry Into Country Style's 2017 Short Story Competition

'As a writer, there is always 
a vulnerability felt when giving your work to someone else to read, but courage is an essential attribute and finding it, along with crafting your writing skills, comes only with practise.' ~ Country Style

'Determined To Dive' by Emily Davidson

I stopped, nearly in tears due to intense frustration at how my morning was panning out. I had been attempting to ride my rental bike back to the dive shop, along the now sandy track, with no success. The scuba instructor had told me earlier that in order to scuba dive today I would need a doctors clearance, due to my medical history of panic attacks.

So off I went to the nearest clinic, to hopefully get the all clear. To my surprise, the clinic was closed. 'Come back in one hour,' a local man told me. Did I have an hour to wait? No, the scuba class was meant to start ten mins ago. I got word of another clinic nearby, and off I rode. Again, the sign on the door was turned to 'closed'. After arriving at a third clinic, finally some luck. The clinic was open!

I slipped my sandals off at the door, walked in, and explained to the man who greeted me what I needed. He translated this for the Indonesian doctor.

'We are worried about you,' was all he said. They were not able to help, and recommended another doctor five minutes away. It was at this point that I wondered if I should give up. I pushed that thought to the back of my mind and got onto my bike once more. DETERMINED became my word for the day.

I arrived at the fourth clinic sweaty and flustered. The clinic was open and after explaining the reason for my visit I was welcomed into a doctors room immediately. The doctor did a thorough physical examination. He took my blood pressure: all ok. He checked my heart rate: very fast. He put this down to my history of anxiety. I put it down to the fact that I had just ridden all over of the island in blistering heat in the search for a clinic that was a) open and b) able to help me. My day was in his hands. He explained the risks involved, including cardiac arrest.

'Be very careful' he advised. Although now quite nervous and unsure of what was to come, I took the doctors advice along with my signed medical slip and started the journey back to the dive shop. However my mind was now so frazzled from the mornings events that I took a wrong turn on the way back and ended up on the opposite side of the island to the dive shop, now at least an hour late for the 11am class. Not ideal. I eventually arrived back at the dive shop, my face now the shade of a ripe tomato.

Scuba diving did not come naturally to me at first, I had to work hard with the instructors to get used to breathing underwater and to learn the 'techniques' to help if you get water in your mask or need to recover your respirator. I thought of a technique my psychologist from back home taught me which I use to calm myself down when having a panic attack: breathe in for four seconds, then out for six. After an hour of practice in the pool, it was time for the real deal: scuba diving in the great big blue!

Tanks set up and ready to go, I nervously jumped backwards into the crystal clear water. As soon as we were underwater we grabbed a rope and started the descent down. Immediately I started to panic. It was all happening too quickly; it felt too unfamiliar. My breathing was short and shallow. I signalled our special hand sign (hand over beating chest) to one of the instructors and she held my hand. I knew in that moment that she was there for me. I felt my breathing start to steady. I was going to be ok. Still holding my hand, the instructor led the way to descend down the rope, slowly this time.

At the bottom of the rope, we entered another world. The entire Finding Nemo cast were waiting to greet us down below. The grand finale of our dive was our visit to a spot aptly named 'Turtle Heaven.' Never have I ever seen turtles so impressive! They were absolutely huge! I was starting to feel so excited and comfortable with the turtles that I even let go of the instructors hand for a few minutes. How far I had come! The instructors indicated it was time to swim to the surface. The light rays shining down through the water lead the way up.

Upon reaching the surface our excitement was evident! We all too quickly pulled the respirators out of our mouths so we could share in the joy of what we had just experienced. On the way back to shore I thanked the instructors profusely. I simply could not have done it without them. They congratulated me enthusiastically and said, 'We were just doing our jobs.' They will never truly know what they did for me that day. Or maybe they do.

Mid- Career Crisis exercise

What do you do if you find yourself a little stuck as to what your next move should be career wise?

Career change statistics suggest that the average person has approx. 5-7 career changes throughout their lifetime, so don't fret!

Here's a simple exercise you can do to get a clearer perspective as to what your next career could be. Write down 10 things that you enjoy doing, big or small, that don't necessarily relate to your current work.

1.   Taking photos
2.   Zumba
3.   Eating healthy foods
4.   Flower arranging
5.   Reading and writing
6.   Travelling
7.   Yoga
8.   Art
9.   Caring for animals
10. Caring for children

Now think of ways you can directly apply your areas of interest to a new industry...

1.   Photography
2.   Zumba Instructor
3.   Nutritionist
4.   Florist
5.   Writer
6.   Travel
7.   Yoga Instructor
8.   Artist
9.   Animal breeder or groomer
10. Childcare Educator

Now look over your list and open up your mind to see where there may be opportunity to combine a few your passions to further pinpoint your potential career prospects. E.g. Pet photographer, travel writer, Zumba or yoga for kids teacher.

Of course your new career venture will take hard work, lots of passion, possible study, determination and time, however the road is a whole lot easier when you have a clear idea of what lights you up. I hope this helps, good luck! :)

Two token Aussie chicks adventures at Surf Camp Australia

The Ultimate Experience 5 Day Surf Camp at Seven Mile Beach comes highly recommended!

Truly one of the best weeks of my life!


Day 1:

Bus ride, check in at Surf Camp, intro by Shane, then afternoon surf at 7 Mile Beach! Raining then ok. Team name 'Andy and the Pink Pussys' created. Told what not to do: the snail, the sexy lizard and the humpback whale. Awesome session! Then fun night group games... clothes, singing etc. We were the champions!

 

Day 2:

Morning surf. Struggle session. Aim was to stand up without going on knees first. Break time, skateboarding attempt! Crazy weather, so cold and slightly stormy. Raining. Wettie time dance party! The two step. Then... jumping pillow!!! Then a really good surf session. Sun came out, prettiest sight ever seen was the waves, the sun kissed beach and a rainbow. Happy days. Finally starting to stand up without knees. Night time Cards of Humanity game and crazy Snap. Fun.

Day 3:

Early morning surf. Not best sleep. Very very windy but fun and caught good waves. Early lunch, then second session. Good surf times. Feeling new and improved, learning to turn and catch more speed. Then shower party, venga boys singing and dancing. Two ice creams from the shop and a trip to the pub. Back for dinner and a surf education 'class' by Shane. SteveO from Jackass was here! Drinks and laughs, dancing with Duckie.



Day 4:

Late start with 10am wetties. Leg through armhole = unsuccessful. Full on high tide, coffee water but lots of fun. Shane helped me to catch last wave and end on a high note, after being hit on the head with my board. The session was called early so no one ended up in hospital. Snap after lunch, quite intense! We were given an option for the afternoon as conditions were quite extreme- go for a walk or surf...I came on Surf Camp to surf, not to walk! To the beach...funny session, current like it was a river that carried us to the sand. Managed to win the title of Most Epic Wipeout of the season. Probably the funniest thing ever seen. Some good waves too :) Night time: spontaneous dance party started by me, Jemma and Kaylee. Joined in by all. Much dancing and craziness! Then on to the park for a guitar singalong and swing shenanigans (attempted to run under but just got slammed-lol!).

Day 5:

Friday Funday! Dress up surf sesh in the morning. Pink undies over wetsuit for 'Andy and the Pink Pussys'! A little surfing and a lot of fun. Pack up time then bus, a little stop off at a nice view before back on the road to Sydney.

After party at Side Bar Wakeup Hostel!

2016 Memorable Moments

Amber Renae Styling Webinar.
Modelled for Scott Robert Lim Photography workshop.
Birthday dinner at The Drawing Room.
Surfing with dolphins at Culburra.
Cutting Rob's hair.
The Last Stand party at Red Hill.
Photographed first cake smash and first 1st birthday.
Multicultural Festival.
Training talk by Robyn Moore (voice of Blinky Bill).
Feeding Fussy Eaters information night by Kate Freedman at The Healthy Eating Hub.

South and Central America trip for 3 months with Rob:
Walking the art filled streets of Valparaiso.
Mendoza horse riding and wine tasting tour.
Floating in the salt lagoon at San Pedro.
The Bolivian Salt Flats 3 day tour.
Mine tour in Potosi.
Walking around Sucre (drinks at the 'resort' at the top of the hill, a tour of the museum and a unique sunset).
Night out dancing in Puno.
Lake Titicaca.
The Inca Trek.
Colca Canyon condor viewing + Peruvian restaurant condor dancing.
Sand buggy ride and sand boarding in Ica + swim at the resort.
Wildlife boat tour in Paracas.
Arriving in Montanita to drinks and a sunset.
Surfing lessons at Olan.
The Galápagos Islands:
Climbing a coconut tree (with ladder).
Swimming with Sea Lions at Santa Fe.
Snorkelling day.
Volcano rim walk.
Giant Galápagos Tortoise park.
Spontaneous photoshoot on the beach with body paint model.
Sunday Funday pool bar crawl.
Surfing lesson in San Juan Del Sur.
Catamaran trip round 1.
Surfing day.
Visiting active Masaya Volcano.
Catamaran trip round 2.
Quadbiking.
Infinity Pool Party.
Zip lining Superman style and Tarzan swing.
White water rafting.
Bungee Jumping 143m.
Night wildlife spotting tour.
La Fortuna Waterfall swim.
Night out at salsa bar.
Underwater reef surfing.
Quadbiking with The Flying Pirates.

Dinner with the girls at Dumpling House.
Night out to Mooseheads White Party with Rasa.
Drags to Bitches show with Rob at the Hellenic Club.
Hike with the girls to Square Rock.
Finding Dory at Hoyts with the girls.
Rainbow Kids Yoga Teacher Training in Sydney with Rach.
Meeting and assisting Suzanna of The Yoga Garden.
Moving to Casey apartment! Celebration dinner at Casey Jones.
Keith's visit and brunch.
Welcomed to the Life Before Work team as tour photographer.
Sushi Bay celebration dinner.
Dad's birthday and Fathers Day dinner at home.
Girls weekend away at Mooloolaba.
Spontaneous trip to Noosa x2 with Duckie.
Trip to Sydney for Keith's 30th Birthday Party.
Peita and Craig's wedding at Mt. Tambourine.
Canberra Zoo adventure with Rob.
Run for Your Lifeline 10km.
Wanderlust 5km run, yoga and meditation 'triathlon' and RSPCA Feline Festival with Rasa.
Mock photoshoot with Rob for Life Before Work.
'The Golden Girl' fashion shoot published in Alqua magazine.
My yoga story featured on Filter Free Yoga.
Victorias Models Hawaiian themed Christmas Party.

Thailand tour working as a photographer for Life Before Work:
Bangkok - Bucket Bar on Koh San Road, temple visit and Night Markets.
Koh Tao - Christmas Day Beer Olympics, beach parties and the booze cruise.
Koh Phangan - Pool Party, Muy Thai kickboxing match and Full Moon Party.

(Disposable) Income - My Entry into the 2017 World Nomads Travel Writing Scholarship

I chose to enter under the story theme 'A local connection.' View my entry (Disposable) Income and wish me luck!

 

After 3 months travelling through South East Asia, my trip was regretfully coming to an end. It was my last day in Bali, Indonesia, before my flight home that evening and I was determined to spend it visiting the attractions I was yet to see.

 

The taxi driver who picked me up for the day's adventure was a friendly local man and up for a bit of small talk. He asked me where I'd been travelling in Indonesia so far.

 

'Kuta, Ubud, Canggu, the Gili Islands…' I rattled off.

 
'Gili Islands, very beautiful,' he said.

 

'Have you been before?'

 

'No, no. My salary will not allow it but I hear very beautiful.'

 

That stopped conversation for the rest of the journey, I just couldn't think of an appropriate and sensitive way to respond. So instead I stared out the window (Bali is my favourite place to do such a thing, what with its beautiful elaborate gates, temples, and endless rice fields) until we eventually arrived at the Bali Bird Park.

 

With child-like enthusiasm I explored the park, inhabited by 250 different types of exotic birds.

 
Hours later, after making many a new bird friend, I returned to the car park to begin the journey back to my hotel. I found my driver waiting for me with the other taxi drivers (we had pre-arranged that he would do the return trip as well), and jumped in the car.

 
'Beautiful birds, yes?' He queried.

 

'Yes' I replied, 'Very beautiful birds! Have you been in yourself to see them before?'

 

'From the outside,' he replied.

 
When we arrived back at my hotel, I handed him the money for the taxi ride.

 

'Keep the rest', I insisted.

'Thank you, I will use this to send my kids to school tomorrow.'

 

As I got out of the taxi, I felt an immediate rush take over my entire body due to the connection we had made that day. I walked away thinking of his children happily going to school the following day.

My Yoga Story featured on Filter Free Yoga

I came home yesterday from a fun day of childcare work involving introducing yoga to a group of toddlers to find Filter Free Yoga has featured my yoga story :)

 

Part 1 of My Yoga Story feature

Part 2 of My Yoga Story feature