I can't believe that 2011 has nearly ended! As tradition would have it at this time of the year I like to have a look over my past year, so hold on tight & come on my life's journey! (If you want)
You will see that I have written down all of the things that I have done each month and then I go over them and remind myself of what I am grateful for. At the end of my year I like to see what lessons I’ve learned along the way. If you don't want to wade through all of the in's and out's of my year, you will find the summary at Joy's life in a nutshell 2011. Enjoy :)
January 2011
Mum had 2nd cancerous tumour removed.
Out with the girls for Karaoke. Good night had by all!
Submitted my manuscript "Finding the joy within" for the Stanner Award with AIATSIS (Australian Institute of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies).
Out with the girls for Karaoke. Good night had by all!
Submitted my manuscript "Finding the joy within" for the Stanner Award with AIATSIS (Australian Institute of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies).
February 2011
Had a reflexology with my favorite friend Marilyn from Happy Feet Reflexology at Mawson Lakes.
Continued working with Marra Dreaming (Board of Management meeting).
Gave a speech at SA Link-Up to commemorate the 3rd Anniversary of National Apology Checkout my blog post
Out with the Marra Dreaming girls, birthday dinner night!
Continued working with Marra Dreaming (Board of Management meeting).
Gave a speech at SA Link-Up to commemorate the 3rd Anniversary of National Apology Checkout my blog post
Out with the Marra Dreaming girls, birthday dinner night!
Attended the 3rd Spirit Festival at Rymill Park - Adelaide. My son Jordan sold his first ever dot painting. Proud moment!
Did a reading from "Finding the joy within" at the Writer's Tent!
March 2011
Went to "Sista Act" play - Brilliant! (My small b'day celebration)
Went to the Nunga Funnies at Tandanya, great turnout (again) lol!
Went to the Deadly Funnies at Tandanya. Was OK!
This year it was my turn to go the to Clipsal 500 for the first time with the Marra Dreaming Girls. BRILLIANT!!! Am totally hooked! Vrrroooom vrrrooom!
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| Marra Dreaming mob at Clipsal 500 |
Went to Blak Nite 2011 (Hip-Hop) event for the young ones! Adelaide's got some great talent 4 sure!
Started my long service leave so that I could spend some quality time with my mum! Took 11 weeks - was worth every minute!Mum and I watched my 14 yo son Jordan compete at his Eudunda Area School Sports Day!
April 2011
Mum started intravenous chemotherapy.
Jai started soccer training and games for Andrews Farm Soccer Club!
I had a pampering beauty session at Elizabeth TAFE! Ahhhh!
School holidays! Fun, Fun, Fun!
My little niece was born!
Lunch with my work team mates! Even though on LS Leave I couldn't resist a catch-up!
Quiet Easter at home!
Had a devastating phone call that my brother that I was yet to meet had passed away!
May 2011
Jai started soccer training and games for Andrews Farm Soccer Club!
I had a pampering beauty session at Elizabeth TAFE! Ahhhh!
School holidays! Fun, Fun, Fun!
My little niece was born!
Lunch with my work team mates! Even though on LS Leave I couldn't resist a catch-up!
Quiet Easter at home!
Had a devastating phone call that my brother that I was yet to meet had passed away!
May 2011
Lodged my manuscript for the Queensland (QLD) Literary Awards!
Went to a "Red Faces" funny night out with the girls! Laughs all round!
Mothers Day - well that was an interesting lesson!
My 3 beautiful nieces and my great niece and nephew came down from QLD for a week to visit my Mum!
Keiths birthday - came and went.
Lovely lunch with a girlfriend at the "Watershed" in Salisbury! Lovely feed and friendship and lots of unexpected laughs!
Attended a funeral of a dear writing friend who took her own life. Inspired to keep on gardening and get my book published in her memory!
Undertook a exciting project at Marra Dreaming that is yet to be unveiled!
Massage for me! Ahhh!
Speech at Tarndarnyanga - Adelaide for National Sorry Day speech. Check out my blog post!
Lodged my "Inner Scents" piece of art at the Tea Tree Gully Exhibition as part of Reconcilliation Week!
Went to a "Red Faces" funny night out with the girls! Laughs all round!
Mothers Day - well that was an interesting lesson!
My 3 beautiful nieces and my great niece and nephew came down from QLD for a week to visit my Mum!
Keiths birthday - came and went.
Lovely lunch with a girlfriend at the "Watershed" in Salisbury! Lovely feed and friendship and lots of unexpected laughs!
Attended a funeral of a dear writing friend who took her own life. Inspired to keep on gardening and get my book published in her memory!
Undertook a exciting project at Marra Dreaming that is yet to be unveiled!
Massage for me! Ahhh!
Speech at Tarndarnyanga - Adelaide for National Sorry Day speech. Check out my blog post!
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| "Inner Scents" |
June 2011
Had Violets 5th birthday party!
Back to work! Hi ho, hi ho it's off to work I go!
Violet started school! Oh my last little baby is growing up. ;(
Washing machine decided to take a long term break! Ouch said the bank account!
Went to Coffs Harbour for my brothers Memorial Service! Thank you SA Link-Up.
Attended the "2011 Alcohol and Tobacco and other drugs Aboriginal Workers Conference" at Barossa Novatel. Very informative conference!
Had Violets 5th birthday party!
Back to work! Hi ho, hi ho it's off to work I go!
Violet started school! Oh my last little baby is growing up. ;(
Washing machine decided to take a long term break! Ouch said the bank account!
Went to Coffs Harbour for my brothers Memorial Service! Thank you SA Link-Up.
Attended the "2011 Alcohol and Tobacco and other drugs Aboriginal Workers Conference" at Barossa Novatel. Very informative conference!
July 2011
Attended Lord Mayor’s Morning Tea and the 2011 NAIDOC (National Aboriginal and Islander Day of Celebration) Awards and Flag Raising Ceremony.
Attended Statewide women's health Aboriginal womens meeting with "Bilawara Lee". Fantastic!
Violet graduated from Kindergarten! Yehhh!
Attended the NAIDOC Ball this year with Keith (shock / horror) at Adelaide Festival Theatre. Great entertainment and night!
School holidays yet again!
Mum moved to my brothers!
“Our Metro Mob” exhibition was cancelled this year! :( My big project, still on the boil for another day!
Attended Lord Mayor’s Morning Tea and the 2011 NAIDOC (National Aboriginal and Islander Day of Celebration) Awards and Flag Raising Ceremony.
Attended Statewide women's health Aboriginal womens meeting with "Bilawara Lee". Fantastic!
Violet graduated from Kindergarten! Yehhh!
Attended the NAIDOC Ball this year with Keith (shock / horror) at Adelaide Festival Theatre. Great entertainment and night!
School holidays yet again!
Mum moved to my brothers!
“Our Metro Mob” exhibition was cancelled this year! :( My big project, still on the boil for another day!
August 2011
Started walking in the "Corporate Cup" again, once a fortnight for 12 weeks! 4.5km around the River Torrens! Relaxing and healthy!
Attended UniSA Open Day!
Started attending Aboriginal Women's Leadership workshops through Relationships Australia! Very helpful and insightful!
September 2011
Attended UniSA Open Day!
Started attending Aboriginal Women's Leadership workshops through Relationships Australia! Very helpful and insightful!
September 2011
Went to Geoffrey Gurrumul's Yunupingu's concert at Thebarton Theatre with Keith! A completely spiritual experience, highly recommend it to anyone. A messenger sent straight from heaven!
Been a year since started going to Marra Dreaming. Wow how time flys!
Mum came with us when we went to Jai's Andrews Farm Soccer Club and trophy presentation day!
October 2011
Been a year since started going to Marra Dreaming. Wow how time flys!
Mum came with us when we went to Jai's Andrews Farm Soccer Club and trophy presentation day!
October 2011
Jai’s 7th birthday – Small party at home with a few of his little school and soccer friends! Followed by the AFL Grandfinal between the Geelong Cats and Collingwood! Need I say who won? Carn the CATS! Yah!
Keith and I took the 3 kids away to Goolwa for a little holiday!
Helped mum through a rough patch and helped her move into a Nursing Home!
Jai met his big brother Gordy for the 1st time!
Attended a 1 week training workshop at the "Koolunga Aboriginal Writers Retreat". Met some fantastic people and learnt sooooo much! Thank you for this great writing opportunity Ali, you lit the fire in my belly again!
Submitted my manuscript "Finding the joy within" to the South Australian Wakefield Press Unpublished manuscript award! (Still eagerly awaiting results).
Went to Semaphore beach with the family and Gordy and Lorelle!
November 2011
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| Keith and kids - Goolwa Holiday |
Helped mum through a rough patch and helped her move into a Nursing Home!
Jai met his big brother Gordy for the 1st time!
Attended a 1 week training workshop at the "Koolunga Aboriginal Writers Retreat". Met some fantastic people and learnt sooooo much! Thank you for this great writing opportunity Ali, you lit the fire in my belly again!
Submitted my manuscript "Finding the joy within" to the South Australian Wakefield Press Unpublished manuscript award! (Still eagerly awaiting results).
Went to Semaphore beach with the family and Gordy and Lorelle!
November 2011
Attended Nunga's Writers Group meeting for the first time!
Attended funeral!
Caught up with my old school girlfriends for dinner and resolved to save up for a cruise in 2012 to celebrate our upcoming 40th birthdays! Excellent night!
Attended the "Long Walk Luncheon" on behalf of the Marra Dreaming team. Got to have a photo with legendary Michael Long and icon Lowitja O'Donohue.
Mum's in hospital again. :(
Attended Kaurna Plains 25th Anniversary celebrations!
Attended the Australian of the Year 2012 awards with Mr John Browne! Very humbling experience, I witnessed that there are some completely dedicated individuals in this world who give 100% without expectation of returns! Amazing!
Attended my neighbours daughters 18th (alcohol free) Bday party! Very different and fun experience, nice fun filled night!
Attended a family funeral. :( Sad sad day!
Was accepted and attended a 1 week "Curatorial Art Workshop". Absolutely amazing learning and networking experience! Brilliant and inspiring, kick started the desire to continue with my art work too!
Exhibited my "Inner Scents" painting again and this time it sold. :) Happy much! lol!
Attended Violet's Reading Superstar Assembly with Mum! What a proud moment for us all!
December 2011
Attended funeral!
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| Soon to be in our naughty 40's |
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| Me, Jazz and Lowitja! |
Mum's in hospital again. :(
Attended Kaurna Plains 25th Anniversary celebrations!
Attended the Australian of the Year 2012 awards with Mr John Browne! Very humbling experience, I witnessed that there are some completely dedicated individuals in this world who give 100% without expectation of returns! Amazing!
Attended my neighbours daughters 18th (alcohol free) Bday party! Very different and fun experience, nice fun filled night!
Attended a family funeral. :( Sad sad day!
Was accepted and attended a 1 week "Curatorial Art Workshop". Absolutely amazing learning and networking experience! Brilliant and inspiring, kick started the desire to continue with my art work too!
Exhibited my "Inner Scents" painting again and this time it sold. :) Happy much! lol!
Attended Violet's Reading Superstar Assembly with Mum! What a proud moment for us all!
December 2011
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| Big Boy "Oliver"~ RIP |
Lost our Big Boy Oliver our cat! Most devastating day of the year! I cried for a week!
Took Jai to the Zoo with his Dad, Big brother, Lorelle and 2 of his new found little cousins.
Woke up with THE WORST EVER back pain in my entire life!
Took my Mum to the kids Christmas Concert (despite unbearable pain)! All the extended family came to watch Jai and his "shuffling" moves and Violet's ballet and singing! Once again it was worth the world and more. Thank you Universe for allowing me and my mum and family to share in this special little event!
Found out that I had actually ruptured 2 discs in my back and had the most physically painful week in my entire life. Thought that my life was over! Was the biggest scare I've ever had. Yes my life did flash before my eyes, I can hardly believe that I managed to get through it. In retrospect I realised that every physical injury has an underlying emotional cause. The next task was trying to work out what that was! Think I've worked it out and am continuing to work through it and process it. It really has become the focus of my life. Sometimes when we don't hear life's little whispers it just pulls you straight up in your tracks with a SCREAMING HALT! So take my advice and listen to the whispers! Costs a whole lot less in the long run (in all aspects) ~ trust me! This experience got me to get in touch and to utilise every bit of advice I have ever given and ever preached, certainly an interesting experience - (she says now it's over). lol!
Must also give credit to all of the alternative therapists that assisted in my recovery - Chiropractor, Acupuncture, Massage, Reiki, Ngankari (Traditional Aboriginal Healer), Reflexology, lots of water, vitamins and mineral replacement, anti-inflammatory foods and lots and lots of prayer!
Mum in hospital again :(Due to my above temporary illness I missed 3 of my most looked forward to festive season events, my work Christmas party, Marra Dreaming Christmas party and my ISS work team Christmas dinner.
Went to a small Christmas Carols event held at Marra Dreaming, organised by my close friend Mary Graham. Lovely night with lovely company!
Officially now on Christmas holidays and attended the SA Link-Up Family BBQ with Keith and the 3 kids at the Belair National Park. What a beautiful event to finish off yet another very productive and insightful year. Thank you SA Link-Up was once again reminded what my purpose in life is all about and will make it my new years resolution to help other people less fortunate than myself with their self healing.
Finally, finished off our year with a lovely little get away with the 3 kids again to Port Pirie. Despite my earlier back injuries which by this stage were well and truly on the mend, we went bike riding, swimming and walking on the beach with the kids. I realised from this trip that I love my life, I love my kids, I love my partner and I love my body and myself, most of all I love God!
Well that was the year that was, many lessons learned! Check out Joy's 2011 Lesson in a Nutshell for my shortened version of insights!
Until next time :) Joy
Well that was the year that was, many lessons learned! Check out Joy's 2011 Lesson in a Nutshell for my shortened version of insights!
Until next time :) Joy
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