Hey all. Sorry for my absence the past few days. I've been struggling to cope with the stomach bug I caught, since it's making my blood sugar drop at random times. Truth be told, I'm too exhausted to type much more than this.
So, I'll be taking a break this weekend and trying my best to combat it so that I can get a bit closer to normal.
I'll hopefully see you on Monday.
M
Friday, March 15, 2013
Monday, March 11, 2013
Refocusing Priorities
Have you ever noticed how you can set some amazing and sensible goals, only to discover a few weeks down the line that you didn't do a thing toward them?
Happens to me with amazing frequency. Like my drafting goals. In January and February, I got almost no writing done.
Here's the thing, though, if you really care about getting your goals done, you can't just mope and give up.
You need to re-focus your priorities.
For me, this means doing the following:
1) Putting more focus back on my faith. There's a really good reason for this, but I'll do another post on it in the very near future.
2) Getting back into a regular writing schedule. Right now I'm trying to write a thousand words every day for the month. That way when I tone back down, I'll be more than able to write five days a week or something along those lines.
3) Finding sporting activities that intrigue me. This means I will definitely be going back to fencing. Then there's probably pilates or yoga and maybe capoeira to strengthen my core.
4) Learning Languages. Main clients in my company are now French and Dutch, so that'll be the ones I focus on. I have until May to be conversant....
5) Finally, I'm making a concerted effort to deal with stress. It's just so much better for my stress. Amazing thing is that a few hours after I came to this decision, I was offered a chance to test a social network focusing on the so-called Psychology of Happiness, called Happify. Basically they give users a few short exercises to do every day, helping us focus on the positive and to escape stress. It also shares some really interesting stats on what makes people happy/stressed etc. Interested in checking it out? I've been given five invitations, so if you want to test drive this Happify thing too, please let me know in the comments and leave me an e-mail address.
Which goals do you think you need to refocus on? Want a Happify invite?
Happens to me with amazing frequency. Like my drafting goals. In January and February, I got almost no writing done.
Here's the thing, though, if you really care about getting your goals done, you can't just mope and give up.
You need to re-focus your priorities.
For me, this means doing the following:
1) Putting more focus back on my faith. There's a really good reason for this, but I'll do another post on it in the very near future.
2) Getting back into a regular writing schedule. Right now I'm trying to write a thousand words every day for the month. That way when I tone back down, I'll be more than able to write five days a week or something along those lines.
3) Finding sporting activities that intrigue me. This means I will definitely be going back to fencing. Then there's probably pilates or yoga and maybe capoeira to strengthen my core.
4) Learning Languages. Main clients in my company are now French and Dutch, so that'll be the ones I focus on. I have until May to be conversant....
5) Finally, I'm making a concerted effort to deal with stress. It's just so much better for my stress. Amazing thing is that a few hours after I came to this decision, I was offered a chance to test a social network focusing on the so-called Psychology of Happiness, called Happify. Basically they give users a few short exercises to do every day, helping us focus on the positive and to escape stress. It also shares some really interesting stats on what makes people happy/stressed etc. Interested in checking it out? I've been given five invitations, so if you want to test drive this Happify thing too, please let me know in the comments and leave me an e-mail address.
Which goals do you think you need to refocus on? Want a Happify invite?
Wednesday, March 6, 2013
Painting Plans
Today's going to be a short post, I'm afraid. Would have loved to do more, but I caught a tummy bug or something, which means I spent most of today not doing a thing.
However, I did go to the doctor and the medicine he prescribed seems to be helping. Fingers crossed I'll be much better tomorrow. There's really too much for me to get done, so I don't want to be kept back by this.
Anyway. I thought I'd mention my painting plans for the month.
My mom had asked me a while back to paint a still life with a lemon for her. So when I finished my grandmother's painting, I started looking for pictures I could use.
The thing is, my mom wants one that's really plain (which will probably end up making it a pain in the backside to do), but another picture caught my eye. One I KNOW is going to be really difficult. The reason: it's an action pic of half a lemon being tossed into water.
It won't let me go, so I decided to do both. Actually looking forward to it, so here's hoping I actually feel good enough to stand for a few hours on Saturday.
And yep, I will show you all when I'm done, if the second painting doesn't end up looking pathetic.
Anyone else taking on a tricky artistic project?
However, I did go to the doctor and the medicine he prescribed seems to be helping. Fingers crossed I'll be much better tomorrow. There's really too much for me to get done, so I don't want to be kept back by this.
Anyway. I thought I'd mention my painting plans for the month.
My mom had asked me a while back to paint a still life with a lemon for her. So when I finished my grandmother's painting, I started looking for pictures I could use.
The thing is, my mom wants one that's really plain (which will probably end up making it a pain in the backside to do), but another picture caught my eye. One I KNOW is going to be really difficult. The reason: it's an action pic of half a lemon being tossed into water.
It won't let me go, so I decided to do both. Actually looking forward to it, so here's hoping I actually feel good enough to stand for a few hours on Saturday.
And yep, I will show you all when I'm done, if the second painting doesn't end up looking pathetic.
Anyone else taking on a tricky artistic project?
Monday, March 4, 2013
Photography Course
I've been feeling the need to learn new things, lately. So, since I've recently paid a considerable amount for my awesome new camera, I decided that the first thing to learn would be to learn the technique behind photography.
If I say so myself, I have a good eye for composition, but I had no idea about exposure, ISOs, the meaning of aperture and shutter speed etc.
As luck would have it, I barely voiced my desire for a photography course before my grandmother told me there was one advertised in the local paper.
It was basically a day-long crash course, but I learnt so much that I'll have to go through the notes again to refresh my memory. Then I'm going to familiarize myself with the settings so I can play around with them.
Lots of failed photos will follow, I'm sure, but hey, I'm going to learn a lot.
Which is a good thing. Because I'm heading overseas again on business in May. This time to France and Rotterdam and since we'll be driving between the cities, there will be plenty of chances for awesome pics. This also means I'll probably be posting more photos as the time comes, but I'll try to keep them rare so they're appreciated. ;-)
On that note, I leave you with the sunset view from my home. I took this the night I returned from Berlin.
If you look at the mountains, the right end of the series is Table Mountain.
So what do you think of the picture idea? Sound good to you?
If I say so myself, I have a good eye for composition, but I had no idea about exposure, ISOs, the meaning of aperture and shutter speed etc.
As luck would have it, I barely voiced my desire for a photography course before my grandmother told me there was one advertised in the local paper.
It was basically a day-long crash course, but I learnt so much that I'll have to go through the notes again to refresh my memory. Then I'm going to familiarize myself with the settings so I can play around with them.
Lots of failed photos will follow, I'm sure, but hey, I'm going to learn a lot.
Which is a good thing. Because I'm heading overseas again on business in May. This time to France and Rotterdam and since we'll be driving between the cities, there will be plenty of chances for awesome pics. This also means I'll probably be posting more photos as the time comes, but I'll try to keep them rare so they're appreciated. ;-)
On that note, I leave you with the sunset view from my home. I took this the night I returned from Berlin.
If you look at the mountains, the right end of the series is Table Mountain.
So what do you think of the picture idea? Sound good to you?
Friday, March 1, 2013
The Bloghop of Joy
Today I'm taking part in two blogfests. The first is this, the Bloghop of Joy. One my other blog, I'm taking part in the Back From the Future blogfest.
But back to the Bloghop of Joy. This blogfest is intended to be a celebration of joy and what makes us joyful. Since I'm all for counting blessings, I'll list the top ten things (in no particular order) that give me joy.
1) Creation. I just feel incredibly happy whenever I create. Usually it takes the form of writing, but on occasion I paint and explore other creative pursuits (like knitting) as well.
2) Helping others. This sounds REALLY sappy. I know. But the fact is, I love helping people understand things. From critting a novel, to helping with queries, to helping someone new to the faith understand God a little better. In fact, I probably love doing the latter above all.
3) A moment of kindness from others. Not necessarily towards me.
4) Laughing children.
5) A moment of surprising beauty. Especially captured on my camera. I don't know if this happens to anyone else, but sometimes, it's not the planned shot that come out most beautiful. I adore those surprising photos that just come out of nowhere. Also, sometimes, something just changes in the light, or something else tiny changes that makes something you see astoundingly beautiful. Those moments always make me smile.
6) Having a good time with my family.
7) A dog's unconditional love.
8) Walking into a church and feeling God's presence.
9) Learning something new.
10) Music. I love when a beautiful voice starts singing out of nowhere, but most of all, I love singing.
What gives you joy?
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