Bits and Books ...

Still reading

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Sat, 26 Apr 2014 01:17:00 +0000

It's been a long time since my last post!

I'm still reading and am spending my time training on Computer Basics and the Internet for seniors (older people not seniors as in college seniors) as well as Social Media Training for businesses and individuals.

Although I still read everything I can, I am finding content from all over the net and adding to my Pinterest board http://www.pinterest.com/ebbye/read-read-read/ it's just amazing how much information there is and how I can find ANYTHING about books, authors, reading, and content just by following people on Twitter and searching for pins and content via (or on) Pinterest.

So as you can see my blog is quieter, both this one, my pet minding business one - where I am more active on Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/LickandPurr, and my social media business blog - where I am more active on Twitter, Facebook, and Pinterest.

Luckily I am a member of goodreads.com and of http://www.thereadingroom.com/
- two places where I find loads of information about new books, as well as book groups, quotes, and reviews - so I spend a lot of time on those sites.

I have spent the past few months writing courses - if you are interested in Pinterest for Beginners, Instagram for Beginners, or Twitter for Business - please let me know - there is a Twitter course available later this year and I am holding an Instagram talk in May (2014).

I have plenty of resources on offer and I am happy to train one-on-one, in groups/workshops/talks and even via Skype. Please feel free to contact me ebbyeryan@gmail.com

I have just finished The Necklace http://www.womenofjewelia.com/our_start.html which is an amazing book about 13 women and a diamond necklace named Jewelia. It is fantastic to see how all the women have evolved just by becoming part of this group and how they are continuing to help others and to give to their local community - it really is inspirational.

I have been reading a lot of free Kindle books via the app. It is amazing how many good books there are and I have chosen different genres I wouldn't choose normally just to keep my brain active. My pet minding business (which is very part-time helps to keep my body active, and I learn a lot about animals which helps my social media training business - funnily enough!).

In between all of that, I also volunteer on a regular basis, because my whole aim is to learn something new, and to keep educating myself which again helps my business.

I am in the middle of an easy, light, detective novel on my Kindle app - so off I go!

2012 Year of Reading

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Mon, 31 Dec 2012 02:05:00 +0000

While I didn't actively participate in the Year of Reading 2012 - I challenged myself to read at least one book a week this year.

My challenge was to choose a favourite type of genre which is usually chick lit by an English author and a book or a genre that I would not really choose myself.

I usually buy about two or three books from St Vinnies at a time;

I have also been extremely lucky to have a bookshop called Oscar and Friends in Double Bay. One of the managers recommends books for me to read - and I am blessed to have such a warm relationship with the staff and management of Oscar and Friends - http://www.oscarandfriends.com.au/

The following books are the books I loved reading this year and they are the ones I reviewed on my Twitter - https://twitter.com/ebbye.

The books below are the books which really impacted me this year.

I read about 30 or so more than the books I have listed. But these are the ones that stood out and I posted brief reviews on Twitter:

1. Memoirs of an Imaginary Friend - this was an absolutely beautiful book to read. After I read this; I discussed this book with my bookworm friend and we were both moved by the sheer compassion in this book. My friend told me that she was touched by this book, because it stirred so many memories in her. I found this book heartbreaking; because there is so much innocence in the characters. I highly recommended this - http://us.macmillan.com/memoirsofanimaginaryfriend/MatthewDicks

2. Lawrence Anthony's book The Elephant Whisperer – This was a sensational book to read. It gave me an insight into Lawrence Anthony's relationship with wild elephants and the work on his Thula Thula game reserve in Zululand. I learnt some sensational information about elephants and the bond that they formed with Lawrence and his wife. This book is a must read but be warned - it will make you cry! http://www.theelephantwhisperer.com/

3. Beautiful by Kate Piper - Katie's book is actually very difficult to read. without giving too much away; Katie has to face an immense struggle and this book is a very detailed account of her trauma and recovery. Throughout the book, you realise (well the reader) that Katie is incredibly strong and courageous. It is an immensely difficult story and an extremely graphic account of her experience but as you read this book - you end up liking Katie more and more. Katie has started a foundation for people suffering from Burns and Scars in the UK - read this book but be prepared to hold your hand over your mouth throughout.

4. Mindless Eating - this is fascinating. Did you know that there are food laboratories set up to test what, how and why we eat? Full of food facts and marketing information - this book will challenge your thoughts and beliefs about food and what makes us choose to eat. It also challenges the marketing behind food products and our food choices.

5. A Twitter Year -
In 2011 - Kate Bussmann put together a review of top stories, events, news, facts and Tweets. I loved this because I love Twitter and found this is a great marketing book to decipher what was important to people on Twitter and why. Although it was written in 2011 - it's a fascinating book full of facts, tools, tips and things you probably don't know!

6. The Sense of an Ending -

A friend of mine told me that they study John Barnes at uni because he is a sensational writer. After reading this book; I understand why. This book is short but his character descriptions are incredible. I have never got such an acute sense of character while reading and by the end of this I felt for Tony, for his sadness and for the path he chose for his life. I actually found this book incredibly sad and think I will read this again!

7. Hereafter – Tara Hudson – I took this book with me while travelling this year and I couldn't put this down. It's YA fiction about death (basically) and there is a lot of darkness in this book. Although it is a love story, I loved this book. It was chilling and intriguing and quite unusual. This book had some terrible reviews - but frankly I really liked it!

8. Annie Choi's book Happy Birthday or Whatever - Annie Choi is funny. I love her writing style and this book was a memoir about growing up with her Korean family while being exposed to a completely contrasting American culture. This book was charming. She writes with such wit and an accurate look into her culture and it was so wonderful to read a memoir that was laugh out loud funny (for a change!)

9. Dawn French's A Tiny Bit Marvellous - it may be because I absolutely love Dawn French so I found this book to be a lot like her; warm, funny and witty. Yet reading carefully about each character gave you an insight into their flaws and desires. It was a very light read, but her characters are spot on and her humour is perfect!

10. The Marriage Bureau for Rich People by Farahad Zama - I love books like this! Set in South India; this book is all about a bored middle-aged man who sets up a matchmaking business inside his home. It combines everything; different religions, the Indian culture, love, marriage and Mr Ali's insight into what makes people tick. This is Farahad Zama's first book and I cannot wait to see what he writes next - I dream of writing in this way - it seems to be light and fluffy but you are learning so much as you read!

11. Brixton Beach - This book delved into the history of Sri Lanka and Alice's journey to London. While Roma's novel is fiction she fled Sri Lanka at the age of ten, travelling to Britain where she has spent most of her life. This book is a fascinating look into her personal history as well as experiences of her former country.

12. Sleepwalk With Me by Mike Birbiglia – I found this book, or rather book of true and unusual stories rather unusual. while this is not normally the type of book I tend to read; this book was quite funny and odd simultaneously.

13. Lunch In Paris - a love story with recipes - Elizabeth Bard - Complete with recipes and combining a love story - this book is for anyone who loves to cook and for anyone who is curious about Parisian culture.

14. Before The Storm by Diane Chamberlain - This book reminded me of Jodi Picoult's writing or We Need to Talk About Kevin by Lionel Shriver. It's about Andy a boy who has FAD, his relationship with his mother, and a night in a Church. It's a fascinating piece of fiction which tests the readers because we tend to make assumptions and this book was surprisingly well-written.

15. The Midwife's Confession - Diane Chamberlain. I loved this book. It's based on a character Noelle and is full of secrets and plot twists! I read this in one sitting. I think Diane is very good at writing characters and helping the reader realise the depth of a character.

16. 100 things - This was so fantastic I ended up emailing the author Sebastien Terry (who responded straight away!) and including myself as a helper on the website he set up - http://100things.com.au/
I liked Sebastien; he wrote with such honesty about his life and a struggle he had as well as why he wrote a list of things he wanted to do in the first place. I found him to be very approachable and likeable and I was inspired to write a little list myself!

17. Wonder-RJ Palacio - Wonder was aimed at 9-11 year old facing the school system. They also face other issues such as popularity and bullying. While this book is aimed at really young kids; I found that this book covered a really simple premise - Choose Kindness.
This book blew me away - it focuses on such a simple thing; Who are you? And what kind of person are you? I absolutely loved Jack's character and his journey in this book (and I would love to write something this well!) This book inspired at anti-bullying campaign in schools - http://rjpalacio.com/ and I would suggest that everyone reads this book!

18. Band-Aid for a Broken Leg- Damien Brown - This was a fantastic book. Damien Brown wrote about his journey with Medecins Sans Frontieres in Africa. It gave me an insight into a world I have never seen myself and into people who struggle on a daily basis. This was Damien's first posting away from home and the reality was that it was very difficult. I wish I could have been there - it's full of stories about the people he met but it became a journey about the kind of person he was, a journey about all the assumptions he made along the way and the discovery of the person he wanted to become. Read this book, now!

19. Miss Peregrine's Home For Peculiar Children - As soon as I saw the bizarre images; I knew that I would love this fantasy novel. It's an utterly strange and compelling read. It was completely original, delved into fantasy and sci-fi and although it was written for young adults; I found that using quirky and highly improbable interlinking stories made this a must read on a very dark and rainy night! It will completely creep you out!

20. Madame Tussaud by Michelle Moran. An amazing look into the history of the museum, the story of Marie, & the French Revolution. there was so much about this period of history and about this woman I didn't know and this book was a highly enjoyable read.

21. The Lost Girls - 3 friends, four continents and their separate accounts of their trip around the world. Holly, Amanda, and Jen are very passionate about finding themselves and this travel memoir is really all about their journey. They seem like 3 very sweet, passionate, grab the world with both arms sort of girls and I loved their style and energy.

22. Saving Private Sarbi is about a cross lab/Newfoundland who got lost and found in Afghanistan. In Dogs We Trust is the unofficial motto in the Explosive Detection Dog Section If you love dogs - this is a fantastic book for you.

23. Jack The Ripper, was he really a woman? In this book John Morris analyses whether in fact Jack the Ripper was a woman and attempts to prove it via records, witness accounts etc. I was not sure what to believe but the evidence and analysis in the book was utterly compelling and quite convincing!

24. How To Make a Camel Smoothie - I absolutely adore pop science and pop maths books. This is a quirky collection of short, slightly weird mathematical facts, figures and calculations (review by an Amazon reviewer).

25. The Terrible Thing that Happened to Barnaby Brocket - I actually felt very sorry for Barnaby Brocket because he was born into such an ordinary family. A younger person would read this book as a whimsical fantasy sort of book; but I as an adult read into it about being different, having to confirm and then deciding to just be yourself. It is very nicely written with fantastic illustrations by Oliver Jeffers.

26. Anna Fienberg's Escape - I had the pleasure of meeting Anna Fienberg this year and I liked her instantly. This is her first novel for adults and I felt that I really understood the characters in this book. It looks very deeply into two aspects, escape by using magic and the desire to escape from life. While I found this book extremely sad - I loved her writing.

27. Call The Midwife - a true story about a 22 year old midwife in the East end of London in the 1950's. It was fascinating to learn about 1950s London and the very intimate role a midwife played within family dynamics. what really struck me is how much times have changed. There were also references to the best children's hospital in the world - Great Ormond Street Hospital. If you're interested in the history of London and the roles woman played - this book is fantastic.

28. The Fault In Our Stars by John Green - Would wow, just wow suffice as a review?
John Green said on Tumblr that he wanted the reader "to feel all of the things". I think this book made me think. I have never had cancer; I have no idea what it is to be a teenager and have cancer and have to fight through all the incessant so called having to be brave about having cancer. Hazel was wonderfully searingly honest and John green poses a lot of questions to readers about dying, living and looking at yourself!

I also updated my Shelfari and GoodRead s accounts and received some ARCs (Advanced Reading Copies) from this incredible site - http://www.thereadingroom.com

What were your favourite books this year?

I'd love to hear and I'd love any recommendations.

Contact me using the comment box below or via Twitter or ebbyeryan@gmail.com

Just one of my many piles of books

November?!

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Thu, 08 Nov 2012 03:35:00 +0000

I love Modern Family and Phil's book of his collected 'wisdom' is hysterical - it's his
hard bound collection of all the life lessons he's learned.

For more : http://www.tumblr.com/tagged/phil%27s-osophy

For the gallery - http://ten.com.au/tvshows/modernfamily-phils-osophy-gallery.htm

----
* When life gives you lemons.make lemonade. Then life will be all like "What?!?!"

* You can tell a lot about a person from his biography.

* Success is 1% Inspiration, 98% Perspiration and 2% attention to detail.

* Marry someone who looks sexy while disappointed.

* Always look people in the eye, even if they're blind. Just say, "I'm looking you in the eye."

* If you love something set it free. Unless it's a tiger.

* If you get pulled over for speeding, tell the policeman your spouse has diarrhea.

* You only get one chance at a first impression. I suggest Julia Child because it’s easy to do.

* The most amazing things that can happen to a human being will happen to you if you just lower your expectations.

* Dance until your feet hurt. Sing until your lungs hurt. Act until you’re William Hurt.

* Take a lesson from parakeets: If you’re ever feeling lonely, eat in a front of a mirror.

* Never be afraid to reach for the stars because even if you fall, you’ll always be wearing a Parentchute™.

* Older black ladies make the best iced tea.

* Watch a sunrise at least once a day.

* If you’re ever in a jam, a crayon scrunched up under your nose makes a good pretend mustache.
----
I've been busy of late, watching TV programmes, reading and studying - I'm studying a Certificate of Social Media and a Diploma of Social Media Marketing so I can train more clients and improve my skills.

My blogging has slowed down to a trickle, I'm too busy pinning pins on Pinterest, sending Tweets on Twitter, posting Facebook updates, finding content, creating content and preparing social media training for clients.

This episode was wonderful - it really cheered me up! I think I'll make up some collected 'wisdom' of my own.

It's All Supernatural

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Thu, 14 Jun 2012 02:12:00 +0000

Ok ... I haven't posted since February.

I've been too busy pinning on Pinterest, blogging monthly on my work blog, training away, coming up with tips, tools and resources and thinking about the Supernatural.

It's everywhere! Books, movies and TV programmes especially. I've been watching Grimm and been creeped out by fairytales which come to life in this rather easy viewing series.

My fascination with the other worlds started with reading fairytales as a child and later learning that most of the fairytales were supposedly based on truth. During the times of the Grimm Brothers there was darkness, forests, woods, danger and people did not venture outdoors after dark.

The Grimm Brothers history is incredible, they travelled to villages to meet people to hear and record their stories.They were professors and scholars and worked to record the stories. And we are lucky that people like the Grimm Brothers had the foresight to listen and help us remember!

It has been said that some or most of the fairytales served as a warning, for girls to stay tucked inside and warm at home and even warnings about men or fathers to keep women safe. Perhaps just warnings about what could happen to you after dark and perhaps what you could encounter in the woods. It seems like everyone was surrounded by forests and trees in those days. I get creeped out just thinking about what it must have been like then.

There is a darker side to fairytales and there are thousands of books, movies, adverts, programmes and the like which bring this premise to life. I loved this book review by Ammy Belle and the comments in this article which explores the origins of fairytales.

Now with Once Upon A Time just out in Australian TV; it begs the premise - are fairytales real? Or are they incredibly powerful stories because they tap into our consciousness, heighten our imaginations and make us question the known vs the unknown? And what is the fascination with angels, demons, vampires, werewolves, fairies, fairytales, goblins ... and so on?

Are we letting our horrible imaginations roam freely? ("Where there is no imagination, there is no horror," wrote Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. Today there is a new universe in which our imaginations can roam: and it's horrible.)

Since I began to read; I have been surrounded by books about magic, werewolves and of course vampires. I have devoured books about good vs evil and I have been captivated by the idea of choosing and overcoming any battle along the way. These haven't all been fictitious books; I have read biographies and memoirs about people who had to battle very real demons and had to make very difficult choices. These memoirs have inspired me and taught me lessons I may have had no other way of learning.

In each fictitious book; it is incredible how much the main characters differ; some glow, some can freely walk around in the daytime, some are vegetarians!, some can change at will, some have no free will - what amazes me about stories is that they evolve and develop.
Here is a list of Supernatural books to read by goodreads.com - if you're curious about this genre.

I love reading and learning about the other world; the supernatural elements and books on fairytales. I don't believe in demons and I don't think that fairytales are in fact real but I do like to believe that there could be a once upon a time and a happy ever after because maybe, hopefully, in the end; good will defeat evil.

via http://colorfully.eu/some-day-you-will-be-old-enough-to-start-reading-fairy-tales-again/#!prettyPhoto-2447/0/

*Confession

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Fri, 24 Feb 2012 02:09:00 +0000

I've become addicted to Pinterest.com - http://pinterest.com/ebbye/

I keep claiming that it's for work purposes, but I like the fact that I *don't have to check links and content when I just want to have a quick look at something - so I am loving how visual this site is and how it distracts me yet inspires me simultaneously.

*However if you are using Pinterest for business or even as an individual; you're clicking images to find original sources and just like on every other social media platform, you HAVE to check links and bios before using the images yourself. Certainly adjust/edit links which do not click to the original source AND try to use images that have cited the original sources rather than using images that just click to nowhere or anywhere else but. (Just a little tip :) )

It's nearly March and in the past year or so; I've barely blogged. In between trying to find clients and work contracts and trying to keep up with the amount of books i have on my to read list - every time I think of blogging I need to work or find content or read something/check something!

A few years ago; I was constantly searching for employment and had a lot of time to spend. I read a lot more books then I am reading now but funnily enough I am healthier and happier than I have been in a long time.

I love my work; while it can be challenging, it's invigorating and quite wonderful to have to connect, engage, join, share, write, answer and learn as a daily part of my work load.

I've become part of a book club and we're on our third book (More to come on that another time) and I am reading How I Became a Famous Novelist by Steve Hely and it's funny, witty, sharp and well you can read the review here: www.blackincbooks.com/books/how-i-became-famous-novelist

I'd love to blog more, I'd love to read more but I did get one wish; I have found a career that I love. I do have many many goals I would actually like to aim for this year; I have become hard working in one area and a procrastinator in others.

How do you balance it all?

*It's not really a confession!

Onwards ...

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 03:32:00 +0000

I've set up a few goals for this year so 2012 is going to be a year of new challenges for me.

They're little things, little steps, like improving my health, actually exercising this year, accepting myself, breaking some habits, finding new things to do and learn while focusing on all the things I love.

I'm training, teaching, researching and learning and working almost a full time week over the next month or so, so I am looking forward to what work brings this year.

I also am going to find something I would love to study and teach myself something new - like Spanish. or boxing or sailing or graphic design or nutrition something ...

This is going to be my goal this year! It's my lucky year - the Year of the Dragon so there are going to be some challenges and changes ahead!

The fastest year ever!

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Wed, 21 Dec 2011 02:07:00 +0000

2011 has just whipped by!

I keep thinking that I should still be in February attending to my new year's resolutions which were to eat healthier and exercise more.

I have read hmmm lets' see over 250 books this year (mostly chick lit, memoirs and anything strange/interesting I find in St Vinnies) - my favourite businessy book of this year is I'm Feeling Lucky The Confessions of Employee Number 59 which is a funny, insightful and totally unexpected look into Google - it is the most incredible read. I am currently reading a Christmassy book and a love story about a bookshop owner - both semi-light reads. One of these days I will make a list of all the books I have read - it should be interesting looking back!

I have watched hundreds of B grade movies - mainly for entertainment value and because I take everything so literally it is so nice to switch off sometimes.

I adore and have enjoyed every episode of Modern Family , but have also loved True Blood, Dexter, Unforgettable, Pretty Little Liars, Gossip Girl, Mildred Pierce, Frozen Planet and Happy Endings - it's one of the joys of having Foxtel, recording and watching later.

My favourite movie this year was My Name Is Khan, if you have not seen this yet, it's amazing. I was blown away by the lead actor who has Asperger's Syndrome in the movie, it combines Muslims and Christianity, good vs evil, finding love and ultimately it's a tear jerker.

I have had the most incredible year business wise, training, gaining new clients - even building up fans and followers! I've taught people the how, what, when, where and why of social media and have learnt an incredible amount.

Apart from following the news, reading everything I could get my hands on, meeting people, talking too much, learning and training away - I have also trying to make my own small difference in the world. (I tried to focus on one random act of kindness a day and ended up learning a lot about people!)

I have goals and resolutions in place for 2012 (I'll keep the business ones but have to focus on actually keeping the personal ones too) and a plan to travel to somewhere I have always wanted to go to in 2013.

Wishing you all a very happy holiday and a happy new year!

Dying for Food

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Sun, 16 Oct 2011 09:21:00 +0000

Food is available to me.

Readily. I can pick up the phone and order for delivery. I can access the Internet and order online. I can pop into one of the hundreds of convenience stores in my area alone and pick up snacks, like chocolate, biscuits and lollies.

I shop for groceries at least once a week. And I usually buy way too much. And as soon as something expires, I throw it away. I waste. I don't finish my meals at restaurants, they are far too big. I throw out anything I can't give to someone and I donate tins of food to the hungry. ( when I was younger, now I donate to the WFP and other funds helping Africa online)

I have no understanding of the words I'm starving. We (the lucky ones) use that term when were hungry. And I often look into the fridge and find nothing that I wish to eat at that moment.

When I was young and living in South Africa, I had hot and cold clean running water AND electricity AND a roof over my head AND access to medicine. I had plenty of food, my childhood memories are of favourite meals and treats.

I have never experienced a single day without a meal - unless it was my choice. I have never woken up hungry, never gone to sleep hungry and never walked (or crawled, or swam or endangered my life) for kilometres in search of food.

I have never sucked on a seed to try and satiate a starving child or gone without a spoonful of porridge or rice, so someone else can be less hungry, less malnourished, less likely to die within the next day or so.

The WFP is providing nuritional food products which don't always have to be mixed with water, because the access to clean water fit for drinking is limited in some parts of Africa and in other countries all over the world. There are millions of people in conflict, experiencing war, prevented by terrorists/war lords/ misgoverned governments or poverty - to have access to two things which are our basic rights, food and water.

The world produces enough food to feed everyone. World agriculture produces 17 percent more calories per person today than it did 30 years ago, despite a 70 percent population increase. This is enough to provide everyone in the world with at least 2,720 kilocalories (kcal) per person per day (FAO 2002, p.9). The principal problem is that many people in the world do not have sufficient land to grow, or income to purchase, enough food.

Africa is still paying a world debt. Often people who need the resources, who need to help their dying families, communities and cattle cannot access the food needed to keep them alive. Not satiated, just simply alive. I have read stories of people who walked for 25 days to get aid. I have seen pictures of children crawling, dying just to get help.

Today is World Food Day (16th October) The FAO (whose headquarters are in Rome) have a motto “fiat panis” (let there be bread. Today is Blog Action Day with the topic of food to raise awareness of our universal relationship with food. To those without, to those who struggle with food choices, to those who eat too much or too little.

This post is in honour of all those who are dying for food. While I, the lucky one, have an abundance of food choices and access to food 24/7. I know that there are millions of people who have never had a pizza delivered to their home. Or have not been able to afford a chocolate bar. And this is to those people who have never seen a supermarket, convenience store, farmers market and would probably be stunned by so much abundance and choice.

I can, will and do donate. I want my funds to help educate, provide water and food to promote a healthy lifestyle and encourage a happy, healthy future for people who lose everything, risk everything on a constant basis while I am the lucky one.

This video was taken in 2008 of footage of starving and dying children in Africa. I hope that WFP and their nutritional products and our donations from afar will help children to live.

New Skills Festival

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Thu, 01 Sep 2011 04:20:00 +0000

Over the month of September The New Skills Festival will give you a chance to learn something new.

Jo has some fabulous bloggers taking part and she has a great giveaway on the blog at the moment, to win a copy of Playful Learning ...

http://jojoebi.blogspot.com/2011/08/playful-learning-interview-and-givaway.html

Come learn something new everyday this September.

2011 why are you speeding by so fast?

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Sat, 13 Aug 2011 00:59:00 +0000

I read a quote once that the days seem long but the years are short - by a father to his son watching how fast his granddaughter was growing up and it resonated with me.

I remember when I was young, time seemed to go on forever. School especially but I also recall spending hours in the garden, playing with our dog/s and sitting in a tree waving at a neighbour sitting on her jungle gym. ( Hi C! We reunited on Facebook)

This year, I feel older. I feel like the quote really has struck with me. The year has been and is speeding by and every time, I look, I think of updating this blog all I am reading is how March, April, May, June, July just sped by (boring!) and it just seems like I could write this whole year off. Bring back 2011!

Work balances between feeling like I need to fill more of my days and not having enough time in the day. Having a small business has taught me more about life than I ever expected. It has given me the chance to try so many alternatives, resource so much information, assess a multitude of choices and meet people, fascinating small business owners who have so much to share.

I have always believed - no - I have been lucky. I am highly educated, I come from a great deal of support, I have been taught values and principles, I am lucky. I don't have to, I have never felt forced to work in a job or make career choices because I have to, because of a financial or other reason. I can believe that I can do work I love and sometimes struggle with the confusion of too little or too many clients, too much or too little work to do to month by month. But I am of the lucky few - who can go around stating this.

I often feel like I cannot blog, I cannot say things publicly on this blog, because I am exceptionally lucky. And so I spend my time, my days trying to learn about others. When there were rioters in London last week, looting shops, burning cars and buildings, damaging properties and small businesses, I was reading people's comments, reactions and judgements on social media accounts.

It's easy to sit behind a computer screen or a mobile phone and make comments and assumptions. I couldn't, I was shocked and disgusted, because looters were stealing TVs and then smashing them outside shops and I couldn't understand why. I still don't. I would love to hear from them. I would love to understand or if not understand than just get a glimpse into their choices. I don't want to see pictures of them, I wanted to hear someone talk about his/her life, whether he/she was broken, lost, bored, unhappy -

Part of being on social media for me is training. I am lucky because I have been and am highly educated. I don't carry masters and I haven't graduated and thrown my black hat into the sky, where I came from education was vital. I cannot even begin to tell you how important I think books are, maybe because I am obsessed with books but honestly no matter what mood I am in, no matter my situation, my circumstance, whatever my day or week has been like, I turn to books.

Being a bookworm ( and meeting other bookworms) is funny. Introduce me to someone who loves books and reads - connects me. I have met online through blogging and joining all those book websites like Shelfari, online friends who became real friends.

I have been reading, getting lost in words, learning through reading and when I look up from a book, it seems that somehow I need to find more of a balance. I want to understand this world and social media training is brilliant for me. It means that I get to spend hours with clients and teams, getting to know them while training and days when I am training, advising, assisting are the best days - the days where I love my business the most.

It also means that I am getting paid for researching and reading, how amazing is that? I get to do the things I love and still call it work. And then I meet people who have to work, who have families, mortgages, are carers and get a swift knock on the head that my role, my path in life should contain 3 things, kindness, compassion and education.

It took me a long time to get here. To get to this point in my life. I never understood those 3 things, until I realised that those where the three things that guided me. Sometimes, on my worst days when I am angry and impatient and snappy and just plain ^&II^%%#, I think of those surprising unexpected moments of kindness.

I have many; a woman giving me a spoonful of honey when I was low and shaking and couldn't talk and she stroked my shoulder and feed me until I calmed down. A man and his friend who came up and talked to me and then hugged me when I was crying . Strangers just telling me things about of the blue, things I really needed to hear at that moment. Most of the acts of kindness and compassion are completely and utterly random and they come from strangers.

The days might seem long but the years are short. I seem to spend most of my days, trying to find out who I am - if only people in Somalia, India, Vietnam, China, Africa, in poverty stricken countries had that fortune.

Lots and lots

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Tue, 07 Jun 2011 23:33:00 +0000

I spend a lot of time commenting on this blog not being able to believe how quickly time passes.

Looking back at past posts, I always am trying to assess what I am learning along the way and if indeed I am growing, improving, accomplishing anything at all.

That's why I read postsecret every Monday. I love it, it gives me a glimpse into other people's lives and apparent self perceived failings but what I love reading about the most is that when people attend the events where people come on stage to reveal their own secrets, there are so many people who connect with them and cannot believe their secrets are the same. And people find comfort and hope in that. And then seek out counselling or take active steps because really we all have something to share or something within.

The books I have been reading lately are female contemporary fiction and although they are meant to be a form of escapism, Miss Conceived by Emma Hannigan dealt with three women who all had issues with life, love, being single and struggling with the issues of parenthood. It was not light or fluffy at all, rather dealing with something all women face on a daily basis, relationships, pregnancy and choices they have to make. It was enjoyable to read because deep issues, serious and challenging issues were dealt with in a chatty informal manner in this book.

I have just started to read The Fortunes of Ruby White written by Lia Weston who has years of experience dealing with and practising New Age i.e. pagan rituals and this book seems to be a very fictitious look at all things mystical and spiritual. It is an amusing eye opener and Lia obviously writes with knowledge and experience regarding all sorts of practices, attractions, candles, elixirs and the like. In the book Ruby has to face and find out her own abilities and
challenge her own scepticism as well as people who are close to her.

Lots and lots of things have been happening.

So many that I don't get to blog nearly enough and that I am determined to learn and accomplish a balance of lifestyle. This blog began when I started working in a second hand bookshop learning new skills and the learning has never ended. Nor do I want it to. The more I learn, the more I realise how much I have to learn, want to achieve and accomplish and the more I learn the more challenging I find it. If only I could click my fingers and everything just falls into place, but the beauty is that along the way, I can feel how I am growing, achieving and accomplishing without truly realising.

Lots and lots of reading helps me. It gives me interest and knowledge of things I have no idea about. Work is part of that, my business mainly depends on training my clients and I can see the benefits and the results of what training entails.

From my own experiences and from this blog and from reading and learning as well as balancing, balancing to me is the most vital. Eating healthily, doing work I love, challenging myself to improve, learning from mistakes, accepting I have a long long way to go and staying curious, has given me lots and lots of chances to assess and to grow.

There is no better time to change who you are.

I am not talking a total robotic re haul. I mean do what you love, eat healthily, embrace the hobbies you love, find your own light.(Buddha- doubt everything, find your own light).

So many things could come unexpectedly both hard challenging things to learn and wonderful unexpected glee. To me, it's just lots and lots of learning and growing to do.

Yes I have been reading since my last post!

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Wed, 18 May 2011 10:18:00 +0000

And learning!

I am employed part time and I see clients and do social media work at home, the other two days so I have been busy learning and finding out information.

The one thing I still do, quite religiously is read books and because new books are so expensive, I spend a lot of time in second hand book shops and St Vinnie's. The advantage is I buy 3 or 4 books for a few dollars and I have no problem with giving them away when I have finished reading them.

I give away about 3 canvas shopping bags full of books every few months, but I keep the ones I love and glancing around me, I have books everywhere, on the couch, surrounding the bird cage (to keep the cat from leaping at the bird), and in every other room in my place.

I'm trying to balance work and books with Internet, social media, life ... and learning new work and tools. Time flies by, I love blogging and writing posts and I never seem to find the time to write.

I have been making and have become obsessed with salads and combining spices, sesame seeds and ingredients. I eat a huge bowl every night and I feel very healthy lately.

I have a whole lot of books I'd like to review and chat about on here, but tonight I'm going to make another huge salad and watch a few pre -recorded TV programmes before another day of learning, discovering and working.

Reading ...

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Tue, 29 Mar 2011 01:52:00 +0000

I read on average a book a day. Which means I read a lot, mainly chick it - which I adore because I really relate to the modern 30 something, hip, positivity of these books even though I know the format.

Girls generally have menial or assistant jobs, they are single not happy with their lives and are looking for a change. Or a boyfriend. Or to leave their jobs. Or are choosing between two guys. Or are raising a child. Or are getting over something.

In chick lit books (I prefer to call them contemporary lit) I relate to the character because generally she is finding out things about herself and trying to make positive changes.

The books cover depression, break ups, moving to new cities, starting jobs, leaving jobs, money problems, weight issues, other issues and circumstances, starting their own businesses, really seeing a relationship for what it is and ultimately (and happily ending) finding their right paths.

And I gather the women who write these books (and men) write from their own experiences or observations or dreams or goals or imagination.

The books which stay with me are the ones with the least obvious endings and the ones where the main character finds her/his own path and happiness despite whatever happens to him/her throughout the pages.

Books, whether they are fiction or not, are to be a way of finding out who I am or not by reading about other lives. I love books that take pace in countries I haven't been to and about jobs which I have never done. The ones about parenting or money issues or weight issues, give me an insight into the choices or struggle or determination of characters and the ones that have a happy ending, make me feel good (and relieved - depending on the book itself).

I liked Jennifer Love Hewitt's The Day I Shot Cupid because it was sweet. It was how I imagined her to be. Sure, it was not the most brilliant nor there was nothing new there that I haven't already heard from peope who want to give others advice about love and relationships.

But it was honest. And quirky. About what she had learnt along her way and things she had found out about herself. And mistakes she had made and what she would and wouldn't do in the future. But it was too simple for me, a little too cutesy and as much as I love Jennifer Love Hewitt in Ghost Whisperer, I can see that she was reflecting and emphasising how much love, romance and getting it right with men (with some contradictions, from not playing games, to playing games, to being the woman the man wants you to be, to being more ballsy ... it was a bit confusing)

It got many many reviews, mainly referring to the book as cute, a bit pre-teen, a bit too fluffy and led me the to this blog about book reviews and Big Al's thoughts on negative book reviews. And got me thinking about book reviews.

We read what we want to read. I know that a lot of people have guilty reading pleasures and read books they would not admit to anyone, Mamamia's blog about book shame puts this very nicely; we don't all read classics and huge history tomes every day - at least I don't.

I don't read reviews and so don't really review books on here, because it is just my opinion. I am reading a book about influenza called the Last Town on Earth which I love because it is fascinating and intriguing and in my opinion very well written and I love learning about something whenever I read a book.

I have just finished I Never fancied Him Anyway where Cassie spends a lot of the book dealing with being psychic and finding out about herself. And love. And men. And work. I found the book fascinating because not all pyschics are stereotypical and Cassandra has to face strangers opinions of her.

Even if we are not love a holics like Jennifer or psychics or into a certain genre of books, reading reviews comes (for me) after I have read the book or when I write a post about a certain book . I don't read book reviews that often.

Funny, I am not like this with movies, I will read a review and then not go see a movie based on a stranger's opinion, I love Rotten Tomatoes and I think with me I'd prefer to read than see a movie and when I do, I want to make sure it is something I really want to see.

Not with books, I love to read, and if something is not as good, not as well written, I forget about it very quickly. But the ones that are good, well written, made some sort of impact on me, stay in my head.

Books give me insight, educate me, comfort me, feed me and inspire me. I read to learn.

Do you read reviews before you buy a book?

Or do you just read and read?

I choose books by their titles and covers and the little blurb at the back. And because I read so much, I buy second hand or from charity shops. You?

In the blink of an eye, it's March

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Tue, 01 Mar 2011 05:24:00 +0000

This year is going by so quickly and I cannot believe that in a single swoop January and February 2011 are gone!

I've spent the past, well most of this blog assessing myself, my lifestyle and my business/ work or lack of work.

And I have spent a lot of time, reading, thinking about all the things I have to do and working on the things that are important to me, my health, my family, my 3 nieces and nephew, my business and have spent days, months and years trying to better myself.

Life happens when we're making other plans and this March, like this February I am carrying on reading, running my business, trying to find a job, building and keeping relationships healthy and keeping my own health in check and letting life just take over.

I loved walking around London and letting myself discover new things, places, people, businesses and cultures. When you tire of London, you're tire of life and I am pleased that there is so much of life, ready to grab me, to grab us, to make us put aside the best laid plans and to try and fill my life with everything I can.

While still adding fruit to my diet and slathering myself in sunscreen and reading up on marketing and technology and doing the things I need to do; I am also stepping back from all the shoulds and learning how to embrace and enjoy things a little more.

A few days ago, while I was flying back from the UK, an earthquake hit Christchurch New Zealand and took with it hundreds of lives and utter devastation. Today, this morning there was 2 minutes of silence to remember the victims.

With the floods in Queensland and this earthquake, these natural disasters have been a symbol for me to look at and appreciate my own circumstances.

May all the victims R.I.P. and thank you to the world, Japan, UK, the 10 000 students, Australia, New Zealand and the USA for helping, coming to both country's assistance and showing the world that people, pets, cleaning up. rebuilding comes first and is possible and the most important things are helping, loving and caring for each other.

January

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Mon, 24 Jan 2011 04:23:00 +0000

January is the time for me to assess the past year and plan the future year.

It seems that, after reading magazines and endless news posts about the subject that January is natural for making plans, for making resolutions and to map out the year ahead.

For me, it's the time to assess everything that is working and not working in my life. To look at what I have become too comfortable with and need to change and re evaluate and to find ways to improve on my self, my business and my home life.

I have 6 pets, a kitten, a budgie and four fish and I need to clean the tank more and mix the food and vitamin intake up a bit. Pets are expensive and need care and the right food and I am not so good at cleaning out the gravel and really looking after the tank although the fish are incredibly hale and healthy - it must have something to do with the antioxidant Japanese gold fish pellets I feed them.

Business wise I am in the process of making a 6 month plan. I have advised all my clients to do this and set up a working to do list and I think I must have one for myself and the business this year.

And home life, there are so many things I can do better, clean better, tidy better, really, I would love to live in a designer compact home that looks like it belongs in a magazine and actually live it!. But I am surrounded by books (must have a giveaway/swap) soon and when I look around me, there are so many little things I have put off.

So while I am away, I am going to make the appointments needed to get my place into the kind of place I can have visitors popping in anytime (cheesy!) and sort out all the little niggly stuff I have been putting off.

As January leads into February, the shortest month of the year and this year is going to be a freezing one for me; I'd love this year to be about improvement, comfort and working on my business any way I can.

Happy happy

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Thu, 23 Dec 2010 08:06:00 +0000

What a difference being employed makes!

I buy more books, don't have to justify the cost of every single thing and look at course options in the new year. I am still hooked on the idea of graphic design and I want to attend more talks, workshops and things.

I am taking a holiday in February and I have the huge advantage of having a small business; which means I can work from afar.

While I am away I am going to look at different aspects of social media and what the UK industry is like and hopefully gather information, ideas and marketing to bring back and use in Australia.

So I wish all my blog viewers and readers a very very happy holiday period and new years. may you do all the things you love, plan all the things you want to do but don't have time to do while you're working and am looking forward to 2011.

December ...

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Fri, 17 Dec 2010 09:54:00 +0000

What a year it has been.

I now have part time employment doing social media, work I have been doing and loving for the past 3 years and I have a lot to learn and so much to gain in this role.

On my days off I assist my clients with their online marketing and I am looking at doing courses, basic courses to improve my skills next year.

It's Christmas in under a week and then new years and this year for me has all about finding work, using my skills and learning.

But also reading books and learning more and more and pursuing my career.

I am in the middle of Adrian Mole The Prostrate Years another incredible book by Sue Townsend. I love the Adrian Mole books, I find them absolutely hysterical and I love her writing.

This has been a full on year, so many interviews, books and trying to find a work. It's been busy, full on, exhausting, challenging, quiet, crazy and tiring.

I have thanked so many people and I am so lucky to have found work doing what I love.

November already?!

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Tue, 09 Nov 2010 07:56:00 +0000

This year has sped by!

It's November and I am trying to assess what I have done and achieved this year.

I've read a LOT of books. I lost a cat and got a kitten (an incredible, fascinating, adorable, energetic ball of purr).

I've applied for hundreds of jobs and had some fantastic interviews. I've been doing the news story every day since February. I have found and been hired by clients. I have done some community exchange work, done temporary bit work, met loads of people who love their work and used Twitter to make connections and learn so much useless and mostly beneficial helpful stuff.

I have built up my business, made connections with some great people and learnt a great deal about both my business and the small business industry in general. Thanks to social media and networking and handing out business cards and talking to people.

I have social media endorsement after doing a 9 day workshop so I can give advice and assist other small businesses with what I have learnt while learning more and more myself.

I have watched way too much TV, terrible B grade horror movies, read hundreds of blogs, become too upset over the news and have not exercised nearly enough.

I am eating healthily and have fallen in love with coconut oil, organic products, wraps, nuts, seeds and herbs (and thrown them all over my food!)

I have watched people. Yes, this sounds strange but I have. I have watched how people are with each other. I have seen a great deal of love, kindness, great belief and faith this year and each time I have it restores me.

And I love what I do. I really do. I love what I do. I love the work I do, that it mostly doesn't feel like work and I have such a passion for it. I cannot believe how I have found work, a career, an industry which I love so much. This year has been the biggest learning year for me.

And now it's November. I've been giving advice about networking so I will take advantage of the quieter holiday period and network for myself and to help clients even more next year.

And no doubt I will read more books ...

Kindness, observing and drinking water ...

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Tue, 19 Oct 2010 02:46:00 +0000

I have been drinking so much water lately; I feel a bit bad about the blog post about Africans who are in desperate need of pure/safe water that I have brought a stainless steel water bottle to fill and I aim to stop using plastic bottles and to fill up my bottle everyday instead.

I also am looking to donate towards a dam or treatment plant or sanitation plant in South Africa, if anyone knows?

I have got two weeks of my temporary job left and I have been learning that I am not used to a 9 to 5 environment. That I like being my own boss, being able to do errands and to plan my day around meetings, social media meet ups, networking functions or ideas, marketing, library visits and I read a lot more news sites, blogs and social media stuff in the morning to get inspired and to make plans for the day ahead.

Now I am rushing for the bus; doing what work needs to be done. And it is a great environment, lovely people and a bus away from my house. It's very pleasant.

At night I am coming home to do my story for my work the next day, catching up and I still have to find a 3/4 days a week job.

In between my temp job and my own business, I find the time to read on the bus to and from home. I have just started Sister by Rosamund Lupton which is an interesting creepy account of a girl who loses her sister and tries to piece everything together. It's really well written but a bit odd. I am trying to put all the pieces together so it is very intriguing.

And then for the acts of kindness. It takes one random act of kindness to help change the world. I have been looking at lists with suggestions on doing so. Over the next few weeks I am going to devise my own list and tick it off. It's acts of kindness for self and others.

I just hope that I am learning and can use all of this when I go back to my business and searching for part time work.For now, I am observing a great work environment with extremely nice people and learning about myself .

Africa needs safe water ...

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Fri, 15 Oct 2010 00:11:00 +0000

Africa and Africans need safe water to drink. They need access to clean water.

It amazes me how I turn on the taps in the morning to bath/shower, to make coffee and breakfast, to water the garden, all at the touch of a button and that women still have to walk (according to greenanswers.com) about four miles and the weight of water they carry on their heads is about the equivalent to the average airport luggage allowance.

Today 1.1 billion people still do not have adequate access to safe water and 2.4 billion people are without appropriate sanitation.

1.1 billion people need water to drink, to bathe in, to cook, to wash, to sanitise, to grow food and plants and to stay hygienic.

Scientists at Stellenbosch University (in Cape Town) have developed a tea bag filter to provide safe drinking water. It has been developed for people who need it the most so it is an inexpensive filter which can fit into the neck of a bottle and can quickly purify drinking water.

The filter is composed of three integral parts, making it unique among filters, according to Professor Eugene Cloete, Dean of the Faculty of Science at Stellenbosch University and developer of the filter.

"Bacteria and viruses can't move through, and then we kill them so they don't concentrate inside the filter," Cloete said. "There's nothing like this in the world."

One of the advantages of the 'tea bag' water filter is that it is portable and can be used by people travelling to areas without clean water, or those who do not have a regular clean water supply. "It is simply impossible to build purification infrastructure at every polluted stream. So we have to take the solution to the people," Cloete told online magazine Science in Africa.
Cloete said he hopes to begin production of the filters by the end of 2010.

Read the entire story: http://allafrica.com/stories/201008310057.html

That's just one solution and it sounds like it can only be used on bottle necks, so still need a solution for cups, buckets, baths.

However this tea bag filter will prevent bacteria from getting through so it will save lives.

It is not going to be a primary source. Work in Africa is needed on dams, waterholes, wells, treatment plants and Africa is still reliant on help from the rest of the world to provide enough money and support to help them to become self-sufficient.

I have found a couple of businesses or charities who are trying to and working of finding solutions for providing safe/healthy/pure/clean water for all those in need in Africa:

http://solution4africa.com/ - water solution for Africa

http://www.ws4a.org/home.html - Water Solutions For Africa

http://www.nomadsland.com/video/rope-pump-a-simpler-solution-for-clean-water/ - rope pump

http://www.un.org/ecosocdev/geninfo/afrec/vol21no3/213-water.html - Bringing water to Africa's poor

http://www.cleanwaterpartners.net/access-to-clean-water-in-africa/ - Clean Water Solution

Looks like Africa needs billions in aid. Billions to provide the entire continent with access to water, like we have here in Australia.

Most countries who cannot afford or do not have access to safe, pure, clean water have to rely on international donors for clean water.

And most countries without access to safe/clean/pure water have to develop technologies for purifying water.

I found a link that Kwazulu Natal has Umgeni Water Amanzi which supplies some 340 000 000 kilolitres of clean, safe drinking water to almost 4.8 million people annually.

I hope that one day, soon, all these people will have access to water, electricity, education, spare change, a roof over their heads and everything that I have (and take for granted).

Today is Blog Action Day; hopefully countries will start funding technologies, dams, waterholes, treatment plants in Africa to give these people access to water.

A little of this and that and this ...

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Tue, 05 Oct 2010 03:27:00 +0000

I have been applying for jobs and looking for jobs the entire year, so reading this blog lately is as boring as enduring months and days of job hunting.

Having the business and a kitten and my own place and loads of books and a bird and four fish to care for, certainly makes the days interesting.

And so does doing social media, being on Twitter, going for job interviews and watching back to back episodes of Modern Family and Ghost Whisperer.

A friend got me a temp job which I am very grateful for because it breaks up the day and means that that I am going to be working full time for the next four weeks and feeling like I am actually contributing, catching buses, having lunch hours and doing things for the boss.

Everything to me is a learning experience. A life lesson.

I love Ghost Whisperer, it's very cheesy and happy endings but it is also about letting go, forgiveness and love. Some things are worth enduring and holding onto but most are not worth it. It's the letting go, the learning to forgive, the learning to see what is in front of you, someone else's viewpoint and the fact that you have to forgive and move on. That is love.

After reading An Arrow Through The Heart (link to book in blog below) Dawn has to let her body heal and to let go of being a career woman, and rushing about and flying to meetings, she has to accept that in order to heal, she has to change her lifestyle. And it isn't easy. But thew book is lovely; because she maps her journey over the year and comes out grateful and extremely proud.

So now, I am letting go for the next four weeks. Not of my business, or my after hours work or meetings or any of that. I mean allowing myself to take on a temp job which is not my field at all and just be grateful.

And whatever happens in the next four weeks should fall into the lessons folder...

On bits ...

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Mon, 13 Sep 2010 08:34:00 +0000

Been reading so many books I think I need to get a book job.

Went to buy a cheap book today and helped two guys choose books based on what they liked, I love talking about books.

Just finished Beyond Ugly about Constance Briscoe's determination to put her past behind her, to no longer be ugly and to become a barrister. It was very inspiring to read how hard she worked and how determined she was to make something of her life even after her very difficult childhood and how hard she worked to overcome her Ugly label.

I just picked up An Arrow Through The Heart about Deborah Daw Hefferman's near fatal heart attack and how she one step at a time learnt how to do things all over again.

I am working part time as a waitress while still (can you believe it?!) still trying to find a part time 3/4 day job.

I am working on my business, doing basic computer training and a social media workshop this week. I am constantly finding ways to build my business and keep myself inspired and informed.

In the meantime, I am getting inspiration from other people's lives and journeys and these two women, learnt to overcome and to start again.

Father's Day ...

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Mon, 30 Aug 2010 22:58:00 +0000

Buy your dad a book, CD or DVD this father's day .

Dymocks in Wynyard has 100s of gift ideas for your father.

Have a look at the entire catalogue; he could win a Greek island cruise, get 4 books for $40 or with 35% off specific titles, get your dad reading this Sunday!

Your father can read about beer, watch a Fifa South Africa DVD, learn to make tapas or even pore over a history book, there is something for every kind of dad.

Booklover Members can win prizes and there are some even great CDs and some fascinating, thoroughly original non fiction titles that your dad will love such as Slow Death by Rubber Duck - Rick Smith & Bruce Lourie RRP $34.95 and Secrets Of The Grownup Brain - Barbara Strauch RRP $27.95.

Click on the link above and get those orders in (usually ships in 24 hours) before father's Day this Sunday ...

August at Dymocks Wynyard ...

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Thu, 12 Aug 2010 00:02:00 +0000

This August Dymocks Wynyard is offering biographies, 2 for $40!

With books like these; I know I will be curling up this August and they are all so good, I am not sure which one to read first.

I love the sound of Time of My Life by Lisa Niemi & Patrick Swayze; I watched Dirty Dancing when I was a teen and still remember the line, No one puts Baby in the corner. It should be an interesting read.

So come over to Dymocks Wynyard and choose any 2 Biographies below for $40:

DON'T TELL MUM I WORK ON THE RIGS - Paul Carter

EAT, PRAY, LOVE - Elizabeth Gilbert

THIS IS NOT DRILL - Paul Carter

ITS NOT ABOUT THE BIKE - Lance Armstrong

SHAKESPEARE - Bill Bryson

8 HOURS TRUE STORY SAS WAR HERO - Sandra Lee

NANCY WAKE B FORMAT - Peter Fitzsimmons

U2 BY U2

BILLY - CONNOLLY - Pamela Stephenson

WILD SWANS - Jung Chang

DAMAGE DONE - Warren Fellows

INTO THE WILD MOVIE TIE IN - Jon Krakauer

GALLIPOLI SNIPER BILLY SING - John Hamilton

LIFE IN HIS HANDS - Susan Wyndham

CATHERINE'S GIFT - John Little

HOSPITAL BY THE RIVER - Catherine Hamlin & John Little

BONE MAN OF KOKODA - Charles Happell

DIG TREE STORY OF BURKE WILLS - Sarah Murgatroyd

DREAMS FROM MY FATHER OBAMA - Barack Obama

DEAR FATTY PB - Dawn French

LIFE &TIMES OF THUNDERBOLT KID - Bill Bryson

ERIC CLAPTON AUTOBIOGRAPHY

ALWAYS LOOKING UP - Michael J Fox

PRINCESS MASAKO - Bem Hills

RISE & RISE OF KERRY PACKER - Paul Barry

WARRIOR BROTHERS - Keith Fennell

SOMME MUD - Edward PF Lynch

DEAD LUCKY LIFE AFTER DEATH MOUNT EVERES - Lincoln Hall

FAR FROM A STILL LIFE - Meg Stewart

MR NICE - Howard Marks

SALVATION CREEK - Susan Duncan

MONASH: THE OUTSIDER WHO WON A WAR - Roland Perry

THE MAN WHO OWNS THE NEWS - Michael Wolff

EIGHT LIVES DOWN - Chris Hunter

I AM NUJOOD - Nujood Ali with Delhine Minouie

THINGS I"VE BEEN SILENT ABOUT - Azar Nafisi

LIFE ON AIR - David Attenborough

CHRONICLES VOL 1 - Bob Dylan

INFIDEL - Ayaan Hirsi Ali

MEASURE OF A MAN - Sydney Poitier

TIME OF MY LIFE - Lisa Niemi & Patrick Swayze

Work, work, work

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Fri, 06 Aug 2010 08:52:00 +0000

The past few weeks have all been about work.

About finding people I connect with and building their social media and profiles online.

I have spent my days thinking about the direction I want my life to head in and found that I love being green and finding people who are passionate about their work and have a strong belief about helping their communities.

I won two books, which I am reading side by side and I also am assisting with other small social media projects.

Thanks to Bob Marley who said love the life you live, live the live you love; it's a philosophy that I stand by.

I believe it's about making connections both online and socially.