The seasons of life

As I've previously posted, only last week in fact, I took part in the annual 20 Something Bloggers Blog Swap 2011, in which you can see the swap here.  My post has already been posted on my partners blog, but in honesty I was actually (and surprisingly) a little proud of what I had written so I wanted to post it here on my own blog for safe keeping.  The topic of the blog swap was 'Summer'.  Below is my submission.

I hope you enjoy.

------------------------------------------------------- 

The Seasons of Life

While most of you are coming to the end of your Summer seasons, I on the other hand live in Australia, thus our Summer has well and truly finished and Winter has truly settled in. I much prefer the sunny days, the green trees, the fun at the beach and the slight breeze in the air.

Most Winter days you wake up to grey clouds, a never ending rain, a terrible chill in the air. You look outside your window and long for the green fields and sandy beaches, and the memory of them just reminds you how far away they are. 

I know I for one feel a little grumpy at that realization.

But I especially love the way Summer can sneak up on you, a fitting reflection on how life can also. Everyone has their gloomy days. The days when everything feels pointless. Those days when it feels like you are looking out your window, wishing for better days, and all there appears to be as far as the eye can see is grey, and darkness, and cold...

Sometimes it seems to last an eternity.  Sometimes it can spiral out of control.
  

But then, sometimes without realizing, things start to change. Sometimes you don't notice that life is improving until someone points it out to you. "It isn't as dark when I get home from work these days", they might say. "Hmm, yeah... wow, you are right", comes your response, as you lift your head to the sky, surprised that you hadn't noticed it sooner. Where had my gloomy days gone?

They were right, and you hadn't even noticed. Things definitely were improving. Sometimes you get so caught up in feeling depressed that you fail to realize the little improvements in life. The brief hour of sunshine, the calmer wind, a day without the need for a jacket. You take those instances for granted, not realizing that slowly, but surely, your dark days are beginning to fade.

The next day of course, it pours. The progress you seemed to be making takes two steps back. Sometimes the memory of the brief glimmer of sunshine, how the sadness was fading, is enough to hold the gloom at bay.  Other times, it returns at full force, you retreat back into yourself, viewing the world through all shades of grey once more, hating that you are back to square one.

When will life improve? When is my sunshine?

Time, of course, moves forever forward. Life goes on. Seasons change. Events transpire. Before you know it your phone beeps, it's a voice mail from a friend "Hey hey, free today? Come down to the beach with us, if you're up for it that is." You stop for a moment before replying. Am I up for it? As you look around, you relish at the blue skies, feel the warm sun on your skin, the fresh smell of grass, the cooling breeze, and you suddenly realize that your sad, gloomy filled days you once had are far behind you.

You can't really even explain how, but everything all of a sudden just feels a lot more... Summery.

20SB 2011 Blog Swap!

The time has come for the 20 Something Bloggers annual Blog Swap event, and this year I finally got moving and got involved, sweet!  The idea is to sign your blog up to be partnered with someone completely at random, to then each swap one post on a particular topic decided upon the 20SB people.


This years topic was Summer and I have been partnered up with the very lovely Mila from Free Bird Train, so definitely check her blog out!  Below is Mila's post on the experiences of life during summer, enjoy =)
 

-----------------------------------------------------------

Hi! I'm Mila from Free Bird Train.

Having a baby has changed my summer to a crazy degree. Last year, my husband and I took a spontaneous trip to New Orleans and when we came back we were absolutely broke, but I loved the adventure.  This year my adventure has mostly been diaper changes and bottles, but I think I actually love it even more.

Here are 10 new things I did/learned this summer:

1. You can still be fun as a new parent.

 I thought when we had our baby we would be boring. But we're not! Okay, only sometimes :)

It's just nice to know that we can still go out as a couple or a family and still have lots of fun.

2. Weddings are beautiful

This summer, I went to my first wedding (unless you call a Vegas drive-thru a wedding?) and it was beautiful. My brother and his wife even graced me with the privilege of being a bridesmaid. 

Too fun.

3. Clean space equals a clean mind

Keeping the house clean has really helped me have a clear mind so I'm able to be creative and productive. Hopefully I can keep it up through the school year.

4. Half-priced frappuccinos are evil.

Starbucks is evil in general, creating delish drinks that have a million calories, but when they decided to take their frapps down to half price, I nearly died. We ended up getting one frapp everyday that week. Terrible, I know.

 

5. Cooking really is the way to a mans heart.

I've been trying out new recipes over summer and my husband just can't get enough of my home cooked meals. Best way to put a smile on his face and fill his stomach at the same time :) 

6.Reality T.V. is sad, yet addicting. 

I hate reality t.v. but I can't resist. 

It's terrible.

7. Taking photos are fun

Just learning how to use a camera to take better photos. 

 

8. Going back to school is a good thing.

In order to give my babes the best life possible, I have to be the best me possible and show him by example the importance of school.

  

9. The beach is the most relaxing place in the world.

Enough said.

10. Love conquers all.

Love has been the most important thing this summer, as cheesy as it sounds. I have so much love for my husband, my baby, my mommy, brothers, my new sister and all my amazing friends.

Thanks for letting me share my summer fun.

An award has been sent my way

Thanks to the very cool Eleni over at RPG Called Life, she has graciously (although perhaps mistakenly ha), decided to pass on the extremely prestigious 'Blog on Fire Award' on to me (and 6 others)! Woo! The stardom is a blaze in my eyes!

Now apparently on accepting such an honour, according to the committee who oversees the handling of this award of course, I must pass this on to seven worthy bloggers of my choice, as well as divulge seven previously unknown random facts about myself.  I think I can manage that.

1. Since moving out of home two years ago, I have lived in 3 separate houses, each with their own set of crazy housemates. 

2. My two best friends are named Sabrina and Jason.

3. Being inside museums really freaks me out.  No I am not kidding.  Something about the combination of empty halls with the hardwood floors that greatly enhances the echoed clicks of high-heeled shoes, the paintings and statues that are so well created that the eyes looks like they could blink and turn their gaze on you at any moment, and the strange fact that the air always seems to carry a chilling, cold presence that stays with you where ever you go, creates a very intimidating experience for my wild imagination.

4. I have broken over 10 bones in my 23 years of life.  I was a bit of a wild one when I was younger, constantly out riding my bike, trekking through bush land, playing sports, getting up to whatever mischief and adventure I could find.  A few of them were just fingers and toes, but then there have also both arms, my left knee and my left ankle.  Ha!

5. The environment and the management of Earth's resources is a huge passion of mine.  I hate so much that, as a species, we are so blase' in the way we treat the materials and resources we use in our every day life that we are happy to discard at a moments notice.  Take for instance plastic bags from the supermarket.  Here is an item that is produced from materials, toxic chemicals, and shipped in the multitude of billions all around the world using tonnes and tonnes of natural resources, only then to be used for about 10 minutes by people who are too lazy to carry their 5 grocery items from the store to their car, to be then thrown straight into the bin when they get home to end up in landfill!

6. I have a huge fixation (some would say obsession) for Emma Watson.  She is just so gorgeous!

7. I originally started blogging as an output to help get over a terrible break-up. It has now grown to become quite a passion of mine, something I hope to continue for many years to come.  My most favourite aspect is not the writing of my own posts, or gaining followers, or watching my page view stats, but in fact is when I am lucky to find a cool new blogger to follow, and getting that little bump of excitement when I see they have posted something new.

I would now like to pass this award to 7 of my very favourite bloggers:

Jez of Intrepid Boy

Becky of Steam Me Up, Kid...

S. Love of S. Love

Didactic Pirate of The Didactic Pirate

Sue of Bay Bee Tea

Matt of matt vs. the real world

Jason of Out-Numbered