Author: Amanda Viviers

Place: Milkd

Poison: Long Mac

Favourite Things: Tunes in the background…

I am on a bit of a health kick at the moment. I think the thought of turning a new decade brings that out in most of us. So walking, weighing and measuring are taking up some of my thought content.

Ps- the guy accross from me in the cafe just got his breakfast, took one mouthful and then let out a big, mmmm, and then a sigh. My interpretation: a guy, who misses his mums cooked breakies!!

Anyway, random diversion…So last night lying in bed I was thinking about what measurements are used for our happiness? What is a measurement for success? What is our measurement of rich versus poor?

See with weight, with size, with capacity, we have measurements- when cooking I have measurements to make sure I stick to the recipe and my bank has monetary measurements of how much I have in my bank account…

When it comes to happiness and success however there are no real measurements. With no boundaries, or measures it is hard to plan and move forward. Yet I am not sure at this stage of my life what measures my happiness. I am not sure what measures my success. I am not sure what measures whether I am rich or poor in a heart context not just financially.

One of my favourite thoughts ‘Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away!’

What takes my breath away? Do I allow society to provide the measure of my happiness? Do I allow culture to create the boundaries of my success?

See I am beginning to take stock of what is worth fighting for and what is not. A passionate young lass, I often find myself emotionally engaged in battles that in turn affect the measure of my happiness, success and life, yet in the bigger scheme of things they mean basically squat!

Sooooo, I have no answers on what measures happiness, maybe you do…But its a good journey to start on.

What defines your happiness? I know what society and culture says should ‘money, love, position etc etc’ But what really does measure and define mine?

Tell me your thoughts I am really interested to know…

Perplexed

A

Place: Milkd

Poison: Long Mac

Favourite Things: Sleeping in on a Saturday morning

Last night was a great one. We all celebrated my mate Gav’s 30th birthday in style! The conversation that I loved the most, was a reflection of what Gav’s mates from the City of Swan had too say about his shindig…

They were quite amazed that a 30th birthday could happen without heaps of people totally smashed, great amount of conversation without it being sleezy, and a all round great time, without disrespect.

I am not prude, neither do I condone abuse of anything, being my body, my friends, my reputation or life. I totally believe that life should be celebrated in style, and I believe the priveleges we have are so special so why waste them by being off the planet, when you were born to live on it with style!

Anyway- I am not judging anyone here, my past is spray painted with much blackness, however I love it when people are inspired to have great conversations, great nights and great celebrations in style.

So here are a couple of photos from miss elly’s wedding, because she did her engagement and life well! I today toast and celebrate Mr and Mrs Vance, arrived back today from their honeymoon in Maritius. Good on you guys for doing it well… It is so not a simple task.

I love ya and so miss living with you Miss Elly!

Forever

A

Place: Kyms House

Posion:Water

Favourite Things: Necklace from Hannah

Well, I had a sad occasion this week, I took my granma to the doctors because she has been loosing her eyesight for quite a while and last Saturday, she picked up the newspaper to read it and she couldn’t read anymore.

So I sat with her on Monday, (its taken me all week to have enough couarge to write about it because it saddens me so much) in a doctors office, praying that he would say a quick operation and all would be well. Sitting and hearing him say ‘Mrs Powell, there is nothing we can do to help you, You can’t read anymore, you are now going blind, was so defining!’

See my granma is one of the most creative and beautiful people I know. She has always inspired me from a very young age. A immaculate dressmaker, a professional knitter and anything beautiful or creative she was so proficient with.

Being over 80, she fills most of her time these days making beautiful teddies, scarfs, baby clothes, rugs, anything she can use her hands for, to give away to others. But no more!

This post is so hard to write because I cant imagine what it would be like to not be able to see anymore.

My granma is such a generous lady, she brought me a present to the doctors appointment for no reason at all. But I sat there so breathtaken at the thought of her not being able to create like she did before.

I have spent this week looking through different coloured lenses. Every flower I see jumps out and begs that I study it, whilst driving I have been so inspired by our river. I have been reading more because that was one thing that as a tear rolled down my gran’s cheek she whispered ‘Manda, I can’t read or do my crossword puzzles anymore.’

It is so unfair when the winds of time take away the simplest of lifes treasures. I sat in the waiting room surrounded by trashy magazines, promising to myself I wouldn’t take reading for granted anymore. Now as I read out her bills and letters from her friends, it is an amazing privelege to see more of her breathtaking life.

As you watch the footy grand final tomorrow (go the eagles!) I won’t be able to stop thinking about my mad keen footy supporter granma, sitting in Rockingham, in her flat, listening to the football grand final on the wireless, as she can’t see the television anymore.

Wow, life is pretty strange hey?

Stunned…

A