Guard Your Words

(and a giveaway reminder)

We all know what it is like to be crushed by someones words. I think we would all agree that words have power.

Those who read yesterday's post will know that I'm being careful not to call myself a "terrible student" anymore. The reason for this is twofold. One, I watched this video (it's funny):

Love Life Conference 2010 - Session 3 - Joyce Meyer from Joyce Meyer Ministries on Vimeo.

Two, I heard someone read this:

Watch your thoughts, for they become words.
Watch your words, for they become actions.
Watch your actions, for they become habits.
Watch your habits, for they become character.
Watch your character, for it becomes your destiny.

In essence:

Negative Thoughts = Dismal Destiny

Positive Thoughts = Delightful Destiny

You know what? I want to have a Delightful Destiny. I am determined to stop thinking things like "I'm a terrible student" and "I am no good at housework" and "I am such a failure." Instead, I am going to choose to think and say that I am successful, I can care for my house well, that I will succeed. I will enjoy life.

And I can do this intellectually interesting, stimulating and achievable essay. (How is that for postive speak? hehe)



And don't forget that the giveaway closes tonight (Tuesday 5) at 12midnight AEST :) xxx

Who's a Terrible Student?

(yeah... this is kind of a motivational post for me as I enter the final two weeks of semester)
 

"I'm a terrible student."

I have said - and thought - this sentence about myself many times.

You know what? 

I really have to SNAP out of it!

Why?

Well, to start with, it isn't true. 

The truth is, in my third and last year of my Bachelor of Arts, I was on the Dean's Roll of Excellence. That means, in essence, "quite successful student."

The truth is, in 2008, I recieved Second Class Honours, Upper Division (basically, the second highest grade you can get) for my Honours thesis. I wrote my thesis in one month. At one stage, I had to write over one thousand words a day. I edited it on the morning of the day it was due. Crazy.

The truth is, the expectations for a Master of Teaching are so different to those of a Bachelor of Arts. I actually have to research now, and it's harder to get higher grades.

The truth is, the important thing is that I'm passing, and passing well. (So long as you don't include that essay I failed last semester... oopsies!)

The truth is, I find it really hard to start on an assignment two weeks before it's due. Give me three days notice, however, and I can pump it out. And get a distinction. People learn differently. People also approach learning differently. I can't judge myself against another student. We're different.

You know what?

I am a pretty awesome student.

After six and a half years of uni, I should be.

Chansey and Me

Yes, you read it correctly. In this post I'm going to be talking about Pokemon.

As an aside, I wasn't allowed to watch Pokemon when I was little. Neither was my husband.

In 2008, I did Honours in English at the University of Tasmania. Since then, I have occassionally wished that I went straight to my teaching degree... then things might have turned out differently and I might have already been working. Instead, I still have another year of study to do. When I really think about it, however, I know there is no way I would give up that year. I made friends who I am sure are for life. Lissa is one of them (and I love reading her blog).

So, when she described her friends using pokemon characters, I begged her to describe me as a pokemon too. I really did beg - this is what I wrote on her wall: 

"me! me! make me a pokemon! I might even blog about it hahaha" 

 

Lissa, in her graciousness, did so. This is what she chose, and her explanation as to why:

Kathy: I thought long and hard about this, and I decided you're one of the healing Pokemon. On narrowing it down to Chansey, I decided on several factors: Happiny evolves to Chansey by choice when she holds an Oval Stone, and Chansey evolves into Blissey when she is very happy. At the moment, there are things you would like to do with your life but you are waiting until you have finished your education, so you are the middle evolution.
Chansey is a rare Pokemon, but will often be found in Pokemon Centres, where other Pokemon need healing (this is a reference to you being a teacher). Chansey is said to bring happiness to those who are lucky enough to catch it (as Jules was with you). 

 

I love the description, the reasons chosen, and the thoughtfulness that Lissa put into it. What I love most is that this is what Lissa thought best described me. I feel honoured that she would describe me in such a way. (I'm misting up a little.) Also, I love that Chansey's abilitys are "serene grace" (oh to have that) and "healing heart". Yes, I looked her up.

 

If I can be someone who spreads happiness (like a disease, only pleasant) and bring healing to others, then I think I'd be satisfied with who I am and what I'm doing.

The First Giveaway

This Giveaway is now closed.

Giveaway, giveaway (laalaLA laalaLA)!

But not just one, no... one a week!

Why? Well, what you prefer? One person to get one BIG prize, or several people to get smaller (but still totally worth it) prizes? I know which one I'd choose - unless of course I could be sure of winning the BIG prize...

Okay, the first giveaway is...

Yes, my sweet Penninah Pig. This is a picture of my prototype, so you won't get this-exact-one. Instead, you will receive a piggy made with you in mind. 

And she will have at least two dresses... see here for the original post (where you can see her sweet petticoat, too!).

And yes, she is a free pattern, but come on... how many of you would like her, but don't know how to crochet, or don't have time, or don't have the materials handy... this way, you comment, and if your comment is selected (hello random number generator!) she arrives in the mail, all ready to be played with, dressed and undressed, and (of course) admired at great length (she may be a little vain).

But that's not all... there will be some surprises tucked in there too :)

How to Enter

1. Post a comment telling me what you like most about pigs. One comment is enough (if you post multiple, only the first one will be included).

2. Become a follower... let me know in another comment. (Two entries so far!)

3. Let people know! Post on your blog about it, then come back here and write another comment, which includes a link back to your blog. (That's three!)

Please make sure that your comment/s link back to your blog (or include your email - I will never ever give it out or share it with anyone) so I can contact you if you win.

This giveaway is open to everyone, anywhere. It closes on Tuesday the 5th of October at midnight (EST). The winner will be announced this coming Wednesday, the 6th of October.

May a person who adores pigs win!

Ready... Set... GO!!!

Pinch and a punch for the first of the month! 

It's October! And those of you who read yesterday's post will know that I'm challenging myself this month to post everyday. Yes Blogtoberfest has begun!

Now, I thought I'd start in a fairly organised (and very me) sort of way, by asking myself this question:

"What do I want to get out of this experience?"

I've written the question and now I'm a little stumped...

I guess I would like to get into a routine of writing. I love to write. Sadly, the only things I ever seem to write are facebook statuses and university assignments. I love to write creatively, and I think that to be in the practise of writing is a great for thinking and seeing the world differently.

I would love to build this blog a little. Flesh it out with more recipes, more knitting and/or crochet patterns, more about me. I guess I would like to feel like I have found my "blogging identity," so to speak. I'd also like to increase my readership. I'm thankful for the readers I have (hello! I'm thankful for you!) but it is always nice to see more people following along.


I would like to make some new internet friends. I really want to go out of my way to visit other blogs (moreso once I'm on holiday - only two more weeks - than while in this last rush of semester and assignments).

Lastly (but not at all least), I would love love love to get to know my readers more. Please share what you would love to see, and let me know when I post something you like!

By the way, this catalog card generator is totally awesome in a totally geeky way! I made myself a list of what I need to do today too...

Oh and I nearly forgot! I'll be hosting giveaways throughout this month! Yes! Not just one! I've been promising it, and I'm going to do it!

Come back tomorrow to hear more about it - how to enter, what is going to be given away... all that lovely exciting information.

Time for a Challenge

(Because four assignments due within one week clearly isn't challenging enough.)

I am the sort of person that needs a deadline so that I'll do things. That uni assignment? Yeah, it's not due for another three weeks, why start now? That scarf I'm making for my sister's birthday? I still have four months.

Unfortunately, this attitude has landed me in trouble several times. One Christmas, I was finishing of the presents in my sister-in-law's bedroom as other family members started arriving. That was also the year I bought my husband a salami for a present. Best present ever! There have been many times when it's the night before an assignment is due, and I'll be in tears, blubbering things like "it's so much harder than it's meant to be" and "I'm stuuuuuuuuck." It isn't a pretty sight.

All this to say, I'm going to try to get my blogger-butt into gear! Yes, my dear bloggees, I am going to participate in Blogtoberfest! 

I even get a cool button (this is also on my sidebar). If you click it, you will be taken back to the host site.

I have no idea what I'm going to actually talk about for 31 days in a row. I can predict uni stuff, interesting knitting and crochet stuff, and something about my Mum's birthday. Maybe some recipes, perhaps even a new crochet or knitting pattern! Once I get my camera back (I left it at my sister-in-laws) there will even be photos. I'll do my best to remember to share with you all about going to Cradle Mountain back in July too.

I'm starting to get excited!

Kathy's Dieting Tips

Throughout the course of our lives, we pick up tidbits (hehe) of advice. Some is helpful. Some of it is total cheesecake.

Here is some feel-good (yes, really) dieting advice that I have gathered over that vast span of my life. All twenty-four years.

If it is a neutral colour, it has no calories. 

Delicious things like chocolate, fudge, caramel slice, and chocolate puddings fall into this category.

If it breaks, all the calories leak out.

In other words, "snap and enjoy!" (This is why KitKats are so popular.)

Did your choc chip cookie fall on the floor? Well, pick it right back up and take a bite, because the Five Second Rule keeps your cookie safe from all those nasties.

Above all, follow Plutarch's advice and abstain from beans.


*This post was inspired by mouthwatering maccaroons, made by a friend who will hopefully one day visit me, bringing some neutral or slightly broken goodies along with her.

Picnik and Cradle Mountain

Greetings fellow Earthlings!

Tasmania is fully immersed in the throes of Spring. The first week was sunny and altogether lovely. This week there has been rain, wiiiiiiiiiiind (so much wind), sleet and snow, with sunsine peeking out from behind heavy clouds - always in time to melt any snow that may have settled. Apparently Thursday was the coldest day in Tasmania since 1986.

Cradle Mountain... beautiful!

But I have not come here to talk about the weather. I think we are past that stage of our relationship.

I love this photo my husband took of a pine and Dove Lake.

I have recently discovered Picnik, and have been having HEAPS of fun editing photos on there.

That's pretty much all I wanted to tell you...