I realised I can probably say now I have 3 or ‘friends’ who I’m seeing about once a month now and chat with a bit online. It would be nice to be able to catch up with some of them more regularly for a coffee but we’ll get there!
This is going ahead for next Jan, I know it will be COLD! But I’m hoping that going in Jan will make it a bit cheaper and there is some sort of restaurant festival on which should be good.
Next step: book flights
1 – We managed to find D a suit that fit well yesterday without too much trouble
2 – It’s not too grey or cloudy today
3 – finding interesting ways to use up stale bread – yum french toast!
4 – getting out of the house last night to a talk and wine & cheese night
5 – finding the courage to decide to go away for 2 days next week with my days off. I usually don’t like travelling by myself but I definitely need a break and I’m not going far. I think it will be fun!
I started having some counselling last week. She had some good practical ideas that I’ve already started implementing.
We both agree that although I like the CBT approach at the end of the day it doesn’t address a lot of underlying issues so we’re going to start tackling some of that. I’m both relieved and terrified at the same time! I’ve spent the past 12 months putting my father at the back of my mind, now having to think about it again is going to be difficult.
-Potato and leek soup
-Pasta with eggplant
-lasagne
-stir fry with hokkien noodles
-homemade ravioli at my cooking class
I have really been struggling with my depression this past fortnight and we have just found out that D’s mum may have cancer. So this is hard today, but I’m trying!
1 – I got out of bed before midday today
2 – It’s nice and warm inside, out of the rain
3 – The mince sauce I’ve got simmering ready for tonight’s lasagne smells amazing and is wafting throughout the house
4 – I just heard from D’s cousins who are coming to visit next weekend – something to look forward to
5 – Skype makes family on the other side of the world feel much closer
1 – Hugs
2 – Leftover chocolate brownie
3 – Agreeing on a decision about my job
4 – Time to catch up on my budget and mail
5 – A successful shopping trip with D yesterday – it can be so hard to find him things but we came home with a waterproof jacket, gloves and a new belt.
1 – Being able to use the internet to connect with friends overseas
2 – trying some new recipes this week which turned out
3 – having a quiet day
4 – being taken seriously by the doctor
5 – my boss faxed off my payslip while i was away so i would get paid on time
Technically this requires a separate saucepan the night before to boil and mash the potato topping but I’m putting it down here as it was still so easy!
This was my first experience making fish pie, I was quite reluctant as I didn’t think fish and pie really went together… But I used an easy Jamie Oliver recipe that turned out great! Will definitely be making it again.
Some meals or variations on themes I had never made before:
1 – Pasta with pesto and mushrooms
2 – Stuffed squid
3 – Roast beef & vegies with tomato & red wine sauce
4 – Fish pie
So easy!
Cook the pasta. While it’s draining add the mushrooms, basil leaves and pesto to the hot saucepan and fry. Stir the pasta back in and serve. :D
1 – my throat is less sore today
2 – both my deliveries arrived early today so I will have time to go out
3 – inspiration to plan new meals this week
4 – contact with friends back home
5 – it’s nice and warm inside my apartment, even thought the weather is really starting to cool off!
I ordered some boxes of flavoured teas, did a weekend of baking and had 20 people over yesterday and raised 95 pounds!
Quite a lot of preparation was involved, you wouldn’t do this all the time for so many people but it was lots of fun in the end.
1 – pasta with eggplant and mince
2 – vegetable curry which lasted 2 nights
3 – oven steamed fish with vegies
4 – pork medallions with mushroom sauce
5 – grilled chicken with salad
Sigh. I used to be able to eat anything and stay slim but as I get older this approach is not working anymore!!
I think the main meals I eat are fairly healthy, I do all my own cooking, use lots of fruit and vegies and pack my own lunches.
But I snack on cake, biscuits & sugary drinks a lot between meals. I also just eat A LOT compared t other girls. For some reason my appetite has become incredible… I think 3 months at home unemployed earlier in the year meant I was constantly eating and just got used to more food.
About 2 months ago I made a rule of no ice-cream or milk chocolate kept in the house and we’re only drinking sugar free lemonade now. If they’re here in the house I just have no self control. I’m still buying some sweet biscuits to go with cups of tea but fairly plain ones so I’m not eating them that quickly.
Goals:
I think the next thing to do is stop buying cake and sugary drinks after work just because I ‘feel tired’ or it’s been a difficult day. It really is a pathetic excuse!
Plus a bit more walking and jogging. I’m definitely doing less walking since I started this new job.
1 – A fun night out with friends
2 – Not too tired today
3 – Plans have gone smoothly so far for my fundraiser tomorrow
4 – An amazing partner
5 – Feeling a bit more at home here after 5 months
I love organising things, baking and tea. Plus we hadn’t had a house warming yet.
So I found a charity fundraiser to host an afternoon tea for and we’re having about 20 friends round. It’s raising money for elderly disadvantaged people which is something I care about being an aged care health worker.
I’ve organised the menu, ordered a selection of flavoured teas and have made some calls about hiring some extra chairs and an urn.
Very excited!
1 – getting off work an hour early
2 – how i met your mother
3 – soft tissues
4 – the ability to eat and drink which many of my patients don’t have
5 – being complimented by my boss on my phone manner – a nice surprise
Every time i re-add one of these goals I feel so ashamed that it’s got the better of me again. I mean, surely i learnt all those lessons the last time?
But with our overseas move, trying to make friends and sort out what is going out with my career in a new country plus becoming estranged from my father… it’s no wonder I’m struggling this year.
It’s hard to know what is normal to expect for culture shock and how much of it is actually depression on top of that…
But I’m doing my best on the days that I can and am going to keep trying hard :)
