panoramic goodness 5706 miles away.

quiet days.

Alas, I haven't posted in quite some while - the last being just before Valentine's Day. Slap on the wrist for me. I feel as if I have been neck deep in assignments (who want's to plan a two week menu for a childcare centre - one in which incorporates five different cultures AND lists each individual recipe - not me that's for sure), waist deep in small children (this sounds worse than it is - what I mean is that I have been working a fair bit) and not to mention jetting off on a mini holiday to the Sunshine Coast with my better half. 2013 is flying by so fast I have barely had time to catch my breath. I'm one First Aid Course away from completing my Cert 3 in Children's Services and then it will be on to my Diploma (A Diploma in Journalism and Children's Services- let's mix things up a little bit hey?) But yesterday was a big wake up call- a day to stop and finally catch my breath and today has been a welcome day to reflect on that. 

Last week a good friend of Taylor's tragically passed away. It was unexpected and breathtakingly painful for all that knew this person. He was only 20 years old and in the prime of his life. This person deserved to have a future, to grow old and make a thousand more memories but sadly he didn't get this chance. Yesterday was the funeral. I knew this person briefly and it was an awful day for me, so putting myself into the position of my boyfriend, and others that shared close bonds with this person is unimaginable. There was an unfathomable amount of grief in the air as tears flowed and memories were shared. 

 It's funny, thinking back to yesterday a certain quote pops into my head. You don't appreciate what you have until it's gone. And it's true. Life's too short not to appreciate the beautiful world spinning alongside of you. Life is too short not to appreciate the people that make you laugh and the moments that take your breath away. It's terribly cliched but it's so spot-on-the money true. Learn to let go, don't leave any important words unsaid. Hug the ones you love. Say I love you. Learn something new. Learn to love yourself. 

No matter your creed, religion or culture view each morning that you wake up and open your eyes as a blessing. 

follow away :-)

love is for the lucky and the brave.

when someone else's happiness is your happiness, that is love.

There is something so thrilling about giving someone a gift. Hey, don't get me wrong I love a gift as much as the next girl but there is something a little special about the moment you hand over your carefully wrapped, well thought out something to that someone you care about. It's as if you are as excited to give the gift as they are to receive it. Then there's the suspense, the killer wait as you try to figure if they like it. The warm, fuzzy feeling that comes after the suspense is the deal-sealer- there's something nice about making someone happy in such a self centred world (at times).

And with good old Valentines Day coming up, I'm starting to get excited. I love giving unusual gifts, something that special someone didn't quite expect but is exactly what they needed in that moment of time. And to all of those people hating on Valentines Day, to them I say suck it up. Sure, I will admit Valentines Day has been commercialised to the point of no return but is there really something so wrong about a day where people celebrate their love or happiness together? If you answered yes to that, please take the lemon out of your mouth and stop being so sour. Albeit, not everyone has a Valentine- and if you don't it doesn't matter! Be happy for those around you who have found happiness or make it your aim that day to make someone you know smile- whether it be a friend, a complete stranger or you mum. And if all else fails, sit down with a packet of Tim Tams and watch all of the Nicholas Sparks movies. On repeat. The world needs more happy days, I say. There really can't be anything negative about a day where the soul purpose is to make each other smile and spread a little happiness. That can't be such a bad thing can it?

sand in my shoes.

Okay, okay I know I always harp on about how much I love to write and how I will one day be a working-bona-fide (read-paid lol) journalist but the end of 2012 and beginning of 2013 has been a welcome turn of events for me. I quit my retail job (having been there for a longgggg five years- I am pretty nifty at folding jeans by now) and applied for a job at my local preschool. A change is as good as a holiday, right? Right! Having no experience handling little human beings I prepared myself for a massive leap, headfirst into the unknown. And I am happy to say I'm loving it! Each day spent there brings new things, new personalities, new bonding experiences and new challenges. And a whole lot of sand brought home in my Nikes. Emphasis on challenges. I am learning patience, negotiating skills, how to listen, mediate and change a dirty nappy all at the same time. I have only been working with tiny tots for a couple of months or so and one of the biggest lessons I have learnt so far has to do with credit. And credit paid to where credit is due. I think the amount of hard work that goes on behind a preschools closed doors is unbeknown to anybody and everybody who doesn't work in the childcare industry. I take my hats off to mothers working at preschools around the world who then go home and look after their own children. This is no sit-on-your-bum office job, preschools are full on! These women (and sometimes men) are often forgotten amongst the celebrities, sports personalities, police, doctors, teachers and firefighters. And I am proud to say I amongst a team of inspiring women who are literally raising our future. I was going to say excuse the pun possums, but I won't. Because that is a true fact. I still remember my preschool teachers Marilyn who had the softest, whitest skin and Angie who had the thickest and curliest hair. These two ladies shaped a big part of my early years and I still have fond memories of the time I spent as a tiny human at Pegasus Preschool.

So here's a big thank you to all the preschool teachers out there- you are appreciated!

just a little taste of Aloha.

Kisses in Waikiki

More kisses from the world's only Wholphin

Mr Matsumoto Shaved Ice & Pipeline

Happy 21st breakfast Hula Pie

to wed in Lanikai.

I actually logged onto the computer this morning to consult that faithful epitome of knowlege- le Google. I meant to simply google 'Beginners spin classes to do at home', find said video, hop off the computer and onto the bike. That was half an hour ago... I could lie and say I am on the bike and somehow writing this whilst peddling but that would be, well a big fat lie. I found myself logging onto my Pinterest and searching 'Streamer tassles'. No really. How my mind processed Spin Classes to Streamer Tassles beats me, such a complex space going on above my shoulders... ahem.

And now I find myself logged onto JAPR blogging about God knows what. I want to direct this post to a wedding my lovely mum somehow found on the internet, through hours of instagram stalking lucky folks that reside in Hawaii (our new favourite hobby- Hawaii blog post to come :-) ). The happy couple (Aimee and Sean) live in Oahu, HI and hosted an intimate, island ceremony and reception. I've included the video link and it's honestly worth a watch -  http://vimeo.com/54015634. I wouldn't know the couple from a bar of soap but watching them wed brought tears to my eyes, big softy that I am. The ceremony and reception were held in a Lanikai backyard and the DIY touches added an unbeatable beauty (hence my obssession with streamer tassles). The ceremony and reception were so full of light and happiness and so, so heartfelt- it's hard to watch the vid and not your wish you were a guest. Below photo to credit to Aimee's own instagram- aimeesan

 

salty air & sunkissed skin.

sentiments.

Better late than never - time to get sentimental- 2012 see ya later! What a year you were and you are certainly deserving of a little thanks.

Thank you for showing me that I am my own person with my own opinions. Thank you for teaching me how to welcome change. Thank you for the opportunities and the complete change in direction. Thank you for changing my mind, over and over, and over again. Thank you for the times I laughed so hard I cried, gasping for breath and clutching my sides. Thank you for the late nights, early mornings and the discovery of new places. Thank you for the challenges, the difficult times I did not want to face. Thank you for the tears I cried and the lessons that came along with them. Thank you for the beautiful people surrounding me, who constantly lift me up. Thank you for another year with my soul mate and for the happiness he brings. Thank you for my family, for bringing us closer than we have ever been. Thank you for giving me something to aim for and for showing me where I want to be. Thank you for the supressed smiles, the cold shivers and the meant-to-be moments.

Here's to the year that was.