It's starting to feel like 2010. I only just got a diary today. At lunchtime. I tell you, celebrating the new year in a different country has thrown me. Ending our holiday in the cold that was Japan I feel as though our Summer hasn't begun and it's nearly over! We're one month into 2010 and it time to get down some aspirations for the year. 10 things in 2010, to follow on from the 9 things in 2009. Which worked for me better than resolutions. Last year the focus was on the marathon and living a more creative life. This year I'd like the two to play nicely throughout the year. I want to be able to focus on fitness & creativity all at once. It's going to take some fine tuning, but I think I can do it.
On the list:
1. Take French language lessons
2. Read 12 books
3. Climb the 1000 steps (left over from '09)
4. Run something with the word marathon in the title (half or full - I haven't decided)
5. Finish the large cotton crochet blanket started last year
6. Rack up 10 hours of windsurfing - I'm still learning to pull the sail up!
7. Engage a personal trainer/run coach or join a running group
8. Continue Botanical Illustration classes
9. >Insert Financial goal here< Savings. Lots of them. I can smell the next OS venture already.
10. Master 5 fish dishes - including a whole fish.
Making a return for the 'new' year. Botanical Illustration class starts this week and with a new purchase of the Moleskin mini watercolour pad I was keen to make my maiden mark in it. This being our first weekend in Melbourne since retuning from OS, I also had time to transfer my painting equipment to my new box easel received at Christmas. Of course there was also time for afternoon tea.
Don't get me wrong, I enjoyed Vietnam, but oh I loved Japan. My third visit and I left wanting to relocate there more than ever. Visiting in Winter was cold, but it meant a lot of the time we had the streets to ourselves. So very peaceful. I can't begin to imagine how beautiful these streets would be in cherry blossom season. Next time perhaps?
I enjoyed walking through the markets in Vietnam. Everywhere we went the produce looked fresh and vibrant. This translated into the food we ate throughout the trip.
..was just one of those magic days on the beach- crystal clear waters, warm sun and a gentle breeze. Spent the morning windsurfing (felt definite improvement from last week - but still a way to go) and the afternoon hanging out with the crew, swimming and lazing about.
I am having serious withdrawals from Vietnamese coffee. Outrageously strong/bitter coffee tempered with sweetened condensed milk to create an almost chocolate-y caffeine hit. Happy times (or heart palpitations) after one of these.
Japan
Whether you're getting out and about, or staying in, may your weekend be a satisfying one.
One of my favourite places to explore in Vietnam was the fishing village of Mui Ne. Possibly because it was such a contrast to the resort Mui Ne we'd stayed in for the previous two days. This, to me, felt like "real" Vietnam, untouched by the tourist dollar, locals living everyday life.
It's starting to feel like 2010. I only just got a diary today. At lunchtime. I tell you, celebrating the new year in a different country has thrown me. Ending our holiday in the cold that was Japan I feel as though our Summer hasn't begun and it's nearly over! We're one month into 2010 and it time to get down some aspirations for the year. 10 things in 2010, to follow on from the 9 things in 2009. Which worked for me better than resolutions. Last year the focus was on the marathon and living a more creative life. This year I'd like the two to play nicely throughout the year. I want to be able to focus on fitness & creativity all at once. It's going to take some fine tuning, but I think I can do it.