Chasing my Dreams!

It’s Chasing my Dreams 3rd Birthday!!

 The last 3 years has been a BEYOND INCREDIBLE, EPIC ride….Wow! A MASSIVE THANK YOU to absolutely EVERYONE who has been a part (no matter how big or small), of the last 3 years of this crazy adventure of mine, which started from a ‘fast, but mindblowing’ 3-and-a-bit minutes out on a racetrack, in with Steve Johnson, and the legendary Dick Johnson Racing! (click the below link for the onboard camera footage inside Steve Johnsons V8 Supercar, with me IN the beast!!)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zt7GXnDMSOA&index=17&list=PL1U0Qs4nFzubu-ScRTrWVKFUJOGisfUj8

(..at the 3:00 mark, was THE MOMENT I felt myself change, and I felt that oh-so delicious “Click” inside of me, the moment that I somehow just knew my life would never be the same again – I had brought my most precious and sentimental Life Dream into my reality!) Both myself, and all at Dick Johnson Racing (and the beautiful Johnson family), had absolutely NO idea what was about to happen after the Ride in with Steve…and that has been the most special part of this whole last 3 years – it came totally unexpected – from ‘just a day out at, and on the track’, and spending it with this amazing Team and family, which happens for so many people who are lucky enough to go for “Hotlaps” in V8 Supercars – next thing I know, I am embarking on some of the most special, awesome, crazy adventures I would never have thought I would experience…and my life would never be the same again!

Arriving back in after 3-and-a-bit minutes out on the track in this beast – and my life was never to be the same again!

From, driving in my car in amongst 100+ bikers on an all day adventure throughout rural Sth East Qld then camping out with them that night on a Charity Poker Run…to swimming with humpback whales…being blindfolded and whisked away to an unknown location for 2 nights away  on my Mystery Trip…walking along the beach, having a slowdance, and ‘climbing my mountain’ followed by proudly holding my first (the now former) SBH Qld fundraiser Event (I still don’t know how I managed to get through ALL that, in the one day/night! haha)…spreading love, hugs, and happiness at various ‘Hug Patrols’…being flown interstate, met by my own personal chauffeur and whisked away to a 5-star hotel to be on television twice in 24 hours…meeting Matt Golinski by a surprise ‘set-up’ arranged for me…snorkelling…quadbiking (something which, before I actually did it, I honestly thought that due to my lack of balance I may not be able to experience at any kind of speed)…observing a number of other people experiencing their ‘something for the very first time’ (LOVE this part of ‘what I do’!!)…meeting SO many incredible people – the most special of course being Dick Johnson, his son Steve, and the beautiful Johnson family (who I now refer to as my ‘racing family’, they are such beautiful people we are lucky enough to have in this world!). So many other adventures and experiences have been had – too many to mention – its been absolutely mindblowing!!

I have had some ‘not so nice’ things happen in my life in the last 3 years – that’s life, right? And at times, living with the disabilities/health conditions that I do, its difficult and painful to get out of bed and just function on some days – But in amongst all of that – I have strived to continue to Chase my Dreams, and create some absolutely special, awesome memories which help carry me through those ‘not so nice’ times and give me something to look forward to – Chasing even MORE Dreams! The next being….taking part in a Marathon, up on my feet, NEXT weekend!! Wow…who knew that one day I would be experiencing the wonder and anticipation of looking forward to being in a Marathon, something I have wanted literally my whole life!?!

Chase your Dreams everyone – TRUST ME, it is TOTALLY worth the effort, time, and whatever it takes, to Make it Happen!!

Anything is Possible…when you BELIEVE that You CAN do it!

#195. Charity Car Show – TICK!!!

What made this day even more special was that V8 Supercars young Superstar Chaz Mostert was making an appearance – and he was also going to be drawing the Raffle winners – Wow!  My little venture, being helped along by such an amazing young man as Chaz Mostert – a man who is out there, Chasing his Dreams, with everything he has got!  It was brilliant to once again meet and chat with Chaz, and have him personally draw the Raffle, and sign and present the 3 prizes to the winners! (not to mention, having him sit IN my car, sign the interior…and sit with him on the front of my car for a photo – wow!)

Congratulations to all the winners on the day – and thank you all once again for your generosity!
Thank you also to Ford Performance Racing for the donation of the FPR Merchandise, as the prizes for the raffles.
And a special thank you to Chaz Mostert for being involved in this special part of the Car Show for me, and my fundraising! 🙂

Chaz is Chasing his Racing Dreams!
Chaz Mostert is such an awesome young man who, at 21yrs of age, is out there, in his own words, ‘really enjoying being out there Chasing my Dreams!’ (this is one of the very first things he said to me the first time I met him in 2013 – and this was made even more special to hear from him, as at the time he didnt know of my journey I was on in my own life).  Listening to his Q&A session was brilliant, he also spent time with his fans – he is such a great young man who is out there, living his passion – something I absolutely LOVE seeing in others!.

What an incredible tick off the bucketlist this was – such a special day, and one I had been wanting to happen for a while now, just waiting for the right opportunity to present itself – with my love of cars (and this Car Show in particular, which is why it was so special for me to be there today in this way), my admiration of Chaz Mostert, with proudly representing Chasing my Dreams, and (the now former) SBH Qld, and being around a number of people I personally know, from the ‘car community’ (such fun people who are so full of heart, and passion for what they do in their lives) – I was really, truly in my Bliss!! It was all a little surreal, really!

Anything is Possible….when you visualise the opportunities you want to make happen in your life!

#222. Swimming with the Whales – TICK!

2Ive been on some pretty special, and amazing adventures along my bucketlist journey…and WOW!!! this would have to be right up there amongst one of the BEST of them, without a doubt!

On Wednesday 9th July 2014, I had the absolutely incredible, special priviledge to experience SWIMMING with the Humpback Whales, while on their annual migration along the east coast of Australia! I CANNOT believe this has just happened!

To be in the ocean, and having the humpback whales approach right up close to us (within 10-20m….the boat stops at 100m and it is totally the whales who call the shots as to how close they approach us – this experience is carried out in a very respectful way that has been carefully planned, following very strict guidelines) – to have them  choose to come right up and ‘play’ with us is amazing – LOADS of tail waving and slapping – one of the whales kept slapping and waving his tail in and out of the water at us when we were all still on the boat as if to say “Come and PLAY!”, 😀  it was awesome, loads of fin waves, and one even rose up and put his head vertically out of the water as if to say ‘oh hi!’ – SO cute! To be actually in the water while these magnificent creatures swam to within 40m distance DIRECTLY UNDER us, and close up around us (we had 3 of them glide directly below us)…..WOW..!!!!

To know that one of these majestic beasts was gliding directly below us, when we were in the water – INCREDIBLE feeling!

The whales were so, so playful…it was incredible! We were cheering and clapping and yahoo-ing at their antics, and at the wonder of being right there with them! And to have a big pod of dolphins come and visit us, just as we were about to leave the last area we stopped and swam at – the special icing on the cake! 

I feel so, so priviledged to be able to experience this, right in my own backyard, off Mooloolaba on the Sunshine Coast!  To know that you are able to experience this overseas….and THEN to find out that Sunreef Diving was bringing this here, to the Sunshine Coast – I could not believe it when I heard this!

The awesome Katie, from Sunreef Diving!

Katie and Dan and the crew from Sunreef Diving – thank you so SO much for bringing this breathtaking experience to Australia…to be one of the first to experience this in Australian waters while the humbbacks are on their annual migration – what an incredible priviledge!  I urge anyone out there, if you are in Australia and able to get to the Sunshine Coast….don’t just ‘think’ about doing this ‘one day’ DO it!  The Migration is between July-till about October/November every year…this very special experience is something that cannot easily be put into words!

Thank you also for being so awesome with me, and so very inclusive for people with disabilities – I admit I had my fears and nerves about how this was going to happen – but from the very first minute of talking with Katie over the phone and telling her about my disabilities, she put my nerves to rest immediately and was so very reassuring and inclusive – Sunreef’s “Make it Happen” attitude, which is of course very much like mine, is awesome – my nerves quickly changed to “Oh yes, BRING IT ON!”! I can swim, not a problem – but I always like to be able to ‘touch the bottom’ of a pool/the ocean etc when I am in water – we were way out from shore, with absolutely NO chance of ‘touching the bottom’ haha….so it did take alittle while for me to get my confidence up, and used to the sensation of drifting around out in that ocean while hanging onto the boat.  Katie stayed right beside me each and every time we got in and out of  that water *we went to different locations, out in that ocean – so were climbing on and off the boat a few times during the morning – I got my workout that day, that’s for sure! haha*, and for this Katie, I thank you SO much.  Bring on next time, when I may venture out onto that ‘floatation line’ away from the boat! haha 😉

Here is some footage taken when we were out there with these majestic, beautiful creatures….incredible!

Seeing these majestic creatures right up close will always, ALWAYS remain with me!

The force is strong with this one! You can see the absolute massive strength when he crashes back down….amazing!

This big guy was gliding along, slapping his tail excitedly as if to say “Come and PLAY!!” – AWESOME!!

After talking with Dan and Katie from Sunreef….I’ve come away with even more opportunities to ‘Make it Happen’ – awesome!

hmmm….whats this….?!?!..hehe…

#227 Swimming with Humpback Whales – and that’s a massive, beyond awesome TICK, right there!

ANYTHING is Possible….when you have the opportunity to experience something that is TRULY magical!

One fleeting moment in time…can open up an amazing opportunity!

#92. Have more TV experiences.
(this ones not ‘ticked off’ the list, as I am looking forward to more of them, however they unfold!)

Back in 2012, when I had the very special opportunity to be flown down to Melbourne, to appear as an extra on Neighbours….then the next day be ‘on the Couch with the cast’ on the morning chat show ‘The Circle’ (which I didn’t find out till literally the night before the show – for all I knew I was simply ‘in the audience’!) – not only did I absolutely LOVE the whole ‘being on TV’ experience (and sharing ‘my story’ which I am so very proud of!)…but being behind the scenes, seeing how the production of a show all unfolds, all the big beasty cameras and equipment – something about the whole aspect of being behind the scenes really fascinates me – so, of course, when I got back home I raced straight to my bucketlist and put #92 on the List!

Fast forward two years…I received an email which contained a link to grab the opportunity to possibly claim Limited tickets (the tickets got snapped up in 3 minutes apparently!) to the filming of episodes of the ‘Shannons Legends of Motorsport’ series of shows, 4 of these which were being filmed on the one day at the incredible ‘Bowdens Shed’ collection of historic Australian racing cars, here on the Sunshine Coast. With my passion of motorsport (this passion is what started this whole Chasing my Dreams adventure!), with having been up at Bowdens once before and knowing how incredible their collection (and that Shed) is, and being behind the scenes of watching such a special television show being created – of course I had to click on that link in that email…next minute I find out I was lucky enough to claim the tickets!

The filming of the show was the most incredible day – so many Legends in the one room on the one day, so many memories being re-created, so much motorsport awesomeness!  ….and not to mention, being able to watch the shows being created from behind the scenes – so fascinating, and so much fun being in that audience that day! 🙂 I was in my absolute bliss….like a kid in a lolly shop not knowing where to look next!

TODAY is the showing of the first episode of this show…and I cannot wait to see it!

One simple click in an email…let me to this most INCREDIBLE day!

Today with the broadcasting (4.30pm Saturdays on 7Mate, the series being shown over the next few months) of the first ‘Shannons Legends of Motorsport’ show in the series, is also bringing back some incredibly special, life-defining moments of my ‘Melbourne experience’ in 2012.  I can still remember the moment of strolling back to my chauffeured car (yes, little ol’ me was treated to the WORKS haha…it was amazing!) at the Neighbours studios and feeling that oh-so-delicious ‘click’ inside me of ‘THIS is exactly where I need to be in my life…this is ME!’.  I wish that everyone could feel this ‘click’ inside of themselves…there is absolutely NO better feeling, its indescribable, really!….

My very special ‘Melbourne experience’

Opportunities can come about sometimes so fleetingly…but when you see them – I urge you to GRAB them.  My Melbourne experience came about from me simply having the TV on in the background at home one morning, and having my ears prick up at the words ‘If you have a bucketlist, we’d love to see it’.  I innocently sent mine in….and the next minute, a few weeks later…I’m being flown down to Melbourne for one of the most incredible 24hrs that I feel SO blessed to have experienced!

Emailling my bucketlist to The Circle after they requested viewers do so – opened up the most incredible (surprise) opportunity!

My recent ‘#227. Swimming with the Humpback Whales’ experience – another ‘fleeting moment’ which took me by surprise.  I had been curious about swimming with the whales for a long time now, but for some unknown reason I never threw it on my bucketlist – I knew the experience was available overseas, so it WAS possible…but for some reason I never actioned that thought in my head (I know, very unusual for me not to do this! haha).  A few weeks ago, ‘something’ inside of me told me to put it on the bucketlist – ever since I got back from my Mystery Trip over to Tangalooma,  my mind kept going to those magestic beasts, these amazing humpbacks which are currently migrating right past our coastline, I simply could not stop thinking about them being out there, in our waters.  TWO days later after putting it on the bucketlist, I was simply driving home – next minute on the car radio I hear an ad screaming out at me, telling me that Swimming with the Humpback Whales is now available in Australia, and it is happening, RIGHT in my own backyard (off Mooloolaba), with Sunreef Diving!  I could not believe it!  I raced inside and called Sunreef immediately to ask about the opportunity of getting me out on that boat…next minute – it was all locked in, and it was actually happening.  Wow!

A few simple words heard on a TV show, a received email, an ad on the radio – each of these ‘fleeting moments’ which could have just strolled past me, led me to the most incredible experiences!

ANYTHING is Possible….when you grab hold of a fleeting moment in time, and TAKE that opportunity when its right there in front of you!

#17 (People Id love to Meet) Matt Golinski – TICK!

Just a few short days ago, I shared my thoughts on how this sudden hit of winter has impacted on my body and my mindset, and put a spanner in the works for my  intense training efforts towards my 2km walk in the Sunshine Coast Marathon…and how I was trying to find ways around it to no longer feel ‘set back’ in my mind, so I could continue to stride ahead, to be able to step over that finish line in August…

It wont be easy….but it WILL be worth it!

Little did I know, just a couple of days later (Friday 4th July), that the absolutely PERFECT way to switch my mind back into full focus again, would be literally tapping me on the shoulder….and I had NO idea this was all unfolding!  When I woke up on this morning, I knew I had a ‘followup’ with the local newpaper Sunshine Coast Daily who wanted to meet with me to talk about how my Marathon training progress was coming along…next minute – the amazing Matt Golinski was smiling widely (and cheekily haha as he knew full well that he was my ‘surprise’ that day!) standing right beside me!  Haha….GOTCHA! And he got me GOOD…I literally had no idea!

I always thought I was pretty cluey and switched on, when it came to knowing when people were ‘up to something’ concerning me…BUT..I have to now say – after being completely clueless right up until the moment I took the blindfold off when off on my Mystery Trip which Billy (the main instigator..lol), Christina, Laura and Tim at STA Travel Sunshine Plaza all very cleverly schemed and kept me right in the dark about – but THEN today, the Sunshine Coast Daily sprung the most awesome, amazing surprise of meeting wellknown chef and local identity, and all-round awesome man, Matt Golinski on me (when it was just meant to supposedly be just a ‘followup’ on my Marathon progress…supposedly haha)!!! After this, I have to say….yes I think I might be less switched on than I thought! LOL…

Matt was apparently hiding out in the kitchen till I arrived at the Café where I was to meet with Megan from Sunshine Coast Daily – then after I arrived and as Megan and the Dailys photographer were sitting there with me starting to ask me questions – in the middle of the ‘interview’ which was being ‘video-ed so it can go on the website’ (innocent enough, right? haha I still had no clue at this point!), Matt snuck up on me, leaned over my right shoulder, making out he was the ‘waiter’ who brought my chai tea to my table – even though that Café doesn’t have ‘waiters’, and even though I didn’t actually order a Chai…haha. It took me a minute to register, but when I did…WOW!!  😀 *apparently my face was PRICELESS!*  WHAT A CLASSIC!

Meeting one of this worlds truly ‘good men’ – the amazing Matt Golinski!

We ended up sitting down and having an absolutely amazing chat about ‘all things life, ‘health vs goals juggling acts’, about how driven our mindsets are and what having passion for your life gives you, and chatting about the Marathon – it was amazing to have this man right in front of me, chatting away with me about things which are very close to my heart….and have him relate to me in our minds, about it all! The perfect ‘tonic’ for my mind struggles Ive been dealing with lately, when it comes to the leadup to the Sunshine Coast Marathon!  I have been wanting to meet Matt for so long, ever since observing him at a Disability event here on the Sunshine Coast in 2009 – something about him, and his passion for life and his craft (his cooking) really struck me that day,  I really love observing, and being around people who have a passionate, driven mindset which is very obviously something Matt has in bucketloads – and Id been wanting to find a way to meet him, ever since! Well…today was the perfect way it unfolded! Matt Golinski….Megan (journalist) and photographer from Sunshine Coast Daily…and Cosy Creek Café Burnside – WELL PLAYED….VERY, VERY WELL PLAYED!!! Thank you so much! haha

People I want to meet #17. Matt Golinski – TICK! off the bucketlist…..in the most fun way possible!!

UPDATE 7 July 2014
Life sure is full of surprises – and this was one of the more fun ones, for sure!  I mentioned earlier of my mind struggles I’d been having lately with the cold blasts of winter playing havoc on my body and my health, which had thrown my mindset way off track…well I have to say – if there was ever a perfect moment and way to meet this amazing man with the most incredible spirit and driven mindset – this was most definitely THE moment that was meant to happen at this time of my life.  I am SO fired back up again now – and I LOVE this feeling!  I went to the gym this morning, thinking of Matts words he spoke directly to me, with his determined mindset shining out from his eyes…..4 simple, but so powerful words stood out…

“You Can Do It!”

– and I went into the gym and had one of the most amazing sessions up on my feet – it was such a good feeling to be no longer in that ‘mind slump’ which was quite frankly, scaring me to bits for a little while there!  And I have Matt Golinski to thank, for helping turn my mindset back around again (it was always in there, I just had to reach for it again).  Thank YOU Matt….you are an incredible man who is out there giving life everything you have got – and I feel so lucky to have been touched by your magic! 🙂

Winter may be here..but this is not stopping me from striding towards that 2km in the Marathon – I’ll just move the training indoors, at Suncoast Fitness, rather than striding down outdoor paths I’d been hitting. Problem solved!

Matt, thank you so much for this moment in my life…this incredibly fun moment that you created even though you had never met me (before you snuck up on me…haha LOVE it!) – I wish you all the very, very best in your life…you are one man who is definitely ‘doing so much good’ in this world, and I know that you would be motivating so many people in this world..including me!  Your passion for life inspired me for so many years before I actually met you…this I feel has gone up tenfold now!  BRING ON that 2km in the Sunshine Coast Marathon – I’ll be hearing your words in my mind and remembering this day while Im out there, for sure!

ANYTHING is Possible…when you open yourself to the unexpected! (and this certainly was unexpected! haha)

It wont be easy….but it WILL be worth it!

DONT WORRY about what everyone else is doing…achieve your Goals in YOUR way!

With this sudden burst of winter hitting my area, my ‘usual winter symptoms’ have reared their head again – my body gets sore and ceases up…as does my ‘cold air-aggravated’ throat/breathing/asthma symptoms (which are all being closely monitored by my myself, and doctor when need be). With my tendency to get ill easily (when I get sick I often fall hard, and can take weeks to recover), especially in the cooler months, and when I push myself harder, this has all thrown a big spanner in the works with my training for walking the 2km in the Sunshine Coast Marathon. I admit Im a little worried…

BUT…this not going to stop me walking over that finish line, at the end of August! My outdoor training may be a little less frequent at times (but more intensive when I *am* out there – and I still have my indoor training available!), this is something I will gage very carefully so Im not out ‘in the elements’ more than necessary – and I will be taking it very easy on myself, and resting more inbetween sessions….so that I do have the strength to train, and to make it over that line on the day! Yes, there is that determined part of me that feels that I may be ‘slacking off’…but its quite the opposite – if I was slacking off, I wouldn’t train at all/as little as possible, and I would say to myself ‘well that’s it, this is too hard, my body is too sore/tired, my throat is too sore, and winter is for the next two months – exactly in the time leading up to the Marathon…I cant do this!’ But’ Im doing my best right now to come up with ways that I CAN achieve this massive Goal Ive set myself!

I will admit Im a bit worried about how my body is going to handle the next two months of winter training, given that the Marathon is the day after winter ends so I wont have any more ‘warmer months training’…but, I have to fight through this mindset, and keep pushing through it!

When you are striving for a Goal, especially a big one – it is very important to work towards the Goal in what works for you…do not worry about how ‘everyone else does it’ (others may strive through the ceasing up, and the weather, and get out there at every possibility – but I know that would end up in disaster for me if I did it that way!) – work towards it in YOUR way…..still pushing towards that Goal, but in a way that you know wont jeopardise your efforts!

Anything is Possible…when you strive towards your Goals in the way that works for YOU!

#169. Mystery Trip – TICK!!

I am BACK from my Mystery Trip!! 😀 Well…that was well and truly worth the wait! haha…

I was sent to Tangalooma Island Resort, Moreton Island, Qld!!!!

Tangalooma Sunset from my room at the Resort….WOW!!

WOW how did I get so lucky!?! I literally could not believe my eyes when I took off the blindfold in the carpark – YES, that’s right I was blindfolded for part of the trip down, so seeing where we were headed wouldn’t give any of the game away! haha. Just one element of the awesome fun that has been the leadup, anticipation, and unfolding of the 3 days of my magical Mystery Trip!!  The months, weeks and especially in the days beforehand, leading into my Mystery Trip…SO looking forward to going away….but not having ANY idea of where I was being sent to…wandering just what had been planned for me, but being absolutely Clueless – SO MUCH FUN!! 😀

Keeping the Mystery alive…until literally the very last minute! haha

I will be sharing the (masses of! lol) photos, and a Blog in the coming days about all the fun, magic, and awesomeness that happened while on the Trip – (I am so, so tired right now I can barely think straight!!) haha its fair to say that I made the absolute most of EVERY moment I was away….and more!

#169 Mystery Trip….*AND*…a surprise tick off the List while I was there…#132 Parasailing – TICK!! off of my Chasing My Dreams bucketlist….!

Parasailing….”I Believe I can Fly!”

what a magical way of ticking these off the List! (along with sunset cruise, dolphin feeding, whale watching, and staying in a beautiful oceanview King room at Tangalooma Island Resort, Moreton Island, having so much amazing fun!)

Tangalooma Island Resort…Paradise on Earth!

Thank you SO much Billy (STA Travel Sunshine Plaza Maroochydore), for creating this awesome bit of magic in my life, which I will never, ever forget! and also Laura, Tim, and Christina at STA, who also kept the mystery alive, the whole way through!! I TOTALLY recommend this agency, and this man for all your travel plans – he really personalises your plans, and treats you with so much fun, and definitely not just like ‘another number’! 

There is SO much to do on the Island…this place DARES me to be adventurous! hehe..love it!

Stay tuned….photos and blog to come, in the coming days!

Anything is Possible….when you add a little bit of mystery and fun to the mix!

Its about the Journey not the Destination!

“Its about the Journey not the Destination” – Living life the ‘bucketlist way’ isn’t about ‘ticking something off a list on paper/a website etc’ like a to-do list that you check off, its about the entire experience –
what you learn/ what you discover about yourself and the world around you
stepping outside your comfort zone
discovering that you really are capable of more than you ever thought possible
putting more fun in your life
that worry really is pointless as ‘whatever is going to happen, is going to happen regardless of worry or not
how open you can be to life and its wonderful opportunities that present itself
how to experience pure ‘childlike’ magic and joy

..and so many more reasons that are personal to you when you experience ‘whatever it is’. Many of these ‘life lessons’ have been learnt before the ‘tick off the bucketlist’ has actually happened!

If you focus on the destination…you may miss the magic of the journey along the way!

The huge lesson I’m learning right now, with the awesome, fun, leadup and anticipation towards my Mystery Trip, is how much Ive changed over the last 3 years of living this lifestyle.  It is SO empowering to just LET GO, to ‘relinquish control’ of what is happening in my life, and to just go with it! 🙂 For my Mystery Trip that is kicking off tomorrow, the ‘old me’ (I come from a background of anxiety/panic issues as well as my disabilities) would have been going out of my mind with worry and nerves at this point, the day before I leave, wanting to take back at least some of the planning of it (I havent been involved in ANY of the decisions that have been made about my Trip, apart from obvious discussions about what needs my disability brings up etc…and of course my budget and how many nights away I want the Trip to be).  All the ‘what if’s – my energy levels, issues concerning my disability and travel/going away, wanting to take back control of knowing where Im staying (even what area – city/country/coastal etc) so I know for a fact that its disability-accessible etc, wanting to know how far away from home Im going (or even what kind of transport I’d be using…for all I know, I could be flying tomorrow, or hopping on a train…I have NO idea! haha), even to the point of needing to know what/how much I’m doing while Im away so I know that I will ‘last the distance’ energy and capability-wise…not to mention the fact that I’m going away solo, the old me would have been worrying about what to do if Im on my own and ‘something happens’, or if I get sick etc.

…but the NEW me, the me I have created myself to be now, is putting full trust in my travel agent and the discussions we have had, and in the Universe, that everything is going to be just fine..and that its going to be SO MUCH FUN!!….it certainly is, at this point! haha…I am LOVING the leadup to it! 😀  My biggest ‘worry’ (although its not really a worry, its just making sure I have enough options), is to make sure that I have the clothes to fit the occasion….as I just DONT KNOW what ‘the occasion’ is going to be! ooooh….haha.  I have no idea where I am going to end up over the next 3 days – but, the journey leading to ‘wherever it will be’ has been amazing to experience, and so much fun (my travel agent is also having fun totally keeping the mystery from me – we were giggling like teenagers on the phone yesterday haha – Im loving that he is really enjoying the ride, with creating this experience for me!) …that if I end up somewhere ‘awesome’ that would be an absolute bonus….even if its camping, or somewhere not far away, that will be fun too!

The big lesson here is, I’ve truly realised how much this whole Chasing my Dreams bucketlist journey has changed me as a person…and the new me, is so much more FREE  than I used to be….and that is awesome, with knowing how much I used to let life ‘eat me up’ inside of myself! 🙂

ONE MORE SLEEP…Mystery Trip…..Here I COME!! 😀

 Anything is Possible….when you open yourself up to the mystery of life itself!

Eye on the Prize – No matter what!

When you have a Goal in your sights, and are striving towards it – you may have setbacks and obstacles come your way. Dont Give Up…don’t let these stop you!  If you keep your ‘eye on the prize’, and keep focused on your Goal, no matter how long it takes, that Goal will be yours – just think how amazing it will feel, when you do achieve it….especially after fighting through all the setbacks you may have had! If your Goal is that important to you….you wont let ANYTHING stop you!

With the Sunshine Coast Marathon fast approaching, and that 2km finish line in sight in my mind (#145 on my bucketlist)…winter has also reared its head – and so has my usual ‘colder weather health niggles’ (thanks, asthma – yep, why don’t I add yet another health complication to my life!?! grrrrr…lol) – I keep getting shot down with having to rest up and step back my training, taking it a little more gently than usual on some days (but keep moving!), on more days than I care to count at the moment – BUT, there is no way I am going to let this stop me!
More training and no health issues would make that finish line easier to get to, yes…but all I can do is, get stuck into my more intensive training whenever I can; ‘turn off’ the worry that this will impact on my Goal (Im ‘cautiously worried’, as I know how quickly my health can ‘turn bad’…but I cant let worry overtake my mind); – and most importantly, have FAITH that I WILL cross that finish line, no matter what it takes on the day. I could sit back and say…’well, my health is getting in the way once again, so I will just give up and try again next year’ (for the Marathon), but no I wont….as its far too important to me! Sure, if my health niggles were far more intrusive/serious, I wouldn’t be silly about it and I would step back (which is why Im stepping back so often right now, so my health issues don’t get more serious)…but, while I still can, and whenever Im able to get out there and train for it – NOTHING is going to stop me on my mission to cross that 2km finish line on 31st August!

Anything is Possible…when you keep your Eye on the Prize!

#169 Mystery Trip – Here I come!! :D

#169. Mystery trip – MAJOR UPDATE!!

After about 18 months, lots of twists, turns, and delays…but still holding onto the Dream that it WILL happen one day – here I am down at STA Travel, signing the documents, and booking in my Mystery Trip! Post-it notes were used to hide the crucial details..and I am STILL none the wiser! haha…oh wow this is a real step out of the comfort zone – but I LOVE IT!

Signing my life away for 3 days! ..ooohhh its all a BIG MYSTERY! 😀

On June 21st, I will be picked up at my door, and my life will be basically thrown over to other people for 3 days/2 nights. I have NO idea whats going to unfold! At first it was definitely going to be a flight away somewhere…but now, I’m not sure, it may be ‘somewhere local’, and it may also be something else off the bucketlist I’ll also be doing when Im away. I dont know! haha…All I know is, the Team at STA Travel all said that Im going to love it..and one of the girls said she wants to do it too! …and that’s the thing…

..I DONT KNOW WHAT I’M IN FOR!! ooooohhhh…haha… BRING it on!!

#169. Mystery Trip – I don’t know what you have in store for me…but Im SO looking forward to finding out!

ANYTHING is Possible…when you throw yourself over to the Mystery of Life itself!