My personal bests of 2013

As the sun starts to set on the year 2013, many magazines and websites are listing the "Best and worst of 2013".

I thought I would do the same, except I decided to ditch the "worst" part because reliving the shitty bits is just depressing. My motto is "Focus on the positive".

Counting down from five to one, here are my personal bests of 2013....

Five - starting my own business

Taking the plunge and starting my own business was a massive highlight for me this year. Even though it was scary and nerve-racking, I did it. I clicked launch on the website and that was that - well that wasn't exactly that, there was a lot to do with setting up the website, registering for an ABN and all that adminy type stuff but that is the boring bit. 

If you haven't checked out my website, you can click the logo below :)

Four - having my first article published

Last year I completed the Magazine and Newspaper Writing Stage 1 course at the Sydney Writers Centre (now the Australian Writers Centre) and then basically did nothing. I watched the Facebook group with eager anticipation as more and more graduates had their work published. It spurred me on. 

After starting my business I decided I had procrastinated enough about features writing and just jumped. I sent a pitch to Women's Agenda and it was published. I was ecstatic.

If you haven't checked it out, here it is...

Four things Sheryl Sandberg taught me

Three - celebrating eight years of marriage

Even though I seem to forget every year, our wedding anniversary is always a highlight. I love my Hubby so much. I am a lucky lady to have him in my life. He is a supportive, caring and honest man. Thanks for asking me out Hubby.

Two - little miss graduating from preschool

Number two on my best of 2013 is our little miss graduating from preschool. I can't believe that she is five and half and will be starting Kindergarten next year. I have to pinch myself sometimes that I am a mum to such a wonderfully caring, considerate little human being. 

To read about her graduation, you can check out this post - We have a preschool graduate

One - welcoming our little man into our lives

Welcoming our little man on January 10, 2013 was the number one personal best for me this year. After 18 long gruelling emotional months of fertility treatment we finally fell pregnant on our last roll of the "trying for number two" dice. 38 weeks after that, our little man came into our lives. No words can describe that feeling when you first see your baby and feel their skin on yours.

What are your personal bests of 2013?

Sports Sunday - State of Origin I

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It is that time of year again in Rugby League. State versus state. Mate versus mate. It is Origin time!

There are big hopes for NSW this year - probably just like preceding years. It has been 8 years since they have won the series. That is a long time of Queensland domination.

Wednesday night saw the series opener kick off at ANZ Stadium in Sydney. The NSW Blues were at a home ground advantage and they capitalised, winning the game 14 - 6. Game Two sees them travel to Suncorp Stadium in Queensland on Wednesday 26 June.

It is only game one so NSW supporters should not get ahead of themselves, but with game three also being played in Sydney, you would be hopeful in thinking that this could be the year they win the series.

The main news headline coming out of game one was the clash between Paul Gallen and Nate Myles.

During a tackle Gallen hit Myles with a swinging arm, which lead him to give Myles a  one-two combination straight on the chin.

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Gallen was placed on report with a grade two striking charge and faces a one week ban. Considering Origin II isn't for three weeks, I am sure he will be playing in QLD.

Gallen said of the incident, "I don't have to tell you some of the things he's done to our players." Citing incidents where Myles led with his head when tackling Jarryd Hayne and last year when he knocked out Robbie Farrah with a head clash.

Gallen also said, "He's been very dominant. We didn't want to be pushed around. That's all there was to it. It's Origin. He plays the game very tough. We've just had enough of being bullied."

NSW Coach Laurie Daley said, "That's a great Origin moment as far as I'm concerned."

Queenslander Billy Slater said, "That kind of thing is expected on the field."

Is this a case of the bully, Myles, being put in his place by Gallen? Had NSW had enough of his tough-man tactics and decided it was time for some chin music?

Growing up watching Origin football it was common place to see some biffo during the game. It was almost unusual not to see it. Origin is touted as being very passionate and physical, does this mean a bit of bif is okay?

Times seem to have changed though. The role of footballers has changed. They no longer have day jobs and play football on the weekend. Football is their job. They are now serious role models for our children. Does this kind of behaviour still have a place in Origin football? Should it be expected and the norm?

What are your thoughts on throwing punches in Origin football?

Has Masterchef lost the plot?

It seems the genius minds behind the Masterchef (MC) franchise are running the gauntlet with the next season.

In recent MC series, ratings have been wanning and clearly not wanting to be outdone by the negative publicity that The Biggest Loser has received this year for fat shaming teenagers, they are lining up Boys vs Girls.

Okay, so boys vs girls isn't that bad, right?

But have you seen the promo that has recently adorned our TV screens offering a glimpse into the upcoming Masterchef season?

If not, check it out below....





At first I thought it might have been a joke. You know someone taking the piss, then I saw Gary, George and Matt. I realised this was for real.

Hubby, Little Miss 4 and I normally watch MC together - not this season if this promo is anything to go by.

The contestants script for this promo goes something like this....

"The average woman cooks 1,000 meals a year. Men can't compete with that"

WTF! This woman is not cooking an average of 1,000 meals per year and Hubby can definitely compete with that. You see, in this house, Hubby and I share the cooking, cleaning, gardening and financial contribution. It is important for us to teach our kids that men and women are equal.

"Women are better at presentation. We are used to groom ourselves"

Have the MC brains trust been in hiberation for the past decade! Some men spend more time grooming themselves than women.
Are they trying to make the women contestants out to be mirror bound princesses?

"When a man puts his mind to a task, it always turns out better."

Pardon me. This is really something that I don't want my kids to learn. I want them both to believe if they put their mind to a task they will achieve.

Note to the MC brains trust, I think that the promo for the new series needs a re-think, otherwise your ratings will not improve.

What are your thoughts on the new MC promo?