Sunday Evening Reflections

It's been another week, fraught with a great many more downs than ups.  Aside from a whole range of this'n'that, as of yesterday, it's been exactly 3 months since Dad's passing - it was a bit difficult, especially not being home with Mum, Navaz & Shazeen & the Kids... but I am here with Phill and some wonderfully kind, supportive, understanding and loving girlfriends at work and that's pretty awesome.

I have found that making that conscious effort to be mindful of the good stuff throughout the week (with this post in mind) has really helped.  I'm worried I'll forget some things - I'm going to have to start writing them down as they occur to me during the week. 

1.  Two letters from across the ditch and a parcel from across the world this week.  I got a card from Megan on Monday.  I love how honest she is in her letters.  I'm looking forward to getting to know her better.  Later in the week, I got a letter from Sophie in a gorgeous envelope.  She also put in these beautiful note cards - I can't wait to use them!  I also got our Amazon package full of books we had ordered - I'm finally going to read The Girl Who Played With Fire.  I am going to wait until things are less busy, so I can curl up and read for a weekend. 

2.  I can (mostly) drive manual now.  I'm going to try taking the car to work one day this coming week.  Fingers are crossed.  Tightly.  I am probably going to carpool with Rebecca the first time I take it - therefore if I completely lose it, I'll have her in the car with me to calm me down.  (Thank you, in advance, Bexki!) 

3.  I've lost almost 2 kg (4.4 lbs.)  Eating a bit less and moving a bit more is fruitful.  I must keep it up. 

4.  A relaxing Saturday afternoon, watching two hilarious movies to inject a bit of pep to end my week.  I can even feel a smile on my dial when I am thinking of these movies!

First I popped in Sione's Wedding.  This is a hilarious New Zealand film about grown men playing as boyz.  (Yes, I used a 'z' intentionally.)  Sione is getting married on the weekend, and he doesn't want his brother and friends to continue their track record of ruining other people's big days.  The only way they are able to attend the wedding is by bringing a girl to whom they have made a commitment to.  Hilarity ensues.  It's not a cinematic masterpiece, but it's light and funny and the best thing of all - I'm a sucker for a happy ending.  Oscar Kightley is absolutely endearing as Albert, and the rest of the Naked Samoans comedy troupe - hilarious... and Robbie Magasiva?  Not so hard on the eyes, no.

Keeping with the happy endings, I then put in the Aussie classic, The Castle.  This movie is frikkin' hilarious, filled with Aussie colloquialisms and again, lots of warm fuzzies.  The government wants to take the Kerrigan house (and their neigbours) to extend the airport and Darryl Kerrigan is not letting his family home go without a fight.  Not only is it a great movie - the narrator's mullet is top notch!  I can't find a photo of it online, but trust me, it's a stunning specimen.  I can't help but to feel my heart smile when I watch this movie (and no, it's not because I'm reliving my own daliance with a mullet.) 

5.  A pleasant Sunday morning shopping with Louisa and then wandering around a bit with both Phill and Louisa.  So easy to just be with them. 

6.  Going to spend this evening writing letters and cards.  It's one of my favourite ways to spend a Sunday evening.

A rocky week, but no matter how flat I'm feeling - I've always got a heck of a lot to be grateful for.

New Feature: Sunday Evening Reflections

I've decided to refocus on my expressions and feelings of gratitude to help me stay on the right of positivity.  I know there will be downs, but like Shazeen said, it's all about picking yourself up.  With that end in mind, I've decided to do a weekly feature on my favourite things from the past week.  Most of it will be from this past weekend this time, as I've just thought of this, but maybe this will focus me on being more mindful of the good bits during the week... especially in the more "blah" winter months.

1.  Getting a snappy new red car!  It's ridiculously cute.  It's a challenge to drive manual, but I'm getting there.  Hopefully I'll be able to drive it to work by next week.  I (sometimes) like a challenge to learn something new, so that would be something else to be grateful for!

 2.  An awesome, brilliantly sunny winter's weekend.  The last two days have been just gorgeous and so good for the soul.  It was nice to have a weekend that wasn't rainy.

3.  Spending Saturday with Phill's Mum & Dad, Nana, Louisa & Vince.  We had a lovely wander around a shop and then a wonderfully filling lunch (read as: maybe I ate too much?!)  Family time is also good for the soul. 

4.  Lunch at Denny's and having gravy with my fries - they're not big on gravy with fries in New Zealand, so I always get very excited to go to Denny's.  They also make a fabulous Oreo Cookie Milkshake.  Healthy?  Not so much.  Yummy?  Oh, yes! 

photo credit

5.  I know I blogged about it yesterday, but I have to be so grateful for the article: 100 Ways You Can Start Loving Yourself Right Now.

6.  The yummy and somewhat healthy crumble I made this afternoon, and am about to heat up and eat.  It's bursting with fresh fruit and I love it!  It's an extra divine treat with a scoop of ice-cream (low-fat, of course!) 

7.  A nice long phone chat with Mum and with Shazeen. 

8.  The very best was the email I received from Noah.  He asked for a photo of my car.  I emailed it to him.  Then he asked Shazeen to type the following message.  My heart melted.  (Fui means Dad's sister.)

Dear Fui

I love Fui.

Noah

 

 
9.  The prospect of another week and a brand new start. 

You know, after writing this, I do realise, my weekend was pretty fantastic.  Can't ask for more than that.