One Word To Describe Me? Happy!

So far 2012 has brought many tears, questions about 'why' and immense feelings of sadness, so it's probably hard to understand why I would choose HAPPY to describe myself in one word.

I chose the word happy because despite the loss of my father-in-law, a car accident and the other curveballs that life throws us, I am happy! I am immensely happy!

During the week a friend at word asked why I was so cheerful and I couldn't think of a specific reason except to say 'life'. I feel that I have been blessed with so much that despite everything, it's hard not to be happy. Sure, I still cry a few times a week about my father-in-law W, get stressed about day to day tasks and while I don’t walk around with a smile planted on my face 24/7, overall I think that I have so much to be thankful for that I think the happiness is going to burst out of me.

AK//

My love, my best friend, my soul mate and my strength.

Family//

 An ongoing source of love, laughter and support, from both my family and AK's.

Work//

I am very lucky to work for a great organisation where I enjoy what I do and like the people I work with.

2012//

While so far the year has brought great sadness, this is the year I will become a wife and planning our wedding together has been a lot of fun (and hard work) and gives us something positive to look forward to.

The Little Things//

Probably the biggest thing for me is finding happiness in the routine and focusing on the positives in the life. With AK recently starting his new job, this week we started driving to work and walking part of the way together until we have to go our separate ways and I explain how much I love this. On Tuesday morning we walked hand-in-hand in the rain to work and while it means waking up earlier, this little morning car ride and walk to work with AK is the best start to the day I could imagine.

Remembering everything happens for a reason//

We might not know the reason just yet, but there is one.

Being Thankful For What I Have//

Yes I have a wish list of items I want, but I also pay attention to what I do have and remember to be thankful for it. When I had a car accident last week, I was hurt and shaken up, but I focused on giving thanks to my father-in-law W (who I think is my guardian angel) and God, for looking after me. I stopped just before a large electricity pole and know it could have been a lot worse.

Memories//

I reminisce a lot about good times and great  experiences, but I also remember those nights spent at home cooking, playing games with mine or AK's family and all of those little moments you normally wouldn't think twice about, which are the sweetest moments to me now.

What word would you choose if you had to describe yourself in one word?

Dakota Fanning

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I just LOVE these photos of Dakota. 

Classy, beautiful, intelligent. 

Engagement Shoot Inspiration

Last Saturday AK and I were scheduled to have our engagement photo shoot but, less than a week before, our photographer cancelled. She didn't just cancel for the photo shoot, she cancelled for our wedding too.

I wasn't too upset because I believe everything happens for a reason and know it's definitely for the best. Even though at the time we booked we were very happy with our decision, her actions since have shown that she is obviously less than professional.

In preparation for our engagement shoot I had gathered some inspiration shots, so seeing as they are of no current use to me, I thought I'd share them in case they are useful for others.

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And of course some silly ones;

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I love some of the engagement/pre-wedding shoots I have seen but I really wanted ours to be more natural and not so staged with props, although we did buy the umbrella in one of the shots above.

Are you having an engagement shoot?

Pretty in Pink - Pink Ribbon Day 2011

Source: doughnuts, shorts, car, bag.

When I'm regularly blogging, at the end of each month I like to link to this post to serve as a monthly reminder for people check themselves out.

If we have a cough, a croaky throat or a runny nose, it's often a physical sign that we are suffering from a cold, but apart from having less physical signs initially, the consequences of cancer are obviously a lot more severe. This is why we need to check for it. We can't wait for the later symptoms to show.

There is no better time to check yourself out because today is Pink Ribbon Day which aims to help raise awareness about breast cancer, as well as raise funds for research, early prevention and patient support programs.

Today my work is holding a Pink Ribbon Breakfast to raise money for the Cancer Council and with 12,700 Australian women diagnosed with breast cancer this year alone, the money is definitely needed. Knowing that 12,700 families just in Australia are impacted by the diagnoses of breast cancer each year is enough to make me want to support this great cause, but it was made all the more personal for me this week when, during a routine check, I felt a lump in my breast.

After a visit to the doctors, an appointment for an ultrasound was made by my doctor with the words URGENT scribbled on the form. It was only then I started to worry and wonder if, despite believing everything would be ok, my life was about to change dramatically. A couple of hours after my long ultrasound appointment where I studied the sonographer for any indication of what he was seeing and how serious it was, my doctor called to give me the all clear and let me know that I have cysts in my breast.

While I was lucky enough to be given the all clear, so many aren't so lucky, so if you or your workplace would like to support Pink Ribbon Day you can by:

• Selling Pink merchandise (or buying something for yourself)
• Holding a Wear Pink Day
• Volunteering some of your time on the day
• Donating to Pink Ribbon Day
  
  
• Holding your own type of pink fundraising event for breast cancer

One of the biggest things I wish people would take out of this post and the promotion of Pink Ribbon Day is that aside from donations to the Cancer Council, an important thing is to check yourself out and have conversations about checking yourself out with family and friends. As we know, early detection can make all the difference and for early detection to take place, we need to catch it before the later physical symptoms show.

So please check yourself out and encourage others to do so too.