2011 in Review

The WordPress.com stats helper monkeys prepared a 2011 annual report for this blog.

Here’s an excerpt:

A San Francisco cable car holds 60 people. This blog was viewed about 2,500 times in 2011. If it were a cable car, it would take about 42 trips to carry that many people.

Click here to see the complete report.

Goal Setting for 2012

At the end of each year, I like to recap and set new goals for the coming year.

Now, let’s check my 2011 list and see what I’ve achieved.

#1 – Clean my writing desk ~ Avoid unnecessary distractions by having at hand only the materials needed for the current work in progress. PASS

#2 – Concentrate on writing the first draft of my romance novel. Disconnect internet. Bum-in-seat and get those elusive words written. NO more procrastinating! (This novel isn’t going to write itself) FAIL – Considering I worked less during the year and acquired more time for writing, I absolutely excelled at procrastinating. I didn’t disconnect the internet as much as I should have. And, although I worked on my first draft, it wasn’t altogether productive, and I’m still a LONG way from writing ‘the end.’

#3 – Write a daily minimum of 500 words. FAIL – I did write, but  not regularly. 

#4 – Become more active in my critique group ~ Networking: I must NOT confuse social media with procrastination. FAIL – My critique group which was organised via the RWA group, didn’t eventuate.

#5 – Take a writing class and/or attend a writer’s conference. PASS – I attended Swancon, and took on Kim Wilkins’ ‘Year of the Novel.’ Although, the course is halfway through, I’ve fallen behind since my European holiday.

My Writing & Personal GOALS for 2012

#1 – Write everyday!

#2 – Read a craft book, and a book from a new author each month.

#3 – Read more books in the ‘outback’ romance genre.

#4 – Finish the first draft for my romance novel ‘Once Around’ by 30^th June.

#5 – Catch up and complete my ‘Year of the Novel’ course.

#6 – Seek out and join an active critique group.

#7 – Focus on my well-being. Eat healthier and start walking.

#8 – Think more positively in all aspects of my life, and STOP procrastinating.

#9 – Start a 2012 ‘Christmas’ Fund, ‘Holiday’ Fund and a new ‘Car’ Fund.

Now, let’s see if I can do better at achieving my goals this year.

Here’s wishing everyone a happy, and successful year ahead.

It’s Christmas Eve

It’s Christmas Eve!

For me, that can only mean one thing. I’m yet another year older and wiser.

It’s been nearly four months since my last blog post, although I didn’t plan to be away this long. What happened, you may ask? Well, I did, in fact, return home from Europe on the 5th October full of renewed energy and inspiration. However, within the first week, REALITY hit me like a tonne of bricks. I lacked motivation, and morphed into a full-time procrastinator.

To say I was disappointed that my holiday came to an end, is an understatement. Believe me, the whole trip was such an amazing experience; so much so, I’ve been in a constant state of reminiscence ever since. The wonderful memories I collected during the five weeks abroad, will sustain me while planning my next trip.

I shall be blogging about my European adventures early in the New Year. So please stay tuned.

Nuytsia Floribunda Loranthaceae

One of my favourite Western Australian landscapes features the Bush Christmas tree. I know the festive season is near, when I begin to see these vivid yellow-orange flowers emerge around October.

Here in Oz, Christmas falls within the first month of summer. Even though it is HOT, I still cook a traditional lunchtime roast with all the trimmings; while Christmas Carols play in the background to the tune of Boney M, Dean Martin, Bing Crosby and Michael Bublé.

What I enjoy most is having my loving family home to share the celebrations.

I hope everyone has a wonderful Christmas.

Love,

Carol x

Leaving on a Jet Plane

Today, I’m ever so excited. After months of planning and organising; reading about places, viewing pictures and endless talk . . . I’m leaving on a jet plane to Europe with my sister, Kate.

I’ve gone over my list a thousand times, yet I still feel like I’ve forgotten to pack something. Less is more! Right? Call me old fashioned if you want, but I grew up with the Girl Guides motto ‘be prepared.‘

This trip I’m taking my new iPad. It’s loaded with books (written and audio) music, movies, photos, notes, calendar planner and contacts. I’ve also packed the essentials: camera, travel diary, maps, Italian language guide, a notebook and notes on my novel’s work in progress. A WiFi connection may not be possible at times, so don’t panic if you don’t hear from me between now and the 4th October, 2011.

I’ll leave you with a little taste of my highlighted destinations.

Until we meet again . . . Arrivederci!

London ~ United Kingdom

Lake Garda ~ Italy

Verona ~ Italy

Venice ~ Italy

Marina Bay Sands, Singapore

Ubud, Bali

Remember . . . Life is short. If you’ve ever thought of taking a vacation, stop thinking about it and just do it…before it’s too late. You too, could have the time of your life!

Family

I love sharing my life with my father, Charles and sister, Kate.

This photo is my absolute favourite. It was taken at Pleasure Beach, Blackpool in 2005 while they were on holiday in the United Kingdom. Six years have passed since then, and I’m happy to say our father is still with us. He’ll be 89 this September. God bless him!

Eat Pray Love

We all need something to look forward to in life . . .

Travel Diary

My greatest joy in life (apart from family) comes from travelling. It doesn’t matter if it’s local or abroad, just as long as it’s away from the humdrum of everyday life.

In four weeks, I’ll be jet setting to Europe with my big sister, Kate. Together we’ve planned our very own Eat Pray Love adventure, travelling around London, Italy and Bali. During this time, I’ll also be doing research for my debut novel – Once Around.

To say we’re excited would be an understatement . . .

We begin our trip taking in all the tourist sites of London, including two live shows: Ghost at the Piccadilly Theatre and Billy Elliot at the Victoria Palace. After which, we’ll spend time in and around Birmingham with Kate’s lovely friend, David, before embarking on our 11 day Lake Garda Grandeur coach tour to Northern Italy.

We are so looking forward to visiting Lake Garda, the Dolomites, the romantic city of Venice, and Verona, where the film Letters to Juliet was set.

It’s going to be absolutely fabulous, and I’m sure we’ll be sad to say Arrivederci to Italy when it’s all over.

When we arrive back in UK, we’ll return to Birmingham and spend roughly a week touring, while visiting friends in Derby, and family in Manchester.

The final leg of our trip will end with a relaxing four night stay in Bali, and a one night stop in Singapore, before arriving home on the 4th October.

What are the things you’re looking forward to?

Life’s Good

Life’s Good . . . when I’m here in my happy place.

My new writing space has been operational for the past couple of weeks. This is the core of my being, where I scribble my most inner thoughts, learn the writing craft and pen my debut novel. And, drink endless cups of tea . . .

All I need now is a nice comfy chair to read in. I’m thinking of one of those bucket types. Red. Yes, I like red.

Oh! And, I’m still waiting for dear hubby to install a couple of glass panel doors to the existing frame (this could take awhile…sigh!)

Feel free to share your ‘Life’s Good’ moment.