Getting The Giggle Back

Experiencing a chronic illness is extremely exhausting- physically, mentally and emotionally. In order to try and 'focus on the positive' my New Years Resolution was to write down 10 things that I appreciate everyday and send them to a friend. Here is my list so far...
*Please note to friends and family members- this list is not in order of importance- so if you are further down the list it does not mean I appreciate you less- I probably just didn't see you for a few days!

2012 I appreciate....

Living in such a wonderful country as Australia

Dad and his support, love and humour

Mum and her understanding, all her efforts looking after me, her health conscientiousness and care

Misha and his kindness, generosity and patience

Rich and his kindness and ability to challenge my beliefs/views about every topic imaginable

New meditation cushion

MaryAnne and her time, thoughtfulness and consideration

My Grandparents and their generosity, hospitality and calmness

A child’s giggle

Swimming in a nice cold pool after a summer’s day

Nice, relaxing baths

Coffee when you really want to stay awake for something

Carmel College and the fun times had at school

Refreshing showers

Pink music- her expression and the lyrics

Dancing with Goran and feeling so free

The German language- the succinctness and harsh sound

Gorgeous Swiss Mum who took me into her home and loved me from day one

Aunty Jane and her understanding and unending love

Joe and his kindness, love and wonderful sense of humour

Flick and her willingness to listen and awesome ideas

Tamina and her gorgeousness, generosity and lovely smile

Simon and his ability to always cheer me up, his openness and willingness to talk about anything and his love of life

Tim and his ability to listen and think things through

Fresh starts e.g. new school, new year, new adventures, new love, new possiblities

Fresh, juicy, sweet berries

Queen music- Freddy Mercurys amazing voice

First kisses

Comedians who can entertain a crowd for a few hours and still be so funny

Audio book tapes/CDs- the readers time and effort put into it to make it interesting

Nyssa and her gentleness and interest in so many things

Cool Runnings- such a lovely, uplifting film that has great quotes and I still find funny

Aline and her loving family who are so generous and know how to enjoy life

Harry Potter books- the ingenuity behind them and that you can read them over and over again and not get bored

Helen and her positivity and interest in other people

Warwick and his gentlemanness and calmness and generosity

Watching the sunset over the sea

Holding a baby in your arms

Feeling slightly tipsy and laughing at everything

Evelyn and her love, ability not to judge and ability to give what is needed at the time freely and willingly

Looking out of the window of an aeroplane and feeling the excitement that you’re going to land in a different country

Swimming in the ocean and feeling the waves on your back

Heidi and her loyalty and thoughtfulness

Keely and her sweetness and kindness always coming to visit and her patience/time/effort

Bron and her willingness to help out when she can and her enthusiasm for life

Lloyd and his ability to make me smile with the nicknames we call each other and his wonderful love of life

Ashley and his interest in so many areas of life- his ability to be able to talk intelligentually on a wide range of topics as well as his gentleness and consideration

Being carried by someone big and strong

Singing a song and then turning on the radio and the same song is playing

Meeting someone who can’t speak English and you can’t speak their language and you just smile at each other

Massages

Chiropractic

The Internet

Driving fast in cars

Forgiveness

Telephones

Snow

Smiles from strangers

Apple cidar vinegar and its magical properties

Aeroplanes

Reiki

My soft, comfy bed

The sound of European churches

Make-up

Interesting documentaries

USANA products

Airconditioners

Electric blankets

Open fires in a house

Opportunity to have braces

Row and his logic, gentlemanness and generosity

Murray and his love, friendship and understanding over the years

Living in such a nice place as Kalamunda where everyone smiles nicely

Giving out free hugs with Arina = amazing day

Pretty dresses

Kyla and her sense of humour

Anna and her generosity and companionship

Anita and the fun times we have always had

Thunderstorms

The sound of rain on a tin roof

Peppermint tea

Pictures that make you smile

Availability of water from a tap

The feeling of nice, smooth, silky legs

Postcards

Passionfruit

Lauren and her kindness and understanding

Nelson Mandela and his incredible power to forgive

Traditions

The ability to run

Getting lost in Venice

Butterflies

Lindt chocolate

Cinemas

Bicycles

Pictionary

Cool earrings

Soccer

The smeel of vanilla

Volleyball at the beach

A warm hug when you’re upset

Having healthy food available

Fresh air

Pilates

Meditation

Public toilets

Crema cafe

Having my own room

Nailpolish

Motorbike rides

Giving and receiving gifts

Fun surprises

Weddings

Roses

Coloured textas

Scrapbooking

Hypnosis

Sunshine

The Lion King

Interesting stores

Trees

Centrelink allowance

Puppies

Recovery stories

Guys with ripped abbs

Lawn

Unexpected phone calls

My beautiful feet

The abilty to see

The ability to touch

The ability to smell

The ability to hear

The ability to taste

Talking to mum on the phone and hearing her sounding happier

Seeing baby penguins

Seeing adult penguins lying out in the sun

Acupuncture

Ursula and her wisdom

Biofeedback technology

Tissue salts

Kate taking me to go shop

Aunty Jane calmly and happily making me dinner each night

Going shopping with Norton

Giving apples to a starving man and seeing his gratitude

Having great chats with Jaco

Jaco's willingness to take his awesome camera with us

Having fun being pushed in the wheelchair

Feeling so relaxed in the house

Not having the tv on here

Talking to Kate about relationships, chronic fatigue and situations and hearing that she has gone through the same thing

Kate's willingness to drive me around to all different places

Driving around the mountains and just looking at the beautiful scenery

Watching the mist move over the mountain

Feeling the energy of Table mountains

Umbrellas

Thongs

Radios

Grapes

Pineapple

Passionfruit

Free movies

Lamb

Cranberry jelly

Roast potatoes

Cocktails

No big traffic jams in Perth

Omlettes

Bacon

Mushrooms

Letterboxes

Lloyd and his humour

My hands

Eyes

Kneews

Ears

Eyebrows

Nose

Teeth

Kneck

Elbows

Wrists

Fingers

Shoulds

Hips

Ankles

Toes

Skin

Nails

Luna Northbridge

Haircuts

Hair

Traffic lights

Cultural differences

Orchards

Having a backyard

Avacadoes

Voice

Duke of Edinbrgh award- challenging you out of your comfort zone

Youtube

Movies that move you to tears

Finding and catching frogs

Wolf whistling at a friend and then realising its not a friend but a stranger

Eucalyptus oil

Surprise parties

Dave Hughs and his humour

My hair being played with

Getting the giggles with Rosanna that lasted for hours

Irish accent

Having an Irish passport

That I was brought up knowing the importance of manners

Boutiques

Cushions

Bookshelves

Windows

Doors

Lamps

Cupboards

DVD Player

Cool wall art

Snap heatpacks

Cheap movie tickets from Rich/Tamina

Kettle

Blender

Frying pans

Oven

Spoons

Forks

Knives

Water filter

Dishwasher

Tumble dryer

Washing machine

Fridge

Freezer

Cupboards

Oven mits

Chopping boards

Whisks

Sieves

Psyllium husks

Rubbish bins

Calendars

Wooden floors

BBQs

Excitement when planning a trip

Gem stones

Glitter

Coloured cardboard

Handbags

Teatree oil

Ballet flats

Socks

Undies

Shorts

Skirts

Dresses

Bras

Tshirts

Jumpers

Discovering a new band

Full moons

Good story tellers

Learning an instrument

Fixing something broken

When a pet falls asleep on your lap

Jackets

Gloves

Perfectly wrapped presents

Songs that give you the chills

DVD stores

Remote controls

Butterfly kisses

Saris

Nose studs on Indian women

Foot massages

Joes reaction to pranks

Picture frames

Good family photos

Gospel choir singing

Gay guys humour

Snuggling with someone when its cold

Spooning

Not being able to put a good book down

Leggings

Tights

Finger painting

Brush painting

Glass artwork

Ruth Ebell and all she has done for me over the years

Railway track walk

Rollercoasters

Fireworks

Mugs

Glasses

Spontaneous adventures

Late night cafes

Simons digging ability

Perth city

Sprinklers

Statue that people dress outside UWA in the Swan River

Riverside Drive

Mina’s facebook page

Everyone’s generosity

Lovely surprises

Modern medicines

Inhalations

Wedges

Fresh snapper

Nikis homemade sauce

Grandparents swimming pool

Climbing trees

Being loved when I feel unloveable

Being an Australian citizen

Actors reading out books with the cool different accents

Waking up to nice smss

Feeling calm

Stretches

Bedside lamps

Friends of friends generosity

Working at the movies

Shooting stars

Believing in Santa as a kid

Believing in the tooth fairy

Believing in the Easter bunny

Believing in pirate treasure

Mum and Dads efforts to make a pirate adventure for Tim and myself

Aloe vera gel

Monika and her loveliness

Tweezers

Relief from peeing

Street signs

Hospitals

Karma dress shop

Being driven

Outdoor movies

Hayden and hearing about all his adventures

Whitney Houston songs

Leftovers

Magnets

Being year 11s on year 8 camp

Childhood cubby houses

Green gaps

Nick and fun with him

Having friends from all over the world

South African beaded work

Nice writing paper

Having a good cry when you need it

Smoked salmon slices

Friends that answer their phone at 3am to give hope

When you can help strangers and they really appreciate it

Awesome exchange rate with Aus dollar to South African rand

Midnight snacks

Spontaneous visits

Mirrors

Grandma’s artwork

24th Feb

Believing in Santa as a kid

Believing in the tooth fairy

Believing in the Easter bunny

Believing in pirate treasure

Mum and Dads efforts to make a pirate adventure for Tim and myself

Aloe vera gel

Monika and her loveliness

The ability to feel emotions.
128. Lasertag
129. Lovely views
130. The Dean on Thursday nights
131. Warm fuzzies at school
132. Other peoples embarrassing stories
133. Funny pranks
134. Sleepovers
135. Midnight conversations at sleepovers
136. Viv and his naughtiness
137. Lovely dreams
138. Warm summer evenings
139. Enrique Englasias
140. Lelle and her ability to enjoy life and her understanding
141. Grilled vegetables
142. Double beds
143. Random girl humour
144. Big screen projectors
145. Chai tea
146. Twinkling stars
147. Tamina’s handmade blankie
148. Pool jets
149. Gentle water aerobics
150. Learning how to do a braid
151. New music
152. Torquoise colour
153. Time out at lelles
154. Planning adventures
155. Aeroguard
156. Lelle’s spool
157. Natural sleeping tablets
158. The fun of performing in muscials
159. Drama and drama performances
160. Mascara
161. Chronic fatigue specialist
162. The ability to travel
163. Singing with abandonment
164. Wind through your hair
165. African drums
166. Drum kits
167. Facebook
168. Jokes
169. That my parents are still together
170. Biscuiting behind a boat
171. Jetskis
172. Rottnest
173. Wheelchairs
174. Facials
175. Elephants
176. Lions
177. Dolphins
178. Hedgehogs
179. Quokkas
180. Kangaroos
181. Monkeys
182. Gorillas
183. Pretty fish
184. Kangaroos
185. Willy wagtails
186. Black skin
187. Indians people’s hospitality
188. Badminton
189. Hockey
190. Jewellry
191. Hats
192. That we have an underground sewerage system
193. Anne Frank and her courage
194. Magic shows
195. Circuses
196. Pictionary
197. Rings
198. Billy Elliot
199. Musicals
200. Chicken
201. Ice on hot days
202. Swan River
203. Kindness of strangers
204. Gentle waves
205. English breakfast tea
206. Elecricity
207. Microwaves
208. Fish and chips
209. That I can write
210. Word prediction
211. Compliments
212. Memory
213. Leather jackets
214. Nurses
215. The Full Monty
216. Sparring in karate
217. Hair dye
218. That I can see without glasses
219. Kettles
220. Bins
221. Recycling
222. Handbags
223. Blinds
225. Nougat
226. French language- sophistication and sound
227. Shampoo
228. Conditioner
229. Soap
230. Towels
231. Colourful scalves
232. Aussie dollar
233. Singer Adele
234. The Sound of Music
235. Lavendar
236. Hammocks
237. Schnapps
238. Rainbows
239. Milly
240. Toe rings
241. My lungs
242. Our house
243. Cutlery
244. That I have all my limbs
245. Pillows
246. My chiropractic pillow
247. Being read a story as a child
248. UWA grounds
249. Napoli
250. Climbing a live volcano
251. Passionfurit
252. Age of Empires computer game
253. That I am thin
254. Winter coats
255. Big trees you can’t fit your arms around
256. Ant farms
257. Philanthropists
258. Oxford University
259. The opportunity to do woodwork at school
260. Learning how to catch a ball at a young age
261. Snorkelling
262. Insight
263. Pens
264. Hot packs
266. Ryan and his generosity
266. Being alone in the house when my parents are on holidays
267. Codeine
268. Dad’s funny stories
269. Karen Gardiner
270. Zaff and his infectious optermism
271. Michael and his generosity
272. Notebooks
273. Colouring in pencils
274. Pencils
275. Erasers
276. Book from Tamina and everyone when I left for Switerland
277. Funny stories people send through email
278. Making fun of the New Zealand accent
279. Hearing the South African accent
280. The fact that we migrated to Australia so I can go out alone
281. Spring colours
282. Filing cabinets
283. That I do not have an addiction to anything
284. That Perth has a lot of fresh food available
285. Frangipanis
286. Indian children
287. Your mumma jokes
288. Remember the Titans
289. Nicknames
290. Filter for the water on our tap
291. Trams in Basel
292. Russell Peters
293. Stained glass windows
294. Having a computer
295. Friends willingness to drive me places
296. Mindmaps
297. Holsync CDs
298. Dancing on the cruise ship with Tim
299. 22nd birthday which was heaps of fun
300. Toilet paper
301. Taste of ginger
302. Cutlery
304. Receiving cheques
305. Feeling safe going out with friends who know what my problem is and look after me
306. Inside jokes with friends
307. Telescopes
308. Planets
309. Awe-inspiringness of space
310. Volunteers who have an interest in something
311. Firefighters
312. Observatories
313. Mr Squishy my fishy
314. Gluten- free food
315. Post offices
316. Lips
317. Change in weather
318. Dress-up parties
319. Bickley valley
320. Cubby building as a child
1. I can choose my own thoughts

2. That we can exchange money into other currency

3. Vitamin D from the sun

4. When you find a new and profound wisdom that changes how you see the world

5. Shared life experience with people

6. The feeling of missing someone and then seeing them again after a long time

7. The space I have in my car

8. Playing a really good CD whilst driving

9. Public transport that we have in Perth

10. Trains

11. Buses

12. Ferries

13. Beautiful picture Misha gave me for the wall

14. Fancy looking uni degrees

15. Getting the goosebumps from something beautiful

16. Classical music that lets your imagination run free

17. The ability to forgive

18. When there is a misunderstanding and you hear someones point of view and they hear yours and you suddenly understand that that was all it was

19. Trees when they are all in a row

20. Mini golf! :

Views from the aeroplane

2. Table mountain

3. Devils peak

4. The mist over the moutain

5. View from my bedroom window

6. Having someone you love pick you up from the airport

7. Tamina surprising me by coming to the airport and being so helpful!

8. Duty free

9. Having a supportive family

10. Having access to a wheelchair

11. Perth aiport

12. Having a small outside area at Perth airport to get fresh air

13. Helpful sales people

14. Having room to spare in luggage allowance!

15. Being able to take spare clothes to give to people less fortunate

16. Being able to take my chiropractic pillow on the plane

17. Chiropractic pillow

18. Evelyns generosity in paying for it

19. Kylas hospitality

20. Tree growing through the patio at Kyla's house

21. Furry rugs

22. Flat screen TVs

23. When friends get along with each other

24. Funky posters

25. Really good cameras

26. Nice stewardesses on the plane

27. Being first on the plane!

28. Being really well looked after- with the wheelchair

29. Not having to worry at Johannesburg airport- stewardess putting my luggage through and taking me to the waiting lounge

30. Getting to sit in the most comfortable lounge waiting for flight to Cape Town

31. Totally lucking out and getting 2 seats to myself by the window over the wing of the plane

32. Being able to sleep on the plane

33. Being right in front of the toilets

34. Earplugs!

35. Little cute waterbottles

36. No heavy quarantine at Cape Town

37. Learning a bit of Xhosa

38. Friendly people waving at me at the airport

39. Steward on the plane coming and shaking my hand

40. Being little

41. Hermanus

42. Lindsay and her gentleness and thoughtfulness

43. Lindsay's cooking!!

44. Getting so wet with Aunty Jane pushing me around Hermanus in the wheelchair and laughing about it all

45. Food markets

46. Clothes markets

47. Craft/art markets!

48. Aunty Jane's bath!

49. Aunty Jane's house

50. South African birds

51. Old fashioned doorbells

52. Beautiful weather so far in Cape Town

53. The amazing scenic drive to Hermanus

54. Seeing a baboon!

55. The bit of brownie Kate bought- divine!!

56. Art of Living Course

57. Abi so quickly inviting me out

58. 6mins 40secs presentation evening

59. Really friendly car guards

60. Bianca

61. Meeting Germans in Cape Town

62. Not feeling embarrassed after crying in front of 30+ 'strangers'

63. Kate- everything about her- her understanding, love, consideration and humour

64. Ursula and her patience and knowledge

65. The great exchange rate- dollar to the rand

66. Gerlinda and her beautiful curls/enthusiasm

67. Mekesh and his dedication to teaching

68. Exercise of looking into people's eyes

69. Feeling love flow through the body to Cloverly

70. Feeling the music flow through the body and moving to it in such a free way

71. Hugs from everyone at the course afterwards

72. Everyone being so kind and saying they will take me out in Cape Town

73. Andrew and his good energy

74. Meeting lots of cool south Africans

75. Debbie!!

76. Debbie's unique techniques

77. Yoga stretches

78. The act of hugging yourself and smiling

79. Fresh raspberries

80. The opportunity to give someone who is hungry food

81. Afrikaaners humour

82. Finding out about Geocaching

83. The lady's good presentation and enthusiasm on Green roofs

84. Energy of table mountain

85. The little zippy cars everyone seems to own here

86. Guided meditation

87. Jaco and his enthusiams

88. Hearing so many different accents here

89. Guy yesterday from the markets who is so gentle and sexy

90. That feeling of pure joy during Kriya

91. Paranya breathing

92. Kriya

93. Home kriya

94. Sri Sri

95. Stretches Debbie gave me for opening up hips/back etc

96. The challenge of bound lotus

97. Lelle's funky music she put on my ipod

98. Nyssa putting Harry Potter onto a USB stick so I can listen to it at night

99. Stephen's Fry's voice

100. Getting back my enthusiasm for life!!!

They are coming Mishka!!

Getting The Giggle Back

Monday 30 July 2012

Blog name

Appreciation