Oh dear...

Today's shopping expedition ended with my credit card being swiped for -

* a sofa
* a TV cabinet
* a coffee table
* a lamp table
* a dining table and chairs

And being an anal control-freak, they're all matching items.

Then I bought a big mat/rug thingy for the floor as it's all tiled. Colour coordinated with the furniture of course.

That should be enough shopping for now.

It's ON!

I got the keys to my unit during the week! WHOO HOO!!!

I started moving my stuff in there yesterday - how fun is packing up stuff to move? NOT!

The poor little place is so bare and empty. Until today...

The only necessity I needed before being able to actually live there was a fridge - I can get away without a washing machine (frequent visits to mum's!!! hee hee) and a bed (a matress will do for now!).

So I went shopping, with the intent of just buying a fridge.

I came out with
* a fridge
* a washing machine
* a microwave
* a vaccuum cleaner (there goes that excuse)
* a wok
* a kettle
* a toaster (why, I don't even eat bread!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!)
* a slender blender
* electric salt & pepper mills

It was the sales-lady's 4th day at work. I'm sure she can retire now!!

That was that shop.

Then my mum and sis and I went for a 'look' at homeware stuff.

I got a whole trolley-load of more stuff.

Tomorrow we are looking at a sofa, coffee table, dining table, all that sort of stuff, so I've at least got something to sit on!

Oh how I love shopping for things for to make my house, mine.

I'm sure I'll change my mind when the credit card bill comes through.............. :)

Return of the...

... photo slut as Shelley kindly put it!!! ;)

Here's a few more pics from the photo shoot Liz and I did the day after comp. *Hint hint* Lizzie, when are you gonna post some of yours up! I think we need to harass her :) I did try to post these a few nights back, but my computer didn't want to play. Must be sick of looking at me as much as I am... and I'm sure you guys are. I'm totally over myself now :) But let's admire Dallas' photography once again :)

Liz picked that top out for me - She did good, I love it. I think I need to buy one!!

The action shots were fun!!


Just hanging round :)

So there we go :) It was fun pretending to be a model for a day!!

My next goal is to be a live shop-front mannequin!!! Heee heee

Here's a Couple More Comp Ones

Because a few of you asked so nicely :)

Again giving credit where it's due - all pics are thanks to Dallas Olsen.

Christmas in May #2

Guess what I came home to this afternoon?!?!?!

My disc of professional pics from Dallas Olsen!!!!!! Comp ones and fun fitness shoot Liz and I did the next day!! YAY!!!!

I'm checking them out now, all seven hundred and something of them!!!!!!!!

PLUS my work computer came back today, so I'm a happy little vegemite :))

LOVE IT

"Nothing can stop the man with the right mental

attitude from achieving his goal;

nothing on earth can help the man

with the wrong mental attitude. "

Thomas Jefferson

Christmas in May #1

I arrived home from work today to a disc of the pics from the comp taken by the INBA photographer! YAY! Don't fret, I won't bore you with more pics...

....I'll wait till I get the disc with my professional pics from Dallas!! tee hee ;)

***************************

My work computer was taken away to the hospital today and was supposed to be returned by lunchtime. At 4pm, I left - it still wasn't back :( It's very sick.

There's only so much of nothing I can do at work when I don't have clients. Not all of my work stuff is saved to my lappy, so I really couldn't do much at all.

I refused to clean... I have a school student on work experience this week - that's his job when we're not busy ;) Aren't I nasty!

Mum & dad's home computer also just passed out again (it keeps freezing on us, and the only thing we can do is turn it off, no buttons will work for us to shut it down properly).

I think it's sick of seeing all the pictures of me. The CD is stuck in there right now...

I flogged their modem and hooked it up to my lappy, I didn't realise how much I need a computer, and internet access, till I didn't have it handy.

What on earth did we do without it!??!!?

I Hate Computers!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I managed to break the home computer yesterday.

So I came into work last night to do what I needed and you wouldn't believe that the silly 'puter just wouldn't start up. Nothing happens. It's dead.

Two in one day, when I've never had a problem with either.

Posting this from my lappy, hope I can't kill all three...

Just waiting for a civil hour to call a tech out, I cannot survive without a work computer!

The common denominator with both broken pieces:

1. Same internet service provider - which means nothing...

2. And ummmm.... ME

!!!!!!!!!!!!!

BUT WAIT, THERE'S MORE!

I still really really really want to compete again soon - I have the costume, the heels, all the bits and bobs, and I have the routine from Jo, which I can't waste. And I'm in shape! :)

SOOOOO before the decision was made on Thursday, Little Miss Full-of-Ideas was fluffing around, thinking how much fun it would be to go and watch the All Females and catch up with some of the girls again, and meet others that I haven't already! I can get budget direct flights from here. I went down in 2007, stayed with Kerryn and had a ball!! OK, so I was really wasn't thinking about the whole money issue... which I should be, but I was excited!!

Then I thought - I wonder how I'd feel being in the audience and not competing -
Jealous?
Relieved?
Pumped to do it again?
THEN I thought - well if I'm there, why not bloody compete?

THEN the wheels started turning. The flights are cheap. I'll credit next weeks flights and put towards flights for a trip I need to make in July to Brisbane. So regardless I need to buy more flights anyway - whether it's to Melbourne or Brisbane.

I'm already registered with INBA. (I would have had to register with ANB for the ONE comp, therefore flushing $130 down the drain).

I have a routine.

I don't have to cram routine practice.

CHA-CHING... You following me here...??? ;)

Could it be any more obvious of a decision!?!?!?

SO I called Lizzie all bubble-brained, gushing and excited. She was TOTALLY for it and said it will be the FUNNEST (word?) weekend! She will be down too which is even better! SOOOO... I'M DOING THE ALL FEMALES IN JULY!!!!! WHOOO HOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!

I called Kerryn - I'm going to crash in on her again, in her brand new schmiko house, which I can't WAIT to see. I was lucky enough to see the display home they built from in 2007! I know she just can't wait to be my tanner, slapper and all the rest. HA! :P

How could I have not thought about doing it this way before?!?!!?

See, I'm not spending any more money, I'm just going to a different comp in a different place! That totally justifies it! ;)

But the scary thing - a newbie, novice, green (no reference to my costume either! ha!) competitor like me, has to step up into Intermediate. *scary music* BUT, I'm there purely for the experience (and to wear all my shiny, sparkly stuff again!! hee hee) and I know I'll have a BALL regardless!

SEVEN WEEKS TO GO, SEVEN WEEKS TO GO, HEY HO THE DAIRY-O, SEVEN WEEKS TO GO!

INSTEAD......................................

I get to move into my unit next weekend!!!

Timing couldn't be better - had I been away it would be another week, and I'd still be paying rent for it.

I'm SOO SOO SOOOO excited - I can't wait to decorate it up and make it all 'mine'. I have so many ideas, I'm going to be a busy girl FOREVER!

I'm going to live alone as I'm such an anal cow and want things MY way! LOL! I'm really not keen on having a random live with me, and use my stuff. And eat my food. HA! Plus with my work hours, I'd need someone who was considerate of that... So me and me only is how it will be! For now at least. If my brother was keen to move out of home, I'd love to have him in -I think family would be the only housemates I could cope with, or more to the point, that could cope with me!!!

I think I'll be a bit lonely to begin with... after being in a house full of family! But I don't mind my own company, I think I'm pretty cool to hang out with :) HA!

Oh and I don't I believe I mentioned before- my house is literally a 200 metre walk from the GYM!! Guess where I'll be hanging at night and on weekends if I'm bored... ;) Bonus training!! WHOOO HOO!!!

The Mind is Made Up

After speaking to the boss lady on Thursday night, we decided that I won't go ahead with the ANB comp next weekend.

From the beginning I was totally intimidated with it being the "Asia Pacifics" - what's a novice like me doing at something like THAT?!?! Although it was for the experience and the FUN of it, I was still a little freaked out.

Then the routine, oh my gosh the routine. I've had it for a month, but I hadn't been practicing like I wanted to - I was so focused on last week's comp (which didn't have a routine, thank goodness!) and nailing the posing that the routine was only of secondary importance.

I came home after last weekend and had a few days of, shall we say, relaxed eating. I still trained hard, and worked on the routine, but I felt like I was cramming. And I was stressing.

My wise mother said: "You've come home on such a high and you loved your experience, do you really want to go down there again, not 100% confident with your routine and fluff it up and be disappointed, and have that as your lasting memory of competing". Isn't she smart.

So, instead of cramming like a mad-woman and being 1000% stressed trying to fit everything in again when I haven't recovered from last weekend, Liz and I decided to pull the pin.

Lana - my best friend down there, and tanner extraordinaire was quite disappointed, I'm sure she just wanted to make me squeal and squirm again with painting that freezing cold contest colour on.

I instantly felt like a HUGE weight had been lifted from my shoulders! So I know it was the right decision. :)

I'm back into my groove with the food, I've been an angel :) And training has been SMASHING!! I almost threw up today, but it didn't quite come. That would have been an accomplishment. I have randoms at the gym comment that I train really hard... I didn't think there was any other way ;) It was "Toughen up Princess" training shirt today - maybe that's why...

****
AND girls, thanks SOOO much for your nice comments on my pictures! Jeh - you cracked me up with yours!!! :)) Did your fingers get cramps?!!??

Can't Wait!

I love getting mail that isn't bills to pay. I especially love getting parcels of any sort! So I was especially excited to just receive an email from Dallas saying that he is posting my CD of pictures tomorrow! YEEEHA!


And of course with the email, he snuck in a few more pics for me! :)

It was so much fun - I totally recommend him for a photoshoot!!

The Man is a LEGEND!!

Look at what Dallas Olsen can do:

And here's some more..

I will bore everyone to tears with all these pics of myself!! Let's just admire the standard of photography from Dallas, that's really why I'm posting these up ;) He just emailed me a few professional pics - after I did my bestest sucking up. I'm so impatient and couldn't wait for the DVD of pics to be posted :)

The two poses I was not at all confident in doing in practice were chest and triceps. I kept tangling my legs! But the question is - what the hell am I doing with my hand?!?!?!?!? By the end my head was swimming and I forgot all instructions, Jo would have a fit!! HAHA! I was tensing sooo hard even my hand is getting in on it...

This one is just embarassing. I can't stop giggling at myself!!! Looks like I need a bit of birdseed in my palm...

Love this one - just coz I'm having FUN!!!!!!!!!!

Thanks Dallas, they are GREAT!!!! Can't wait to see them all :) Thanks for the sneak peek :)

****************

AND A HUGE THANKS to all you girls for your kind comments and support the WHOLE way through :) I will make it round to say thanks soon :) YOU ALL ROCK!!!!!!!!!!!!

Right, on that note, I'm off to dust-up on the posing. Ah-hemmm.

WHOO HOOOOOOOOOOOO!!

Thanks Carolyn!! It's official - I got 4th!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Results are on the Bodizone website!

Here's a pic of the line-up, cool pic huh, thanks to Lana :) Absolutely STUNNING girls - I was so proud to be a part of it!

Thanks Shell for this pic!!
And this one - my back view.

Number 85 in blue won, 87 beside her in black (half chopped off) was second. Both gorgeous.

And here's me and third-place winner in one of our pose-downs!

Back to reality!! I'm home now, and still pumped up, and sooo exhausted :)

I had a kazillion missed calls and texts this morning while I was being 'too sexy for my shirt' doing the photoshoot with Liz and Dallas. Search for a Supermodel, here we come! ;)

A few work issues sure bring you back to reality - one of my staff said she "had to talk to me" which is always not good - she was crapping herself, but it was only because she put a hole in the wall with a plate-weight! HA!!! I laughed, it's all good :)

So anyway, had a ball with Liz - she's got a hot-shot pic on her blog! Dallas knew just what to do with us, and by the end we were working it baby!!

Here's a candid shot Lizzie took of me with my camera:

Tonight I was on the same flight home as another competitor that who at the same gym as me - I had NO idea he was competing and vice versa. So pissed off - coz he WON the open and overall mens!!! I missed it all :( I always thought he had a good bod - well you can't miss it at the gym ;) - but I had no idea he was competing - but how exciting that a local boy WON OVERALL!! I almost asked him if I could help him carry one of his two trophies just coz they looked a little too heavy for him. Tee hee.

Gotta get to beddy-byes, back to a 4.30am wake-up tomorrow! YUK!! The glamorous life is over! ;)

I DID IT, I DID IT, I DIIIIIID IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

WHAT A DAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I had the bestestest fun ever!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Just a quick post, I'm still in Brisvegas, hogging my cousin's computer - gotta get ready to for a photo shoot done by Dallas Olsen with Liz very soon. I'll look beautiful (as always) ;P as I've had NO sleep and they eyes are puffy - I'm thinking the drag queen make-up is to blame! - the adrenalin last night had me up still at 1am, although I was dead tired! I kept reliving my 'glory'! LOL

I was soooo relaxed and just wanted to get the show on the road - I was ready! The butterflies started as soon as I got to the complex. There were sooo many gorgeous bodies!

I got to see some of the show before it was my turn.

There were 14 in Novice and everyone looked really really good. Compared to various DVDs I've watched of previous competitions - the standard seems to have really picked up (but that's just my 'novice' opinion!)

I think the order of events was something like this: It's all a blur to me at the moment, I can't wait to get the DVD to verify my memories!!!

We were split into two rows and did our thang. I think I was in the row that went first... err gosh I really can't remember now. After the inital nerves walking out, I just had fun. My legs started to turn to jelly though - must have been the adrenalin - it was such a shame, I didn't get the best from my legs and abs pose as my leg was shaking like crazy and would hardly hold me up. But that's fine, it didn't matter!!!

I was called in the first call-out with three (?) other girls. THAT was exciting being called out - I know that the judges want to scrutinize you a bit more. I heard Liz and Shannon and whoever else was right up the front - "Own it!" etc :) It was awesome people yelling my name, I wish I could see the faces the noise was coming from! There was a loud booming male voice from the front which said "Go Selina" a few times over - I have no idea who it was as I knew no males there. Girls - was it one of your hubbys or boyfriends?!?! Tell them THANKS - I heard it!!!!! Or did I have a random fan! LOL! The support from everyone was GREAT!

Then we went back to our row, and I got called out again. Honestly I wasn't really listening and didn't realise - I was like "Again? I just got back here" hee hee. The chickie I was posing against smiled and said "let's do this girl" - that was really nice to hear. All the girls were so supportive - when split into 2 rows, as we posed they were encouraging and pushing us on, and vice versa. Such a warm fuzzy feeling - and doesn't that sound corny. When the 2 of us did our final abs and thigh pose my leg was going insane, Jason the MC actually came over and asked if I was feeling OK - I said I was fine, just shaky! I was embarassed more than anything, but the girls in the audience said it wasn't that obvious and others had bad shakes too.

So I got to make the most of my glory time as I was in all the call-outs!! WOW WOW WOW!!!! The pose-down was heapsa fun too, a lot more relaxed :)

So the girl I did the final call-out with came in third - so it must have been between us for that position!! So we're presuming I came in 4th. I AM STOKED!!!!!!!!!!!! I was soooo happy to simply be there - considering about 4 weeks ago we didn't know if I'd end up making it!! MY GOSH, what an experience! I cannot wait to see the official results, the DVD and the photos :) Dallas took professional pics, so I'll post them up as soon as I'm able. I'm going to be the biggest boast! LOL!

Liz has a few on her blog if anyone hasn't already seen them :) Any girls that have pics from the day, I'd LOVE if you could email them to me if you don't mind. My email is selinawright80@hotmail.com.

So I have to say a huge thank-you to my three L's - Liz, Lyndsay and Lana.

Coach Liz, commonly known as THE BOSS. For being SPOT-ON with my diet and food timing and training! WOW WOW WOW! Her original goal for me was to be about 46kgs on stage - I came in at 46.2kgs. SPOT-ON! For having faith in me - as I mentioned previously, a month ago we didn't know if I'd get there, but I put the paddle in harder when I needed, and we did it! And did it GOOD! And for not letting me eat too many jelly snakes yesterday - LOL!!! But with the rice cakes and honey, and snakes, we got it spot on. My muscles filled at the right time - I got the biggest fright to see myself in the mirror - apart from the fact it looked like I'd rolled in vegemite, I WAS BUFF!! I'd NEVER seen myself like that :) THANKS LIZ - you're the bestestest coach EVER!

Miss Lyndsay - for all her tips, pointers, constructive critism etc - we had daily contact where she just let me waffle. Whinge and whine if it was a bad day, boast and love myself (HA!) if it was a good day. For some butt kicks if I was being a sooky la-la and just over it, and encouraing me! For helping with everything from my costume choice to song choice (should I do the next one), and simply understanding as she's been there herself! Thanks girl, I LOVE YOU!

And last but not least, my best friend Lana. She came through at the last moment and collected me from the airport, we stayed with her parents in Brisbane for convenience (she's from the Gold Coast), she painted me up many times over, sacrificed her sleep-in to get up and tan master me on Sunday, bought my water, helped with my food, carted me everywhere, and best of all - didn't laugh at me in my drag-queen make-up!! For someone who's never experienced any part of a body-building comp, she did awesome! Thanks Lana - love you too :)

The of course I can't forget my mum - she didn't fit in with my three L's theme though ;) HA! She was my angel :) Can't wait to show her photos when I get home tonite :)

It was FANTASTIC to meet, see again and get support from - Shannon, Fern, Jadey, Deb, Hils, Tara (thanks for helping slap me!!!), Tea, Lindy, Di, Nicole, Kerry and... crap I know I would have missed someone, my mind was soo bamboozled.

Katie and Shelley and Shelley's 2 gorgeous girls - you all looked amazing and Congratulations!! Cath - although we didn't catch up, I recognised your bikini on stage - it was AMAZING! You looked GREAT!

Crap, I gotta run, I did say a short post, but I'm SO freaking excited still, excuse my waffles. I'll be back with more stories I'm sure, but for now I'm going to replay every minute in my head! LOL

The next question - 2 weeks time - to ANB or not to ANB!?! :)

Up, Up and Away......

Flying out soon.

Bags have been packed and re-packed 3 times so I haven't forgotten anything.

Notes are lying around for me everywhere.

2x coats contest colour done, few more to go. My mum was great, now my best friend has to pull through and keep up the standard ;) And it's just mean that Contest Colour smells like Kahlua!

Tootaloooooooo, be back next Tuesday :)

EEEEK, it's here!!

TWO MORE NIGHTS!

I'm sleeping like a baby now, but still waking earlier than I'd like to when trying to have 'sleep-ins'.

I'm so excited!!! The nerves will return no doubt on the day, but I just want to have FUN!!!

Last bit of packing and food prep done today so I'm all ready to fly out tomorrow. Hair removal will be done after my midday massage then the contest colour application starts. I'm sure that's going to be fun - my poor mummy gets the job and neither of us have touched the stuff before.

My mum's really excited too and she's disappointed now that she didn't book flights to come down and see the comp. She's seen all the hard stuff but misses out on the glory!!!

This is what she gave me:

A home-made card which says "Congratulations on the effort you put in to achieving your goals", and also included some pocket-money to help with the expenses. I was so touched!!!

Bet she'll be wanting it back once the tanning starts later on ;)

3 NIGHTS LEFT

My gosh I'm getting excited!!!!

Yesterday's chiro visit got me all straightened up again, then my hair is looking whizz-bang again too! I did a make-up trial last night - my god I looked like a drunk clown with the dark over-the-top face and snow white body!!! Then I got a second wind, I think it was excitement so I had to use up all the energy so I took off to the gym for some bonus cardio :)

Today was leg wax - thank god IPL has taken care of underarms and nether regions - I'll Nair the arms and any strays tomorrow. Nails got redone earlier, and I'm heading for a pedicure soon.

I got a gift voucher from the f*ckface ex last year and what better time to use it up. I will enjoy every last second of this pedi :))

Then to pack - I'm hoping to glam it up on Sunday night at dinner as this reformed socialite (ah hemm) hasn't been out since her birthday in May - Besides the fact that my only good jeans make me look like a homegirl try-hard with the crotch now falling down to my knees...I wanna wear one of my funky dresses. So are all you other chicky-babes glamming it up and showing off some hot legs? Or will someone kindly remind me that it's WINTER in Brisbane and that a dress would be inappropriate?!?! ;)

4 NIGHTS TO GO...

I'm not counting down the sleeps anymore, coz there's not alot of that happening...

Was grumpy and hungry last night which is a disaster waiting to happen so I went to bed at 7.00pm, lights out at 7.45pm. Woke up at 2.00am... GRRR. Body must have thought it had enough sleep. I tossed till about 4am when I drifted off until the alarm went off at 5.30am.

I hit my lowest weight ever on the scales this morning - that woke me up and there were a few fist-pumps happening in the bathroom...

I spent 2 and a half hours at the gym this morning with weights, cardio and posing practice. MY GOD, they'll be kicking me out soon. I'm making my shirts 'talk' to me to push through these last final days - yesterday was "No pain, no gain", today was the good old "Toughen up Princess". Got quite a few comments with that one!

Had chiro appt this morning, hair later on today, all the prettying up begins...

5 SLEEPS TO GO!!

Sorry Shelley, I've stolen your blog titles, but hey, we're going the same place. ;)

MY GOD, EVERYTHING HAPPENS AT ONCE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Since my well-documented break-up in January, I've been living back with my parents waiting for the unit I've wanted to move into, to become vacant. Updates from the real estate had us all thinking it would be about August which was fine by me, all the more time to save.

Through-out all this comp prep I've always said things would be so much easier if I wasn't living at home - it's too easy to be temped! But 5 sleeps left, and I've survived. I've also planned to do the ANB on the 30th May - got a sh!t-hot routine from Jo a few weeks back, and Lynsday has been an angel with cutting my music and constructively criticising everything for me. Love ya girl ;)

I haven't registered for the ANB yet however - it's all so expensive with the rego fees then the comp fees plus having to fly down there all the time. I have booked my flights, but I decided a few weeks back to make up mind whether I will go ahead with the ANB, after the INBA.

So what happens last night - we get the call from the Real Esate. I can move in!

When?

On the 23rd May. OH MY GOD!!!!!!!!!! The weekend between the comps of all the weekends....

Like I need to be thinking of moving as well now! I'm so excited though, but after living with my gorgeous family for so long, I'll be so lonely by myself! :( I thought, YAY, my brother won't call me for early morning night-club pick-ups... then I realised even worse, he'll crash at my place as it's closer to town! LOL!

SOOOOOO.... I feel almost as if my decision has been made for me regarding the ANB.

I now have to buy a bed, fridge, washing machine and all that crap. Plus my poor broken car still needs not-urgent-just-yet $500+ repairs done to it...

Not forgetting that the rent I'll be paying is more than 5x what I pay in board at home (love my parents!!!!!!!!).

So.... doesn't seem like much of a decision does it! It does mean I won't get to use my routine, but there's always next year :)

I won't make a definite decision till next week, but man oh man, everything seems to happen at once in my life! Never a dull moment :)

***************************

I got up early-ish (this is my week 'off' training clients), to go for a run/walk. Dressed, out the door and it started raining. Usually I'd suck it up, but it was cold and I didn't want to risk getting ill at this stage. So instead I jumped in the car and went to the gym for higher-rep leg training and posing practice.

Yesterday, for the first time in my life, I took my shirt off at the gym. Me. Standing there in a crop top. My gut instinct was to hug my arms around my waist to cover my gut like I always do. I faked it till I maked it ;) I 'pretended' I was comfortable wearing skimpy gear but the old brain was still in it's old mode - fretting and shaking with nerves!

I got a few giggles (from about 40 school kids who happened to come into the gym for a PE class as I was striking my poses), a few odd looks, but the funniest was a HUGE double-take from a younger guy. Don't blame him, it's not often you see a chick rip her shirt off and prance around in stripper heels in a footy gym.

I have to get used to it - it's gonna be a hell of a lot worse on Sunday!!!

I practiced again today after legs, and will do more again later after cardio. Each time I do get more confident and comfortable though so that's only a good thing!

5 SLEEPS TO GO - that's if I can sleep. I had another shocker last night, turned the lights off at 9.30pm, still wide-awake with nerves and anxiety at midnight... it's going to be a loooong week ;)

6 SLEEPS TO GO....

OMG, it's just starting to hit me what I'm actually doing on Sunday...

I couldn't sleep last night - I was so excited, nervous and anxious all at the same time. My stomache was fluttering, I felt ill. How silly, there's still 6 days.

I think the fact that I was practicing my posing and watching comp DVDs just before bed didn't help...

I'm running on adrenalin this week - full steam ahead. The week will feel like it's dragging, but I bet it will also go so fast.

EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEK!!

SO who's actually going to be there on Sunday!?!? Who's in the audience?!?! I've lost track - leave me a comment - I'd love to say hi to everyone, and will need as many people as possible to calm me down :P LOL!! Looking forward to it!!

HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY

To all the mummy's out there. Special thoughts are with those who don't have their mum's by their side anymore. xx

Happy Mother's Day especially to my mum who is the bestestest in the whole entire world.

She assists me in my business with the administration, doing about 8 hours each week, which is a whole DAYS worth - and doesn't want or expect any payment - although I do anyway :)

She has been my support and crutch through comp prep - being my progress picture photographer, my videographer and side-kick on my trips to Jo, my mood-handler, my personal grocery assistant, my chicken weigher and at times, my personal chef. I'm banned from any further comps whilst still living under her roof :)

And that's only two of the most minor things. Let's not forget for loving me unconditionally and being the best friend a girl can have!

I LOVE YOU MUM!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! *MWAH!*

**********************************

And in exciting news, my little sister has announced she's finally pregnant!!!!!!! After two years of trying, and thousands of dollars in fertitily drugs, it's finally happened! I guess you never know what life is going to hand you - as a healthy 25 year old her and hubby started trying... her bits weren't working quite right. But all our prayers have been answered and on 6th November I'll be an aunty!!! We're all so excited - mum and I think it's a girl, dad thinks it's a boy! LOL :) They're very proud grandparents already.

So it's a Happy Nearly Mother's day to her too!! :)

From Lyndsay

Finish Strong

When the challenges become more difficult,
that's your opportunity to become more determined.
When the end of the race is near, the winner is the person who picks up the pace.
Its easy and common to start out strong.
Real achievement comes to those who can also finish strong.
The doubts and challenges along the way can either
drain your enthusiasm and commitment,
or they can prompt you to grow stronger.
When you choose to grow stronger, not only do you reach the goal,
you also become more confident and effective in the process.
When you've gone this far, it pays to make the
most of what you've already been through.
Get maximum value from your efforts by finishing strong.
When the endeavor is nearing completion is when you can
add the most discernible and enduring value.
Finish strong and make it something you can always look back upon with satisfaction.
Your efforts so far have created a powerful momenturm,
so continue to make the most of it.
Finish strong and you'll be fully prepared for whatever is next!

- Ralph Marston

From Kek

The Don’t Quit Poem

When things go wrong, as they sometimes will,
When the road you're trudging seems all uphill,
When the funds are low and the debts are high,
And you want to smile, but you have to sigh,
When care is pressing you down a bit,
Rest, if you must, but don't you quit.

Life is queer with its twists and turns,
As every one of us sometimes learns,
And many a failure turns about,
When he might have won had he stuck it out;
Don't give up though the pace seems slow--
You may succeed with another blow.

Often the goal is nearer than,
It seems to a faint and faltering man,
Often the struggler has given up,
When he might have captured the victor's cup,
And he learned too late when the night slipped down,
How close he was to the golden crown.

Success is failure turned inside out--
The silver tint of the clouds of doubt,
And you never can tell how close you are,
It may be near when it seems so far,
So stick to the fight when you're hardest hit--
It's when things seem worst that you must not quit.

- Author unknown

Nana Nap

Although I had an early night last night, I woke up exhausted this morning. I got to work about 5 mins before my client was due. Ummm-ahhh. He ended up sleeping right through his alarm anyway so I didn't have to rush after all.

I went for the slowest ever recorded 8km shuffle when I got my first break, and after that I was stuffed! Had a few more clients and felt like death warmed up. Not ill, just buggered. While out doing errands I ran into some people I know who said I looked not very well at all. I took that as a compliment, 1 week out from comp, I should look a bit ill shouldn't I? ;)

It was my last heavy leg session today so I made the executive decision that I needed a nap. So for the first time ever, I had a nap during the day on a work day. Gosh I felt good after it though! Came back to work and was told I look sick... I'd just woken up ;)

Legs copped a hiding, and that wouldn't have happened had I not napped. I feel so lazy sleeping during the day, but whatever...

I'm not seeing any clients next week and it's feels like a huge weight has been lifted. I will still work doing the other half of my job - managing the studio, but not having to be there for this appointment and that one, and not having to crawl out of bed at ungodly hours every morning will make a less-stressed, and less tired me. And that can only be a good thing in the final week leading to comp. I want to relax for once :)

9 more sleeps to go, and I'm so scared!!!!!!! Not excited yet, just nervous :)

GRRR...

I live in a neighbourhood of psychos. To the immediate right is a nice quiet couple. Beside them is a family of 5 who only know how to yell at each other. And yell loudly. And swear obscenities at all hours of the day. And night.

I learnt the F word from them.

About a year ago a young couple moved in across the road. They're a little crazy. They like to have people over a lot where the karaoke comes out. Usually it's weekends. We can also tell how much wine they've been drinking as the singing becomes louder and sounds more and more like an animal dying.

Last night they had one such party. I attempted to be in bed early, as today is a massive day, and grumpy me is not fun for anyone.

. I tossed and turned for hours as my lullabys from the karoke queens didn't put me to sleep. I ended up with earplugs. I planned my revenge.

As I drove out this morning at 5.00am I was going beep long and hard to interrupt their precious sleep - unfortunately probably waking everyone else as well though.

Aren't they lucky I was so freaking tired I forgot to do it.

I'm open to any other revenge suggestions. :)

MAN oh MAN!!

Life is sooooo freaking busy!!!!!!!!!!

After getting back from Sydney I had a mini-meltdown - the panic that I'm so not lean enough. The boss got on the phone and we went over a few things, including the fact that I may not do the INBA after all. On the Thursday I went to Brisvegas for an overnighter and my mum came with me. She's the best sidekick - went to my various appointments with me and was the trusty helper.

Spent a whole morning with Jo Rogers - that woman is amazing! My costume is GORGEOUS!!!! My mum was the videographer (is that a word?) and filmed my session with Jo so I have all the posing tips and techniques and a routine on DVD. Jo confirmed that I could be leaner at that stage, but she said I will still be fine on stage. If I was going in it to win - don't, as I won't be the leanest or the most muscular. I'm certainly not going in it to win, it's been such a great journey, and leanest or not on stage, I'm the smallest and fittest I've ever been in my life!!!!!!! I gave myself a challenge and I stepped up to the mark - I achieved a goal I never ever ever thought I'd ever do!! GO ME!! ;) I'll be up there to commemorate that :)

Am I nervous - hell yes. It's not every day this chick gets 95% naked infront of thousands of strangers... I'm yet to ask the boss if I can have a drink or three before going on stage to calm my nerves... ;) LOL!

Came home Friday night and trained hard and worked all weekend to catch up. Had a horribly stressy week last week - panicking about my 'fatness', not fitting in posing and routine practice, being soooo overtired - every night last week ended in tears. The icing on the cake was sh!t hitting the fan at work which ended with me in tears in front of all the staff. ARGH!! When everything you don't want to happen does, and it does right at the crucial time of comp prep! If the past week was a test, I survived, just.

THEN I had another trip away this weekend - I'm so over it!! I booked a road-trip to Townsville for a music festival way back before I even went to Bali. Back when I was newly single and I was grabbing every opportunity. I was such a mess last week I was happy to cancel the road-trip and forfeit accomodation and the tickets - anything to get time at home, BUT my two friends from the Gold Coast were flying up to go with me. So there was no chance of piking!

We left on Friday and had a great time - four hour drive up took nearly seven!!! LOL!! We stopped at Airlie Beach for a late lunch then half way along my friend who was driving said "errr... should that light be on". We were in my sister's car as mine is broken still, and a little box with a star in it, didn't appear to be a 'normal' light. So Little Miss Mechanic here got out the manual and diagnosed our problem - we were overheating. Oh-oh. Pulled into a servo, topped up the coolant level - no help of course from the many males who pulled into the servo and thought it was a good sight seeing three chicks playing with stuff under the bonnet. Who needs them anyway :P Back on the road we went...

I took all my food and wasn't even tempted. If there's anything more motivating to NOT eat off plan - it's thinking of my ass in that costume... We had fun, the music festival was fun. Oh, ran into the one person I never want to see again - the ex and his little girlie. Would you believe I have never ONCE bumped into him here at home since we broke up - although we train at the same gym and live in the same suburb - but when I'm away it happens every time - Gold Coast, Townsville. It's like a bad smell that follows....

But anyway we fit in a bit of shopping so it was an all-round fun time with the girls. On the way back as we passed the same service station we fixed our little issue up at on the way, I glanced at the dash - would you believe the same warning light was on. Little Miss Fix-its pulled to the side and problem was solved straight up!

My friend had the early flight this morning, so I took her then jumped back into bed for a few more hours to make the most of the public holiday.

So that's been my life the last 10 days, HECTIC!!!!!!!

If I'm not around for the next few weeks, my life is too busy!!! As long as I continue to shrink each day, I'll be a happy chappy :P