52 Weeks of Happy and a bit more.

Hi, It's that time of the week again to show some of the things that have made me happy this week. So linking in with Little Birdie here are this week's happy moments.

Week 27

1-7th July

Well, it has been an incredibly busy week and one full of good things happening.
 
The school magazine final copy came and was sent out to parents- When I volunteered to be editor way back last summer I didn't expect me to be so worried about getting it right- but after lots of trials, trauma and tweaking- Finally got it done. So very pleased it is finished

Bought my self a new phone- My old one disappeared and despite much hesitancy, I decided to step into the 21st century and get a smart phone- It's not even out of the box yet- and will probably take a few months to work out how to use it- But I like it!

Started packing for my trip home :)

Had a great Birthday- with celebrations that lasted a couple of days

 

 Attended a weekend Yoga course_ Yes I know this looks like some form of punishment- But I was being stretched at the time- I was still smiling so it wasn't that bad!
  It made a change being a student rather than being in front of a class of kids- and I enjoyed learning new things. It was actually a course to enable teachers to teach yoga and movement as part of our PE lessons at school.
 

 Another milestone completed- After weeks of auditions, rehearsals, music lesson and planning- we held our end of year production on Thursday. We had a showcase and talent show. It was great to see all our kids on stage giving everything their best shot. It all came together exactly as planned and everyone had a great time doing it. A very happy night.

 

Birthdays- What's not to smile about- Ok yes, Getting older! But it's nice to celebrate it with everyone. Thank you to everyone who sent me birthday wishes- It's very kind.

Had a lovely day on Friday and then it culminated today as my friends had clubbed together to treat me to a WHITE WATER RAFTING experience. They knew I'd been wanting to do it for ages.  So off we all went this morning and had a great time! I'll post some photos of the trip once I get some sorted- But it was fun!

 

 This was just before we set off downstream. There'll be more photos to follow:)

 So I've had a busy yet enjoyable week. Next week is equally as hectic as it's the last week of term. I'm going to try and catch up with some blog reading and add a few more post too!

 

For those who might have missed my 100 posts giveaway- why don't you drop me a comment and have a chance at getting a present from Borneo. Just click on this Giveaway link.

You might also want to catch up on my Camerashy challenge or my Made with Love Scavenger Hunt. I have another scavenger hunt I want to post too- but there's just not enough hours in the day!

 

I hope you've had a good week too

 Keep smiling,

Amanda x

Saturday Snaps

A photograph, each Saturday- Quirky or Serious?, Fun or Interesting?, Real or Abstract?

A comment or not, a thought, a quote or whatever-Let the pictures do the talking

 

These were last week's Saturdays Snaps - Two places I had visited- and I asked you to guess where they were. Well Jennifer and Kathy were very observant and recognised them as Glastonbury Festival and Colonial Williamsburg. I'm both surprised and pleased you got them- Obviously well travelled ladies.

 

This week's Saturday snap is of another well travelled lady. For obvious reasons, yesterday was a special day for her too- and no matter how old we are or where we are- It's still hard when we're not with each other on our birthday. I think this is the furthest we've been away from each other, but at least with technology we did manage to have a chat and wish each other a Happy Birthday.

So this is a Belated Birthday Wish to my other half- literally- my twin sister, Deb.

 

Amanda x

 

Another Year Gone By!

 I discovered today ,that the best way to feel good about yourself was to ask a child how old did they think you were- It's also the best way to feel OLD very quickly!

Kids don't have a clue when it comes to adult's ages- anything that is over 20, is just old!!!

So according to my class, I look 23, 28. or 34- I liked the way this was heading... And then someone offered 53, and then 70! I told you, they have no idea!! and decided then to stop before it got ridiculous.

When I told them my actual age, I got replies of ' That's older than my Dad!; and 'Wow, you are old'- Thanks kids!- You certainly know how to bring me down a peg or two.

 

Today is my birthday , So I decided that I would show some photos tonight of  my birthday over the years. I have been very lucky to have spent my birthday, in many different places with some many fantastic people

2008

2008 saw a family get together and walks on the beach at home in Cumbria. I had just returned from South America and would soon be flying off to the states for a couple of years.

 
2009

 

A great birthday at the Grand Canyon. As part of a west coast trip we had 3 days around and about the Grand Canyon. Helicopter rides down into the valley, watching sunsets and sunrises and spending it with my best US buddies.

 
2010

 A year later, I was at Gettysburg, for a battle re-enactment and celebrating the 4th of July too!

 
2011

In 2011, having returned back to Cumbria, I had a very enjoyable birthday spending the night in a Yurt. This Mongolian tent experience was great, except I was sharing it 30 school children! Yes- it was an overnight field trip- great timing! But the kid's frequent bathroom breaks in the middle of the night, did mean that I saw the sun both rise and set on my birthday.

 

 2012

A Borneo Birthday- work friends took me for a Zip wire experience and then for afternoon tea. This was actually at the weekend following my birthday as the actual day was spent at work and then an evening performance of our school play. We'd been working on it for months- and I don't know whether I was happy that it was my birthday- or just relieved it was all over!

 

2013

And Finally... Today. Spending the day at school, kids singing Happy birthday every time I came in the room, homemade cards and copious amounts of cake and doughnuts - It all made for a good day.

 

It's still not over yet! It's our End of Year Dinner this evening, so I'll be heading out to that- But I can imagine it might be a late night.. I have no excuses-and will therefore be on that dance floor boogying down until the wee small hours- I may be a year older- but I'm not going to let the younger ones get the better of me!- Age is just a number isn't it!

 

Oh and as I bet you're all wondering, I'm now 46! Aahhhhh!

 

Until next time, with or without a hangover!

Amanda x

Happy 4th July

To those of you who live 'on the other side of the pond',

Happy Independence Day!

 And for those of you who are not celebrating today- please forgive a little indulgence in all this 'Stateside' stuff!

Ok, so today is Independence Day in the 'good old, US of A and so to honour that I thought I'd give you a little virtual tour of what you might think of when you think of the United States.

 For many, the White House, Capitol Building and Washington Monument are the Epitome of  the US.  The Nation's Capital and political centre is a wonderful city, to visit, to view, to walk around and to stare with awe and wonder at some of the most famous monuments and buildings.

Carolina Panthers NFL, Fayetteville Fireants Ice Hockey and weekend base ball, Central park, NYC
Perhaps it's American Sports: Either Football, Ice Hockey or Base ball?

Clockwise: Swampland -Georgia, Cotton field- NC, pastures- Pen, Blue Ridge Mtns- NC, Lakes,- NC, Big sur- CA, Woodlands- NC, Muir Woods, CA

Or do you think of the sheer vastness of the place. The woods, lakes, shores and mountains that seem to go on for miles. Where Mountains always seem taller, Rivers wider and scenery more beautiful.


Clockwise: Steamboat,-New Orleans, Peach trees- Georgia, Savannah, Charleston, Georgia, Jazz in New Orleans, Charleston Bridge, South Carolina and Centre is New Orleans

Do you think of the Deep South, of antebellum houses, plantations, Spanish Moss and New Orlean's Jazz?



The City that never Sleeps! New York: From iconic Landmarks to giant
Skyscrapers, From Street food to world class culture:


New York has everything!

Well Maybe not everything. Some of the best things are at the opposite side of the country!

Grand Canyon-AZ, Joshua Tree NP, Pinnacles NP,-CA, Muir woods- CA, Yosemite NP- CA, Muir woods- CA, Bryce Canyon NP- AZ, Joshua Tree NP.
National Parks are a National Treasure: A place to explore and wonder at the Natural Landscape

 Do you think of the bright lights and spectacles that make up Las Vegas?

 Or at the total opposite end of the scale, think about days gone by, Of pioneers, Patriots, Confederates or gold prospectors.

 

 Hollywood is America, or so the movies would like us to believe. Los Angeles: City of Angels, Beaches and Film Stars



 Would you dream of Floridian Beaches, of the everglades or miles of bridges that link the keys at key west.


Or do you dream of the West coast.:Of Sun, Sand and Surf
 

Disney: There's no where on earth quite like it, for whatever age you are:)

 Or do we think of Liberty and Independence?  Born of the past but influencing the future.

Whatever you may think of, what ever experiences you may have- America will always be some thing!
Happy  4th July.

Have a good week:)
Amanda

 

In at the deep end! 100 posts and a give away!

You'll have noticed an anomaly- No Wordless Wednesday- Because instead I have reached my 100th post and decided that needed to be commented on instead!

 

Now for some of you, I'm sure 100 posts doesn't seem a lot- But I never imagined I would write a blog, never mind still be writing it a few months later!

I was, actually still am, a total novice when it comes to blog writing. When I started this whole malarkey back in February I was going to dabble a bit, just test the water so to speak and see how I got on. Five months later I don't think I've done so much as testing the water but ended up throwing myself whole heartedly into a virtual plunge pool!

There were many reasons why I wanted to blog- To be able to join in with photo challenges was the prime reason, and then use this page as an opportunity to share my photos with others. But it's now much more than that- I actually enjoy waffling on, talking about nothing!, I like the whole sense of community in the way we all share and comment. It's been so much more enjoyable than I thought it would be and has now just become a part of daily life.

 

I still can't fathom out how to put things on my pages, or how to make things a little easier to find. I will never be techno savvy- but I'm slowly working my way around and eventually it may be as I want it:)

 

I thought I would perhaps write a post a week or maybe two in a week- Instead I have ended up posting, some weeks, nearly everyday!  I do wonder whether I'll get bored or run out of things to say- But actually I don't think I will- I always have a list of things I want to post about and then other things come along and I add them to my list as well!

 

I'm sure people will get bored soon!

 

But until that happens I will continue to write and put on photos and share a bit more of my world.

 

As a Thank You to those of you who actually read my posts, I'm going to give you the opportunity to earn a giveaway.

 

 

I've a couple of local products I thought you might like.

 Would you prefer a Patchwork batik bag, or some Batik cloth. All you have to do is state your preference and I'll then choose a couple of random winners next Wednesday.

 

 I'll be happy to send it anywhere- and then you can have your own little piece of Borneo, wherever you are in the world.

 

 So a big 'Thank You' to all those who have been along with me on this ride for a while- and for those who have just joined me recently- Thank you too!

Here's to another 100 posts- As I've said before, I don't think I'll run out of things to say and I definitely won't run out of photos.

 

Hopefully you'll be with me at 200 too!

 Good Luck with the Giveaway

Amanda

 

10 Things Tuesday - Sports

 For this week's 10 Things Tuesday I've selected 10 sports that I've tried here in Borneo. There were a couple of new ones in here, that I'd never tried before and of course some old favourites.

 

1) Kayaking

 

 

2) Swimming 





 

 

3) Abseiling 

 

4) Running

 

 

 



5) Diving 

 

6)Parasailing

 

7)Paragliding 

 

8) Yoga

 

 9) Zip wires

 

10) Hiking and Trekking

 

Then there are still a couple more I would really like to try: Surfing and White Water Rafting 

If I'm brave enough, I might try to have a go when I go to Bali in August- But then again- I said that last year- I was too scared!

 

 

White Water Rafting! Well I've done this a couple of times before- but not here- so that's the next one to tick off my list! (I shall have to thank my friend Emma too, as this is her photo of the time she went!)

 

What activities would you like to do?

 

Amanda :)

 

Made with Love Scavenger Hunt

Linking up with Greenthumb at Made with Love and taking part in the photo scavenger hunt. Individual photos are here- but I've also made a few mosaics- as I couldn't decide which photos to post (As usual) so you be able to see them soon Here or by clicking on my tab at the top! These were mostly taken in Singapore and on the day of the Dragon boat festival here in KK.

Tombstone

Our local Chinese cemetery

 

Little

A little girl playing with a big balloon- I like how the balloon matches her dress!

 

Ring



I was struggling for this one- until I saw this ring donut.

 

Rooftops

I liked the contrast between the older Chinese Shop houses and the modern Financial District, taken whilst I was in Singapore.

Purple

A family keeping out of the sun whilst watching the Dragon Boat race.

Light

 Early morning light streaming through my bedroom windows

 

Ice Cream

The Ice Cream seller at the Dragon Boat Festival

Eyes

 Tired little eyes!

Art

I spotted this Art Gallery whilst walking through Chinatown, Singapore.

 

Architectural Detail

This is part of the Sri Mariamman Hindu Temple, Singapore

 Animals

Same place as above scared cows guard the rooftops

 

60

60 kmh

 

 

Looking forward to the next set of Scavenger hunt photos:)

Until next time,

Amanda x