In honour of the biggest event of 2009

I'll admit that I cried during Obama's inauguration earlier this week. I am glad to be in the generation that saw the first African-American President of the United States of America. Alongside PM Rudd's apology to the Stolen Generation, I count Wednesday morning's events as one of the greatest moments of the 21st Century.

In honour of that historical day; and because I just feel so darn HAPPY about the change that has swept through; welcome to what I assume will be one of many 'spoofs' celebrating his Presidency.

Still me!

It's okay. This is still Sasch. She just got bored of the old layout and decided to mix things up.

Thanks Brad for helping me reformat things; and thanks to Mr Paul Mergard for taking that amazing photo of me on the right.

It's the long weekend here, to celebrate Australia Day. Sadly I have to work afternoon shifts for most of them, but I hope everyone else has a lovely long weekend.

My best friends Bek and Dion are having their trivia night tonight to raise money for their year in Zimbabwe. I tried my hardest to swap shifts so I could go, but it wasn't to be. Deeply disappointed I won't get to be there and support you both - but I am sure it will go really well!

On my way home to Africa

Well today brought something truly exciting - I booked and paid for my flights to South Africa!

I haven't said anything for quite a few weeks now, as we weren't sure we could do it, and I didn't know if I'd get approval.

But after doing up our budget for the year, and having solid approval from work - it is happening!

I am heading to Cape Town for ten days in October to attend the FIGO Conference.

FIGO is the International Federation of Gynaecology and Obstetrics, and is the only organisation that brings together all professional societies that have an interest in Women's Health and Sexuality. Even Amnesty International and the UN will be there!

I remember looking at the invitation at work about 6 months ago now, wishing I'd be able to go yet fully convinced I wouldn't be able to afford it.

But here I am! Booking flights and accommodation and registering my attendance.

I'm on a massive high about it, and Brad barely blinks now as I go around the house yelling 'I'm going home to Africa! I'm going home to AFRICA!!!!'.

Excited much?

Nutbush Nutter

Say that you've been in a relationship for about 7 years with someone.

And you figure you've got them all figured out. They seem pretty normal, all the shocking revelations have been done, and you figure there can't be ANYTHING left to tell that would leave you in a jaw-dropping stupor.

I figured we were at that point.


I was wrong.

See this man right here?

HE DOESN'T KNOW THE NUTBUSH!!!

Firstly, I wanted to know what rock he was living under for the past 20 years.

Secondly, I want to know how he managed to survive school camps and dances without dancing it? I mean, I may have reached year 11 camp without it - but I still knew it by the time my formal came around.

And thirdly - I wanted to teach him. And I figured I'd do it via my blog.

So honey, here it is. The Nutbush choreography.


ENJOY!





(I expect a solo performance by the end of the weekend. Thanks.)

Blog Stalkers

Yep... I mean you.

Notice that little web feed on the right hand side? That tells me you've been back here.

I LOVE that you've been back here - I find it awesome knowing I have a dedicated list of people who come visit. Like someone from British Columbia; someone from Adelaide; someone from Mackay; and of course more than a few from Brisbane.

Thank you for making my day! It's always nice to go cast my eyes over it and go 'ooo... that person is back... I wonder who they are?'.

But, I don't know who you are. And I'd like to.

So, if you're reading this - can you comment? Tell me who you are, and what makes you come visit! I'm intrigued.

And whilst you're here - here's a clip to enjoy. Consider it my thank you gift.

Crazy Families

So, you know how I just wrote about how much better I do in a small group of people?

God had a sense of humour when he gave me my family. If all of us were in a room together, Aunts, Uncles, Cousins, Second cousins, stepsiblings, everyone - we would be well and truly over 50 people! And 23 of them would be children under the age of 17!

Yesterday we went and spent the morning with my mother's sister and her family. 10 adults and 8 children. Noisy, frantic, exuberant and exhausting. But lots of fun.

I have to give my hubby lots of props for his behaviour with my side of the family. His family is very quiet and very small. Not a thing like my family!

But, he's learning, and we end up having fun at the end of the day.

The Hermit Arises

I often find myself alone.

It doesn't really bother me that much. I am a loner, always have been, and I quite like being by myself. I think it's because I was an only child. I learnt early on how to keep myself entertained. I recharge best when I'm on my own; and I can only take large groups in small doses. I'm much happier in a group if there's only 2 or 3 of us, and it's relatively quiet.

Thing is though, it can tend to isolate me from others. I don't get invited out much to things, and I find myself just hanging out with Brad, most of the time.

Being involved in a Church can make this personality trait quite interesting. It's all about groups and fellowship and 'connectedness', and something I regularly hear - 'God made us for fellowship'.

I don't feel made for fellowship. Or rather - I don't feel made for the fellowship often described. Large group things like a Church service or Womens Group or the like. The best fellowship for me is with one or two friends around for coffee or a swim or a day trip. Or a picnic bible study with 2 or 3 friends.

It's an interesting thing, being a Christian who doesn't appreciate large groups. To be honest, I'll often skip Church due to it all being too much to handle; or find myself longing for some quiet and space whilst I'm there.

As a result, not many people know much about me. I'm a bit like the strange Aunty everyone knows is there, but doesn't know what to do with.

I don't think it's wrong to be this way. I think it's misunderstood by a lot of people. I think I come across like a snob or rude, or just 'weird'. Especially when I'm with a lot of people.

I feel a lot of pressure from others to be social and involved. I don't quite know how to deal with that. I put myself out there, and I do try to get involved; but it just exhausts me. I do like being out with a small group of friends; and it hurts when I read facebook updates and know that I've been left out of an outing again. It's not a nice feeling. It's noone's fault (I am fairly certain most people wouldn't think of me when they think of doing something); but it bugs me.

I guess when this year rolled around, it made me think of things that disappointed me about last year. A big one was to do with my lack of friends. Although I have people I call 'friends'; we really don't have that connectedness that most friends would have.

Maybe that's my resolution for 2009. Make a concerted effort to connect better, and have a 'best friend'. That'd be nice.

LOVE 146

Makes you stop dead; doesn't it?