weekend walkabout challenge

The days may be getting shorter and colder, but that's no reason to stay slumped on the couch all weekend.

Personally I love the colder days. Not only do I get to layer my clothes and wear my much-loved scarves, but I don't get hot and bothered so easily while exercising. And that crisp air can be goddamn refreshing.

I love the colder weather!

The change of season also means that footy is back, which means I am now sans boyfriend every Saturday.

So what to do on these chilly days as a lady of leisure?

Set a Weekend Walkabout Challenge, of course!

Over the next six weekends I'm going to tackle six different walking trails. I figure this is the perfect opportunity for me to explore more of Victoria, get active and enjoy some downtime. And it's a great way to make the most of the Autumn weather, before Winter well and truly sets in.

For anyone else that wants to partake in this 6 week challenge, I have devised a little plan that can help inspire your walks, wherever they may be.

My current itinerary looks something like this

20 April - You Yangs Regional Park

27 April - 1000 Steps Kokoda Walk

4 May - Gold Heritage Trail, Warrandyte State Park

11 May - Point Nepean National Park

18 May - Two Bays Walking Track (partial)

25 May - tbd

I might be flexible with the locations, but I will definitely stick the 'themes'.

So what are you doing this weekend?

Want to go on walkabout too?

I know I'm ready for "a spontaneous journey through the wilderness of one's choosing in an effort to satisfy one's itchy feet, a need to be elsewhere, the craving for the open road, that space over the horizon".

- Dani

PS. If you want to enjoy your walks with a canine friend, this is a great guide for dog friendly walks near Melbourne - Walking your Dog in Victoria's Parks

strong

"The world is the great gymnasium where we come to make ourselves strong." Swami Vivekananda

Have you ever thought about the word 'strong'?

It can indicate great physical strength or ability withstand pressure. Strong can even indicate intensity (e.g., a strong smell).

I want to be strong. I want physical strength. I want the strength to resist overeating.

Not only do I want to be strong, I am also inspired by strong, fit people. Particularly strong and fit women, with a bit of brain power thrown in if possible.

These are the kinda women I'm talking about...

This is by no means a definitive list, but these are well-known women that I believe to be strong, fit and inspirational in their own way.

But how can I be stronger?

Recently I read some of my earlier posts and I found them interesting, almost inspiring. But as the months went by, the posts become negative and full of excuses. Now I'm nearly back at my starting weight. Clearly, I am not very strong at moment.

Rather than perpetuate this dialogue of constant disappointment and lack of discipline. I'm am turning this blog (and myself) around. I am not just going to track my progress here, I am going to motivate myself here.

Sharing my set backs and failures has been somewhat cathartic, but I can't keep on making excuses. I can't keep on indulging in this self-pity and acceptance of mediocrity.

So... get ready for an onslaught of motivation, positivity and progress. And if you want more of these new vibes, check out @withaflugelhorn on Instagram.

- Dani

today

Today I was going to write a post about choosing to be strong and fit, about being motivated by strong, independent women. But things don't always turn out the way you plan and today I woke up to news of the Boston Bombing.

While the motivation behind this attack is currently unclear, what is apparent is that these incidents can occur anywhere, at any time.

But in times of great loss, people can also find great strength.

I was in London during the 2005 bombings and though many businesses closed their doors for the day, people didn't retreat. The pubs were full of people contemplating and discussing the day's events, and others congregated in the streets. It brought people closer together.

So instead of aspiring to be strong and fit, today I am aspiring to connect more with those close to me and to live life to fullest.

- Dani

Tokyo

This post is about my time in Tokyo, Japan. It was such a fantastic experience and I feel that if I don't write it down somewhere 'permanent' then I might start forgetting the details. So I hope you don't mind if I share this adventure with you.

***

Japan, land of the rising sun, home of samurais, ninjas and geishas, of temples, towers and (super fast) trains. While Japan has never been at the top of my 'go to' list, I've had a fascination with the country and culture since I was taught Japanese in primary school. 

I can't really remember how it happened, but at some point Dan and I decided that we wanted to go to Japan. So Japan leapt ahead of South America and India (at the top of my current 'travel list'), and we booked flights, accommodation, etc.

Sensei Zucchini (Zucchini wasn't actually her name, but we were young and it sounded similar) was the first person to introduce me to Japan. She was my primary school's Japanese teacher and I was probably 8 years old. Over the next couple of years, Sensei Zucchini taught us Japanese characters, simple words and how to pick up popcorn with chopsticks.

While I didn't have to write any Japanese or pick up popcorn with chopsticks (they use their hands just like us), this introduction proved invaluable. My accent was understandable and our awareness of their culture/traditions helped avoid embarrassment.

There is potential for this post to turn into a bit of thesis, so I'll try to keep things as brief as possible.

Our first day involved: Napping on the train ride from the airport for Tokyo station; exploring Shinjuku by day; exploring Shinkjuku by night; eating dinner in Shibuya; visiting Meiji Shrine during the crazy festivities of Shogatsu; oh and how could I forget, counting down (from 60 - wha?) to the New Year at the most packed bar I've ever been to in my life.

Shinjuku

Meiji Shrine

The end of a ridiculously long count down at a gaijin bar in Shinjuku

Yes, Dan and I arrived in Tokyo on New Years Eve. Most people in Japan go to temples (or a j-pop concert if you're in Tokyo), and there is very in little in the way of big public events (i.e., no fireworks). But we found a gajin (foreigner) bar and it became one of the most uncomfortable moments in my life. It was physically impossible to move from one area of the bar to another. At one point a Japanese lady seemed glued against Dan while we tried to make an exit. It was so packed, she literally got dragged along by the people trying to leave. But I would never take back that experience... it was certainly a memorable night.

Shinjuku on NYE

The rest of our adventures in Tokyo completely won me over. I'm going to say it - I love Tokyo.

From the madness of the shopping districts, to the tranquillity of some of the temples/parks (though the temples have more of a festival feel near the New Year), to the laid-back, jovial atmosphere in the 'pubs'. Tokyo seemed to have everything.

Ameyoko shopping street, Ueno

Roppongi Hills

Yakitori bar in Ueno

Wasabi for sale at Tsukiji Fish Market

Meiji Shine

Ramen at Ippudo

Photos from our visit to a Maid Cafe in Akihabara

Ueno Park

I feel incredibly lucky that Dan and I had a chance to see 'quiet Tokyo' and 'bustling Tokyo'. Let me explain. Around the New Year Japanese people celebrate Shogatsu and during this period many people gather with their families, often outside the major cities. So during our first 3 days in Tokyo, quite a few restaurants were closed, streets were desolate and crowds were at a minimum. Upon our return to Toyko, before our flight back home, we encountered packed trains, crowded markets and activity on every corner. Tokyo was alive and vibrant - it was energising.

A very quiet Ginza on New Years Day

Lively Shibuya

View from our hotel room, Hanzomon

Before my visit, most people told me "you don't need long in Tokyo", but I entirely disagree. If you only want to see temples and museums, then Tokyo might not have as much to offer as say... Kyoto. But there is more to Japan than 'the old world'. Each little area of Tokyo has something different to offer and we didn't even see 10% of it. Furthermore, there are so many day trips you can do from Tokyo.

Dan and I could have spent to the entire two weeks based in Tokyo. But we didn't.
Hopefully there will be a next time.

- Dani

sisterhood

Hello peeps! I hope you all had a fantastic Easter long weekend. I spent the whole weekend with two of my sisters. We cavorted our way around Melbourne and, thankfully, didn't indulge in too much chocolate (yay!), although I probably did indulge a little too much in everything else (comedy, popcorn, Lebanese food, etc).

But let's be honest, you can never have enough comedy, and clearly we couldn't get enough of Hannah Gadsby - we saw both her shows. Yep she has two different shows as part of the Melbourne International Comedy festival and we saw both... in the same weekend.

Pic from comedyfestival.com.au

And do you know what? She was hilarious! So no regrets here. If I was going to recommend one show over the other though, I would recommend seeing 'Happiness is a bedside table'. Her 'Nakedy Nudes' show at the National Gallery of Victoria is intriguing, but not as laugh-until-your-cheeks-hurt funny.

Basically the rest of the weekend was filled with shopping and SingStar, dancing and drinks, family, friends and lots of food. Four full days of rest and frivolity.

Brunch at Le Miel

Driving around

Proof that there was some sunshine

SingStar

Uncle Alan's 50th

My gorgeous sisters

Family lunch

Morning walk to Princes Pier

Easter goodies bag

Sisters

Cheers to the sisterhood!

- Dani

bad news

My sight is fine, but my vision is hazy.
Each sense is struggling, sloth-like, lazy.
An intense pressure, a gravitational force.
Slowing each movement, swaying my course.

It had been so long, since these eyes saw your face.
A youthful image, I can now never replace.
I didn't miss you, but now that you are gone,
A feeling has grown, something dark and forlorn.

Dear time, oh shadows, will you give me no rest.
These good young people, were giving their best.
No logic or pattern, no announcement or sign.
This game of life, is not so benign.

Sooner or later, we all fall and fade.
Relinquishing life and memories made.


- Dani

relax

Oh what a lovely long weekend... Forgive me if I get lost in dreamy thoughts while writing this post.

In a nut shell: 3 days, no work, lots of sunshine, plenty of rest.

I spent the weekend at Blairgowrie, down on the Mornington Peninsula, with Dan and Maple (Dan's dog). We explored the bay and the back beach, and even a few of the shops near by. We had time to read, sleep-in and muck around. It was amazing.

I tend to use holidays as a chance to explore the world and do/see as much as possible. While this is a fantastic way to make the most of each holiday, it can be exhausting. This mini trip helped me to realise how important it is to relax every now and then.

The benefits of relaxation are plentiful, from physical to mental health benefits, and a lack a relaxation can lead to undue stress, which has been extensively linked to poor health outcomes.

While we obviously can't arrange a long weekend for ourselves whenever we need to wind down, learning how to relax or engaging in relaxing behaviour on a regular basis is a key to healthy living. For some people a gym session relieves stress, while others prefer a bubble bath. Whatever it is that relaxes you, make the time to do it at least once this week.

In the words of Jackie Chan, "Sometimes I do need to go to karaoke, sometimes I need to relax."

- Dani