8 Things

I was struggling to find something to start my blog with, so my husband suggested I try this...

*8 things I'm passionate about:

1. My husband and son without whom life would be soul-less

2. My Burmese cats, Minti and Jaffa

3. Aligning my personal values with those of the my organisation

4. Being kind to old people, kids and animals
5. Reading for pleasure (ie NOT freaking text books) and listening to great music
6. Honesty, integrity and loyalty above all else
7. The promotion of equity and diversity in all its forms
8. The welfare of my staff

*8 things I would like to do before I die:

1. Accept myself for who and what I am

2. Snorkel off the Maldives

3. Learn more about Buddhism

4. Work within an organisation whose values align with my own

5. Take ballroom dancing lessons

6. Learn to corner my motorbike with great confidence at high speed !
7. Live in a small cottage on acreage with just my husband, my cats 'n dogs, a vege patch, my books and my music
8. See my son grow into a happy, healthy adult who is living out his dreams

*8 things I say often:

1. I love you (to my husband and son)
2. No Tex, I haven't seen your..........

3. Clean your room (to my 15yo son!)
4. Jesus bloody Christ !
5. I'm so bloody tired
6. Are you serious ?
7. Have you done your homework ?
8. Is it that time already ?

*8 books i have read recently:

1. Write Home For Me (A Red Cross Woman in Vietnam) by Jean Debelle Lamensdorf
2. Slaughterhouse:The Shocking Story of Greed, Neglect and Inhumane Treatment Inside
The US Meat Industry by Gail A. Eisnitz
3. Bones to Ashes by Kathy Reichs
4. Scar Tissue by Anthony Kiedis
5. The Power of Beauty by Nancy Friday
6. Mao's Last Dancer by Li Cunxin
7. Eat, Pray, Love by Elizabeth Gilbert
8. Year of Wonders by Geraldine Brooks

*8 songs that I could listen to over and over (and do):

1. Throw your arms around me/Holy Grail (equal #1 - both by Hunters & Collectors)
2. Torn (Natalie Imbruglia)
3. White Flag (Dido)
4. Whiskey in the Jar (Thin Lizzy)(especially when sung & played on guitar by my husband)
5. Oh No (Dan Greenwood)
6. My Hometown (Bruce Springsteen)
7. Move it on Over (George Thorogood & The Destroyers)
8. Hallelujah (Rufus Wainright version of the Jeff Buckley classic)

*8 things which attract me to friends

1. Loyalty, Compassion, Integrity and Honesty - these above all else
2. Being able to relax and let my guard down with them
3. When they accept my idiosyncrasies without judging me
4. Being able to be still and quiet with them
5. Having an ability to laugh at one another without malice
6. Understanding what I do for a living does not define me as a human being
7. Love my cats = love me !
8. Ability to keep things simple (life is complex enough)