I’ve always had an interest in space and astronomy, there is something I find quite interesting in seeing and understanding something that is bigger and older than us all. I recently finished a Post Grad certificate in astronomy for the purpose of just extending my own knowledge.
Continue reading “90-Mile Stars”
Barefoot Guide
Myself, like a lot of people have had issues with money along the way. Whether it’s debts, not knowing what to do, overspending or just not realising there is an easier way to do things.
Over the last 5 or so years I’ve found myself in peaks and troughs of having savings and having debts – largely in the way of credit cards, interest free and that sort of stuff that is deemed acceptable in modern society. However I never had money for what if something went wrong, or I felt guilty if I bought shoes (I very rarely did!).
But I found a way out
The Stem Circle
Last week I had the pleasure of attending and doing a short presentation at a STEM workshop for Teachers. It was a free workshop run over 2 days by Christian Williams, he is a teacher here in Melbourne, Australia that has been recognised as one of the worlds best.
The year ahead
It turns out this year is getting awfully crowded and busy!
2016 began with a whole host of new changes and additions to my life, and long with that a new mindset on life itself. As part of being a bit more mindful I have begun letting go of things which do not contribute constructively to my life:
- Thoughts
- Material items – Old things that I kept, just because (we all have those things!)
- Bad habits
With this I’ve found I have had more time for the important things in my life – the things and people I love. I have started focusing my time on doing the things in enjoy and spending time with people I hold close and who have been there for me.
25 Hours
Well it’s 25 hours to go until I fly out on my adventure, I’ve pretty much done everything. Bags packed, still working out the logistics of taking some laptops across to a Children’s home in Katmandu, but I’m sure that will work out.
I still have a few more things to sort out for the students at school before I leave, such as lesson plans but there is some spare time tomorrow in addition to a little bit of time before I leave.
Its crazy to think this is happening tomorrow night. I’d been wanting to do this for years and putting it off for one reason or another, come to think of it around 6.5 years i’ve been putting basecamp off!
I can’t workout whether I’m more exciting about Everest or India, the more I think about them the more excited I get. The sights, the food, the people and the culture. It will be like nothing I have ever seen.
My aim is to post every few days or so when I’m away.
My 2016 Adventure
Over time we all tend to start creating some form of bucket list, this can be travel, life goals, achievements or even how we may picture out life in the future. One of my goals has always been to do Everest base camp, something about it appeals to me. The physical and mental challenge along with the rawness and unpredictability of the mountain is something that I just have to experience.
I have an aim that I want to complete it my the end of 2016, I’ve worked out it will either be March 2016 or December 2016. I have put it off for years and years, now is the time.
In my excitement over the weekend I have begun looking at trips (the easy part) and packing list recommendations (the hard part). I’ve seen that its easy to be taken away with ensuring everything is perfect and having the perfect equipment in the right quantities. I came across one simple forum post from a well seasoned veteran that read “3 merino wool shirts, a couple of pairs of pants and shorts, then a jacket”.
This was perfect, nice and concise and easy.I want this trip to be simple without the burden of carrying everything except the kitchen sink. As long as a don’t freeze to death, it’s not going to matter if I don’t have 4 Shirts, 4 Long shirts, 3 Jumpers, 5 Socks, 5 thermal socks etc. So with that in mind I’ve begun compiling my list.
I’ve seen that a lot of things can be hired in Kathmandu such as sleeping bags and jackets (around $1 a day). I don’t think this is such a bad option, as it’s unlikely I will need a -20c sleeping bag for a while or a few super thick down jackets (especially given that I normally travel to beach destinations).
So apart from the aforementioned items, I also need
- Windproof/Rainproof over layer
- Sandals
- Headlamp
- Sunglasses (x2)
- Hat – Winter & Thermal
- Headband
- Water Bottles (1x Metal & 1x 1x Hydration Bladder 2-3L)
- Balaclava
- Trekking Poles
- Waterproof Backpack cover
- Gloves and Liners
- Socks
- Day Pack
Along with some medicine supplies:
- Anti-Biotics
- Anti-Inflammatory
- Paracetamol / Cold and Flu’s
- Sunscreen
- Tiger Balm
- Cotton Tips
- Band Aids
- Bandage
- Tweezers
- Sunscreen
- Anti-Nausea
- Water Purifying tablets
- Baby wipes
- Talcum Powder
This list will evolve and change overtime, but I think it’s a good solid foundation.
Now the fun part is buying it all and keeping an eye out for sales!
The next part is to get into training specifically for the trek, i’ve upped my Yoga training to more strength based poses and I’m going to begin hiking around Victoria shortly. This is in addition to my usual – Hockey, Dodgeball, Running and swimming. I’m thinking I should be suitably fit enough regardless of when I go.
I’ll keep you posted on my progress! Do you have any tips or hints?
Beginning a journey of mindfulness
Sometimes when you put of things, they catch up to you. I have realised over the last few weeks some things need to change.
- I need to start becoming more aware of what’s around me & enjoying what I am doing in that moment. Rather than thinking about past events or future ones
- I need to start taking care of myself mentally, so that I don’t let bumps in the road knock me down too much.
- These little bumps in the road would often cause larger chain events and became a self-perpetuating downward spiral that didn’t lead to anywhere happy
- I need to take care of myself physically. I am quite an active person, I play sports 4-5 times a week and tend to do lots of walking during the day. I don’t eat junk food, however I do enjoy the occasional (or not so occasional sometimes) chocolate. However I have put on too much weight, which needs to get moved. The overeating isn’t due to being hungry, I have come to realise its triggered by stressful situations, which maybe uncertainty, time limitations, isolation or just being on the road.
To work through these I’m doing small bits at a time, I’ve already started adjusting my exercise to activities that I will enjoy more such as Yoga, dodgeball, hockey & I have recently started running again.
To work through stress and focussing on what is happening at the moment I have begun a program called Headspace, which is an online program where there are meditation sessions for 10+ minutes that are very simple to follow. The part I like is that they are guided. Even if you have never done it before all you need is 10 minutes and some device to play it on (Laptop, iPhone, iPad).
Meditation has been shown in studies to help with depression, anxiety and stress , and if done in conjunction with a health professional it has allowed some people to come of medication in shorter periods of time than the would have otherwise done. The best part is, you can do it anywhere. No special clothes or equipment to buy, just sit in your pyjamas in the lounge if you want.
I have certainly begun noticing the benefits in the short time I have been doing it (just over a week now). My sleep is a lot better as I am not as restless during the night and I now can fall asleep very quickly. Previously it would often take me 20-30 minutes to fall asleep.
There are different short series of mediation available for when you are cooking, walking, cycling, eating or even getting to sleep (which is my favourite). Its something I recommend everybody should at least try, and they offer 10 days free anyway. Check it out https://www.headspace.com .
I will post more about my journey as time goes on 🙂
Have you used Headspace? How has it helped you?
