Making Memories
I love the Sound of Music. It brings back great childhood memories, sitting with my Mum and Dad and some of my siblings, entertained for hours by this feel-good family movie. So many things inspire me to live a good life…movies, people, images, words. I came across a fabulous image of Paris a few days ago on Pinterest, which inspired me to wonder if this is how I’ll see the Eiffel Tower in a few short months as I walk the Marathon de Paris for the National Breast Cancer Foundation…
As my excitement about Paris was sparked a little more, I stumbled upon some other inspiration words of wisdom down the rabbit hole of Pinterest and I was reminded of the fact that “cancer” has changed my life. So much so that life really is too short to wake up in the morning with regrets. I really want to love people more. I actually want to ditch the negative in my life. I finally believe everything happens for a reason. If I get a chance, I take it. And I see every second of my life, easy or otherwise, as precious and well worth it!
Since my cancer diagnosis, every single memory has become such a precious commodity. There’s an urgency to make every second count. Especially when I turned 40 while I was having chemotherapy – it was then I came to the sudden realisation that half of my life may very well have already passed (considering that the average life expectancy is about 80). From that point, I made a commitment to myself. I decided that everything I ever wanted to achieve, every place I ever wanted to visit, every experience I ever wanted to taste, I was just going to do it. As time goes on, I will continue to tick things off my to-do list (or my bucket list, as you might call it)…until the day I die.
I am committed to making memories – memories for my kids, memories for my hubby – the good, wholesome memories that make life beautiful, and so worth living.
But before the memories themselves, come the dreams and plans. Without the dreaming and planning, there would be nothing experienced and no memories made. That’s why I’m dreaming and planning for Paris. That’s why I’m training for this marathon. That’s why when I was given the chance to take on such a challenge, I took it! I’m committed to making this a time of good memories, for a good cause.
I was so honoured by an anonymous donor on my fundraising page a few days ago, with a donation of $500, which brought my tally to $3,563 raised for the National Breast Cancer Foundation so far. I am particularly excited as my aim was to reach $3,000 by Christmas, and I have now well exceeded that target. But if you’re reading this “anonymous”, I want to thank you…not only for your generous donation, but for the message you sent with your donation. More than just a marathon – GO GIRL!
Why is it that I feel you know me, “anonymous”? You get that this is more than just a marathon to me, don’t you? You understand somehow that my support of the National Breast Cancer Foundation is a symbol of my hope for the future. It’s a symbol of my passion for life and my desire to do whatever it takes to live the best life I possibly can.
So to you “anonymous”, and to every single person who has and continues to support me in this challenge…THANK YOU, THANK YOU, from the bottom of my heart!
December is a favourite month in the calendar for me. It’s a time filled with wonderful family memories set around preparing for Christmas and summery days by the pool (although this year is a bit more cold and rainy than I remember). A time to reflect on all the wonderful experiences had during the year. A time to enjoy the calming, winding-down of another year, in readiness for the big bang of the New Year!
Although Christmas Day is only around the corner, I’ve already been in “Christmas” mode for a few weeks now. Christmas is all about celebration – celebrating the birth of Christ, celebrating love and peace, celebrating family and friendship. The lead up to Christmas Day is as important as the day itself, with December festivities making Christmas memories truly unforgettable…
Celebrating with cupcakes (Perfect huh? But not made by me!)
School formals…
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| My beautiful niece’s Year 10 formal |
December birthdays…
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| Dressed up for my beautiful daughter’s birthday lunch |
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| Birthday lunch at Holy Basil Thai Restaurant, Canley Heights |
My beautiful Sydney decked out in all its Christmas glory…
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| Queen Victoria Building, Sydney |
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| Queen Victoria Building, Sydney |
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| Sydney Town Hall |
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| Sydney Town Hall |
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| Sydney Town Hall |
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| Darling Harbour |
December beach days…
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| A glorious day at Cronulla beach |
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| Enjoying ice cream after a swim |
Fun get-togethers…
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| Christmas afternoon tea at my niece’s place |
Company on my walks…
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| Bay Run, Five Dock |
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| My gorgeous niece, Liz |
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| Two of my brothers giving me moral support – we walked 14kms that day! |
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| My handsome son came on the 14km walk too…yes that’s me looking up to him 🙂 |
More family get-togethers…
Early Chrissy presents…
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| An exquisite “cupcake” quilt, lovingly handmade by my brother-in-law’s mum especially for me! |
December outings…
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| Our favourite chocolateria at San Churro, Glebe |
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| Myer, Sydney city store |
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| Nachos, Westfield Sydney |
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| Christmas windows at David Jones Elizabeth Street, Sydney |
December getaways…
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| Walking on Wamberal beach – harder walking on sand, but nicer than my usual walking scenery! |
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| A visit to the lovely Nourished Cafe, Erina |
Baking family favourites…
- Preheat the oven to 375 F.
- Melt the chocolate and butter together in a bowl over a pot of boiling water.
- Lightly spray the ramekins with non-stick oil spray.
- In a mixing bowl, whisk four of the eggs together with the sugar. Add the flour and whisk well again. Add the 3 remaining eggs and keep whisking until the mixture is well combined.
- Add the egg mixture to the chocolate mixture and mix well. Pour the batter into the individual ramekins.
- Bake for 15 to 20 minutes. The cakes should be soft and oozy in the middle when you remove them from the oven. Don’t overcook.
- Sprinkle the tops of the cakes with icing sugar to serve.
Whether I’m in New York or Paris, or my beautiful hometown of Sydney, and whether it’s the season of Christmas or any other time of year, the making of beautiful memories is what I hope to be doing all the days of my life…
I wish you a merry Christmas & happy memory-making! And I pray that you live the life you were born to live!! And remember…
| Memory is a way of holding onto the things you love – the beautiful message on a cupcake quilt that a dear friend made for me! |
