New Things...

So one thing I can say about 2012  is that it's been a year full of new things - some of them good, some of them not so good.  I thought I'd share a few of those new things here:

1) I blogged.  For a whole year.  This is a pretty big thing for me because, as I have mentioned before, I've always been very nervous about writing for any kind of audience.  I took part in 30 Days of Lists, I was Geek of the Week on Chocolate & Cream Cake, I started my own feature and I even managed to finish the 5 Books I set for myself.  I am full of ideas for 2013 and I am going to use my mini break to really plot them out.  Stay tuned!

2) I joined a gym!!  This is another huge one for me.  I never played team sports and, aside from swimming, have a well documented disdain for public exercise.  However, after failing at early morning yoga and breaking my stepper, I was left with no choice but to join Curves!  I can honestly say that it was a great experience.  The branch I go to are super friendly and there is zero pressure to look great at gym.  It's basically perfect for me.

3) I crashed the car...

4) And we bought a new one.  Yup, that was my first accident in almost 8 years of driving.  As bummed as I was to part with the old car, it was just the motivation we needed to upgrade to a bigger, more powerful car.  It's also pretty much the best colour ever!

5) I studied.  For the first time since varsity, I applied my mind and learnt a new skill namely Conceptual Writing for Brands.  I learnt a lot, met some cool people and got great feedback on my writing abilities.

6) I got a hamster!!  After years of mice, I switched to a different variety of rodent and I can honestly say that Rolo is an awesome dog substitute.  He is so small but has so much character even though he can be a little savage!!

7) I made a Totoro plushie.  Using a pattern I found online, I managed to make a passable version of Totoro!!  He turned out quite well, even if I do say so myself.  I hadn't sewed for years and I forgot how cool it is too make something from scratch like that.  I am planning a Domo and a Pikachu in the very near future.

8) I visited a new province.  In July my mom, dad and I took a roadtrip to Mpumalanga, place of poorly marked roads, tons of sugar cane  and cute pups.  It was great fun travelling with my folks, visiting with my cousins and seeing a new part of South Africa.

8) I discovered Wakaberry.  Oh how I love frozen yoghurt!!  That is all.

9) I finally went up the stadium.  If you ask me, Moses Mabidha stadium is on of the coolest things to come from the 2010 Soccer World Cup.  I love it so much.  In February, my friend Sam and I took the Sky Car trip to the top.  Highly recommended!

And that's just a small sample of what I got up too.  In 2013 I am going to be a Maid of Honour for the first time, I have another tattoo lined up, Rise Against are coming, I'll have a junior technical writer assisting me at work and I am hoping to work up the nerve to try Roller Derby.  Plus I'll be 30!!  On paper it's looking like a good year already!

One Whole Year!!!

Domo is a year older too!

Today is Bye Bye Blackbird's first birthday!!  One year ago today I was off sick and decided to (finally) put my money where my mouth was and start a blog.  I'd always wanted to get involved in the blogging world but I've never really been good at putting myself out there so it was a big step for me.  Yes I know, I am lame.

Anyway, history aside, I've really enjoyed this year.  I feel as though I have learnt a lot about writing for an audience (other than a product user), writing in a public space and writing in my own personal voice.  And that is just the start!

Thanks so, so much to everyone who has visited, read, followed and commented this year.  I appreciate it more than you know.  Here's to another year!!

Much love,
Monique x

So Many Colours...

Yeah, I know.  This is not exactly a deep of thought-provoking look back at the year but, seeing as I have kept track of the colours I put on my nails this year, I thought why not?
You see, I get very bored with my appearance very quickly.  Changing my wardrobe or my hair or getting fresh ink isn't always an option.  Changing my nails on the other hand is relatively cheap and something I can do as often as I want!

Up until this year I didn't really use a lot of colour on my nails - it was black, black and more black.  Now I have a range of colours and I am always on the lookout for more!!  There are also so many designs that I want to try.  Pinterest is a great source of inspiration and there are so many nail blogs out there it's quite astounding!  They make my attempts at creativity look like child's play.  Anyway, here is too even more colour in 2013!

Rolo, Rolo and Some More Rolo...

**Every week this month, I am going to attempt to post some kind of review/recap of this year, starting with Rolo because who doesn't need some extra cuteness in their lives??

All my life I've had pets.  Big ones, small ones, giant ones.  I grew up with a Great Dane called Kelly who tripped my dad, broke his boat and watched my food for me while I toddled around.  I had a cat called Tiger who was bad tempered beyond belief and only loved you on his terms.  I've had goldfish and hamsters that I thought were girls and who turned out to be boys.  I had three amazing dogs who put up with me styling their hair, crying into their fur and trying to coax them into the pool to swim with me...I still miss them!  I've had birds called Woodstock and Murphy and Tidbit who all ended up flying away somehow or another.  Most recently, I have had rodents - Sullivan and Stinky the mice and now Rolo the hamster.  It's amazing how much personality such a small little creature can have.  He is a toast addict who begs for food so often you'd think we never feed him.  He rolls over all the time, falls off his slide and likes to keep toilet paper in his food pouches for reasons I will never understand.  He is my substitute dog and in January he will be a year old.  Every time I swear not to get another pet because of the heartbreak of losing them, I remember the difference it makes to have another little life in the house and I get sucked in all over again:)  Anyway, enough with the rambling, here are some pics of Rolo from this year:

In the beginning..

In the toilet roll...

Munching...

Begging...

Snoozing...

And that is pretty much how he spends his day!  The luck of some!!