I've enrolled and I'm now a University student!

So I've finally bit the bullet and decided to enrol to become a University student. It's a nerve wracking decision, but I realised, better late than never. Plus I've always wanted to get back to more studying after finishing my Diploma, but I just had other more important priorities come my way (getting married and having my precious children :) ) that led me to a detour, but now I'm finally starting to get back on track on achieving some of my own personal goals.

One of the great passions in my life are books and reading lots of them. I'm a bookworm and always have been ever since I learnt how to read. One day I want to own my very own Library! (I know, a big dream! :D). But I have purchased a lot of my own books both new and second hand, that have amounted to a fair collection, which have become my very own personal library of books, so my dream is halfway there :) . The other dream I have is to become a Lawyer - no scratch that! I meant, a Librarian! Yes, I want to be a Librarian! Surrounded by lots and lots of books! :D

So with my youngest child starting Kindergarten next year, it's now the perfect opportunity for me to get back to studying again and pursue the career I now want to do and love. In order to achieve that, I need to do a Degree in Bachelor of Arts in Librarianship and Corporate Information Management. That's why I've finally decided to get cracking and enrolled at Open University Australia to study by online correspondence and get that degree which will take me from 3-6yrs to complete. It was pretty easy enrolling and you can even get Government support to pay for your University fees (conditions apply) for the units required to be completed in your course.

So now that I'm enrolled, I will be starting my first unit "Introduction to University Learning" on November 28th, to get the hang of being a first time University student. This unit is also a refresher on the study methods and techniques and how to apply them, and seeing as I last studied more than 10yrs ago, I will definitely need to get the hang of studying again! Not only will this give me an idea of what studying will be like again, I'll have to learn to manage and balance my studies along with my family responsibilities and social life in order to pull this off successfully. I'm quite apprehensive about it all, but extremely excited to be doing something new and something I've wanted to do for a long time now. So with the purchase of my first University books, here's to I hope, a successful studying for the first 13 weeks and then beyond!  :-SS [-o< :D

Remembrance Day 11/11/11, 11:11

@};-
  The soldier stood and faced God, which must always come to pass.
He hoped his shoes were shining, just as brightly as his brass.
'Step forward now, you soldier, how shall I deal with you?
Have you always turned the other cheek? To My Church have you been true?'
The soldier squared his shoulders and said, 'No, Lord, I guess I ain't.
Because those of us who carry guns, can't always be a saint.
I've ...had to work most Sundays, and at times my talk was tough.
And sometimes I've been violent, because the world is awfully rough.
But I never took a penny, that wasn't mine to keep...
Though I worked a lot of overtime when the bills just got too steep.
I never passed a cry for help, though at times I shook with fear.
And sometimes, God, forgive me, I've wept unmanly tears.
I know I don't deserve a place among the people here.
They never wanted me around, except to calm their fears.
If you've a place for me here, Lord, it needn't be so grand.
I never expected or had too much, but if you don't, I'll understand.
There was a silence all around the throne, where the saints had often trod.
As the soldier waited quietly, for the judgement of his God.
'Step forward now, you soldier, you've borne your burdens well.
Walk peacefully on Heaven's streets, you've done your time in Hell.'
 

Author Unknown
- We will remember you, always.

Mary Poppins is Practically Perfect!!

  “Wind’s in the East,

there’s a mist coming in

like something is brewing

and ‘bout to begin...”

Our adventure today started out early Wednesday morning. My sons and I boarded a train to meet up with my husband to watch a matinee performance of the highly acclaimed and popular family musical “Mary Poppins”. We arrived at our destination and met up with my husband, while our boys talked over each other greeting and hugging their daddy. We walked towards Capitol Theatre where the musical was showing and on the way stopped at Cupcakes on Pitt to buy several boxes of their delicious different flavoured macaroons and treated the boys with their favourite choice of the yummy cupcakes.

When we got to the theatre, there were already a lot of people outside the theatre taking pictures in front of the many framed “Mary Poppins” posters, which we did ourserlves and since it was still a little over 2 hours before the musical started, we headed off to World Square to have lunch at one of the many selections of cafes and small restaurants the modest food court had to offer.

After our fulfilling lunch, we headed back to the Capitol Theatre and my boys and I went straight to the Merchandise area where we bought a program, a rather large mug and a magnet. There were so many other items we would have liked to have purchased, especially the umbrellas, but they were rather expensive. 

Instead, the boys requested I buy them something much yummier from the bar, which was a blue lemonade flavoured slushie served in a collectable “Mary Poppins” cup.

Then we took our seats which were located in the Stalls section 3rd row from the stage, smack bang in the middle. They were great seats where the boys could easily see the stage. While we waited for the curtain to rise and the show to start, the boys were curious enough to go towards the stage and have a look at the orchestra pit where the many musicians were finely tuning their instruments. Then the boys came back to their seats and promptly said, “that so cool!” :D

Then the curtain rose up and we were greeted by Matt Lee as Bert, starting off the show. Pretty soon a stage prop house opened up to reveal the inside of 17 Cherry Tree Lane and to the occupants of the household, Mr. Banks (Philip Quast) and Mrs. Banks (Marina Prior), their children Jane and Michael, and of course the housekeeper and servant. Soon after and seeming to appear out of thin air, was Mary Poppins, portrayed by Verity Hunt-Ballard. She was beautifully costumed, make-up and made up as the “Practically Perfect”  and lovable nanny we all know as Mary Poppins.

Time went by so quickly that Act One was suddenly over. It was filled with songs and scenes of some of our favourites from, “Jolly Holiday”, “A Spoonful Of Sugar”, “Feed The Birds” to one of the all time favourite song with the longest word in the world, “Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious”. 
 
My entire family and I could not help but sing along during these scenes and the boys absolutely loved and laughed at so many scenes, that during the intermission break they had big grins on their faces and couldn’t wait to see what Act Two had to offer. 

Then Act Two started and again it was filled with several songs we knew and several more new ones we were happy to hear for the first time. I along with my family loved the “Step In Time” scene which was both fun and energetic. 

The choreography of the dancing and tapping was awesome! Matt Lee as Bert showed that he was a marvellous and brilliant dancer, and at one point he was upside down, dancing and tapping from the ceiling! The whole scene was awesome we wanted it to keep going! 

As the show neared its end, we were treated to another magical scene where Mary Poppins flew over the audience, and many eagerly waved at her and gasped as she flew above their heads then disappeared. Moments later, the entire casts were taking their bows to the loud clapping and cheers and whistling from the audience. Finally, appearing last was Mary Poppins, where she was warmly and loudly applauded for her wonderful performance. Then as an extended treat, the whole cast reprised the song “Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious”, before finally having the curtains falling down ending a most enjoyable, fun, fantabulously, awesome musical! =D>

I highly recommend, and my family will agree, that you go and see this musical, if you can. Take yourself, your partner, your child and/or children, because this is a show for all ages and one which will leave you smiling and grinning and humming and possibly singing, long after the end of the musical!! 

So our adventure ends with my family and I absolutely loving and enjoying a "Jolly holiday with Mary", having delicious "Spoonful of Sugar", and absolutely having an awesome "Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious" day!!! We all absolutely loved “Mary Poppins”, which was "Practically Perfect in every way" !!! 

 

NOTE: Pictures of the show are from the Mary Poppins program. Credit and courtesy of use goes to the photographer.

Sung-bong Choi from Korea's Got Talent 2011 will bring tears to your eyes!

Credit to the Uploader

After hearing/reading Choi's story, I cannot even begin to imagine the hardships he has had to endure. Then when he sang, all I could do was cry.

A night immersed in "The Music of Andrew Lloyd Webber"

"Softly, deftly, music shall caress you

Hear it, feel it, secretly possess you....."

(Music of the Night from The Phantom of the Opera)

From the moment I heard and saw Andrew Lloyd Webber’s highly acclaimed, long running and popular musical The Phantom of the Opera well over 20 years ago, I fell madly and obsessively in love with the musical. This spurred me to then hunt down pretty much all the musicals created, composed and written or co-written by Andrew Lloyd Webber, who I sincerely believe is one of the most brilliant composers of the modern time.

With other musicals like Jesus Christ Superstar, Cats, Evita, Sunset Boulevard, Aspect of Love and many others, it was not hard then that after listening to them, I fell in love with, and collected several musical soundtracks from Andrew Lloyd Webber.

It is therefore that I warmly mention: – To the most dearest and generous couple (you know who you are *hugs*) who have gifted me with one of the best birthday presents I've received – it is with heartfelt appreciation and sincerest gratitude and thanks, that my husband and I will be enjoying ourselves tonight, watching, listening and immersed in the magical and musical genius of the musical works of Andrew Lloyd Webber, from his Australian tour of the show The Music Of Andrew Lloyd Webber.

We started off our night out at one of Star City Casino's fine dining restaurants called Bistro 80 Restaurant and Bar. Considering the restaurant was completely booked, we were lucky enough to reserve a table and enjoy their highly recommended and well priced 3 course Pre-Theatre Menu. I had for Entreé the Confit Duck while my hubby had the Smoked Salmon. For our Mains, I had the Angus Scotch Fillet while hubby had the Roast Pork Belly, and we shared a side of their seasonal vegetable which was a generous serving of rosemary & garlic roasted potatoes. For Dessert, we both had the divine 'melt in your mouth' Milk Chocolate Mousse. Compliments to the Head Chef - Paul Gaspa, everything my husband and I ate was absolutely delicious! The ambience and atmosphere was semi-formal, but we felt quite relaxed. Service was absolutely fast, efficient, and the waiter was attentive and extremely friendly. We highly recommend this restaurant, and we will not hesitate in dining here again in the near future and try out their full Lunch and/or Dinner menu.

After our very delightful and satisfying dinner, we headed for the Star City Casino's, Lyric Theatre. While waiting to be seated, I looked over the Merchandise area and decided to purchase a Program and a key ring.

Then it was time to be seated. After several minutes, the lights went out and then the intro began. As I listened to the orchestra start to play an instrumental array of Andrew Lloyd Webber's musicals and several screen projectors showed his many works of musical genius, my heart just soared with the music as the talented casts began singing The Music of Andrew Lloyd Webber. The entire show was split into to Two Acts and for 2 hours, I was immersed and in Andrew Lloyd Webber musical heaven, simply enjoying, relishing, humming and sometimes singing along to his music and songs. Every song sung brought happiness to my heart and none other than when the cast sang my favourite song, The Music of the Night from my favourite musical The Phantom of the Opera.

As the show ended and the curtains fell, after listening and watching The Music of Andrew Lloyd Webber tonight, it will be, among many, a memorable evening, that I will treasure for life and one I will never forget!

So to capped off one of the best night my husband and I had in a while, thank you once again to the lovely couple who gifted me so generously with the tickets! *hugs*

Simple Skincare Products that your skin will "Simply Love"!

Simple Skincare Products Website

 

Thanks to Contagious Network and Simple Skincare I was very fortunate to try and sample this great skincare product. 

I myself usually do not use many skincare products bar the occasional moisturiser and make up remover. I'm quite fussy when it comes to using skincare products because most times my skin feels either oily or very dry after use and I don't like the perfumed smell most skincare products have in them.

After using the Simple Skincare Product samples range, my skin has never felt so good and looked better since, well....in ages! The Refreshing Facial Wash feels really refreshing to my skin after using it, my skin also feels and seems brighter after just several usage. The Eye Make-up Remover is so gentle, even the colourstay eye-shadow and eye-liner, as well as the waterproof mascara comes right off without feeling the sting in my eyes, since I don't have to scrub really hard to remove the colourstay make-up off. As for the Hydrating Light Moisturiser it's just wonderful on my skin. My skin no longer feels dry and flaky and it also works great as make-up base!

With just these samples range my skin has never felt better in years and I am absolutely "hooked, line and sinker" into buying the most affordable, the best, and the simplest skincare products for my skin from the Simple Skincare Range. 

If you want the opportunity to try and sample the Simple Skincare sample range please go to the Simple Skincare Facebook Page and join the many people who've 'LIKE' the page for the chance to secure one of the Simple Skincare sample packs. While you're there, you will also benefit from the 'Simple Life Coaching' provided by a qualified Life Coach offering and providing daily tips "on everything from how to manage your time more effectively, to how you can deal with the challenges in life".

Simple Skincare Facebook Page

So why not check out the Simple Skincare website and join and "LIKE" the Simple Skincare Facebook Page. Your skin may (and will - in my opinion) love you for it!

First Person Super Mario Bros!

Absolutely awesome! Loved it! This is for all you Super Mario Bros fans!



Why can't Nintendo create a game like this! LOL!

Happy Valentine's Day!

Loving a partner or loving yourself.....

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!