A really good place for a Monday

I'm in a really good place at the moment, and I don't mean sitting in my office (although the view this morning is pretty nice - I know the picture is kind of blurry, now you know what it's like to see like I do).

Things are really working out for me - My house is clean, my bed is comfy, my job is great and I'm at peace with my family. My friends are all happy, healthy and some of them are very much in luuuuurve, which is wonderful. I'm loving going to the gym, pilates rocks my world, weekly meditation group keeps me zen, floating around the hydrotherapy pool keeps me warm.

For the first time in years, I'm relaxed enough to wear pants (anyone who knows me well knows I never wear pants!), I don't feel the need to get dressed up to go to the shops, and I'm very much enjoying being a lot more relaxed in my attitude to everything.

I hope things are going as well for you too.

What do you want to be when you grow up?

I wanted to grow up and ride ponies all day, every day.

Somewhere along the line, my devastatingly practical mother suggested that horse riding was more of a hobby than a career (a very expensive hobby at that) so if that was what I wanted to do I'd have to get a job to pay for it, or marry someone very wealthy....I'm still waiting for that to happen, so in the meantime I suppose I have to work.

So, aged about 6 or 7, I went back to the career drawing board, what could I do so I'd have lots of money to spend on ponies? I could be a riding instructor...nah, they drive rubbish cars. I could be a vet, that way I could work with ponies...but I may also have to put them to sleep...nah. I could be a jockey...nah, I like chocolate too much. It was about this point that I realised I may have to have a non-pony related career. This was a tough realisation for a kid who loved ponies a little too much (to the point of only running like a pony...even at the inter schools athletics carnival), so I rather dejectedly started considering non pony-related careers.

Unfortunately by the time I'd finished high school I was still not really sure what to 'do with my life'. Some of the options I've considered over the years include:

• Archaeologist, in the style of Indiana Jones (not hugely likely...although, like Indy, I also don't like snakes - I guess I'm living the dream in a small way)
• Chiropractor (very expensive insurance)
• Environmental Scientist (not very good at science)
• Marketing/PR (I still don't actually know what they 'do')
• Milliner (not talented enough)
• Policewoman (not fit enough)
• Lawyer (Mum's favourite)

I decided that it would be best to move interstate and go to uni...that lasted a whole semester. So, yet again I was faced with the good old 'what do you want to do' question, and still being without a wealthy husband to pay for ponies, I had to get a job. 

I eventually landed a traineeship in office administration, not exactly the mind blowingly glamorous career I'd hoped for, but meh, it paid the bills. Like so many others in my field, I just sort of ended up working in admin and here I am, 7 years later still at it (and pretty damn good at it I might add). The way I figure it is, until I work out 'what I want to be when I grow up' I may as well support people who do know. I still wish I could have an 'aha' moment and think 'that's it, I'm going to go and become a brain surgeon'...or something, but my life has worked out pretty well without a burning ambition - I guess it's not that bad to not know what you want to do after all.

Although I haven't ridden a pony in 7 years...

Places I wish I was...

I dunno about you, but when I'm having a less than awesome time I like to sit and think about places I'd rather be. Here are a few of my favourites:

On the boat with my folks

I used to hate being on the boat. I think it was something to do with the cold, salty air (the boat is in Tassie), the uncomfortable seats and that you cant get off and go to the shop until the person steering says so. In the last year or so I seem to have changed my view, I can happily sit quietly on the deck (on a cushion Dad brings specially for me), eat my pre-packed snacks and listen to my parents chat...sometimes I even fish (until the point where the fish comes out of the water, then I run screaming to the other end of the boat).

Dad and I cruising

Laying in the sun

I always wish I was laying in the sun...I don't care where, as long as there's sun (not too much though, then I get grumpy).

Right amount of sun

Too much sun

At a BBQ baby!

I guess this is kind of a variation of laying in the sun, 'cos BBQs are no good without that. But I don't think I can remember a bad BBQ...I'm sure I've been to some, I just don't remember them.

I BBQ like a star...in that I make someone else do it.

Picnicing

Kind of the same as the last two, but with a blanket.

At the races

I love the races, so I spend a lot of time wishing I was there instead. This train of thought gives me great mileage - what will I wear? How will I accessories? How will I get better tickets? Which canapes will I serve in my carpark? I generally start thinking about being at the races in January, so it's a pretty safe bet if I'm thinking about being somewhere else, it's probably at the races.

At the polo

It's pretty much the same as the races, but without a fascinator.

On holidays

Anywhere will do, but two of my favourites are back home in Tassie and to Coolangatta, which is reportedly a 'crime hotspot'...I just like it 'cos it has nice quiet beaches, the Twin Towns RSL for cheapo dinners and because I usually go there with my folks.

Coolangatta - I don't see any crime, do you?

At a gig

But I'm quite specific about this one.

A. I must like the band

B. the venue must not be too full

C. or loud

D. or smelly

E. There should be easily accessible, yummy food

Me at Homebake, demonstrating an appropriate level of 'crowdedness' and easily accesible food.