Weekly Wrap Up

I’ve been missing this blog. A lot. It has been on my mind most days, so I figured it was time to start writing again. It was on my goals list for 2019 in the ‘fun’ section to start writing a post a week again. Over half way through the year already so definitely time to bite the bullet. The hardest thing, when I haven’t written for so long, is not knowing where on earth to start. In the end, I’m making it easy and going with a short and sweet ‘list post’. I’ve done the ‘Taking Stock’ posts in the past, but they are really long so I’ve decided to make my own ‘Weekly Wrap Up’ post. I hope you find something interesting in it. Feel free to share yours too – I’d love to hear it.

What I’m Reading: I’m currently three books behind in my 2019 Good Reads – Reading Challenge of one book per week for the year. This morning I started a new book ‘Inside the O’Briens’ by Lisa Genova. I’ve read lots of her others so I’m looking forward to it.

What I’m Watching: Season Three of The Handmaid’s Tale. It is dark and awful like the previous seasons but so thought provoking and just different. The story has captured me and I can’t not watch.

What I’m Listening To: Lexi and I listened to this Ted Talk (Ted Talks Daily Podcast) by Susan Cain about the power of introverts in the car on the way home from Cairns today. Lexi is an introvert (I think) and it was interesting to see her identify herself straight away as an introvert and I’m hoping she heard the fact that the world does indeed need Introverts and their thoughts!

What I’m Buying: Some more lavender oil for our bedroom diffuser – we love it! Any other recommendations for nice oils that help with sleep (Matt is not a good sleeper)?

What I’m Cooking: Super easy Rocky Road for the school fete. I know, I know it is pretty much cheating but it was the best I could do in a busy week. Ingredients: Allens lolly snakes, marshmallows, coconut, nestle milk chocolate – so easy!

What made me laugh: From the Green Shirts Movement on Facebook

What made me cry: Hmmm. Nothing this week – hooray!

What made me think: The Story of the Mexican Fisherman – story is originally written by Heinrich Böll

A boat docked in a tiny Mexican village and an American tourist complimented the Mexican fisherman on the quality of his fish and asked how long it took to catch them.

“Not very long,” said the fisherman.

“But then why didn’t you stay out longer and catch more?” Asked the American.

The Mexican explained that his small catch was sufficient to meet his needs and those of his family.

The American asked, “But what do you do with the rest of your time?”

“I sleep late, fish a little, play with my children and take a siesta with my wife. In the evenings, I go to the village to see my friends, have a few drinks, play guitar and sing songs… I have a full life.”

The American interrupted “I have an MBA from Harvard and I can help you! You should start by fishing longer every day. You can then sell the extra fish you catch. With the extra revenue, you can buy a bigger boat. With the extra money the bigger boat will bring, you can buy more boats until you have an entire fleet of trawlers. Instead of selling fish to the middle man, you can go directly to the processing plant and maybe even own your own plant. Then, you can leave this little village and direct your enterprise from Mexico City or even New York City!

“How long would that take?” asked the Mexican.

“Twenty, maybe 25 years.” replied the American.

“And after that?”

“Afterwards? Then it gets really interesting, answered the American, laughing. “When your business gets really big you can start selling stocks and make millions!”

“Millions? Really? And after that?”

“After that, you’ll be able to retire, live in a tiny village near the coast, sleep late, play with your children, catch a few fish, take a siesta, and spend your evenings drinking and enjoying your friends!”

What I’m working on: This week I spent two days in Cairns wearing my Rural Economies Centre of Excellence Advisory Panel hat and learning heaps about what makes rural economies work well, what rural economies need to think about for the future and some of the challenges rural economies face. Really interesting stuff – lots to think about.

What I’m worrying about: Not being able to stick to any sort of regular exercise routine. Falling off the early morning wake up wagon again.

What I’m dreaming about: Our 40th birthdays family overseas holiday next year. Where to go???

What exercise I’m doing: Not much! Netball on Wednesday. The Cairns Red Arrow and Botanical Gardens walk with Lex today after her netball carnival got cancelled.