Saturday, February 11, 2006
SYDNEY AND COURAGE
Yesterday was a very special day and I flew to Sydney to meet up with fellow bloggers; M, Linda, Jodie, Mary, Julie and CKK. Up at 5am to catch an early plane I ventured off into the unknown. From the airport I caught a train to Wynyard, (armed with detailed and clear instructions from M). There I was met by Linda and Margaret. We set off and began our marathon walk around the heart of Sydney. First we hit the local markets, then around the Rocks, and on to the Sydney Opera House where we RAN up the stairs simply because we can. A lovely woman took our photo. As you can see I felt like I was in the Land of The Giants. I am definitely a midget! We then had to race, literally for me as my stride is half that of M’s, to the Harbour where we met the others for lunch. The girls had chosen a lovely Asian restaurant and we all enjoyed our meal with much talking and laughter. Dessert was of course a healthy option of fruit and a small serve of ice cream. (well ok there was ½ a strawberry and lots of ice cream)The waiter took a lovely photo of us which I think Jodie will publish later this week. After lunch like all good weight watchers we then tried to walk it off. It was a beautiful sunny day and we watched the Dragon Race finals, children frolicking in the splash pools and then some ventured onto the paddle boats where ramming seemed to be the objective. All good exercise. Marys’ BF, Dan joined us for a while (what a gorgeous man Mary) and we then started to say our goodbyes and go to separate destinations. M, Linda and I went to a beautiful old building to help M select a dress for an upcoming wedding. Lots of laughter and window shopping. Then I caught my train back to the airport, my plane home, followed by a long drive and arrived home very weary at about 10pm. This was a very memorable day and one I will file carefully in my magic memory file.
It is one thing to blog anonymously with people, to bare ones soul, to write things you would never dream of saying in person but then to remove that anonymity is a very brave thing to do. (for me anyway). This was way out of my comfort zone and very risky. I was extremely nervous ( and I am sure some of the others were to) Silly and childish thoughts coming from my own insecurities were in my foolish head. What if they don’t like me? What if I am too old to relate to them? What if I bore them etc. I could not believe that I was getting on a plane to meet new people. BUT this journey has not just been about weight loss. It has been about making many changes to myself. I am and have always been very shy and found it very difficult to relate to people I do not know well. I do not trust easily or make friends easily. I want relationships where I can be the giver and don’t dare to be the taker. I have never been one to open up and share the real me with people for fear of being judged or not liked. But here I am throwing myself at people ..or so it seems at times.
So I did this just as in the past 12 months I have done many new and brave things. Just as I hope I will continue to do. I don’t want to stagnate, I don’t want to be lonely because I don’t reach out. I want to be open and trusting and then what will be will be. I will make new friends and in some cases I won’t. I will find people that I can relate to and some I can’t. I will continue to support those in this special blogging community who want my support and I know they will continue to support me. I will continue to take risks and it will be worth it.
So in conclusion a big thankyou to M for organizing this day and a big thankyou to all who came. We were and are a very special group of women and we were, and deserve to be, proud of ourselves (and I don’t mean for our weight loss but for our generous and open souls.
Posted by michelle ::
8:52 pm ::
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