4.8 quake hits Hurghada

Last night just a little after 8 PM, K and I were chatting in the bedroom when all of a sudden we heard a noise like a truck coming up the street, and the building began to shake. This might sound disconcerting, but seeing as how construction around here is so common place, big trucks rattling up the road isn't uncommon. But when the rumbling reached our levels and the entire room began to shake, it was evident that it was an earthquake.

I realise how non-chalant I must seem about earthquakes now. I posted a blog about the previous earthquake, and mentioned that after living in California they become common place. So for me, it's no big deal. Let's face it, if your building is going to collapse in a quake, there's little you can really do about it. There's no means of predicting them, it's one reason earthquakes can cause such devastating damage.

Last night's quake measured a 4.8 on the Richter scale. In California, this would still be considered a 'mini' quake and really nothing to be all that greatly worried about. But this is in an earthquake prone area, where buildings are built to code. Here that is not the case. Our building rattled for maybe 5 seconds tops, but just in those 5 seconds you could really feel the entire building sway. It's not surprising that the 1992 Egypt quake caused such enormous damage.

In Dahar, a suburb in Hurghada, many of the buildings are hastily erected and follow little to no building codes. Many residents are living below the poverty line and placed in these apartment complexes as a form of government aid. Not surprisingly, after the quake last night there was a mass exodus from these buildings with people milling around in the streets. Their calls have been raised to the governor, demanding adequate housing facilities. Bear in mind many of these buildings already had issues with their construction to begin with, ranging from using cheap concrete material, to burst pipes constantly weakening the fabric of the building, to little to no thought put into the structural integrity of the building. Thank God more damage was not seen around the area.

Panicked Hurghada residents hit the streets following the quake.
Image courtesy of Red Sea News. 

So last night's quake now makes 3 quakes to have hit the Hurghada and Red Sea in the past 3 months. That's more quakes in a 3 month period than have hit Egypt in the almost 6 years I've lived here. What is going on?

MSNBC reports on the increasing earthquakes in the Red Sea, attributing the tremors to the parting of the Red Sea. The African and Arabian tectonic plates are moving apart at an estimated 2 cm a year. These shifts are not, however, gradual. Earthquakes are the symptoms of this and all indications point to them increasing and not decreasing in the coming years. This means for residents of Egypt and the Red Sea in particular that perhaps earthquakes will not be the cause for concern and panic that yesterday's created. I can only hope that they stay around 4 on the Richter scale and we do not see a large quake to hit the area because it would be devastating to say the least.

In the meantime, read up on quakes and begin to understand what they are. Yes, again you can hear them coming. No, there's little you can do to stop them. Yes, it is normal for one person to feel a small quake and the person standing next to you to feel nothing. This does not mean you or your neighbour are going crazy. If the past year in Egypt should have taught us anything, it is that reacting rashly and with panic only creates further chaos. If you don't know the answer to a question, DON'T answer it. Don't spread your own speculations and fears as this will only balloon outwards and before you know it, you're "well maybe" comment has been cemented into 'real facts.' So please, Hurghada, stop panicking! :) 

Where to Go - Dahab edition

I know, I know, it's taken me a while to get to this blog. It feels like January has just flown by! I think everyone in Egypt has been on pins and needles waiting to see what the 25th of January would bring that everything else has somewhat fallen by the wayside. I'll post a blog later on my own impressions of the 25th January anniversary, but that's not what this blog is about.

So, as I previously posted, K and I headed to Dahab for the Christmas break to meet up with my family. It was absolutely wonderful, and there are so many wonderful things to do and see there. For anyone who has never visited the Sinai resort town, I would highly recommend it. Generally it is known for being a dive town, with some of the world's top dive destinations located in and around the Sinai Peninsula. But even for those who aren't divers, Dahab has a great deal to offer.

Conveniently located surrounded by both mountains and sea, you'll find things like Kite surfing and wind surfing to mountain hiking and desert trips are all offered in the Dahab area. For this first edition of Where to Go Dahab, I want to recommend one of the highlights of our trips - quadbiking.

Now living in Hurghada there are a lot of places that offer quad biking, but for some reason we'd just never gotten around to doing it. My mum suggested we try it in Dahab, and I am so so glad we did. Not only do you get fantastic panoramic views of the area, you're taken into the mountain passes to a little Bedouin camp for a cup of tea. And I highly recommend the Bedouin tea, there's something very earthy about it - it's even more evident with no sugar.

For less than 50 dollars we were able to rent 2 quadbikes for the four of us, and rotated drivers throughout the two hour trip. We crossed desert terrain, up into the mountains, drove on the roads (hair-raising!!) and down along the beach. It's a great family outing and ideal for adventure "enthusiasts." We used the Quad Trax company based in the Yasmina Hotel. If you want more information you can contact them via email at dahabquadtrax@yahoo.com or on telephone number 012 872 5054.

Happy trails!!

Dolphins have no part in dispute with Iran

I read this article this morning from The Guardian's social reader, and all I can say is how terribly sad it is. Again the animals come in the cross-hairs of human conflict, with no conscious thought on our part as to how detrimental this can really be. As though dolphins needed one more reason to be victims of man-hunts.

By Peter Singer, check out the original story here.

Dolphins have no part in this dispute with Iran | Peter Singer

For the US Navy to put dolphins in harm's way in the Persian Gulf is a form of speciesist enslavement we should be ending

Sgt Andrew Garrett watches K-Dog, a bottlenose dolphin, leap out of the water while training near the USS Gunston Hall in the Persian Gulf. Photograph: Brien Aho/AP

The US Navy has trained dolphins to detect mines. Now, they might be used in the conflict with Iran over its nuclear policies.

In response to heightened sanctions, Iran has threatened to block the Strait of Hormuz, the only sea route out of the Persian Gulf and, according to the US energy department, "the world's most important oil choke". Iran might use mines to do it, and if they should do so, then, according to retired US Admiral Tim Keating, who previously commanded the US 5th Fleet in Bahrain, "we've got dolphins."

According to earlier reports, the US Navy has trained about 80 dolphins to detect mines. Some reports say that the dolphins only locate the mines and drop acoustic transponders nearby, so that humans can destroy the mines, but it is also possible for the dolphins to set off the mines and die in the resulting explosion, and, of course, using the dolphins in this way makes them – and any other dolphins in the area – targets for the Iranians to destroy if they can.

Animals, or at least those who are conscious and capable of suffering or enjoying their lives, are not things for us to use in whatever way we find convenient. To believe that, because they are members of a different species, we can ignore or discount their interests is speciesism, a form of prejudice against beings who are not "us" that is akin to racism and sexism. We should give equal consideration to the interests of any sentient being, where their interests are similar to our own.

Dolphins are social mammals, capable of enjoying their lives. They form close bonds with other members of their group. They respond to images of themselves in a mirror, and use the mirror to examine marks on parts of their body that they cannot otherwise see – a test that is widely taken to be a sign of self-awareness, which human children cannot pass until they are somewhere between 18 months and two years of age.

The United States no longer conscripts its citizens to fight its wars. All its human troops are volunteers. But even conscripts have some basic rights. The dolphins have none.

Late last year, People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals, together with three international orca experts, and two former orca trainers asked a federal court in San Diego to declare that five orcas held and forced to perform by SeaWorld are held as slaves in violation of the 13th Amendment to the US Constitution that outlaws slavery. The suit has yet to be heard, but a similar case might be made against the US Navy for its use of dolphins.

Various civilizations have, at times, enslaved human beings and forced them to fight for their oppressors. That despicable practice is now rightly condemned, as far as human beings are concerned, but the enslavement of other species continues, in many areas of human life, and the use of slaves in war continues in the United States Navy.

It might be argued that as long as billions of animals are confined in factory farms to produce meat, eggs and milk, the use of a few dolphins in military action is trivial. Obviously, the amount of suffering we inflict on factory-farmed animals every day dwarfs whatever might happen to the dolphins.

Nevertheless, just when we are starting to realize how gravely we are wronging animals, and to do something about this – like the very welcome European Union ban on standard battery cages for laying hens, which came into effect on 1 January this year – we ought not to be finding new ways to exploit them.

Dolphins have nothing to do with the dispute over Iran's nuclear plans. Whatever the rights and wrongs of taking military action against Iran, let's leave the dolphins out of it.

Chicken-ella Recipe!

A friend of mine the other day was talking about quick and easy recipes, and I told her there were a few posted on my blog she could check out. When I searched though, I realised that I only have one savoury recipe posted! Time to rectify immediately, as I cook a great deal more savoury than sweet :D So here is my "patented" Chicken-ella Recipe. It's akin to a Chicken Curry, but this is a recipe I originally came up with in University, and have adapted and added to over the years. This is the finalized version, including all the options you can throw in. Total prep time to cook is about 30 minutes.

What you'll need (serves 4)

1/2 Kg (1 lb) Chicken Breasts

3 large tomatoes

1 large onion

2 tbsp vinegar

1 tbsp olive oil

1/2 cup water

1 tbsp black pepper

1.5 tbsp garlic (to taste - I like really garlicky stuff)

1.5 teaspoons thyme

1/2 teaspoon cumin

1/2 teaspoon red pepper

1/2 teaspoon curry powder (optional ingredient)

Dash of tobasco

1 large bell pepper (I recommend green or red - this is an optional ingredient)

1 can sweetcorn (again, an optional ingredient)

What to do:

1. Slice your chicken breasts into thin strips. Toss with vinegar, red pepper, thyme, 1 tbsp garlic, black pepper and 1/2 of the onion, finely chopped. Throw in dash of tobasco, cover and let marinate for at least 15 minutes. I prefer to let this marinate as long as possible.
2. While your chicken is marinating, chop your veggies. Dice your tomatoes, chop the remaining onion, and bell pepper if you have added it.
3. In a large pan, add your 1 tbsp olive oil. Warm over medium heat, and add onions. Saute until almost translucent, about 3 - 4 minutes.
4. Add your chicken to the pan. Use the 1/2 cup water and add to the marinate dish. Swill around to pick up all the extra spices, add to the chicken and onions. Add your curry here if you plan to use any. Cover your pan, and let cook over medium heat until the chicken is white around the outside - about 10 minutes.
5. Add your remaining vegetables, and let cook over medium heat for 15 - 20 minutes until chicken is tender. Stir occasionally.
6. Season to taste with salt and pepper.

Serve with warm bread, 2 cups rice or spaghetti. Whatever tickles your fancy. I usually opt for rice ;)

The trick here is that the tomatoes while cooking will release their juices that then cook through the chicken and create a delicious tomato sauce. You can choose to thicken it up by adding 1 tbsp of tomato paste, your call.

Bon appetit!

What do to if your dog / cat ingests poison

I apologise that it has taken me a few days to get to writing this post, but this is because I have been waiting for confirmation on the suspected poisonings in Hurghada. Although it seems that the mass poisoning in Maadi I previously blogged about may have been government sponsored, we are as of yet unable to find any proof indicating the same for Hurghada.

What we seem to have in Hurghada is a few possibilities. Individual residents lying poison out on the road, shop or restaurant owners trying to clear their immediate area of strays, or government vets lying the poison out. As the government vet who would be responsible for placing poison in and around the city is currently on vacation, it's safe to say he is not involved in any cases of poison around here.

This leaves 2 options, individual residents or business owners. Now bear in mind that strychnine is not something you can readily get your hands on. To purchase this poison it is often necessary to go through a dealer and can end up quite costly - making it an unlikely option for many. The next poison of choice is readily accessible and available, and just as deadly. I'm talking rat poison.

Remember that these poisons are thrown into the street on meat - meaning your dog can snatch up a piece very quickly without you even noticing. Fortunately there are signs to watch out for if you suspect your dog has ingested poison.

1. Make sure that you have an emergency vet contact in your phone or somewhere handy. I have provided a list of vets in the Hurghada area, and would personally recommend Dr. Mohammed Taieby, who will always respond to an emergency case - and I cannot make the same statements about all the vets on the list. 
2. Your dog or cat will begin to exhibit symptoms of poisoning quite rapidly. If you notice your pet is extremely agitated and excitable, more so than usual, keep a close eye on them.  
3. Seizures are a common symptom of ingestion of poison, be it strychnine or rat poison (often one and the same). Doctor Dog describes the seizures as: "during which the dog throws the head back, can't breathe and turns blue. The slightest stimulation, such as tapping the dog or clapping the hands, starts a seizure. This characteristic response is used to make the diagnosis."
4. Other symptoms include drooling, muscle spasms, loss of coordination, collapsing. 
5. If you start noticing your pet seizing or spasming, contact your vet IMMEDIATELY. The faster the veterinary medical response, the higher chances your pet has of surviving. Strychnine, NOT rat poison will induce these spasms.
6. Often you will be told to try to induce vomiting in animals that have been poisoned. This is CRUCIAL information. IF YOUR DOG IS ALREADY SPASMING, TRYING TO INDUCE VOMITING CAN EXACERBATE THE SITUATION AND CAUSE FURTHER SEIZURES. Wrap the animal in a warm blanket and transport to vet IMMEDIATELY. 
7. If you have not yet noticed signs of seizures but still fear that your animal may have ingested poison, you can induce vomiting. To induce vomiting in dogs, there are two websites you can check out here and here. I do not want to post how to induce vomiting in cats, please consult your veterinarian to find out how. 

Remember time and speed are your only allies when it comes to potential poisoning of your pets. If you are very worried about walking your animals outside, muzzle them to avoid potential ingestion. It is not fair to lock the animals inside rather than walk them - why should they be tortured and have to pay for human cruelty. 

For vets in the Hurghada area, please find contact numbers below. (Thanks to Anca for preparing the list you see below!) I would like to add to this list for vets around the country, if you have more recommendations PLEASE add to the comment section below. Please also feel free to share your stories of your pets that have been poisoned. The more that we collect the information on the poison and the areas it is being laid, the stronger case people have to bring to the government and demand an immediate resolution to the problem. 

1. Smart Vet Clinic, Dr Mohamed El Taieby,

Clinic Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Smart-Vet-Clinic/121312647915335

Mobile No. 0163828100 

24 Hour Emergencies. I will give directions to the Clinic as the road hasn't got a name

Located just off of Maderis (School) Street, across from the Supermarket Beit el-Maleka or the Seagull Retail Clothing shop.

Email: smartvetclinic@yahoo.com 

2. Blue Moon Animal Shelter

Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Blue-Moon-Animalcenter-Hurghada/205357696149227 

Doctor Veterinarian Girgis Kamal (Tel.: 0164693169).

Mubarak 1 Nr. 14, Apt.7

Tel.: 010 5490046

E-mail: bluemoongalerie@hotmail.com

3. Dr. Sameh Shata

Web page: http://dr-samehshata.com/contact-us.html

Plot 95, Old Public Beach Panorama Hotel Road

Dahar, Hurghada

Tel: 065-3544009, 012-1664628 Fax: 065-3544009

4. Dr.Mohamed Atef

PawsandClaws Veterinary Clinc, next to Dreams Beach

Services offered: Vaccination, Flea and insect control, Spay and neuter, Small and large surgeries, Orthopedic surgery, X ray, Fetal dubler, Toxoplasma check, Laboratory exam, Health certificates, Worming program, Grooming

Tel: 0176077576

E-mail: pandcvetclinic@yahoo.com

  

Mass poisoning campaign strikes Egypt

Yesterday evening an alert was sent out via Facebook that mass amounts of poison had been laid in the residential suburb of Maadi, in Cairo. The Egyptian Society for Mercy to Animals posted the following to their page: "TO ALL MAADI PET OWNERS: Please avoid the streets with your pets for the next 48 hours, to avoid the mass poisoning currently taking place. 25 bags of poisoned meat have been located, and removed. We are currently forming a search party to determine if there are anymore bags laid, and to find any animals that may be in need of assistance."


The message quickly went viral, with animal rights groups and activists alike posting it to forums, re-posting to their own statuses or sending out messages containing the information. 


It did not take long for Hurghada animal rights activists to see the message and immediately question if the same case was true for Hurghada. In the past few weeks, activists here have seen an increase in the poisoning campaigns, despite word from the new Governor that the government would cease and desist such attempts to control the stray population and give activists a chance to implement Trap, Neuter and Release, or TNR programmes. 


I was told about two months back by a source that requested anonymity that the same 'deal' was made for the Cairo governorates. Animal shelters were told they had a set period of a few weeks to organize and launch a TNR campaign in the capital city and reduce the number of animals that were able to breed. Inter-organizational bureaucracy however hindered this process. My source informed me that due to the fact that two of the largest organizations in Cairo were unable to agree on who should cover the costs and fundraising for the TNR programme, the time they were given elapsed. The result was a mass poison campaign launched by the government. The pre-arranged deal however was immediately denied and brushed under the table, with the finger of blame pointed squarely at the government. 


Similar in Hurghada, as I have previously blogged, a TNR campaign was launched by activists here. Thus far the programme is proving to be successful as more and more local residents get in on it. The Blue Moon animal shelter has been instrumental in providing free services for stray animals in their attempts to control the stray population. So why did the poisoning campaign launched in Cairo reach Hurghada? 


Activists last night combed the area of Mubarak 6, but their search was hindered by the lack of light in the area. They have again headed out today to track down and remove any bags of poison that may have been laid out. Eye witnesses report that a blue pick-up truck has been seen roaming through the area and pausing intermittently near trash sites - often the location that the poisoned bags of meat are thrown down. This brings to mind the comments of Hurghada's governor, who had 'promised' that the poison campaigns would stop. Activists have claimed that should any bags of poison be traceable back to the government campaigns, that these bags of poison will be marched up to the governor's office directly to demand why he has fallen through on his rhetoric. By the time this blog has gone to post, I have been unable to independently verify that the poisoning campaign in Cairo has spread to Hurghada - and our local government vet has denied any government involvement in cases of poisoning in Hurghada. 


Does this then mean that it is individual residents placing the poisoned meat out? In many cases the answer is sadly yes. Alleged reports indicate that a restaurant owner on the beautiful corniche area has himself planted poison on the beach as the strays disrupt the peace and quiet of the area. Never an after-thought to the individual pets that are afflicted by their decisions to lay down the poisoned meat, or the danger that such toxins pose to humans.


I scoured Hadaba this morning and thankfully was unable to find any bags of poisoned meat, although this does not mean that it is not there. Often in Hadaba the poison is laid in the desert; knowing this I will never take Orien in there. The threat of poison is not limited to dog owners however, and the common poison of choice strychinine is known to prove fatal in cases where children are exposed to the toxin. However as autopsies are not a common practice in Egypt, it's difficult to pinpoint exactly and say "this child's death was the result of the government's poisoning campaign."  


At the end of the day, words are only words. Activists in Egypt have been given no reason to believe that mass poisoning campaigns will ever be stopped, and as long as it's seen as an effective way to eliminate the stray population those laying poison down have no reason to change. For all pet owners throughout Egypt, please be wary of when you are walking your dog. Don't use the time to talk on your phone or gossip, constant vigilance on your part is the only way to ensure that your dog won't put it's nose somewhere it is not meant to. If you find bags of poison, please remove them. I will post a blog later detailing what you can do to not only GET RID of the poisoned meat, but what you should do in case of accidental ingestion by your furry friend. 

The Shell of Sharm el-Sheikh

Christmas for me usually represents a time of leaving Egypt. This year, it was different. K and I headed to the Sinai Peninsula to meet my family who had travelled from overseas. It was a year of forging new traditions and re-creating the Christmas atmosphere in a very "un-Christmassy" place. For K and I our journey started in Sharm el-Sheikh, where we stayed before heading further into the Sinai towards Dahab.

This time of year in Egypt is considered one of the three peak, or "high" seasons. In resort towns like Sharm el-Sheikh and Hurghada, Christmas and New Years host an influx of tourists seeking respite from the cold and harsh winters at home. In previous years in Hurghada, New Years parties sell out a few weeks before the event with only a limited number of tickets remaining for last minute deals. Sharm is the same; big name DJs all booked to come in and play to what is hoped will be sell-out crowds and fully booked resorts and hotels.

K and I chose to stay in Delta Sharm, a hot-spot for Sharm residents and tourists alike. It offers the security of a compound alongside all the facilities you would expect of a hotel: pools, bars, restaurants, shops, and a little strip mall with rental car shops and real-estate offices.

One of the pools in Delta Sharm

But walking along these "mini mall" strip of shops was depressing. For every open office, there were two abandoned, empty, boarded up, or "for rent" next to it. Coffee shops had a few stragglers outside, others that boasted they were open 24 hours were closed. Remnants of what is evidently a party town working schedule, these offices just had no business to warrant keeping those hours.

Walking down the main strip in Sharm on Naama Bay was also an eye opening experience. K and I went to track down dinner and do a little shopping around 5 p.m. Coffee shop after coffee shop lay empty, with waiters outside trying to usher the small crowd of shoppers into their bars or restaurants. Also striking was that of the people milling around in the streets, most were Egyptians, not foreigners. By the time we were leaving Naama Bay the streets and restaurants had gotten a little more crowded, but nothing like the level of patrons one would normally expect in Sharm at this time of year.

Naama Bay in Sharm

Everywhere you go, people will tell you the same thing. "Business is suffering. Tourists are gone, we have no money anymore." This brings to mind the rhetoric in recent months of Islamist candidates who claim that Egypt's economy will do just fine surviving on Cultural Tourism (Which estimates point to making up less than 10 % of the total income from tourism). Al Masri Al-Yawm posted an article today in which quotes show that tourism in Egypt dropped almost 30 % in 2011 alone, in part due to ongoing unrest in the capital Cairo and the comments made about crack downs on the tourism industry.

When my family made the decision to come to Egypt, they were met with the common question of "why are you going there? Is it safe?" I've been hearing that question since I first moved to Egypt in 2006, and the answer is, YES, Egypt is safe. The Sinai is SAFE. There is an illusion being painted in the media that on every street corner you will find a protest, or someone flinging rocks, of a building on fire, or thugs running rampant. This is not the case, not at all. In fact the entire time that we were away, we left the news off and stayed offline - leaving us no indication of what was happening in the country. Were it not for national media, the unrest in Cairo and Alex would not even have made you question could you come to Egypt.

Don't get me wrong, I'm not naive enough to proclaim that Egypt is 100% at the moment, because it's not. There are certainly areas I would advise against foreigners travelling right now, particularly those that require travel over long stretches of mostly unmanned roads, such as roads down to Luxor, Aswan, and Sohag. But if you're coming to Egypt to check out the Red Sea sights and the Sinai Peninsula, you have very little to worry about. I was asked to emphasize this by family and friends who came to stay, if you have any doubts about your safety in Egypt, let me put your mind to ease.

Hurghada is more fortunate than many of the cities in the Sinai, as there continues to be a steady stream of foreigners coming here *knocks on wood* but in the Sinai things aren't so easy. I'll continue this saga in a new postings, but I will leave you with these words:

Please come and visit, the Egyptians are ready to welcome everyone with open arms! 

30 things to stop doing to yourself

A friend had this posted on her facebook feed earlier, and I feel that for a New Year there are a lot of people that can learn a lot from simple suggestions such as these posted below. Taken from Marc and Angel Hack Life: Practical Tips for Productive Living, check out the "30 things to stop doing to yourself."

As Maria Robinson once said, “Nobody can go back and start a new beginning, but anyone can start today and make a new ending.”  Nothing could be closer to the truth.  But before you can begin this process of transformation you have to stop doing the things that have been holding you back.

Here are some ideas to get you started:

1. Stop spending time with the wrong people. – Life is too short to spend time with people who suck the happiness out of you.  If someone wants you in their life, they’ll make room for you.  You shouldn’t have to fight for a spot.  Never, ever insist yourself to someone who continuously overlooks your worth.  And remember, it’s not the people that stand by your side when you’re at your best, but the ones who stand beside you when you’re at your worst that are your true friends.
2. Stop running from your problems. – Face them head on.  No, it won’t be easy.  There is no person in the world capable of flawlessly handling every punch thrown at them.  We aren’t supposed to be able to instantly solve problems.  That’s not how we’re made.  In fact, we’re made to get upset, sad, hurt, stumble and fall.  Because that’s the whole purpose of living – to face problems, learn, adapt, and solve them over the course of time.  This is what ultimately molds us into the person we become.
3. Stop lying to yourself. – You can lie to anyone else in the world, but you can’t lie to yourself.  Our lives improve only when we take chances, and the first and most difficult chance we can take is to be honest with ourselves.  Read The Road Less Traveled.
4. Stop putting your own needs on the back burner. – The most painful thing is losing yourself in the process of loving someone too much, and forgetting that you are special too.  Yes, help others; but help yourself too.  If there was ever a moment to follow your passion and do something that matters to you, that moment is now.
5. Stop trying to be someone you’re not. – One of the greatest challenges in life is being yourself in a world that’s trying to make you likeeveryone else.  Someone will always be prettier, someone will always be smarter, someone will always be younger, but they will never be you.  Don’t change so people will like you.  Be yourself and the right people will love the real you.
6. Stop trying to hold onto the past. – You can’t start the next chapter of your life if you keep re-reading your last one.
7. Stop being scared to make a mistake. – Doing something and getting it wrong is at least ten times more productive than doing nothing.  Every success has a trail of failures behind it, and every failure is leading towards success.  You end up regretting the things you did NOT do far more than the things you did.
8. Stop berating yourself for old mistakes. – We may love the wrong person and cry about the wrong things, but no matter how things go wrong, one thing is for sure, mistakes help us find the person and things that are right for us.  We all make mistakes, have struggles, and even regret things in our past.  But you are not your mistakes, you are not your struggles, and you are here NOW with the power to shape your day and your future.  Every single thing that has ever happened in your life is preparing you for a moment that is yet to come.
9. Stop trying to buy happiness. – Many of the things we desire are expensive.  But the truth is, the things that really satisfy us are totally free – love, laughter and working on our passions.
10. Stop exclusively looking to others for happiness. – If you’re not happy with who you are on the inside, you won’t be happy in a long-term relationship with anyone else either.  You have to create stability in your own life first before you can share it with someone else.  Read Stumbling on Happiness.
11. Stop being idle. – Don’t think too much or you’ll create a problem that wasn’t even there in the first place.  Evaluate situations and take decisive action.  You cannot change what you refuse to confront.  Making progress involves risk.  Period!  You can’t make it to second base with your foot on first.
12. Stop thinking you’re not ready. – Nobody ever feels 100% ready when an opportunity arises.  Because most great opportunities in life force us to grow beyond our comfort zones, which means we won’t feel totally comfortable at first.
13. Stop getting involved in relationships for the wrong reasons. – Relationships must be chosen wisely.  It’s better to be alone than to be in bad company.  There’s no need to rush.  If something is meant to be, it will happen – in the right time, with the right person, and for the best reason. Fall in love when you’re ready, not when you’re lonely.
14. Stop rejecting new relationships just because old ones didn’t work. – In life you’ll realize that there is a purpose for everyone you meet.  Some will test you, some will use you and some will teach you.  But most importantly, some will bring out the best in you.
15. Stop trying to compete against everyone else. – Don’t worry about what others doing better than you.  Concentrate on beating your own records every day.  Success is a battle between YOU and YOURSELF only.
16. Stop being jealous of others. – Jealousy is the art of counting someone else’s blessings instead of your own.  Ask yourself this:  “What’s something I have that everyone wants?”
17. Stop complaining and feeling sorry for yourself. – Life’s curveballs are thrown for a reason – to shift your path in a direction that is meant for you.  You may not see or understand everything the moment it happens, and it may be tough.  But reflect back on those negative curveballs thrown at you in the past.  You’ll often see that eventually they led you to a better place, person, state of mind, or situation.  So smile!  Let everyone know that today you are a lot stronger than you were yesterday, and you will be.
18. Stop holding grudges. – Don’t live your life with hate in your heart.  You will end up hurting yourself more than the people you hate.  Forgiveness is not saying, “What you did to me is okay.”  It is saying, “I’m not going to let what you did to me ruin my happiness forever.”  Forgiveness is the answer… let go, find peace, liberate yourself!  And remember, forgiveness is not just for other people, it’s for you too.  If you must, forgive yourself, move on and try to do better next time.
19. Stop letting others bring you down to their level. – Refuse to lower your standards to accommodate those who refuse to raise theirs.
20. Stop wasting time explaining yourself to others. – Your friends don’t need it and your enemies won’t believe it anyway.  Just do what you know in your heart is right.
21. Stop doing the same things over and over without taking a break. – The time to take a deep breath is when you don’t have time for it.  If you keep doing what you’re doing, you’ll keep getting what you’re getting.  Sometimes you need to distance yourself to see things clearly.
22. Stop overlooking the beauty of small moments. – Enjoy the little things, because one day you may look back and discover they were the big things.  The best portion of your life will be the small, nameless moments you spend smiling with someone who matters to you.
23. Stop trying to make things perfect. – The real world doesn’t reward perfectionists, it rewards people who get things done.  Read Getting Things Done.
24. Stop following the path of least resistance. – Life is not easy, especially when you plan on achieving something worthwhile.  Don’t take the easy way out.  Do something extraordinary.
25. Stop acting like everything is fine if it isn’t. – It’s okay to fall apart for a little while.  You don’t always have to pretend to be strong, and there is no need to constantly prove that everything is going well.  You shouldn’t be concerned with what other people are thinking either – cry if you need to – it’s healthy to shed your tears.  The sooner you do, the sooner you will be able to smile again.
26. Stop blaming others for your troubles. – The extent to which you can achieve your dreams depends on the extent to which you take responsibility for your life.  When you blame others for what you’re going through, you deny responsibility – you give others power over that part of your life.
27. Stop trying to be everything to everyone. – Doing so is impossible, and trying will only burn you out.  But making one person smile CAN change the world.  Maybe not the whole world, but their world.  So narrow your focus.
28. Stop worrying so much. – Worry will not strip tomorrow of its burdens, it will strip today of its joy.  One way to check if something is worth mulling over is to ask yourself this question: “Will this matter in one year’s time?  Three years?  Five years?”  If not, then it’s not worth worrying about.
29. Stop focusing on what you don’t want to happen. – Focus on what you do want to happen.  Positive thinking is at the forefront of every great success story.  If you awake every morning with the thought that something wonderful will happen in your life today, and you pay close attention, you’ll often find that you’re right.
30. Stop being ungrateful. – No matter how good or bad you have it, wake up each day thankful for your life.  Someone somewhere else is desperately fighting for theirs.  Instead of thinking about what you’re missing, try thinking about what you have that everyone else is missing.

Happy New Years!

2011 was a year that not many will ever forget. Unless you were living in a bunker, you were probably impacted by natural disasters, extreme weather patterns, political upheaval, economic crises, riots, revolutions, and more. It's not surprising that many people are looking to 2012 to be a better year; how can it not be?

I don't like to make New Years Resolutions having learned in the past that often I'll stick to them for a week or two, then they'll simply fall by the wayside. Instead, what I do love doing is reflecting on the past year and highlighting important lessons that I have learned. What better way to show where I am in life than remembering what has happened in the past year to bring me here. So, here is my learning list of 2011 :)

I have learned....

....that March 2011 will forever be the month that I took a big leap forward, and told the man in my life that "yes" I do want to spend the rest of my life with him. Next up...wedding plans :D

....that family are the most important foundation a woman can have. Family keeps you grounded, they tell you things you don't always want to hear, but need to hear. Trust your family.

....that if you cannot stand up for yourself, don't expect anyone else to do it for you.

....that small acts of kindness can change someone's day, but continued acts of seemingly selfless kindness will lead people to take advantage of you. (tiny resolution? won't allow people to see me as a doormat anymore!)

....that the most humbling experience ever has nothing to do with being human at all. Watching the recovery of an animal on the verge of death, fighting to regain their strength and trusting human companionship all over again simply cannot be described in a few words.

....that the most stressful times in our lives often reap the biggest rewards.

....that having a solid partner by your side makes every day worthwhile, even if there are days where we want to rip each other's throats out ;)

....that taking the time to sit back and reflect during times that are busiest is one sure fire way to guarantee you will not burn out.

....that good writing is a skill, great writing is an art. Art cannot be rushed. I have a few pieces from the past year that I regret rushing through. But hindsight gives us 20 / 20.

....that you will never get anything if you do not ask.

....that finding the smallest things in life to bring you positivity will make you a happier person.

....that dwelling only sucks you deeper into a downward spiral.

....that there are some people in life you just have to learn to let go of.

....that negativity will not leave you, you must leave it.

....that one or two great friends, are better than 10 'so-so' friends.

....that every woman needs her support group. I'm lucky to have found mine in a wonderful group of women I'll affectionately refer to as my "BPers"

....that sometimes you can instantly bond with an animal, and know that you will be able to foster a great partnership together.

....that there's no such thing as "not enough time." If you don't have enough time, it means your time management needs working on!

....that going to the gym is one of the best mood boosters ever.

....that there's no quick fix to weight loss. The age old saying "watch what you eat and work out" has been around as long as it has for a reason!

....that taking the time to really get to know your loved ones on a more intimate level is the most rewarding feeling.

....that rescuing horses takes not only a hell of a lot of time, it takes mountains of patience and willingness to learn.

....that today I know only a fraction of what I will know tomorrow, that I should never turn away an option to further my knowledge and understanding.

....that saying "No," to work only sends signals that you don't want to work. Find something you love working in, and saying "YES" becomes easy.

....that worrying about money is exhausting, and at the end of the day not worth it. As my mum says, "money comes and money goes." Don't let financial worries consume you.

....that a penny saved is a penny earned.

....that spending time watching Orien brings an instant smile to my face.

....that there really is such a thing as spending too much time online.

....that it's easy to get sucked into the cyber world and have it swallow your reality. It's important to remember that living through your computer screen is not living. So with that being said, I'm off to meet Chili, so thanks for reading...now get off your computer and GO AND LIVE!!!

Happy New Year!!!

Happy 2012 everyone. I hope this year brings you all the happiness, joy and success that you wish it to. If you wish it, it will be.