Happy First Birthday- Write Change Grow!

Today I have been blogging for exactly one year.  It’s incredible how quickly time has gone!

Instead of writing a 10 things I have learnt about blogging post (will leave that for another time) I thought with your permission, I would be totally indulgent and share 25 fun, interesting and some totally trivial facts about myself with you.

So without further adieu here are 25 tidbits about me (in as chronological order as humanly possible).

1. A primary school teacher told me I getting ahead of myself for using direct speech in one of my early stories.  I didn’t know what she was on about, I thought it was perfectly normal for my characters to be talking to each other.
2. I loved World Book Encyclopedia growing up.  I would climb into bed surrounded by books and read at night.  During the night, you could hear them falling to the floor as I kicked them out of bed in my sleep. 
3. When I was young, I was obsessed with travelling to the United States.  It must have been all the American television I watched as a child.  If you look at those same encyclopedia now, you will see yellowed slips of paper as bookmarks.  All places in the United States I wanted to visit.  I am pretty sure I got to most of them. 
4. I left school after finishing grade 10.   Back in the day, this was common.  Doing senior was never discussed.  University, not even a blip on the radar.
5. After school I went to TAFE for a year to do an office studies course.  The TAFE had one computer, which you had to book well in advance to use.  The computer used large floppy disks similar in shape and size  to the old vinyl records.
6. I started working when I was 16.  I did admin work for a small family run jewellery business.  To this day I am still friends with my first boss.
7. I did some work experience at a law firm in the Family Law department.  I hated it. They wanted blood out of a stone and paid pittance.  I made a mental note never to work in a law firm again.
8. I got engaged when I was 18 and was engaged for 4 years.  Then I took my first trip overseas and that changed my life forever ie I wasn’t engaged when I got back and I had been bitten by the travel bug.
9. I have been on two Contiki bus tours.  Firstly to the United States when I was 23 and then through Europe at 31.  I have to say I had a ball on both trips and yes they are as much fun as people say they are.
10. I have celebrated four birthdays overseas.  My 23rd in Washington DC, 33rd in Vernazza (Cinque Terre) Italy, turning 38 in Prague and my 42nd  in New York City.
11. I used to be a magazine addict.  Some people smoke, some buy magazines.  I now wear a patch and have cut back.
12. I love a glass of chilled sauvignon blanc.  Or a beautiful glass of Merlo. 
13. I spoke to Russell Crow in a bar in Sydney. Pre-Gladiator Russell.  I was checking him out in a pub and to my surprise he came over to talk to me.  He asked what I did for a living.  I’ve never wanted to be a supermodel so much in my life.  Alas, he didn’t seem rocked to his core when I told him I was a secretary.
14. My girlfriend and I were in Waikiki, Hawaii when Hurricane Iniki hit in 1992.  We were in the first group of people flown into Sydney.  The media interviewed a few people off the plane, including my girlfriend and I.  While everyone was talking about how scary the experience was, our segment highlighted us laughing about the surfers refusing to get out of the water.  Did I mention I looked hideous on national television?  All we hoped for was that no one from work was watching Channel 10 at the time.  How do you think that turned out? 
15. I lived in Sydney from 1990 – 2000.  I loved Sydney, planned on staying there.  I went overseas with my partner at the time in 2000 and never went back there to live.  Life as they say, had other plans for me.
16. I lost weight while living in London for 5 months. No Heathrow fat injection for this girl.  Quite a feat considering I lived on jam donuts and sausage rolls when I first arrived.  We were broke and they were cheap.  My diet secret - be in an unhappy relationship and then find yourself heading back to Australia alone and heartbroken.  As far as diets go, I wouldn’t recommend it.
17. I started an online writing course when I was in London, mainly because I didn’t have a work visa and needed to fill my time.  While I left London not long after starting the course, that decision changed the course of my life.  Sometimes it can be the least expected things that change our life trajectory.
18. I read a complete paperback novel on the way home on the plane from London and honestly to this day I can not remember one character, one storyline from the whole book.
19. Most of my pivotal moments in life particularly with men, have somehow involved an airport. I could write a book about it.  One day I am sure I will.  Any suggestions for a catchy title?
20. I love New York City.  I have been there 3 times, once in 1988 (when it was much scarier place) then 2007 and again in 2009.  Ultimately, I would love to live there for a while.
21. Not to be a name dropper but I shook Richard Branson’s hand.   In 2006 Virgin launched the opening of their new Brisbane aircraft hangar with a massive ball.  Huge hanger, huge party.  I just happened to be in line when Richard came out to greet people.  As a fan of his books, I was pretty thrilled.
22. I bought my townhouse in 2005.  It has two bedrooms (one is my office where I am currently typing this post).  It’s quite small but it is all mine and I love it.   For the first couple of years, I would still get the occasional buzz walking around the house realising it was mine.  No doubt a result of years spent renting. 
23. I adopted a stray cat named Bella (though I think it’s more a case of she adopted me).  She slept on my pergola for 4 years, yet wouldn’t let me near her.  I talked to her and feed her regularly (from behind a glass door I might add).  One day about a year ago, she came up to me and rubbed against my leg.  Now I love her to bits.  She is a shining example of how an animal can be transformed by some tender loving care.
24. I am currently on a dating sabbatical.  Taking time out for myself.  I could easily be described as happily unmarried.
25. I had a revelation recently.  I started working at 16 – this year I turn 46.  I have spent nearly 30 years doing the same type of work (admin work of varying levels).  Stick a fork in me – I’m done.   That revelation was the deal breaker to spur me on to leaving my job and taking a chance with writing.

If you got all the way to the bottom – thank you.   Thank you for your patience and for allowing me to open up a bit more about myself.

I look forward to writing this blog (and to you reading it) for another great year!

Cheers
Thea

This post was written by...

Thea – who has written 265 posts on Write Change Grow.

Hi! Welcome to my blog.  I'm a freelance writer and blogger. For more Write Change Grow goodness, sign up for my free newsletter.  You can connect with me on Facebook and Twitter.

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