Skiing and Kids

What is it about skiiing that is so addictive? I am nowhere near a great skiier. I only started when I was an adult when I went down to Perisher Blue with my husband. He has been skiing since he was a kid and is very confident. I only feel confident doing beginner runs but I love doing it.

While my son is alittle young yet I am looking forward to when he can start Ski school. I love going down to Perisher Valley and seeing the little kids doing the Milo Ski school. The kids are just so cute. I love watching them first thing in the morning, crying to mum or dad not to leave them at ski school and then at midday crying to them that they want to stay at skischool with their friends and not go skiiing with them. They just seem to have so much fun.

Kids also seem to have no fear. They race down the hills without a care in the world and when they do fall over they seem to bounce and then get backup again. I have never been able to do that. I am not sure if it is the fear and knowledge of what pain feels like that makes you rigid and therefore more likely for serious pain or injury or if it is just the carefree nature of kids that just makes this like many things easier.

Do your kids like skiing or another winter sport activity? I would love to hear stories of their adventures.

Call to Arms - Help to tackle cancer

One in two men will be diagnosed with cancer by the age of 85- it could be your brother, son, husband or it could be your best mate.

Wearing a yellow armband in Call To Arms could help save your son from hearing the words ‘you have cancer.'

Call To Arms provides local sporting communities with the opportunity to raise funds for all men facing cancer. By registering your club and by asking players to don a yellow armband, you will help prevent, detect and treat cancers in men. Money raised will:

• Fund cancer research;
• Provide support programs for men during times of need; and
• Help men reduce their risk of cancer.

Joining in Call To Arms is also an easy way gives for you to help kids in your community think about what they can do to prevent cancer.

Some facts about Men and Cancer
One in two Australian men will develop cancer in their lifetime, before the age of 85 years. That could be your son or your husband. The most common cancers for men are prostate, bowel, lung cancer and melanoma..

One third of all cancer deaths in Australia are caused by factors that are avoidable. The good news is, by making simple changes to your lifestyle and being aware of your own body, you can reduce your risk of cancer.

Maintain a healthy weight

Limit alcohol

Eat a healthy diet

Be physically active

Be SunSmart

Quit smoking

Study at Home - Study Opportunties

I have always had an interested in learning. I think it comes from my parents. My mum is a teacher and my father has always had a strong interest also in our education. When we went on family holidays we often visited interesting places and we would learn something new. I love to study. It is not something that I do because I feel that I have to but because I enjoy the act of studying. I also like at the end of the year to ask myself the question ... "what have I achieved this year? How have I advanced?" ... and studying is one way that I enjoy answering that question.

I have completed studies in History, Sociology, Business, Education, and eCommerce. At the moment I am enrolled in studying Italian. I have been deferring my studies for since I was pregnant but I am planning on resuming next semester. Nothing too much just one subject a semester.

I think studying when you are at home with kids is a great idea. I know my mother did it when I was little. It is good because it gives you something that you can use your mind with, something adult that gives you a diversion from the world of children, encourages your children in learning and makes them see that it is not just something that kids to do .. and something that is special and just for you.

The great thing is now there are so many options ... and many that don't require you to leave the house. Some options that are available

Some Distance education options

• TAFE Colleges - OTEN - Lots of options with OTEN from short courses to Diploma and Graduate Certificate
  
• Universities
  
• Charles Sturt University - I have studied with CSU on and off campus. It think it is a great educational institution
• University of New England - I am studying Italian from here.
  
• Open Univeristy - lots of courses and options from some of Australia's top universities.
  

Manly Food and Wine Festival - A Great Day out for the Family

On Saturday we went to the Manly Food and Wine Festival. It seems like forever since I have had a chance to go out and see some live music. It was alot of fun and I am determined that I will be coming back next year.

We started the day with a trip on the train to Wynard and a visit to our favourite coffee shop Mecca Espresso. I love Mecca. They have the best coffee in Sydney and are the nicest people. They are very pram/stroller friendly and I would recommend it to any parent that needs a break when on a visit to the city ... or just a busy city office worker that appreciates fine coffee.

After visiting Mecca we had a nice stroll down to Circular Quay. Circular Quay is always alot of fun, especially on the weekends. Street performers mingle with tourists and locals alike. It is always lively and there is always something interesting to see. From there we caught the Manly ferry. This was the first time that our little man had been on a ferry so at least for me it was a bit of an adventure.

When we arrived at Manly it was alive and buzzing with the festival. There were so many people and stalls filled with yummy food and beautiful wines. We spent the afternoon tasting wines, eating delicious food and listening to one my favourite bands, Craig Calhoun and the Brothers of Oz. A perfect end to a busy week.

What was also nice about it was that all the plates and forks from the foodstalls were not plastic and the wine was served in glasses (glasses made of glass that you bought that also had a holder you could put around your neck). It looked very environmentally friendly. Great work Manly!!

Small bars, big fees .. cut the red tape! - New legislation to breath new life into Sydney's live music scene

I love live music and while I can not enjoy it in the same manner as before :) ... I am strongly believe that a city and community benefits from a lively bar seen with live music and enclaves where creative types and intellectuals can mingle .. rather than poker machines.

Please read the below and support live music in NSW.



In just a few days the NSW Parliament votes on planning laws that remove expensive
regulations that bury venues in red tape if they want live performers instead of screens or pokies.

New venues will not be able to reach their potential without new planning laws.. weve raised the bar now we need to cut the red tape!

Please email your local member NOW to support Planning Laws that encourage live entertainment and JOBS for artists in NSW.