15 Moments in 2015

Looking back at the year that was... 2015. I have a terrible memory so luckily I can refer back to my blog and FB account to remind myself what I got up to this year. It feels like not much has happened this year but then again, seeing what I have included below, I have been a busy bee! I hope you enjoy following me down memory lane!

Dance Stuff

Working at Eisteddfods - For the last 6 years I have worked/volunteered at the eisteddfod (dance competition) my dance school runs. This (last) year I decided to branch out and see if I could work at other places just to expand my skills and be exposed to more dance performances. I was able to  be a part of four new eisteddfods - Campbelltown Spring Dance Festival, Decadance, Ooh La La Dance Extravaganza and Nowra Song and Dance Festival. I had a wonderful time pencilling and doing the music at these eisteddfods and met some great people too!

Choreography - In May and June, I recruited some students to dance in the school's annual performing arts showcase. I started with 10 students the year before and last year I had over 30!! I had my work cut out for me! The theme was Disney which was awesome! I ended up with six acts - a soloist, a duo, a small tap group, a large contemporary group and an all cast jazz group. The performances were choreographed, costumed and rehearsed with the accompanying music and/or singers in just three weeks! I was so proud of myself and the students for achieving this in such a short time! And I got to make an appearance in a dance too!

I just wanted to add here that I helped out again at the school's competition dance teams with filming and rehearsals and one of our four groups placed against such strong talent! Super proud!

Competition Stand-in - In September, I was invited to be a stand in competitor for one of the girls who was recovering from surgery. I had two weeks to learn a whole hip hop dance and competed at two eisteddfods. 

Clockwise from top left: me putting lashes on performers; Reflection duo; me as Miss Hannigan from Annie; me as evil Minnie Mouse; Calling All the Monsters beginning.

School/Work Stuff

Excursion Supervision - I was lucky enough to accompany Year 8 to Symbio Zoo and Year 10 to the Australia Museum. These were some amazing time spent getting to know the students more in a casual setting, as being a lab assistant I'm usually hidden away in my room most of the day. 

Year 12 Chemistry Surprise Gift - I usually worry about senior chemistry as the experiments can be temperamental and I always want them to work for the students. This year's graduating class were a funny bunch and we had a great time in their lessons. They left me a surprise gift on their last day of Chemistry (which I was away at a dance competition) and a lovely card. It feels awesome being acknowledged and appreciated!

Napoleon Perdis VIP Nights - My other 'very casual' work at the pharmacy held some makeup event nights with Napoleon Perdis MUAs and I was able to assist in some of them. I love listening to and watching the skills demonstrated by the MUAs and I always learn something new each time I'm there. I also love providing my knowledge to the guests and getting them excited about makeup!

Me trying to pose whilst putting on lipstick at NP; student feeding hungry goat at Symbio Zoo; Mimco bracelets from Year 12 Chemistry

Out and About

Ghost Tour - I went on my first ghost tour and it was at the historic The Rocks area (in Sydney). It is such a beautiful place during the day and yet a little spooky when the Sun sets. Our tour guide, Ghost Hunter Lachlan was a character and a great storyteller. I wasn't too scared during the tour but was nervous of anything jumping out! The history in the area is truly amazing and I would go on a tour just to learn more about it if I could!

Meerkats on My Shoulder - I think meerkats are soooooo adorable!!! Hubby and I went to Symbio Zoo (again) and got to feed their meerkats in their enclosure. The three meerkats had their own cheeky personalities and were really gutsy. They climbed all over us to get to the meal worms and ate very quickly. The experience was so memorable!

Melbourne - Hubby was invited to a conference in Melbourne again and that gave me an excuse to visit the lovely city too!! 

So many shows - 2015 had me going to so many shows, I almost felt cultured haha. I highly enjoyed each show and I hope I will get to see more in 2016! I got to see The Little Shop of Horrors, Arj Barker, The Umbilical Brothers, Pokemon Symphonic Evolutions, Just for Laughs and Strictly Ballroom. I may have forgotten one though. I really want to see Matilda this year!

Clockwise from top left: me feeding a meerkat; dessert in Melbourne, Pokemon Symphonic Evolutions; Tesla and Chookie; Strickly Ballroom; me during the ghost tour and hubby and I with the meerkats.

Life

Children's Book Award - In April, my MIL was named in The Children's Book Council of Australia's Book of the Year Awards Notables in the Early Childhood category for her book Chookie-Doodle-Doo. I'm so proud of her achievement! This will make a great gift for any youngster as it incorporates counting, rhyming and lots of fun colours! Check it out on Booktopia here.

Hair colour change - Halfway through the year my dream of getting blue hair came true! There was finally a product that worked on my hair and didn't go black or green. I got blue and purple through the ends of my hair and it looked amazing! With the added help of a treatment called Niophlex, the condition of my hair was maintained in a less damaged way. I can't wait to refresh it but just need to save up some more!

Tesla fracturing his pelvis - The start of the year began with a freak accident. I was putting away the bar bell against the wall when it fell back down when my back was turned and landed straight on to little kitten Tesla. Omg, I was hysterical with shock and crying. I felt so guilty for his pain and fear. He fractured his pelvis and had to be caged for six weeks - that was even worse. He is now healed and like a spring chicken. I will put a page about him soon.

Anniversaries - Hubby and I celebrated our first year of marriage in July. How the time has flown! And in December, we celebrated our 10 years together (even though both of use actually forgot on the day!).

Bloglovin' Love - During the year, I reached 100 subscribers on Bloglovin'!!!!! I know compared to all you guys, it's a measly amount but I am thrilled! This is not something I take that seriously and it's just for fun so to have people actually reading the babble I type out is ridiculously awesome! Thank you guys!!!

Me with freshly dyed hair; Chooky-Doodle-Doo book and Bloglovin' achievement

Thank you for getting to the end! It's ok if you skimmed or just looked at the photos. This is probably more for my sake as an online diary.

I hope your 2016 brings you lots of good things!