Who is to say what 2008 will bring... 2007 was certainly an interesting and challenging one.
Neither do I believe in staying bogged in the mire - once you have achieved what you set out to - move on and try something new.
I have now moved on and I am confident in saying that 2007 was a huge step in the right direction for me, also a very steep learning curve.
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Not being one to rest on my laurels, I have set myself a few new challenges for the future.
Genetically modified crops and animals are another area that I am vehemently against. A Pandora's Box in the making !
Whaling and the indescriminate, inhumane killing of dolphins. Where is this world heading ?
Exit International a group in favour of voluntary euthanasia... I fully support. We do not leave our terminally ill animals to die in agony - yet we can do nothing to help our loved ones to die with dignity.
All these things I am very passionate about and future energies and resources may well be channeled into these areas.
On my purely for me, wish list for the next five years. Before I am too old and decrepit to do some serious adventure "stuff". I really would like to return to England to see relatives. But importantly I now realise that although British by birth I have seen so much more of the rest of the world than I have of the British Isles. I long to see Wales, Scotland especially some of the more remote and rugged, isolated islands off the coast, Ireland, The Norfolk Broads and The Lakes Districts. A white Christmas is a must as forty degrees will never, ever conjure up connotations of Christmas no matter how many I experience :-(
I had new goals to strive for, outdated lifestyles to discard.
I have never believed in mediocrity, I always strive to be different, to make a difference, to stand out.
I believe firmly that one is obliged to take a moral stand on principals one holds dear, to fight to uphold that which is just and true.
If you are not living on the edge you are taking up too much space !
Isn't that how the saying goes?
Life is short, you are a long time dead - well as far as we know anyway.
Life has taken on new meaning for me.
Animal welfare has always been an issue close to my heart and the past few years have made me even more determined to try and do something to this end.
The areas of dog showing/breeding and the conditions these animals are subjected to, live stock transport, breeding, livestock saleyards, abbatoirs etc really need looking at seriously and the RSPCA seems to be a toothless tiger in these areas.
Egypt would be wonderful, but hot, the unrest in that part of the world is a huge negative however.
Alaska is another place I would love to visit and maybe even Antarctica.
A topic that has frequently been bandied around at dinner parties over the past twenty years. I have a story that would make a wonderful book, others have said it would make a better and longer running series than Number 96, A Country Practice or Dr Who.
Yes, I think it would have all the ingredients necessary to make a great veiwing cocktail. Drama, suspense, mystery, crime, romance, sex, humour and tears, a roller coaster ride through the full spectrum of emotions. It has animals galore, sea travel, air travel, spans many countries. The key characters are players from all walks of life, politicians, judges, bookmakers, police, high rollers and more. What more ingredients does one need for a great long running TV serial or best selling book ? Answer - for me to meet someone (or even a person who just simply knows someone) involved in the TV or writing game.
A book I am part way through writing is "Show & Tell" an insight into the politics and other aspects of showing Collies in Australia. It will be my view only, it is certainly not a commercial proposition, simply I believe the truth needs to be told. Just what length people will go to to win, what they do to their dogs and to fellow competitors. There is a book in print that is most interesting called "My Book" Skeletons in a Closet. Written by Eddy Van Eck of Andorra Pyreneans. I bought this book before I ventured into Collies and took it with a grain of salt. Most involved in "The Game" of showing pedigree dogs - denegrated this book. In hindsight I realise just how accurate that book probably was.
Meeting many clients through my dog resort, which has been open for only a year in December 2007, I have heard many horror stories from them regarding breeders of pure bred dogs that they purchased. The stories are a sad indictment on human nature.
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It is very rare in the past thirty years that I have had time for holidays. When I do, my preference is to head for the snow. In 2008 I hope to be able to do this again !
I have many interests but have never had the luxury of spare time, to pursue them. I have found time to plant and grow some of my favourite, wonderfully fragrant plants and shrubs on my property.
These include Magnolia, Gardenia, Jasmine, Lavender, Azalias, Camelias, Honeysuckle and a multitude of Pansies. These days I am in a position to follow my heart and so perhaps some time will be set aside for these in the future. I would love to try absailing, parapenting. Or to see Polar Bears close up in their natural habitat.
To investigate further any or all of the following, photography, yoga, archeology, egyptology, astrology, psychic phenomenon (nothing too spooky though), UFO's, philosophy, architecture in respect of historical buildings, genealogy.
Importantly, I would like to meet one new interesting person each year.
I am told that a stranger is only a friend you have yet to meet. Mmmmm, the jury is out on that one, me thinks.
Anyway, that will be a challenge in itself for me, as I move well within my comfort zone most of the time.
Oh well lucks a fortune, who knows what the universe has in store for me.
SOME INTERESTING LINKS
Natural Cure for Cancer.
Amazon Rainforest herbs - A natural medicine.
Egypt.
Ideal holiday.
Gaia.
Viva
Crop Circle Phenomenon.
Natural Healing.
Lost Civilizations.
Alexandria - The Sunken City.
The Mayan Calendar.
