Showing posts with label Australia. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Australia. Show all posts

Thursday, 23 January 2014

Thursday is usually all Nelly Bellie but today it's all Nadia

Hello Nelly Belliers!

Happy Thursday everyone! So I returned to work this week. I am working full-time while going to school part-time, and I am pooped. It's always hard getting back into the swing of things, but on the other hand I am loving the human interaction. When I was in school full-time I mostly interacted with Nelly, and as you can probably guess we had very one-directional conversations. An extra bonus of my work situation is that my good friend Laura is working in the same building as me! I get to see her every lunch hour! Of all the buildings in the city and I end up getting a gig in the same one as my lovely Laura! The universe definitely wants us to spend more time together!

THURSDAY UPDATE

So as some of you might know I posted a very important blog yesterday (if you haven't read it click here). My friend's 2 year old daughter is very ill, and if you are Canada I urge you to register on the 
Canadian Blood Services' OneMatch stem cell and marrow network registry (click here to register now). 

It takes no time at all, and before you know it you'll get some cheek swabs in the mail, with a return envelope, you send it back, and voila, you are done. A grand total of about 5 minutes (including the online registration) is all it takes to possibly save a life! 

Also, if you aren't in Canada every country has its own registry, so just do a Google search to find out how to register in your country. 

I also would like to reiterate that if you aren't in the required age bracket, there are still so many things that you can do to help. 

Here are a few ideas. These apply to anyone who is going through a similar situation:
  • Spread the word on Facebook, Twitter, BlogLovin, Blogger, Pinterest, Instagram, a message board, a cork board at work, or any other way that you can reach other people;
  • Encourage your friends, family, coworkers, etc, that are in the age bracket to register;
  • Donate money to a registry in your country; 
  • Phone, email, or visit a friend who is going through something similar and let them know that you are there for them. Ask them if there's anything you can do to help. Sometimes they just need to talk, and all you have to do is listen and give them lots of hugs;
  • Offer to babysit, do chores, or run errands for your friend;
  • Make your friend and their child a care package;
  • Host a fundraiser, event, or drive in their honour;
  • Think outside of the box!

There are so many things that you can do that truly makes a difference. So please help any way that you can. 

Nadia's case is a matter of life and death, so please take one minute to do something from list of above in her honour; every little bit counts!

I have to say that since I received Tara's answers to my questions about her daughter Nadia and what they are going through, it really has put things in perspective for me. My favourite saying (which I said during my interview for the job that I am working at) is "life is short", and then I like to add "grab life by the horns and pull" or "grab life by the balls" (the non-PG version). Life is short, that's the truth. We don't know how much time we have, so make every minute count, and when you are about to complain or think badly about some aspect of your life or day, remember what other people are going through. Most of us are extremely lucky, and at times we easily forget how lucky we are, including myself. 



This post is going to be short and sweet. My energy and my thoughts right now are focused on helping my friend and her beautiful daughter. I think sometimes putting a face to a story makes it that much more real, so here is my favourite photograph of Nadia. How can you look at her adorable face and not want to help?!

oxo NADIA oxo




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"Never underestimate the difference YOU can make in the lives of others. Step forward, reach out and help. This week reach to someone that might need a lift" Pablo

Monday, 13 January 2014

Motivational Monday

Hello Nelly Belliers,

MONDAY

Holy cow why are Mondays so difficult to get through? You have no energy, it feels like every hour that passes takes at least four hours, and it's really hard to find any type of motivation. I have to be honest and say that I am having a really hard time getting into school this semester, and on Mondays I seem to get nothing accomplished.  Maybe two full-time semesters in a row took all the zippity zap out of me? 

This blog post is dedicated to making 'No-fun-day Monday' into 'Motivational Monday'. Here are some things that motivate me! Let me know in the comments area below what motivates you?

MONDAY MONTAGE

I think it is really important to look around and find motivation in your surroundings. Put your coat and boots on (if you're experiencing Winter like us) and head out on a motivational walk. If you have a camera then definitely bring it along as well and go on a motivational photo shoot (mine is at the bottom of this blog)!


MARVELLOUS JUAN PABLO

Yes, sometimes knowing that one of your favourite TV shows is on that night can motivate you to get through the day. I am looking forward to tonight's second episode of The Bachelor, and my sister and I will report back to you as promised on tomorrows blog post. Saying 'Juan Pablo' can also give you motivation. Try it out!


If you haven't read my other blog, then click here to find out what my sister and I are going to be doing across the nation.

MUSIC

Music in my opinion is one of the best things in life. It can make you feel happy, sad, reflective, and it can definitely motivate you! Whenever I feel like writing and I'm having writers block, I put on one of my favourite tunes and I seem to find inspiration. Whenever I feel like I have no energy, I put on a fun song, and I immediately feel more energized and motivated to go to the gym. Music is not only beautiful and amazing, but it is powerful! Here is a very small sample of my motivational tunes (remember motivation comes in all different genres).

Please Forgive Me by David Gray - click here 
Hall of Fame Featuring Will.I.Am by The Script - click here 
Someone To Be Around by Six60 - click here

MOTIVATIONAL QUOTES

Who doesn't love a motivational quote? Feeling blue, feeling uninspired, then maybe these will help. Feel free to share your favourite motivational quotes below!
Learn from the past, set vivid, detailed goals for the future, and live in the only moment of time over which you have any control ~ Denis Waitley 
Set your sights high, the higher the better. Expect the most wonderful things to happen, not in the future but right now. Realize that nothing is too good. Allow absolutely nothing to hamper you or hold you up in any way. ~ Eileen Caddy 
Aim for the moon. If you miss, you may hit a star. ~ W. Clement Stone 
I learned that we can do anything, but we can't do everything... at least not at the same time. So think of your priorities not in terms of what activities you do, but when you do them. Timing is everything. ~ Dan Millman

MAKE YOURSELF FEEL LIKE A PRINCESS (OR A PRINCE)

This is my biggest recommendation for a Monday evening. You are done work (or school, etc) you get home, and you immediately light some candles, put on your favourite music, and fill up your bathtub. Don't forget to put in one of your favourite Lush bath treats, and if you are of age you should definitely pour yourself a glass of wine (I highly recommend any wine from New Zealand but especially Villa Maria, my favourite wine in the world). Pamper yourself, and make Monday night a spa night. It won't be long until Monday night becomes your favourite night of the week!

MY MOTIVATIONAL PHOTO SHOOT


Great Coffee

Beautiful trees and shadows

Red Wellies (Rain Boots)

Architecture

Art

Puppies and dogs

Light and shadows

Nature



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I've always said money may buy you a fine dog, but only love can make it wag its tail.” ~ Kinky Friedman

Saturday, 11 January 2014

Ask Nelly Bellie Video & Christmas Giveaway Contest Winner Announced!

Hello Nelly Belliers,

I hope that you are all having a relaxing week-end (or a spicy one)! My week-end started off with a bang last night. Chris and I went to see our bank fella (for future exciting plans) and he actually thought that I was Anna Paquin! I have been told that twice now, so Anna, it looks like you have a twin out there. If you need a movie double just let me know. :)

I have two exciting announcements / updates to tell you today!

ASK NELLY BELLIE - EPISODE 1

The first one is that I have started a new series on my YouTube channel. I thought it would be really fun, funny, and different to do an "Ask Nelly Bellie" series. Here is the link to 'Episode 1' (click here). Don't forget to leave your questions for Nelly below this blog, below the video in the comments area, or you can even ask her questions on Twitter. She will answer your questions in upcoming video episodes (if she wants to... she can be a bit picky at times).

CHRISTMAS GIVEAWAY CONTEST WINNER ANNOUNCED!

My Christmas Giveaway Contest is officially now closed (click here to see the video). I had so much fun buying prizes for this contest, especially because I went shopping with a very small budget. I wanted to prove that I could get some great stuff with only twenty dollars in my hand, and I think I accomplished my goal. There are always great sales going on, so don't forget to look in all the nooks and crannies of a store! You would be surprised what you can find!

I had lots of entries for this contest, and I want to thank EVERYONE that took the time to enter. It was so much fun reading all of the responses, and it honestly meant the world to me! I am a very new blogger / YouTuber and I really do appreciate every comment, every follow, every subscription, every thumbs up, etc. So thank you all! I will be having a lot more contests this year, so don't worry if you didn't win, there will be LOTS more chances to win free stuff. 

I also want to take a small moment here to talk about why interaction and feedback is so important. First of all, blogging and vlogging should truly be an interactive process. It's like a virtual conversation (or conversations) where I get to share things with you, but where you also get to share things with me. It definitely wouldn't be the same if it was a static process, and it's truly the interaction that makes me want to do this. I love hearing your thoughts, ideas, and suggestions, and I honestly read everything, and put each comment in a special spot so that I don't forget anyone. I have also been asked "why do people need to thumbs up a YouTube video or subscribe to your channel"? Not only does a thumbs up tell me that you like a video (and hence I will make more of them) but it also helps with your viewership. You will only be viewed more on YouTube if you have more subscriptions, more thumbs up, and more video views, and the more viewers that I have the more interactive the process becomes. I hope this all makes sense? If you have any more questions about this, ask away. Like I said, I love having conversations with you guys, and it's the main reason I am doing this. (For those of you don't know, you can post a question / comment below any blog page. There will always be an area at the very bottom of the page.)

Drum roll please. I am extremely please to announce the winner of my 2013 Christmas Giveaway Contest. Congratulations to Avril! I hope that you enjoy the products, and thank you so much for entering!


SATURDAYS SIGHTS









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Some days you're the dog; some days you're the hydrant.” ~ Unknown