My answer to that….I’m not sure.

The older I get, different factors come into relationships. When your younger nothing matters except the ‘feeling’ of being in love. You don’t care if your mother hates him, you don’t care that he has no money, you don’t care about what you will be doing in 5 years time and whether your lives are going in the same direction.

Now… I guess a lot more factors come into starting a relationship.

Have I loved as strongly since my first love? I’m not sure. Every relationship is different. I must say I do compare the ‘feeling’ to current relationships and if it doesn’t add up, then I’m disappointed.

A few of my girlfriends feel the same way… “But I don’t love him as much as I loved (insert name here)…”

Love is so complicated…and I must say…that I just don’t know. Hopefully I will fall in love again that way, and according to my 95-year-old granddad your never to old to fall in love! Five years ago he ‘fell in love’ again with a lady 30 years his junior. If he can do it there is hope for the rest of us!

Today my friend and I enjoyed high tea at Victoria Room in Sydney’s, Darlinghurst.

I met my best friend, for a catch up.

What is high tea?

According to the dictionary:  ”A lunch, or slight repast between breakfast and dinner. Originally a provincial English word introduced into India”.

As you walk up the stairs to a dim-lit dining area you are surrounded by luxurious lounges, paintings,vintage lamps and candles. The establishment is richly decorated in British-Raj style.

As we sat down in our Sunday best, there were about 4 hens parties around us, which was amusing to see. Women trying to act lady like but failing miserably. Other then that, it was a great experience. The food was delicious, the tea exotic and the champagne didn’t hurt either!

High Tea, comprising a traditional selection of sandwiches, cakes, tea and champagne, is available Saturdays 12pm – 5pm & Sundays 1pm – 5pm. 

Want to go?

Victoria Room

235 Victoria Street, Darlinghurst, 9357 4488.

http://www.thevictoriaroom.com/

I used to do a 1.5 hour workout each morning before I did anything else, but now due to my schedule it’s not possible. I still try to exercise 1 hour each day at some point, but I’m not starting the day off in the right way.

I decided to post some tips that I am going to try to follow for the next two weeks to get my energy back!

• Proper Diet. ( I do sometimes skip meals) Have a healthy breakfast, eat every three hours, and generally cut out the bad stuff.
• Don’t drink more than 2 cups of coffee a day. Ok… cut out caffeine and replace it with herbal tea. (I’m not sure I can do that!)
• Exercise 1 hour a day. Include some weight training 3 times a week.
• Make sure you sleep in a factor of 1.5 hours. The body sleeps in 90 minute cycles, if you wake yourself up after, say, 8 hours of sleep instead of 9 or 7.5, you disturb your sleep cycle. This is why some days you wake up groggy and some days wake up full of energy.
• Sleep on a good schedule. Get your body in the habit of going to sleep at the same time, and waking up at the same time (for instance, I go to bed at 10:00 p.m., and wake up at 6:00 a.m.).
• Take a nap! A short 20-30 minute ‘power nap’ has been shown to increase alertness.

I will try these tips out and let you know how I go…

Let me know if there is anything you do to keep yourself energised and alert!

I saw the original version before it made broadway (the Acting school the I studied at – Atlantic Theatre Company in New York had produced the musical in its theatre)

I must say the first experience was better. Maybe it was the space. In New York the musical was staged in an intimate church which gave it more character and setting. The cast was more believable. In saying that, I also understand that maybe seeing it for the second time was not going to be as exciting, and the fact is…I had high expectations.

I guess Australia is not Broadway, but I also believe we produce shows that ould rival any Broadway show. Spring Awakening was not one of those shows.

I have also grown up a great deal since watching it for the first time, and maybe the content was not as relevant to me this time round, or maybe it was the overacting. I’m not sure.

All in all… I give it a 6/10

If you want to go have a look; it closes on the 7th of March (this Sunday) so you better be quick!

Here is a run down of the show:

“Based on Frank Wedekind’s controversial play of 1891, this bold new musical tells the tale of a group of teenagers embarking on the thrilling, turbulent transition from youth to adulthood.

Wendla begs her mother to explain where babies come from only to be fobbed off with mumblings about ‘the stork’. Melchior, more advanced in his sexual education, has been studying diagrams that would bring tears to the eyes of his elders. On a stormy, spring afternoon Wendla and Melchior succumb to desire. Fumbling their way into one another’s arms, they learn the joys of sexual awakening. Only later will they learn of its potential to devastate.

A smash-hit on Broadway, Spring Awakening won eight Tony Awards including Best Musical and has since become a music theatre phenomenon throughout the world, garnering a cult following wherever it has travelled. Driven by an exceptional score ranging from power ballads to grunge anthems that capture the spine-tingling highs and lows of youthful desire, this exuberant musical has all the energy of a rock concert and all the power of a great drama.

A new generation of performers – cast from open auditions across Australia – burst on to the Sydney Theatre stage for the hotly-anticipated Australian premiere of Spring Awakening. It may be 1891 but when these exceptional singers burst into song they express electric inner worlds that will be instantly recognisable to anyone who is – or ever was – a teenager.”

Taken from the website: www.springawakeninginaustralia.com.au/

Live in the now!

I was wondering today what is happiness? How can someone be happy?

I tried to think of the times that I was truly happy and it wasn’t the times that I would have assumed.

My happiest moments have included looking at someone and feeling in love, playing with a child and  sitting on a mountain. It wasn’t the times that I had made lots of money, had a career success or went to an amazing party…

I believe happiness is a choice. We sometimes think if we get that job, or lose  weight or find the perfect partner we will then be happy. It doesn’t work like that. We have to CHOOSE to be happy.

Here are some tips to BE HAPPY NOW!

1. Do things that make you happy. Horse riding, travelling, singing? Things that we ‘forget’ to do or have no time to do should be scheduled into our daily lives.
2. See the big picture. Look at your life-like an outsider. Will the traffic jam right now effect you in the long run? Ask yourself “will I remember this in 5 years?”
3. Smile more!
4. Work on the most important relationships in your life. Have you called your mum?
5. Have something to look forward to. Set goals. Visualize what you want.
6. Be healthy. Eat well, sleep for 8 hours and exercise. This one tip changed my life and mood dramatically.

What are your tips to stay happy?

If you want to go out in Manly, the ritual is Wharf Bar, Maybe Hugos and then Shore Bar.

The reason you go to Manly is for a bit of a laugh. The boys always say “Your not from around here are you?” meaning you either dress differently or act differently…but we always seem to be told we are ‘friendlier’ then the other girls.

Never over dress for manly. Flats are great.

You will have a very ‘Australian’ experience. Boys do not look like girls (like they do in Bondi) and I can guarantee you will bump into either a tradie, a football player and a life guard…and most probably all three!

If you are up for a laugh and want a lessed fussed night out head to Manly…

The Girls at Manly

The Four Agreements to make with yourself!

The book The 4 Agreements has changed the way I think and view my life.

I was first given a copy of the book whilst living in New York, and since reading it I have tried to live by the 4 Agreements daily. It’s not easy.

Written by Don Miguel Ruiz and based on the ancient Toltec wisdom of the native people of Southern Mexico, the 4 Agreements gives you a philosophy to live life completely and truthfully.

What are the 4 Agreements?

1. Be impeccable with your word – Speak with integrity. Say only what you mean. Avoid using the word to speak against yourself or to gossip about others. Use the power of your word in the direction of truth and love.
2. Don’t take anything personally – Nothing others do is because of you. What others say and do is a projection of their own reality, their own dream. When you are immune to the opinions and actions of others, you won’t be the victim of needless suffering.
3. Don’t make assumptions – Find the courage to ask questions and to express what you really want. Communicate with others as clearly as you can to avoid misunderstandings, sadness and drama. With just this one agreement, you can completely transform your life.
4. Always do your best – Your best is going to change from moment to moment; it will be different when you are healthy as opposed to sick. Under any circumstance, simply do your best, and you will avoid self-judgment, self-abuse and regret.

So next time you are feeling stressed, anxious or just plain down on yourself ask yourself have you followed the 4 Agreements? If you have…don’t worry about it and try to let it go. (I know… I know easier said then done!)

These Four agreements have completely transformed the way I think.  I still find it hard to do all of them but with practice and as I’m getting older (and hopefully wiser) they are getting easier to implement.

Give the book a go and let me know what you think!

I'm doing her hair!

Paige and Ania at the photoshoot

My best friend page was having a photo shoot yesterday and I realised so many people didn’t know what to do.

As you can see from the photos I helped with her hair and she got her makeup done professionally beforehand.

Here are 10 tips to make sure you get the best photos possible!

1. Choose a good no GREAT photographer. They usually have a website where you can see their previous work.
2. Know what photos you want taken. Are they modelling ones? Headshots? Just for fun? Have a few photos with you that you like the style of to show the photographer.
3. Try and have your photos taken between 9am and 11am or 2pm and 4pm. The lighting outside is nicer.
4. You want to feel good about yourself so make sure you have done all the beauty fixes you can. ( get your eyebrows done, have a manicure, moisturise, etc)
5. 72 hours before avoid all foods that make you feel bloated. Things to avoid: Caffeine, red meat, alcohol, spicy food etc
6. Make up. Have a professional do your make up. I can’t stress this enough. Even if it’s only to make you feel a million bucks! If you can’t afford to go to a makeup counter (Visit MAC or Napoleon and you can get your make up done for $90 redeemable on product)
7. Hair. Have a professional do your hair. ( In Paige’s case I did it and it looked ok) But I still recommend having someone else do it!
8. Clothes. Bring a range of outfits. Styling is very important in a shoot. Sometimes the photographer will help you choose something other times he won’t. Colours are important. Choose simple clothes that fit well.
9. Try to relax and listen to the directions of the photographer. Just be yourself; that is what the camera is trying to capture. The beautiful essence of you!
10. Remember have fun and if you’re still feeling nervous have a glass of champagne!

Paige and I had a lot of fun. She was a little nervous at first but then she got used to it and her photos turned out great!

Me at Tropfest

I attended Tropfest 2010 yesterday with my acting buddy Natasha (she’s an actress from Underbelly 3) I wasn’t expecting to watch the films from the VIP tent but that is where we ended up.

I was sitting in the 2^nd row soaking up the atmosphere when Toni Collette walked past. Let’s just say I felt inspired.

What is Tropfest?

“Movie Extra Tropfest is Australia’s most prestigious short film festival and one of its most iconic cultural events. It is also the largest short film festival in the world.”

http://www.tropfest.com/au/

The winning film was taken out by Abe Forsythe for his film ‘Shock’ that was dedicated to Kyle Sandilands.

You can watch the film here:

:

Click here to view the embedded video.

The after party was at the Zeta Bar (Hilton) and all the celebrities were there. The drinks were Jamesen…not the most glamorous drink…but ok.

If you have never experienced Tropfest I totally recommend it. Pack a picnic and some wine, take your friends and enjoy a great night out!