All I Want for Christmas Is This

 Poor Santa I have already given him my list and now I have found this top and I really, really want it! I know his extremely busy making all of the toys for  kids and travelling the world but I hope he can find it in his heart to give me this top for Christmas.

I have my fingers and toes crossed and I have been a really good girl, so wish me luck! Once again Merry Christmas XXX

Christmas Catch Up's

I had my work Christmas Party last weekend it was also a farewell party for one of my friends who is retiring. What I love about my workplace is that I have friends from all different ages who I love and adore like family. This is my girlfriend Heather who is retiring I have no idea what were talking about but Heather does not look impressed.

 I love that she dressed up as an Elf for the night and had a lot of fun!

 Santa even came and gave us presents.

 

 I got beautiful scented candles.

 These are the girls that I work with in my branch

 and this is all of us!

I have to say for a Christmas Party it was pretty mellow, nobody got to drunk. So there was no gossip on Monday Morning. There was a lot of dancing and some Karaoke, just a lot of good clean fun. This will probably be my last post before Christmas so I hope you all have a lovely Christmas and that Santa spoils you rotten XXX

So I Went Back For More

My Girlfriend was visiting her parents and asked me if I wanted to tag along as the sunflowers were in full bloom where they live.  Never in my wildest dreams did I think that I would see so many fields of sunflowers and these one's you could even walk into the field. It was one of the happiest days of my life.

 I thought I was being really smart wearing my sunflower dress to the fields. I didn't think about the fact that I kind of got lost in them. Who thought that you could use a sunflower dress as camouflage gear. It's a bit like playing, "Where's Wally" in some of the shots.

I never normally like photo's of my self but I know how happy I was feeling when this was taken and I think that the photo captures it perfectly. I hope you all have a lovely weekend, I find out all of my results on Tuesday so I am feeling a little anxious at the moment. I'm trying not to stress until I know that I have something to stress about. If you know what I mean. Enjoy your weekend XXX

Nap Time

I thought I might take you for a little tour of the Koala enclosure at Currumbin Bird Sanctuary. They are a lively bunch and very entertaining, NOT!!!!!! What actually entertains me is the positions they fall asleep in.

 This position I kind of understand.

 This guy is just to cool for school.

 This one had a big night out.

 This little guy fell asleep mid scratch.

and oh my goodness this little baby is all awake and so damn cute!!!

 

I hope you enjoyed your tour. If only I could fall asleep as easily as these guys do. I wish I was a koala and could just eat and sleep all day and look that cute!

 

Enjoy your week xxx

Riding In Ambulances

This week has been crazy.  I had my first trip in an Ambulance, I went to work on Wednesday morning and all was fine. By about 10am I was dizzy, sweating, my hands were shaking and I pretty much felt like I was drunk. I was stumbling around and making a complete ass out of myself. A Ambulance was called and I found out that I had very low blood sugar levels which is something I have never had before. It scared the living day lights out of me and I am still waiting for my test results to see if there is anything else going on with me. I had the rest of the week off and I had a bit of a movie marathon, here are my reviews.

 The Dallas Buyers Club 9/10

The acting, the story, everything about this movie is brilliant. It's about a HIV diagnosed man who goes to great lengths to survive and help others when the hospitals, governments and pharmaceutical companies can't.

 Maleficent 7/10

Maleficent is the other side of the story of Sleeping Beauty. If your a fairy tale lover like myself, you will love this. The movie is about what happens when your Prince Charming ends up being a total pig. It's Maleficent's journey from getting over  hatred and physical trauma to finding ones self and  falling in love in the most unexpected way.



 Philomena 9/10

Judi Dench's character Philomena is a woman who falls pregnant out of wedlock and is put in a Catholic home for girls. Her son is adopted out to rich Americans and the movie is about her trying to find him 50 years later. Judi Dench is amazing and I loved her character Philomena. Philomena is a lot stronger than I would be. At the end of the movie she forgives the Nun's that have betrayed her, not something I think I would have been able to do for quite some time.

Spring Holiday Part 1

We recently went on holiday to the Gold Coast to relax and it was amazing. Every morning we went for a bike ride and every afternoon we went for a walk on the beach. We have both decided in the next 5 years we would like to move closer to the water.

 On our first afternoon on the beach there were hundreds of newly hatched butterflies flying around. There were also hundreds of dying ones on the shore who were not strong enough to fly due to the wind. I first saw two males picking the butterflies up and moving them to the grass area to dry off and to protect them and hopefully save them. I was so touched by this that I joined in. I just hoped that we saved some of them. My Husband had to drag me away as I wanted to save all of them and got a little sad because realistically this was impossible. I may sound racist to some of you but please don't think that I am. The two Males doing this beautiful thing were from the middle east their wives were  wearing burkas and all I thought was I wish everyone who is racist and says horrible things could see how beautiful these Men are.  People can be so judgemental and it really angers me, there is good and bad in every race and people are to fast to categorise everyone in the same box. Rant over, I promise.

 The next day we went to Currumbin Bird Park where we got to feed the birds. I would love to say it was a fantastic experience, but seriously it scared the crap out of me. Hubby is all cool calm and collected and I am FREAKING OUT!!!!! I could just post the photo that I faked it in, but I think these are such classics that I just had to share with you.

 Fake it till you make it!!!!!!

Gratitude #1

Gratitude
1/ The quality of being thankful, readiness to show appreciation for and to return kindness

2/ The more grateful I am, the happier I feel.

I am loving my Gratitude journal, I am seeing things in people and places that I have never really acknowledged before. I see my boss being so supportive to me trying to make me feel ok, even though I haven't made my sales. I see my family pulling together like they never have before since my Grandad got sick. I see friends that bend over backwards to help people, I see the beautiful spring flowers blooming. There is a lot of great things going on around us, all we have to do is open our eyes. Each night I write down 5 things that I am grateful for, I try for it to be something different each night. I am finding myself being a lot more positive about everything, so I would recommend giving this a go to anyone looking for a little bit more joy in their lives.

Gratitude can transform common days into thanksgivings, turn routine jobs into joy, and change ordinary opportunities into blessing - William Arthur Ward

Adventure Time #1

Exxopolis came to Brisbane in October I think, I cant believe that it has taken me that long to blog about it. Exxopolis is basically a big blow up castle, of which there are a maze of winding paths and soaring domes. Light shines down on this magical area and you feel like you are in a cathedral in one part and space ship in another. It's somewhere that kids and adults would both adore and a very beautiful and unique place to visit. They have meditation music playing and tell you to sit in an area and meditate, unfortunately we had so many kids in their when we visited that I think it would have been impossible to meditate, also my Husband and meditation would just never happen. Exxopolis travels the world so if it visits your part of the world I would say you should give it a go and enjoy the experience.

Everyone's a winner baby!!!!!!

Hello Girls, the winner of my anniversary giveaway is Imogen from Tia-Cherie if you could please email me at goddess underscore luan at Hotmail dot com so I can get your postal details. If your feeling down about not winning the first 5 people to leave their email address below can win one of these cute cat badges. Everyone's a winner baby, well almost everyone.

October Book Reviews

 

The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Society by Mary Ann Shaffer and Annie Barrows



It's 1946 and Juliet Ashton  a writer of a newspaper column during the war has writers block. Julia receives a letter form a Dawsey Adams from Guernsey as he has received a book Juliet used to own. Which starts a lovely tale about "The Guernsey Literary  and Potato Peel Society.

 

This book has been written as series of letters and to start with I found it a little hard to follow, who was who. By the middle of the book I adored every character and was so sad to get to the last page and it all be over. What also makes me sad is that the author of the book died before the book was printed, she has no idea how well received her masterpiece has been.

An Abundance of Katherine's by John Green

Colin has dated 19 Katherine's and after being dumped by another one he embarks on a road trip with his best friend to work out a theorem on the underlying Katherine predictability. Which he hopes will let him measure how long his next relationship will last before he gets dumped again.

This book just didn't do it for me. It just didn't go anywhere and when it did it was really predictable. I guess that's what happens when you read books for teenagers.

The Fault In Our Stars by John Green

Hazel is a terminally ill teenager, whose life changes when she meets Augustus at a Cancer Kid Support Group. I don't want to write to much more just in case I spoil it for anyone.

 

Well I loved the movie so I had to read the book and of course the book was better. All though the movie was done brilliantly. All of the teenage characters are likeable, it is a gut wrenching read that makes you want to hug the ones you love and keep them safe and sound.

 

Thanks For The Memories by Cecelia Ahern

Joyce has a terrible accident and has a blood transfusion ever since then she is remembering a life that isn't hers, her memories are someone else's. Her marriage falls apart and she moves in with her Dad to start a new life and try to figure out whose memories she has.

 

I love this book especially the relationship Joyce has with her Dad. Joyce's character is someone you can easily relate to and all you want is the best for her. I always find Cecelia Ahern's books like reading a fairy tales for grown up's and this one doesn't disappoint.

The Magical Journey of the Pink Boxing Gloves

I was so happy when a massive parcel arrived at my front door. I had know idea what it could be, I was so excited to open it up and see the magical pink boxing gloves.

These boxing gloves are travelling the world all thanks to Ally from the Shybiker, who has organised what I like to call, " The Sisterhood of the Travelling Boxing Gloves". These gloves have travelled more than I have they have done the rounds of USA and Canada and now they are in Australia.

It is such a sweet idea and a lovely way to find new blogs and to empower all of us. I got a little zap of happiness when I put them on and I had so much fun taking these photos. Other than when a car drove past and saw me, I always get embarrassed when that happens but with bright pink boxing gloves on, it is even more embarrassing.

I couldn't help my self and had to wear my new pink dress to be all matchy matchy. I also thought these trees were a perfect backdrop, don't you think? Well the gloves are leaving me now and I'm sad to see them go. I just want to say a massive thanks to Ally for organising such a fun swap. I can't wait to see where they end up next.

HELLO THERE!!!!

Hi, I'm Luan.

I'm starting new and fresh with my blog. I did think about starting a new blog and unfortunately all the good blog names are taken. So I decided to stay with Green Tea and Cupcakes. I feel like I have changed over the years of having this little blog and that I am not being authentic to who I am anymore. So let me introduce or reintroduce myself to you, I am Luan.

♥  I am 41 years young

♥  I am happily married to Jeremy

♥  I have two pets Mindy Cat and Leonardo Fish Face

♥  Personality type is ISJF introvert, sensor, judger, feeler

♥  I am a Leo

♥  I work in insurance (boring)

♥  I am happiest when I am at the beach

♥  I love photography

♥  I love bush walks especially mountain climbs

♥  I love tarot cards, crystals and moon magic

♥  My biggest project is giving back in some way every week

♥  I am learning to meditate which isn't easy for someone with ants in her pants.

♥  I am starting a massage course at the start of next month and I am so excited!!!

If I am not blogging I am probably journaling in my radical self love bible, reading a good book, flipping tarot cards, watching trashy reality TV, walking the cat, exercising and really just crushing on life.

I hope you enjoy the changes I am trying to make to my blog and that you visit often.

♥♥♥♥♥♥

4 Year Blogiversary Give Away

Hi Peeps,

I can't believe I have had my little old blog for 4 years, it's time to celebrate with a little give away. As you know I am a massive cat lover so I purchased myself a new watch and decided to get one for you as well.  All you need to do is be a follower and leave a comment with your email address and I will draw it at the end of this month. Good luck!!!!

 

 

AWOL

Hello, sorry that I went AWOL on you. I have been feeling a bit stuck, in every area of my life including my blog. I have enrolled in a few e courses, started a "Feel Great In 8" through work, started clean eating, exercising, meditating and just really looking after myself. Basically I have now given myself full permission to be UNSTUCK!!!!! I am feeling so much better on so many levels. So get ready for some changes around here, new posts, new ideas and a couple of giveaways to celebrate a couple of milestones. That I forgot to celebrate.

Day 16: 5 Things on your Bucket List #26DayBloggingChallenge

 I really want to walk the Milford Sound Track in New Zealand

 Visit Machu Piccu

 Walk The Great Wall of China

 Swim with Turtles

Try Skiing

 

 

I have two bucket list one for the really big dreams like the one's above

and every year I do a little one, with things I can do locally that I really

want to do. It keeps things interesting and I love crossing things of my lists.

What's on your bucket list???