my first car
The very first car I owned was a white 2-door 1990 Mazda 121. It was a manual transmission. If anyone is familiar with Kath and Kim (a comedy show in Australia), it was the same car that Sharon had. My parents insisted that I learn to drive a manual car, and my parents advised that the first car I bought was a manual, so I never forget how to drive one, as “you never know when you may need to drive a manual car!” This is so true because all my other cars have been automatic.
When I bought it, the car was I think 2nd or 3rd hand, but it was well looked after. I think I paid about $2000AUD for the car. I bought the car in my last year of university in 2001. I drove it into uni most days, (20km/12.5 miles one way), but the car got its most use in 2002. This was my first year out of home. I moved to Goulburn (2 hours and 193 km/120 miles from Sydney), so there were a lot of trips going up and back on open highways travelling at 110km/hr or 69 miles/hr. Also, there were many trips to Canberra in the car (91.5km/57 miles). I also took a friend on her Learners Permit for some lessons. So, this car took an absolute flogging! And it never died! I don’t know how it survived with some of the speeds it got to for an older car!
When I sold it, there were about 200 000km/124274 miles on the odometer.
There were many good times and memories I have of my little Mazda! I had some great experiences with her. It will always have a special place in my heart.
bucket list experience
So, when I was around 23 years old, I was working at a local hospital. Myself along with a couple of other nurses decided we would write a bucket list. There were a few things on the list, one of which was skydiving.
We then decided this was a great idea for us to all go and do!!
This was also the first time EVER I had been on a plane.
The place we chose was Picton Skydiving, about a 1-hour drive from Sydney. The day was clear, not a cloud in the sky! We got our safety briefing and suited up before jumping on the plane. I was all good until the back of the plane opened, and I was next to jump (it was a tandem dive.) I remember turning around and saying/yelling to the guy strapped to my back that I couldn’t do it! He then said: “Yes you can, 1 2 3…….” And we jumped. Once we were out of the plane, I had no hesitations. It was one of the best experiences of my life. The free fall was over too fast, and the glide to the ground was breathtaking! Could see to the Blue Mountains, all the way to the water! Although I did feel slightly nauseous from the jolt of the parachute opening!
I am so glad I got the video and pictures of my skydive, as I never want to forget it.
Although I will never do it again, as I am:
Not as young as I used to be
I am an absolute scaredy cat, and I don’t do anything dangerous anymore
I have a fear of heights!
favourite school memory
I have one favourite memory from high school, but let’s start from the beginning.
I had always learnt and was able to read music growing up. My first instrument was the organ. I did this through primary school, and when I made it to high school, I switched to the clarinet.
Band Tour
I played in the school band through high school. We went on many band tours around New South Wales, including Coolamon and Ulladulla. We all had so much fun. Lots of memories were made on the bus, meeting kids at other schools. We also did concerts at school. I made many friends and experienced so much I otherwise wouldn’t have.
One memory I have is when I broke my braces! We were about 2 hours into the trip, and I had a fantale, a chewy caramel lolly. I chewed on it and broke off one of the bands on a back tooth. I ended up with wire sticking into the back of my mouth for the whole time!
One of our concerts on tour in N.S.W This is me at about 15. I think this was in Ulladulla
ANZAC Day March
But by far my favourite memory was in 1996 or 1997. At that time, the music teacher made us into a marching band. Many hours were practising to march in straight lines while playing an instrument.
In 1997, we were invited to the ANZAC DAY March in Sydney.
Anzac Day is a national day of remembrance in Australia and New Zealand that broadly commemorates all Australians and New Zealanders "who served and died in all wars, conflicts, and peacekeeping operations" and "the contribution and suffering of all those who have served". Observed on 25 April each year, Anzac Day was originally devised to honour the members of the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps (ANZAC) who served in the Gallipoli Campaign, their first engagement in the First World War.
Anzac Day marks the anniversary of the first campaign that led to major casualties for Australian and New Zealand forces during the First World War
The march occurs yearly and all those soldiers from all Armed Services; past and present, march the streets of Sydney. It gives others a chance to thank them for their service to our country. There are many bands that are interspersed between the different groups. We were one of them. It’s a memory I will never forget. The crowds lining the streets, the sacrifice of the soldiers, it was AMAZING! I will never forget that experience!
Although this was a picture taken after I had left school, this is how we looked for the march. I still watch the march each year to see the band.
I enjoyed being in the school band! Although I don’t play the clarinet anymore, I have some great memories and life experiences from that time!
my injuries
The first one I think when I was about 8. I tripped in the street on a walk with my Dad. I had a greenstick fracture (although I can’t remember which arm). The second time I fell down a hole while riding my bike on holidays. In my defence for this one, there was long grass, and I didn’t see the hole! It was another greenstick fracture. I did get a new bike as compensation from the council for not barricading! The 3rd time, I can’t remember what I did, but yet another greenstick fracture!!
I was then relatively injury-free for many years.
In 2013, I was doing a walk/run on a fire trail. I was about 2.5 km in when I fell over, cutting open my lower jawline! I then had to walk back to the car and wait for my partner to finish his run, about 45 minutes later. I ended up with 3 stitches. This was also 2 days before a glamour photo shoot!
In the last few years, I have fallen over at home a couple of times and ended up with numerous sutures to my head!! I am not sure what caused the fall.
I have had a few sprained ankles (mainly my right ankle). It has been mainly from rolling it while walking!
My last major injury was falling over leaving work in 2019. I was with some colleagues, who heard a “crack”. I heard nothing and thought it was only a sprain. I then drove home. After driving home with a painful right ankle (my accelerator foot), I took my shoe off, and it was more than a sprain! I called my partner and had to proceed down 2 flights of stairs in my unit block and go to the ED. It was confirmed to be a fracture. So, after 3 or so months off work, and 6 weeks in a moon boot (over Christmas, which was painfully hot!), I was back to work. It still aches to this day!
So, as you can see, I am pretty clumsy. My parents have always said I was basically since birth! Hopefully, I am safe now!
my hobbies
I don’t have many hobbies. In my past life, I used to play netball. I always played defence. I started netball when I was 8 years old. I played until I was 22 or 23 years old.
When I moved to Goulburn in 2002, we had an outdoor team, and we called our team “PUMP”. After the outdoor season, we played indoor netball, 5 a side. This was a super-fast game! But it was great fun! When I moved back to Sydney, I played 6-a-side indoor netball. It became hard with shift work, so I no longer continued.
My new hobby is crochet. I learnt to crochet from my paternal grandmother when I was about 8 years old. I gave it up for many years, until a few years ago when my sister did a short course at a shop called “The Granny Square” in Newtown. I was there for a couple of hours and learnt (again) how to make a granny square. Crochet is very much like riding a bike!
I have made a few blankets, and dabbled in some cat toys.
my first granny sqaure
Here is the link if you want to check them out: https://thegrannysquare.com/
I have also discovered on YouTube BELLA COCO https://bellacococrochet.com/
She has a website and a YouTube channel, which talks through a lot of projects.
I find crochet very relaxing, almost like a meditation.
a few of my projects
I have also started playing the ukulele. My Mum has helped me practice as she plays guitar. I need to get back into practicing. I did have a lesson, but I haven’t played for a while so probably should get some more!
For my Death Doula course, I played Amazing Grace with my Mum as backup on guitar. It was super fun to practice and record the song!
I even made a video on my YouTube Channel if you want to check it out!
Although it may not be a hobby, I have recently started to read again! I have mainly been listening to audiobooks through my local library. As I drive a lot for work, I will listen to books as I drive around between clients. The library has an app where you can borrow books to either read or listen to. It’s just like borrowing an actual book from the library, but it’s on my phone! I have a video coming up about the latest book I have read.
my most proud moment
My most proud moment was when I graduated from University.
I was never a really “top of the class” student in High School, I was average. But I knew when I was in Year 10 (16 years old) that I wanted to be a nurse. This was after a week of work experience at a local hospital. I couldn’t imagine doing anything else with my life.
In a blog earlier explaining why I went to Uni and why I chose this route.
But the actual graduation ceremony made me feel so proud. I had achieved a goal I never thought I would. I got a Pass average in my marks and even failed a subject in my second year. By the third year I was even getting a couple of Distinctions and a High Distinction! My parents were also so proud, their oldest daughter had graduated! I was super proud to get up on stage to receive my degree.
I also remember my Granny telling me how proud she was, that I was going to help people like her and make a great nurse (she had cancer), and that I had so much empathy.
I don’t think I have been as proud as when I graduated, nothing has ever really come close in my opinion.
What has been your proudest moment?
pictures from my graduation ceremony and graduation ball
my first year out of home
So, my first year out of home I went to Goulburn. I worked in the hospital for 12 months as a NEW GRADUATE. It’s a 12-month program where you are supported in your new role as a nurse.
I had always wanted to go to the country to work, and I thought that if I didn’t go my first year after graduating, I would never go! I knew nobody when I went there. But I made some great friends! I did surgical, medical, rehab/palliative care and mental health rotations.
For the first week or so I lived in the nurses' home. A lot of medical students stayed there, as well as nurses who lived a long way from the hospital and finished at 1030pm and needed to start at 7 am.
my room in the nurses’ home
I soon found myself a 2-bed townhouse. I loved living on my own. It was about 5 minutes from the hospital. One of the townhouses was also rented out to students from the police academy!
I made some friends, some of whom I keep in contact with to this day! It was funny, as one of the girls I went to Uni with also went to Goulburn! So, I at least knew 1 person.
If I had my time over again, I think I would have stayed in Sydney. But I did gain some valuable life experience. And I loved living on my own! There was nobody to disturb my sleep after I had done the night shift, and I could come and go as I pleased without having to answer to anyone!
I will never regret this time, and I have some wonderful memories!
my townhouse
education level and why i chose it
As many of you may know, I am a Registered Nurse in Australia. This is a University degree, so I have a Bachelor of Nursing (BN). To get into University, I had to complete High School to Year 12. There were certain subjects I needed to complete for my Higher School Certificate- maths and science (biology at a minimum). We also had to get a certain mark in the University Admission Index. (The UAI is awarded to students on the completion of the HSC in NSW. It provided a percentile ranking of peer students of the same age. In New South Wales, the UAI was determined by a combination of the public HSC exams common across all schools at the end of Year 12 and continuing assessment.)
I attended Sydney University. We were not on Main Campus; we were about a 10-minute walk away. It was nice to be on a small campus only for nursing students, but I did miss the atmosphere of the main campus. It is a 3-year degree, and we had practical placement each year. We had 4 weeks practical in 1st year, 6 weeks in 2nd year, and 8 weeks in 3rd year.
I love my job. I chose to go to Uni and get a Tertiary Education as I wanted to get started in my career. And I was in the groove of studying and didn’t want to lose the study momentum. I could have been an Enrolled Nurse first, but I was impatient and wanted to start working! This is a 12-month course at TAFE (Technical and Further Education). In hindsight, maybe I should have gone the TAFE route to get more practical experience, but I learnt a lot on the job once I started work. And I don’t think I would be a Community Nurse now if I didn’t go to university.
sorry that the image is no great… it was taken from another photo!
I also have a Graduate Certificate in Palliative Care from the Australian Catholic University. This was an online course. I did this while I was working in Palliative Care at the time. I love this area, providing holistic care to patients and their families when they are at one of the worst times in their lives, being diagnosed with a life-limiting illness.
I am a certified Death Doula through Australian Doula College. I only finished and received my certificate mid-June.
I also have a Certificate 3 in Animal Studies. I did this before COVID, and got my practical experience at Sydney Dogs and Cats Home.
a weekend in my life
So, my weekends tend to be slightly on the mundane side. I work a lot and am always tired by the time it gets to the weekend.
Working full-time, I don’t often clean during the week. So, I tend to do lots of washing, house cleaning etc.
I do work about 1 weekend per month. That means I usually do 7 days in a row, then have Monday and Tuesday as my “Weekend”.
I haven't been to the pool recently because it’s been too cold. I need to get back there for exercise, as I do enjoy it! I especially like the spa!
Recently I have been lazy. It’s winter here in Australia and cold! I’ve been reading some books-my new favourite author is Kate Moreton.
I also watch YouTube as well to de-stress. I do enjoy true crime, so anything related is top of my list. I have not long finished watching a documentary on the Cecil Hotel in L.A. and the Elisa Lam case, which I found super interesting. There are some others I follow on YouTube who make videos on true crime. The ones I am subscribed to include Mr Ballen, Bella Fiori and Kendell Rae. They research the cases so well, and you get so much information on each case, and I enjoy listening to them!
When my parents are home we sometimes have a BBQ at their place for lunch on a Sunday. My middle sister and her family may also join the lunch, but often it’s just me and my parents. I love a good BBQ steak, and as I don’t have a BBQ- so I guess it's Mum and Dad's place! We live close, a 5-minute drive away. And I usually get leftovers!
Again there is work to do with the blog and Nala of course. But I tend to take it relatively easy, as I am not the best sleeper, so I like the rest. So lots of lying on the lounge and being lazy!
a day in my life
I lead a relatively boring life! I work as a full-time Community Nurse 5 days a week, with a weekend once per month.
So, an average weekday for me is similar (I will also do a weekend day in my life post).
I wake at 615am-first job is to say hello to Nala and give her a pat. Then shower and get dressed for work.
Next is feeding Nala, changing her water, and cleaning her litter tray. I also try to watch the 6.30am news and weather while eating breakfast, usually Weetbix or a smoothie. Lately, it has been a meal replacement shake. Sometimes I am lazy and get a Sausage and Egg McMuffin from McDonalds. I am working to cut this habit out.
I leave home at about 7 am mainly so I can get a park out the front of work. 99% of the time I can get a spot out the front of work. I start at 8 am, but parking is at a premium, and I don’t want to pay to park.
Work involves seeing patients in their homes. We visit between 9 am and 2 pm. My work involves mainly dressings, catheters and drains. We are back in the office in the afternoon to do notes on each patient. We have a weekly case conference, where we discuss difficult or interesting patients, so we can all share our knowledge on how to best care for them.
There are also many hazards to my job. This includes birds attacking my car! Rain is also a hazard! Plus a lot of other things, like heat, unrestrained animals and limited space to do our work.
I usually get home at about 4.45 pm. Once home, Nala gets her dinner and water top-up. I then usually do some computer work, checking emails and work on my blog and vlog.
I will then go onto my balcony (often with a glass of wine) for a Facebook check, and Nala spends some time on the balcony, checking out the view. And she watches the birds! I have some cat netting installed on my balcony so when Nala is outside she can’t jump off and fall off my 2nd floor unit!
10 things about me
I have sky-dived once and once only. I will never do it again, but I did enjoy the experience!
I have almost paid my mortgage
I once ran/walked a half marathon, at my local Relay for Life!
When I was 12, I won the 50m butterfly swim race as the only girl. I also came 2nd in the boys’ race (they made me do the race with the boys)
I don’t have many friends
I am addicted to coffee (I think this is a nurse thing!)
I love living alone!
My favourite music artist is John Farmham
I love all animals… especially Nala my cat
I was engaged once
goals for the next 30 days
What are my goals for the next 30 days? What do I want to achieve?
My major goal is to let my readers know who I am, and what drives me. I want you all to feel like you know me personally, as I have always wanted to be open and honest, letting you into my life.
I want to let you know who I am and where I have come from. I am going to share my childhood and growing up. And some weird and wonderful facts about me and my life growing up!
I also want to get back on the exercise wagon and lose weight! I am sick of being looked at as being “the fat one in the room”, especially at work.
I want to feel good about myself again, and I want to get back into running again. I used to walk/run a few distances and I enjoyed it.
And I want to get back to PARKRUN… a free 5km run every week on a Saturday. Hopefully this will get me motivated to get fit.
But basically, I want to get myself “out there”, and to be an inspiration to at least one person! But my main goal is WEIGHT LOSS and being accountable on my journey!
meaning behind my blog name
This is a personal one for me.
I originally started my Instagram page @lozmgetsfit. It was a place to share inspiration on my journey. It started as a picture journey for me, but I didn’t get far in my journey with weight loss.
“Rediscoverloz” is for me, I guess a sort of spin-off. I want to rediscover myself and return to being a better version of myself. I want to feel better in my skin, and comfortable doing my job as a nurse. I also want to “discover” how I got to where I am today. And I want to keep track of this journey, mainly for myself. But I also want to help inspire at least 1 person as well!
I want my readers to get to know me better as well. I want to share my life and struggles on the journey to REDISCOVER LOZ.
I am only starting this weight loss journey blog, so please comment and let me know if there is anything specific you want to know about my journey!
I have a YouTube Channel https://www.youtube.com/@rediscoverloz
I have an Instagram account https://www.instagram.com/rediscoverloz/
I have a blog www.rediscoverloz.online
happy horses’ birthday
WELCOME TO MY 30-DAY BLOG CHALLENGE
Every horse in the southern hemisphere celebrates their birthday on August 1st. Horses in the northern hemisphere celebrate their birthdays on January 1st. These dates have been chosen to coincide with the beginning of the breeding and foaling seasons.
I am starting my 30-day blog challenge today, the horse’s birthday. It feels like a good day to start…. A new beginning! So, before we get into the 30 days, I will share a few facts about me.
1. I have a cat
2. I am a nurse
3. I have 2 sisters
4. I live near the beach
So welcome to my 30-day blog challenge. Strap yourself in to find out about me, my life and how we got here!
Please let me know if there is anything you want me to cover in this challenge!
30 day blog challenge
So, on August 1st (the horse’s birthday), I will start my 30-day blog challenge.
I have got a few of them planned and written already. If you didn’t already know, I had a previous blog site. A not-so-reputable company designed it, and I had trouble updating the design and pages etc. I thought it was easier to start fresh with a site I could have more control over.
A lot of the posts were taken and updated. But I have written some more posts for this 30 challenge.
I hope you enjoy reading about my life and experiences! There is a lot I am going to share.
If there is anything specific you want to know about me or my life, get in touch via the CONTACT ME page.
i got a wisdom tooth taken out
So yesterday (Tuesday) I got a wisdom tooth taken out. It was done in the chair.
My dentist referred me to a maxillofacial surgeon, as my tooth was growing at an angle. My dentist gave me a choice of 3 surgeons, and I chose Dr Madden in Miranda.
He was super lovely. At the end of May, I had a consult where he looked at my X-rays and history. I only had my top 2 wisdom teeth, none on the bottom. He recommended my top right tooth be taken out as that was the one that was giving me pain.
I had never had a filling until late 2023! I have had 3 fillings, with I think one to go!
So, I got a couple of numbing needles. And it was all over in about 15 minutes! I didn’t feel much except for some pulling.
Last night I didn’t sleep very well. Although I took all the pain relief I could, it didn’t seem to help. I think I only had about 2 hours of sleep. And I still had pain this morning. I didn’t go to work today, but I plan to go in tomorrow.
Nala has been looking after me today.
I have one more filling and then I think I am done!
I hope to never have another tooth taken out!
i have finally finished my course
So, I have finally finished my Death Doula Course.
The course was online. We had 9 months to complete the course. It was through the Australian Doula College. It was a great course, and I had great support throughout the course.
What is Death/End of Life Doula you may ask.
An End-of-Life Doula is a non-medical professional who provides support, guidance, and education to those who are dying and their loved ones. They work in harmony with the client's wishes to maintain their quality of life, well-being, and self-worth until and beyond death. Acting as an "informed companion," the Doula brings comfort, support, and compassion, helping the person and their family feel safe and supported during this critical transition.
The role of a Doula is different from that of a Carer. An EOL Doula can provide a broad range of services depending on individual needs. We work alongside palliative care and other primary health care providers while supporting at the end of life, or death in the home, hospital, aged care facility or hospice.
I have a background and love of Palliative Care Nursing. I am a Registered Nurse with a Graduate Certificate in Palliative Care. I believe I can help people at the end of life. I have always loved my work in Palliative Care. It is so special to be there and supporting families and patients at the end of life.
Although I have finished the course, I am still deciding which direction to head with the qualification. I have a logo for my business, and I am getting some head shots in a few weeks for a website.
So watch this space!
MY MOST RECENT OVERSEAS HOLIDAY
MY FIJI HOLIDAY
So, my most recent holiday was in Fiji. I had 4 weeks off from work.
I have always wanted to go to Fiji. I was chatting to my parents, and they asked if they could also come. Of course, I didn’t mind! We had separate rooms, and although I said I didn’t want to “spend every waking minute” with them, we did spend a lot of time together! It was nice to have the company.
We stayed at the Hilton on Denarau Island. And it was warm! About 24-27°C and sunny.
I have not been overseas much, only twice before Fiji. Once to Vanuatu on a cruise, and once to China on a 1-month tour with my parents. I will do another blog at a later date on my China trip.
I just wanted a relaxing holiday this time! Reading, swimming and RELAXING. Which is exactly what we did. My parents had a room with a kitchen, so we had dinner there most nights. We had a BBQ, and pizza, and then we went to the restaurant the last night.
A buffet breakfast was included, so we mainly had fruit for lunch or a sandwich we bought at the resort Deli.
After breakfast, we all went to the pool with our books. We would swim and read. Mostly we went to the adults-only pool! I often spent a bit longer at the pool than my parents. I even did aqua aerobics two mornings!
Afternoons we didn’t do much. I would go back for happy hour in the late afternoon. Mainly reading, and some more swimming.
this was the view for happy hour
One afternoon we all went for a “cruise”. It was to see the outer Fiji Islands where they would drop people off for their holidays at the outer Islands! It was a 3 hour trip.We even saw the Island where they filmed “Survivor” aka Mamanuca Islands
Survivor Island
One afternoon I got a massage and a facial, which was so relaxing!
I didn’t want to come home.
I have 2 videos on my YouTube channel about my holiday if you want to check them out.
HOLIDAY BLOG https://youtu.be/y759tBaIzuo
ROOM TOUR https://youtu.be/37kD5e829ZI
so I got covid… AGAIN
This is my second experience with COVID-19. I had my first positive test in July 2022. This was a PCR test.
My second time was June 2024, basically 2 years to almost the day (well, a month off!) It’s crazy because I went to Fiji in May, spending 3-4 hours on a plane each way and I didn’t get COVID! And once I get back to work for a few weeks….. BOOM! Hello COVID! I don’t feel it was as bad as last time. It was like a bad flu, body aches, headache, and stuffy nose. I did lose my sense of smell this time though, which didn’t happen last time. And this was a RAT test!
3 positive RAT tests over a week
I had to have 6 days off from work.
When I went back to work, I had to wear a mask. And I was not allowed to take it off with other people around. It was only for 3 days. I even had to eat my lunch alone outside!
I am feeling a lot better now, but I have been getting tired, especially at the end of the day.
Nala did enjoy having me at home. She got plenty of pats and enjoyed sleeping with me on the lounge!
I am just feeling tired now, especially at the end of the day! Hopefully I won’t get COVID again anytime soon!
I have had 4 covid vax…. Not sure when and if I can get my next one!
roasted pumpkin salad with honey and balsamic dressing
Ingredients
· 1.75kg butternut pumpkin, deseeded, cut into 2cm-thick pieces
· olive oil cooking spray
· 1/2 cup pine nuts
· 200g baby spinach
Honey and balsamic dressing
· 1/4 cup honey
· 2 tbsp Balsamic Vinegar
· 1 tbsp olive oil
Method
Preheat oven to 250°C. Line baking trays with baking paper. Place in a single layer on trays. Spray with oil and turn to coat. Season with salt and pepper. Roast pumpkin, turning once, for 20 minutes or until golden and tender. Set aside to cool to room temperature.
Meanwhile, heat a small, non-stick frying pan over medium heat. Add pine nuts and cook, stirring for 3 minutes or until golden.
Make honey and balsamic dressing:
Combine ingredients in a screwtop jar. Secure lid and shake to combine. Remove lid. Microwave on HIGH (100%) for 10 seconds or until honey is melted. Replace lid. Shake until well combined. Place and pumpkin in a large bowl. Sprinkle with pine nuts. Drizzle with dressing. Season with salt and pepper.
This is a super easy salad to make. I usually make this for big gatherings! Everyone really likes it!