Changing the world - Day 20

I'm still working on my fistula translation...tres interesting. And the cafe I offered our veggies to yesterday happily accepted today, so that's good news...

On top of that - today's good deed was buying the latest copy of Macedon Ranges magazine. It's produced by a lovely friend of mine and brand new Mum, Sarah Preston. The second ever issue came out yesterday and it's gorgeous, of course! And full of wonderful articles and photos about the beautiful Macedon area. Divine.

Pick yourself up a copy at selected (excellent) newsagents or contact me or go online at www.macedonrangesmag.com

Until tomorrow do-gooders xx

Sent from my iPhone

Changing the world - Day 19

A little sumpin' to remind us all that spring has sprung!

Changing the world - Day 19

My lips have begun to tingle...I'm getting a touch of the trout-mouth about me. Because I have been accepted for the volunteer position I applied for with the UN. Move over Ange - there's a new pout in the hood. Cool!

So tonight I have been practicing my French by reading a document and translating it to English. I haven't required Frenchy's help too much which is pleasing. But given the document is about obstetric fistulas it can get a little technical in parts. It's not too long though and I am getting through it reasonably quickly. I have a one week deadline but I estimate I'll be done by Wednesday. Yay!

You know how certain things you've either never heard of before or only recently been made aware of seem to crop up continuously after that first encounter? Well that has happened to me with the word fistula. I really had no clue what it was until I watched 'Embarrassing Bodies' the other day with a friend of mine and we were horrified when a man's anal fistulas were deemed worthy of a close-up camera shot. Oh my God. Not pretty. But at least he had access to medical care.

And now I'm translating a document about how prevalent obstetric fistulas are in certain parts of Africa. I hope my good deed helps raise awareness for this awful and avoidable problem.

So yesterday's good deed has carried over into today - and will continue to carry on for a little while yet. But I'm still doing other things as well...For instance today I emailed a local cafe (The Village Larder) to see if they wanted some of our excess vegetables from our garden. Parsnips and turnips and leeks particularly. But I haven't heard back from them yet. I'll try them again in the morning...

Until tomorrow do-gooders xx

Changing the world - Day 18

Today I registered with the United Nations to be a volunteer. I know! How globally aware of me!

I stumbled across their website http://www.unv.org/en.html and discovered that you can volunteer all sorts of ways online - trés convenient. So I offered my services as a translator for some document (on obstetrics apparently - how appropriate) to write it up in English from French...Frenchy said he'd help me so no fear :-)

Of course, being the United Nations, you have to answer all sorts of in depth questions and send in a CV, so no doubt I'll eventually be rejected as a volunteer - how ironic. Nevertheless I have sent my application off and am waiting eagerly for a reply. You'll be the first to know of my success or otherwise.

I feel like Angelina-friggin-Jolie!

Until tomorrow do-gooders xx

Changing the world - Day 17

Busy, busy day today. Noam's first birthday was a raging success and the little man had a cracking time with all his peeps. All the guests had a big cuddle and he even tasted his first cupcake from Gild & Grace blogger Abbey. What a lucky boy.

My good deed for the day was something I try to do as often as possible and I hope it has some small impact. At Coles buying foodstuffs for the party I found myself in the 'breakfast' ailse looking for peanut butter...what would a 1st birthday party be without spiders? (Chocolate, peabut butter and Mr Changs dried noodles - unbelievable!)

Anyhoo...in the peanut butter ailse and I noticed there were two varieties of the Coles home brand dominating the shelves. On top of which they had the cheek to put a sign beside a competitor brand saying 'pay 68% less with Coles brand' and an arrow pointing customers in the right direction. Really? I would've thought that was pretty low.

So I bought the competitor brand. I know the homebrand stuff is cheaper but I just hate the thought that Coles (and Woolworths) are in such a powerful position that they can just flood the market with all their homebrand crap. I feel sorry for the other guys.

I know it's just a little protest but I still think it qualifies as a good deed. Stickin it to the man!

Until tomorrow do-gooders xx

Changing the world - Day 16

I have a few incidental good deeds today...the first is cleaning my dad's house. I have an ulterior motive for that though because we are having a little get together for noam's 1st birthday there tomorrow and I don't want the guests to think my dad is a derelict. So I scrubbed the bathroom clean with 4 different types of heavy duty chemicals. I've now lost the power of smell and skin is peeling off my hands. Nevertheless, job done.

The second incidental good deed was renouncing my position as driver after several fruitless laps of the highpoint car park tonight. Eventually I just pulled over, got out and told frenchy to sort it out because I was losing my mind and about to go postal on everyone's arse.

The final incidental good deed was watching 'Black Swan' and now being in a position to recommend it to all and sundry. I know I'm behind the eight ball but Lordy me, it's a good film - If you're into some seriously f*cked up shit! No wonder Nat won an Oscar - bloody marvelous!

So there you have it. Another day, another three good deeds done!

Until tomorrow do-gooders xx

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Changing the world - Day 15

Today I had a bit of a stinker. Working away at trying to get my book published and had a most disheartening conversation with an agent. Ho hum - it's damn near impossible to get your work read by anyone these days. Though, as a wise person once told me, if it's good enough it will find a home. Here's hoping.

So my good deed for the day (for myself - was just just to get out of the house) but for the greater community - I helped out upliftbras.org

What on earth is upliftbras.org I hear you cry? Well, you know that cool, boobalicious shop Bodywise that I took my friend to the other day? They collect second hand bras for women in third world countries who would otherwise go without. I took a stack of bras down there that I don't wear anymore and hopefully someone, somewhere will soon be getting around in my rather comely Elle Macpherson Intimates.

I can't believe I was whinging to a friend yesterday about how hard it is when you're pregnant to find a good bra that's supportive. At least I can wrap my bazooms up in something! Imagine letting them hang loose 24/7 - no thank you umpire.

If you feel so inclined - check out the upliftbras website here: http://www.upliftbras.org/

You don't have to go to my friends at Bodywise in Woodend to donate - but if you'd like to visit them too then here's their deets: http://www.bodywise.com.au/

Until tomorrow do-gooders xx