Many people set new year's resolutions for the year ahead. I have never taken to setting a resolution as such, but as a naturally driven person, I tend to set myself targets anyway. Looking ahead I hope for good things, times of challenge, adventure and joy. However, im sure there will be times of difficulty, frustration and pain.
The year ahead already has much to offer for me with much on my agenda. Career wise, I love my job at the moment. I am only on a one year contract, but hope and pray that I may stay.We will see.I love sport and my own personal training. It would be great to make the GB powerlifting team for the European champs in May, and then hopefully excperience the World stage in November, this time as a flly fledged senior athlete.
My love of travel im sure will continue and I am yet to decide on what adventure I will take off on in 2011.
An exciting journey awaits, one which I will never face alone, praise God!
Sunday, January 2, 2011
Monday, December 20, 2010
Lou's review of 2010!
I dont normally write reviews of the year. But having received several from friends and family, and having unexpected extra time on my hands due to the snow I thought I would give it a go.
Its been a year of highs and lows, success and difficulties, but looking back and having the benefit of hindsight its been good for me.
Feb- I decided to hand in my notice at Budmouth and look for a job nearer home. The journey was killing me!
March- BDFPA Unequipped Powerlifitng champ
April/May- spent preparing for first senior GB powerlifting appearance on the international stage. Competed at the European Championships. Came 7th. Just missed a medal in the deadlift. Great experience.
June- Athletics season started to kick in. Mixed bag this season. It appears that juggling school, weights/powerlifitng and athletics has been trickier than I thought it would.
July-Newly qualified teacher year complete. What a tough journey it was. Comuting to Weymouth and back to Bournemouth to train everyday was hard. I am glad of the experience I had at Budmouth and grateful to those who helped me along the way. Won the British Senior powerlifitng champs, 67.5kg.
August- I was so glad of the summer break. I felt huge relief completing the year. I needed a good rest. It was filled with excellent experiences which were life changing. I went on holiday to Switzerland, Austria and Leichienstein with Oakhall. I had a great time treking up the mountains and kayaking in the lakes. Met some amazing people. Traditionally every year I try and go camping. This year didnt disappoint. Spent a relaxing and fun filled week at momentum with some ace mates from Gateway Church.
Sept-Started new job at Corfe Hills School. I love it and want to stay.15 miuntes to work makes such a difference.
Oct-All England Powerlifitng champ 2010- got some British records.
Nov- Masters dissertation year begins. Final year.
So that takes me to December.....
2011 here we come.
I wish you all a very Happy Christmas and a successful New Year!
God bless
Lou xxxx
Its been a year of highs and lows, success and difficulties, but looking back and having the benefit of hindsight its been good for me.
Feb- I decided to hand in my notice at Budmouth and look for a job nearer home. The journey was killing me!
March- BDFPA Unequipped Powerlifitng champ
April/May- spent preparing for first senior GB powerlifting appearance on the international stage. Competed at the European Championships. Came 7th. Just missed a medal in the deadlift. Great experience.
June- Athletics season started to kick in. Mixed bag this season. It appears that juggling school, weights/powerlifitng and athletics has been trickier than I thought it would.
July-Newly qualified teacher year complete. What a tough journey it was. Comuting to Weymouth and back to Bournemouth to train everyday was hard. I am glad of the experience I had at Budmouth and grateful to those who helped me along the way. Won the British Senior powerlifitng champs, 67.5kg.
August- I was so glad of the summer break. I felt huge relief completing the year. I needed a good rest. It was filled with excellent experiences which were life changing. I went on holiday to Switzerland, Austria and Leichienstein with Oakhall. I had a great time treking up the mountains and kayaking in the lakes. Met some amazing people. Traditionally every year I try and go camping. This year didnt disappoint. Spent a relaxing and fun filled week at momentum with some ace mates from Gateway Church.
Sept-Started new job at Corfe Hills School. I love it and want to stay.15 miuntes to work makes such a difference.
Oct-All England Powerlifitng champ 2010- got some British records.
Nov- Masters dissertation year begins. Final year.
2011 here we come.
I wish you all a very Happy Christmas and a successful New Year!
God bless
Lou xxxx
Sunday, November 21, 2010
Book review: The Other-Loving Self, God, and Neighbour in a world of fractures
The title caught my eye and lives up it.It has not exactly been an easy bed time read. It is academically and in the content itself challenging.
Brewer explains of the many demographics we should compassionatly care about in order to truly live out the command of... "Loving the Lord with all your heart, soul, and mind".... (Matthew 22v 36-40).
Noisy neighbours, international terrorism, racism, teenage violence and religious fundamentalism ...from the personal to the local to the international and theological, it is our failure to engage 'the other' that is at the heart of so many of the problems we face.
Beginning with Jesus' instruction to love God, and love our neighbour as we love ourselves, Brewin explores how we might better engage 'the other' within the Self, within God and within the worlds we inhabit.
Brewer prompts us to reconsider the key question of 'what kind of selves do we need to be in order to live in harmony with others?' Imagine if we actually did something!?
Friday, October 15, 2010
Blessed
I was having one of those moments the other day whilst preparing for telling my story at lifegroup this week.reflecting on my life thus far, it is clear to me how God has blessed me,met me in my need , and been my rock when I have gone through tough times.
In the uk particularly we can be negative and moan loads about stuff,most which boils down to our laziness or apathy.It is a challenge of mine to walk against the grain and be different,reflecting my appreciation and gratitude of the life I have and aspire to live it in all it's fullness!
I challenge you to do the same.
Lou-going without knowing!
In the uk particularly we can be negative and moan loads about stuff,most which boils down to our laziness or apathy.It is a challenge of mine to walk against the grain and be different,reflecting my appreciation and gratitude of the life I have and aspire to live it in all it's fullness!
I challenge you to do the same.
Lou-going without knowing!
Tuesday, October 12, 2010
The Games continue......
Well... the Commonwealth Games continue and what a competition it has been thus far!
Unfortunately I haven't managed to watch as much as I would like due to work but I have followed the live streaming each day on the BBC and occasionally watched the review show in the evening.
Today yet more 'special' performances were made by British athletes. It is good to see so many athletes stepping onto the track and winning medals. Congrats to the England relay teams who finally got some metal to take home as a result of their hard work. What a come back by Mark Lewis Francis (MLF). He is certainly someone who has a never give up attitude. Respect to him!
http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/commonwealth_games/delhi_2010/9082591.stm
My favourite performance of the day is that of Tom Daley and his partner in the syncro diving competition. A convincing Gold medal winner after a year of difficulty with injury and the illness of his dad. Another guy that has such a great attitude to life. What a role model for people young and old.
Disappointingly amongst the successes there has been yet another report of a Nigerian sprinter taking a stimulant which is on the banned substance list. Apparently it may have only just been added to the list. Never the less, disappointing and point blank cheating.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/commonwealth_games/delhi_2010/9078690.stm
I look forwards to the remainder of the Games.
Unfortunately I haven't managed to watch as much as I would like due to work but I have followed the live streaming each day on the BBC and occasionally watched the review show in the evening.
Today yet more 'special' performances were made by British athletes. It is good to see so many athletes stepping onto the track and winning medals. Congrats to the England relay teams who finally got some metal to take home as a result of their hard work. What a come back by Mark Lewis Francis (MLF). He is certainly someone who has a never give up attitude. Respect to him!
http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/commonwealth_games/delhi_2010/9082591.stm
My favourite performance of the day is that of Tom Daley and his partner in the syncro diving competition. A convincing Gold medal winner after a year of difficulty with injury and the illness of his dad. Another guy that has such a great attitude to life. What a role model for people young and old.
Disappointingly amongst the successes there has been yet another report of a Nigerian sprinter taking a stimulant which is on the banned substance list. Apparently it may have only just been added to the list. Never the less, disappointing and point blank cheating.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/commonwealth_games/delhi_2010/9078690.stm
I look forwards to the remainder of the Games.
Sunday, October 10, 2010
I LOVE books!
As many of you know, I LOVE books. I'm a bit of a book worm. I haven't always enjoyed reading, especially when it is forced upon you to read material which you are not passionate about or the slightest bit interested in. However, since my late teens I have started to build my own little library.
The sort of books in my library include autobiographies of sportsmen and women, comedians, and academics; fiction books; story books; teaching and educational books, coaching guides; Christian books, guides, study notes and legendary texts such as that from A.W. Tozer (of which I have blogged about previously).
I have many books on the go at the moment. One which was recommended recently, called 'The Money Secret' by Rob Parsons is the one I am reading at the moment. This book has been very helpful.
Money can be an issue which is avoided... so I thought it would be good for me to read. I am just over half way through having bought the book last week. This book is very readable as advice is given through a story not simply a list of do's and don'ts. There is loads of advice in it which I didn't know about. So I feel a bit more clued up to the tricks of things such as credit and store cards, interest free offers, and how to keep a check on income and expenditure. If anything, the most useful part of reading this book has been to remind myself of how I am blessed to be in a secure financial situation and to be wiser with how I use money in a way which will honor God both now and for my future!
The sort of books in my library include autobiographies of sportsmen and women, comedians, and academics; fiction books; story books; teaching and educational books, coaching guides; Christian books, guides, study notes and legendary texts such as that from A.W. Tozer (of which I have blogged about previously).
I have many books on the go at the moment. One which was recommended recently, called 'The Money Secret' by Rob Parsons is the one I am reading at the moment. This book has been very helpful.
Money can be an issue which is avoided... so I thought it would be good for me to read. I am just over half way through having bought the book last week. This book is very readable as advice is given through a story not simply a list of do's and don'ts. There is loads of advice in it which I didn't know about. So I feel a bit more clued up to the tricks of things such as credit and store cards, interest free offers, and how to keep a check on income and expenditure. If anything, the most useful part of reading this book has been to remind myself of how I am blessed to be in a secure financial situation and to be wiser with how I use money in a way which will honor God both now and for my future!
Monday, October 4, 2010
Let the games begin!
So..after many difficulties the Commonwealth games 2010, Deli, has begun.
Naturally, I have kept a close eye of the preparations and build up to Deli 2010. I really hope Deli is remembered for the right reasons. I'm sure there will be many fantastic performances that will come out of the games.
This is one of my favourite so far (Women's 48kg weightlifting- commonwealth champ at 17 years old)!
I guess the circumstances that athletes face out there will be the true test of what they are made of! I watch will interest!
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