Awkwardness, Netball, Pasta and Passing it On

I hate flying…

5.00 am is too early to be conscious let alone at the airport! I sat on my hands for most of the flight.  Sitting on my hands helps me feel a little grounded, I guess. Looking out the window helps too, which is rather ironic since this confirms just how very high up I am.  You see, I hate flying. There’s something about sitting inside a tube of steel flying through the air that just doesn’t sit right with me. And don’t try and teach me the physics anyone because franky, I don’t care it doesn’t help.

Awkward…

Last week, I flew to Adelaide for the annual San Remo Australian Netball Diamonds Dinner. I was looking forward to  the dinner, but it came at the end of a very busy month (I’m still trying to get off  a merry-go-round you see).  I wasn’t in the best place really. Just ask Sarah from Ah, the Possibilities!, who watched me lock myself out of my hotel room, and Lucy from Diminishing Lucy, who walked me down to the local chemist to buy something stronger than panadol for my headache. That sort of stuff happens when you’ve have too much on. I’m pleased to say slowly getting off. I’m making small sustainable changes, like saying no a perfect job opportunity because it doesn’t fit into family life right now (yay me!). I’m learning to hold true to my priorities and the importance of saying no when they are compromised.

“I’m learning to hold true to my priorities and the importance of saying no when they are compromised.”

What I wore…

I was half dressed when I locked myself out of my hotel room. When I got back into my room, after looking like a complete idiot down at reception, I put my hair up and finished applying my make-up.

Bloggers (L to R): Catherine (Adventures with Kids), Kelly (Be A Fun Mum), Sarah (Ah, the possibilities!), Lucy (Diminishing Lucy), Cheri (Ms Critique), Alex (Eating Adelaide), Emily (Fuss Free Cooking).

Liz Jordan Dress: purchased second-hand from Thrift Shop

Pearl Necklace: Kitty D’Amour

Black cardigan: Borrowed from my sister

Shoes: Grace Hill from EziBuy (4 years old)

Hair: Tutorial Here

“Looking good on a budget.”

More awkward…

I walked into the historical room at St Mark’s College in North Adelaide and found my name next to  Julie Corletto, San Remo brand ambassador and Netball Diamonds Gold Defence (GD) player.

I said something to Julie I told myself I wouldn’t say. Don’t you hate that?

“I used to play netball. I played GA.” The words came out of my mouth as fast as I was trying to keep it in.

I wonder how many times Julie has heard that? I  did enjoy playing netball (pictured left with my sister) because it truly is a team sport.  Everyone has their part  to play and sections of the court to cover so the team needs to work together to be successful.  I  enjoyed chatting to Julie about netball and a variety of other topics throughout the evening and look forward to when the Diamonds play in Queensland next so I  share the experience with my children. It’s awesome  when you can rekindle something you enjoyed in the past, and share it with your kids.

Australian Netball Diamonds…

Julie Corletto (like all the girls in the team) is beautiful, yet down-to-earth. Such a lovely and too-often rare combination.  I found the Diamonds refreshingly personable, and this made me wonder why we don’t see more of their games on television. So much rubbish goes on in other sport codes, and in comparison, the grace and poise of these girls was inspirational. Good on you San Remo for supporting such a worthy team.

Brands and Blogging…

Since I’ve been blogging, I’ve become interested in brands that show passion and initiative, and when they get it right.  So, over dinner, I asked Michael Neale from  San Remo, about the partnership between San Remo and the Diamonds.  Michael explained that pasta, being a grain based food, is a wonderful companion to a healthy and active lifestyle; the Diamonds encapsulate this.

{Julie Corletto and I at dinner}

“It’s awesome  when you can rekindle something you enjoyed in the past, and share it with your kids.”

Dinner…

It felt like family. Dinner was elegantly cooked but felt homey too. We ate one of my all time favourite foods, wait for it, yes: pasta. I found out why eating the food felt so comforting when leading Adelaide Chef, Adam Swanson, shared stories of the family recipes he used. Love that. It was a delightful evening!

{Adam Swanson talks about the family recipes behind the meal}

{image credit}

Pondering…

My hands almost went numb on the flight home. A strong wind embraced the plane as it said goodbye to Adelaide’s air.   Once I got over my initial take-off nerves, I had time to think on the flight home.

In my mind, I went over part of the conversation I had with Julie  Corletto about her first match with the Diamonds. As I recall, there was an injury during a game and Julie was called up to play.

“Yes, I was nervous. I must have looked pale,” Julie said, recalling the moment.

Netball legend, Liz Ellis, came up to Julie and said, “You’ve done the hard work, now go and enjoy yourself. And smile!”

Julie said this advice helped her and now she looks for ways to pass this on to new players.

You know, the advice helped me too.  I had a workshop to run a few days after I flew home to Brisbane from Adelaide.  I recalled Liz Ellis’ words to Julie Corletto.

I thought: I love what I’m talking about, I’ve done the work and I’m going to enjoy it. And SMILE!

What great advice for our kids too: work hard at something you love and then get on and enjoy it!

“Work hard at something you love and then get on and enjoy it!”

There is so much we all have to give, isn’t there? You just don’t know who it may touch. Thank you Liz. Thank you Julie. Thank you San Remo. In a small way, you all made a difference to my life. Pass it on…Catch.

Anyone still playing netball?

Disclosure

I was flown to Adelaide and treated to a lovely evening with the Australian Netball Diamonds thanks to San Remo. I was not asked or paid to write this post.  You can read more about my disclosure policy here.

Links

San Remo Net Set Go! program

San Remo

Follow Julie Corletto on Twitter

Australian Netball Diamonds on Facebook

Netball Australia