With 5 hours left to 2009, I sit here and thank my lucky stars for what has been an awesome year. Of course, like everyone else, I’ve had my fair share of ups and downs, but I just like wearing my rose-tinted glasses and remember the positives, dump the negatives ;) After all, how good life is depends on your own perception.

I wanted to write a thank you note to everyone who has made a mark in my career and life this year, but I’m pretty sure each and everyone of you know just how much I’ll be gushing over the support I’ve been given throughout my career. So that idea was nixed ;p

So here’s an annual letter to myself (Yes, I do talk to myself. Albeit in my head), which I may or may not publish on the blog, we’ll see how much I feel like ‘baring’ this time round. Its just something I do at the end of every year so that I can look back on it the end of the following year ;)

Dear Anna,

What can I say? You are one extremely lucky woman.

What you’ve experienced in the past 12 months, what you have now, what you’ll be doing in the years to come, its all a blessing. The people you’ve met, the moments you’ve captured, the experiences that you’ve had a chance to be a part of, every single aspect of your life, however small it may be – don’t ever, ever take them for granted.

Be thankful for every couple who gives you the honour of capturing their wedding day, for every family who shares a moment of their personal time with you during their portrait session, for every individual who wants you to record the turning point of their life. Be thankful and humbled by it all.

There may be others who are better than you, who may lead better lives than you (or so you may think) but remember, there’s no point in comparing, for everyone has their own unique experiences, different perceptions to be had even if we’re all doing the same things.

Continue embracing and enjoying the single life, for despite (sometimes) feeling alone in a roomful of people (everyone feels the same way!), be thankful for the many new friendships that have been formed in 2009 and also for the connection you still have with your old friends.

2010 will be an exciting for you, you just need to take that step and grab the opportunities as they come along. Or go search for them if they remain elusive ;) And slow down, take a breather for Rome wasn’t built in a day. Take less jobs in if you must, but not to the point of not being able to send money home (God forbid!).

Besides leading a life which consists mainly of work and working out, nurture relationships and chill out abit. Oh and don’t give yourself crazy deadlines anymore please. Panda eyes and breakouts aren’t exactly in fashion.

Learn from what critics say but don’t take it personally. Instead shoot from your heart with your own style, be inspired by love. Remember? You made the leap into this career mainly out of passion. Not to follow the footsteps of those before you, but to convey your own perceptions. You can’t make everyone love your work, photography is after all, a matter of personal taste.

Everyone has their own set of worries, people have bad days, so however much someone annoys the crap outta you, wish them well for life is too short to hold grudges. Be strong in spirit, be kind in soul and yes, its okay to continue (at appropriate times of course!) swearing like a sailor if you feel thats how you show your affection ;p

Most importantly, continue loving what you’re doing with utmost passion. It may not last forever, but for now, you’re blessed to be doing what you are passionate about.

Hugs,
Me

This week has been crazy crazy crazy. While everyone else is in the holiday mood, I’ve been working as if I was one of Santa’s elves. Had portrait shoots nearly everyday and I’ve been trying to catch up with my photo editing before the backlog drowns me. Aiming to get everything done before the year ends for delivery to my clients. Chuga chuga choo choo!

December 22 (Tues)
WOD 122209
Deadlift 2-2-2-2-2
Results: 65, 70, 75, 85, 90

then:-
In 10 minutes, complete as many rounds as possible of:
3 Kettlebell Double Press @ 24kg(M)/16kg(W)
12 Medicine Ball Cleans @ 10kg(M)/5kg(W)
Results: 8R + 3 (press 12kg)

Diane
Results: 8:59 (132lbs)
FML, previously in Sept I did 112lbs this was an increase of 20lbs and my time was 6:58 previously. Urghhh. Had expected to maintain my time with the increase of weights but it was quite a struggle.

December 24 (Thurs)
WOD 122309
Weighted Pull Up 1-1-1-1-1-1-1
Results: 20 | 21.25 | 21.75 | 22.25 | 23 | 23.5 | 24

Tabata Mash Up – Push Ups and Sit Ups
Eight rounds of:
20 secs Max Reps Push Ups
10 secs Rest
20 secs Max Reps Sit Ups
10 secs Rest
Results: Total 121 | 104
Push Ups 22 | 23 | 15 | 10 | 13 | 15 | 12 | 11
Sit Ups 15 | 16 | 14 | 12 | 13 | 12 | 10 | 12
Surprisingly I did more push ups than sit ups. Wata..?!?

Dec 27 (Sun)
Mini Murph
1km run – 50 Pull Ups – 100 Push Ups – 150 Squats – 1km run
Results: 43:17
Park workout with some of the PM boys. I had the great ambitions of doing the full Murph initially. Fat chance of that yo. Torturous but fun. Yes, I’m sick in the head. Lil bit ;)

December 14, 2009 (Mon)
WOD 121209
With a continuously running clock, do one Deadlift the first minute, two Deadlifts the second minute, three Deadlifts the third minute… continuing for as many minutes as you are able.
Use as many sets as needed to complete the Deadlifts for each minute.
Deadlift @ 100kg(M)/60kg(W)
Results: 10mins + 3
8th minute onwards was a mind game. Absolutely.

WOD 121409
In 20 minutes, do as many rounds as possible of:
5 Handstand Push Ups
5 Pull Ups
5 Kettlebell Swings @ 32kg(M)/24kg(W)
Results: 12 + 5, 5.
Swings were a killer 0.o

WOD 091216 Wednesday (from www.crossfit.com)
For time:
21 Pull-ups
21 Handstand Push-ups
18 Pull-ups
18 Handstand Push-ups
15 Pull-ups
15 Handstand Push-ups
12 Pull-ups
12 Handstand Push-ups
9 Pull-ups
9 Handstand Push-ups
6 Pull-ups
6 Handstand Push-ups
3 Pull-ups
3 Handstand Push-ups
Handstand push-ups are “nose to floor” and pull-ups are “strict” or non-kipping.
Results: 20:20 (HSPU were half and pull-ups were strict)

WOD121709 (Thurs)
“Jackie”
100 Sumo Deadlift Highpulls @ 20kg
50 Thrusters Barbell @ 45lbs
30 Pull Ups
Results: 31:47