TwinSpeak: Why Not Monday : 16th March

Welcome to a second week of 'Why say Why when you can say Why Not Monday'!

Bella: As you know, last week we decided to give Monday's and official name and event! Because most people need that extra little push at the beginning of the week, we thought it was high time to use this as an excuse and start using Monday's to do some goal planning.

Just to recap, Last week I decided instead of complaining or getting annoyed whenever something doesn't go my way, I think why not try and find the positive in every situation and something to be grateful for. Why not change my outlook for the rest of this week and see if I'm a better person for it. This was definitely a challenging goal for me and one that I might need to revisit again but I'm happy to say that I did focus on the task even though I had a few touch and go moments.

This week I'm choosing to focus on my health and I've decided:
Why Not finally begin a detox plan that I've been wanting to do for so long!

I have told myself countless times that I should really one day do a detox plan to cleanse my system. I've been feeling sluggish and just plain average for a few months now so what better opportunity to start? I've investigated a few detox options out there. I don't want to go on a full liquid diet for the first time and there are some pretty extreme options like this on the market. I've opted for a 10 day detox plan incorporating natural supplements while also focusing on a restricted diet. Well this sounded do-able to me. I can still eat on this plan but just have to make sure I stick to a light diet for the week. Suits me fine.

So I'll keep you updated on this little adventure throughout the week.

Frankie: My last week's "Why Not Monday" thought was: "Why not say 'Hi' to a complete stranger each day this week."

Well, this 'Why Not' had some interesting turn of events. I had some great responses and some not so friendly ones. All in all, it was a fun experience anticipating how the next person would react to a stranger approaching them and saying Hi. Such a simple thing and yet, some people have become so weary of this gesture. Anyway, my 'WNM' task for this week is going to be...

Why not go to coffee with that guy at work who asked me? The catch is, well I am seeing someone and he just broke up with his someone.

I was quite taken aback when he asked me to go for coffee because he isn't someone that I regularly talk to at work. But he assured me that he was only asking because he always saw me at my lunch break reading and he thought it would be nice to get out of the office?? Okay then.

Now Bella thinks that I should go for a casual coffee with this guy. You know, initiate the offer so nothing gets too awkward at work between us now. I thought that this might confuse the situation but Bella argues that the guy made his intentions known, "just as mates, to get out of the office, nothing else" and well, I told him I was seeing someone so, it's all good right??

So, my why not Monday is going to be about casually going for a coffee one day, nothing out of the ordinary and nothing out of my way, if I just happen to be going for coffee, I might just ask the guy to come...yeah that should be okay right??

Twin Speak...Where is your haven?

Over the years, living in my little home town, I have come to appreciate the qualities it offers. However, I know that I still have so much more to appreciate and discover...

Frankie: It's sad for me to think that I have lived almost 28 years in this one town and have yet to discover its natural beauties and splendour. Why do we let ourselves get carried away with the less joyful things in our lives. Yes, I know, 'To Survive'. Who has time to enjoy the little wonders of our world when we need to work to eat and live. Yet, I am not happy to think that just because it is, it should be?


Therefore, I have left you with a picture of one of my favourite safe havens that I love to go to when I need to remember what I should be grateful for.

The Beach
I come here whenever I need to think. I love sitting on the soft sand, and depending the weather, enjoy the cool feel of it between my toes or the warmth as I lie there looking at the sky. I always let my mind wonder into endless possibilities when I'm here.

How many other people have sat in this exact spot and contemplated the world. How many have run their hands thought the delicate sand and watch it blow through the air as it falls from their palm.

Whenever I feel at a cross roads, a dead-end or just overly contemplative, I come here to think and it always puts things in perception. How can you not be grateful, how can you not be happy living within such breathtaking paradise.

Whatever thoughts, sadness or worries I had slowly lifts as I feel more and more indebted to be able to witness this, something that some other person may only have dreamed!

Let me know what your place of escape looks like? Tell me what makes it your own, why or where it is...enjoy!!!

TwinSpeak: Mid week update on Why Not Monday's Challenge

It's Hump Wednesday which means we're half way through another week and we wanted to give you an update on how we are managing with what we resolved to achieve on 'Why Not Monday'.

Bella: My goal was to focus on the positive aspects of my job this week and not complain every time something doesn't go to plan. Whether it be when a client is being a bit more demanding than usual or if a job doesn't go to plan, it was my goal to take minute and focus on things that I should be grateful for.

The task is going well...but it's amazing how difficult it can be to change a mindset or habit. When I feel myself starting to go into a rant I have to take a conscious step back, take a breath and then reevaluate what I'm going to say. Once though I got the hang of it and started remembering my goal, it was actually very uplifting and relieving not focusing on the aspects which were only going to make me more aggro. It was like a weight was lifting. Once I told myself not to stress and to just relax...these things happen...I found it much easier to then get on with the job.

Frankie: So my challenge for "Why not Monday" is going moderately well. To ease myself into the scheme of things I decided to say "Hello" to one stranger each day for this week. I thought it would be nice to add a positive touch to my 'WNM'.

So, being on the third day of my challenge, I have had mixed reactions.

Day 1: As I pulled in to my local gas station on Monday morning I thought, why not start the 'Hellos' right now. The gas attendant came over to pump my gas and I automatically said 'Hi'. I realised though, that this wasn't much of a change to what I would normally do since it is common courtesy to greet your service attendant. I wasn't going to let myself off that easy. So, as I walked to the shop to pay for the gas, I said 'Hi' to another gas customer walking out of the store. He also greeted me with a 'Hello' and a nice smile. It felt kinda of nice being the person to spread a little bit of unexpected friendliness. Day One accomplished.

Day 2: Again, due to my limited social expeditions during work hours I was left with only a handful of places to venture to to say 'Hi'. As I walked to the small snack bar near my work, I passed the local mechanics and noticed one of the staff walking towards a car parked on the sidewalk waiting to be moved for service. As I passed him I chimed in a quick 'Hey'. From the look he gave me you would have thought I was some obsessive stalker. He grimaced at me with uncertainty and then laughed under his breath??

Day 3: I want to challenge myself a little more, so I have decided to branch out and say 'Hi' to a fellow grocery patron when I do my shopping tonight at the local shopping market. Who knows, maybe I could even spark up a convo about the shooting prices of green vegies and fruit?? Let you know how it goes.

TwinSpeak: Why say Why when you can say Why Not Monday

Unlike most days of the week, Monday is one where we need that little bit more motivation to get us going. Once Monday's past, it seems the week starts to get better and we begin to look forward to the rest of the week. We're all familiar with Hump Wednesday, the much anticipated middle of the week which takes us that much closer to....Foot Loose and Fancy Free Friday. I even know some people who refer to Tuesday as; Tomorrow is Hump Wednesday Tuesday. Well we thought it was only fitting to give the most important day of the week an official term as well.

Bella: From now on we are going to refer to Monday as "Why say Why when you can say Why Not Monday". More often that not, it seems that Monday can bring out the worst in us perhaps because it signifies the beginning of another long, hard week. In anticipation or dread of what lays ahead, it's almost as if we already have the mindset to be negative so at least then we're not too disappointed when something does go bad. Maybe we're not all like this to this degree but I think we can all relate to the Monday Blues?

We want to put a stop to this mindset and try and put a positive spin on the day that most people look forward to the least. From now on, why don't we treat Monday as the day to stop saying 'Why' and start saying 'Why Not'? Let's start setting challenges for ourselves on Monday's so we do have something to look forward to and we do have a positive outlook.

It can be a small goal to start with and even something as simple as deciding to say hello to every person you come across for the day? Whatever it is, it's something to work towards and achieve. Monday can be our day where we step out of our comfort zones and try something new and different. After all....the beginning of the week should signify the beginning of change too?

Today instead of complaining or getting annoyed whenever something doesn't go my way, I think why not try and find the positive in every situation and something to be grateful for. Why not change my outlook for the rest of this week and see if I'm a better person for it.

Frankie: Okay, so my 'Why Not Monday" thought is: "Why not say 'Hi' to a complete stranger each day this week."

I don't like putting myself out of my comfort zone and this gesture, even though small, does make me uncomfortable. So, I am going to say 'Hello' to at least one stranger each day this week :)

Of course, I will be a little selective and ensure that my stranger looks moderately harmless :) but this can be my first, small why not? Who knows what changes this could bring :)

TwinSpeak: What are your comfort foods?

There are just some foods that make me all warm and gooey inside. Foods that I look forward to eating and just brighten my day. Foods that make me think, even though I've had a crappy day...knowing that it's there at home waiting for me just takes the edge off :)

Bella: For some, it may be just good old fashioned home cooking or to others it's the really guilty, naughty stuff that does it for them. Others might prefer exotic tastes and rare delights that get their happy factor up but whatever it is I think we all have our form of comfort foods. I love all food and it's hard for me to pick favourites but I definitely have my list of ultimate foods. Some of it may seem strange and some of it is just boring to others but for whatever reasons these are my comfort foods:

• Chocolate chip cookies- But not just any chocolate chip cookie; Kmart Decadent Chocolate Chip Cookies. These cookies are the ultimate cookie. Jam packed with so many chocolate chips it's heavenly and decadent, hence the name. 90% choc chip, 10% cookie. These cookies are so jam packed in fact they should be renamed: Cookie chip cookies.
• KFC- I know, I know...not the healthiest option but I'd run 4 hours on a treadmill any day just so I could have a bucket of yummy fried chicken.
• Chocolate Mousse- One of my all time favourite desserts ever since I was a kid. There's no limit to how much I'll eat.
• Creme Brulee- To me this is the ultimate dessert and one that demands respect. I won't overindulge on this one because I think it's so special you should only have it is small doses.
• Omelet- I love a good old omelet and I often factor in an omelet for dinner at least once a fortnight. I load mine up with all the trimmings too...a Bella Spanish Omelet.
• Satay & peanut sauce- One from my upbringing and Mum's famous home cooking of traditional Indonesian fare.
• Paella- I love, love, love Paella
• Crumpets- I don't know why but crumpets never fail to get my day off on a good start.
• Warm crusty white bread- Getting a freshly baked warm loaf of crusty bread is one of my ultimate guiltily pleasures. I then love to smear butter over a slice and savour the goodness.
• Macaroni & Cheese- I think Frankie and I are the same on this. Our favourite brand is Continental Mac & Cheese and it's the processed cheese type....Mmmm all that yellowy goodness.

Frankie: I have so many foods that I indulge in, but my all time favourites are:

• Peanut-Butter and Chocolate Ice-Cream - I love ice-cream but this would have to be my all time favourite, with the big chunks of peanut-butter mixed in with chocolate. Yummy!
• Chocolate and custard creme crepe - I was addicted to these for a brief time until my office moved to a remote location with no food spots. But I used to get these yummy warm crepes each and every day.
• Hot Dog- Yep, I loooove a good ol' hot dog with cheese and mustard.
• Macaroni & Cheese - It has to be the microwavable kind :) the one that has the powdered cheese sauce to mix in...lol.
• Corned-beef and rice - again, this has to be the corned beef in a can. That's right people, I eat food out of a can. I love eating this and would never get sick of it. Gag if you must!

TwinSpeak: Do you know an Emotional Vampire??

You know...the kind of person who just can't seem to function unless there is drama in their lives and then in the process drains you of all your optimism and happiness whenever they are around!!

Bella: I have a friend like this and it's always drama, drama, drama. I often wonder if perhaps I live the most boring life in existence or does this girl really have this many problems??? Granted some of the problems she faces really do suck but who doesn't have a sucky week, month or year!! C'mon we all go through it! Yet this girl seems to attract drama and problems life flies to sh*t! Sorry about the terminology but I've just had to endure a 10 page email (if emails had pages) and after finishing it I promptly wanted to throw myself out the window in front of a bus and hope that it finishes the job off.

The email went something along the lines of:

Hey..sorry to hear about (recent family member passing). Yeah my (family member) is so sick...hospitalised...I have to visit her everyday. I'm just so tired and over it. Why can't things ever go right for me.

How's work ? My work is crap. Everyone is giving me problems. Why can't they just like me. I just can't seem to find a job that is good for me. My bosses and all my work colleagues are just ars#holes. God poor me. Why can't things just work out for me.

Well...I have to find somewhere else to live too now. Geez...everything is so crap! My flatmate she's just a b#tch. I mean so what if I stay up late watch TV all night and my boyfriend completely ignores her in her own house! As if we're being rude! God people are so unreasonable.

And on and on this went. For a long time I've noticed this pattern evolving around her and her problems. If all you think is negativity=All you will attract is negativity.

Frankie: Thank fully I don't have any happiness suckers around me anymore. I had to make a decision for myself because I knew that I could be easily drained and affected. However, I feel like I'm becoming like one of those downers; that suck the fun, light-heartedness and warmth out of a situation.

My glum and in-depth views on things can sometimes get me very anxious. I need to focus very hard on being the person that I want to be. I read in someones Bio on here the other day and one statement caught my eye, "I laugh and smile a lot"...I actually wished to myself that I was more like that. Laugh and smile everyday of my existence. Ok, well maybe not everyday because that would be unnatural, but I would like to do it more freely and without having to think about it.

So I am going to force myself to smile and laugh at least 10 times a day and then work up the quota until it's something that just comes second nature. :) It's a small start to a more positive and goofy life that I want to live. I am tired of the up and down emotional spirals. Just give me LIGHT!!!!!

Twin Speak: How Embarrassing!

Unlike the title suggests, thankfully I can't recall having had an embarrassing moment for quite a while.

Bella: We've all had them though...those cringe worthy, want to make you cry moments when you do something really really embarrassing and all you wish is the ground would open up and swallow you whole. Thankfully I mustn't have done anything really stupid for quite a while, or otherwise my memory is failing me, but I can't recall any moments like these.

Recently I found an article on a new survey which reveals our top 10 most awkward social situations. Which are yours?

1. Wardrobe malfunctions Zips left undone; tucking skirt into underwear.
2. Lost for words Having no response in conversation; forgetting someone's name.
3. Mistaken baby bump Congratulating someone on a pregnancy when they're not pregnant; offering a woman a seat, assuming she is pregnant when she isn't.
4. Romantic mishaps Seeing one's ex with a new partner; Saying "I love you" for the first time and not having the sentiment returned.
5. Looking foolish Making an inappropriate joke.
6. Nigel no-friends Having someone turn their back on you or, even worse, no-one talking to you at a party.
7. Embarrassment by proxy Your partner acting stupidly in public; the drunken behaviour of friends.
8. Dating disasters Awkward silences on a first date; spilling food or drink on a partner
9. Caught out Making an excuse for not going somewhere, then being caught in the lie; being overheard by the person you're gossiping about.
10. Clumsy catastrophes Slipping over when attempting to get up after tripping; dropping food on your chest while eating.

I can actually recall experiencing a 'Lost for words', 'Mistaken baby bump' and 'Embarrassment by proxy' moment all at the same time when my husband and I were at a social outing and he forgot my friend's name while asking her about her pregnancy when she wasn't the one pregnant, thus rendering us both mortified and embarrassed!