Country Photographer

220km/hr from 10,000 feet on Saturday 19th of April

Why, you may ask, would I JUMP from a perfectly good plane........at 220km/hr from 10,000.

The reason is simple.
"Phayao House of Dreams"
Raising funds for girls in Northern Thailand, who are living in poverty and at risk of prositution.  Girls from as young as 7 years old.  The money raised will go towards furnishing and running a girls home "Phayao House of Dreams".
Please support this worthy cause.
Email me on dsphotography@aapt.net.au to sponsor.

Stepping Forward!

Well, I thought about trying to catch up since my last post.  But so much has happened.
Christmas was lovely, spent with good friends this year.  New Year was amazing, also spent with good friends.  Loving our house, putting up photos, making it HOME.

But, the reason for my post, was to let you all know that I am moving forward.
Ali Edwards talks about "one little word", if you dont know about it, GO HERE .

My one little word for 2007 was LEARN.  It started with me thinking of study.  But the bigger learn, was about myself.  And thats what I did.  I found that I can be flexible, that I can love myself.  That I can lose weight when I set my mind to it.  That I have not good friendships, but great friendships. 
Mostly I learnt about God, about His amazing Love, about His abundance, and about His plan for me.

So this year, my word is LEARN.  I think I am on a journey, that isnt complete yet.

This week I have become a student.  I have enrolled in Diploma of Art: Applied Photography.  Its a 2 year course, that's full time.  It covers commercial photography, product and portrait photography, and lighting, and heaps more.  Its a huge step for me, which means I am growing.  The cool thing about it also, is I have already learnt what it means to have Faith this week, I have learnt to be humble, and I have found that I have a real excitement in my spirit for where I am heading with this.

I know that the road ahead will include charity photography work, for missions, helping Asian missionaries tell the story.

I have given away 85% of my scrapbooking supplies, knowing that Photography is the way my stories will be told, using journals, and photos, not big pages like I use to.  I leave you with this great quote from Dr J Konrad Hole: "If you cannot be teachable, having talent wont help you.  If you cannot be flexible, having a goal wont help you.  If you cannot be grateful, having abundance wont help you.  If you cannot be mentor-able, having a future wont help you.  If you cannot be durable, having a plan wont help you."

Well, this is only the start, there will be more to come, of that I am sure!!

Have an amazing 2008.
Not only will 2008 be GREAT, but 2008 is the year to Create!!

Be Blessed!!

Worthy Causes!

Here is a worthy cause to get behind.
Check it out..ChinaHeart

A New ME!!

Part of me is stunned, and the other part is just happy.
In the last 4 months I have been transformed.  Not just in the emotional and spiritual sense, but physically too.  I have now lost 14 1/2 kilos.  And on Friday bought my first size 10 shirt (and yes it fits), in about 12 years.  I'm not quiet to where I want to be yet, but i'm pretty close.  Thought I would share a before and after pic.
The before pic, is about 14 months ago.  Not many pics of me.
The after pic, is from this weekend!

Promise to upload some holiday pics soon!!
HUGS
Dee

Cambodian photo share

Thought that I better share some pics from the trip.  Here are a few to wet the appetite.  The rest will have to wait.....

All photos are copyright.  If you would like a copy, please contact me.

My bed is calling me.  So you will have to wait for more!
Be Blessed!
Dee

Some Statistics for you!!

Thought it was about time I blogged again. Its been one of those weeks. Back at work, sick, trying to catch up on sleep, etc.

But you know, that’s not what I wanted to share with you all. I actually wanted to share some statistics with you. You know seeing pics is one thing, but getting hit between the eyes with some statistics, that’s another. And even for me, I found it mind blowing.

Lets start with Australia’s statistics hey.

Population: 20.5 Million

Age: 0-14 19%

15-64 67%

65+  14%

Median age: 37

AIDS: 14,000 living with it

200 die of it per year

Religion: 80% Christian

Cambodia’s statistics are as follows

Population: 13,995,904

Age: 0-14 34%

15-64 62.4%

65+ 3.6%

Median age: 21.3

AIDS: 170,000 living with it

15,000 die per year

Religion: 95% Buddhist

30 years ago, Pol Pot devastated a nation. 3 million people died in 4 years, in Cambodia.

40,000 amputees.

Thailand’s statistics are as follows

Population: 65,068,149

Age: 0-14 21.6%

  15-64 70.1%

65+ 8.2%

Median age: 32.4

AIDS: 570,000 living with it

58,000 die per year

Religion: 95% Buddhist

There are somewhere between 800,000 and 3,000,000 prostitutes in Thailand, with 30% under 18 years old. The reason for the variance in figures, is due to the fact that prostitution is illegal in Thailand.

The last statistic that I am going to leave you with, is from Burma. Now this statistic actually blew me out of the water, and YES the figures are RIGHT.

700,000 children from BURMA are sold into slavery each year. And the worst thing about it is, that most parents believe that their children are going to a better life. A safer life, with good people.

Back on Aussie Soil

Well, we are back home.  Arriving back in Bairnsdale yesterday, after arriving back from Bangkok late wednesday night.

Thursday was a teary day.  Trying to get my head back in western mode.
We ended up spending the day at the zoo with Kate and the boys, and Sean, Gabby and Mason.  At at a nice italian restaurant that night.

Friday, Patrick and I caught up with some cousins, while Steve got sucked into shopping in the city with the girls.  I was so totally over shopping by then.

Today, has been catch up day.  Looking thru over 2000 photos, getting some food, washing clothes, and watching Geelong thrash Port.  YAY!

Hoping to get some pics uploaded in the next day or 2.  Too many to choose from.

This time has been amazing.  I feel so blessed that my husband lets me travel.  And its awesome to know that they are all there for me. 
My God, well, if you dont know Him, its time you did.  He is why I live, why I breathe.  If you want to know more, email me.

Be Blessed
Dee

Krabi

Sitting at the airport trying to remember the post that I lost about 5 hours ago.

Arrived Krabi saturday at midday.  Lunch by the pool.  Room was fab.  walk out onto the balcony into the water.  Buri Tara Resort.  Dinner at the restaurant by the pool.

Sunday we hired a car.  Went to waterfalls, hot springs (they were amazing) and to blue lagoon.  Found a great place in Krabi for dinner called "Bolero"  Pizza cafe, with live music.

Monday, after leaving for Phnang Na (blah), ended up driving to Phuket.  Shopping

Lots of rain the last few days

Little bit of sun.

Today we relaxed, after 2 really late nights

gotta go before it logs me out

Dee

Leaving Bangkok

Been a busy few days.

Thursday, we went to the floating market (which was amazing), the snake show (which was creepy), wood carving.  Then while the others went to the Grand Palace, Kate and I went shopping at the Platinum Centre.  Shopping in Bangkok was wonderful (whats excess baggage worth??LOL).  Had dinner by the pool.

Friday we headed to the River Kwai, went down the river by long boat (beautiful Typhoid cestpool).  Then we headed down accross the bridge by train.  A bumpy, but fun ride.  We had lunch at the River Kwai Restraunt.  Lovely meal.

Then we headed to the Tiger Temple.  Our guide didnt make out that it was going to be that much to see or experience, so only Kate, Angie and I did it, and the boys piked.  They really missed out.  It was incredible.  To be in the presence of such beautiful animals.......pat them, hold the babies, and just have that whole experience. 

Last night we went to dinner with Angie, while the boys found a bar to watch the football.  Poor Collingwood supporters...  We went to Gullivers Bar and Restraunt Sukumvit Soi 5.  It had real french influence outside, and the food was wonderful.  We sat by the fountain, and talked and ate.  Great night.  Then walked the night market on the street, did more shopping.  And a TUK TUK ride back to the hotel. 

Got woken by the boys at 5am, heading to the airport.

Now its our turn.  Off to the beach for 4 days.  Maybe no more posts..................need beach time.

Blessings

Dee

Elephants in Chaing Mai

Today we left the guesthouse early, for the Elephant Show.  We travelled about an hour, and went to ride the elephants in the early morning.  It was wonderful.  Really pretty place too.  Then we watched the elephants perform, did some shopping.  It was a lovely time.

Then we travelled to the Orphanage, to have lunch.  Was lovely.  Great curry, and great fellowship.

Yesterday, we spent the day with Doug Higgins, the missionary we support here in Chaing Mai. Saw 3 projects, lots of wonderful things going on here.

Have taken far too many photos, and havent had anywhere to download, so will have to wait till we get home, unless I can find somewhere in Bangkok.\

Kate and I are heading to the pool, to relax, get more tanned, and swim.

Off to dinner with the Higgins family tonight. 

Be blessed all, and know that we are all safe.

Dee and Co