Public letters

December 19, 2011

Я даже боюсь представить кем и где я буду через год..20 декабря 2012 года) Одно хочу чтобы исполнилось точно. Хочу читать этот мэил в обнимку с Але. Хоть я сейчас и в Китае, я по прежнему его люблю!

December 19, 2011

Today is the only day there ever is. Maintain traction and drive for your goals. where are you on the 40under40 road?

December 18, 2011

Dear Me, By the time you read this, wedding plans will be in full swing. Remember that despite all the bells and whistles the day is about you and H (Big left Carrie at the altar for a reason). Seems simple enough, doesn't it? Keep it that way, dummy. From Me.

November 16, 2011

2011 has been productive and insightful. More importantly, however, you really opened up and took charge this year. Lots of ambitions, lots of ideas. Were they misplaced? Looking in the wrong direction? Have you made an impact on the world yet? Have you glimpsed your purpose yet? For the past few years you've said that the year you were living in is the year where things are really going to change and doors will open. Has this happened or is this year where (for sure this time) things are really going to change and doors will open? You set yourself a goal to earn at least $1,000,000 by this time next year. Have you achieved that? How does it feel? Has it made you a better person? What have you learned? One of the most important insights for 2011 was the concept of an avatar, a third force, a balancer, a creator and destroyer all in one. The cobbled path that has been laid in 2011 started leading you toward that concept. Lots of doomsday predictions for 2012. Anything drastic happened yet? Was it all hype? PTB made a move yet? ;) Tried breatharianism? Become vegan? At the time that I'm writing this letter you are interested in both. Consider your state of mind and physical health... Any change? For better or worse? Be mindful!

November 15, 2011

Dear future Georgia, How the fuck are you? Have you learnt a foreign language yet? Have you made plans to move to London? Did you buy that papillionaire bicycle? What about a car?? Did you cut your hair? If you didn't, you really need to. Did you finally get roller skates and practice hard so you could join a roller derby team? DID YA? Did you finish that bottle of Absinthe with Starkles? Did you figure out how to keep hyperlinks in a word document when saving it as a PDF? Did you ask an apple weirdo why your MacBook is heating up all the time? Do you still have your MacBook? Are you writing daily? If not, why the fuck not? Have you changed your glasses frames yet? Do it, you'll be over D

November 13, 2011

Dear Future me, I don't know if you are successful yet, however, don't give up, you're still young. You have a bright future if you keep trying. You dont have to be the best, just try your best. I don't know whats happened over the past year but at this time last year you were pretty stressed with final exams and certain things in your life which werent going your way. Anyway this is just refreshing your mind of a year ago. Push yourself over and over until you achieve your goals. Remember to respect those you care about, they wont be there forever, as you can remember. This must have been a big year for you future me so goodluck with the rest of it, it may be hard but it will get easier. Regards, Past Self

November 13, 2011

You're a fucking mint as legend.

November 13, 2011

Hello future me Despie the fact that this creeps you out a fair bit. There is one thing I want you to know, Miss. One thing you need to grab onto and need to take to your core. Live life, stop gripping about the person you envy , the person you think has it worked out the person who did a double degree too, who walks in the same cricles you do who almost feels like the person you could be if you pushed just that bit, if you were perfect. Stop looking at her and live. Be the person whose fully human , brings great glory to God and forget the things that weigh you down. Really thats all you need to take from this year. Because there were so many times you gave up, you couldn't do it, you walked home at 3 am from the computer labs, you didnt care, you didnt have any more money , you went to the foodbank so many times you thought a plane ride home was the answer and somehow or by grace youre here. Youre done, the year from hell is over so rejoice cause your joy has come , your joy has come in the morning!

November 12, 2011

Dear Me, You're now sitting in room 642.2 eating popcorn with Russian Spy and typing this out. In 12 month's time, you're already out of 642.2 and is probably busy packing up going back to somewhere called 'home sweet home'. How will you face the the transition of going back 'home' and the way people see you after 2 years abroad? If Russian Spy is still with you. Good for both of you and give yourself and him a pat on the back for all the things you've been through. If things are otherwise, give yourself a pat too and probably send him an email to say a simple hi. Cherish what have been and what will soon come. Life is all about enjoying it. Lotsa love Blueberry jciscake russian spy 12th november 2011 3pm

November 12, 2011

Dear Future Self, You're what I'm going to be some day, and I hope you've turned out okay. Already I can tell 2012 is going to be a tough year. You've taken on a lot already - a second degree, extra work, a couple of projects on the side - it's probably too much if you ask me. I can guarantee by this time in 2012 you're going to be completely overwhelmed and disheartened, and probably very close to packing it in and forgetting how much you love what you do in favour of an easier, less stressful option. You're quite probably considering moving to Peru to live on a mountain top in a little hut and with a herd of llamas (while wearing a fabulous poncho) and completely abandoning your dreams. If you are considering this (or even if you aren’t) I want you to do something for me. Go and sit on your bed for a minute, and close your eyes. Imagine a by-line followed by the words ‘Foreign Correspondent.’ Imagine writing a story about a rebel uprising in West Africa. Imagine having a conversation with a little old man in South America. Imagine taking photos from the front line of a war in Central Asia. Imagine making a documentary about social injustice in South East Asia. Imagine the incredible things you’ll learn. Imagine the smiles of the people you meet. Imagine the feeling when you know you have taken an incredible, world shattering photo that will mean so much to someone, or help someone learn, or maybe even make a bit of a difference in someone's life. Focus on this. This is where you will end up if you stick at it. And my God, will it be worth it. It’s been a long year, but don't let the hard yards get you down. You are an incredibly smart, courageous young woman. You have the strength to get through anything. You are so passionate, and you can do - and will do - whatever you need to be the best in your field. You are incredibly talented, and you better not let anyone tell you otherwise. Don't get stuck in a rut - hang in there, the marathon of next year will definitely be worth it in the end. And while this year may have been long and rough, I can guarantee there have been some amazing experiences. You secretly love both your degrees even if you complain about them too often. You have a strong portfolio and have worked on some incredibly projects. You're a published journalist, both photographic and written. You've met some inspiring and talented storytellers, and have paid attention to the lessons they've taught you. You've kept your morality and ethics in a harsh industry. You started saying no more. You took holidays when you needed them - that road trip to Sydney was pretty incredible. You stopped worrying so much about everyone else, and started looking after yourself better. You started carving out time for yourself – it may have only been an hour here and there, but these small moments of time combined to make a big difference in your life. And, hopefully you're on your way to that photojournalism internship in Argentina you discovered last week - if not, get your shit together and go and do it, because that is an experience you will never, ever forget. And after you've spent two months in Argentina, go hike the Inca Trails and canoe down the Amazon and dance at Carnival in Rio and all the other things you've always wanted to do in South America. And you wear that fabulous poncho while you do it, and never take that camera out of your hands. (All these things are only dreams and goals for now, but I have faith, Future Self, that you have made them come alive. May the dreams of a young and excited woman grow into your reality.) Overall, next year will be a rewarding year. A year that you will look back on in triumph, proud of everything you have achieved - not just materialistically, but within yourself. A year that, rather than let it run you, you grabbed hold of and took what you wanted from it in order to get where you are now. A year that allowed you to retain your sense of self and let you fulfill your dream of being who you really are. So, Future Self, let me give you some very simple advice: Be kind to yourself. Be gentle to yourself. Look after yourself. Don’t stop believing in yourself. I am confident no matter where you are right now, you’re in the right place, at the right time, doing exactly the right thing. But if you think you're not, get off your arse right now and go and fix it. Focus on living. And always remember: don't look for the lights, look through the camera. Love, Past Self.

November 12, 2011

Hey future me, Did you get through it? Did you get past it? You wasted a year, but you realised that you couldn't keep letting it stop you from being who you are. Did you heal in the UK? Did you live in Japan? Did you return to NZ with a new determination and build your new life? I hope that the way you felt in November 2011, and all of 2011, is something that you can't even imagine feeling now. I hope that you are stronger for it, wiser for it, and never need to go through it again. All the best, Past me

November 11, 2011

Hi, so another year has past...but it's been a big one. The last of the kids is now officially an adult, the eldest turning 30! For the last 30 years and 6 kids your life has been defined by your role as a mum....it's been great, but there are other paths beckoning now as well. You have just finished your 2nd year of university (I hope you have kept up your great GPA!) and you probably have a better idea of where you want it to take you. Now is the time to start finding your new path...you are 50 soon but it's never too late to change or develop. Take a deep breath and dive in...swim away from the shore and see what's on the horizon. Cheers