It’s 3.15 am, and I’m awake at this unholy hour to watch Germany in their opening match of the World Cup.
As much as this is going to hurt later today, there’s something I love about waking up at dumb o’clock for things. It screams of a level of passion, stupidity, too, but waking up at these times has only ever been for good things. Whether it was the World Cup, my friend playing para Ice Hockey for Australia, or going on holidays, it’s always been for a good reason.
Of course, my brain also thinks that I may as well use up the time for productive things. So, as I sit here watching the game on one screen, I’m writing a blog post on the other. And I’ve got a couple of things to do after this.
Plus, it’s a good way to stay awake as well.
So, here’s my weekend wrap-up!
Theme Park on Friday
We had a long weekend for our region, thanks to the local show.
For my international friends, each region in Australia has an annual agricultural, horticultural, or industrial show. The region gets a day off, intended to use to go to the show. There are rides for the kids, show bags (bags full of lollies and novelty items), and loads of demos of old and new equipment, livestock, and more. It’s a lot of fun, but it can be expensive.
This year, we decided to use the day to escape the region and get to one of the theme parks, Dreamworld, on the Gold Coast – a 2-hour drive south. We went with friends of ours who have annual passes, as there was a sale for a single-day pass for only $40 – entry is normally over $100!
It was such a fun day!
My husband sat out of the rides due to his back and vertigo, and one of my friends, K, doesn’t enjoy going on the rides. That meant it was down to my other friend, S, and me to take our boys on the rides.
Highlight was the newest rollercoaster, Steel Taipan, which has been there for about 5 years now (I haven’t been to this theme park in close to 20 years). It was as smooth as a rollercoaster can be, with so many loops and twists. Loved it!
I was super proud of my son. He was absolutely terrified of going on the rollercoaster, but we were able to coax him on, and he did it! Then went back for more! I had reiterated that it’s ok to be nervous and scared by rides, but the goal was not to give in to your fear. And he didn’t! I’m so glad he had fun.
The funniest moment would be when we told the boys they were allowed to do one “rude finger” in photos, and that would be it. My friend’s son did it, my own son was eyes closed and hanging on for dear life. He was pretty disappointed he didn’t get the photo, but cheered himself up when he saw I had been doing it.
There wasn’t a lowlight as such. Maybe the fact that we spent $100 to feed the three of us with crappy quality burgers and chips. We got mixed up and ordered a family meal, then another burger meal because my husband wanted a burger. Then we forgot to get it without cheese (he’s mildly lactose intolerant).
Bonus – we got in one more ride and then made it back to the car before it started pouring with rain!
Crafting Saturday
Saturday, we didn’t have too much on. We went to the markets in the morning, and that afternoon, I threw a tantrum over a craft project.
I also got some overdue house cleaning done, folded an endless basket of laundry, and generally just pottered around.
It was a good day to just tick around, get some stuff off the to-do list, and move on.
Sunday Big Emotions Bootcamp
On Sunday, my son and I travelled to Brisbane for a “mother and son” big emotions bootcamp hosted by Beautiful Minds.
My son is learning to deal with his emotions, and to be honest, so am I! Refer to my aforementioned tantrum as an example.
It was a fantastic session. We learned the difference between nerves and anxiety, how feeling butterflies is a good thing, and how to push on. Your body is getting ready for a performance state.
As a group, we stood in a circle and would introduce ourselves and then name a big emotion that we had felt before. If you’ve felt that same emotion, you’d yell “Bingo”. It was a great way of showing that everyone goes through things, and you’re not alone in this.
Then we covered multiple different techniques on how to handle big emotions, including:
- 5, 4, 3, 2, 1 method (5 things you can see, 4 things you can hear, 3 things you can touch, 2 things you can feel, 1 thing you can taste)
- STOP technique (stop, take a breath, focus on the exhale, observe, proceed)
- Touching your fingers to your thumb while chanting a mantra (e.g. I am in control, I am very capable, I am loved, etc.)
- Holding ice in your hands (lowers the body temp, makes you focus on the feeling sensation)
- Straw breathing (breathe in for 4, out through a small hole “straw mouth” for 6)
- Tapping your body, starting with your arms, hips, down to your toes and back.
- Tapping your forehead, face, jaw line, etc., and then back up.
Each time we would do the technique together as a group. It was a great way to remain engaged and keep the boys from wriggling in their seats.
We also spent way too much on a necklace with a metal straw piece on it. The point is that when you start to feel anxiety, you breathe through the straw, and it will help reduce the stress levels (because you’re forced to take long, slow breaths).
They’re called Anxiety Breathing necklaces. We got the Komuso brand if you want to look them up, but maybe shop around first. Spoiler alert – they’re available from other websites for less than 10% of what we paid at the session, doh.
So, the goal here is to start practising what we preach.
And it’s already started.
I was watching the Socceroos World Cup game that afternoon, and my son decided to test my patience by getting in the way of the screen repeatedly, after I asked him not to. So eventually I yelled at him to please listen and get out of the way.
Cheeky s**t turned around and started doing hand motions, telling me I had big emotions and needed to calm down.
At least he listened, I suppose!
To finish off the weekend, we had the neighbours over for a BBQ. They bailed about 7pm, and after my son showered and went to bed, I followed suit. I wanted to get to bed early in preparation for getting up at dumb o’clock this morning.
Where I now find myself!
Update: It’s now in the second half – admittedly, I stopped writing a few times because I was engrossed in the game. But Germany is currently up 6-1, and Curaçao scored their first-ever goal at a World Cup.
Worth getting out of bed for, for sure.
Are you watching the World Cup this year? What are the main reasons you get out of bed at an ungodly hour for?
