So today January 14, my blog is 5 years old.

I think you’ll find the first post was on January 1st, 2003 but it was just a “hello. welcome.” The first official post was January 14, 2003.

Its kinda nuts that I have been writing down my thoughts here in some way for all those years. 5 years of my life wrapped up in words that I shared with the world. I never pretend this blog is well written or any kind of masterpiece. Its not been a way to save me or for me to express myself. I just liked having a place to jot down happy things that happen. I think my actual writing was better years back, I put more effort into it. I also realise that this blog doesn’t really have a niche. It has flip flopped from being a personal thoughts diary of sorts, to a music blog, to a photography blog, to a music/photography blog, to a girly, squealy blog that only I find interesting hehe

I know it flip flops and I know that some of my regular readers probably get confused. I know Syms Covington (whom I got to meet on the weekend. He instantly hugged me and Sean upon seeing us lol) and lucky love it when I write about girly stuff and I know some of my female friends from old must find the rock photography a tad boring. Therefore I apologise if this site is conflicting at times.

That’s me I guess.

I do thank you for coming by and reading my drivel and mostly for commenting and supporting my photography ventures. My first post here was filled with anticipation, wonder and anxiety at not knowing my place in the world. It was very me 5 years ago, wandering through life hoping it would take me on some magical journey.

and so i wonder if the endless search for what is right in my life will ever end..always shuffling about, never finishing anything, constantly and mindlessly looking for something new and exciting. i doubt i ever will find that thing that settles my searchful heart, i’m not even sure what it is, or in which category it falls!
maybe i need to go lay in the sunshine and let the rays take me into a headspace that only the elves would understand.
did she say elves? manda, methinks you’re losing planet earth.

My life has changed a lot since then and all amazingly for the better. I still search, I will always wander and look for new and creative paths, but I am far more settled in my own skin, with who I am and where my life is headed. 2008 is going to be a great year. I am happier than ever in my relationship, I am planning travel trips, I’m really extending myself with photography and thinking about what more I can do with it, and for once I’m actually excited about starting a new year at work. My family are happy and healthy and we are going to meet a new bubba in our family in a few months, so all is pretty awesome!

Sorry for the long ramble, but I felt the need to mark the past 5 years in a small way.

Thanks for reading!