2012 is Coming to a Close!

Most of you already know that 2012 has been an incredible year for me! I've met amazing new people, experienced things I've never had the opportunity to do before and made plans for 2013 that have me on the edge of my seat in excitement as I write. So in resolution I decided what better to do that write a blogpost on  the highlights of my year. Sorry if it's a bit too long for your liking but I've included some pictures along the way which will hopefully make it a bit more endurable ;) 

I began the year visiting one of my best friends who moved up to Queensland in 2011 (I live in Victoria in case you didn't catch that already). I traveled alone which was a really exciting experience in itself. I gained a lot of independence through that and my parents trust me a lot more. It's been a year now since I last saw her but we're still so close which proves that best friends don't need to be together constantly to always be there for each other, and out of all my friends she is the one I know will never judge me for anything. (Sorry for the horrible mush!)

The school year started after I got back from QLD, and it is safe to say I didn't go into year 11 with the best mindset, I had everything else imaginable on my mind except school! Our year level camp was straight way and was set in the middle of nowhere, which is a place I thoroughly enjoy! (no sarcasm intended) I really love isolated places and the tranquility they offer. But anyway, this camp was promised to hold exhilarating challenges and what not, but previous year 11's had complained endlessly about it so I wasn't that thrilled to be there. Side note* Never go into something expecting it wont be brilliant! If I've learnt anything in 2012 it would be that a positive attitude can get you through anything! This camp was actually the best camp I've ever been on, I was challenged physically and I participated in every challenge, ones that I'd never think of doing! The photo is me and Grace, a girl I became friends with on the camp. We decided to go on the Giant Swing, which is 30m high above a lake. The feeling of letting go and plummeting through the air was so purging. I felt a weight leave my shoulders and I felt like I finally could start afresh. 

In April One Direction Infection swept Australia, and before you stop reading thinking this is just another tween blogpost, keep reading there is actually a worthwhile point at the end of this! I'm a fan of the band and so I dedicated months so them. When they came to Melbourne I spent days in the city with one of my best friends trying to meet them. Our best attempts led to us meeting their band accompanists, who by the way are the sweetest guys. While everyone else in Melbourne headed off the the 1D concert on that night we had unfortunately missed out on tickets to the Melbourne concert and erratically purschased tickets to the concert in QLD, 1754 km away. You can bet our parents weren't impressed but we somehow managed to convince my mum to accompany us to brisbane to see the boys perform. It was incredibly great travelling to another state with one of my best friends and the concert was everything we expected, I even got my tweet read out and the boys waved and thanked me. I'm really thankful for the opportunity I had to go to the concert and meet all the amazing people I met through my love for that band, but over the year I've come to realise that I shouldn't need a band or a singer or anyone else to define me. They became to much apart of my life and I revolved around everything they did or said, I still like their music and of course I think they're adorable! But I no longer feel the need to worship them like I did before, and I encourage you all to consider how much time you spend on celebs!

In May I finally got the chance to go on music camp with my school :) I joined the choir very late 2011 and I joined again in 2012 so I was offered a spot on the camp along with other choir members and band members. It was a few days of intense music practice, games and getting to know others. There were kids from year 7-12 there so 12-18 year olds and we all got along like there was no age difference whatsoever. I am blessed to go to a Christian school and it was such an amazing atmosphere at that camp but in particular the friendships formed. On that camp I formed a friendship with the girl I now call my sister (big shoutout Katrina!) The girls I stayed in a cabin with all shared a passion for music and we weren't afraid to talk about God or music or anything, it was so special! On the last night of the camp we gathered for some serious worship, I don't mean sacrifices or anything crazy like that, we just sang together. And it wasn't like school where only a few people sing and if you sing out everyone will stare, we all joined in, and there was something so beautiful and moving about that moment that can only be described if you were there, and I really became closer to God through that. Whew, it's getting a bit deep! While I'm on the topic I'd like to note that choir was definitely a highlight of my year. People always asked me if it was worth it, missing out on gatherings to go to rehearsals, or having to study late at night because practice cut into homework time, and I promise you it was. The group of people in that choir are so bright and sweet and incredibly caring and we all have a friendship that shows when we perform!

When July rolled around it was SO COLD in Australia! Some of you may not believe in but yes it was freezing down in Melbourne and I was itching to get away from the cold weather, being an aussie I prefer the sunshine most definitely! I was lucky enough to be travelling to Fiji with my family in the winter holidays so I avoided most of the rain! :) I've been to Fiji once before in 2010 and this experience was just as lovely. The Fijians are all so open and friendly (something we could all be a little more of!). I got to spend a lot of time chilling with my family which I really cherished because we're all so busy and stressed these days so it was nice to get away and just relax for a bit! The photo I included has no filters, how beautiful is it!!!!

In August our senior school hockey squad won the Eastern Independant Schools of Melbourne hockey tournament. It was an incredible season for us not only because we won undefeated but we have been competing with each other since the beginning of high school and we're like a family. The older girls instilled a really good mantra into me, to laugh, to live, and to breathe. Think it sounds lame? Think again! It works.

Just the other day three of my closest friends and I booked schoolies for 2013, I can't believe the time has finally come and I only have one year left of school! My life has been so central around school since I can remember and I'm super excited yet nervous for the freedom I'll have when it all ends! Here are my schoolies buddies >>>>

 It has truly been an amazing year and I can only hope that 2013 will be just as special. I would like to say a huge thank-you to my family and lastly a massive hug for all my friends especially the new ones I can't wait to see what 2013 holds for us!

< My choir buddy! 

Beginning of the year >>

<< End of the year! Still besties :)

< My best friends, thank-you for all you have done in the last few months!! You've helped me with so much and I am eternally in debt!!

I'm now off to go be christmassy! I'll speak to you all in a few days, bonjour! xx CJD

Think, Do, Be POSITIVE!

So 2012 is coming to a close and I'm sure for many of you there have been some amazing, and some devastating moments that you are looking back on. HSC or VCE students in Australia would have received their ATAR scores today which may or may not have been something to smile about. If you have facebook it's worth checking out the '2012 Year in Review' feature they have released, it shows a montage of pictures, videos and posts that have been popular over the year, for me this was a beautiful experience. Just to see all the amazing experiences and opportunities I have been presented with throughout the last 12 months gives me something to be proud of.

I think if I had to pinpoint one aspect of 2012 I'm most thankful for it would be my change in attitude. I've become a lot more open and definitely more positive to life in general! We are so blessed and I know everyone has their own demons and I can't lie I have gone through some pretty rough patches this year regarding sickness and such things, but when you take a moment and think about the bigger picture, that was nothing I couldn't overcome and look where I am now! 

I have had an absolutely incredible group of friends for the last few years and each one of them has taught me something different, whether that be patience, positivity, restraint or even helping strengthen my relationship with God! But this year I have been really lucky to expand my friendship to other people who I didn't expect to become friends with, I think I had become a little closed off which I know many of you would have too! I always talked to other people but never enough to get to know them. But I'm so glad I have!

Another positive part of my life in 2012 has been my involvement in the community. I've always been somewhat of an activist through both PETA and Greenpeace (check out their websites guys!) but this year I've actually taken a stand, advertising campaigns and spreading the word through my family and friends, and I couldn't be more proud of what we have achieved.

I really encourage YOU, yes you who is reading this post, to think positive thoughts :) Next year is going to be a new year full of friendships, relationships, new experiences, more opportunities and a chance to be proud of what you have achieved :) Lets start 2013 off on a positive note!

If you ever have any bad experiences you need to talk about, whether that be illness, death, school, relationships, ANYTHING, please don't hesitate to message me via tumblr (c-rystallisation.tumblr.com) or via email (catiee.dumergue@live.com) because I will always reply with help!! Trust me I've seen a lot and you don't have to go through anything alone, ever!

Lastly, I saw this on tumblr and I think it's a brilliant idea! :) Take a jar and label it 2013, I'm decorating mine with ribbons and glitter to make it pretty but it's completely up to you to decorate your 2013 jar. Once you're happy began filling the jar with any happy memories that occur throughout 2013. As soon as something funny or sweet or crazy happens document it on some paper and slip it into the jar. By the end of the year you will have a year full of amazing memories that you can look back on and cherish!

Thank-you to anyone that reads this you're all beautiful and I appreciate it so much!

Much love, Catie (Bambi)

Boys can be insecure too!

The Saturday that has just passed I attended the birthday of one of my best friends Stephanie. It was advertised as a pool party and surprisingly Melbourne was forecasted to be a lovely 38 degrees C which, for those of you who use fahrenheit, would be about 100 degrees. I opted for casual clothing and wore turquoise bathers which I believe were from Billabong although I could be wrong. The rest of my outfit is from Valleygirl which although can be cheap and nasty a lot of the time, makes up most of my summer wardrobe. I also made the mistake of wearing thongs (flip flops) which put me at a great height disadvantage causing various individuals to ask if they could play 'throw a midget in a pool' with me. ANYWAY, that is beside the point.

It was actually a superb day but the party didn't start until 7:30pm, or 8:00 according to my schedule, and by this time good old Melbourne had decided to radically change in temperature to about 20 degrees, not the best weather for swimming. I however am not one for being soft and after assessing the water temperature (which was actually very warm!) i and about fifteen other girls and guys jumped in. A few of the girls were hesitant at first and let's face it, we've all looked at ourselves in a bikini before and thought 'please tell me that's not my reflection' but in the end they got over it. We all have our imperfections but who's to say that muffin top or those non existent boobs are going to stop us from having fun? I was having a great time until I realized that a few boys were just standing by the pool even though they had boardies on and clearly wanted to swim. I wasn't the only one who saw them and soon enough everyone was telling them to go in. Now we're all pretty laid back people and one of the boys didn't hesitate to yell back in response "You wouldn't want to see the fat show."

Well excuse me but what!? I had no idea boys could be so sensitive about their bather bodies! Girls...sure, but guys? Neither of the boys were strangely overweight or underweight and in fact on of them was a competitive swimmer so I was absolutely shocked at this outburst. I think it just goes to show that we're all a little insecure sometimes, but we need to realise that the flaws we see in ourselves are absolutely off the radar of everyone else around us. I think you should be proud of your body no matter what you look like, and if you aren't proud of it, ask yourself why. Is the only reason because you think other girls are prettier than you or other guys pick up more girls because they have more muscle? If so, get a grip! You need to work what you got and love the body you've been given! If you think you're unhealthy find a healthy solution to change it!

Well okay...there was my first ever blog post, I'm aware the quality was rather average but if you've read all the way to this point I think I've achieved something after all! Now I'm off for a jog over to the neighbours, bonjour! .xx