47 things about me – Emma!

🎉 This was really fun to do and I thought I’d show you 47 things I have done…or you may not know about me – to celebrate my 47th birthday TOMORROW! 👏🏻

1. I am British and yes I have met Queen Lizzy! (RIP) When I was 12 I was picked from my school to meet the Queen and Prince Philip for Maundy Thursday. She wasn’t overly chatty but Prince Philip spoke to me. I spent the 7 hours waiting for her learning how to curtsy. 🤣
2. I had a squint in both eyes and had eye operations when I was 3 and 5. I also have had laser surgery on my eyes after being pretty blind… it’s been 16 years since I had that and I cherish my eyesight daily. 👁
3. I used a leather punch to put a hole in my younger sisters lip when she was 1. I wasn’t a great big sister in the early years. Now my sis likes piercings. #notmyfault #ihaveapologised #sorryagain
4. I went to Hollywood Primary School and Cadbury College. People have questioned my resume in the past.
5. My dad is Scottish and lives in Spain. All my family live in the UK. 🇬🇧
6. I was such a tomboy growing up that a girl asked me out when I was 11. She thought I was a boy with my short hair.
7. I used to collect stamps as my hobby and my fave movie growing up was Beetlejuice.
8. I had a picture of a kangaroo on my school bag throughout secondary school and I had a poster of Sydney Harbour on my door. It seems that I programmed myself to move here from a young age…? 🦘
9. When I was 17 I travelled to Spain with a close friend (Sharon) and she was my legal guardian on the trip (she was 18). We drank copious amounts of fake Bacardi, fell off bar stools and ran out of money on the last few days. We survived by eating crackers and cheese…and the old lady in the apartment next to us lending us money. Hmmmm….
10. My final secondary school Art exam piece was a sculpture of my own legs as a ‘street walker’. Together with fencing and shoes. I got a B. 🎨
11. When I was younger, my family didn’t own a car and yes, I walked to school in 2 feet of snow in Winter. Thus the reason I am not a super fan of snow now.
12. I was 12 when I got my first job in a hairdressers. I lasted 2 days. Then at 13 I worked in a bakery for 2 years. My first wage…I spent it on a VHS of NKOTB Hangin’ tough concert! See, I am super cool.
13. At school I was a total nerd, yet happened to pull off cool outfits such as biker boots, and a leather jacket with my school uniform. 😎
14. I am still close friends with my school mates back home and we love growing old and grey together 🤣
15. My first plane trip ever was to Australia on my own.
16. I came to Oz on Uni break. I borrowed money for ‘books’ and promptly purchased a plane ticket to visit for 9 weeks. Yep, I fell in love with a boy on holiday.
17. I moved to Australia the week after my 19th birthday and married 3 months later. No, my mum wasn’t happy…but she still came over to the wedding and due to jet-lag she doesn’t remember a thing. 👰🏼‍♀️
18. I worked in offices doing various jobs from 19-32 years old. I sat on my bum a lot.
19. I knew I wanted to live in a warmer climate from a young age after we went to Spain in school holidays regularly
20. For the Millennium I was in Cork, Ireland with my friends Jackie and Sara. We wore ball gowns in minus temps, danced to Robbie Williams (we wanted to dance to an Irish jig) and then I took a wee under the Barry Tea sign in town. Those were the days.
21. A psychic told me that one day I would be trekking over mountains with a backpack in snow. In a year I found myself in the French Alps doing exactly that. P.S Did you know that you can store wine in the snow to chill?
22. I have worked in many pubs over the years – Did you know I can pour a mean pint of Guinness? I am full of useless talents 🤣
23. I can play any tune on the recorder. Try me. 🎶
24. I am learning the flute and used to play the drums.
25. The first nappy I changed was my daughters in hospital.
26. I built a computer from scratch when I was going through my marriage breakup. I just wanted something to do.
27. I used to have a market stall on weekends selling clothes on consignment, and then I sold wedding dresses. I then turned this business to my first online business in 2002.
28. I am well versed in superannuation and pensions – I was the trainer in the call centre for the NSW Gov. Super. (9 years total)
29. I used to be fat and rarely did any exercise until I got a PT and then studied my Cert 3 and 4 in fitness in 2009.
30. I left my comfy, easy Government job to be a Zumba! Instructor. But don’t worry, I was very strategic about it and took it to schools, old people’s homes and everywhere! 💃🏻
31. At one point I had 8 trainers in my fitness training business, I also had a health studio with my business partner in Corrimal and then North Wollongong where between us, we did 45 classes per week . Whilst it was fun… it was FULL ON!
32. I have walked across fire TWICE! Easy peasy compared to life, you know… 🔥
33. I don’t watch TV or have it tuned in. I am not a psychopath though, I do watch Netflix/Stan/Prime
34. I know every word to Nenah Cherry’s song – Buffalo Child.
35. I am a techy and will argue Apple vs PC any day
36. For my funeral I want two songs played. The Venga Bus… (So you can all dance your arse off) and my fave song ‘More than words’ by Extreme.
37. My rock crush is Dave Grohl #heisagod 🥁
38. I have 4 tattoos and can’t be bothered planning any more. I also have my belly button pierced.
39. I have written over 12 books and 3 are published.
40. My music tastes range from Phil Collins, to Foo Fighters. From Coldplay to Harry Styles. From The Prodigy to Fred Again. I do not like Jazz though.
41. The Office (Yes the US version) is my all time fave tv show. I have watched all the seasons many many times.
42. I am back at university and will graduate at 49! 📚
43. I rarely drink alcohol and my version of fun is nature, coffee and a book on neuroscience.
44. I am addicted to Tik Tok.
45. I got my DNA done a few years ago and I am 74% Celtic, 24% Scandinavian and 2% Greek #notevenbritish
46. I can read Jewellery and so can my daughter (psychometry)
47. I talk to myself (a lot) and get amazing replies. 🤣

OMG, I simply cannot wait to see what the next 47 years will bring! I am just getting started #watchmewatchme

Comment if you have ever done anything like this. It was a big trip down memory lane and quite a cool thing to reflect upon!

Thanks for reading
Emma xxx

p.s Thank you for all your support on my awesome journey. You all rock and I love you!! xxx