Update

Ali@Perth · #1 (**permalink**) IP: 203.94.136.98 01-04-2008, 01:31 AM

Hi everyone

I hope you all had a fabulous Christmas and happy new year! Hopefully this year is better than...well, the last few for me anyway!

Again, I am sorry for being a bit slack with the site lately. I am still really busy with the new job, with friends, with the house and with still trying to sort out Dad's affairs. It's rough but somebody has to do it right. Life just seems to be rather crazy at the moment and I'm trying to get on top of everything which is almost proving impossible. I'll get there though. I know I will. Things are starting to come good and my close friends have actually commented on how good it is to see me smile again...then again, others have been telling me to let out how I'm feeling more (those are the ones that know me really well and know that I'm not dealing well as I'm not dealing with it at all but we do whatever works for us, right?!).

Mark, you asked me in an email (which I still haven't responded to - sorry!) about my plans to travel. I still dream of going to London and working for a year then travelling the world but that's probably a long way off. The funds situation is proving to be very dismal seeing as my sisters are very unreliable when it comes to money and I am often the one who has to bail us out - car payments, fines, bills that they can't afford to contribute to, then there's the cost of everything else - we're paying back the funeral cost (which was 15k - not that I'm complaining...Dad would've wanted nothing but the best!), with probate not having gone through yet due to the bank dragging their feet we're really struggling but we'll get there - positive attitude...isn't that what everybody keeps on telling me to have instead of being such a pessimist?! haha Well, I'm trying!

I do have good news though. I have a sneaking suspicion my girls are planning a holiday for me as a surprise for my birthday - and, if my passion for Thailand is anything to go by, I do believe it is there we will be heading! I really wish I didn't know about it but a few people have let things slip and it turns out that I may be on the right track! So people, it looks like I may be going back to my idea of paradise very soon!!!! Mind you, I could be completely off track and we could wind up in Margaret River of something! I won't be disappointed either way! A holiday ANYWHERE is exactly what I need!

Anyway, I should really get back to it. I hope you are all well.

Take care.

Ali x

markadmin · #2 (**permalink**) IP: 81.193.55.181 01-05-2008, 06:25 AM

Its great to hear you are positive besides the problems! You know my views on London, but good luck for achieving that anyway! As for going back to Thailand, you deserve a break, I hope that more than anything comes through for you.

Alison · #3 (**permalink**) IP: 81.140.25.128 01-06-2008, 11:31 AM

Great to hear from you again. All these things take time and every now and again you will realise you feel a little better, stronger or whatever.

I hope it is going to be a holiday in Thailand otherwise you will be mightily disapointed!!! Don't forget to let us know when and where

Ali@Perth · #4 (**permalink**) IP: 203.94.136.98 01-15-2008, 04:03 AM

I'M GOING TO THAILAND!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Yep, the girls did it ... "surprised" me on Friday night with their plans to take me to Thailand - all expenses paid - even spending money! WOW! I don't know how they did it (or, should I say, how they plan to do it) but they assure me it's happening! We will be there for my birthday - 8th April. I don't know where we're going yet - I believe that is part of the surprise they have planned but what I do know is that it's going to be 2 weeks of backpacking...to kind of incorporate what I wanted and planned to do last year before life had other ideas for me...

From what I understand, many people donated to the "help Ali go to Thailand fund" which is really overwhelming and which completely blew me away.

So...look out Thailand!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I'm going back to paradise!

Ali xox

kimbo · #5 (**permalink**) IP: 58.152.190.195 01-16-2008, 01:35 PM

CONGRATULATIONS ALI!
I'm very happy for you.
I've read a lot of your posts and know that things have been very difficult for you these past several months.
I'm sure you'll have a wonderful time, as usual.
Cherish those fantastic friends

- you're very blessed to have such kind and generous people caring about you.

markadmin · #6 (**permalink**) IP: 81.193.161.27 01-16-2008, 04:50 PM

and your friends; they are real ones.

If anyone deserves it, you do. I'd love to be in Thailand just to meet you (with my wife and kids) so I could buy you a cold stubbie

jaxw17 · #7 (**permalink**) IP: 86.160.122.116 01-16-2008, 07:10 PM

You have good friends but i know that you are a good friend in return and we reap what we sow in this life.
Glad that a new year heralds a new start. Stop bailing them all out if you don't you will do it forever you are too nice for your own good XXX
you will never be able to come to Londan and not come to stay with us so that will have to be factored in to any of your travel plans.
Lovely to hear from you

Jackie xxxx

Ali@Perth · #8 (**permalink**) IP: 203.94.136.98 01-17-2008, 03:59 AM

How exciting huh? Definitely something to look forward to but as is always the case with me, I am waiting for something to happen so prevent us from going so I'm trying not to get my hopes up too much! (It's the pessimist in me!)

And yes, I do have very good friends - the best anybody could possibly ask for and I am very blessed to have each and every one of them in my life.

Mark - would love to meet up with you but unfortunately, I don't know the travel plans! Would be great to meet all of you actually. We should try and organise a travel forum "meeting" in Thailand one of these days! Could be a good laugh!

Jax - don't you worry...when I get to England, you will be one of the first people I contact! :) I truly believe that I will get there one day. I just hope that day is sooner rather than later!

Thanks for all your comments - always love hearing from you all.

I'll keep you posted with plans!

Ali x