Last Wednesday I announced the beginning of Joy Rebel Week (a brilliant idea by Brandi from Joy Rebel) and promised I’d report back on the results. Well the week was an interesting one to say the least. I was expecting fun, frivolity and the odd belly laugh and yes, these expectations were met but what I didn’t expect so much were the lessons to come out of it as well.
A Day at the Beach…
Now, for a start, not everything went to plan. My planned day at the beach, writing, turned into an hour at the beach being sand blasted. Evidently I should have checked the beach conditions before leaving home as whilst it was a beautiful, sunny day, the wind was worthy of a “Dorothy and Toto tornado ride from Kansas to Oz” type incident mark II. Sand ended up in places sand should not be, including my undies, the salad I’d brought for lunch and my handbag…
So I did what any self respecting Joy Rebel would do and left, in search of wine and a hairbrush. I do now, however, have a far smoother complexion thanks to the natural form of microdermabrasion I received and did still manage to eat my salad. I just pretended the sand was croutons, very salty croutons.
The Cake Baking Incident…
Packet cake mixture – check. Required ingredients – check. All the kitchen implements required to make the cake…hmmm. Now the lack of a cake tin and electric mixer would be enough for some of the more intelligent unadventurous to turn back. My response was to wonder what MacGyver would do in this situation. I know! He’d use a glass lasagna dish and a blender! Surprisingly they worked (somewhat). Although, getting the mixture out from around the blades of the blender is not for the light hearted.
The plan was to have Mum and Dad around for afternoon tea so they could sample the Lasagna Dish Blender Cake but when I found out my 8 year old nephew Corey would be accompanying them, I decided it couldn’t be just any cake. Look what I created!…
In case you’re wondering, it’s a donkey’s head and yes, the round things are nostrils.
High Tea (again)…
In actual fact, Mum, Dad and Corey were to get the last laugh. Many moons ago my grandparents were invited around to our house for afternoon tea by us grandkids (including my cousins Simon and Louise). The morning was spent getting the table ready, creating tasty treats and organising the beverages to be served. I was quite happy taking charge, assigning roles and generally walking around with a clipboard ensuring all tasks were being completed in a timely and efficient manner and preferably in the way I’d like them completed (some things never change).
Anyway, Gen and Paps rock up. It was my brother Josh’s assigned role to meet them at the gate, which he did (and in quite a timely and efficient manner I might add). Then it started; I could hear it from the kitchen. Gen and Paps exclaiming loudly “How lovely it is to see you darling!” and “Such a pleasure to be invited to such an exclusive high tea!” and “Thank you ever so much for the very generous invitation you’ve bestowed upon us! We are ever so grateful!” It seems they thought it a good idea to dress in their very finest attire (Gen complete with full length gloves and let’s not forget we’re talking summer in Australia here) and take great delight in acting the part of high-tea-going, Paris Hilton-like socialites.
For someone previously in complete control, this completely out of control situation was more than just a little bit hard to cope with. And it was all down hill from there too. Gen mentioning condoms (it’s a long story) was the last straw. The entire incident was exceedingly amusing to everyone else and it has gone down in the annals of family history as “The Day That Sami Lost Complete Control & Impersonated a Bug Eyed, Mouth Aghast Goldfish”. I have since made it well known that I was left scarred for life in case anyone was interested.
Anyway, you can imagine my terror when Mum, Dad and Corey turned up like this…
Noooooooooooooooooooooooooooo!!!!!
The Long Awaited Impromptu Flashdance Routine…
There were other joyful experiences that did go more to plan including sending ecards to a couple of friends (Hallmark are great for free ecards), a bubble bath complete with wine and music, watching a movie and dinner with Chris. Oh, and on Lance’s request here is a not so impromptu Flashdance routine too (Lord, please do not let this go viral)…
In the absence of a leotard and leg warmers, I went with thermal tights and Chris’ socks. And let me be clear, this is my INTERPRETATION of the Flashdance routine, clearly not the ACTUAL Flashdance routine. I’d like to thank my sister Shrimp, chief cinematographer, joint choreographer and the one pissing herself laughing and Brendon, chief sound technician.
The Unexpected Lessons Learnt
Sami’s Sageisms;
- The week wasn’t actually too much out of the ordinary; craziness, some things going to plan, others not, belly laughs, a Flashdance routine and fun, peppered with the usual responsibilities we all have. It was actually nice to know that I naturally tend to be a Joy Rebel.
- Joy can be found in all sorts of situations, including the ones that don’t necessarily go to plan. Getting sand blasted wasn’t ideal but I still got to hang out in the sun and feel the sand between my toes (and other unmentionable places).
- Being joyful or spreading the joy doesn’t have to cost a lot of money, take up a lot of time or require a lot of energy.
- If life throws you a lemming, make lemming meringue pie, or use a blender. When faced with a challenge, use your creativity, think like MacGyver and be resourceful.
- You’re never too old to look silly, have fun and scar your grandchildren grandchild.
- Family memories are more precious than any job, riches or possession.
- Small gestures can make someone’s day.
- Dance like no one everyone is watching (I think we all know I’ve missed my calling as one of Justin Timberlake’s dancers).
- Joy is contagious.
Oh well, at least I can blame the Flashdance routine on my genealogy. I mean really, look what I have had to put up with!
OK peeps, did you celebrate Joy Rebel Week? What joyfulness did you get up to?
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Seriously Sami you are too funny! I don’t have sound at work, but I didn’t need it to watch your Flashdance routine…HAhahaha!! As for joy being found in all sorts of situations, I totally agree. Even when things don’t seem to be going great or going to plan, I have recently found it is important to take a step back and then find something fun to do or just do something silly to make you (and everyone else around you) laugh! Hope you have removed sand from all crevasses by now….
Okay, this seriously just made my day! Sami, you are completely awesome! And a joy rebel, no doubt!! The video…well…I LOVE it!! Fun on so many levels! I’m laughing…with you on it all (the sand, the tea party, the Flashdance!).
Really, I think I can only go through today with a big grin on my face…and that’s YOU! Showing the real essence of “joy rebel”, in so many ways. And you know what – I agree – you are a natural joy rebel!
So – in that note – I’ll expect more videos of you being your normal crazy self! (right?)
OMG Sami, you have BALLS, posting the video of you dancing! LOL I wish I had an ounce of your bravery. ; )
I had the same realization as you, in terms of my life being pretty joyful already — it’s not something I had to force. (thankfully) Yesterday, I found myself totally annoyed and aggravated at a certain situation (too long to go into here) but it was due to someone else’s disorganization and procrastination that directly affected me — landing me in a difficult position. Pissed me off, royally! Anyhow…I thought of the Joy Rebel week and did my best to turn the situation around. It actually worked! Not 100%, but a good 95%.
This is so funny. I mean really funny. I am so happy that you have found laughter in your week. You just added some to mine.
I love your unexpected lessons! It’s so great when we learn things when we didn’t expect to. Great recap of Joy Rebel Week!
@Valeska
Hey Vee,
Girl, you totally need the sound on. Just to here Shrimp laughing will make you giggle, and “What a Feeling” playing in the background will bring back some memories (or maybe you’re too young to remember??).
Not sure if you’ve seen the movie Patch Adams (ie the doctor who goes to all sorts of lengths to make his patients laugh). It’s an excellent example of how silliness can make people laugh and help them heal. Laughter is very powerful.
Yes, I have removed the sand. The day after I found a heap of it in my ears!
@Lance
Aww, thanks so much for the lovely comments Lance. SO glad it made you laugh (makes it all the more worthwhile). It was a crazy fun week that’s for sure and I gotta say, we had a heap of fun making the video. My sister’s partner couldn’t believe I was actually going to put it on the net! It had to be done – ask and ye shall receive Lance!
@Kirwin
Hey Kirwin,
I won’t lie, I did think twice about putting it up but then I thought, bugger it, people can think what they like. If it makes even a couple of people laugh, it’s worth it.
Yeah, it was very cool to see that my life is already pretty joyful. I’d never really stopped to think about it until Joy Rebel Week. We’re very lucky you know. There are a lot of people out there that don’t have much joy in their lives. Good on you for turning your day around. Believe me, I know how hard it can be so big kudos to you for doing it.
@Tammy-Cricket
Thanks very much. If you were able to have a laugh then my job here is done!
@Veronica
Thanks Veronica!
@Positively Present
Thanks very much PP. Yeah, I wasn’t expecting so many lessons to come out of it. V glad I stopped to notice them.
I lovelovelove this post! You had me smiling and laughing from the git-go. And OMG! How freaking cute are your parents!!!
It sound to me like a joy filled week was to be had because you made the choice to have a joy filled week, even if it didn’t look much different than any other week. Rock on joy rebel, rock on.
@Brandi
Hey Brandi,
Thanks so much and thanks also for being the inspiration behind Joy Rebel Week. Much fun was had and not just by me. We have you to thank!
I’ll be sure to let Mum and Dad know you think they’re cute!
They’ll be chuffed!
[...] impromptu, out of tune, off key, lyrically questionable singing and my as graceful as a bulldozer Flashdance inspired dance moves (I also do a mean robot). Embrace the [...]
Hi Sami .. good for you .. and great for joining in with Joy Rebel .. sand in anything is a pain, and irritation and can get me out of control .. I’m not happy – yet I love the sea, and live yards away from it! Family affairs .. can be hugely amusing and fun .. it’s just adapting to the joy of others .. I think it’s great they put so much effort in for you .. it looks like you all had great fun and many happy memories to share over the years ..
Flashdance .. well .. it lives another day ..
Enjoy Aus .. all the best
Hilary Melton-Butcher
Positive Letters
@Hilary
Hi Hilary,
Yeah, sand in places sand shouldn’t be is not fun but I do love the feel of it between my toes.
Our family gatherings are always very noisy, laughter filled and loads of fun. I’m very lucky and you’re dead on, we do have many happy memories.
Long live Flashdance! Thanks for stopping by Hilary. Great to have you here!
[...] those moments when she’s not writing, Sami has a thing for breakdancing! When that day comes that we meet, maybe we’ll have a contest – my wife can be [...]
Hi Sami…I’m a first time reader of your blog and let me tell you that I couldn’t stop reading and laughing! May I say that you’re a great writer and you left me wanting to read some more…so I will navigate your blog, hopefully for some more laughs! I agree with you…Joy is contagious!!!!
@Mary007
Hey Mary, thanks so much for your very kind comment. Really pleased LL&L had the desired effect (although, I’m sure not everyone gets my weird sense of humour!). Great to have you here. Hope to see you back!
[...] have a treat for you today. My blogging chick-mate and Flashdancer extraordinaire (scroll down 1/4-way through this linked page to see the famous Flashdance), Sami May, has felt it [...]
[...] to me that you often do things that make people look at you funny. And, having observed your Flashdance routine (scroll down linked post to witness in amazement), I do not doubt you! Please entertain me with a [...]