A break from it all

The past week and a half has been a pleasant change from the normal.
I really wanted to get out of Melbourne and its been well over due that I go visit my parents up in Benalla. Mum had been asking for the past few months when I was going to drop in but with my busy life spent working and training all the time the year has just flown by.
Christmas is generally the time were I do my best to spend as much time catching up with family and friends. It seems everyone has a little time off so its a great opportunity.
The four days I was there was basically BBQs and social drinks which is a nice treat from the usual strict diet. Not being concerned about how much food or drink I can consume and having the opportunity to sleep in has been mentally very refreshing.
New Years Eve I had a number of parties I could have attended but elected to go see some old school friends in a park. I dont generally have much time to see all my friends and its been 6 months or more for a few of these guys so it made sense.
These friends were the guys I hung around with every weekend up until my accident. Back then my life was very much one big party on the weekend, we drank and we went to plenty of clubs. The accident gave me a wake up call and I felt I had to change my lifestyle, so I stopped drinking and stopped going out. That also meant a change of social groups and less contact with some people.
Looking back now those small choices have helped me get to were I am today.

This past week has also been about doing all the things around the house which needed doing and a couple of little jobs to help out my friends. I really miss being an electrician so when I can fit it in occasionally I do the odd electrical job here and there.
I undertook a project with one friend to help him wire a coffee shop he wants to get started in Fitzroy. Basically he is my hands while I instruct him on what to do. Its tedious and takes time as I need to explain how to do things were usually one would just demonstrate. Doing it this way takes twice as long so sometimes it can test my patience but in the end of the day it gives me a chance to pull out the tools and get my hands dirty. There's also that satisfaction of giving something without reward, like when you donate to a charity you feel good about yourself because you have helped someone in more need than you.
I tend to be getting to the gym every other day though originally I had planned to be there daily. I think that is a bit over committed so being realistic Im taking it easy for the rest of this week and next week when I start back at work I will slot back into a more stable routine.
As for now its off to dinner with friends...