For the past 10 years, I’ve been involved in a big research project that started in 1998, when I was around Year 10 – the Longitudinal Survey of Australian Youth. Basically, the researchers followed a massive group of kids from that year to track trends and see how we developed. They did this by giving us a phone survey each year to track what sorts of things we were doing, and how we felt about various issues.

The phone survey goes something like this:

Tell us how satisifed you are with the way the country is run – happy, unhappy or you’re not sure.
Tell us how satisifed you are with your career prospects.
Tell us how you feel about the way you relate with people.
Your living situation.
Your family.
Your finances.
The state of the environment.
Your career.
Your study options.
etc etc etc.

Well, this is the tenth year – the final year of the project. Each year they track me down, call me and ask the same questions. When I got the phonecall last night and I was giving out my responses (”satisfied…dissatisfied…very satisfied…satisfied…”) I suddenly wished I could access my past responses. I wondered how 15-year-old me had answered these questions all those years ago.

Eventually the survey guy got to the ’social’ part of the questions – thinking about the following areas of your life, do you feel happy, unhappy or unsure? And about halfway through I realised the answer to almost everything was “happy”.

How do you feel about your home life? Happy.
Your social life? Happy.
Your career? Happy. (Well…mostly!)
Your family? Happy.
Your life in general? Happy.

I bet this is very different to the way I answered when I was a miserable, frustrated little 15 year old. I hated my school, my home life, my town, my job prospects…I was the most cynical kid! It was kind of surprising when it suddenly dawned on me tonight, as I was mechanically giving my “happy” responses, that I’m pretty happy with my life.

In that ten years since I did my first survey, I finished school and left that town I hated. Lived for two years in a college. Lost some friends and made some beautiful new ones. Met a guy I love and clocked up 7 years and counting in a wonderful relationship. Gained a new appreciation of my family, as well as an extended family in the form of my aunt, uncle and cousins that I am so lucky to have. Spent five years at uni, tried 4 different degrees and graduated with a bachelors and a diploma in Japanese. Lived in a terrible share-house and a slightly less terrible one, lived with my partner, lived with family, lived alone. Travelled to Athens, London, Paris, Amsterdam, Prague, Berlin, Vienna, Rome, Singapore, Tokyo and Osaka. Had some interesting jobs and some really crappy jobs – I waited tables, washed cars, built Ikea furniture, photographed houses and eventually landed my current job now which, to be honest, I quite like. I drove several cars that were older than I was, and finally bought one that was younger!

I’m pretty lucky and finally old and wise enough to appreciate it. I’m a much more optimistic, positive person now, and you know…it feels really good. Here’s to another 10 years of being older, wiser and happier.

I’m a tiny bit behind on my blogging, but I wanna share this wedding!! I met Jo and Aedan through a mutual friend and loved Jo right away – she is one of those awesome people who is just so genuine and amazing. (No need to fake it when you’re already naturally awesome, I guess!) Once I met Aedan, I could see straight away what a perfect match they were! I love their quirky sense of humour and laid-back style, and I had a really fun day hanging out with their bridal party too.

I started the day off with the guys getting ready. Being guys, of course they literally took about 10 minutes to jump into their outfits and do their hair, which meant I had plenty of time to shoot some fun portraits. Once we got Blue Steel out of the way they were great models!

Soooo…the house where the guys were getting ready had a trampoline in the backyard! LOVED IT.

Jo had teased me by telling me she didn’t have the traditional white dress, but refused to tell me what it was. By the time I got to the girls’ house my first questions as soon as I stepped inside was, “WHAT COLOUR?!!” Haha! How cool does it look?

Two beautiful bridesmaids…

And of course, the beautiful bride.

The ceremony was originally planned to be outside, but the weather kept threatening to turn nasty so eventually there was an executive decision to move it inside. The overcast day was perfect for photos in the morning, though.

Father of the Bride escorting his daughter down the aisle…I love the look on his face. He was so proud.

The ceremony was so perfect for Jo and Aedan! When I asked what song they were going to walk down the aisle to, Jo just laughed and wouldn’t tell me…turns out it was Run to Paradise. The whole room started giggling! There is something so real and lovely about this relationship – they are truly best friends as well as partners. There’s absolutely nothing pretentious or fake about them.

I almost lost it when Aedan started to recite his vows:

Jo, you’re simply the best.
You’re better than all the rest.
You’re better than anyone.
Anyone I’ve ever met.
I’m stuck on your heart,
I hang on every word you say.
Tear us apart -
baby, I’d rather be dead.

Presenting Mr and Mrs Siebert!

The sun came out just in time for portraits after the ceremony – even though we had to drag the poor bridesmaids out into the cold,  I think it was definitely worth it ;)

I love this one. The story behind is the girls were FREEZING and huddling together for warmth, but the photo is just so cute.

Congratulations guys, you are best friends and a fabulous couple and I feel very lucky to have shared the day with you. Even if I did drive off and desert you before the reception when I was supposed to give you a ride…no hard feelings, right? RIGHT?! ;D

This little guy is super special because not only is he squishy and adorable, but he also happens to belong to my best friends Jess and Simon. He already has several real aunties, but I’m still staking my claim as unoffical aunt and lifelong Giver of Cuddles…haha.

He arrived with impeccable timing the very next day after I did mum’s maternity photos! Nicely done little peanut!

Lookit his ridiculously adorable squishy face!! This is the reason I nickname him Squishy Peanut.

Cuddles from mama.