April Update 2003

January went rather fast, and with a determined exercise schedule, I have quickly got back on my feet.

Horseying Around

I'd really missed riding, so after leaving Andy at home at mum and dads for a holiday while I recovered, it was time to bring him back. I happily went home to Bamawm to pick my boy up and bring him back to Melbourne.

And probably to his dismay it was straight back into riding, and February followed with horse competitions every weekend. And to both our credit, we did well in all of them. It felt so good to be in the saddle again - I realised its where I always feel the most fufilled.

Recently over Easter we had a few more competitions where we again did really well, and have a few more coming up in May. Andy managed to have a break throughout March, as I had other things going on which took up my time and energy.

Gen and Andy at Barastoc Horse of the Year, competing in the HRCAV Ring.

The Passion Play

Towards the end of last year, a dear friend from when I did Les Miserables, asked whether I would be interested in doing a Passion Play in time for Easter. When I became unwell I was a bit hesitant in whether I should still do it, but in the end I was so glad I did.

A small group of us, including 5 members from the cast of Les Mis, brought to life the story of Jesus - to make it more interesting to younger people, we also put in contemporary and musical theatre music.

Besides the main cast, we also had a choir of children representing "Our Lady of Good Council" school, plus a wonderful team of people who worked behind the scenes.

I believe we created something quite special, and I was very proud to have been a part of it. Socially it was also such a hoot, doing a show together with close mates. The only scary moments were when I had a bit of flem creeping up in the throat! A few scenes involved being outside, so the cold tended to stir my chest up a little. I tried to keep as warm as possible

I played 4 characters - Mary the mother of God, an Angel, Salome, a servant and Hagar, a slave girl.

Gen (aka Salome)and Darren (aka Jesus complete with nappy)

What other things?

After the Passion Play finished, it was quickly followed by assignments due for my horse massage course, and exams as well.

Amongst all that, I also had to prepare a speech.

At fairly short notice, I have been asked to speak about Reiki, at the New Zealand Cystic Fibrosis Conference being held this weekend (2nd,3rd and 4th of May).

It turned out to be a bit of a squeeze to fit everything in, but I have managed to keep up with it all. The speech had to be finished by today, (presenting as a Power Point presentation) so this week will be spent just going over and over what I have prepared!

Inititially I had hesitations about doing it - I'm not the biggest fan of public speaking (I'd much rather sing - ha ha!) but the chance to visit NZ, even for a short time was too good an opportunity to miss!

I also recently sung at a concert which was fundraiser for a local theatre group I did Pajama Game with. It was lovely to catch up with familiar faces, and to be able to perform some nice songs. As well as a solo, I also got to sing a duet with my good friend Warren. I didn't have any flem moments during this performance - ha ha!

I hope everyone is well.:)

Gen as an Angel

July Update May and June became a bit of a writer's block for me. Or maybe it was just lack of energy and motivation - and really not having anything to write about which has made me leave it this long for an update! New Zealand Getting my photo's back from my New Zealand trip recently, reminded me of the great time I had there, and the wonderful people I met. Allison the conference coordinator, made me feel so welcome and I felt we "clicked" straight away. Her warmth and sense of humour made it very easy for me to feel at ease. I felt the same way about our other Aussie speaker - Melissa Middleton. Mel has an infectious, cheeky sense of humour, much wisdom and holds the same positive attitude that I believe I have. It wasn't long before Mel and I felt quite at home to really "hang" it on each other!! It was unfortunate that I missed Mel's talk, as my plane arrived after she had given it. Mel's support was also wonderful to have the moments before I made my speech. My confidence in how my speech would be received was in doubt, so her quick encouraging comments really helped. I met a lot of inspiring people, and as the weekend progressed more people felt confident about approaching me and discussing the content of my speech or talking about life in general. I thank those people for sharing their stories. The Saturday night conference dinner was a highlight for me, as I was asked by the President of the CF Association to sing a song for everyone. I sang "I Dreamed a Dream" acapella, and I could feel how proud everyone was at the end as people stood up and clapped. All I could think of was how proud my parents, family and friends would be at that moment. Singing with a lung condition is hard - it has raised endless issues with me as a performer, but the only thing I can keep doing is thank God that I have been given the ability to do so. Andy and I Andy and I have been competing steadily throughout the months, with continued success. Recent performances have been the Top Teams Eventing Horse Trials, where we came 1st in Level 3. And Seville Dressage Day where we came 1st in Level 1 and 1st in the Advanced Section. Again, like my singing, I have recently felt so lucky to have the talent and energy to ride, and also for such a wonderful horse. He always inspires me to new levels of confidence and success, and I just hope he knows what he has done for me. Other Activities I have been designing a musical theatre website which has been keeping me quite busy. I am also probably going to do a 3 show concert in October with the same people I did Pajama Game with. I feel too busy to do a full on show, but would like to do something with my performing. I have also been asked to fill in for a girl singer in a covers band in the Echuca area, so that will keep me busy from Aug to Nov. I finally finished Module 1 of my horse massage studies, with great marks, so I am now commencing with Module 2. Maybe I will be finished the course by 2010 -who knows!!! Until next time!

Genevieve and Allison

Allison, Genevieve, Marco Zhang, Alex McLean (wcf), Andrew Walklin (wcf) and Melissa (wcf).

Pretty scary when your mates are having babies!! Gabriel Lucic's christening. From left to right, Genevieve, Ivo, Michael, Grace and baby Gabriel.

November Update 2003 Since my July admission to hospital, the months ahead were tough on me emotionally and physically. For the first time in a very long time, I entered a severe depression which numbed my gratitude for existing. Thankfully after several weeks it lifted, as did my physical self start improving. However each day is different with how I'm feeling - one day full of energy and bounce, the next feeling tired and sick. I have come to the conclusion that my body is severely overloaded with toxins (from various things, but significantly antibiotic use) and it's having trouble processing it out. If you will, imagine a tank. This tank holds all the crap in your body that natural processes get out for you. If that tank gets too full of crap, then the body isn't as capable to filtering all the nasties out. Its on overload. Thats where my little body is at now. Years of accumulated crap - from what I eat, drink, to what I breathe. These include chemicals in our foods, water and environment, antibiotic use, alcohol, other medicinal drugs, you get the picture! Gen, Leon, Mic, Sal (nipple tweaker!), Matt, Greg and Kate at the Lockington Pub So I have had to clean up my appetite, which is a challenge in one hand because I've been eating more naughty things to help put on weight, but on the other hand I think its hindering the healing processes of my body. Hopefully, eventually, through common sense and a bit of help from complimentary therapies, I can lower the stress tank.. and make my body, particularly the liver which processes toxins, a happier and more functional one! With the aim to greater energy levels and better general well being. Horseying Around I have been competing steadily throughout July, August, September and October. Most I have won, which still amazes me to no end!! We were recently honoured with placing in major awards run by the Horse Riding Clubs Association of Victoria. I won Reserve Champion Rider for Level 1 and also 1st out of the Top Ten awards for Horse Trials. The HRCAV run a competition that goes for a year from August to August - points are accumulated over the year by your various placings. So they have a Champion and Reserve Champion Rider award for each Grade - this recognises points accumulated for all disciplines - Dressage, Showing, Horse Trials, Combined Training and Navigation Rides. Then they also have a Top Ten award for each discipline. Its out of all of Victoria. The awards will be presented on the 28th of November, but I am unable to attend, so I guess they will be sent in the post!! In the Media For CF week this year, I was featured in the Whitehorse Gazette, with the focus being on my singing and horse riding abilities. I also wrote an article for the Victorian CF Newsletter, which came out last week (Spring edition). Click here for article -->"Reflections on my 28th Birthday". Singing From July to October I rehearsed twice a week for a 3 show concert in October, with Mountain District Musical Theatre. The show was well received. I sang 3 solos which included "All that Jazz" from Chicago, "Blow Gabriel Blow" from Anything Goes, and a Gerswhin number called "Someone to Watch Over Me". I also sang at several gigs (non smokey) for a band in Echuca who needed a fill in for a while. I also have a few weddings and concerts to sing at upcoming November. At this stage I have no plans for next year performing wise, we will have to see how the health is going! Party The traditional back room party I have with my high school friends had to be put on hold this year due to me going into hospital. Finally there was a free weekend in October, so we went out to dinner then got up to our usual frolicks back at mum and dads, making our own "Batchelor" video. I think our version was much better. I laughed very very hard that night, and it reminded me how important it is to find the silliness in life to try and lighten the load of what is going on in the background. Laughing is also very good physio....LOL!! I pray everyone is well and in good health and spirit. God bless, Genevieve.

Gen and Andy at Seville Dressage Day Gen and Andy won their Level 1 test, and came equal 1st in the Advanced Section.

Gen celebrating her birthday before going into hospital.

At the Lockington Pub L-R Genevieve, Peter, Matt, Greg, Mic (you weren't ready, were you babe?) and Kate.