Cambodge Mekong Big Build, Habitat for Humanity

To all my generous family & friends,

I wanted to send you all a big thank-you for making my Habitat for Humanity build in Cambodia possible. You helped me fundraise over $2.5k to Habitat for Humanity as well as a donation to Friends of Cambodia of Colouring books & pencils for the rehabilitation of street kids!!!! I’ve attached a flyer of my build family and also some photos.

There were some very confronting scenes of poverty, especially in Steung Meanchay where the people lived and worked in a garbage dump. As we skipped through the muddy sewerage water in our enclosed shoes and held our breath for the short time we were there visiting, it made me realise just how lucky we are. The local children are impressively resilient and were always smiling and communicating in their broken English, often, you couldn’t tell they even lived in such a place; the little girls impeccably dressed in school clothes or pretty dresses, and the boys in their soccer tops. However it was often the broken faces of the middle aged and elderly that was hardest to cope with. We were told that rent in the area formally a rubbish dump was controlled by local criminals who charged out $30US per m2/month for rental in the illegal housing so close to Phnom Penh.

We were team #1 of 13 teams, our family consisted of a young couple and their four children.. On the final day, the lady of the home, Mom, was very emotional and so content that the family now had a home. She told us that they had no possessions, yet on the final day, had made all us ladies bracelets and necklaces and the children had made us paper chains.

It was an amazing life experience, one I will never forget, and I’m sure the family of 6 who now have a home will be eternally grateful for what was achieved in the short week away.

Thanks again,

Tummy Role, Heart Attack!

I had a sleeping tablet last night and still had a restless sleep...

 

Mixed emotions, not expecting to get close, getting so close!! 

It's been a great odd year run for the last 7 years Cats! Shitted off we lost to the Hawks, but minus Lewis, Cyril and Buddy Hungry i don't mind watching the Dawks. (My fav part of the game was the last 15 seconds when Buddy useless and Cyril got their first touches.) All night I pondered what might've been, tossing and turning... It's funny, I didn't expect much from 2013, but I never have had any expectations of the cats, because growing up I always felt so disappointed. Every grand final I've gone in since the 90's with no expectations, same as this year which is why i almost let myself believe.. 

 

Contrary to popular belief I have grown from that supporter I now hate, arrogant, whingy and gloaty to a really content supporter. I'm glad to have seen the dynasty evolve. 

I was chronically teased as a kid. Going for the hand baggers (didn't help that I looked like a boy). I remember being at Waverley Park- the cats were getting smashed and i'd just got Leigh Colberts signature for the 9th time (he was injured often)...i was nearly in tears I told a kid smaller than me that going for the cats was just a life of upset and despair to choose another team! (i hope that kid still goes for the cats)!! The next year my fav player, the captain, Leigh 'Stain' Colbert quit the cats and I was so gutted. I thought about it too but mum talked me out of it. 

In 2001 I managed to hide a cats guernsey at work until it was marked down to $3. Season 2002 i spotted a young up and coming player, I was torn whether he would be any good so sewed the number 3 loosely on the back (so if he was crap I could unpick it or put another 3 next to it for the other player i thought was alright The other became my equal Fav player Max 'Wolverine' Rooke.) He wasn't crap. He was and still is amazing...My Jimmmmmmmy Bartel. 

I remember driving down to the Cattery, round 5 2007, we'd finished 12th the season before and lost 2/4 games. Dale, Jim and I were sacking bomber Thompson that day. We lost, but saw glimpses of hope. We didn't lose another game until the last round where we were dancing around in the back line time wasting and port got the ball and kicked the winning goal. That grand final was out of control. The lead up was frightening. Just scraping through against Collingwood. That grand final is one of my lifes best memories. I spent it with my best mate Josh and his dad Ronny. Our pleb standing room tickets were useless, we couldn't see a thing so we all did a dash past security in to the AFL members and watched it on the wing. For most supporters the game was over at half time. For Geelong supporters it took a bit longer. I cracked a smile at 3/4 time and managed to spend the whole final quarter enjoying it celebrating every goal by jumping on someone next to me. Sure they loved it too... Amazing. 

Although 2008 was disappointing, I really didn't care, I was still so content from the previous year accomplishment. 

2009 was an unexpected bonus, I was in London, everyone thought i would fly home. i didnt. i watched it with my sister, and the West London Wildcats at 5am in a pub in Fulham. Although we were losing I felt like we would win at 3/4 time, I rang dad and told him not to worry. We had this. It was so exciting that Rookey sealed it. Bonus. 

 

2011 we were done for. Too old, too slow. Turned out being the greatest no expectations premiership win I can think of, I heard all week from Mick Boylan in the lead up, about how the pies would open the corridor and smash the cats. I believed they would too. I was so glad when Jimmy Bartel kicked the sealer. Too old, too slow, too good!! 

I love the Cats. Through thick and thin. And I don't particularly dislike any other team, I just don't love them like the cats.