Wednesday 3 December 2008

7 Things...

Well, I've finally succumbed to the challenge! Ness from Marley and Lockyer, Carla from Carla Loves Photography and I think Brooke from Velvet and Linen (sorry if I've missed anyone) have all tagged me to tell you 7 things about myself. First up I need to explain the rules..... Say who tagged you and link to their blog, share 7 things about yourself and challenge 7 other blogs at the end of your post by naming their blog and linking to them. Let them know by leaving a message for them... okay, here I go.... (stop me at any time now - once I get started, well there's just no stopping me!)


1. I was born Shannon Elizabeth Fricke on 6th April 1969 the only child of these two people - Joan and Klaus Fricke. My mother is Australian (of Portugese and Irish heritage) and my father is from Bremen, Germany. Groovy aren't they! This is the only picture that I have of the three of us together back then, as not long afterwards my parents divorced. Sadly, my father was a fractured soul and suffered terribly from anger and alcoholism - you wouldn't know it from this pic - he was such a handsome lad. He died aged 52 - just three months after walking me down the aisle.
I learnt a valuable lesson from watching my father wrestle with his soul - to be grateful for the life that you have been given and to greet every day with grace - and a smile.
From my mother I learnt another lesson - to always live the life that you deserve and that if at times  your dreams don't turn out as you had hoped - pick yourself up, dust yourself off and continue on with your journey in the best way that you know..... 

2. Growing up there was nothing that I loved more than spending my time figure skating at the local ice skating rink. When I wasn't skating, I was dreaming about skating - imagining myself spinning and flying through the air like Tinkerbell. I'd hoped to make it to the Winter Olympics one day - until I realised that even though I loved skating more than anything - I really wasn't very good at it! Oh the reality of it all! Eventually I gave it up - opting to spend my time hanging out at the beach with friends instead. Although every now and then, I'll pop the skates back on and get out on the ice - and pretend, just for a second, that I'm flying...

3. As a pre-teen I was completely obsessed with Brooke Shields and used to keep a scrap booked filled with cuttings from magazines that she appeared. She was such a lovely beauty (still is) and her life just seemed so glamourous to this little girl living a simple life in 1970s/80s Australia. Following her work in magazines such as Vogue, Glamour, Seventeen sparked my interest in visual media and publishing which helped me to decide the direction that I wanted my working life to go. Who would have thought that it all started with Brooke!

4. When I was 19 I moved to London for no particular reason other than it seemed like a good idea at the time. I had $1200 to my name and didn't know what I was getting myself into - ah, the crazy things you do when you're young! After a year in London I moved to Paris, enrolled at the Alliance Francaise and survived by au pairing for an English family. I lived in the 5th (Latin Quarter) and spent my days getting to know the beautiful Paris, it's wonderful streets, parks and cafes. I'm so grateful for my time there - what an incredible rite of passage.

5. After almost three years living in London and Paris I arrived back in Sydney - and within a few months met the love of my life - my husband Michael - and we married 18 months later. We've been married for 15 years now - where has the time gone! Michael is my best friend and my greatest supporter - I feel very fortunate to have someone in my life who is happy to know me warts and all! I love being married - although at times it can be a challenge too! Michael and I have done a lot of travelling together over the years - and this pic was taken in Scotland - one of the most beautiful places I've been.

6. From the time I was a little girl I imagined myself as a mother. I wanted a brood of babies, at least six and was so excited when Michael and I decided the time had come to start a family. I thought that falling pregnant would be a breeze - I mean, how hard could it be right! Three years of trying (a lot!), loads of tears and trips to the doctors seemed to lead nowhere. Just as I had reached the point of wondering if we'd ever be able to have a baby - the universe blessed us with this little angel - our daughter Inez.  A strong and feisty girl with energy and drive - Inez has taught me that with hard work and perseverance - you can make your dreams come true... 

7. I felt so grateful to have had Inez but never imagined - after having waited for three years to fall pregnant- that I would ever be able to have another child. Of course, the world works in mysterious ways - and when Inez was only 6 months old I discovered that I was pregnant again! Nine months later our beautiful Joe was born - a dreamy child - who believes in magic and wishes that the whole world looked like Disneyland.  From Joe I've learnt to trust in life and to sit back and enjoy the ride. And to believe that at the end of the day - the world is unfolding exactly as it should.... 

Well, I hope I didn't bore you all too much. Now, I believe that I'm supposed to elect 7 others to do the same - but I know that you've all been tagged before because I've loved reading the insights into your lives. Is there anyone out there that wants to be tagged? Let me know!

Au revoir!
 

17 comments:

Ness Lockyer said...

Your post is lovely Shannon. Your life has been full of wonders and you should be so proud of what you have achieved in your time so far. I can't wait to see what life has in store for you next.
Ness xx

Anonymous said...

Very happy to find your blog and all that beautiful things you have here. Good luck with your work and lovely family. Greetings from Turkey.

Velvet and Linen said...

It is lovely getting to know more about you and your journey through this life! It is affirmation to us all that everyone's life has ups and downs. I have learned many lessons from my parents as you have from yours, and I am sure my children will learn from me and Steve.
Your children and husband are beautiful. What a fantastic family!
Thank you again for sharing with us.

xo
Brooke

Lin said...

Thanks for sharing. You've certainly led a an interesting and charmed life up till now, and best of all you are grateful for it! Cheers!

Pineapple Villa said...

Hi Shannon, i think this has to be one of the best 7 things that i have read. I think we have all just about done it now!! That was so funny what you said about Brooke Shields because i was exactly the same, i thought she was so wonderful and really wished i was her!! Especially in Blue Lagoon lol. Great to find out more about you and your wonderful life, Mel xxx

Nanette said...

You sound lovely! It was nice of you to share about you and your family.

Natalie Walton said...

I loved reading this - your honesty is refreshing. Thanks!

Anonymous said...

It was lovely to read your '7 things' Shannon - so very heartfelt and honest. How groovy do your parents look! I am sorry to hear about your Dad, although you seem to have it all beautifully in perspective. And your kids are just gorgeous!

Villa Anna said...

Shannon, you write so poetically it captivates me. It was such a pleasure reading this as it's always wonderful to humanize a face behind the media and discover how similar we really all are.

Anna :)

cathypentonatelier said...

You are such a beautiful writer Shannon, that was such a wonderful read...I am sitting here with so much work in front of me but reading your blog is much nicer....Luv c xx

Shannon Fricke said...

Thanks all for your lovely comments. I'm glad you enjoyed it!
sx

Josephine Tale Peddler said...

I love this post, Shannon. It was just great to read more about your life. How brave were you to travel to Paris like that? And your children are adorable. I love Scotland as well! So fascinating to see all the different elements of your life and different parts of your journey. Thanks for sharing in such a generous fashion x

Porchlight Interiors said...

Thanks for sharing Shannon. We really love reading your blog and your books you know how to carry us all away to another world with your creative words. Thankyou! Hayley and Tracey

Anonymous said...

wonderful written story! thanks for sharing!

Unknown said...

"to always live the life that you deserve and that if at times your dreams don't turn out as you had hoped - pick yourself up, dust yourself off and continue on with your journey in the best way that you know....."


I needed to read this..I love your blog...what a great find when I couldnt sleep tonight :)

Shannon Fricke said...

We only get one life that we truly know of - and it is ours, all ours, to mould and sculpt as we please. Sometimes what we create doesn't turn out as we had hoped - perhaps it is the wrong shape, size or colour. But the beauty of being alive is that another day provides another opportunity to try again. That's what I love about life - is that it is a work in progress - not a work in completion. You always get a second chance...

Lotta said...

such a lovely post!