I'm back.... :o)

Well I'm obviously back on deck and have literally hit the ground running since arriving home. Not only am I extremely busy at work with students and lessons but I've also got to make a start on my Certificate III & IV this weekend as well as a couple of big projects that I'm working on over at Physique Essentials. No rest for the wicked here my friends. LOL!!

And then this week at work I discovered that I can no longer read comments or post on here, so until I work out my new time management schedule and prioritise my tasks my posts won't be as frequent as you would like. I am so sorry if this inconveniences anyone or even let's anyone down as this isn't my intention. I honestly thought that once I finished competing that things would slow down and I could return to a normal life. Who was I kidding! LOL!!

In the mean time here's a picture of myself and Sally Milne 2006 INBA Ms Figure Olympia - Class 2 Winner!

2006 INBA Natural Olympia - Perth

GOING

GOING

GONE

Certificate III & IV in Fitness (Personal Training)

Just a quick announcement!

With effect today I've enrolled to study my Certificate III & IV in Fitness (Personal Training). This has all happened very quickly and really wasn't something I'd planned but I've decided to embrace this opportunity as you all know how passionate I am about all things health and fitness. My motto is going to be "Whatever it takes!"

Wish me luck ladies..... :o)

Tim - o - tei!!!

Tim Martin

2006 INBA Mr Australia Class 3 Winner

&

3rd Overall

Heeeeelp!

Okay ladies, now it's my turn to ask for help. LOL!!

Does anyone have or know anything about Australia My Space? If so, then could you pretty please with sugar on top get in contact with me via email at lia.halsall@bigpond.com.

Thank you. :o)

Dallas Olsen - My Space Sport Focus Live Today!

Ladies & Gentleman..........introducing none other than Dallas Olsen. For information about his Sports/Fitness Photography Services you can locate him here at My Space Sport Focus. Be sure to check it out. :o)

Make it count

Don't miss out on the value in this moment by wishing that it had somehow been different. Live it for all that it can be.

Don't let this beautiful day slip uselessly through your fingers while consumed with worry about what tomorrow will bring. Make full use of the time you now have, and that will put you in the best position to face anything that may come.

Whatever your age, or level of physical ability, or financial situation, there is something positive and valuable you can do right now. Consider all the beautiful choices that life is currently making available to you, and then seize the best of them.

You already know how satisfying it feels to make a positive difference. Realize that you now have the opportunity to experience that satisfaction again, right where you are.

Life is happening all around you right now. This moment is precisely what you make it.
Make it full, and rich, and memorable and valuable. Give your best to this moment and truly make it count.

-- Ralph Marston

Photo of the Week

Photograph Courtesy
of

Katie & Lia's Monthly Figure Meetings

Photograph Courtesy

of

Katie Allan came up with this great idea of having monthly meetings about all things figure, of which we had our very first one last night. And what a huge success it turned out to be, so much better than I'd expected! The idea is to pick a different subject each month then to go away and individually research it so that when we get together we can pool all our ideas so that hopefully we can come up with a solution that works for our individual needs.

So last night we decided to start with the topic "stage makeup". We're both very big fans of all things M.A.C Cosmetics so that was a good starting point for us both. M.A.C Products are actually designed first and foremost for professional use and are formulated to endure the intense conditions (lighting, sweat, oil, etc.) that are characteristic of stage, film and photography. Perfect for what we're looking for not to mention readily available through counters and stores around the country. And at the end of this month www.maccosmetics.com.au will be going live so there's another option for purchasing. Don't you just love the internet! LOL!! I do! ;o)

So what we decided to do was start at the very beginning and concentrate on building a flawless makeup base. First of all we put together our entire collection of foundations, concealers and powders. Then we applied two different foundations, concealers and powders to two different sides of the face for a comparison. It looked quite funny at first but was well worth the effort. After all, practice does makes perfect. Or so they say. LOL!!

Here are the products that we played with:

Foundations
MAC Face & Body - N9
MAC Full Coverage - NW45
MAC Studio Fix Fluid - NW47
MAC Studio Fix - NW35 & 40

Concealers
MAC Studio Finish SPF 35 - NW30 & 40
MAC Select Cover-up - NW40

Powders
MAC Blot Powder/Pressed - Medium/Dark & Dark

We obviously both have very different skin types so it was interesting to say the least to see the effects that the products had on us. By the end of the evening we were both satisfied with our individual findings. Myeslf personally, I'm going to use MAC Full Coverage - NW45 & MAC Blot Powder/Pressed - Dark. I couldn't be happier with my decision and look forward to the next figure meeting where we'll be experimenting with facial "contouring & higyhlighting". :o)

2006 INBA Australian Titles: Part 3 - Sunday

Last but certainly not least was the final day to a hugly successful weekend! Dallas Olsen an incredibly talented professional Fitness Photographer not only took photos of us at the 2006 INBA Australian Titles the day before but again the following morning at the Beach House Health & Fitness Health Club in Sunshine which just happenes to be managed by none other than our very own Katie Allan. Lindy Olsen was there as her husband's assistant and boy do they make a great tream! Between the two of them we're going to have the most incredible photos to chose from. :o)

We all had individual, working out and then team photos taken of each and every one of us. Dallas then burns all the photos he taken of you onto cd and before you know it hey presto it's in your mailbox! Although the early morning backed up after a big day and a late night wasn't the least bit motivating for us all it was certainly well worth it. We had so much fun hanging out together as an entire team and time to actually get to know one another. :o)

There are sooooo many photos to chose from one barely knows where to start. LOL!! So what I've personally decided to do is post a "picture of the week" every week from now until I run out. That way there's a steady flow of them being posted throughout the entire year instead of just during competition season. How does that sound?

And then from there we all headed out for lunch before we said our final goodbye's. The end! :o)

2006 INBA Australian Titles: Part 2 - Saturday

Now getting back to the story. LOL!!

Saturday morning was an early start in the Halsall Household. There was a lot to do, first up we showered, starting eating which for me was rice cakes and honey, applied one coat of Dream Tan, then into my ensuite for my makeup application and a final touch up of the hair. Once we were all ready and raring to go we packed up the car and were on our merry way to the Camberwell Civic Centre for yet another bodybuilding competition.

As soon as we'd arrived at the venue's car park we were greeted by Katie Allan & Alicia Negrin. Both were full of beans that morning to the point of resembaling an "Oh what a feeling, Toyota" add. LOL!! We then all made our way inside to find the rest of Team Physique and set up out backstage ready for the days events. The day is broken up into two parts, the pre-judging for the symmetry round (quarter turns) and then compulsory poses (muscular poses) and then the finals for our posing routine (60 seconds to music) before the 3rd, 1st & 2nd placings are announced.

Team Physique had seven competitors in total so there was no rest for the wicked backstage. We all pitched in to help one another get ready and to pump up, it was quite the production line at one stage and there was a real team spirit feeling to the entire experience.

The highlight of the day for me was to spend time and meet with so many of your lovely ladies. Liz, Em, Megan, Jamie-Lee & Cheire I all got to meet for the very first time, albeit briefly so apologies for that. Then there were some familiar faces Rae, Sam, Di & Ali. For me, this is the only negative thing about competing. The lack of time to actually sit down and spend with everyone who takes time out of their busy lives to come and watch and support me compete. If only there were more that I could do to show my sincere apprecitation and thanks. Just know from the bottom of my heart that I really and truly do appreciate each and every one of you and your support. I couldn't do without it in all honesty. :o)

Then at the end of a very long and busy day we packed up and headed over to Lygon Steet. I enjoyed a delicous entree size chicken and mushroom risotto followed by a visit to none other then my favourite chocolate store Koko Black for a Belgian Spoil (a traditional chocolate platter: chocolate cake, belgium chocolates, a shortbread, chocolate icecream and a chocolate mousse)and a Hot Chocolate (freshly brewed traditional recipe, made with dark belgium chocolate and full cream milk only). It's to die for, trust me! ;o)

From there it was straight home for a lengthy shower and bed. *zzzzz*

Me @ Work

2006 Rememberance Day Melbourne

Remembrance Day is the day Australians remember those who have died in war.

In 1918 the armistice that ended World War I came into force, bringing to an end four years of hostilities that saw 61 919 Australians die at sea, in the air, and on foreign soil. Few Australian families were left untouched by the events of World War I - 'the war to end all wars' most had lost a father, son, daughter, brother, sister or friend.

At 11am on 11 November we pause to remember the sacrifice of those men and women who have died or suffered in wars and conflicts and all those who have served during the past 100 years.

MELBOURNE

Event: Remembrance Day Student Commemorative Service

Date: 10 November 2006

Time: 10.00 am

Venue: Shrine Forecourt, Shrine of Remembrance, Melbourne.

Details: As Remembrance Day falls on a Saturday this year, the Shrine has planned a special Remembrance Day Service for Victoria’s school community. Students and members of the public are invited to lay poppies in the Field of Poppies located near the Eternal Flame. Schools may also nominate students to lay a wreath.

"lest we forget"

2006 Physique Essentials Competitors

Top Row: Alicia Negrin, Katie Allan, Deb Dawson & Lia Halsall
Bottom Row: Tim Martin, Josh Dickinson & Daniel Halsall

Photograph Courtesy
of

Team Halsall's Big News # 2

Well..........after much deliberation Team Halsall has decided to take next year off from competing and return in 2008. We're both very passionate about bodybuilding so we weighed up the pro's & con's and decided that this was the right decision for us to make and for all the right reasons. There were obviously a lot of other contributing factors behind our decision both professionally and personally, so it wasn't made light heartadly. :o)

Everything happens for a reason in life so when one door closes another door opens and that's what I'm excited about. Well I best make a move, I have to work today. Again appologies for the shortness of yet another one of my posts but I wanted to let me extended family know of my intentions. :o)

Enjoy the rest of your weekend! xo

Team Halsall's Big News

Team Halsall

to compete at the

2006 INBA Natural Olympia

Saturday 18th November 2006 in Perth

Ms Figure Natural Olympia - Class 3

&

Mixed Pairs

2006 INBA Australian Titles: Part 1 - Friday

So much has happened in a short amount of time I barely know where to start. I decided to break this down into days as there's just so much to write about and I don't want to miss anything. It's been a little while since I posted last so I hope you don't mind my doing it this way as something's better then nothing I always say. I also haven't caught up on my comments that you all left me prior to competing so please bare with me, I'm trying my best. :o)

2006 INBA Australian Titles has been and gone for another competition season. Team Halsall didn't place and nor did we expect too, after all it was only our second year of competing. Just to qualify and step on that stage with the best of the best was enough for us. So here was my lineup and the placings:

1. Michelle Nazaroff
2. Sam Dunbar-Manucci
3. Deanne Miller
4. Shannon Carthouser
5. Lia Halsall

That's the offical side of things out of the way so let me tell you all about the rest of the weekend. On Friday Team Halsall packed the cooler bag and car and headed off to Tullamarine Airport to pick up Deb who was flying in from Queensland. When she came out of the terminal we instantly recognised each other, we both had smiles from ear to ear and greeted each other as if we were the oldest of friends. It was just so great to finally meet her face to face for the first time. From there we headed straight over to pick up Katie from her place as we were all travelling together to the INBA Head Office to register for the Australian Titles. Poor Daniel, he could barely get a word in edge wise with us three girls chatter boxing away he had to drive and navigate at the same time. LOL!! It was certainly an interesting trip, I've never laughed so hard in my life. LOL!! And in between all of this I still had to carb load with my rice cakes and honey, any one that knows me knows that I can't help but get food all over myself. I had honey everywhere, I'm like a child with sticky honey fingers and no matter how hard I try to stay clean I still manage to get honey on absolutely everything. LOL!! And then to top it off you can guarantee it that I'll end up dropping some of them on my lap with the honey side down, I'm telling you I have all the luck with food! LOL!! Josh & Tim turned up shortly after us so we all had the time to meet and greet, we squared away any last minute competition preparations before heading back home. We didn't stick around for very long as we still had the drive home, unpack everything and then it was straight to bed for a good night's sleep. :o)