2011: Taking Stock of Change
How much can a person change? I have listened to and been involved in debates about this.
A powerful argument can be made for innate characteristics that cannot be changed.
A powerful argument can also be made for the power of self-determination.
I don't want to argue. All I can do is tell my story. It is a story of change.
I have changed. There were times in my life when I had to tell myself that the most heroic thing some people can do is stay alive and keep on keeping on. For me the choice was to be there for my kids.
Even in the dark. Even in the uncertainty. Even with little or no trust that things would change.
[years of depression, supporting my kids on welfare as I went through university, too many reasons not to trust to count ...]
And many of you could never imagine it had been so dark for me once. And I could never have once imagined the good that would come to my life. But things do change.
This year, in the wake of divorce, loss of mother, moving homes, changing jobs...I see clearly the beauty of a lifetime of change again. If you can use the pain to propel you to action, things change. These 3 years have included changes I would not have chosen, but I used them as impetus to try new things. Hundreds of kids are now discovering the joy of gardening, for instance. And, as you know, I also travelled around the world, partly to discover new dimensions of myself. What I found was astonishing.
I found a planet full of love! Obviously, I chose not to visit places where the most disturbing things were happening, and there is misery, and I did find myself in the middle of a political uprising in Malaysia. And guess what? In the midst of that, I found some of the most compassionate and joyful people I will ever know! I am so grateful I had the type of experiences I had.
Each new experience has caused more change...
Example: I arrived in Istanbul from Kuala Lumpur at 5 a.m. on a red-eye flight following said Political uprising (in the midst of which I sprained my wrist & had to be taken to the hospital). I was exhausted.
I had received directions for getting to my hotel in the Historic District via trains. Unfortuantely, Istanbul airport was one of the few places I went that had no signage in English. I found my way to the entrance to the trains, but the turnstile was locked without a token and I could not understand how to obtain one. A family pointed to a machine on the wall, but they spoke no English. The machine only took Lire. I went off to hunt for an ATM. Returning with Lire, I could only guess how much to use. I got lucky and got 1 token. I slipped the token into the slot on the turnstile and then wrestled my bags and myself through. The train arrived at just that moment and it was relieving to climb aboard...or cram myself in! Packed in with mostly men (wondered where all the Turkish women were, at home?) I watched carefully for a sign for my train change that matched the words in my directions. I got off at the right place and found to my dismay that I was stuck! You needed a token to get out through the turnstile there and there was no place to buy one. It turned out that I was supposed to have retained the previous token! Stuck on a train "island" in a crowd...who knows where...in Turkey. So, I did something I found useful a number of times on the trip: I yelled "Does anyone speak English? I am stuck!"
Immediately, three young Turks came up to me smiling. They reminded me of my son. They spoke little English, but were obviously proud to claim some. After a number of exchanges, I was pretty sure they understaood my plight. They spoke in Turkish amongst themselves for a bit, then one of them said to me, "Don't worry, you are on our team now!" Then I noticed that they were wearing matching uniforms. They were all members of the Algerian Kickboxing team! They were home on vacation.
He showed me a card and helped me understand that it would cover all of us on the trains. The men grabbed my bags and took me by the arm, guiding me to a gate where they got the attendant to let me through. They popped me up onto the next train (their train, too) and made men vacate a couple of seats so I could sit in comfort. They held my bags protectively. I said, "You remind me of my son!" They beamed. They found out where I was going, which was farther than their stop, and helped me understand where to disembark. They were so kind and helpful. All I could do in return is give them a little Seattle skyline magnet. When I arrived at my destination, the hotel had sent another young man to meet me. What a relief! What an affirmation of good. That experience changed me again.
OK, I know there are plenty of reasons to be cautious and not to trust. But that is not the lesson I have needed. The lesson I have needed is trust... and I had a chance to learn that one. And a chance to become an honorary member of the Algerian Kickboxing team.
Saturday, December 31, 2011
Saturday, August 13, 2011
UNESCO World Heritage Sites I have been fortunate enough to visit
SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA Sydney Opera House
ISTANBUL, TURKEY Central Historic Area including Hagia Sofia and the Blue Mosque
BARCELONA, SPAIN Works of Antoni Gaudi` including La Sagrada Familia & Casa Batllo`
ITALY Historic Center of Florence including the Duomo, the Uffizi, numerous works by Michealangelo and other great artists, Basilica of Santa Maria Novella and other historic churches, constructions etc. of the Medici family (Galileo museum...)
ITALY Historic Center of San Gimignano: towers and squares and fortifications of the Middle Ages
ITALY Historic Center of Siena :layout from the Middle Ages with Gothic architecture
ITALY Cinque Terre on the Ligurian coast preserves the harmony between people and nature
SWITZERLAND Jungfrau-Aletsch (including Gimmelwald and Schilthorn) : beauty and ecology
AUSTRIA Historic Center of Salzburg including Gothic and Baroque architecture, tradition of art and music
GERMANY Upper Middle Rhine Valley with castles such as Reinfels and historic towns such as Bacharach
NETHERLANDS 17th Century Canal Ring in Central Amsterdam.
Wyoming, USA Yellowstone National Park
Arizona, USA Grand Canyon National Park
Tennessee & N Carolina Great Smokies National Park
Hawaii, USA Hawaii Volcanoes National Park
Washington, USA Olympic National Park
California, USA Redwood National and State Parks
California, USA Yosemite National Park
Virginia, USA Monticello
British Columbia & Alberta, Canada Canadian Rocky Mountain Parks
Hopefully I am back on my blog...because I was not done!
So here I am with another exchange sister, Birgitta, in Amsterdam. Yes, I made it to Amsterdam, but there was a lot of activity in between Australia and the Netherlands! I plan to start posting my journals as blogs soon. Apparently, Malaysia blocked blogs due to the political environment there and from Turkey on in Europe, the governments are limiting blog sites while they try to tax them! At any rate, I have much to tell you!
Home now with my daughter's wedding just a week away. I am coping with jetlag and starting to reflect and process all that I experienced on my world trip. Posting my blogs now will help me do that.
STAY TUNED!
Friday, July 8, 2011
Last full day on Gold Coast and heading for KL
Last full day on the Gold Coast- Norz suggested I go with her as she drove to her acupuncturist and she would drop me At Burleigh Head on the beach. From there I would be able to hike up the head through the forest an ancient basalt columns, then walk the beach while she had her appointment. I had over an hour and it was a wonderful way to spend it. At the top of the hike I was sharing my joy over the view of the pure green ocean and beach vista with some people ip there and chatted a bit. I met Carlton, an American. as we chatted he ended up really reinforcing my morning devotion message:
as we live looking to God for our sustenance, trusting patiently and not trying to take everything into our own hands, He will faithfully transform our lives. The scripture this came from was about how God will transform a desert into A lush pool and an oasis! Thank you Carlton for the encouragement!
trip to KL yesterday-
Jeeta and Bon took me to the train and we discovered that I would be re-routed into a taxi to Brisbane.The taxi was paid by train people and was a much nicer way to travel! (due to "incident on the tracks"that was delaying trains by 1.5 hrs.)
There was a very sweet couple next to me on Brisbane -Singapore leg (7.5 hrs.). they were traveling for almost 23 hours going to Slovokia via Helsinki! They had been a host family for US students, etc. we had a great discussion about how things had changed in different ways in our respective countries in our lifetimes (we are all in our fifties). For instance, When they were kids in the Brisbane area, few people had electric washing machines. Of course, in suburban U.S. Everyone did! also they did not get TV's and color TV's until much later than we did. Same with indoor bathrooms! Had no idea!
the only "backward" thing I discovered there was that few people use their dryer, or they choose not to have one, like Noreen. People hang their clothes to dry in the house or outside. I do not think that is so backward, though, since it really saves energy and money. I am going to get a rack to put in my guest room to dry laundry when I return home!
Susie Griffith, an older, spirited gal from Brisbane, nabbed me immediately at Singapore airport. She had noticed me traveling alone in Brisbane and had apparently decided she would join up with me so we would support each other. We found our way to Terminal 2 together in the huge and complicated Singapore airport, chatted on the short plane ride , then gave moral support to each other through the hour-long customs line. The youthful energy of the secondary athletics contingent from W.Australia which was behind us also kept our spirits up.
Once we were finally out of customs, we were both wondering if our cars and drivers would really be waiting for us. Susie even suggested that we share a car (but I had paid for mine, so if it showed I figured I should use it). We shared relief together when our drivers found us straight away! I was thrilled to see my name printed out on a sign! Sisie and I hugged and kissed each other's cheeks when parting!
God bless you , Susie!
as we live looking to God for our sustenance, trusting patiently and not trying to take everything into our own hands, He will faithfully transform our lives. The scripture this came from was about how God will transform a desert into A lush pool and an oasis! Thank you Carlton for the encouragement!
trip to KL yesterday-
Jeeta and Bon took me to the train and we discovered that I would be re-routed into a taxi to Brisbane.The taxi was paid by train people and was a much nicer way to travel! (due to "incident on the tracks"that was delaying trains by 1.5 hrs.)
There was a very sweet couple next to me on Brisbane -Singapore leg (7.5 hrs.). they were traveling for almost 23 hours going to Slovokia via Helsinki! They had been a host family for US students, etc. we had a great discussion about how things had changed in different ways in our respective countries in our lifetimes (we are all in our fifties). For instance, When they were kids in the Brisbane area, few people had electric washing machines. Of course, in suburban U.S. Everyone did! also they did not get TV's and color TV's until much later than we did. Same with indoor bathrooms! Had no idea!
the only "backward" thing I discovered there was that few people use their dryer, or they choose not to have one, like Noreen. People hang their clothes to dry in the house or outside. I do not think that is so backward, though, since it really saves energy and money. I am going to get a rack to put in my guest room to dry laundry when I return home!
Susie Griffith, an older, spirited gal from Brisbane, nabbed me immediately at Singapore airport. She had noticed me traveling alone in Brisbane and had apparently decided she would join up with me so we would support each other. We found our way to Terminal 2 together in the huge and complicated Singapore airport, chatted on the short plane ride , then gave moral support to each other through the hour-long customs line. The youthful energy of the secondary athletics contingent from W.Australia which was behind us also kept our spirits up.
Once we were finally out of customs, we were both wondering if our cars and drivers would really be waiting for us. Susie even suggested that we share a car (but I had paid for mine, so if it showed I figured I should use it). We shared relief together when our drivers found us straight away! I was thrilled to see my name printed out on a sign! Sisie and I hugged and kissed each other's cheeks when parting!
God bless you , Susie!
Tuesday, July 5, 2011
A day with wildlife...
July 5
All things bright and beautiful, all creatures great and small,
All things wise and wonderful,
the Lord God made them all-
A day at Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary and Currumbin Beach
Spent late morning playing with Boh with Norz & Jeeta, then we all piled into the car for a ride to drop me at Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary. What a treat I was in for! Even if you simply like to tramp in the bush like I do, it was a great place to be. It is a huge track of jungly land with wonderful pathways up and down. Also, there were wonderful displays of small and large animals with plenty of information available about them: birds, snakes (Enormous cobras!), lizards, new nocturnal mammals like potoroos, wallabies, tree kangaroos, etc. There were also events, like the Croc. Show, kangaroo feeding, aboriginal dancing and the amazing Lorikeet feeding. If I had had time I would have also done the Green Challenge, which is an extensive high ropes course. It was fun to watch anyway! One woman put her ten-yearold up there at noon and hadn't been able to get him to come down out of the trees by 3! I fed wallabies and saw many birds I never saw before. The highlight, though, had to be the Lorikeet feeding. People gather in the central area that has little playground-sized Ferris Wheels and trays all along the fence. The Lorikeets see the activity and start to gather in great numbers in the trees around there. As they do, they flash red and green as they fly. They are vividly colored. Next, the naturalists come around and fill your trays with a nectar-like liquid (water, honey and a powder supplement). If the Hitchcock film The Birds scared you, you might not want to participate because the Lorikeets start to go crazy, diving in to land on all the trays and the trays are being held by the audience. We were told to hold them high. Some trays had up to 7 or 8 birds on them. There were hundreds of birds hopping onto the trays & people's heads, too! They would open their beaks and just start lapping the liquid up rapidly. Every so often they all hop around and reconfigure; sometimes some sort of alert went through the flock and they all leaped into the air and flew at once up around the stand of trees, creating a great wind with their wings! They would swoop back down and do the whole thing again! I had many birds stop to see me. The first one shocked me so that I yelled and dropped my tray! Twice I had one sitting on my head, which caused a shiver down my back. I was not keen on too many on my head. I saw one poop on one gal's head. Guessing she will shampoo tonight!
After 4-5 hours, I just walked a couple of blocks to the ocean beach and walked there for a while. I have named it Squeaky Sand Beach. Such soft, squeaky sand! Boon says it is like walking on talcum powder. AT sunset I head to a cafe for tea while I wait for Boon to come pick me up... And of course another delicious meal based on Jeeta's & Boon's Malaysian & Chinese background!
All things bright and beautiful, all creatures great and small,
All things wise and wonderful,
the Lord God made them all-
A day at Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary and Currumbin Beach
Spent late morning playing with Boh with Norz & Jeeta, then we all piled into the car for a ride to drop me at Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary. What a treat I was in for! Even if you simply like to tramp in the bush like I do, it was a great place to be. It is a huge track of jungly land with wonderful pathways up and down. Also, there were wonderful displays of small and large animals with plenty of information available about them: birds, snakes (Enormous cobras!), lizards, new nocturnal mammals like potoroos, wallabies, tree kangaroos, etc. There were also events, like the Croc. Show, kangaroo feeding, aboriginal dancing and the amazing Lorikeet feeding. If I had had time I would have also done the Green Challenge, which is an extensive high ropes course. It was fun to watch anyway! One woman put her ten-yearold up there at noon and hadn't been able to get him to come down out of the trees by 3! I fed wallabies and saw many birds I never saw before. The highlight, though, had to be the Lorikeet feeding. People gather in the central area that has little playground-sized Ferris Wheels and trays all along the fence. The Lorikeets see the activity and start to gather in great numbers in the trees around there. As they do, they flash red and green as they fly. They are vividly colored. Next, the naturalists come around and fill your trays with a nectar-like liquid (water, honey and a powder supplement). If the Hitchcock film The Birds scared you, you might not want to participate because the Lorikeets start to go crazy, diving in to land on all the trays and the trays are being held by the audience. We were told to hold them high. Some trays had up to 7 or 8 birds on them. There were hundreds of birds hopping onto the trays & people's heads, too! They would open their beaks and just start lapping the liquid up rapidly. Every so often they all hop around and reconfigure; sometimes some sort of alert went through the flock and they all leaped into the air and flew at once up around the stand of trees, creating a great wind with their wings! They would swoop back down and do the whole thing again! I had many birds stop to see me. The first one shocked me so that I yelled and dropped my tray! Twice I had one sitting on my head, which caused a shiver down my back. I was not keen on too many on my head. I saw one poop on one gal's head. Guessing she will shampoo tonight!
After 4-5 hours, I just walked a couple of blocks to the ocean beach and walked there for a while. I have named it Squeaky Sand Beach. Such soft, squeaky sand! Boon says it is like walking on talcum powder. AT sunset I head to a cafe for tea while I wait for Boon to come pick me up... And of course another delicious meal based on Jeeta's & Boon's Malaysian & Chinese background!
Australia!
Walk -caught by rain and met Gai and her teacher friend.
My first morning on the Gold Coast I wanted to take a walk to get the lay of the lay & a bit of exercise. Almost as soon as I left the house & walked in to the sunny morning, the weather changed. It started blowing hard & then raining a cool rain. I had walked far enough that I figured I needed to duck into some place to wait it out, rather than walk back in the storm. I went into a little cafe & ordered some coffee (from now on, you can assume "morning walk" means "find some good coffee"!). As I read the paper I came across an article with the title "Loss of Jobs Takes the Biscuit." Well, int he US this has no real meaning. Another English language trial! I went ahead to read the article to see if it said more about biscuits. It did not. The article was about a food company trashing 7000 jobs, down-sizing & automating. Maybe this took the cake, as in "this is the last straw"? I asked a woman who came by if she could shed any light on this. She wasn't sure, she said it may be old-fashioned, but probably did mean something like "take the cake." It was also probably a cute pun since the company makes biscuits. LOL After hearing how it was that I am in Australia, she invited me to join her & her gal friend. We had a lovely chat about various things, including education, since her friend is a teacher. Nice meet up! When I returned to Boo's & Jeeta's, there was Boon waiting. He said he had drive around twice looking for me in the storm! Bless his heart!
Once the weather improved and Boh was rested and awake, we all took a walk to the mall to get some things for him. It is close. The best thing was the lunch!! We sat outside on the Promenade, next to a little lake and ate a delicious Malaysian seafood-noodle dish along with an amazing milk tea that was really a work of art. Please see my photos on FB for the images.
The next day, Jeeta & Boon took me touring the Gold Coast a bit. We went to the long, sleek beach known as Surfer's Paradise. WOW Beautiful lunch at a surfing club, out on the terrace looking at the view! Very relaxing. We had a quick stop at home & then Jeeta & I off to the airport for our weekend in Sydney with her brother, Dev (Dave).
July two -with Dev, Jeeta , Ajit. First to Ajit's, then to the Sri Lankan restaurant Janani's for Thali (photo on FB), harbor bridge to Bondi Beach, then Centennial Park and Fox Studios for coffee and then MacMahon Park.
We saw the Opera House from many angles, but saving the view from the water for Sunday. Home to rest & freshen up, then to Dev's friend Zara's house for Bollywood party. BTW, have I mentioned how fun it was to listen to Jeeta talking nd laughing with her brother? It reminded me of being with my sister Wanda because we usually start laughing over the smallest things, even just driving along. They were laughing so much, pretty soon I was laughing too! Actually, Dev has a really funny and interesting commentary going all the time. The party was quite fun. Good food, good people! They had dressed the gals in Indian dress for dancing, Bollywood style Got there late for that, but I had worn a skirt & scarf, so I coudl dance with flair like the rest of them. Great time!
July 3- Headed out to to sounds of the Oldies on the car radio again. This tie to visit the Opera House. It is not just a compelling and immense icon for Australia, but they have also made the whole area a frestive gathering place for the community & tourists. All around on the terraces are various cafes, restaurants and food vendors int he open air. Various place live bands were playing jazz or blues. We got some wharf food & chowed down waiting for our cruise boat. The cruise was WONDERFUL! It took us all over the harbor with a guide providing information. The Sydney Harbor is very unique. It is many bays, really, that all open into a central harbor; therefore, there are lots of little areas, or communities hidden here and there as surprises to discover on a cruise like that. The zoo, rich men's row (where Tom Cruise & Nicole Kidman once owned a house), Luna Park (1930's amusement park), Darling Harbor, and of course, the Opera House! The sun shined, the sea sparkled, the colorful ferries & water taxis sped by! There was also a sailing regatta going on & our boat just plunged right throughout the multi-colored sails as all those boats keeled way over on all sides of us. Jeeta & Dev sat nicely while I ran all over our boat getting photos, being tossed around by the wave actively & getting caught 1/2way in the door by the strong wind. It was an utterly perfect day. And topped off savoring chocolate-chili gelato as we walked back along the waterfront in the sun. A-a-ah! We toured a bit more on the way home, singing together in the car & getting a bit lost so that we went over the Harbor Bridge ONE MORE TIME! Dev said Sydney had performed at her best, like a tart all done up, exuding her appeal when she knows she is being watched ;-) Later, at Dev's we watched 2 colorful & tear-jerking Bollywood films (I had never seen one before at all). The evening ended with Ajit coming by with takeaway Tandoori chicken, Naan, etc. A-a-a-ah, again! This morning we returned to Robina on a plane and are having a low-key day.
My first morning on the Gold Coast I wanted to take a walk to get the lay of the lay & a bit of exercise. Almost as soon as I left the house & walked in to the sunny morning, the weather changed. It started blowing hard & then raining a cool rain. I had walked far enough that I figured I needed to duck into some place to wait it out, rather than walk back in the storm. I went into a little cafe & ordered some coffee (from now on, you can assume "morning walk" means "find some good coffee"!). As I read the paper I came across an article with the title "Loss of Jobs Takes the Biscuit." Well, int he US this has no real meaning. Another English language trial! I went ahead to read the article to see if it said more about biscuits. It did not. The article was about a food company trashing 7000 jobs, down-sizing & automating. Maybe this took the cake, as in "this is the last straw"? I asked a woman who came by if she could shed any light on this. She wasn't sure, she said it may be old-fashioned, but probably did mean something like "take the cake." It was also probably a cute pun since the company makes biscuits. LOL After hearing how it was that I am in Australia, she invited me to join her & her gal friend. We had a lovely chat about various things, including education, since her friend is a teacher. Nice meet up! When I returned to Boo's & Jeeta's, there was Boon waiting. He said he had drive around twice looking for me in the storm! Bless his heart!
Once the weather improved and Boh was rested and awake, we all took a walk to the mall to get some things for him. It is close. The best thing was the lunch!! We sat outside on the Promenade, next to a little lake and ate a delicious Malaysian seafood-noodle dish along with an amazing milk tea that was really a work of art. Please see my photos on FB for the images.
The next day, Jeeta & Boon took me touring the Gold Coast a bit. We went to the long, sleek beach known as Surfer's Paradise. WOW Beautiful lunch at a surfing club, out on the terrace looking at the view! Very relaxing. We had a quick stop at home & then Jeeta & I off to the airport for our weekend in Sydney with her brother, Dev (Dave).
July two -with Dev, Jeeta , Ajit. First to Ajit's, then to the Sri Lankan restaurant Janani's for Thali (photo on FB), harbor bridge to Bondi Beach, then Centennial Park and Fox Studios for coffee and then MacMahon Park.
We saw the Opera House from many angles, but saving the view from the water for Sunday. Home to rest & freshen up, then to Dev's friend Zara's house for Bollywood party. BTW, have I mentioned how fun it was to listen to Jeeta talking nd laughing with her brother? It reminded me of being with my sister Wanda because we usually start laughing over the smallest things, even just driving along. They were laughing so much, pretty soon I was laughing too! Actually, Dev has a really funny and interesting commentary going all the time. The party was quite fun. Good food, good people! They had dressed the gals in Indian dress for dancing, Bollywood style Got there late for that, but I had worn a skirt & scarf, so I coudl dance with flair like the rest of them. Great time!
July 3- Headed out to to sounds of the Oldies on the car radio again. This tie to visit the Opera House. It is not just a compelling and immense icon for Australia, but they have also made the whole area a frestive gathering place for the community & tourists. All around on the terraces are various cafes, restaurants and food vendors int he open air. Various place live bands were playing jazz or blues. We got some wharf food & chowed down waiting for our cruise boat. The cruise was WONDERFUL! It took us all over the harbor with a guide providing information. The Sydney Harbor is very unique. It is many bays, really, that all open into a central harbor; therefore, there are lots of little areas, or communities hidden here and there as surprises to discover on a cruise like that. The zoo, rich men's row (where Tom Cruise & Nicole Kidman once owned a house), Luna Park (1930's amusement park), Darling Harbor, and of course, the Opera House! The sun shined, the sea sparkled, the colorful ferries & water taxis sped by! There was also a sailing regatta going on & our boat just plunged right throughout the multi-colored sails as all those boats keeled way over on all sides of us. Jeeta & Dev sat nicely while I ran all over our boat getting photos, being tossed around by the wave actively & getting caught 1/2way in the door by the strong wind. It was an utterly perfect day. And topped off savoring chocolate-chili gelato as we walked back along the waterfront in the sun. A-a-ah! We toured a bit more on the way home, singing together in the car & getting a bit lost so that we went over the Harbor Bridge ONE MORE TIME! Dev said Sydney had performed at her best, like a tart all done up, exuding her appeal when she knows she is being watched ;-) Later, at Dev's we watched 2 colorful & tear-jerking Bollywood films (I had never seen one before at all). The evening ended with Ajit coming by with takeaway Tandoori chicken, Naan, etc. A-a-a-ah, again! This morning we returned to Robina on a plane and are having a low-key day.
Tuesday, June 28, 2011
The rest of my last NZ day...
Today was simple and sweet. quiet morning for me. Unfortunately Noorz had had an off and on night with little Boh. He might be sick and he also is growing for sure. he is 4.5 months and trying all kinds of new things. He grabs things and can purposefully put them in his mouth. He is trying to DO things that he cannot quite do, like sit up, or dance or talk...but he is really working at Learning how! I held Boh more today and sang to him and played with him. Really enjoyed that. Around lunch time we got in the car to go downtown for errands and, since the weather was so clear and nice again, to walk around. We stopped for lunch at Deville's. They had a lovely, big gated courtyard garden out front and it was warm enough to sit out there for our lunch. We ordered the Monk fish which was served layered with sautéed parsley, the ever-present roastie-style potatoes and a wonderful sauce with the essence of crawfish brewed into it. Fabulous!
Following lunch I took the dog, Chi, for a walk to the Japanese garden near here. Chi is much bigger than my Augie, and knew exactly which bushes and so forth he would explore, so we had a few strenuous (for me!) differences of opinion about the route, but we got along alright, even so.
Restful afternoon, then I cooked while Noreen packed for our trip to her parents' place on the Gold Coast of Australia. I made a thick lamb soup using up her celery, potatoes and some kumara (native sweet potato type tuber) with rosemary and parsley from her garden. I also poached some pears with fruit juice, a stick of cinnamon and a pinch of cloves. We ate that warm with vanilla ice cream. Heavenly!
It was a truly wonderful day. I especially give kudos to Noreen for packing her bag extra light. Parenthood has changed her in many ways. she was surprised to discover that by adding a baby she de-cluttered her packing so much that she is taking less overall while taking everything she needs. babies change our priorities, don't they? she has started to talk of how nice it would be to have a GiGi "like you" come stay to help out...that Boh has fallen for me and so on. She has even resorted to tempting me with thoughts of the good-looking local men! I have fallen for Noreen and Boh and for New Zealand,too, but must continue my trek westward and northward until I return home where I have my grandbabies and my people to love and things to accomplish. I will miss them and their cozy home, however.
Following lunch I took the dog, Chi, for a walk to the Japanese garden near here. Chi is much bigger than my Augie, and knew exactly which bushes and so forth he would explore, so we had a few strenuous (for me!) differences of opinion about the route, but we got along alright, even so.
Restful afternoon, then I cooked while Noreen packed for our trip to her parents' place on the Gold Coast of Australia. I made a thick lamb soup using up her celery, potatoes and some kumara (native sweet potato type tuber) with rosemary and parsley from her garden. I also poached some pears with fruit juice, a stick of cinnamon and a pinch of cloves. We ate that warm with vanilla ice cream. Heavenly!
It was a truly wonderful day. I especially give kudos to Noreen for packing her bag extra light. Parenthood has changed her in many ways. she was surprised to discover that by adding a baby she de-cluttered her packing so much that she is taking less overall while taking everything she needs. babies change our priorities, don't they? she has started to talk of how nice it would be to have a GiGi "like you" come stay to help out...that Boh has fallen for me and so on. She has even resorted to tempting me with thoughts of the good-looking local men! I have fallen for Noreen and Boh and for New Zealand,too, but must continue my trek westward and northward until I return home where I have my grandbabies and my people to love and things to accomplish. I will miss them and their cozy home, however.
Monday, June 27, 2011
June 28 Last full Day in NZ...about yesterday...
AH! A lazy morning! I do not need as much sleep now, must be over jet lag. but it is nice to have no urgency today. I will just help Noreen get ready for our trip tomorrow to the Gold Coast of Australia to visit her parents, Jeeta (my "sister" and Boon).
yesterday started early when I got up at 6 a.m. to a prediction of clear weather. I called around to see if any cruise tours were available out to Abel Tasman Nat. Park. They were still closed, but at 7:25 I found out that Noreen and the baby were sick and that I needed to get to the bus depot by 7:45 if I wanted to get the bus out of town to the location of a possible cruise (no promise there would be room on the boat for me). So I grabbed a protein bar, apple and my water bottle and threw them in my small backpack with my camera and started power walking. when I realized I was running out of time I started running...maybe a half mile! I got to the depot 5 minutes late, but guess what! the bus was late leaving, so they ran out and told the driver to wait for me. she was mad, but I got on! I was meant to have that journey! It was a beautiful 1.5 hour drive north in a Comfy motor coach. I arrived just in time to make a very quick decisio. On what tour to catch and pop in to the store to buy a sandwich and snacks and pop onto the amphibious boat on the beach. with no delay, we headed out of harbor.
what a glorious cruise!! what a beautiful morning!
the pilot toured us along the coastline showing points of interest, such as Split Apple Rock,the seal rock islands where the baby seals had recently been born, interesting birds and fabulous rock formations all along. We dropped some people off along the way, delivered packages to people on beaches where they are land-locked and continued to north. The sea was clear and smooth, and although the winter day was chilly enough for frost, the sun was warm when you were sheltered and dressed warmly. We turned around at some point. I was set off on shore with two other people at Bark Bay. we were to tramp back about two hours to Torrent Bay/Anchorage where we would be collected iin three hours. I would have been fine to hike alone, but this lovely couple invited me to hike with them, so I did. I could not have had pleasanter companions! Komal and Tarun. Originally fromIndia, they are Gen. Practitioner M.D.'s who worked a six month contract on the north island and are now exploring the rest of NZ.
we had a marvelous trAmp through the forests and jungles! some parts were very damp and full of ferns, from the tiniest you ever saw to huge tree ferns! Other parts of the track were much drier and totally different flora, lots of interesting lichens. In fact, I would dub all of NZ the land of the lichen. it was a workout, but with wonderful views peeking out through trees! When we made it to Torrent Bay, we had two choices: walk another hour on a high track Around the outside of the tidal area to stay dry OR wAlk right across the sandy tidal area with bare feet, fording a couple of icy streams as we go, but take about half the time. We opted for the latter, and I enjoyedmit since we stayed out in the sunshine. I am not sure I could say Komal enjoyed it, for her feet are more tender than mine, but she is a great sport and smiled throughout. I know she preferred to walk in the sunlight anyway.
at Anchorage beach I found a quiet place to enjoy lunch and listen to the birds quietly by myself. I think we had about 45 minutes there before the boat took us. there were about a dozen people in the area...very international.
It was a chilly boat ride back, but so beautiful in the slanting Golden sun of the afternoon! Back at Kauteriteri there was just enough time to warm up in the cAfe with a pot of tea, gazing out at the sea, before to bus arrived. the two hour trip home was incredible because the huge bus windows allowed an amazing view of an ever-changing and colorful sunset over the mountains! AH!!!
Back home, I helped Noreen get the roSties cooked and we had a lovely evening that involved a good amount of laughter. (planning packing...turns out she and I have much in common, including the tendency to pack everything including the kitchen sink to travel for even the shortest trips!). today we prepare...
yesterday started early when I got up at 6 a.m. to a prediction of clear weather. I called around to see if any cruise tours were available out to Abel Tasman Nat. Park. They were still closed, but at 7:25 I found out that Noreen and the baby were sick and that I needed to get to the bus depot by 7:45 if I wanted to get the bus out of town to the location of a possible cruise (no promise there would be room on the boat for me). So I grabbed a protein bar, apple and my water bottle and threw them in my small backpack with my camera and started power walking. when I realized I was running out of time I started running...maybe a half mile! I got to the depot 5 minutes late, but guess what! the bus was late leaving, so they ran out and told the driver to wait for me. she was mad, but I got on! I was meant to have that journey! It was a beautiful 1.5 hour drive north in a Comfy motor coach. I arrived just in time to make a very quick decisio. On what tour to catch and pop in to the store to buy a sandwich and snacks and pop onto the amphibious boat on the beach. with no delay, we headed out of harbor.
what a glorious cruise!! what a beautiful morning!
the pilot toured us along the coastline showing points of interest, such as Split Apple Rock,the seal rock islands where the baby seals had recently been born, interesting birds and fabulous rock formations all along. We dropped some people off along the way, delivered packages to people on beaches where they are land-locked and continued to north. The sea was clear and smooth, and although the winter day was chilly enough for frost, the sun was warm when you were sheltered and dressed warmly. We turned around at some point. I was set off on shore with two other people at Bark Bay. we were to tramp back about two hours to Torrent Bay/Anchorage where we would be collected iin three hours. I would have been fine to hike alone, but this lovely couple invited me to hike with them, so I did. I could not have had pleasanter companions! Komal and Tarun. Originally fromIndia, they are Gen. Practitioner M.D.'s who worked a six month contract on the north island and are now exploring the rest of NZ.
we had a marvelous trAmp through the forests and jungles! some parts were very damp and full of ferns, from the tiniest you ever saw to huge tree ferns! Other parts of the track were much drier and totally different flora, lots of interesting lichens. In fact, I would dub all of NZ the land of the lichen. it was a workout, but with wonderful views peeking out through trees! When we made it to Torrent Bay, we had two choices: walk another hour on a high track Around the outside of the tidal area to stay dry OR wAlk right across the sandy tidal area with bare feet, fording a couple of icy streams as we go, but take about half the time. We opted for the latter, and I enjoyedmit since we stayed out in the sunshine. I am not sure I could say Komal enjoyed it, for her feet are more tender than mine, but she is a great sport and smiled throughout. I know she preferred to walk in the sunlight anyway.
at Anchorage beach I found a quiet place to enjoy lunch and listen to the birds quietly by myself. I think we had about 45 minutes there before the boat took us. there were about a dozen people in the area...very international.
It was a chilly boat ride back, but so beautiful in the slanting Golden sun of the afternoon! Back at Kauteriteri there was just enough time to warm up in the cAfe with a pot of tea, gazing out at the sea, before to bus arrived. the two hour trip home was incredible because the huge bus windows allowed an amazing view of an ever-changing and colorful sunset over the mountains! AH!!!
Back home, I helped Noreen get the roSties cooked and we had a lovely evening that involved a good amount of laughter. (planning packing...turns out she and I have much in common, including the tendency to pack everything including the kitchen sink to travel for even the shortest trips!). today we prepare...
Some additions...
A couple of more notes on language:
Noreen had agreed to purchase some macaroons from a gal at the Saturday market. When she heard the price was ten dollars "She almost fell off her perch!" She bought them anyway. also this is the season for "roasties" which are root vegetables that you roast up to eat. [added on June 27- When I got home this evening from my Abel Tasmen tramp, I found Noreen had started getting roasts ready for our dinner, but Boh had intervened and she was giving him his bedtime bath. I finished them up & popped them in the oven. They smell lovely now!]
Vicki asked about the concert I attended the other night in Auckland. It was wonderful! I started the evening with a massage and then got the bus to downtown. I had a wonderful little supper at the cafe outside the concert Hall...I now know I had a side of roasties with my quiche. The concert was a key event in the Matariki Festival, which is the Maori New Year. It is the time when what we call "Pleiades" constellation emerges on the horizon & it is harvest time. I chatted with Maori twin sisters in the lobby while waiting. They let me know how meaningful this event was to their community. they were also really fun to talk to, just like sisters to me, too! The line up for the concert was amazing! I was too tired to stay after intermission, but got to hear the sets I was so interested in: Adeaze! (sweet, harmonic Christian songs by a pair of Somoan brothers playing acoustic guitar). Ardijah! (5 performers doing "Poly-fonk!). Maisey Rika!(gorgeous diva with melodic voice) Tama Waipara! (wide-ranging male voice ). All have either NZ, Polynesian or Maori roots. Much Maori language was spoken, which is a beautiful language, but I missed many of the jokes since they were not in English. Periodically throughout the performance a group of Maori dancers in traditional dress came out & sang, danced, played interesting instruments I had never seen before & did their war whoops with bulging of the eyes & tongues out...thrilling!
Reflection on time one week in: The day I left, my sister Wanda took me to the airport and we had lunch at a restaurant across the street. she prayed with me & asked God for each meeting I have to be a divine appointment. She left me off at the door to the airport where my sister Vicki was waiting for me. "My work is done here," Wanda said & we laughed! Vicki & I hung out together for a bit then she prayed with me for traveling mercies before I went through security. I really believe the prayers are being answered moment by moment. Everything is just right! I could not ask for a better experience so far. Val at the Mercy SPirituality Centre was like an older sister, helping me make connections & checking in with me daily (I would pop into her office & give her an update morning/evening). Here in Nelson, Noreen feels like a long-lost little sister or niece. It feels like home. Baby Boh is sweet & Noreen & I play with him & chat up a storm comfortably.
Today I had a wonderful "tramp on a track" as Noreen says. She recommended the hike. It is astounding that she can walk just up the street from her home, hop onto a trail (track) and hike a steep climb up the mountainside, along it & get to the centre of NZ with a 360 degree view from the top of a cone-shaped mini-mountain. I saw most of Nelson from there, out to the sea & Abel Tasman National Park with its range of beautiful mountains. It is a glorious view! From there I continued on & dropped down in to the center of the town of Nelson. They have wonderful parks iin town too! There is a lovely walkway along the river, ornamental gardens (European & Chinese), etc. I had lunch in the open air cafe then walked back. Quite a walk. A play with Boh when I got home & then a solid power nap. We made a delicious dinner. Noreen made the Beef Casserole (yummy stew similar to Beef Bourg...) and I made a puree of parsnips & garlic with braised greens from her garden. After a shower, my washed clothes were hoisted up on the drying rack that hangs above the kitchen & dining area. It lifts up by way of a pulley system ...really clever & apparently Kiwi all the way! Good night now!
Noreen had agreed to purchase some macaroons from a gal at the Saturday market. When she heard the price was ten dollars "She almost fell off her perch!" She bought them anyway. also this is the season for "roasties" which are root vegetables that you roast up to eat. [added on June 27- When I got home this evening from my Abel Tasmen tramp, I found Noreen had started getting roasts ready for our dinner, but Boh had intervened and she was giving him his bedtime bath. I finished them up & popped them in the oven. They smell lovely now!]
Vicki asked about the concert I attended the other night in Auckland. It was wonderful! I started the evening with a massage and then got the bus to downtown. I had a wonderful little supper at the cafe outside the concert Hall...I now know I had a side of roasties with my quiche. The concert was a key event in the Matariki Festival, which is the Maori New Year. It is the time when what we call "Pleiades" constellation emerges on the horizon & it is harvest time. I chatted with Maori twin sisters in the lobby while waiting. They let me know how meaningful this event was to their community. they were also really fun to talk to, just like sisters to me, too! The line up for the concert was amazing! I was too tired to stay after intermission, but got to hear the sets I was so interested in: Adeaze! (sweet, harmonic Christian songs by a pair of Somoan brothers playing acoustic guitar). Ardijah! (5 performers doing "Poly-fonk!). Maisey Rika!(gorgeous diva with melodic voice) Tama Waipara! (wide-ranging male voice ). All have either NZ, Polynesian or Maori roots. Much Maori language was spoken, which is a beautiful language, but I missed many of the jokes since they were not in English. Periodically throughout the performance a group of Maori dancers in traditional dress came out & sang, danced, played interesting instruments I had never seen before & did their war whoops with bulging of the eyes & tongues out...thrilling!
Reflection on time one week in: The day I left, my sister Wanda took me to the airport and we had lunch at a restaurant across the street. she prayed with me & asked God for each meeting I have to be a divine appointment. She left me off at the door to the airport where my sister Vicki was waiting for me. "My work is done here," Wanda said & we laughed! Vicki & I hung out together for a bit then she prayed with me for traveling mercies before I went through security. I really believe the prayers are being answered moment by moment. Everything is just right! I could not ask for a better experience so far. Val at the Mercy SPirituality Centre was like an older sister, helping me make connections & checking in with me daily (I would pop into her office & give her an update morning/evening). Here in Nelson, Noreen feels like a long-lost little sister or niece. It feels like home. Baby Boh is sweet & Noreen & I play with him & chat up a storm comfortably.
Today I had a wonderful "tramp on a track" as Noreen says. She recommended the hike. It is astounding that she can walk just up the street from her home, hop onto a trail (track) and hike a steep climb up the mountainside, along it & get to the centre of NZ with a 360 degree view from the top of a cone-shaped mini-mountain. I saw most of Nelson from there, out to the sea & Abel Tasman National Park with its range of beautiful mountains. It is a glorious view! From there I continued on & dropped down in to the center of the town of Nelson. They have wonderful parks iin town too! There is a lovely walkway along the river, ornamental gardens (European & Chinese), etc. I had lunch in the open air cafe then walked back. Quite a walk. A play with Boh when I got home & then a solid power nap. We made a delicious dinner. Noreen made the Beef Casserole (yummy stew similar to Beef Bourg...) and I made a puree of parsnips & garlic with braised greens from her garden. After a shower, my washed clothes were hoisted up on the drying rack that hangs above the kitchen & dining area. It lifts up by way of a pulley system ...really clever & apparently Kiwi all the way! Good night now!
Friday, June 24, 2011
Language challenges & a change of venue
Saturday June 25
Sitting this morning by the window of my room, looking out at the grapefruit on the tree close to the window and tall trees and magenta magnolia blossoms in the background. Right now the sky is blue in Auckland! I heard it snowed back in Seattle today, so I might as well enjoy the NZ weather as summer (in the 50's & 60's so far..should be a bit cooler, but sunny in Nelson). I will catch a flight to the South Island today, just after noon, and finally meet Jeeta's daughter, Noreen, and her baby son, Boh!
As I was saying about the language barrier here...
I am surprised as you might be by the presence of such a barrier, but believe me, it exists. I thought it would be so easy to start my trip in an English speaking country! It is true that different idioms are in effect, like "pulling hens teeth" meaning something is difficult, and turns of a phrase are different like "took a fright.". By the way, I have got a fright each time I have been on the bus. we are driving on the wrong side of the road and it appears there are no drivers in the other vehicles! Numerous times I have gone momentarily breathless, only to realize that these things are simply turned aroUnd here.
However, the thick NZ accent has caused confusion. For instance, children lunching at the Meadowbank school (please see last blog to fully understand what I will share here). The principal, Peter, was telling how the students are now cooking up lunch with produce from the gardens twice a week. I asked where they do that and where they lunch. He said they lunch in the hole! I asked for him to repeat that and he said very clearly that they lunch in the hole. I asked once more, but then stopped for two reasons.
1- I did not want to annoy him, since I had already had to ask him to clarify his speech many times.
2- I thought that at a school where the children can trek through a bush-gully and routinely haul compost, that they may very well also lunch in a hole! As it turned out, we came upon a large multiple-purpose room (used as the gym And with tables and kitchen) that Peter said was the hole where the students have their lunches...the HALL where they hAve their lunches, that is! so they do not lunch in a hole! similar misunderstandings have occurred daily, but fortunately have not led to any real distress.
ALSO-Arrived in Nelson after a short, gorgeous plane ride. apparently the other two airlines were canceling flights to avoid ash from the Chilean volcano eruption. NZAir flew low to avoid it. Met Noreen and Boh in flesh and blood for the first time. They are absolutely delightful! I feel very at home here. I am also happy to meet Chi, her dog! more language acquisition: to be gob-smacked meAns....? this from Noreen, who had been gob-smacked by the astounding beauty of the South Island! Jeeta and Boon popped in on Skype to say HI too...so looking forward to my visit with them!
Sitting this morning by the window of my room, looking out at the grapefruit on the tree close to the window and tall trees and magenta magnolia blossoms in the background. Right now the sky is blue in Auckland! I heard it snowed back in Seattle today, so I might as well enjoy the NZ weather as summer (in the 50's & 60's so far..should be a bit cooler, but sunny in Nelson). I will catch a flight to the South Island today, just after noon, and finally meet Jeeta's daughter, Noreen, and her baby son, Boh!
As I was saying about the language barrier here...
I am surprised as you might be by the presence of such a barrier, but believe me, it exists. I thought it would be so easy to start my trip in an English speaking country! It is true that different idioms are in effect, like "pulling hens teeth" meaning something is difficult, and turns of a phrase are different like "took a fright.". By the way, I have got a fright each time I have been on the bus. we are driving on the wrong side of the road and it appears there are no drivers in the other vehicles! Numerous times I have gone momentarily breathless, only to realize that these things are simply turned aroUnd here.
However, the thick NZ accent has caused confusion. For instance, children lunching at the Meadowbank school (please see last blog to fully understand what I will share here). The principal, Peter, was telling how the students are now cooking up lunch with produce from the gardens twice a week. I asked where they do that and where they lunch. He said they lunch in the hole! I asked for him to repeat that and he said very clearly that they lunch in the hole. I asked once more, but then stopped for two reasons.
1- I did not want to annoy him, since I had already had to ask him to clarify his speech many times.
2- I thought that at a school where the children can trek through a bush-gully and routinely haul compost, that they may very well also lunch in a hole! As it turned out, we came upon a large multiple-purpose room (used as the gym And with tables and kitchen) that Peter said was the hole where the students have their lunches...the HALL where they hAve their lunches, that is! so they do not lunch in a hole! similar misunderstandings have occurred daily, but fortunately have not led to any real distress.
ALSO-Arrived in Nelson after a short, gorgeous plane ride. apparently the other two airlines were canceling flights to avoid ash from the Chilean volcano eruption. NZAir flew low to avoid it. Met Noreen and Boh in flesh and blood for the first time. They are absolutely delightful! I feel very at home here. I am also happy to meet Chi, her dog! more language acquisition: to be gob-smacked meAns....? this from Noreen, who had been gob-smacked by the astounding beauty of the South Island! Jeeta and Boon popped in on Skype to say HI too...so looking forward to my visit with them!
A surprise appointment!
June 24:
TodayI had a surprise visit with a school principal in Remuera, at Meadowbank Primary school. Val discovered it for me. I took the bus out there then walked through a lovely neighborhood to what appeared to be a rather small school. I had to wait a bit for recess and the staff meeting to quit, then Peter Ayson came out to greet me. we exchanged some basic information about our schools, then he shared some interesting facts about how NZ schools function financially and ideologically. they get basic funding from the government and some guidelines on what to teach, but are given self-governance. They are free to raise money as they wish. so this school actually is it's own business in order to do all they are able to do for the students (PTA raises $100K annually etc.)
what I was there to see were the gardens and sustainable practices. so we went for a walk...or a hike! It was a much larger campus thAn it appeared to be from the street. There are about 750 students in 2 sections of the campus divided by the "bush-gully."
yes:BUSH-GULLY! Or more like a bush-gully-jungle!!! so we first toured the upper campus with it's light open rooms, compost, recycle and reg. Trash containers everywhere and the wood fired oven on the field for baking pizzas with veggies from the gardens. everywhere they had gardens, tucked into every little nook. the kids tend them with help from three part time staff members. trekking down the far side of the buildings, we started to descend into the bush-gully. A well-built trail took us into a jungle of tree ferns, vines, many species of trees I am unfamiliar with, redwoods, etc. It was raining, but it could hardly be felt under the canopy. Peter gave me a run for my money through the winding trail while he explained how students over the years had planted more than 7000 trees to create this nearly native forest. There was a wonderful jungle amphitheater, a Maori medicinal garden, a stream with fish at the bottom, a suspension bridge over the top! when we hiked up the far side, we came upon the buildings for K-3. I was taken around the far back side to find old bathtubs suspended on wooden frames with wooden, hinged covers. Peter quickly opened one and dug through new half-eaten apples and banana peels to show me the worms in the enormous worm compost trough! the drain allows a rich compost tea to leak into large buckets that can poured into the garden soil. WOW, a garden dreamer's dream! I also saw a portable building that was being turned into a garden kitchen! Two days per week kids already help prepare lunch with food from their gardens! Peter suggested that we may be able to make an online partnership between his school and some elementary school in my district....
Definitely a blessed appointment! More later about my difficulties with the NZ English language :-)
TodayI had a surprise visit with a school principal in Remuera, at Meadowbank Primary school. Val discovered it for me. I took the bus out there then walked through a lovely neighborhood to what appeared to be a rather small school. I had to wait a bit for recess and the staff meeting to quit, then Peter Ayson came out to greet me. we exchanged some basic information about our schools, then he shared some interesting facts about how NZ schools function financially and ideologically. they get basic funding from the government and some guidelines on what to teach, but are given self-governance. They are free to raise money as they wish. so this school actually is it's own business in order to do all they are able to do for the students (PTA raises $100K annually etc.)
what I was there to see were the gardens and sustainable practices. so we went for a walk...or a hike! It was a much larger campus thAn it appeared to be from the street. There are about 750 students in 2 sections of the campus divided by the "bush-gully."
yes:BUSH-GULLY! Or more like a bush-gully-jungle!!! so we first toured the upper campus with it's light open rooms, compost, recycle and reg. Trash containers everywhere and the wood fired oven on the field for baking pizzas with veggies from the gardens. everywhere they had gardens, tucked into every little nook. the kids tend them with help from three part time staff members. trekking down the far side of the buildings, we started to descend into the bush-gully. A well-built trail took us into a jungle of tree ferns, vines, many species of trees I am unfamiliar with, redwoods, etc. It was raining, but it could hardly be felt under the canopy. Peter gave me a run for my money through the winding trail while he explained how students over the years had planted more than 7000 trees to create this nearly native forest. There was a wonderful jungle amphitheater, a Maori medicinal garden, a stream with fish at the bottom, a suspension bridge over the top! when we hiked up the far side, we came upon the buildings for K-3. I was taken around the far back side to find old bathtubs suspended on wooden frames with wooden, hinged covers. Peter quickly opened one and dug through new half-eaten apples and banana peels to show me the worms in the enormous worm compost trough! the drain allows a rich compost tea to leak into large buckets that can poured into the garden soil. WOW, a garden dreamer's dream! I also saw a portable building that was being turned into a garden kitchen! Two days per week kids already help prepare lunch with food from their gardens! Peter suggested that we may be able to make an online partnership between his school and some elementary school in my district....
Definitely a blessed appointment! More later about my difficulties with the NZ English language :-)
Wednesday, June 22, 2011
Auckland
JUNE 23, 2011
Here I am, nestled in my cozy little room at
The Te Ngakau Waiora Mercy Spirituality Centre in the Epsom neighborhood of
Auckland New Zealand! I had spoken with the manager, Val, before. She was warm and welcoming. I have found some low cost hidden places to stay by looking into housing provided through monasteries and retreat centers. This place is a lovely little example. The room is maybe 8 by 10 feet, paneled with knotty pine. I have a comfy twin bed, 3pillows, a sink and a space heater.
the heater is needed for it is the middle of winter here...my introduction to my summer vacation! it is mild, however , and I am comfortable with a long-sleeved t-shirt, a fleece and a rain shell. this morning it is dark and pouring rain, so I feel so safe, dry and warm drinking my coffee and watching out the window. the birds sound as if they are having a party out there! I am happy to stay in for a while and journal...
Yesterday was a lovely day, the weather a it warmer and, although it did not rain, it was slightly overcast with some sun breaks. I stepped off the plane,made made way through customs in the dark morning hour and made it to my lodging at about 9a.m. After the check in I hopped a bus to the downtown ferries and decided spur of the moment to take one to Waiheke Is. For a wine tasting tour with short hikes. It was perfect! there were four folks from Thailand and five from Japan and two from Mexico with us. The motor coach was comfortable and the stops were active, outdoors, informative and fun! we tasting great wines and olive oil. at one stop we had a very gingery ginger ale. at the final vineyard we hiked to the top of the hill where we could have a360 deg. View to the water all around the island, see most of the island and see Auckland in the distance! Our tour guide in the bus , Horst, was interesting and amusing too! when I returned on the ferry I had a lovely chat with a retired chemist!
coming up on the bus to my "home" was a bit of an ordeal , I kept getting sent to different bus stops. finally on the right bus, it took a long time due to commuter traffic. Once I was in my neighborhood, I found. Roasted foods "takeaway" place, got some lamb with peas, potatoes and pumpkin and headed to my room. I quickly ate, showered, stretched and cuddled down into a very deep and satisfying sleep. I believe I slept over ten hours!
Two options have come up for tomorrow: I could tour here, or take a one hour flight to Wellington to visit the Eco-School there. I got a last minute email from the director this morning! I am waiting to see if he can tour me tomorrow before I book the flight. I did not count on the fee, Bautista would really like more than the 2Eco-School visit I already have planned. If that cannot happen, I will be happy to save the $ and stay here. Either way I will attend a wonderful concert here tomorrow night!
In the meantime, today is for rest, prayer and walking up One Tree Hill (if the rain slows down). I may poke around in some shops to see what that is like, but intend to take it pretty easy, As it turned out I was inspired to hike much more than One Tree Hill! I also hiked Mt. Eden! It was about a 10-12 Km circuit! (6 - 7 miles?) I am happily tired and sore. beautiful day! For the beauty of the earth...Lord above to You we raise, this our hymn of grateful praise was my song today!
Here I am, nestled in my cozy little room at
The Te Ngakau Waiora Mercy Spirituality Centre in the Epsom neighborhood of
Auckland New Zealand! I had spoken with the manager, Val, before. She was warm and welcoming. I have found some low cost hidden places to stay by looking into housing provided through monasteries and retreat centers. This place is a lovely little example. The room is maybe 8 by 10 feet, paneled with knotty pine. I have a comfy twin bed, 3pillows, a sink and a space heater.
the heater is needed for it is the middle of winter here...my introduction to my summer vacation! it is mild, however , and I am comfortable with a long-sleeved t-shirt, a fleece and a rain shell. this morning it is dark and pouring rain, so I feel so safe, dry and warm drinking my coffee and watching out the window. the birds sound as if they are having a party out there! I am happy to stay in for a while and journal...
Yesterday was a lovely day, the weather a it warmer and, although it did not rain, it was slightly overcast with some sun breaks. I stepped off the plane,made made way through customs in the dark morning hour and made it to my lodging at about 9a.m. After the check in I hopped a bus to the downtown ferries and decided spur of the moment to take one to Waiheke Is. For a wine tasting tour with short hikes. It was perfect! there were four folks from Thailand and five from Japan and two from Mexico with us. The motor coach was comfortable and the stops were active, outdoors, informative and fun! we tasting great wines and olive oil. at one stop we had a very gingery ginger ale. at the final vineyard we hiked to the top of the hill where we could have a360 deg. View to the water all around the island, see most of the island and see Auckland in the distance! Our tour guide in the bus , Horst, was interesting and amusing too! when I returned on the ferry I had a lovely chat with a retired chemist!
coming up on the bus to my "home" was a bit of an ordeal , I kept getting sent to different bus stops. finally on the right bus, it took a long time due to commuter traffic. Once I was in my neighborhood, I found. Roasted foods "takeaway" place, got some lamb with peas, potatoes and pumpkin and headed to my room. I quickly ate, showered, stretched and cuddled down into a very deep and satisfying sleep. I believe I slept over ten hours!
Two options have come up for tomorrow: I could tour here, or take a one hour flight to Wellington to visit the Eco-School there. I got a last minute email from the director this morning! I am waiting to see if he can tour me tomorrow before I book the flight. I did not count on the fee, Bautista would really like more than the 2Eco-School visit I already have planned. If that cannot happen, I will be happy to save the $ and stay here. Either way I will attend a wonderful concert here tomorrow night!
In the meantime, today is for rest, prayer and walking up One Tree Hill (if the rain slows down). I may poke around in some shops to see what that is like, but intend to take it pretty easy, As it turned out I was inspired to hike much more than One Tree Hill! I also hiked Mt. Eden! It was about a 10-12 Km circuit! (6 - 7 miles?) I am happily tired and sore. beautiful day! For the beauty of the earth...Lord above to You we raise, this our hymn of grateful praise was my song today!
EDIT June 2022: I looked up the centre and discovered this bit of sad news. “ The Covid-19 pandemic has claimed another victim with the permanent closure of Te Ngakau Waiora Mercy Spirituality Centre in Epsom, Auckland, from July 31.”
Monday, June 20, 2011
Today is the DAY!
Yes, I woke up spontaneously at 6:10 a.m. Didn't need to. I set the alarm for 7. I have much to do this morning before my sister Wanda picks me up at noon: wash my sheets, wash the dog, clean the bathrooms & floors, file papers and
do the last bit of packing
for both me & the dog.
I cried when I took Augie to visit his summer Homestay, but was much relieved to find that he remembered the place even before we entered. He obviously loved it by the time we left this time (playing with Fiona was probably the main reason!).
He has the whole world in His hands!
Here we go!
do the last bit of packing
for both me & the dog.
I cried when I took Augie to visit his summer Homestay, but was much relieved to find that he remembered the place even before we entered. He obviously loved it by the time we left this time (playing with Fiona was probably the main reason!).
He has the whole world in His hands!
Here we go!
Sunday, June 19, 2011
Tired last night here...
Well--Last night at home for 2 months. Moving slow & tired. More to do, tho. Good day: church, visit with Karen Kirkman, mani-pedi with the pup ;-) visit with grandkids, daughter & her man, Pho for supper. Need to do more stuff, but maybe I can put it off till morning. I leave from my place at noon, so I have some morning time....
REMEMBER-I may be changing this blog to a different location---be ready for a change!
REMEMBER-I may be changing this blog to a different location---be ready for a change!
Saturday, June 18, 2011
2 days to blast off!
Saturday morning. I leave Monday. I remember that I have questioned why I gave myself 3 days in Auckland before heading south to visit Noreen. Now I remember why I did that---exhaustion! I gave myself several slow days there to rest up & to slowly get used to my new adventure. Now I know it was a wise choice. I am glad the weather here is rainy & in the 50's. It is actually a bit warmer in Auckland today! Plus--I will not have to water the school gardens this weekend as I had promised. I just need to get the hoses in place. Finish at school today with the help of my son, then errands, clean house & cook chicken soup with the last few things in my refrigerator. My friend Pat will dine with me & help me check over all my packing. My fingers are tingling again just thinking of getting to the airport on Monday!
Wednesday, June 15, 2011
Oooooo! 5 more days!!!!!!
This week is zipping past too quickly! And will I get everything done?
5 days to take off. My fingers tingle if I talk about that or write about it.
One week from today I will be in Auckland New Zealand (you lose
a day going that far west). I look forward to meeting the sisters of the Mercy Spirituality Centre and exploring the city and islands!
A surprise: a reporter for the online newspaper called Shoreline Patch came to interview me yesterday about the garden project. When she heard about my trip she suggested blogging for the newspaper. I will let you know if that turns out to be the final location for this blog. Still looking for one, or a solution
to my photo upload problems from my iPad to this blog. I will keep you posted.
I hope you all are as excited about WHATEVER you are going to do this summer as I am!
5 days to take off. My fingers tingle if I talk about that or write about it.
One week from today I will be in Auckland New Zealand (you lose
a day going that far west). I look forward to meeting the sisters of the Mercy Spirituality Centre and exploring the city and islands!
A surprise: a reporter for the online newspaper called Shoreline Patch came to interview me yesterday about the garden project. When she heard about my trip she suggested blogging for the newspaper. I will let you know if that turns out to be the final location for this blog. Still looking for one, or a solution
to my photo upload problems from my iPad to this blog. I will keep you posted.
I hope you all are as excited about WHATEVER you are going to do this summer as I am!
Sunday, June 5, 2011
SORRY TO SAY
Unless I can figure out how to post photos to this blog from my iPad, I will have to make Facebook my primary blogging site. :-( ANYONE KNOW HOW TO POST PIX FROM
an iPAD??????
an iPAD??????
Wednesday, June 1, 2011
The Vatican & Sistine Chapel
I just booked my Vatican & Sistine Chapel guided tour!
I understand you can wait in lines forever in July to get in there, so
was advised to book up to 2 months ahead to be sure of admittance.
Since I will be in Rome on a weekend, I thought it would be especially important. I will do this tour on Saturday then explore the Coloseum, etc. On Sunday I will observe Mass at St. Peter's Basilica!
I understand you can wait in lines forever in July to get in there, so
was advised to book up to 2 months ahead to be sure of admittance.
Since I will be in Rome on a weekend, I thought it would be especially important. I will do this tour on Saturday then explore the Coloseum, etc. On Sunday I will observe Mass at St. Peter's Basilica!
Sunday, May 29, 2011
Getting so excited & BUSY
Now is the time for final preparations!
I need to make my list today of things to take care of before it leave on June 20. This weekend I am packing up my classroom, for the most part, & moving my things into the sewing room portion of the home ec. suite on the far side of campus. EXHAUSTED! I woke up at 3:30 a.m. yesterday thinking of all I had to do, so of course I did not go back to sleep. I was at school at 6 a.m. I had about
an hour break mid-afternoon then continued until 5 p.m. Still more to do, but most is done. HOORAH
Other tasks: YMCA memebership of hold, stop mail & newspaper, review my packing, clean the house, have dog visit his summer homestay ;-) , meetings for my new job, make
sure the school gardens will be watered over summer, party with my sisters...
oh, and grading my students work to! That is what Memorial Day is for.
With all this I keep thinking forward to this trip & the delights that must be in store. That is so exciting. I also know things can go wrong. My travel insurance folks & a few friends
will help me through any emergencies that may arise I am sure.
Might not post again for a couple of weeks. As you can see, I am BUSY :-) Happy busy!
I need to make my list today of things to take care of before it leave on June 20. This weekend I am packing up my classroom, for the most part, & moving my things into the sewing room portion of the home ec. suite on the far side of campus. EXHAUSTED! I woke up at 3:30 a.m. yesterday thinking of all I had to do, so of course I did not go back to sleep. I was at school at 6 a.m. I had about
an hour break mid-afternoon then continued until 5 p.m. Still more to do, but most is done. HOORAH
Other tasks: YMCA memebership of hold, stop mail & newspaper, review my packing, clean the house, have dog visit his summer homestay ;-) , meetings for my new job, make
sure the school gardens will be watered over summer, party with my sisters...
oh, and grading my students work to! That is what Memorial Day is for.
With all this I keep thinking forward to this trip & the delights that must be in store. That is so exciting. I also know things can go wrong. My travel insurance folks & a few friends
will help me through any emergencies that may arise I am sure.
Might not post again for a couple of weeks. As you can see, I am BUSY :-) Happy busy!
Wednesday, May 11, 2011
New Type of Year!
WOW- never dreamed this year would bring so much exciting change.
This trip is only the beginning!
I am happy to announce a new job(s) for next year:
I will be the new school district teacher-science specialist and
teach one class of CHEF SCHOOL at my dear
Einstein Middle School
(where I have taught science for 17 years)!!!!!
linking Chef school to the gardens & to science of course!
Sunday, May 8, 2011
Butterflies in my Stomach
How fun to meet people who can give me good ideas of what to do along the way. On Friday I met a woman who suggested I go visit some gardens while I am in Nice, France. I had thought to simply wander the waterfront & oldtown, but now I have an even better plan! I will walk 10 km (6 mi.) east along the the waterfront in the morning with a fabulous destination: Villa Ephrussi de Rothschild. (click to view!) Sweet! It is a lovely historic villa open to the public, overlooking the Mediterranean. It is surrounded by amazing gardens & a tea room (where I shall take lunch). If I am exhausted, I will find transit back, otherwise, stroll back into Nice late in the day. I could not have thought of a lovelier way to enjoy France for one day!
Saturday, April 23, 2011
Woo hoo!
Crazy good purchase today: iPad 2. It will be so cool to have! Purchased online so I could get my email address engraved on it. It is only 1.5 pounds. I can do most things I use my laptop for plus take photos & videos with it & go wireless anywhere (most places I am staying have WIFI). I can video chat with people back home while I am gone as well. I will save my back & neck by not adding my laptop weight to my backpack. That is what is especially important.
Today I also got the last few small items I needed for my trip: an electric adapter kit. I needed 3 different adapters! Also picked up some non-toxic-to-humans bedbug spray---rids the mattresses of the bugs :-[
AND an inflatable neck pillow to help me sleep on planes & trains.
LESS THAN 2 MONTHS!
Today I also got the last few small items I needed for my trip: an electric adapter kit. I needed 3 different adapters! Also picked up some non-toxic-to-humans bedbug spray---rids the mattresses of the bugs :-[
AND an inflatable neck pillow to help me sleep on planes & trains.
LESS THAN 2 MONTHS!
Tuesday, April 12, 2011
Sunday, April 10, 2011
YOU GOTTA HAVE A DREAM, IF YOU DON'T HAVE A DREAM, HOW YA GONNA MAKE A DREAM COME TRUE?!
SO EXCITED!!!! I heard back from the manager at the Catholic Mercy Spirituality Centre in Auckland and they have a room for me the 3 nights that I will be there..my first 3 nights overseas ever! ALSO-they are going to arrange a singing group of Maoris & others to sing praise songs for me to video!
Saturday, April 9, 2011
Places to stay--
My first stop is Auckland New Zealand after a VERY long plane ride!
I just discovered this place & really want to stay here:
TE NGAKAU WAIORA MERCY SPRITUALITY CENTRE
run by the Sisters of Mercy nuns. They have 10 rooms they provide for travelers.
It is safe, clean & a quick walk to the center of Aukland & easy bus ride to many
places I might want to visit! For only about $50 US they even include a continental breakfast.
I have asked them if they can help me find a singing group of native Kiwis who might
like to be videotaped singing Amazing Grace. I am waiting to hear from them!
I just discovered this place & really want to stay here:
TE NGAKAU WAIORA MERCY SPRITUALITY CENTRE
run by the Sisters of Mercy nuns. They have 10 rooms they provide for travelers.
It is safe, clean & a quick walk to the center of Aukland & easy bus ride to many
places I might want to visit! For only about $50 US they even include a continental breakfast.
I have asked them if they can help me find a singing group of native Kiwis who might
like to be videotaped singing Amazing Grace. I am waiting to hear from them!
Tuesday, March 29, 2011
So excited!
I have contacted Eco-Schools International & have already gotten contacts in Kuala Lumpur, Istanbul & AMsterdam for visiting schools on my trip! One more great way to meet good people along the way!
Also- so happy that my middle school just earned the Eco-Schools USA Bronze Award!!
Also- so happy that my middle school just earned the Eco-Schools USA Bronze Award!!
Tuesday, March 15, 2011
ALL YOU NEED IS LOVE---> Around the world & altogether now!
(click above & enjoy)
I love Vicki's idea! Amen, Vicki! She wants a video like the "All You Need Is Love" but with a Gospel song! How can we get that to happen? Maybe that can be a goal on my trip, although there will be only 11 countries I visit. I will be able to video record. What would be a fun Gospel song? I could try to contact groups ahead of time to meet up with to record then singing it!
(click above & enjoy)
I love Vicki's idea! Amen, Vicki! She wants a video like the "All You Need Is Love" but with a Gospel song! How can we get that to happen? Maybe that can be a goal on my trip, although there will be only 11 countries I visit. I will be able to video record. What would be a fun Gospel song? I could try to contact groups ahead of time to meet up with to record then singing it!
Saturday, March 12, 2011
Excited!
We change to Daylight savings time tonight!
It feels a bit like spring!
I feel like this trip is really going to happen!
The earthquake in Japan makes my knees shake,
so I tell myself I am
glad I did not add that to my itinerary,
but New Zealand got hit really
bad a few weeks ago! Who knows what could happen?
But of course that is the adventure we have day to
day no matter where we are :-)
Ciao!
It feels a bit like spring!
I feel like this trip is really going to happen!
The earthquake in Japan makes my knees shake,
so I tell myself I am
glad I did not add that to my itinerary,
but New Zealand got hit really
bad a few weeks ago! Who knows what could happen?
But of course that is the adventure we have day to
day no matter where we are :-)
Ciao!
Saturday, February 26, 2011
Exciting Day!
Today is such an exciting day because I did 3 things for my world trip:
- I booked my hotel room in Baden-Baden, Germany for 2 nights in early August. That is a town renowned for its mineral springs & spas & wonderful scenery on the edge of the Black Forest. I am sure I will need a day of soaking in the springs after 6 days of busy travel & hiking & activity as I go from Florence, Italy, to the Swiss Alps, Salzburg & the Austrian Alps, then across southern Germany!
- I bought my Eurail Global Pass!!! That is big deal! It will get me all through Europe! Something I like about needing to get the global pass to do the amount of travel I will do, is that it is automatically 1st class travel. I think that means a bit more space & meals included. We shall see!
- I continued my exercise plan following my hand surgery: vigorous walks & pilates most days of the week. That way I will be strong & fit on my trip. I love to hike all over towns & cities & beaches & forests! I also continue my P.T. for the carpal tunnel & will do so for my thumb as soon as I get the pin out of it on Monday.
So excited today! I looked my itinerary over again too & got kind of tingly in my bones 'cause I know it is more and more REAL!
Friday, February 25, 2011
Around the Corner...
I am struck by how life can change suddenly in a moment. Just around the corner things can be so different than you thought they were going to be. It always amazes me that we limit our thinking. We were made to be creative people, so why not believe in wildly exciting possibilities and outcomes? Anything is possible. Even bad things can suddenly happen & be so very interesting: I had no idea that my hand would need surgery this year. The pain was not an issue for me. I have had plenty of that. But this infirmity has included a whole series of events that have taught me much about my own vulnerability and more about life, family & friends. I have learned to sink into a feeling of comfortable dependence. It's OK. I would have fought it at one time, but I accept it now. Something new.
I like being open to change. Even when it is scary. I must be ready for that on my world trip. So many things will go right and I will be astounded. Some things may go wrong. I will flex and accept and adapt. I will find help in unlikely places. I am more open to the possible than ever before. Surprising things, just round the corner.
I like being open to change. Even when it is scary. I must be ready for that on my world trip. So many things will go right and I will be astounded. Some things may go wrong. I will flex and accept and adapt. I will find help in unlikely places. I am more open to the possible than ever before. Surprising things, just round the corner.
Tuesday, February 22, 2011
Monday, February 21, 2011
Sunday, February 20, 2011
HE's GOT the WHOLE WORLD
- As we sang together, earnestly thanking God for being "Ruler of all nature," I saw a much bigger vision. I saw the whole world more as He must see it. Yes, He sees the wars & hate, but I KNOW He sees, all over the world, people singing to Him, walking around with joyful hearts because of the beauty of the Earth. Salted through the whole planet is the seasoning of happy, joyful people, caring for the planet, caring for each other, feeding each other, singing happy songs & smiling. I know God sees this & loves it.
- As I travel I will look for the good seasoning. Taste & see, the Lord is good!
If you get a chance, check out Dirt: The Movie. It is a fantastic film about protecting the thin film of soil that most life on our planet depends on. Maybe you will want to taste the soil!?
Wednesday, February 16, 2011
Tell you what-
I plan to heal beautifully, live life to the fullest & go around the world!
I am exercising my hand several times a day. The 4 fingers must be flexed and
extended to keep the tendons moving smoothly through the carpal tunnel during
healing. The thumb must remain stationary at all times! It is like rubbing your stomach & patting your head at the same time; try that, then try the fingers while keeping your thumb still! LOL
Monday I went to my Italian language class after a 2 week hiatus. I really enjoy it, but I was completely lost! Tuesday I went out to eat downtown with my son. FUN Tonight, Wednesday, I am going back downtown with a friend to the Triple Door to hear a John Denver tribute singer. Should be exhilirating! Hey- ain't gonna stop, ain't gonna quit-everybody ona move! lalala! Everybody lets move! (see Michel Franti post)
I am exercising my hand several times a day. The 4 fingers must be flexed and
extended to keep the tendons moving smoothly through the carpal tunnel during
healing. The thumb must remain stationary at all times! It is like rubbing your stomach & patting your head at the same time; try that, then try the fingers while keeping your thumb still! LOL
Monday I went to my Italian language class after a 2 week hiatus. I really enjoy it, but I was completely lost! Tuesday I went out to eat downtown with my son. FUN Tonight, Wednesday, I am going back downtown with a friend to the Triple Door to hear a John Denver tribute singer. Should be exhilirating! Hey- ain't gonna stop, ain't gonna quit-everybody ona move! lalala! Everybody lets move! (see Michel Franti post)
Saturday, February 12, 2011
what a difference!
It is so great that a day can make so much difference!
Fresh starts! The crocuses bloom so quickly!
My healing is so rapid!
Already off pains meds, even Tylenol & Advil.
Hour-long walk today made me believe again that the trip
is really do-able & will be fantastic.
Tuesday, February 8, 2011
Stranger in a Strange Land, or Inhabitant of a Gorgeous Planet?
- Start in New Zealand; Auckland & north end of the South Island (visit MacDonalds!) then head around the world to a bit of Asia then to Europe!
I tell you this to invite you! I am sure that by most news accounts the world at large can seem strange and terrifying. On the other hand, look around and you find beauty & hospitality everywhere, too! The differences are really intriguing. If you are planning a trip this summer that could possibly intersect with mine, please let me know. What fun it would be to share parts of the world with you! We will find we are not aliens! We will be woven into the community of the planet! So join me in real time + real space or via the blogs! Ciao!
Monday, February 7, 2011
My mother goes with me!
"He shall give His angels charge over you, to keep you in all your ways." Psalm 91:11
I was thinking of how scholars & artisans, the schooled & the unschooled alike have been comforted by this promise. Today I know that Holy healing is at work in my body, my hand & wrist. There is a time for each thing. Without surgery now, then I may have had a terrible crisis of pain on my world trip!
This last week I was reminded of one of the last things my mother said to me as I curled up next to her on one of the final days of her life: "Listen to your sisters and let them help you."
My mother was able to give such a gift. Of course she also meant for me to rely on my brother, but my sisters live close by. They were the ones who could be with me last week, like sparkly gifts sent from my Mom when I needed help & cheer!
My mother loved to travel, too. She has been a great inspiration for my trip planning. She went to Australia by herself when she had mobility trouble & loved it! She took a train to Indiana to see my brother, only to have to spend part of that visit in the hospital! She went to a grandaughter's wedding in Santiago very weak & with an oxygen tank, for goodness sakes! I know she is cheering me on & that she will be with me on this trip! When I write for you in this blog, remember I am first writing to her.
I was thinking of how scholars & artisans, the schooled & the unschooled alike have been comforted by this promise. Today I know that Holy healing is at work in my body, my hand & wrist. There is a time for each thing. Without surgery now, then I may have had a terrible crisis of pain on my world trip!
This last week I was reminded of one of the last things my mother said to me as I curled up next to her on one of the final days of her life: "Listen to your sisters and let them help you."
My mother was able to give such a gift. Of course she also meant for me to rely on my brother, but my sisters live close by. They were the ones who could be with me last week, like sparkly gifts sent from my Mom when I needed help & cheer!
Sunday, February 6, 2011
Saturday, February 5, 2011
The beginning: My much larger home
Looking upward & outward to my global home. But today I can be found in bed, still recuperating from thumb & wrist surgery. However, with the support of family & friends I am heading toward my real home, the whole globe! I am planning a round-the-world trip with delight & trepidation. I hope to share this with you as fellow travellers. I will gaze over my shoulder at you sometimes, to be reassured that the steps I take are good ones, knowing that you will generously provide support and challenge for the adventure. What Christopher Robin said to Pooh, “Promise me you'll always remember: You're braver than you believe, and stronger than you seem, and smarter than you think."
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)