I am touched that my friend shared this with me...
TODAY
Today, I will delete from my journal two days: yesterday and tomorrow. Yesterday was to learn from and tomorrow... well that will be the consequence of what I can do today.
Today, I will face life with the sure knowledge that this day will never return
Today, is the last opportunity I have to live intensely, as no one can assume that I will see tomorrows sunrise
Today, I will be brave enough not to let any opportunity pass me by, my only alternative is to succeed
Today I will invest my most valuable resource, my time in the most transcendental work, my life
Today I will spend each minute passionately, to make today a different and unique day in my life
Today I will defy every obstacle that appears on my way, trusting I will succeed
Today, I will resist pessimism and will conquer the world with a smile and a positive attitude of always expecting the best
Today, I will make of every ordinary task a sublime expression
Today I will take the time to be happy and will leave my footprints and my presence in the hearts of others, not just in the sands of time
Today, I invite you to begin a new season where we can dream that everything we undertake is possible and we fulfil that dream with joy and dignity
Today, why not perform a random act of kindness...?
And if there are those that you love, tell them, you don't know when it might be your last opportunity
Tell them, as I have just done.... today.
Thursday, July 9, 2009
Kiwi pals
What a great day!
Old kiwi pals have come to stay - unfortunately due to sad circumtances, but it is lovely to see them. And so strange for them to be in Blighty!
We were all getting very excited about going to Asda, having curries and Englsh crisps. Then we got depressed at not being able to get decent coffee, and of course no surf. But, ah well - we all have to make sacrifices.
So tomorrow we are going to head out to the country (go bush) We are going to have a wee outing to Broughton, a beautiful market town with the best substitute Kiwi cafe we have found. Then its off to Swallows and Amazons country - better known as Coniston. Hopefully the weather will be fine so we can have a little paddle.
Seeing my pals has raised the big question - 'have we done the right thing, coming back?' There is no right answer. We have done the right thing now.
And thats probably the best answer.
Old kiwi pals have come to stay - unfortunately due to sad circumtances, but it is lovely to see them. And so strange for them to be in Blighty!
We were all getting very excited about going to Asda, having curries and Englsh crisps. Then we got depressed at not being able to get decent coffee, and of course no surf. But, ah well - we all have to make sacrifices.
So tomorrow we are going to head out to the country (go bush) We are going to have a wee outing to Broughton, a beautiful market town with the best substitute Kiwi cafe we have found. Then its off to Swallows and Amazons country - better known as Coniston. Hopefully the weather will be fine so we can have a little paddle.
Seeing my pals has raised the big question - 'have we done the right thing, coming back?' There is no right answer. We have done the right thing now.
And thats probably the best answer.
Wednesday, July 8, 2009
I'm back in the world of blogging
I took a recent sabatical from blogging.
Firstly I was doing the hippie thing in a camper in Aus, then I moved back to England, and I didn't think it was 'the done thing.'
However, I missed it. Not that I really got into it. I kept on following other bloggers and wished I had the creativity to carry on.
So I decided tonight to really go for it.
I am not currently 'working' in the paid sense, although am discovering the hardest job in the world is also the most rewarding/fascinating/fun... So this can be my intellectual outlet of sorts. Thats the plan anyway.
Watch this space...
Firstly I was doing the hippie thing in a camper in Aus, then I moved back to England, and I didn't think it was 'the done thing.'
However, I missed it. Not that I really got into it. I kept on following other bloggers and wished I had the creativity to carry on.
So I decided tonight to really go for it.
I am not currently 'working' in the paid sense, although am discovering the hardest job in the world is also the most rewarding/fascinating/fun... So this can be my intellectual outlet of sorts. Thats the plan anyway.
Watch this space...
Friday, September 19, 2008
Milk, toxic chemicals and consumer choice gone mad.
I have been so stressed out recently.
Firstly the Chinese Baby milk situation has totally freaked me out, and I am so thankful that I have stuck with the breastfeeding (for so many reasons)
Secondly, I have just discovered the atrocity that is BPA. How I never knew about this, I don't know. There is a chemical in baby bottles (amongst other things) that is immensely toxic to humans, causing disturbances in hormones and increasing chances of diabetes and cancer.
Thirdly, I went to the supermarket to buy some milk last week and could not believe the choice. I normally buy from the organic store, but I was after hours so had to go to the "pretend market" (the type where all the apples are the same shape, size and colour, but don't actually smell like apples). Why is there a whole aisle dedicated to milk? Blue top, yellow top, pale blue top, red top, mans milk, extra calcium, calcitrim, protein enriched, energy milk, womans diet milk... not to mention the flavoured soy, rice and almond milks. I remember when my milk was delivered in the morning by the milkman, in a bottle with a silver top - totally ecofriendly as it was easily recycled, it was local ( I could see the cows that it came from out of my bedroom window), and my milkman drove an electric van. I just don't get it?
I am too tired to lead a great debate on this subject... but need to get it off my chest. You see, I just don't get it.
Firstly the Chinese Baby milk situation has totally freaked me out, and I am so thankful that I have stuck with the breastfeeding (for so many reasons)
Secondly, I have just discovered the atrocity that is BPA. How I never knew about this, I don't know. There is a chemical in baby bottles (amongst other things) that is immensely toxic to humans, causing disturbances in hormones and increasing chances of diabetes and cancer.
Thirdly, I went to the supermarket to buy some milk last week and could not believe the choice. I normally buy from the organic store, but I was after hours so had to go to the "pretend market" (the type where all the apples are the same shape, size and colour, but don't actually smell like apples). Why is there a whole aisle dedicated to milk? Blue top, yellow top, pale blue top, red top, mans milk, extra calcium, calcitrim, protein enriched, energy milk, womans diet milk... not to mention the flavoured soy, rice and almond milks. I remember when my milk was delivered in the morning by the milkman, in a bottle with a silver top - totally ecofriendly as it was easily recycled, it was local ( I could see the cows that it came from out of my bedroom window), and my milkman drove an electric van. I just don't get it?
I am too tired to lead a great debate on this subject... but need to get it off my chest. You see, I just don't get it.
Monday, August 25, 2008
The great unknown...
Well, the house has sold!
So, there is definitely no going back now.
Settlement date is 10 October, and we depart the land of the long white cloud on 11 October - heading to Brisbane. The plan is to have 6 weeks in Australia slowly making our way from Brisbane to Sydney in a camper van (with a 5 1/2 month old baby? - yes, thats right!) We are getting excited, but at the same time I feel sick, nervous, confused, scared, sad.. is it possible to feel all those things at once? Of course it is - I am a woman.
NZ has been fabulous to me. I am eternally grateful for the opportunities and experiences I have had here. I have surfed, hiked, off roaded, SCUBA-d...eaten scallops caught fresh 2 minutes ago, caught and cooked my own snapper, grown delicious veggies and made beautiful pasta.
I have fallen in love again and again with my adventurous hubby who never ceases to amaze me - he is the most caring person in the world and I am so proud to have him as a best friend. And of course, NZ has given me my gorgeous wee girl.
Career wise, I would never had had the opportunities in UK that I have had here. Who would have imagined that when I left school with no idea of what to do, that I would end up being a bank manager...? A manager that broke the rules injecting creativity and care into the mundane world of finance. While other managers focussed on stats in their Monday meetings, I ran riot creating "service murals," "brand portraits," and watching Timon and Pumba. And it paid off (phew!)
NZ has been a grand adventure to us. We have made it work by truly "living for the moment." We used the FISH philosophy and have had fun everyday. If it wasn't fun, we changed it. If we couldn't control it we didn't worry about it. The plan is to continue like this in UK.... I can't help but worry about how this may go down. Will we be eventually 'voted off the island"? The big brother culture over there may not be able to cope with 3 born again free spirits.
My greatest fear is that we conform to the norm. Especially when it comes to raising Maya. In NZ it is fine to be a barefooted, baby wearing, breast feeding mother. I am what I consider to be a "balanced attached parent." Will this attitude be frowned on? Will I be told to wean? Will I be made to feel like I am spoiling my girl?
Remember, Kiwi, no one can make you feel anything, unless you give them your permission! I must be staunch, stand tall and ride on the wave of my mana (that's maori for power). I must envision the haka if I start to "feel" something other than ok. I must remember that although I am a Brit (and a proud one at that) I have had 6 years developing my kiwi spirit. No one can take that away from me.
So, there is definitely no going back now.
Settlement date is 10 October, and we depart the land of the long white cloud on 11 October - heading to Brisbane. The plan is to have 6 weeks in Australia slowly making our way from Brisbane to Sydney in a camper van (with a 5 1/2 month old baby? - yes, thats right!) We are getting excited, but at the same time I feel sick, nervous, confused, scared, sad.. is it possible to feel all those things at once? Of course it is - I am a woman.
NZ has been fabulous to me. I am eternally grateful for the opportunities and experiences I have had here. I have surfed, hiked, off roaded, SCUBA-d...eaten scallops caught fresh 2 minutes ago, caught and cooked my own snapper, grown delicious veggies and made beautiful pasta.
I have fallen in love again and again with my adventurous hubby who never ceases to amaze me - he is the most caring person in the world and I am so proud to have him as a best friend. And of course, NZ has given me my gorgeous wee girl.
Career wise, I would never had had the opportunities in UK that I have had here. Who would have imagined that when I left school with no idea of what to do, that I would end up being a bank manager...? A manager that broke the rules injecting creativity and care into the mundane world of finance. While other managers focussed on stats in their Monday meetings, I ran riot creating "service murals," "brand portraits," and watching Timon and Pumba. And it paid off (phew!)
NZ has been a grand adventure to us. We have made it work by truly "living for the moment." We used the FISH philosophy and have had fun everyday. If it wasn't fun, we changed it. If we couldn't control it we didn't worry about it. The plan is to continue like this in UK.... I can't help but worry about how this may go down. Will we be eventually 'voted off the island"? The big brother culture over there may not be able to cope with 3 born again free spirits.
My greatest fear is that we conform to the norm. Especially when it comes to raising Maya. In NZ it is fine to be a barefooted, baby wearing, breast feeding mother. I am what I consider to be a "balanced attached parent." Will this attitude be frowned on? Will I be told to wean? Will I be made to feel like I am spoiling my girl?
Remember, Kiwi, no one can make you feel anything, unless you give them your permission! I must be staunch, stand tall and ride on the wave of my mana (that's maori for power). I must envision the haka if I start to "feel" something other than ok. I must remember that although I am a Brit (and a proud one at that) I have had 6 years developing my kiwi spirit. No one can take that away from me.
Wednesday, August 20, 2008
Chocolate Therapy
Last week we went "over the hill" to the Wairarapa Valley (look for Martinborough wines in the supermarket - Savs and Pinots). There is a lovely town there called Greytown - French influences for some reason, and lots of lovely antique shops. My favourite shop of all is Schoc - the chocolate therapy shop. They make delicious chocolate in all kinds of delicious flavours. The best part is that you can try before you buy - which we made the most of!
I would have loaded pictures of what we bought, however I ate it all too quickly!
However, here is the lovely logo so you can recognise it if ever you see it
I would have loaded pictures of what we bought, however I ate it all too quickly!
However, here is the lovely logo so you can recognise it if ever you see it
We bought: Lime and Chilli, Seasalt (which is divine with champagne), 75%, Earl Grey and White chocolate with Cardamon (my favourite).
I am wondering how I will survive back in Blighty without this type of therapy....cadburys just won't cut it anymore!
Wednesday, August 6, 2008
Mamma Mia
Maya and I attended the Mums and Bubs session of Mamma Mia at the movies today, and I have to say that it was fabulously cheesy, and I loved it!
However, there is a song toward the end that I have never heard before called "Slipping through my fingers" Its a mother singing about her daughter growing up, and how she feels she is losing her... well, you can imagine - I cried my eyes out. Poor wee Maya must have thought I had lost the plot. It moved me enough to dash out and immediately purchase the CD, and I have been playing it all afternoon.
I think I will have to retire to bed now - I am red eyed and emotionally fraught. Oh dear, my girl is only 3 months old - how will I actually cope on her first day at school/graduation/18th/wedding...?
However, there is a song toward the end that I have never heard before called "Slipping through my fingers" Its a mother singing about her daughter growing up, and how she feels she is losing her... well, you can imagine - I cried my eyes out. Poor wee Maya must have thought I had lost the plot. It moved me enough to dash out and immediately purchase the CD, and I have been playing it all afternoon.
I think I will have to retire to bed now - I am red eyed and emotionally fraught. Oh dear, my girl is only 3 months old - how will I actually cope on her first day at school/graduation/18th/wedding...?
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