So caught up in myself, and the stories my mind makes up for me. I am always entertained by the fantasy world in which I live. A few days ago I stopped and spoke to someone. Someone I have been resenting for a good few years. Someone in my space. But I was invited into a conversation with this person. And I stopped to listen. To hear the other side. Not my thoughts and beliefs and resentments. And I was surprised. There are good intentions. There are good points. It is not all about me. Others have their own stories too. And we have all been created. Souls for company.
Category personal
Punishment
The worst punishment I faced was being hit across my face by an adult man when I was nine turning ten. More than once. Being hit by a man in anger. With a temper. It instilled a fear in me that has never gone away. Even now, if a man displays aggression or temper, I cannot be in that person’s company. A man is physically stronger than a woman. Cold hard fact that we cannot physically defend ourselves. If a man wants to physically hurt a woman, he generally is able to.
Biking the Bridge
We biked the bridge! And while I was cycling across I thought this must surely be one of my life’s best moments! It is breathtakingly beautiful. When I was growing up in apartheid South Africa, the US was a faraway place. Only a place you see on television. Out of reach for many of us in an isolated country. And here I am, biking the bridge. #madeit
We celebrated with cherry pie. Because we ain’t had no cherry pie before!
The Other Side
Will see you on the other side. Or not! May be limited posts for the next couple of weeks, will share happy snaps if I get that far!
All the best, dear friends!
Until then 💝 keep well xo.
Growing Up
My son started high school today (not exactly sure of the term used elsewhere?). Here I am pictured with my baby boy who was at that time maybe 8 weeks old? Working in IT with all the stress and late nights that came with it, made new born babies seem like a walk in the park. And now he is in high school with a broken voice and taller than his mom. I’m not sure I’m ready for this next stage! Of assignments and exams and pressure and responsibility. I’ve been having flashbacks of my high school years in a convent. Are they good flashbacks, my son asked. Not the ones I’m getting, I had to admit! And life is dragging me along, ready or not.
Australia Day!
Today we woke up to Australia Day, the day to celebrate all things Australian. It also marks the end of the summer holidays with schools going back on Thursday. A moment for me to be quiet and recognize the blessings of being in a safe (as can be) country, and having a stable home and work environment. Not forgetting healthy children. We have been here eight years and Australia has been good to us.
Australian National Anthem
Australians all let us rejoice,
For we are young and free;
We’ve golden soil and wealth for toil;
Our home is girt by sea;
Our land abounds in nature’s gifts
Of beauty rich and rare;
In history’s page, let every stage
Advance Australia Fair.
In joyful strains then let us sing,
Advance Australia Fair.
Beneath our radiant Southern Cross
We’ll toil with hearts and hands;
To make this Commonwealth of ours
Renowned of all the lands;
For those who’ve come across the seas
We’ve boundless plains to share;
With courage let us all combine
To Advance Australia Fair.
In joyful strains then let us sing,
Advance Australia Fair.
Injury
I injured myself the other day. I tripped after crossing a road and could feel myself going down. Until bang! I collided with the ground. A huge chunk of flesh came out my foot. It is really painful, and is struggling to heal. Every night it forms a scab, and then in the morning I put on shoes for the day, the scab breaks, and I have a new wound all over again. Self-sabotage. In just the same way I self-sabotage my inner healing. I build up resistance, and then break it all down again. I lost myself somewhere along the way, and am still looking. Where am I? What happened to me?
I’m Not Pregnant!
Omigosh! In December last year on a very bad #mummyTummy day I climbed onto a crowded bus, and a very kind lady beckoned from the front seat and left her spot for me. Offering me the pregnant seat. I sheepishly sat down and said thank you. It felt too awkward to explain. And have been doing tummy crunches and Pilates ever since. Which have obviously had no effect as this afternoon (first day back at work) I was again fighting my way through the bus crowd. Until the very thoughtful conductor on duty said to me, Oh you’re pregnant, you can get on this bus if you like, I can ask someone to move for you. No, that’s okay, I quietly replied, I’ll wait for the next one.
styleBeGone!!
I Did It!
Two weeks ago I wrote an exam, and failed by two questions. I am fortunate enough to have an understanding manager who sponsored a retake for me. And today, two days before Christmas, I passed! Yay! Now I get my headspace back, head from out of a 500-page study guide.
It has been mentioned by two different people in the past week that I have tenacity. I have never used that word before. So it is a bit strange to hear it twice in one week. But I passed, and I am glad! And relieved 🙂
Oops
I’ve been studying for an exam the past few days. The pass mark is 70%, and I achieved 67.5%. Two questions short of a pass. Oh no!!
Poems and Petals 