At my local supermarket, a shopping trolley can only be used in exchange for a coin. I never bother because it is sometimes difficult to return when the shopping is done, and I’m wanting to get home. So I rather suffer in silence, buying only what can fit in a few bags that can be carried by hand. This morning I was waiting at the car park elevator, burdened with my heavy bags, bigger items wedged underneath my arms, ready to go. No trolley required! I felt a tap on my shoulder. A kind elderly couple said they have plenty of room, I can share their trolley. I attempted a polite decline, but they insisted. After the elevator came to a stop, the man said he will accompany me to my car. And helped pack the bags for me. All with a smile and good nature. A random act of kindness that really touched me.
Category prose
Oh, the Smell!
The plan was always to send my daughter to a girls-only school for high school. Now with my son in a mixed school, we are thinking of sending her there too. She spoke to me about it yesterday. Do I want her in a mixed school so she can find a boyfriend when she is older? I don’t think so, I told her. I want her to focus on her school-work, but the world is made up of males and females. So it is perhaps good for her to get used to boys now, instead of being separated until later. And good to get used to their smell, she replied.
Because they smell really bad, she clarified.
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?
Privileged
On my return to work earlier this week, I caught up with a colleague of mine. Without thinking, I mentioned that the first day back is never easy, but at least we have a job to go back to. He replied by asking me why would I say that? Say what? At least we have a job. Well, what if we didn’t have a job, then what? He pointed out that the unemployment rate in Sydney is very low and if one wants to work, there is work. I was brought up with scarcity. Money was scarce. School fees were high, and always needed to be paid. Every single month without fail! We never had enough. Constant fear of running out. Added to the fact that I have seen unemployment in South Africa, and what it can mean.
Good point I told him. We are privileged to live in a city where there is work if one desires to work.
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!!
Happy 2016!
Wishing you stars of love, friendship, and happiness.
Happy New Year!
Blessed
When my husband and I entered into a relationship, it was the most amazing feeling of arriving home! Gone was all my insecurities, and struggles of being alone. We started our relationship on a Sunday evening in 2001, and on the Monday I saw him at work. I had a string of failed relationships behind me and felt a bit cautious. I mentioned to him that he was welcome to visit me after work. He accepted and came over that evening. He stayed with me, keeping me company, not taking advantage of me. And every night after that he was there. Nine months later we were married. He has never made me doubt his love for me. He is calm where I am passionate. He is a carer by nature, caring for me, and for our children. Patient and kind. I was blessed the day he entered my life. And chose to stay.
Naivety
Sometimes I think nothing shocks me anymore. But I have just been shocked over something that is perhaps quite common. I’ve spent two weeks alternating between technical problems (which one do we choose today?) This has kept me at work until just before 7pm, a few minutes ago. And as I exited the building and passed the coffee shop at the entrance, there were signs stating a private party is being held. There were men standing around with drinks in their hand, and topless. half-dressed-as-Santa, ladies mingling amongst them. In my local coffee shop! My eyes nearly shot out my head. What! A well known waiter was at the entrance of the building, and I couldn’t help but express my reaction. How can these ladies do that? Entertain drinking men whilst wearing nothing? Making themselves an object? And he just shrugged his shoulders, men do it as well. I’m sure they do! Except I’ve never been across it, myself.
And as I walked towards the bus pondering this situation, I was reminded of all the problems I’ve been stuck on for the past two weeks, a situation which often defines my life. And an unwelcome thought popped into my head, surely prancing around naked would be an easier way to make money? I have to go home and think about issues I don’t know how to solve. One week before Christmas. And not only that, study for and re-sit an exam I failed by two questions last week. Yes, I’m totally the last person who should be judging others for their decisions.
Poems and Petals 