Archive for 20/07/2008

Eclipse Pondering

31/07/2008 Joh astrology, gratitude, relationships

I’ve realised through all my reading about the upcoming eclipse and past eclipses, that although sometimes it is sudden and a bit upsetting at the time, the changes they have brought have been improvements. In hindsight (such a benefit) each one has made my life change, yet for the better. I don’t think I have ever been happier in my life than I am now.

I felt grateful for my life before, and I was, yet you sometimes don’t know what’s missing until it returns. I have such a sense of freedom in my life lately. My children are really independent and self sufficient and being single gives me the absolute freedom to choose all the time. I love being in relationship and have been most of my life (just not with the same person!).

I lived for a year in my early 20s in Melbourne in a one bedroom flat on my own and I often remember that year as being a really happy time in my life. I wouldn’t have chosen to be single, but now that I’m here, I’m not in a hurry to get into a full on relationship again. I have great friends and family and lots of things to do and involve myself in. More than enough. I love my work. I have the occasional night out with a person who I really adore. It’s a perfect balance for me right now.

If you are feeling angsty about the upcoming eclipse, read today’s Aquarius Papers Post and get some good perspective. It’s what led me to reflect more fully on my experience of the eclipses. Of course I am curious about what could change this eclipse, I’m not stressed or fatalistic about it. I don’t see astrology like that. I think we have more power in our lives than that.

Popularity: 8% [?]

3 comments , , , ,

Solar Eclipse/New Moon in Leo – Friday August 1st 2008

30/07/2008 Joh astrology

I read on Yasmin Boland’s weekly horoscope(link below) today:

“Remember that doors which slam shut at the time of an eclipse rarely open up again.”

I remembered the eclipses that occured around this time last year with a bit of flash and realised that I didn’t take that advice on board for a while and I struggled with the changes that came on me last August for months to come. There were things that were quite obvious in the way they were heading such as my pa’s illness and Andy’s departure from my home, but I refused to see or accept them until they were on top of me. I hope this eclipse is not so dramatic for me! The February one wasn’t quite as intense earlier this year, although it did have it’s challenges.

I am quite tired tonight. We farewelled the Mexican’s last night with a music festival at school that went for over 5 hours and then some light partying afterward. Well light for me, as I excused myself shortly before midnight…. other members of the party made a marathon out of it! I need to get my home and my thoughts in order now as all this coming and going of the last week or so has created a little chaos. It’s been a lovely experience though, and well worth the time and energy spent. I learnt a lot about Mexico. I want to go there, it sounds great.  

How do you like your astrology?

If you just want to know how it could impact on your particular sign, I would recommend you check out Yasmin Boland’s weekly horoscope, or any horoscope from your favourite astrologer. I expect they will all be discussing this week and next the changes occuring due to this eclipse.

The Aquarius Papers  contains a big picture, technical overview containing links and connections with the many other astrological patterns and past eclipse effects.

If you like a reflection on this current astrological weather Lynda Hills Sabian Symbols and my regular favourite This New Moon will both fit that bill as well as containing more information about the details of what is occuring in the sky.

 Stay peaceful!

Popularity: 11% [?]

3 comments , , , , , ,

The Snow with Mexicans

28/07/2008 Joh friends, learn

Mt Baw Baw July 2008My friend Rhonda has a couple of students from Mexico staying for a few days. She called today to say they were going to the beach for the afternoon and inviting me along. I love the beach all year round so I readily accepted the invitation casting housework and other mundane chores aside, without a thought. Then they called back and changed the excursion to Mt Baw Baw. This wasn’t quite the same for me with my aversion to cold, but hey….

We had a fabulous day! The two Mexican’s lads were great. We didn’t get up there till the afternoon so opted to toboggan instead of skiing, which I haven’t done for years….. well since I started learning to ski.  It was a hoot! Two of the people in the group had never experienced the snow before. It was falling very gently when we were there.

The new road I mentioned earlier in the week makes it much easier to access Baw Baw from the Valley and I expect we will head up there for a weekend soon to have a ski. I’m so pleased because I have been reluctant to go up there after having a few drives home, tired from skiing and wishing I didn’t have to drive.

We had a great dinner together tonight and exchanged a few customs, listened to some great Mexican music, cleared up a few assumptions we had about each others countries and laughed a lot.

Popularity: 12% [?]

2 comments , , , , , ,

MIFF: Kate Bush Under Review

26/07/2008 Joh music

Last night after work I headed to the city to see the film ‘Kate Bush Under Reveiw”, which I discovered last weekend whilst browsing what was offered at the Melbourne International Film Festival. I loved Kate Bush from the first time I saw ‘Wuthering Heights’ and have purchased every album she released as soon as possible. I’ve found few friends who have enjoyed her as I have, but as one of the Kate Bush commentators said last night, her music is really personal and probably not something you would sit around and enjoy with friends. I think she is an amazing creative person, who has focussed on her art and expression and I just love the experience of listening to her music.

I’ll review the documentary on ‘Falling Brick’. I want to comment here, how annoying I found the audience. I think the control freaky teacher in me was rising throughout the evening. I had to fight the urge to stand up, turn around and ask them all to leave and meet me in my office at lunchtime. The inappropriate laughter everytime the words sexual or sensual were mentioned, was what I would expect from 15 year 0ld students. I wonder if they had any idea about what they were coming to see and just couldn’t get tickets for the footy or what? It irritated me no end. The giggles became infectious and the collective group of fools began laughing about all kinds of trivial things. What were they expecting? I felt embarassed to be amongst them.

I enjoyed the documentary style film. I was familiar with the time periods and have purchased the DVD from Amazon this morning so I can enjoy it in peace. There were some interesting comments and reflections made that I would like to hear, without kidlike cackling. I think I am becoming anti-social.

It is going to show again in Melbourne so if you are a fan, check it out here. If not, find something else to amuse yourself with. Grrr

Popularity: 11% [?]

7 comments , , , , , , ,

Brother César Henriques visited today

24/07/2008 Joh learn, work

Brother César Henriques, a Marist Brother, who works at the UN advocating for the rights of children, spoke to our year 9s today. He asked as many questions as he answered, which was really refreshing. The students all spoke positively about the time they spent with him. When he was in the staff room having morning tea, he circulated through the entire staff. I was quite impressed, as often when visitors come to school, they stick with the leadership people. He was very open and warm. He was genuinely interested in others.

I learnt from the questions he asked our students also. Few of them knew very much about human rights. I think this is something we need to address. Many of them didn’t know what the United Nations was about. I was surprised and will ensure I discuss this in the next few weeks.

It’s always inspiring when you meet people who demonstrate leadership in their behaviour before they even address you.

Popularity: 8% [?]

One comment , , , ,

Oxygen by Willy Mason

23/07/2008 Joh music

I just love the lyrics of this song. My son agrees but reckons the beat is a little repetitive “Feels like I’m getting verbally ear bashed”. I don’t mind the sound myself.

I went to the supermarket after work and bumped into a number of people. One of the teachers I saw had very positive things to say about Tom. After last weeks upsets, it was reassuring to know that some people at his school, see him as I do. I acknowledge how biased I am about him. I find him a pleasure to have in my life, as well as highly amusing and entertaining.

I am in a very cheery mood tonight. There are so many things happening in the next couple of weeks that I am looking forward to that I have to really pace myself!
 

Popularity: 6% [?]

One comment , , ,

Snow at Mt Baw Baw

22/07/2008 Joh friends

I’m not surprised to hear there is snow at Baw Baw. It’s been so freezing here lately. We’ve just had one of Tom’s mates relate to us his amazing day of snowboarding with his brother. Apparently there is a new road that connects from Rawson to Baw Baw (south face road)as well, so that could be worth checking out. I didn’t get to the snow last year. If you want more information about it the Mount Baw Baw website.

On my facebook today, in the updates, one of my friends mentioned sunburn and the other snowboarding. It’s funny to think the other half of the world is enjoying summer whilst I try to keep myself warm with extra blankets and so forth. Today I was much warmer as I wore an extra couple of layers.

Popularity: 6% [?]

2 comments ,

Finishing Annoying Stuff

21/07/2008 Joh learn, reading

Tonight I have finished up all the things I had intended to get done this weekend! So I’m feeling pretty pleased with myself about that. I even did my tax. I don’t know why I put it off…. took less than an hour. It’s so simple now with all the rollover stuff and other boring things to do with my record-keeping. I record every cent I spend in Microsoft Money. I have been doing it for years. I used to have a lot of cash flow problems when I was first divorced. It rarely happens now, but I still find it interesting to know where it all goes. Must be that Capricorn stuff coming out in me. It does clash with the Sagittarian part a bit though, that just throws it around.

It is freezing here. Extra blankets on the bed tonight! Last night it took ages to get warm in bed. I didn’t get enough sleep…. made me grumpy with the kids in my first class. I think they were in a similar state of cold/Monday morning shock. They couldn’t get thinking very well and I found that intensely frustrating. In hindsight though I think the activity I chose was a little too high level thinking for a Monday morning. They couldn’t seem to even understand the question, let alone get to the answer. All these little puzzled faces staring back at me…. way too much for a Monday morning. Note to self: timing is everything.

In a meeting at work I recalled a book I read years ago The Abilene Paradox by Jerry Harvey. Sometimes it seems to me that because we don’t have enough time to think things through properly, we just all head off somewhere, randomly and expediently suggested. I am finding that one of the most frustrating parts of being in a leadership position at school. I want to be a team player, but it seems we are frequently adding more layers of systems and procedures. I would prefer to be finding ways to do more with less to solve our problems. I hate to be the voice of negativity though, when someone comes up with yet another great idea. It’s just impossible to keep it all going though some days.

Popularity: 9% [?]

2 comments , , , , , ,

Cool Change

21/07/2008 Joh home

Harsh, cold and grey weather does nothing for my ability to get things done. Although I had much less to get through today, I only got half of it done! In Chinese astrology I am a Snake. I can’t move unless I am warm. I was not warm.

I didn’t complete my tax return. This is not like me. I usually get it done in the first week of July. I do it using the software and get the return within 2 weeks. It’s all pretty simple and straightforward really. I am not interested though. I am interested in the money, so I expect that will be my next mission, hopefully one night this week if I come home with some residual energy.

So what did I do? I checked out the Melbourne International Film Festival program today and spent a while going through and selecting what I wanted to see. There’s plenty on offer. I had all last night’s party goers collect their vehicles from my house. I also had a long, warm, bath after I exercised. I have finally got back to the level of fitness I was before the holidays. I skipped too many days and found I had lost a bit. I had a long and fun talk on the phone to my daughter and then on loudspeaker to her entire household. She is so funny, even though she woke me from a sleep in, I didn’t mind cause I started the day laughing.

Popularity: 9% [?]

3 comments , , , , ,

Productivity At Last!

20/07/2008 Joh blogging, friends, home, music

I didn’t get out of bed until late, yet have managed to totally clean my home today. I lay in bed this morning trying to find excuses why I didn’t have to do housework. I have been quite lazy about it lately. I didn’t give my home a thorough clean during the holidays and I felt like it was overwhelming. So I just decided it didn’t matter and got up and it was sunny. The sunshine made it feel like spring. When I went outside I noticed the tulips Andy planted a couple of years ago have started to break through the ground. So I cleaned. All afternoon, I dusted, vacuumed and washed and wiped. Then I picked some jonquils from my garden and put them in a jar and my house was lovely.

award from FrogdancerOh and I got this award! Thanks for that Frogdancer – I’ll make it fit the decor! I have to give it to 7 people apparently. Frogdancer made a very eloquent statement about why she awarded it and I found it very touching. I am kind of pushed for time tonight though, so I’ll just say I’m giving this award to top commenters who have given me so much joy: Jean Burman, Our Great Southern Land, Drowsy Monkey, Reading Circles, Planning Queen, Why Bother, Daily Frippery…. thanks lovely people.

 Now, I’m not sure how long my home will stay in this great state because I now have a house full of young people having drinks before going out for the evening. They are celebrating the departure from school of one of their group. I’m happy for Meagz because she doesn’t enjoy school and it’s clearly not for everyone. She’s a very creative young woman and I’m sure she’ll learn more at TAFE and enjoy it. I’m trusting that it will be restored to order before I rise in the morning! They are currently ‘cutting a rug’ to some very interesting mixes. Lots of laughs though! I’ll miss these kids next year. I won’t miss the chanting though…

Popularity: 8% [?]

5 comments , , , ,
« Older Entries