Archive for 09/04/2009

Breaking Dawn by Stephenie Meyer

29/04/2009 Joh reading

Yes, I’ve finally finished the ‘Twilight’ series. If it weren’t for the enthusiasm of the young people I surround myself with, I don’t think I would have got to that happily ever after ending, it was. I really didn’t see how it was all going to turn out. I’m not going to spoil it and give it away. It all tied up quite nicely. I was quite pleasantly surprised to be happy with the outcome when it all seemed so grim and impossible to me.

I think at least one of the books was a waste of my time. It could have been trimmed, but having said that, I’m happy with the journey of the story and I have to admit I am partial to brevity in storytelling, just like meetings at work…. cut to the chase!

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The Year It All Happened by Catherine Bateson

26/04/2009 Joh reading

I got ‘The Year It All Happened’ from the local library where I am living now. I have enjoyed all Catherine Bateson’s books, but this is one of my favourites. I know these people and places. She brings characters to life for me, and people that I enjoy being with. She writes about people who experience feelings and get into scrapes despite loving and living life fully and creatively. She ever so gently exposes broken hearts and confused feelings and reveals relationships from all sides.

The form of this book is interesting too. The four central characters express themselves through free form poetry that reads like journal entries. It creates the effect of peeking into the lives of these entwined characters.

Her writing moves me. ‘Painted Love Letters’ is another of her books that brought tears to my eyes. I have recommended that book to a handful of girls at school and it is always out now! Some students read it over and over again. I was reading ‘The Year it all Happened’ in the library with students and I had a bit of a weep in certain parts. I think I was over identifying with the characters.

Andy introduced me to Catherine Bateson’s writing as he is a friend of hers. It was a true gift as I find her writing is always a treat to me and touches me emotionally. I love the language she uses and her descriptions are earthy and real for me.

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New Moon in Taurus – Saturday 25th April 2009

25/04/2009 Joh astrology

It’s a dark moon looming and I can certainly feel it tonight. It’s been building this week. Grrr… anyway… it’s good for taking some time out, which is what I’m up to. I’m reflecting on what I need to let go of.

This new moon in Taurus is good for financial goals. It’s about the caretaker stuff, what you are taking care of and includes the important things like loved ones, your self esteem as well as stuff. So that’s where I’m setting my goals this month, in the area of taking care.

I have reflected on my last months goals tonight also and I managed to achieve some of them. I’m pleased about that. It’s an early night for me tonight though I think, I’m looking forward to a fresh start of a new moon tomorrow.

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Driving to Work

22/04/2009 Joh music

My drive to work used to take about 5 minutes at most through the main street, a couple roundabouts and one set of traffic lights. It was a brief couple of moments to compose myself for my day and a quick transition from work to home at the end of the day.

Now I take 20 minutes to get to work. The drive is into the sun at both ends of the work day. I love it. That is a real chunk of time to think through the day ahead and let go of the day that’s been.

There are alternative routes. This morning I took the windy road as I had a little time up my sleeve. I don’t think it took much longer. It was a picturesque start to the day. The speed limit is 110 most of the way, so it’s enjoyable coasting along the road.

I listen to my music. I am making CD’s of my current favourites, knowing I will have the time to enjoy because of the drive. I have a lot of music that I don’t always have enough time to listen to. It’s lovely.

I also enjoy coming home to Darin. He makes me a coffee and we chat about our day. It’s better than I could believe.

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First Day Back Excursion

20/04/2009 Joh travel, work

Today we took some year 9 multimedia students to Melbourne for a workshop. They learnt about creating sound and images. The computer lab was great. They were beautifully behaved. I must say it was a gentle start to the term. I ate lunch by the Yarra in the sunshine.

 I must admit to feeling a little frustration about how engaged the kids were with those cool programs. The real annoyance for me is that we have some of the programs but our IT classes are just a strain at times. Things just don’t work so easily as they should. I learnt some more myself about both teaching and the technology, so it wasn’t all bad.

Tomorrow I am actually looking forward to getting back into my classes and catching up with the students again. Naturally I enjoy the holidays, but I feel well rested and ready to resume the routines of school life.

Driving the 30 minutes to and from school today was quite enjoyable. I got to listen to my favourite music and I think it will actually be a good space in my day for some reflection.

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What was the Hurry?

19/04/2009 Joh home, relationships

Co-habiting is often a rude shock in a relationship. I have no idea why I did it so quickly looking back on it all. Makes me feel like I was in a desperate, mad, rush or something. It was more like a perfect storm though. There were all these factors that made sense at the time. I have felt totally at ease with Darin from the minute I met him. I felt like I’d known him for years. I totally enjoy being around him. School holidays seemed like a good time to move. I’d already planned to move to my parents house about that time and rent my house out. He was moving to a new place and when we discussed it I really liked the idea.I’ve lived with people before and they had usually moved into my house.

That was pretty comfortable and easy for me looking back on it all. I always sensed though they never quite felt at home because I had already been living there and had ‘claimed the space’. So the chance for us both to move into a home together seemed like a smart move. It was weird though because I don’t own this house. It felt like a loss of power or control or something and I kept asking permission for each adjustment …. ‘Can I put that here?, Can I attach a full-length mirror to the bathroom door?’ Probably drove him crazy…. like men really care!

Naturally this kind of sudden change creates a lot of upheaval. Other changes to the plans such as Tom not leaving on his planned adventures due to other opportunities he wants to stick around for, meant it was not as I had envisioned it. I am glad now though. After visiting my old home with Tom living there as a trial for independent living in another state/country, I think it has provided us both with a baby step. I felt a bit of loss about not having Tom living with me, so I’m glad to be able to see him frequently, before he takes a bigger step. I also watched the housekeeping deteriorate to a scary level and then rise back up to better than I kept it myself most of the time. It was challenging not to nag about the mess as though it wasn’t his responsibility, or to not actually get in there and clean it up.

It has been a challenging school holidays for me in many ways, other issues have cropped up and at times I have really scratched my head and thought “What was I thinking?”. At the end of the day though I look at that strong, calm man and know I am beginning an adventure that I really want to have.

Here is a photo of the view from our outdoor space…. pretty sweet to me.house

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Eclipse by Stephenie Meyer

18/04/2009 Joh reading

One great thing about being without the Internet was that I got to read more. I am nearly finished the ‘Twilight’ series.

‘Eclipse’ like the previous two books was very long and in parts seemed to drag for me. I know many of the young people I teach think these books are just wonderful, but I find only parts of them good to be honest.  I am not the target market and Stephenie Meyer has certainly reignited an interest in reading that I haven’t seen since the Harry Potter books. I enjoyed them more though.

Having said that, I am curious enough to find out what the fate of Bella, Jake (who was always my preference, again contrary to the young people I know) and Edward will be to continue trudging through ’Breaking Dawn’. I think I prefer Jake because I hate the cold and I can’t imagine how someone whose skin felt like cold, hard stone could be remotely appealing.

I have some other books to read and I wonder if I am not making good use of my time by persevering at times.  

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Moving House over Easter

17/04/2009 Joh home, relationships

I don’t recommend moving house when there is a long weekend or worse still at Easter. It took extra long to get the internet connected. Dial up is simply frustrating and although it is embarrassing to admit it, I think I suffered from some kind of ‘fast internet access withdrawal’. I don’t think I even fully realised it until I had it back and felt a lot less stressed out about things.

The shopping was not pleasant either. It was too busy or closed. I am never a big fan of shopping. I found all those little things I’d forgotten, harder to get than I normally would. I realised I need to pay more attention to such things as open and closed times and days.

Where I have moved is much quieter than Traralgon. I can’t just stroll down the street in the evening and find some fast food for dinner. Things close early. It’s all very different. I have checked out the library though, and that is good. Not that I was short of books, it’s just comforting for me to know if I need a book, I will have access to one.

I love my new place. It’s smaller and cosier and since there is usually only half the people living in it to my previous home, it makes sense. Most of all the trees and the filtered light make it a serene space. There are lots of birds around and a paddock of cows (who are my favourite animals) close enough to hear mooing.  We have an outdoor space that gets the afternoon sun and I’ve spent literally hours sitting out there soaking up the autumn sun and enjoying long chats with Darin.

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Happy Easter

12/04/2009 Joh family, relationships

Easter is a quiet time for me these days. I like it though. My grown children receive a book and there isn’t a lot of chocolate around now. My daughter did provide a chocolate bunny which is lasting quite well :) . I watched Darin’s kids this morning search the backyard for those little glints of foil. It’s fun to have little ones around.

I am still without a decent internet connection in my new abode. All else is well though. My days last much longer without it!

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Full Moon in Libra – Friday 10th April 2009

09/04/2009 Joh astrology

I am on dial up internet so I haven’t had time to really blog much of late. There is a full moon early Friday morning in Australia. It is meant to be one of the nice ones. Check out the usual sites for more information.

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