breakthrough 12:51 am on Friday, August 31 2007

Billy the puppy officially knows what sit means - and he does it!

Progress. At last. Hoorah

another day 12:41 am on Friday, August 31 2007

Some of the best days are the simplest ones. Just being, sharing and letting the day go by. It is not always all about acheivement or goals or deadlines. Sometimes it is just about living, breathing, seeing and being.

I have had some beautiful days like that when all alone, but in a beautiful space or a tranquil space. Others I have had, that have been even more beautiful, have been in just the same scenario, but have been shared.

I see my life is like a piece of a jigsaw - I am but one piece. Piece by piece, and with trial and error, we fit together, and the picture that was always meant to be, reveals itself.

ceylon 12:26 am on Friday, August 31 2007

Sri Lanka was just awesome. It was a couple of months ago that we went there, and it feels all too long ago, but the memories are fresh and I will hold on to them for a long long time.

Getting away from it all was something of a dream and a goal just a year back. Even then it felt overdue. But by hook and by crook I did it! Which in itself is amazing, and inspiring for the future and encouraging on the days when it is gloomy.

The location - near Negombo, over the river, on the beach. Stunning. The people - faultless, generous, knowlegeable, kind. The weather - just right! The schedule - there was none, which in itself was perfect and as the days went by a truly beautiful experience unfolded.

We are so lucky over here in rainy hectic GB. We have such high class problems compared to the basic day to day challenges faced by so many. We are spoilt to death with luxuries, whereas so many have to fight for the basics. The generosity of so many of those people puts me to shame.

We bathed in sunshine, we bathed in the pool. We strolled along the boardwalk and we learnt about the culture and about the economy. We visited the elephant orphanage and we found out about the thousand and one uses of the coconut palm. We ate like kings and we enjoyed great company. We walked barefoot (well, I was barefoot, my feet were hot) amongst the botanical gardens, and admired our surroundings. We did yoga one morning, overlooking the indian ocean, and we experienced ayurvedic treats. We sat by the sea and watched the crashing waves, we watched the sun set and sat out on starry starry nights. We had, in every sense of the word, a holiday.

Ive got 400 photos to prove it!

On day 8, or 9, a long conversation unfolded with one member of staff. He works in the eco-office. There is alot of eco work going on there at Ranweli - preserving the environment, protecting it, developing it, nurturing it. We spoke of the tsunami and its effects all around Sri Lanka. Sure enough the west coast, where we were, was fortunate for it felt only the aftermath, the ripple effect, and not the full force. But this is all just relative. This kind man gave me a dvd to bring home, which is a record of exactly what those ripples did. I watched it recently, and wept. If my home, my friends and family were ever to experience even a hint of what those people went through, well, heaven only knows

Looking beyond - or aside from - all the ups and downs, the uncertainty and the doubt, many of us are actually fortunate beyond words.

I am not only grateful on behalf of me, that I got a hol; far more so I am grateful to Ranweli, for your beauty and kindness towards all creatures great and small.

taking the mick 1:30 pm on Friday, August 24 2007

Ive got the perfect catchphrase for a certain insurance company - it should catch-on because it is a well-known expression, succinct, and as I have found out it is highly, highly applicable.

Patience is a virtue

Sigh.

everybodys talking about it 1:18 pm on Friday, August 24 2007

Gossip? Drama? Excitement?

No. Okay, so it is not exactly headline news. Except that it is - The British Summer is hitting the front pages of the papers. The rain has been incessant and gotten very tedious, and for many this year has become an utter misery as they have lost homes, businesses, possessions. Some have lost lives.

There is a point that is sometimes forgotten, in our 21st century quick-fix society of technological breakthroughs, where we expect solutions to every problem, and protection from every danger.

The point is that Mother Nature is bigger than all of us put together. It wouldn't hurt to show this planet a little more respect.

fluidity 12:57 am on Friday, August 17 2007

One days events left me feeling bruised, and bullied. There had been good things in the day - cuppa with a friend, sunshine after the downpours, a walk to the lake, lengthy phone chat, to name but a few. But overriding all of the positives, I felt down-trodden for reasons that I will spare you.

The next day - today - so much changed. The events that went before did not disappear, but the way today unfolded I am reminded how nothing is set in stone, change happens all the time. Little things today have gone a long long way in reminding me I am loved and supported, I am not a victim I am a winner.

We are all winners in our own individual and unique ways. We all have our own unique experience of life, and of each today. And whilst many memories may be shared, each memory bank is exclusive to the holder. And whilst dark clouds can and do appear and sometimes you might feel crushed, hang on in there. Change happens. Promise.

3bt #10 1:20 am on Friday, August 17 2007

1. Imminent sleep.

2. She knows who she is, should she ever read this, she who highlighted what true friends are all about.

3. Dreaming.

holiday 1:08 am on Friday, August 17 2007

I had the most amazing holiday. I havent told you about it yet have I? I will, I truly will, it deserves a post.

puppy post 1:01 am on Friday, August 17 2007

Update on the Billy the boy. He is gorgeous. And I love him. He is a naughty so and so. And I scold him. And we have lots and lots of fun.

Next week puppy training classes start. I don't know who is more nervous.

Probably me.

3bt #9 8:19 am on Friday, August 10 2007

1. Contented house guests.

2. Anticipation of another trip to the seaside, another paddle in the sea.

3. I can hear the seagulls from here.

sound of silence 8:16 am on Friday, August 10 2007

I was going to remark on how peaceful and quiet the day is starting out as. The air is still, the puppy is basking in the morning sunshine and my four house guests are still sleeping.

There is an orchestra of birdsong to be heard through the open window, the boughs of the tree are rustling, and brown cows are mooing in high pitched brown cow tones. People are heading off for work or coming home from work or setting off for a long weekend away or going wherever they are going and the traffic sounds are audible in the distance. And still further away I can hear a tractor at poppinghole farm.

Peaceful, yes it is. Quiet, it most definitely is not.