Friday 14 December 2012
Monday 19 November 2012
Wednesday 7 November 2012
Day in the Life
Browse. Come Home. Cough. Dance. Dream. Drink. Eat. Email. Fall Asleep. Give. Go Out. Phone. Play. Receive. Run. Shop. Sit. Sneeze. Stand. Stroll. Talk. Wake Up. Walk. Work.
Do Wordsearches.
Do Wordsearches.
Sunday 23 September 2012
"I want to be a nuurse or a teacha."
"Oh
I can just see you with the red pen - do you remember Jo - its almost
Freudian that Emily is now the teacher and Jo is the perpetual pupil"
Mum, reminding me of our childhood games - me, the teacher with the essential red pen, checking my homemade school books and inputing the scores in my homemade registers (I was very serious about playing 'schools') and Joanna and her friends always the students. Now I am in Thailand doing exactly that (except the student lists are real) and Joanna is starting her 18th (and possibly not final) year in education.
***
In a video of me when I was around four years old sitting in a chair in my Grandmother's living room, I declare in my strange but cute Scottish influenced English accent that "I want to be a nuurse or a teacha".
Maybe there is something in the innocence of a child's wishes that makes them smarter than the 20-something year old trying to decide what to do with their life...and maybe thinking a little too hard about it.
Mum, reminding me of our childhood games - me, the teacher with the essential red pen, checking my homemade school books and inputing the scores in my homemade registers (I was very serious about playing 'schools') and Joanna and her friends always the students. Now I am in Thailand doing exactly that (except the student lists are real) and Joanna is starting her 18th (and possibly not final) year in education.
***
In a video of me when I was around four years old sitting in a chair in my Grandmother's living room, I declare in my strange but cute Scottish influenced English accent that "I want to be a nuurse or a teacha".
Maybe there is something in the innocence of a child's wishes that makes them smarter than the 20-something year old trying to decide what to do with their life...and maybe thinking a little too hard about it.
Friday 21 September 2012
Desert Island Discs: "When David Heard" - Eric Whitacre
"When David heard that Absalom was slain,
he went up into his chamber over the gate and wept,
and thus he said;
My son, my son,
O Absalom my son,
would God I had died for thee!"
I first heard about this piece because my sister was involved in a concert in which it was performed. During the performance of this song members of the choir began to cry.
*Between 7:30-9 minutes into the song, one of the most emotive pieces of music I have ever heard.
Monday 20 August 2012
Sensation Thailand
Experienced the 'sensation' that was 'Sensation' on Saturday and I must admit it wasn't as sensational as I had imagined, granted seeing thousands of people all wearing white was always going to be amazing and the dancers and costumes were certainly dramatic but I guess it just wasn't as spectacular as I had envisioned. But definitely still worth it, I had a great night. Highlight: 'O fortuna' in the middle of some hardcore dance beats.
Wednesday 25 July 2012
Wednesday 4 July 2012
Monday 2 July 2012
Thailand thus far
 |
| Assembly at Joseph Upatham Girls School |
Some things I've experienced so far:
1000 girls playing Simon says at morning assembly.
Walking passed 30 elephants on the way to school.
Lovely girls in my class kneeling in front of me and giving me flowers.
Roti.
Hundreds of people stopping for the National Anthem on an extremely busy overpass.
Four people motorcycle ride - David, Me, motorcycle taxi driver, motorcycle taxi drivers' grandson.
A pink VW camper as a cocktail bar.
A lady on a very busy bus offering to hold my (very heavy) bag on her knee so I didn't have to put it on the floor while standing in the narrow aisle.
Thursday 21 June 2012
Wan Wai Kru
Wan Wai Kru is Teacher Appreciation day. On a Thursday at the beginning of the school year all schools in Thailand hold a ceremony for the teachers in which the students recite a chant which expresses respect for, and gratitude to the teachers and asks for the teachers blessing of their studies. The students also give beautiful flower arrangements to their teachers and sing songs.
Wednesday 13 June 2012
Agape in New York
Agape in New York
By Gerard Rochford
On a snowman's belly,
seen before only in books,
Slindile draws a map of the world:
Here's New York and Africa is there,
where everyone is dying – fathers, mothers,
brothers, sisters, friends.
Her brown eyes are lost
in the past of her mother’s smile.
Weeks ago in her home,
Slindile washed and combed her hair
for the visit of a pop-star she’s shyly in love with;
then travelled with her choir to New York,
sang to the gold and diamond gliterazzi,
starred for a night with an American legend,
then flew back to the darkness, singing still.
I live in a home for beautiful children,
her face shines,
children with no parents.
Now she is sad.
I want to be a nurse.
Again she shines.
' We Are Together' (Thina Simunye) is a documentary about the South African orphanage 'Agape'. Children who live there lost their parents to AIDS. The children formed a choir. They visited New York in winter to raise money. Paul Simon sang unobtrusively with them.
Tuesday 12 June 2012
Visual DNA
You're a Striver. Confident and sociable, you're a really good listener
too and are generous with your time when it comes to helping others.
Your friends know where to come if they want some really good advice.You
have tons of infectious energy and lots of natural enthusiasm. You tend
to be committed when it comes to achieving your goals in life. You set
high standards for yourself and others and like to keep your eye on the
prize. Resourcefulness is definitely one of your finest strengths. When
you get excited about something, you have the confidence and passion to
inspire all those around you.You're a natural achiever so it's no
surprise that things in your life just seem to click into place. You
definitely have the right idea. Positive mental attitude all the way!You
have a healthy approach to life. Having a regular spiritual practice
that gives you a sense of inner peace is one of your priorities.
Allowing yourself that kind of time for reflection will have a positive
effect.Life's all about options. Allow yourself to be excited by
possibility and potential. Try not to push to know the answer all the
time. There will be lots of twists and turns in life. Rather than
wishing away the journey, try to live in the moment and enjoy every bump
in the road! Challenge yourself to try new experiences and live life to
the fullest. Remember that you can't be upbeat and outgoing 100 percent
of the time. It's okay to tune out and look inward every now and again.
In fact, we encourage it!Reconnecting with nature is a necessity, not a
luxury, for you. There's no better way to get the boost you need than
to spend some time out in the fresh air.. Your spirit sings when you
feel the sun on your face. Be sure to allow yourself that quiet time as
often as you can.
my results: http://personality.visualdna.com/attempts/792743bb-7e3d-4740-83c7-148a4542a1fc/feedback
get yours:
http://visualdna.com/
my results: http://personality.visualdna.com/attempts/792743bb-7e3d-4740-83c7-148a4542a1fc/feedback
get yours:
http://visualdna.com/
Monday 11 June 2012
Sunday 10 June 2012
Tuesday 17 April 2012
Thursday 15 March 2012
Thursday 8 March 2012
Dance training
"Dance training is a design for living. Dance teaches you how to live."
Fleur Darkin, Fleur Darkin Company Website
Fleur Darkin, Fleur Darkin Company Website
Wednesday 22 February 2012
Four Legged Meditation
There is a quiet I know when I am alone at night, or in the bath, or riding my bike, or walking in the woods. A clear and careful quiet when everything starts to make sense.
My parents have a dog called Jack. He lives with them after I moved out. He is mostly happy. Other than the normal things like eating and sleeping, he likes to walk. I would say walking is his favourite thing to do.
We would often walk together. In the rain in muddy woods. In the sun through wheat fields. In the cold winter on the beach. I lived by the seaside, and there are a lot of places to walk, often without seeing another person the whole time.
We would get into our stride. We would have our thoughts and we would walk. When I walk without Jack the dog I walk badly. I am concerned about the destination. With Jack the dog the walking is the point. We arrive at our destination before we come full circle.
Jack the dog is unassuming. He is a little Buddha. He is a little rock. Always there but never passing comment. Taking in, appreciating, contemplating the world, getting stronger from within.
Jack the dog lives in the now. Each thing has his absolute attention for the moment it's in his line of sight. Jack the dog notices each thing anew, things I am apt to overlook from familiarity.
For all Jack the dog's humbleness and his quiet appreciation he can sometimes break into a run, when perhaps he is overcome by clarity, happy to be alive he is galloping through the pines.
This is the simplicity I am always looking for. When you are really free, when clarity gives heed and there is nothing but you and the world, then you are, without destination, Jack the dog bounding through the fields.
By Rob Hodgson
From Oh Comely magazine
My parents have a dog called Jack. He lives with them after I moved out. He is mostly happy. Other than the normal things like eating and sleeping, he likes to walk. I would say walking is his favourite thing to do.
We would often walk together. In the rain in muddy woods. In the sun through wheat fields. In the cold winter on the beach. I lived by the seaside, and there are a lot of places to walk, often without seeing another person the whole time.
We would get into our stride. We would have our thoughts and we would walk. When I walk without Jack the dog I walk badly. I am concerned about the destination. With Jack the dog the walking is the point. We arrive at our destination before we come full circle.
Jack the dog is unassuming. He is a little Buddha. He is a little rock. Always there but never passing comment. Taking in, appreciating, contemplating the world, getting stronger from within.
Jack the dog lives in the now. Each thing has his absolute attention for the moment it's in his line of sight. Jack the dog notices each thing anew, things I am apt to overlook from familiarity.
For all Jack the dog's humbleness and his quiet appreciation he can sometimes break into a run, when perhaps he is overcome by clarity, happy to be alive he is galloping through the pines.
This is the simplicity I am always looking for. When you are really free, when clarity gives heed and there is nothing but you and the world, then you are, without destination, Jack the dog bounding through the fields.
By Rob Hodgson
From Oh Comely magazine
Saturday 18 February 2012
Tuesday 24 January 2012
Friday 13 January 2012
Monday 2 January 2012
Sunday 1 January 2012
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