New Year wishes

I'm alright...I think

So...last week was a bit of a doozy when it came to stress.

The unfolding drama

Yesterday there was some unfolding drama behind us.

As you can see from the picture above, the fire in the community centre (which is empty and earmarked for demolition) was very close to our house (where the blue arrow is).

Laughter...always the best medicine

We've been laughing a lot lately.

While lying together Sunday night, just generally talking, Greg said something while I was talking. I thought I heard "pushion".

Christmas Full Moon

So this is why I needed to remain in the UK instead of jetting off to be in Oz as we'd planned.

Christmas Blessings

Christmas Blessings to all.

Manifesting Heart's desire

This "old" post I wrote in 2012 popped up in my Inbox. Of course I had to read it. 

My, how far we have come since then.

Something has shifted

Something over the last 48 hours has shifted BIG time with-in me. Maybe it is also on a planetary-wide level? It has once again brought about a different perspective, the blinkers having dissolved.

No progress

I've reached the stage today where I throw my hands up in the air. Whatever happens, happens. There is nothing I can do. It'll probably change tomorrow.

Supporting and accepting each other

"Thank you for what you have done for my brother."

That's not my name

I heard the Ting Tings - That's not my name and it jogged my memory...

Whilst in South Africa, I was reminded how wound up I used to get about the pronunciation of my name when I lived there.

Painful manifestation of my emotions

I felt out of sorts on the flight out to Cape Town. Nothing I could put my finger on, but assumed it was just part of the excitement about seeing everyone.

I didn't feel much like eating, so didn't, cos as you probably know, airline food is nothing to get excited about.

Gorgeous mountainous beauty

After spending Sunday with my in-laws, my mum and I drove up to Swellendam where she and my stepdad live.

Back home - happy and very relaxed

Mom's holiday shack

I flew back into Heathrow from Cape Town this morning after ten days in the Western Cape, South Africa, my darling hubby collecting me at some ungodly hour.

I am happy to be back in my own home, but sad at leaving family behind.

A decisive decision

I woke up Friday morning with a firm conviction that I need to fly out to South Africa. No more dithering, sitting around waiting and feeling a bit like an indecisive wet rag.

Yay!

Woot! Things are moving along nicely.

So much grief

So much pain, suffering and grief swirling around.

A night of memories

What a great night of memories. A place of work in which many of the people have become like family to me.

Oh how sweet!

I discovered this heartwarming message left by my boss on Facebook

Break through

Wow, break through indeed.

New beginnings - four seasons in one day

A couriered package arrived from the hospital in New Zealand yesterday. Lots more paperwork to read, complete and return. My poor beleaguered brain!

The date (there are those 9s 2s and 11s again) is rather significant 9+1+1+2+1+5= 19    9+1=1(0) - 1 is new beginnings

The ability to "fog" things up

So, I go off at a tangent when I think I've figured out what is happening. But in reality it is just my mind putting everything in little boxes "believing" the outcomes.

Changes of great magnitude

Listening to Jim Self's latest webinar, and a three hour session of Yoga Nidra, has helped me to become a little more centred.

UK versus NZ

Amazing what a few supportive and good friends can do. Their suggestions are varied and very helpful. What are my fears that stop me from committing to New Zealand and thus creating obstacles in, what should be, a smooth flowing transition?

Remain focused, dedicated and determined

This move is sure testing my ability to remain focused to I manifest what I want. I cannot believe how difficult that is, especially when I am not 100% fully sure that I want to move.

Working from the inside

I know there is a perception that in order to create change one must stand on the outside and shout at the giant.

Plans? What plans?

I had the last of my vaccinations today, as have the cats.

Yuck. I don't like to think about the chemicals running around in both my body and that of the cats, so I won't.

Oxford, UK

Buildings in Oxford demonstrate examples of every English architectural period since the arrival of the Saxons, including the mid-18th-century Radcliffe Camera. Oxford is known as the "city of dreaming spires", a term coined by poet Matthew Arnold.

Behind...

Lol...just saw this on LinkedIn.

Breathing my way through

I am now officially unemployed/between jobs.

Yikes! Breathe Karen breathe.

Where did that come from?

Last night late, the phone rang.

Practising

Today was a really beautiful, peaceful and very still day. Cold, admittedly, but lovely.

We decided to visit Wakehurst. I've been suffering with a head cold since yesterday. The stress of everything has finally caught up with me and, together with the heavy downloads of energy occurring leading up to 11/11/8, knocked me for a six. The walk through nature did me the world of good.

Thick gloopy soup

Every day at work seems to take a lot of effort to get through. I normally bounce in there and get straight to work. Lately these days I find it difficult. Like I am wading through a thick soup.

Change of pace

I have been doing my homework about NZ, the lifestyle and cost of living. We both have.

Rocking the Casbah

Rock the Casbah by The Clash has been playing over and over in my head for about a week now. I know it is important when them up there persistently bring something to my attention.

Travels through life with entourage

Every time I hear the words, "You're so lucky",  I wonder how different my life would be if my choices were other than the ones I've made.

We are constantly making decisions, whether it is to try something new or to remain on the same well beaten path.

No more suits...the end of an era

Lol...how did that happen?

Today I have discovered that hubby has revamped his whole wardrobe. Where have I been?

He's off to a "knees-up" in London this evening with his previous work colleagues. I sort of did a double take when he came downstairs. What is he wearing?

Sadness and excitement

The deeper I delve into this "move" to the other side of the world, the greater the insights I have into the beliefs and emotions that lurk with-in. Things I thought I'd knocked on the head, that very obviously are still alive and doing extremely well.

Every second we are faced with decisions and each little decision very subtly changes how we go forward in life.

I still hold some misgivings about the move. Will I find what I really want in New Zealand? Will the job be everything I expect? Isn't it better to carry on where I am even though I feel I am stagnating? Maybe this is a "grass is always greener"? I do get very tempted by my comfortable life.

Beliefs can weigh us down, paralysing us into remaining where we are

The song Millennium by Robbie Williams always reminds me of our arrival in London in 1998. I heard it the other day and it brought back a lot of memories.

That first year was an exciting one. The smell of the city on the first morning I woke up will stay with me forever. It was a beautiful day and I could hear the traffic outside my brother's London flat. I felt like I'd joined the elite of the elite - don't ask me why - I just did.

Lol...I don't know what weird things you're doing and the warm embrace of love

So...on the weekend we're driving when I remember that we need to buy milk. I mention this to Greg ending with "I used the last of the milk this morning".

He is quiet for a short while before asking, a strange tone to his voice, "What did you do with it?"

The numerology of life

These past three years have been rather stressful. I'd almost liken it to the "dark night of the soul"...but having been through many of those, I'm not sure it qualifies...or maybe it does in a different way.

Lewes, UK

Archaeological evidence points to prehistoric dwellers in the area. Scholars think that the Roman settlement of Mutuantonis was here, as quantities of artefacts have been discovered in the area. The Saxons built a castle, having first constructed its motte as a defensive point over the river; they gave the town its name.^[3]

Reading the situation

I find it difficult to read how an interview went. It happens that we think it went well and yet it comes to nothing as someone else pips us to the post.

I cannot call it either way and am therefore leaving it open.

Dancing in delight

Hubby got it - the job of a lifetime and the abundance that comes with it.

Our Travels

Greg and I love travelling and exploring.

We are both are South African, but have been living in the UK for 17 years. We have found it a very central location.

I felt the need to document these travels – whether short day trips or epic holidays and encompasses Greg’s recent passion for photography, as well as my love of flora, our combined delight in fauna and the world around us…oh and of course…each other.

Our earliest travels were on a very tight budget, so much of our early holidays with two children in tow, were spent in tents, our faithful ‘old banger’ (with a cheerful backfire or two!) piled high always managing to get us where we needed to be. Despite the budget restrictions, we had fabulous times.

Iceland

Iceland's Blue Lagoon - beautiful isn't it?

 

From Wikipedia:
'Due to the special geological location of Iceland, the high concentration of volcanoes in the area is often an advantage in the generation of geothermal energy, the heating and production of electricity. During winter, pavements near these areas (such as Reykjavík and Akureyri) are heated up.
Five major geothermal power plants exist in Iceland, which produce approximately 26.2% (2010)^[1] of the nation's energy. In addition, geothermal heating meets the heating and hot water requirements of approximately 87% of all buildings in Iceland. Apart from geothermal energy, 73.8% of the nation’s electricity was generated by hydro power, and 0.1% from fossil fuels.^[2]'

Lots of shaking up going on

So much so, that I have no idea where to start. I suppose I can just let you have the bare facts, so here goes...

Wisley Garden, UK

RHS Garden Wisley is a "garden" that goes on forever and forever. I have not uploaded even a quarter of the pictures as there is so much to see, but hopefully this will give an idea of what to expect.

Blessed far beyond anything ever imagined possible

Greg, always manages to make me feel like a Super Goddess Queen.

Haha...sore bum!

Yesterday was a lovely day both weather-wise and activity-wise.

I woke in the morning with a massive headache. One that was on the scale of migraine. I've not had a migraine for about 8 years. Used to get them regularly as a child/teenager and on and off as an adult. But, it did not worry me too much as I did not have the strange shimmering ring-like aura in my vision that comes with it.

All that glitters...

Lol...well now...

Lessons learnt from Bitter Sweet Symphony of Life

I deleted the post The Bitter Sweet Symphony of Life.

Playing the blame game never serves to help anyone, it merely poisons the blamer.

I know this and yet I consented to play the blame game...silly me.

In the rush of life, forgetting

In the rush of and through life, we forget to stop and smell the roses.

Greg and I have always had a very deep connection to one another. Only, over the last year or so, that connection has not been quite so strong. Simply put, we allowed life to get in the way.

Off with the Elementals

You can imagine the magical Elementals at play every season of the year.  

Earth Wind Fire and Water

Sheffield Park last Autumn

Sheffield Park - The garden is a horticultural work of art formed through centuries of landscape design, with influences of 'Capability' Brown and Humphry Repton. Four lakes form the heart of the garden, with paths circulating through the glades and wooded areas surrounding them. Each owner has left their impression, which can still be seen today in the layout of the lakes, the construction of Pulham Falls, the planting of Palm Walk and the many different tree and shrub species from around the world.

I love this garden. It is like a chocolate box picture, no matter what the season, so beautifully and breathtakingly planted to effect. These are pics from Autumn last year.

The long walk

Greg and I walk a lot. We love walking through nature, cities, towns, around parks - anywhere.

On average we walk about 7-10 miles every time we go out. Keeps us fit and in touch with nature and the historical heritage that is the UK...or wherever we are in the world.

I passed!

Hey hey hey...I passed, I passed, I passed.

Despite knowing (a deep seated knowing that this was gonna happen), there was still a little voice of doubt that popped up. Every day I'd get visions of passing that cancelled out the doubt.

You got the music in you

Hang on as things get mixed up. We are our own best friend. We need EVERYONE who is here on earth NOW.

You got the music in you. Don't let go.

Dog lead

I've been feeling like things are hotting up - couldn't quite put my finger on what is actually 'hotting' up until I watched Kelley Rosano's latest about the new moon. It makes sense.

A little bit of the Med in Sydney

We discovered a little bit of the Meditteranean in Paddington - a quaint suburb of Sydney. The houses are Victorian but the outdoor profusion of plants and potted plants reminded us of France.

Uplifting surrounds

An afternoon in the sun studying, surrounded by the scent and sight of my abundant, VERY small garden. It surprises and delights each year. It seems the more I love the garden, the more it gives me in return.

A soup of potentials

So much change going on, not only in my life, but in the lives of some friends and family.

DIY distressing

I've had a project that I'd put aside for some time - that of distressing a wooden bathroom cupboard. I'd bought the paint and sandpaper but was no further forward.

While my attention was distracted elsewhere on Saturday, hubby decided to get things moving and sand it down. He later wandered upstairs and, in his usual very expressive way, advised me that it was not working and is now a f****ing mess.

Boy racer

Within my hidden depths...I'm a boy racer fighting to get out.

Driving my car back from the dealer this morning, our son tells me that this is the dream car of all boy racers.

Really?

Yes, he nods knowledgeably.

Really?

My mind boggles.

Why?

He shrugs. It just is.

Paradise of my own creation

In this last month leading up to my exam, I find that I am comfortable in myself and ready to write.

Prior to this my overwhelming dread was that I'd never be able to do it. There is so much to learn and understand about Sleep Medicine.

Variations of fear keep us trapped, as our mind rabbits on about the what ifs creating huge insurmountable mountains.

In the flow

I am in the midst of understanding the concept of acceptance (and maybe even surrendering) in a far deeper way than ever before.

I have become pretty cautious in my later years. I used to be quite impulsive and get myself into all kinds of trouble - mostly financial. Slowly I started to realise that maybe simply jumping in feet first was not always a good idea.

Creating the flow from with-in

Today, on reading Lisa Gawlas's latest blog, I came to understand the changes we are going through.

She has an amazing ability to define the undefined and put it into perspective, for which I thank her.

The changes over the last few weeks that I have been talking about (furniture and revamping) have been so effortless. Whatever I would think about would appear in an advert or in a shop, I'd simply pick it out and bring it home (or order it online).

Out with the old and in with the new

I am exhausted.

Since we got back from Australia, we've been clearing and cleaning. The influx of energies and planetary alignments have had an impact - what started off as a little clean in the kitchen turned into a major revamp. New cupboards, lots of traipsing down to the charity shops with our pre-loved goods and huge amounts of re-arranging.

Greg loved the whole process, working for two days solid creating a new kitchen. It reminded me somewhat of something that my nephew had said whilst he was in the woodworking yurt. He felt like he was being useful constructing something functional with his hands rather than sitting in an office counting numbers. A labour of love.

Wow, did Greg do a good job! whilst I fluttered around.  Lol...not really, but compared to his creative oomph I kinda felt superfluous.

Karezza/Tantra/Orgasmic Meditation

Through the years hubby and I have obviously done the conventional sex. We have also spent time doing the 'hot' version of tantra where you keep hitting the edge of an orgasm then cooling down and controlling it. You do this for ages before finally having an almighty orgasm...or several as the case may be. This is a state of DOing.

Our return trip

Our return trip to the UK was an interesting (although very long) one.

We flew direct from London to Sydney, not sure what quantifies the difference between a "direct" and "indirect" flight as we had to get off the plane in Dubai, go through security search (again for the 100th time!) and then sit for an hour waiting to board again. Same as all the other "indirect" flights...and you pay for the privilege, lol.

The first half of the flight from Sydney to Dubai I sat next to an 81 year old, very brave blind woman who was on her way to visit her ill brother in the UK. According to her, she has done this trip several times.

Mothering Sunday fun

After eating a late lunch, Jordan and Meghan discovered the children's skateboards/scooters.

We all decided to give them a try.

Lol...who knew that being scared witless to could be so much fun?!

Scenic World in the Blue Mountains

Skyway

I unintentionally seem to have conquerred my fear of heights.

For someone with this kind of phobia, Scenic World is not a place to be, but we headed there last week, not thinking further than it being something to experience.

♥☼ Bellbirds

Greg and I discovered this unusual magical song yesterday when we visited the Australian Botanical Gardens. We asked the ranger who/what was creating the sound - Bellbirds!

Jervis Bay and surrounds

Restaurant on Kiama harbour where we had a delicious lunch

On Friday Greg and I drove down towards Jervis Bay where we would be spending the weekend with our family.

Leeches

We went away this past weekend to Jervis Bay. Greg and I left early on Friday and drove around sightseeing. We were meeting family on Saturday to drive to the rental house.

In the afternoon I was sitting in the car whilst Greg took a few photos. I looked down and saw, what I initially thought was a worm. Within a few seconds I recognised it for what it really was...a leech.

I've seen them used in the hospital and am familiar with their movement.

Loving the messenger, no matter what guise it takes

What a peculiar day yesterday was.

In the morning I woke with a pounding head. I get them every so often. With all the changes that our mind, body and spirit are experiencing, there is going to be some difficulties as adjustments are made.

We decided to go into Sydney to do some sightseeing.

My headache had disappeared by the time we got off the bus.

Yurt farm weekend

Two of the yurts we stayed in

The first weekend we spent at a Yurt farm just outside Goulburn Back to Basics with friends and family in three yurts. We were the only ones there.

Visiting Australia

Here we are for a third time in Australia.

We arrived in the midst of the worst storm that Sydney had seen for (according to the news) a decade (although I did hear someone somewhere saying 100 years).

Today, the sunshine is finally taking a peak through the clouds.

Re-programming and re-booting

Re-programming, re-booting.

The same old same old no longer works...and boy, is that being brought home to me with a sizzle of electricity that frazzles my brains and body every time I attempt to do things out of habit, i.e. in the old way.

It has taken me many months to realise this and then to figure out how to work this thing.

State of flux

The noun flux describes something that constantly changes. 

On the spur of the moment, two weeks ago, our daughter decided she wanted to visit from Australia. She arrived on Sunday, not having been back since she left on a gap year in 2010. She'd always intended to return, but it seems this was not in store for her.

Finding your passion?

Finding your passion.

What does that mean? Do any of us have an idea?

I know I don't. Or rather...I think I do, but it changes and what used to inspire me, suddenly doesn't.

Chinese Whispers

There has been problem with lack of communication at work for many months now.

It bothers the Human Me, as "executive" decisions are made and the bulk of the technicians are not advised. We have an assistant who gets stuck in the middle, implements the decisions, assuming that the rest of us know. The rest of us bumble along wondering what the hell is going on.

Kasbah - Ksar of Ait-Ben-Haddou, Morocco

Ksar of Ait-Ben-Haddou - the ksar, a group of earthen buildings surrounded by high walls, is a traditional pre-Saharan habitat. The houses crowd together within the defensive walls, which are reinforced by corner towers. Ait-Ben-Haddou, in Ouarzazate province, is a striking example of the architecture of southern Morocco.

Telouet Kasbah, Morocco

Telouet is a Kasbah along the former route of the caravans from the Sahara over the Atlas Mountains to Marrakech. It lies at an elevation of 1,800 metres (5,900 ft) and was the seat of the El Glaoui family's power. The palace can still be visited but it is steadily becoming more damaged and is slowly collapsing. In 2010, work was underway to restore the property.^[1]

Flirting with Life

The song Lovefool by the Cardigans has been buzzing around in my head for days.

Cos I've been busy at work, I've not had much time to wonder why. This morning I did a search on YouTube to find the lyrics.

As I was listening and reading, it hit me that this is a message to me from me. The 'old' me talking to the 'new' me.

Energetics of the mind and body

I find myself fascinated by people's minds and their energy. It has always been so.

I am constantly interacting with people day and night, on a 1:1 basis, finding out about their fears, hopes and dreams as I either wire them up for a sleep study, treat them or follow them up in clinic/on the phone. Therefore spending a great deal of time in their presence.

Kasbah - el Glaoui palace, the Taourirt Kasbah - Ouarzazate, Morocco

Ouarzazate (Berber: Warzazat ⵡⴰⵔⵣⴰⵣⴰⵝ; Arabic: ورزازات‎), nicknamed The door of the desert, is a city and capital of Ouarzazate Province in the Souss-Massa-Drâa of southern-central Morocco. Ouarzazate is at an elevation of 1,160 metres (3,810 ft) in the middle of a bare plateau south of the High Atlas Mountains. To the south of the town is the desert.

The town is chiefly inhabited by Berber-speakers, who constructed many of the prominent kasbahs (locally known as: iɣeṛman) and buildings for which the area is known. Ouarzazate is an important holiday destination in Morocco, as a base for excursions across the Draa Valley and into the desert. The fortified village (ksar) of Ait Benhaddou west of the city is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

The Ouarzazate area is a noted film-making location, with Morocco's biggest studios inviting many international companies to work here. Films such as Lawrence of Arabia (1962), The Living Daylights (1987), The Last Temptation of Christ (1988), The Mummy (1999), Gladiator (2000), Kingdom of Heaven (2005), Kundun (1997), Legionnaire (1998), Hanna (2011), and Salmon Fishing in the Yemen (2011) were shot here, as was part of the TV series Game of Thrones.

Atlas Mountains, Morocco

One day whilst in Marrakech in February this year, we decided to take a guided tour of the Atlas Mountains. Stunningly beautiful scenery. But oh so very cold...and yes that is snow on the mountains.

Our driver was excellent and our tour guide very knowledgeable. Both were very kind caring and generous. We had an excellent time. Nothing was too much trouble.

Out and about in Marrakech, Morocco

Marrakech, Morocco: Riad Dar Meryem

We stayed in the ancient walled city of Marrakech (medina) at a Riad called Dar Meryem.
Riad - "a large traditional house built around a central courtyard, often converted into a hotel."

Our hosts were heartwarmingly kind and generous, nothing was too much trouble...and the food was excellent.

Heart's desire pushing the "not so nice" into our face so we cannot ignore it

Monte Carlo from view point

I was thinking about Fifty Shades last night (haha...as you do!).  I've not read the books or seen the movie as I simply haven't been drawn to do so, therefore I cannot give an informed opinion and...neither do I want to. Each to his/her own.

Is it possible I was looking at this from the wrong angle?

Bam! this morning a new and different perspective hit me.

What if my hubby walk-in wasn't a walk-in and I was?!

That really fluffed my brain. After a confused foggy "What?" I sat down and thought about this "logically".

It's that time of year!

Lol...it's that time of year when we have to give our cats their annual homeopathic nosodes (small white pills that are akin to vaccinations).

Valentine's day anniversary

Today is our 28th anniversary.

We have been on a journey of laughter, happiness, joy, tears, misery but most of all LOVE.

I have an amazing husband who never faults me on anything, accepts me the way I am in any given moment and is patient beyond the realms of sainthood.

Thank you, my lovely beautiful husband.

Footloose!

I don't think I am incorrect to think that the whole world is going through a transformation that transcends anything any of us have ever experienced, throwing us all into disarray.

Again, I am going to reiterate that mostly I've always known where I am going in my life, in a vague way, but nevertheless some sort of structure has been there. It made me feel stable within myself.