Good, huh?
Oh, what the hell, now that I'm shouting about it, here are a few more that he's taken recently.
And my personal favourite....
What y'all think?
Friday, 13 May 2016
I have a very talented hubby!
I have often thought about adding a page to my blog to shout about Dave's photography. He's so quietly humble about it, but I'm pretty proud of him! He posts them on social media. but some of my family aren't 'connected', so I thought I'd post his most recent one here because it's just too amazing not to share.
Thursday, 12 May 2016
Decisions, decisions...
The title of this blog post seems like it's going to be a deep and meaningful one, but it's not. I just read something today that I loved and I've gone back to it over and over again... not because I have any burning decisions to make, but because I love the simplicity of the instruction.
"If you are ever stuck choosing between two things, simply flip a coin. Not because it chooses for you, but because for those few seconds that the coin is in the air, you know what you are hoping for."
Sounds pretty simple, right? It seems a good way to alleviate the stress of decision-making. Put all your faith in a coin... and for a few seconds, the power of your own mind and heart. Isn't that the typical power struggle though? Heart vs mind.
I'm going to try to remember to apply this simple logic next time I'm stuck and see which one screams the loudest.
By the way, I have no idea who authored this, so kudos to whomever it is due.
Saturday, 16 April 2016
An update on the Travel Blog That Never Was
This post will mainly serve as an aide memoire for me for posterity, given that it was three and a half years ago now that I vowed to keep up with my travel blog by kicking it off with a post about our travels up to that point. Well, a little like I described in that post about the numerous attempts at a travel blog before that, my idea never really lifted off. It really tried, bless its little soul, it really begged, bugged, popped itself as an idea every so often into my brain, but it's owner and author couldn't keep up. Yes, that's me. *she types with one hand whilst guiltily lifting the other*.
So... a refresher on that post and subsequent trips that did get time devoted to them before I move on:
And whilst going through this list, I have realised that I drafted up 2 further travel blogs - one for Croatia, Bosnia & Montenegro in September 2013 and one for our Thanksgiving trip to the US in November of the same year and I never finished them. I guess it's kind of understandable since December 2013 is when Dave's dad fell very ill and we needed to make some pretty quick decisions about our - and his - living situation which meant that most other stuff just had to be put on the back burner for a while or cancelled altogether (including, ironically, an anniversary trip to Helsinki that year), but I just can't believe that I didn't finish what I had fully intended to post.
Just for the record, they were entitled "Beautiful Bosnia, mad Montenegro and chilled Croatia... all in a mini road trip!" and "An American Tale and a home away from home for the holidays".
So whilst they don't have their own posts, they are included in my renewed list of travels with photo album links below, in continuation of the Travel Blog That Never Was (aka The TBTNW).
Ready? Right... deep breath... here we go!
One Tree Hill Convention: From Wilmington To Paris, France - September 2014
We have a few travel plans already in the pipeline this year, included a 3rd annual family trip with Dave's cousins, but next up will be a short hop over to Dublin to spend some time with a very dear friend and soaking up some music and then it's my beautiful South Africa next month... only 33 sleeps to go!
Almost there and nowhere near it
.... all that matters is we're still going.
Family health issues. Loss of loved ones. Money worries. Job insecurity. Big Brother-y living situations. Since December 2013, we've had all of these in abundance - I'd confidently argue that I'd be pretty content never experiencing any of these ever again, unrealistic as that sounds. BUT... that's not what this post is about. It's about all the silver linings, the things amongst the tough stuff that has kept a smile firmly on our faces. It seems that all we've done is jump over hurdles the past few years, but you know what? I've come to realise that that's just life. So enough of all of that, most of it is SO last year!
Despite all of the obstacles, we've slowly but surely picked away at them so that most of them don't matter anymore - either by design or by force (Me? No, never.) - and for the most part, we've been living a relatively stress-free life for the past 8 months. We've had some pretty awesome family time at the end of last year, which is always a major bonus for me, and we've both acknowledged that by the end of last year, all of the built-up tension and stress we had been carrying had all but melted away. It was a really liberating feeling to acknowledge it, even if I didn't realise it was happening at the time. We've continued to travel, although not as frequently as in previous years and we have come out of our hermit-like existence this year to make an effort to see our friends more. It's been a great few months actually - we've shrugged the heaviness off our shoulders and are finally feeling like ourselves again.
The last major stress hurdle for Dave and I to overcome is the fact that he still, despite every effort literally every day for over a year, hasn't been able to find work since having his contract ended in March last year. He has had his ups and downs - the downs being periods where I literally have never felt so useless - but the ups and the expectation and anticipation of the next new adventure make it mostly okay. At the moment, he's almost there. We're almost there. And then what? We may cash in those life credits my cousin told me about.
Family health issues. Loss of loved ones. Money worries. Job insecurity. Big Brother-y living situations. Since December 2013, we've had all of these in abundance - I'd confidently argue that I'd be pretty content never experiencing any of these ever again, unrealistic as that sounds. BUT... that's not what this post is about. It's about all the silver linings, the things amongst the tough stuff that has kept a smile firmly on our faces. It seems that all we've done is jump over hurdles the past few years, but you know what? I've come to realise that that's just life. So enough of all of that, most of it is SO last year!
Despite all of the obstacles, we've slowly but surely picked away at them so that most of them don't matter anymore - either by design or by force (Me? No, never.) - and for the most part, we've been living a relatively stress-free life for the past 8 months. We've had some pretty awesome family time at the end of last year, which is always a major bonus for me, and we've both acknowledged that by the end of last year, all of the built-up tension and stress we had been carrying had all but melted away. It was a really liberating feeling to acknowledge it, even if I didn't realise it was happening at the time. We've continued to travel, although not as frequently as in previous years and we have come out of our hermit-like existence this year to make an effort to see our friends more. It's been a great few months actually - we've shrugged the heaviness off our shoulders and are finally feeling like ourselves again.
The last major stress hurdle for Dave and I to overcome is the fact that he still, despite every effort literally every day for over a year, hasn't been able to find work since having his contract ended in March last year. He has had his ups and downs - the downs being periods where I literally have never felt so useless - but the ups and the expectation and anticipation of the next new adventure make it mostly okay. At the moment, he's almost there. We're almost there. And then what? We may cash in those life credits my cousin told me about.
Monday, 9 March 2015
Dear William
To my gorgeous Godson
It's been nearly 2 months since you came into our lives and I can tell you something, I have never seen your parents happier! Over the past 18 years I've seen them love, I've seen them fight, I've seen them with endless smiles on their wedding day and I've seen them go through one of the toughest years of their lives last year, but nothing compares to their faces when they look at you.
Your mom has been my best friend since we were 9. That's 26 years of solid friendship that I am so thankful for. Those years have seen us go through a huge amount, most of it apart from each other because of geography, but when we speak to each other, it's as if only a few hours have gone by since we last spoke. One of the many things I love about your mom is that when we laugh, we do it properly - until our bellies hurt and we have tears pouring down our cheeks! And one of the best things about your dad is how much he loves your mom. That has never wavered from the first day he came into her life and is so evident in everything he does.
So I want you to know that you have been chosen by 2 of the best people I know and buddy, that's the best start I could ever have hoped for you.
I was absolutely honoured when your mom asked me to be your Godmother. You'll come to know as you grow older that everyone has their own belief systems and whilst I won't profess to being a Godmother in the true sense of the word, I can guarantee that not a day will go by that I don't love you. My job is to support your parents, support you and to help guide you through life. It's not always easy, but I aim to help make it the most fun, valuable and treasured life imaginable for you! You are one in a million, my little boy, your parents waited a long time for you and they are doing an amazing job! In the few weeks that they've had you, I have seen your little personality grow in leaps and bounds... you are a truly happy little being (with eyes that are capable of melting hearts!). Add to that the amazing family they both have and you are one lucky little chap.
There is plenty of time in your life for me to tell you stories about your parents, funny ones that will give you belly laughs and will no doubt some day embarrass you completely, but for now, I want you to know that even though I am not with you every day, I am thinking about you. I am watching you grow and loving every photo, video and anecdote that your mom sends me. I know when you got your first tooth and I am expecting any day now to know that you've taken your first step or said your first word. There are so many 'firsts' that I am so excited for your parents to experience with you.
My promise to you is that I will always provide a support system, be a shoulder for you to lean on, give you guidance when you need it and a steer on the right path. I promise to always pack the fun along with the life lessons and mostly, I promise that you will always have tons and tons of love. I also promise one day to explain to you why I call you my little Squirt - although I may keep that nugget for your 18th birthday!
You have come into my life just when I needed a ray of sunshine and you've certainly provided it in copious amounts with that ever-present cheeky, dimpled grin.
Sending you all my love across the miles, little buddy!
Love Aunty Lins xxx
It's been nearly 2 months since you came into our lives and I can tell you something, I have never seen your parents happier! Over the past 18 years I've seen them love, I've seen them fight, I've seen them with endless smiles on their wedding day and I've seen them go through one of the toughest years of their lives last year, but nothing compares to their faces when they look at you.
Your mom has been my best friend since we were 9. That's 26 years of solid friendship that I am so thankful for. Those years have seen us go through a huge amount, most of it apart from each other because of geography, but when we speak to each other, it's as if only a few hours have gone by since we last spoke. One of the many things I love about your mom is that when we laugh, we do it properly - until our bellies hurt and we have tears pouring down our cheeks! And one of the best things about your dad is how much he loves your mom. That has never wavered from the first day he came into her life and is so evident in everything he does.
So I want you to know that you have been chosen by 2 of the best people I know and buddy, that's the best start I could ever have hoped for you.
I was absolutely honoured when your mom asked me to be your Godmother. You'll come to know as you grow older that everyone has their own belief systems and whilst I won't profess to being a Godmother in the true sense of the word, I can guarantee that not a day will go by that I don't love you. My job is to support your parents, support you and to help guide you through life. It's not always easy, but I aim to help make it the most fun, valuable and treasured life imaginable for you! You are one in a million, my little boy, your parents waited a long time for you and they are doing an amazing job! In the few weeks that they've had you, I have seen your little personality grow in leaps and bounds... you are a truly happy little being (with eyes that are capable of melting hearts!). Add to that the amazing family they both have and you are one lucky little chap.
There is plenty of time in your life for me to tell you stories about your parents, funny ones that will give you belly laughs and will no doubt some day embarrass you completely, but for now, I want you to know that even though I am not with you every day, I am thinking about you. I am watching you grow and loving every photo, video and anecdote that your mom sends me. I know when you got your first tooth and I am expecting any day now to know that you've taken your first step or said your first word. There are so many 'firsts' that I am so excited for your parents to experience with you.
My promise to you is that I will always provide a support system, be a shoulder for you to lean on, give you guidance when you need it and a steer on the right path. I promise to always pack the fun along with the life lessons and mostly, I promise that you will always have tons and tons of love. I also promise one day to explain to you why I call you my little Squirt - although I may keep that nugget for your 18th birthday!
You have come into my life just when I needed a ray of sunshine and you've certainly provided it in copious amounts with that ever-present cheeky, dimpled grin.
Sending you all my love across the miles, little buddy!
Love Aunty Lins xxx
Sunday, 8 March 2015
Earning life credits
I haven't written in a long time. That's not to say that I don't have entries stacked up in volumes in my head, but life has been getting the better of us lately, so concentrating on getting through each day, week and month has been the priority.
I won't wax lyrical about the challenges Dave and I have faced over the past 14 months - the last 6 in particular - but suffice it to say that it's not been a bundle of laughs, for us personally, for other members in both of our families and for those near and dear to my nearest and dearest. I can whole-heartedly say that although 2014 started off amazingly for us (see my last, fairly ironic, blog entry from June last year), it soon became clear that it would end off being one of the worst... and 2015 hasn't disappointed on that front either so far.
I sent an update e-mail to my family the other day and among the responses was a line from my cousin that stuck out at me and I hope he'll forgive me for stealing. He said "Cuz... hang in there, you are earning life credits from the universe and I'm sure it will swing in the other direction soon". Life credits. I love that thought.
All of this, together with writer's block has meant that I've neglected my trusty little blog - the place I go to get the thoughts in my head out and onto paper screen. So I aim to try and keep up - and catch up! - with it again. There is a lot of travelling which has not made its way onto the site and I aim to rectify that, starting now.
As the famous movie line goes "It will all be alright in the end. And if it's not alright, then it is not the end". We can't control what happens to us, but we can control our attitude towards what happens to us. I have no doubt that we are nowhere near the end of this tough period yet, we haven't yet rounded the corner where the light starts to shine at the end, but I have a level of optimism about it (most of the time) that hopefully will make the universe stand up and take notice! With every blow, with every bit of bad news we get either here or from home, I just feel like yelling "Seriously?" But then I realise that it's just the universe's way of challenging us. I've always been a big believer in the fact that we won't be sent more than we can handle, so a note to the Powers That Be.... I think we're just about done here. Although I am certain that I'll learn to deal with it, I'm not sure how much more we or our families can take, so I'm unfurling my white flag as I type!
Tough things happen, sometimes to some people more than others and admittedly, up until now I've been fairly fortunate, but now is my time to adapt my attitude (hard as it may be on some days) and I'm choosing to believe that it will all be alright in the end.
And as for these life credits we're building up? Well, I'm making big plans for them as I type, so Universe, be warned. I hope you can take as good as you give!
Thursday, 12 June 2014
A change is all I needed!
It's been a few months since I made what seemed to me to be a radical decision. I've always thought about looking for a job closer to home, but I never really put much effort into it. That was because I loved my job. I loved my role, I love my work friends (still love them to bits!) and I truly loved going to work, even if it meant sitting for 4 hours on trains every day. Circumstances after that - and completely by my own doing - meant that I found myself in a role that was incredibly unsatisfying. I learnt a few years ago that there is far more to life than sitting at a desk, spending every day in a job that doesn't test you.
It has been a month today since I started my new job around the corner from home and I can honestly say that I feel more relaxed than I have done in years - and I didn't feel particularly wound up before! I now have the luxury of time - time to sleep in, time to walk Lucy in the mornings and time to take a leisurely drive to the office. Time to get home when it's still light, time to cook and time to spend time with Dave in the evenings. Whereas before my week was dictated by train schedules, there are now no timetables to stick to and I'm loving it! Add to that the fact that I am once again doing what I truly love to do and it's a winning formula.
I won't lie, this has been an amazing year for us and I touch a lot of wood saying that. If no other good things happen this year, I can honestly say that I'm happy with my lot in 2014. It's been a truly fantastic year so far and it's only June.
The saying is that a haircut is as good as a holiday, well in my case, a holiday and new job have literally turned my life around for the better. Long may it continue!
Sunday, 6 April 2014
Three hours and forty minutes
Since Dave and I made the decision to move out to the country, there is only one thing about every day that I've wished I could change. My 4-hour commute to a job that I love. 4 hours. 2 hours each way - and that is without the inevitable occasional delays caused by the weather, strikes, people who feel the only option is to jump and all sorts of other laughable reasons that the train companies give you. Not to mention the over £5,000 a year hole in my bank account made by the extortionate fares.
I've never felt particularly stressed about my commute every day - it's a decision that we made and one that I was comfortable with to have the quality of life that we have in the country, away from the noise, grime and fast pace of a big city. But the reality is that more and more recently, my body has been telling me that it is tired of doing it every day and is not willing to do it for much longer. I'd always had it in the back of my mind that I'd only move if the exact right role presented itself at the right time... and it's time. And so comes the end of an era.
I resigned on Thursday from a company that I have loved working at for 5 years. I was both nervous and really hesitant about it, second-guessing myself right up until halfway through the first conversation (the first of five that I had to have!). I explained all the usual things like it wasn't a decision that I had arrived at lightly, why I'd made the decision and where I was going. But it wasn't until I explained that I effectively only get 90 minutes a day during the week to spend any time awake in the same room as my husband that it really hit home. I immediately calmed down because I realised with that one statement that I have made absolutely the right decision.
I am going on to a role which will stretch my braincells and give me a challenge that makes it worth the move. But one of the best things about it is that it is a 10 minute drive from home. I will have a total commuting time of 20 minutes a day - 30 maybe if I get stuck behind a tractor. That will give me back 3 hours and 40 minutes of my life every day, which to me, is absolutely priceless. I could make a whole lot of promises to myself that I will use that time to exercise, to bake, to clean the house more and a multitude of other things, but the only thing that I'm going to pledge now is that I will appreciate it and absolutely covet those additional hours I'll get to be in my husband's company every day. Further than that, I'll just see what each day brings.
There are loads of cliches that I could come up with now, but I'll just go with the one that I know to be absolutely true - the past 5 years has presented me with fantastic opportunities that I am incredibly grateful for and I have made life-long friendships from my time there. And looking forward, although I've taken a risk, it's a risk that I feel has had to be plunged into, so let's see what comes next! I'm ready!
I've never felt particularly stressed about my commute every day - it's a decision that we made and one that I was comfortable with to have the quality of life that we have in the country, away from the noise, grime and fast pace of a big city. But the reality is that more and more recently, my body has been telling me that it is tired of doing it every day and is not willing to do it for much longer. I'd always had it in the back of my mind that I'd only move if the exact right role presented itself at the right time... and it's time. And so comes the end of an era.
I resigned on Thursday from a company that I have loved working at for 5 years. I was both nervous and really hesitant about it, second-guessing myself right up until halfway through the first conversation (the first of five that I had to have!). I explained all the usual things like it wasn't a decision that I had arrived at lightly, why I'd made the decision and where I was going. But it wasn't until I explained that I effectively only get 90 minutes a day during the week to spend any time awake in the same room as my husband that it really hit home. I immediately calmed down because I realised with that one statement that I have made absolutely the right decision.
I am going on to a role which will stretch my braincells and give me a challenge that makes it worth the move. But one of the best things about it is that it is a 10 minute drive from home. I will have a total commuting time of 20 minutes a day - 30 maybe if I get stuck behind a tractor. That will give me back 3 hours and 40 minutes of my life every day, which to me, is absolutely priceless. I could make a whole lot of promises to myself that I will use that time to exercise, to bake, to clean the house more and a multitude of other things, but the only thing that I'm going to pledge now is that I will appreciate it and absolutely covet those additional hours I'll get to be in my husband's company every day. Further than that, I'll just see what each day brings.
There are loads of cliches that I could come up with now, but I'll just go with the one that I know to be absolutely true - the past 5 years has presented me with fantastic opportunities that I am incredibly grateful for and I have made life-long friendships from my time there. And looking forward, although I've taken a risk, it's a risk that I feel has had to be plunged into, so let's see what comes next! I'm ready!
Tuesday, 31 December 2013
Goodbye 2013, hello 2014!
As always, I'm behind with my blogging so I still have 2 travel blogs to do from 2013, but they will have to wait until next year!
It's been an exhausting end to 2013, some of it because of fun stuff and some of it because of not-so-fun stuff. Dave's dad has been very ill during December and will unfortunately be seeing in the new year in ICU, but we will go and see him (and maybe even smuggle in a whisky miniature for his drip!). I spent a lovely 10 days of quality time with one of my oldest and dearest friends, which was the fun stuff I was talking about. So all-in-all, an eventful December in more ways than one, but we are all still here and that's what counts.
As this year draws to a close, I wish my family and friends a very happy and healthy 2014. May it be your best year yet!
Thursday, 12 December 2013
A country united... exactly the way he wanted it
Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela (18 July 1918 - 5 December 2013)
"The father of our nation closed his eyes so that the rest of the world may open theirs" (written by Seth_fearGOD on Twitter)
I have both hope and fear in equal parts that this statement will become reality. Hope that the real intention behind these words might become the reality. Fear because of the ambiguity of this statement and the possibility that it may become reality. With the giant gone, the ANC is now free from his shadow and therefore free to do whatever it is that they want to do with our beautiful country.
I have not read the papers, listened to news reports and have tried to stay out of conversations about the topic. This is a massive generalisation, but I have found that it is not always possible to have a balanced conversation with anyone who is not from SA because most non-South Africans idolised Nelson Mandela and by proxy, think that the ANC is doing right by its people and helping liberate them from the shadows of apartheid, when in fact, the exact opposite is true. I can't express this to anybody here because there is no telling anybody what the current situation is because most people cannot separate Nelson Mandela from his political party. This was illustrated by something that someone said on Facebook this week - 'anybody prepared to decry the ANC of the time and give no mention of the disgusting apartheid regime in place for many decades doesn't really have their head screwed on properly'.
Nelson Mandela was a terrorist. There, I said it. As a friend said to me this week, 'one man's terrorist is another man's freedom fighter', which may be true, but I can't support anybody who resorts to violence and murder as a way to impose 'peace'. That is a complete contradiction in terms. However, I absolutely respect the man for his vision, his bravery and integrity and his humanitarian efforts since he stepped down from a political life have been second to none. And that's where it becomes difficult to get my point across when having a conversation with someone who isn't South African. The rest of the world only knows him as a liberator, peace maker and all-round awesome dude. They forget that he was once the leader of a political party which has caused, in my opinion, the worst damage to our country's economy, welfare of its citizens and public image. When you separate the man from the political party, you start to see that the men who have followed behind him, supposedly to continue his legacy and vision, have in fact, done exactly the opposite. They have divided a country and made the rich richer and the poor poorer. The poorer classes are worse off now than they ever were under an apartheid government - that's an absolute fact. It doesn't make apartheid right and please don't think for a second that I am advocating it, because I find it abhorrent, but facts are facts and unfortunately, this is the way of life in South Africa today.
Nelson Mandela is due to be buried on Sunday and I estimate that at roughly 7am on Monday morning, building work and the haemorrhage of taxpayer funds will resume on Zuma's ridiculous mansion. I fear that the world will open their eyes next week on a South Africa without Nelson Mandela in it and I fear that his vision and legacy will soon be forgotten unless the current political party is ousted at next year's election.
I am not a politically-minded nor a religious person - the two things guaranteed to cause a conflict of opinion at any dinner table! But I do love my country and wish every single day that Dave and I could have the opportunity to live there. But the reality is that even if Dave could get work in his field in SA, the likelihood of him being able to secure a job is next to zero because of nearly 20 years of Black Economic Empowerment - an initiative that was probably fulfilled within about 5 years and then should have been closed. I absolutely agree that it needed to happen, because I have always believed that everyone is equal and the same is true to this day, which is why I get so frustrated that the irony is lost on the ANC. They are supposedly standing for equality, but yet have initiatives in place which actively block any chance of it. You can't buy logic!
To see Zuma standing up this week telling the people of SA to stand together in mourning for Mandela makes me sick. The poor man would be rolling in his grave had he had time to be put in one yet. The SA of today is not what he wanted, yet in the eyes of the international Press and opinion of the rest of the world, his vision is being fulfilled. And that's where the disconnect comes in. And it is why I don't engage in conversations with anyone who doesn't know what it is like to see the poor getting poorer because of a government that was put in place to protect them. It's devastating and incredibly disappointing.
The SA of this week has been one that Madiba would have wanted - everyone standing together united. But for how long? Not even an hour after the memorial service, the Press were hot on the heels of the fake interpreter (absolutely farcical!), the transport problems, Archbishop Tutu's house being burgled during the event and the fact that Tuesday was not made a holiday - yes, that made international news! The fact that Zuma was booed was an interesting - and frankly, refreshing - turn of events. The seats in the stadium hadn't even had time to cool yet before the international backlash started.
I grew up in apartheid South Africa and many people have said to me that it's because I am white that I don't remember things being particularly tough, which is kind of insulting, but I get it. The reality is that my parents brought us up to be respectful of everyone - just as good parents should. I had a maid, I remember being incredibly fond of her and she was a member of the family. I had a great childhood and even when apartheid ended in the early 90s, it didn't have an impact on me at all to my recollection. I have never in my life seen skin colour as a determining factor for the way that I will treat someone. However, and I genuinely wish this wasn't true, the same can't be said for the current government. And I find that incredibly sad.
No government is perfect, I realise that. After all, I live in a country which provides for an Afghan family of 10 which arrives at its border by providing them with a mansion at an eye-watering level of waste of MY tax money, but will allow a British Serviceman, who has fought on the front line for this country, to live in his car on the street. That is tragic and a very sad state of affairs.
Let the rest of the world open their eyes, indeed.
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