Apparently it's been 6 months since I last posted. Either my life's so boring I have nothing to write about, or I'm so busy I never get a chance. I'm going with the latter...
I love Christmas time. Pretty much the whole of December is great. The excitement starts to build and the parties come thick and fast. There's the shopping - which I normally loathe, but have actually quite enjoyed this year. It's the feeling of knowing hot days are coming, and the Australian Open, and beach holidays spent in the sun are just around the corner.
Summer is magical to me. A week spent somewhere warm and by the sea can quite literally remedy all the stress accumulated from the year just gone.
This year we are forgoing our usual coastal oasis and are instead travelling north for a family wedding. While I'm delighted to be going somewhere warmer and to be able to lay by the pool, a part of me is sad we won't be going to our usual. It is my favourite place in the world, a place that enables me to be the most relaxed and happy I can be.
And Mr S and Mrs B have done their bit to make this summer especially exciting as they await the arrival of their first bundle of joy. A baby is always exciting. But becoming an aunty for the first time is very special. I'm also excited for Miss E who has been telling everyone she's going to have a cousin.
Christmas day is rapidly approaching. I'm pretty stoked actually that we get two Christmas day's this year - one on christmas eve with Mr D's family and Christmas day with mine. Double the fun, (and the drama, calories, hangovers, and presents!!)
Then, when the glow of summer begins to fade, real life begins again.
Monday, December 12, 2011
Saturday, May 7, 2011
Reflections on Motherhood
Tomorrow is Mothers Day, and as I have been reflecting on motherhood recently, I thought it an appropriate time to write about it.
Before becoming a mother, when people said things like, 'you don't understand, because you're not a mother' I thought they were just being smug, or superior. Turns out they weren't. Here are some of the things I now know;
1. Being a mother makes you so vulnerable. In every way. Emotionally. Physically. Financially. From the moment you discover there is a precious life growing inside you, you feel that urge to protect, nurture, love. But so much of it is out of your hands. It brings a whole new meaning to vulnerable.
2.If emotions can be described as colour, then for me pre-motherhood was black and white and motherhood brought about amazing techni-colour vividness. Every emotion is experienced ten fold in strength and fervour, and is no longer easily containable and restrained. Instead, they sit just under the surface, refusing to be tamed. Rogue tears often appear at the most horrifying moments.
3.The constantness of motherhood is mind-boggling and incomprehensible until experienced. Pre-motherhood I understood the concept in a cerebral sense. But the experience of it is another matter entirely. Come rain or sun, colds or gastro, late nights or hangovers; The motherhood show must go on!
4.A friend of mine with adult children said to me not long after the birth of my daughter, 'Once you have kids, you understand how the world works,'. And what she means is the love. The epic, epic love that you feel for your child. And along with that comes the knowledge that every person has a parent who feels that way about their child, and therefore where their heart lies. It helps you understand how precious and important each person is because you understand it about your own child.
And so, here I am almost two years into this motherhood gig, and despite vulnerability, and constantness and the emotional rollercoaster that is the permanent state I now find myself in, I want to do it again. It's because amongst the mundane is the profound. Being a mother is so ordinary, yet at the same time extraordinary.
Before becoming a mother, when people said things like, 'you don't understand, because you're not a mother' I thought they were just being smug, or superior. Turns out they weren't. Here are some of the things I now know;
1. Being a mother makes you so vulnerable. In every way. Emotionally. Physically. Financially. From the moment you discover there is a precious life growing inside you, you feel that urge to protect, nurture, love. But so much of it is out of your hands. It brings a whole new meaning to vulnerable.
2.If emotions can be described as colour, then for me pre-motherhood was black and white and motherhood brought about amazing techni-colour vividness. Every emotion is experienced ten fold in strength and fervour, and is no longer easily containable and restrained. Instead, they sit just under the surface, refusing to be tamed. Rogue tears often appear at the most horrifying moments.
3.The constantness of motherhood is mind-boggling and incomprehensible until experienced. Pre-motherhood I understood the concept in a cerebral sense. But the experience of it is another matter entirely. Come rain or sun, colds or gastro, late nights or hangovers; The motherhood show must go on!
4.A friend of mine with adult children said to me not long after the birth of my daughter, 'Once you have kids, you understand how the world works,'. And what she means is the love. The epic, epic love that you feel for your child. And along with that comes the knowledge that every person has a parent who feels that way about their child, and therefore where their heart lies. It helps you understand how precious and important each person is because you understand it about your own child.
And so, here I am almost two years into this motherhood gig, and despite vulnerability, and constantness and the emotional rollercoaster that is the permanent state I now find myself in, I want to do it again. It's because amongst the mundane is the profound. Being a mother is so ordinary, yet at the same time extraordinary.
Thursday, January 13, 2011
The year that was...
2010 was a big year. It was the year I finished my degree. The year my daughter turned one, and the year I realised I couldn't do everything and needed to let someone new take over something I had been doing for almost a decade.
Full time motherhood combined with full time tertiary study was only possible with one extraordinary and very committed husband and father.
I'm pretty sure, in fact I know, that the pressure I put on myself to complete my studies and do well, as well as be a good/engaged/involved/committed/loving/not-so-tired-my-eyes-are-rolling-in-my-head mother, directly affected said husband, who bore it with patience and immense grace.
In the midst of an intense year, I feel I was so focussed on my goals and getting through everything (and consequently became somewhat of a stresshead), that I lost some perspective.
While holidaying on the coast and spending some time with a friend and her family, it gave me the (terribly cliche) opportunity to relax and reflect. It made me see my life from a different perspective, and enabled me to appreciate what I have in a new way. God is good.
So 2011 is here, and now it's my husbands turn to shine - and shine he will, as always - and for me to be the supportive one (please God let me do it well!!!!).
Full time motherhood combined with full time tertiary study was only possible with one extraordinary and very committed husband and father.
I'm pretty sure, in fact I know, that the pressure I put on myself to complete my studies and do well, as well as be a good/engaged/involved/committed/loving/not-so-tired-my-eyes-are-rolling-in-my-head mother, directly affected said husband, who bore it with patience and immense grace.
In the midst of an intense year, I feel I was so focussed on my goals and getting through everything (and consequently became somewhat of a stresshead), that I lost some perspective.
While holidaying on the coast and spending some time with a friend and her family, it gave me the (terribly cliche) opportunity to relax and reflect. It made me see my life from a different perspective, and enabled me to appreciate what I have in a new way. God is good.
So 2011 is here, and now it's my husbands turn to shine - and shine he will, as always - and for me to be the supportive one (please God let me do it well!!!!).
Thursday, June 17, 2010
When nature is not nature...
My little family and I recently rugged ourselves up and braved a wintry Melbourne day to visit the Melbourne Museum, where the main attraction is currently the Titanic exhibition. But before we walked through the Titanic exhibit - which, incidentally, was great, and worth being packed in like sardines for - we thought we could walk through the Rainforest Secrets permanent exhibit. It's quite amazing, and is in the centre of the museum. It effectively brings the outdoors inside, as there is no roof. But as we entered the glass sliding doors to walk up the pathway, a sign had been put up blocking our entrance saying, 'Due to high winds and wild weather, this exhibit is temporarily closed for safety reasons'. So, we wandered off to another area and meandered around until we were ready for the Titanic - which is a timed exhibit, where you 'board'.
After exiting the Titanic, we walked past the rainforest again and saw it had been re-opened. Clearly the dangerous winds had subsided enough to stop the managers worrying about law suits....But it got me thinking. We had all braved the so called 'dangerous winds' to get there, and if the tree's in the exhibit are affected by the winds, well isn't that part of nature? But clearly this is an artificial nature. One that is manipulated, managed and tightly controlled for customer's/visitor's.
Paying to 'experience' nature, in a controlled environment means we are not really experiencing nature at all - it negates the whole point. It made me feel that the whole orchestrated process was contrived and a little absurd. This was further illustrated to me when a young boy turned excitedly to his mother and asked, 'Can we keep going so we can see more of the nature?' Real nature exists, and it isn't found indoors, or in a museum. Real nature can't be contained, is largely uncontrollable and is innately beautiful.
As we were leaving the 'nature' exhibit, I felt overwhelmed by how strongly I felt about experiencing real nature, and what a formative and positive effect spending time in the Australian bush had on my childhood.
I recently heard an interesting segment on Radio National about how important it is for kids to spend time in nature. Richard Louv, the main interviewee, claims that paediatricians in the US rarely see broken bones these days, and that they are increasingly seeing repetitive strain injuries from computer games. Ironically, repetitive strain injuries have longer and more serious complications than broken bones apparently. So kids, put down that PlayStation console and go climb a tree!
After exiting the Titanic, we walked past the rainforest again and saw it had been re-opened. Clearly the dangerous winds had subsided enough to stop the managers worrying about law suits....But it got me thinking. We had all braved the so called 'dangerous winds' to get there, and if the tree's in the exhibit are affected by the winds, well isn't that part of nature? But clearly this is an artificial nature. One that is manipulated, managed and tightly controlled for customer's/visitor's.
Paying to 'experience' nature, in a controlled environment means we are not really experiencing nature at all - it negates the whole point. It made me feel that the whole orchestrated process was contrived and a little absurd. This was further illustrated to me when a young boy turned excitedly to his mother and asked, 'Can we keep going so we can see more of the nature?' Real nature exists, and it isn't found indoors, or in a museum. Real nature can't be contained, is largely uncontrollable and is innately beautiful.
As we were leaving the 'nature' exhibit, I felt overwhelmed by how strongly I felt about experiencing real nature, and what a formative and positive effect spending time in the Australian bush had on my childhood.
I recently heard an interesting segment on Radio National about how important it is for kids to spend time in nature. Richard Louv, the main interviewee, claims that paediatricians in the US rarely see broken bones these days, and that they are increasingly seeing repetitive strain injuries from computer games. Ironically, repetitive strain injuries have longer and more serious complications than broken bones apparently. So kids, put down that PlayStation console and go climb a tree!
Thursday, June 10, 2010
Day Spa's & World Poverty
The lovely Mr D bought me a gift voucher for a treatment at a day spa recently, and I availed myself of this opportunity yesterday. Several things struck me as I lay there having my skin smoothed, polished, hydrated and generally pampered;
1.
Since when has frequenting day spas become the norm for the middle class masses? In my mind, spending several hours - or even just attending - a day spa was the reserve of wealthy women, with too much money and not enough to do. You know the types - the 'ladies who lunch' set who have nothing to do so fill their day's with spa and salon appointments; the type's who start philanthropic foundations. Lady McMahon comes to mind. So how did going to a day spa become something the middle class masses partipated in? Which brings me to my second point....
2.
While laying there doing essentially nothing, except for relaxing, it occured to me that the process of paying to do nothing is the ultimate form of commodification. At a day spa you are basically being sold an idea, or a state of mind. Sure, there are services involved, but most of that could be done at home yourself. No, the whole point of going to a day spa is to feel spoiled, indulged. Effectively you are paying to feel good about yourself - it's the commodification of self worth.
3.
My conscience was being somewhat of a miser yesterday, trying to ruin my indulgent experience by reminding me that while I lay there having a grand time, there are people who cannot afford to feed themselves, rendering the 'relaxing' element of the experience somewhat redundant. However inconvenient my conscience was, it did have a point. It seems almost obscene to spend what for some in the developing world would be over a years wage, on having a massage and a facial.
4.
In Australia, we have become so wealthy that going to a day spa and spending hundreds of dollars has become something the average person particpates in. But according to the World Bank, 80% of the worlds population lives on less than $10 a day. I think it's time I stopped defining rich as the person who lives in a big house on the water, and consider myself rich. Becasue the reality is I am. Most people in Australia are, when looked at from a global perspective.
Will I ever go back to a day spa? Probably. Will I enjoy it? Yes. Will I also feel guilty? Yes.
1.
Since when has frequenting day spas become the norm for the middle class masses? In my mind, spending several hours - or even just attending - a day spa was the reserve of wealthy women, with too much money and not enough to do. You know the types - the 'ladies who lunch' set who have nothing to do so fill their day's with spa and salon appointments; the type's who start philanthropic foundations. Lady McMahon comes to mind. So how did going to a day spa become something the middle class masses partipated in? Which brings me to my second point....
2.
While laying there doing essentially nothing, except for relaxing, it occured to me that the process of paying to do nothing is the ultimate form of commodification. At a day spa you are basically being sold an idea, or a state of mind. Sure, there are services involved, but most of that could be done at home yourself. No, the whole point of going to a day spa is to feel spoiled, indulged. Effectively you are paying to feel good about yourself - it's the commodification of self worth.
3.
My conscience was being somewhat of a miser yesterday, trying to ruin my indulgent experience by reminding me that while I lay there having a grand time, there are people who cannot afford to feed themselves, rendering the 'relaxing' element of the experience somewhat redundant. However inconvenient my conscience was, it did have a point. It seems almost obscene to spend what for some in the developing world would be over a years wage, on having a massage and a facial.
4.
In Australia, we have become so wealthy that going to a day spa and spending hundreds of dollars has become something the average person particpates in. But according to the World Bank, 80% of the worlds population lives on less than $10 a day. I think it's time I stopped defining rich as the person who lives in a big house on the water, and consider myself rich. Becasue the reality is I am. Most people in Australia are, when looked at from a global perspective.
Will I ever go back to a day spa? Probably. Will I enjoy it? Yes. Will I also feel guilty? Yes.
Friday, May 7, 2010
Mother's Day
It's Mother's Day this weekend, and it's my first as a mum. Mr D has offered to take the three of us out for breakfast on the day, which will be lovely.
I was asked what I would like for Mother's Day, and after realising that sleep cannot be purchased, or wrapped up and put in a pretty box, I began to think of something other than sleep that would be a nice gift.
It got me thinking about what we used to get my mum for Mother's day. I have memories of Dad waking my sister and I up while Mum was still asleep, with the three of us sneaking around the house, making Mum breakfast in bed. This usually consisted of toast and a cup of tea - and then going outside to pick some flowers from the garden to put in a vase on her breakfast tray.
I am sure Mum was on to us, and made a great show of pretending to wake up when we came in, and then acting so surprised/delighted with her cold toast and weak cold tea. But perhaps the delight was genuine, because having your children do something nice for you is special isn't it?
So maybe I don't need a present after all. I'm saying no to the commodification of motherhood! I am above consumerism. I don't need to feel loved through the consumption of a never ending array of must have products. But perhaps I could make an exception for those exquisite boots I saw in Witchery last week...
I was asked what I would like for Mother's Day, and after realising that sleep cannot be purchased, or wrapped up and put in a pretty box, I began to think of something other than sleep that would be a nice gift.
It got me thinking about what we used to get my mum for Mother's day. I have memories of Dad waking my sister and I up while Mum was still asleep, with the three of us sneaking around the house, making Mum breakfast in bed. This usually consisted of toast and a cup of tea - and then going outside to pick some flowers from the garden to put in a vase on her breakfast tray.
I am sure Mum was on to us, and made a great show of pretending to wake up when we came in, and then acting so surprised/delighted with her cold toast and weak cold tea. But perhaps the delight was genuine, because having your children do something nice for you is special isn't it?
So maybe I don't need a present after all. I'm saying no to the commodification of motherhood! I am above consumerism. I don't need to feel loved through the consumption of a never ending array of must have products. But perhaps I could make an exception for those exquisite boots I saw in Witchery last week...
Sunday, April 11, 2010
TV Series...
I love DVD's. I mean not the actual discs themselves - obviously - but I love buying a whole season, or series even, of a TV show I love, and working my way through it. In my own time, and without being sold to advertisers without my consent. That's effectively what TV networks do. They sell you - the audience - to adverstisers, with their so called 'ratings' stats. Sorry, I digress....
Anyhow I really do love being able to sit down and watch an episode (or three!) of whatever show has taken my fancy. With the whole series in my hot little hands, I'm not at the behest of some televsion executive, deciding when I may watch a show and in what manner. With my DVD's I can devour the program or I can slow it down (as I often do when I am nearing the last DVD of the last season of a series!).
Currently I am progressig through the first season of Mad Men. It's very clever and funny and sexy.
Mr D is working his way through The Soprano's at the moment. He say's it's awesome...I might have to check it out some time.
I still look back with fondness on the days when I first watched the entire series of The West Wing. Love that show. Sigh, I will watch it through again, but it's not the same as the first time. I was fortunate too to discover the show when it was in it's final season, and therefore had the whole series to devour from start to finish.
So, I'm looking forward to discovering my new favourite series. Any suggestions?
Anyhow I really do love being able to sit down and watch an episode (or three!) of whatever show has taken my fancy. With the whole series in my hot little hands, I'm not at the behest of some televsion executive, deciding when I may watch a show and in what manner. With my DVD's I can devour the program or I can slow it down (as I often do when I am nearing the last DVD of the last season of a series!).
Currently I am progressig through the first season of Mad Men. It's very clever and funny and sexy.
Mr D is working his way through The Soprano's at the moment. He say's it's awesome...I might have to check it out some time.
I still look back with fondness on the days when I first watched the entire series of The West Wing. Love that show. Sigh, I will watch it through again, but it's not the same as the first time. I was fortunate too to discover the show when it was in it's final season, and therefore had the whole series to devour from start to finish.
So, I'm looking forward to discovering my new favourite series. Any suggestions?
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)