bon iver - calgary

This is so, so lovely.....

don't you cherish me to sleep

never keep your eyelids clipped

hold me for the pops and clicks

I was only for the father's crib

hair, old, long along
your neck onto your shoulder blades
always keep that message taped
cross your breasts you won't erase
I was only for your very space


hip, under nothing
propped up by your other one, face 'way from the sun
just have to keep a dialogue
teach our bodies: haunt the cause
I was only trying to spell a loss


joy, it's all founded
pincher with the skin inside
you pinned me with your black sphere eyes
you know that all the rope's untied
I was only for to die beside


so itʼs storming on the lake
little waves our bodies break


there's a fire going out,
but there's really nothing to the south


swollen orange and light let through
your one piece swimmer stuck to you


sold, I'm ever
open ears and open eyes
wake up to your starboard bride
who goes in and then stays inside
oh the demons come, they can subside

changes

Well I've embarked on another big change in my life with a change of job. I actually hate change. It's been imposed on me in monumental ways since John got diagnosed with end stage melanoma cancer. I don't embrace it easily!! So this has not been an easy decision or path to take. If you have been following my blog you'll know that this year has been fraught with sadness. And mixed up in the midst of that was some sadness about my job.

After talking to a few people and trying to unravel the myriad of things I was feeling..... I worked out that some significant things had changed in my job. Things at work seemed to be shaping up in a different direction this year and I had to let go of some things that were dear to my heart. I spent A LOT of time soul searching, seeing whether I could live and work with the changes. In the end I decided that I couldn't. Those things meant so much to me and I thought they were important. I also thought that I needed to make space for someone else to embrace the changes that I couldn't. So I decided that the right thing to do was leave. I put so much agonised thought and prayer into this decision.... I prayed and prayed.... and it felt right.

It's one thing to make a decision that you know is right. It's another thing to live with the consequences. It's been really hard to leave and let go. My work at St Paul's has been a labour of love. I've poured my heart and soul into the children, families, people and work there. It's been more than a job. It's been a part of who I am. I have been committed to it with 100% of who I am. It was so hard to resign, to go through all of the processes that leaving entails and not be overwhelmed with grief. One step at a time..... And as I've been doing this, the whole thing has been made easier by the lovely people who have supported me, talked to me, prayed with me, sent me lovely messages and have articulated how they and their children feel about me and what I've done at St Paul's. My great colleagues and friends have walked me through this time, sharing wonderful thoughts and love with me. It's been incredibly special and awful all at the same time.

When I resigned and started on that path, I didn't know what the future held for me or where I'd end up. It's been a step of faith into the dark. But I've seen the hand of God on everything, organising the timing and the perfect job for me to go on to. So a step into the unknown that felt awful and heart wrenching but right, has led me into a job at a lovely Catholic school where I can meld my teaching philosopies and my spiritual beliefs. It's the perfect job for me, combining all of my teaching experience and my times working at church into a seamless, holistic expression of education, faith and life.

Through all of this I have been extremely grateful to God for his consistent love, guidance and support. I have also been overwhelmed by the many people who have expressed their love and appreciation to me in so many ways. I am always thankful that I have such a beautiful family, who are my biggest cheerleaders, supporters and friends.

So new beginnings AGAIN!!! I'm embracing the change and look forward to seeing what unfolds.... Thanks for coming along for the ride!

Geelong - the trilogy

Well this is my last post on Geelong and my stay in Melbourne. I couldn't go to Melbourne without a taste of the shops so Tam, Jojo, Phia and I headed into the city for a day trip. We stayed around Gertrude and Brunswick Streets visiting some of my favourite shops including Third Drawer Down and Douglas and Hope. Nothing is as satisfying as whiling away some hours in visually stimulating and creative environments. Melbourne shops excell at that, particularly the ones in Brunswick Street.

I love this graffiti I found near Third Drawer Down....

We interspersed shopping with playing in the park with these childsize Matryoshka dolls....

....and the most divine gorgonzola and pear pizza with extremely moreish fries at the Little Creatures Dining Hall. Their beer was pretty good too!

Jojo took this photo. Nice angle, composition....

Mmmmmm hops....

Mmmmmm toys...

Back in Geelong, these images caught my eye on our daily walks round Tam and Damo's neighbourhood....

Paper sculpture window decorations in the local pizza bar....

Geelong street art

How lovely to live on Hope Street!

The local park just a few minutes up the road....

Fun times in the park....

The loveliest ladies in Geelong on their front porch....

Fun and games in the afternoon!

This was our car, truck, boat, island where we had many adventures....

We caught some fish and they were this big!!

My holiday had to come to an end and I was feeling sad at leaving Melbourne when this image at Melbourne Airport caught my eye. It made me feel proud to be a New Zealander and it was a nice thought to take home with me. Thanks Australia. In that spirit of mateship - I'll be back!!

geelong - the sequel

My friends have described Geelong as Hamilton by the sea. I understand the comparison as Hamilton is smaller and slower paced than Auckland and Geelong is smaller and slower paced than Melbourne. The similarities end there! It is still reasonably large. It is the hub of some huge Australian-based brands, such as Cotton On, Emu and Ford. It has so many great places to shop and eat. There are a myriad of antique and vintage markets. It is full of the cutest little villas and gardens, historical buildings and architecture. It's interesting and lively without the pressure of fast city living. It's a great place to live!

Check out the vintage shopping. Oh my goodness! So many treasures! So much I wanted to buy if I lived there.

I loved walking around the streets - taking in all of the gorgeous old houses, gardens and historical buildings. It really is lovely.

Such a nice place to live. Don't you agree?