tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37894445125686578132024-02-08T21:01:24.932+11:00tea and contemplationVannahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03423119681838419135noreply@blogger.comBlogger49125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3789444512568657813.post-48935138416553636592016-07-22T00:11:00.001+10:002016-07-22T00:11:38.311+10:00Why I love Le Tour!Those of you who know me well know that I love watching sport and for the last few years I have looked forward to the July school holidays which are timed perfectly to coincide with the first 2 weeks of the Tour de France. I love to stay up late to watch, and usually manage to see a few stages all the way through, drinking tea and keeping warm snuggled on the couch in front of the heater until 2 or 3 in the morning. A few years ago I borrowed an exercise bike and rode along with Le Tour in my lounge room. Funnily enough I didn't get very far - a little more training is needed, but it was great fun!<br />
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I discovered the tour in 2010, the year before Cadel Evans won the race and I was instantly intrigued by the beauty and the complexity of the tour. It took me a few tours to work out the rules and to begin to understand the tactics and team work.<br />
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I know there is controversy and drug taking in the world of cycling, but for me this is well and truly overshadowed by the many wonderful aspects of the sport. Tonight is a time trial - stage 18, and as I watch I thought I'd list all the things that I love about Le Tour!<br />
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*<i> The names of the riders.</i> There are so many wonderful names that I love to say as often as possible during Le Tour - Alberto Contador! Fabian Cancellara! Alejandro Valverde! Cyclists have long careers so I have been hearing some of these names for 7 years and I just love hearing them. A new favourite this year is Julian Alaphilippe!<br />
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* <i>The teamwork.</i> It took me a while to understand the way that teams work for their lead rider or for their sprinter or climber. The idea of a 'domestique' doing all the hard work and then dropping back exhausted for their leader to win is intriguing to me and something I've never seen in another sport. The strength and resilience of these athletes is awesome.<br />
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* <i>The scenery of course!</i> Words not necessary here ...<br />
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* <i>The roundabouts and the descents</i> - I love how the peleton split as they ride through a roundabout. It is just so satisfying to watch, and the descents down mountains in a long line at great speed are breathtaking.<br />
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* <i>The commentary</i> - there is something so relaxing about listening to the commentators who know the race so well and share so much knowledge about the riders, the latest news and the towns and areas they ride through. Phil Liggett is a legend - he's been commentating Le Tour for 43 years!<br />
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* <i>The rules and the tactics.</i> The complicated rules, the different competitions within the tour and the team tactics are fascinating. I'm sure I don't really understand it properly but I really enjoy trying to work it all out.<br />
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*<i>The crowds of spectators.</i> I would love to be on the summit of a climb along with all the crazy spectators one day, with my campervan nearby ready to take me to the next stage. The atmosphere looks amazing as the crowds urge the riders on, cheering each and every one as they whoosh past.<br />
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* <i>The colours</i>. The yellow, green, polka dot and white jersey. The flags, the team colours, and the patterns in the peleton.<br />
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* <i>The drama!</i> Crashes, attacks, sprints, the stage wins.<br />
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* <i>The champagne. </i> What other sporting event ends with the athletes drinking champagne and congratulating each other as they ride together? Perfect.<br />
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<br />Vannahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03423119681838419135noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3789444512568657813.post-63728485063606585232016-07-05T13:09:00.002+10:002016-07-05T13:09:41.961+10:00Turkish apple teaLast week I went to a local turkish restaurant for our end of term work dinner. At the end of a delicious meal we had tea and coffee and yummy sweets kindly gifted to us by one of our beautiful preschool families. I ordered an apple tea and when it arrived it looked so pretty alongside my friend's coffee that I had to take a photo to share.<br />
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The tea was sweet, warm and just perfect for a cold Winter's night. I expect it is full of sugar or honey but it is worth it! It reminded me of Ella's discovery of hot apple cider in New York when the temperature was below zero. We all enjoyed a few cups over our time there - it warms up both your body and your soul.<br />
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Mmmm - time for a cup of tea now, and then I'm going out to buy some apple tea, or maybe find out how to make some of my own.<br />
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Stay warm,<br />
Vanna xxVannahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03423119681838419135noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3789444512568657813.post-78661286256188511082016-05-22T12:20:00.001+10:002016-07-05T13:09:41.964+10:00Tea in the cupboardI found this beautiful little package of tea in my cupboard yesterday. <div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-eddXeGTsjMM/V0EXhqp9VHI/AAAAAAAAAi8/jy9NZ5XV0ck/s640/blogger-image-2056903762.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-eddXeGTsjMM/V0EXhqp9VHI/AAAAAAAAAi8/jy9NZ5XV0ck/s640/blogger-image-2056903762.jpg"></a></div> </div><div>I bought it when we were in Tokyo which was around 2 years ago so I wasn't sure how fresh it would be. I think I've resisted opening it because of the gorgeous packaging. </div><div><br></div><div>I love the quote - tea always makes me slow down a little and I do enjoy a wonderful time! I can't imagine my day without the ritual of tea even when it's usually just a tea bag in the cup. I enjoy choosing the cup depending on my mood, and the opportunity to stop whatever I'm doing for a few minutes as I prepare the tea. I try to be mindful as I drink and be thankful for another moment to reflect and take a breath. </div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-z8EMsRANUvY/V0EXZh8J6zI/AAAAAAAAAi4/2zZqO8KR0vo/s640/blogger-image-1604625204.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-z8EMsRANUvY/V0EXZh8J6zI/AAAAAAAAAi4/2zZqO8KR0vo/s640/blogger-image-1604625204.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div>The tea was a lovely peach flavour, and to my surprise there were 3 teabags inside so I have two more to look forward to. </div><div><br></div><div>Vanna xxx</div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div><br></div>Vannahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03423119681838419135noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3789444512568657813.post-30818299974672962342016-03-28T23:59:00.002+11:002016-03-29T00:00:25.301+11:00An extrovert goes grocery shopping!This weekend I went to my local shopping centre on Saturday - the day between the two Easter public holidays. Rather than dreading the inevitable madness as people shop like there's no tomorrow, I kind of looked forward to being there on this busier than normal Saturday. <div>
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After my shopping was done and as I walked out into the car-park, energetically pushing my trolley, smiling and singing to myself, I had a bit of a self awareness light-bulb moment. I really love the buzz of being with so many people in this mundane environment. Does this make me weird or a bit sad? Many of my friends can't stand grocery shopping, and avoid our daggy supermarket whenever possible, whereas I've noticed that I actually get an adrenaline buzz from the interactions I have with people as I buy my groceries! </div>
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When I shop at my local I enjoy chatting to the shop assistants - at the fruit shop, at Woollies, at Bakers Delight, and to the woman who runs the florist. I've been shopping here for years, so I feel connected to these people and we know a little about each other and our lives. I teach at a local preschool so I also run into lots of current and past children and families as I shop, and once again I love the ongoing connection that this contact gives me. It's great to briefly catch up, to reminisce, and to watch children grow and see the changes that time brings. </div>
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I often run into friends while I shop, and I also enjoy the interactions with people I don't know at all as we drive our trolleys around the aisles, or wait in lines at counters, We share a smile, a laugh, an offer of help, or a roll of the eyes when its appropriate. </div>
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This realisation confirms that I am more of an extrovert than an introvert - I am energised by interactions with groups of people. I love going to see bands and big concerts, and I work with lots of people, so this is no surprise to me. However I think the shopping thing goes a little bit deeper - I think that being a part of this routine reminds me that we are all connected and are all just doing what we need to do to get by. Obviously shopping for food is a lot easier than trying to hunt for it, or grow it, and I am among the privileged few in the world who can just go down the road and get everything I need and more. However when I shop at my local supermarket I feel that I belong and that I am part of a community. </div>
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<b>My happiness comes from my sense of good fortune as I shop, and the reminder that what really matters is how we turn everyday moments into opportunities to connect, to be kind, and to be grateful.</b></div>
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<i> I just had fun drawing this on Paint! Vanna xxx</i></div>
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Vannahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03423119681838419135noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3789444512568657813.post-4283902302226762532016-03-09T18:26:00.000+11:002016-03-09T18:26:40.130+11:00Busy Work.It was International Women's Day yesterday and perhaps because of this my feminist radar was working well when a four year old girl at the preschool where I teach said to me:<br />
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<i>"My Mum picks me up because my Dad is too busy". </i><br />
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I acknowledged this statement, then said that I was pretty sure her Mum was also busy and that picking her up and looking after her was something that made her busy too.<br />
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She thought about this but then told me once more about how busy her Dad was.<br />
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What messages are we still (unbelievably) giving our children, especially girls, about the value of the work that women do? I happen to know that this Mother's 'work' is typical of so many women with young children and involves juggling unpaid and paid work, 'busily' moving between 'jobs'.<br />
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Is caring for and raising children not important enough to be considered busy work? Why not? I know people have been discussing this in much more academic terms for years, but it really bothers me! It also relates to my work as an early childhood teacher as I have struggled my entire career to have my 'professional work' valued fairly.<br />
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The power of the words we use with children must not be underestimated. If we hear something often enough we start to believe it. If a child hears that what their Mum (or Dad or whoever cares for them) does isn't seen as being as 'busy', we can translate this to being unimportant or of less value, since 'busyness' is regrettably seen as an achievement or a 'badge of honour'. (I just googled 'busyness as a badge of honour' and there are loads of articles about this as well - interesting stuff.)<br />
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I think its really important that we continue to challenge the way that our children think about the work we do, and to acknowledge the significance and hard work involved in being a parent (or carer). We can advocate for women and women's rights by valuing the complexity of what women do each day as we work to raise our children and work in our paid jobs, and somehow manage to usually do a pretty good job at both!<br />
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Vanna<br />
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<br />Vannahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03423119681838419135noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3789444512568657813.post-63608914576672718252016-02-19T21:23:00.004+11:002016-02-19T21:24:31.142+11:00Milestones and Letting Go<i>I began this post in September last year, and finished it today ...</i><br />
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I love milestones, and they also send me a little bit crazy.<br />
Last month was a biggie! My son turned 18 and graduated from high school - ON THE SAME DAY!!<br />
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When something big like this is approaching I whip myself up into an emotional frenzy and share this heightened state with everyone around me. Leading up to the 'big day' I couldn't stop talking about how I was feeling, and about how much I was going to cry, actually crying, and generally over-sharing to whoever would listen. I apologise to not only my family and friends, but also to my neighbours, to the lovely people who work at the local fruit shop, and to my workmates!<br />
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The Graduation was fantastic, and I cried of course. I drank champagne with my friend whose daughter started Kindy on the same day as my son and we cried happy tears as we watched them enjoy their graduation together 13 years later.The 18th was wonderful too - and we survived the birthday party in better shape than some of the guests!<br />
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I've always thought that being a parent is in so many ways about letting go. At each stage of your child's life you need to let go that little bit more. You let go when you send them to preschool, to school, on sleepovers and to camp. You let them make their own choices and mistakes, and hope that when they return to you they will be ok. They will be a little changed from each new experience, and so will you.<br />
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When my son turned 18 and finished school I celebrated the beautiful man that he had become and grieved for the gorgeous boy that he was. I celebrated that I was with him to share in this important day and my heart burst with pride and love as I watched him share this special day with his friends and with our family.<br />
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Now, 5 months later as I finally finish this post I'm feeling a lot calmer and accepting of this next stage in my life as a mother. He is away with friends for a week and I'm missing him, but I know that he's having a great time and I want nothing more than for him to be happy, peaceful, and surrounded by people who he loves, enjoying this exciting time in his life, when so much is possible. I know that the letting go will continue, and more tears will be shed, however a little rest for the moment feels sweet and I will savour it.<br />
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Vanna xxx<br />
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<img alt="12 Things To Know Before Letting Go" src="http://i0.wp.com/www.marcandangel.com/images/12-before-let-go.jpg?resize=500%2C375" /><br />
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I love the sense of freedom and exhilaration in this image - letting go can be difficult but once you've done it, it feels pretty good!<br />
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(I found this photo on google images).<br />
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<br />Vannahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03423119681838419135noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3789444512568657813.post-55936044476200170532015-10-16T23:33:00.000+11:002015-10-21T20:59:02.961+11:00Climbing in the city.I spent a lot of my time at work today watching the children climb our two lovely maple trees. They have grown to just the right height for 3, 4 and 5 year old legs and arms to reach and explore.<br>
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I am so impressed with the children's ability to manoeuvre their way around the tree as they climb. Some children seem to work it out one move at a time - reaching for a branch with one hand, placing a foot in just the right place to balance, and then pulling themselves up or swinging back down to the ground. Some children talk as they climb - planning their next move, or calling out to friends. Others move swiftly and quietly - in seconds they are up in the tree, leaning comfortably onto the branches, trusting the tree for support. 'I'm going to stay here all day" said one of the girls to me.<br>
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For a few children climbing is a real challenge, but they persist. Other more accomplished climbers offer help - a hand to hold, or suggestions such as: "Put your foot there", "Pull up now!", or the less helpful "My muscles are stronger than this branch!". I am nearby and happy to provide a push up, although I'm more often needed when it's time to get down. I love the sense of pride and excitement when a child climbs up into the tree by themselves for the first time.<br>
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I love that I work in an environment where children are encouraged to take safe risks. Where climbing a tree in the city is part of the everyday, and where we trust that children inherently know their abilities - their limits, and more importantly their wondrous and enormous potential. <br>
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<br><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-1qPlCWqqcns/Vidhj5YViLI/AAAAAAAAAhE/85YpsZ7YbH0/s640/blogger-image--1351199089.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-1qPlCWqqcns/Vidhj5YViLI/AAAAAAAAAhE/85YpsZ7YbH0/s640/blogger-image--1351199089.jpg"></a></div>Vannahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03423119681838419135noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3789444512568657813.post-72187070627778181462015-10-08T19:17:00.000+11:002015-10-08T19:18:34.529+11:00Time to start writing again.It's been far too long since I've written a post for my little blog, and in the last week or so I've seen 2 friends who have reminded me to write - to just do it! So here I am writing and already it feels good. <br />
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I'm not totally sure what stopped me writing, however I do think it has a little to do with my mind being preoccupied with a bit of anxiety. My anxiety is low level and pretty straightforward - it is directly related to my health and is a result of having had breast cancer not only once - but twice! Throw some genetic disposition into the mix and worrying about the pain in my foot - is it foot cancer??? seems hardly surprising. <br />
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However, even though I'm very good at rationalising my anxiety, I'm not always so effective at dealing with it. I let it creep up on me and then I realise that a large amount of my mental energy is being spent worrying about things that haven't happened and that may happen - although most times these are incredibly unlikely to happen. As well as being unpleasant, what I dislike most about this is the space these thoughts take up in my mind. I have realised that when I'm anxious I have less space to be creative. My mind becomes full of not only the anxious thoughts, but also the thoughts that I use to try to resist and deal with the worries. Lots of not so helpful self-talk included. I become distracted - not fully present. And less inclined to take risks, to make things, to try something new.<br />
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The flip side of this is that as soon as I do something creative - such as writing which is my preferred creative outlet, my anxiety starts to fade away. It's like when you really don't want to exercise but you drag yourself out - and of course end up loving it and feeling fantastic afterwards. (Walking is also great for my headspace, as is mediating which I don't do nearly enough). <br />
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So I guess the moral of my story is that it's time to start writing again. We all know that prevention is better than the cure and now that my head is in a good place I should give myself some gentle help to keep it that way. <br />
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Vanna xxx<br />
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Walking with my beautiful dog Mali is great for my mental health too.</div>
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And so is drinking tea of course!</div>
Vannahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03423119681838419135noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3789444512568657813.post-11914453608244280242015-01-12T20:06:00.002+11:002015-01-12T20:06:42.632+11:00Happy New Year and Books!<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
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I was very happy today to hear on the radio news that in the last year sales of books had increased and sales of e books had decreased for the first time! Yipee! This means that I am not alone in my love for the real thing - a lovely book to hold, to carry around, to cuddle up with at night. New books have the wonderful smell and the sense of anticipation as you wait to be the first person to read it. Old books have character and history and connection. I have no real issue with e books, and I can't really comment on them as I've never actually read one and am not in a hurry to either. </div>
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This news coincided with my idea to post a photo of all the books that I read last year. This idea is in no way original as I've seen it on other blogs, and I thought it would be a fun exercise to pile them up and reflect on what I've read. After a search through the house I found the 13 books in the photo above - so not a bad start, more than one a month. </div>
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Then over the next few days I remembered a few other books that I had read but had borrowed: </div>
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<span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><strong> <em>The Goldfinch</em> by Donna Tartt</strong></span></div>
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<span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><strong> <em>Questions of Travel</em> by Michelle de Krester</strong></span></div>
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<span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><strong> <em>The Luminaries</em> by Eleanor Catton</strong></span></div>
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<span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><strong> <em>Animal People</em> by Charlotte Wood</strong></span></div>
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<a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-K8tqPfaChb8/U7FU4sq8suI/AAAAAAAAAcc/J1oreCgnV0g/s640/blogger-image-276872889.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-K8tqPfaChb8/U7FU4sq8suI/AAAAAAAAAcc/J1oreCgnV0g/s320/blogger-image-276872889.jpg" width="320" /></a> Another post reminded me of these books - a few made it to the big pile. I have to admit to starting <em>The Narrow Road to the Deep North </em>by Richard Flanagan and not being able to finish it. This was also the case with <em>Cloud Atlas </em>by David Mitchell. I tried, but maybe my head was not in the right space for either of them and I do believe that there are way, way, way too many books waiting to be read, to persist with one that's just not doing it for you.</div>
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As well as <em>Far from the Tree </em>the stand outs for me included <em>Bonfire of the Vanities </em>which I read after our holiday in New York. It was brilliant and as it was my Dad's copy from 1987 I was treated to his personal addition in the form of an article on Tom Wolfe tucked between the pages, and that feeling of closeness to Dad that I get when I read his old books. I also loved <em>Currawong Manor </em>which was made extra special by my regular meetings with the gorgeous Josephine as I walk to work or the shops. <em>Animal People</em> by another local Charlotte Wood was a great entertaining and clever read and I also found <em>The Blue Zones</em> potentially life changing - I am now aiming to live to 100! </div>
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So there you go, about 20 books in total. I'm feeling pretty pleased with myself and feel inspired to try and read more this year. I started the year with <em>The Hamilton Case</em> by Michelle de Krester and I am currently in the midst of <em>We are all Completely Beside Ourselves</em> by Karen Joy Fowler (fantastic title!).</div>
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What did you read and love? Do you find enough time to read? I am so thankful that I am able to make time for reading - it truly nourishes me.</div>
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Vanna xxx</div>
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Vannahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03423119681838419135noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3789444512568657813.post-88341198889828336472014-10-19T12:52:00.003+11:002014-10-19T12:53:19.844+11:00Crazy contradictionsYesterday as I was driving I was listening to the radio, and in the same news headlines were reports of thousands of people dying from the ebola virus and then the news that a horse had won 3 million dollars for wining a race. I had one of those moments where I wondered about the absolute insanity and unfairness of our world. Surely in a sane world that money would be going towards health and safety rather than rewarding people for forcing a horse to run fast. I know this is a very simplified reaction to reality and usually I don't let these contrasts bother me, however every now and then it just all seems too ridiculous. <br />
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Today however is a beautiful Spring day in Sydney - I'm sitting on my verandah writing and enjoying a cup of tea. The world seems a little less crazy and as always incredibly beautiful because of and in spite of these contradictions.<br />
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Vanna xxxVannahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03423119681838419135noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3789444512568657813.post-44191402045567602502014-10-16T23:01:00.002+11:002014-10-16T23:02:09.578+11:00Fabric memoriesIt's been a bit quiet at tea and contemplation lately - things are busy in other parts of my life so my energy is elsewhere just for the moment. I am however drinking large amounts of tea (what would I do without it!) and hope to have more time for blogging and writing soon.<br />
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In the meantime I've had another little story published in <a href="http://theplanthunter.com.au/" target="_blank">The Planthunter</a> online magazine. Yay!<br />
It's about my childhood once again - as I've said before, I really enjoy writing about my memories of this time. The theme for this month on the Planthunter is fabric, which reminded me of the fun I had with my Mum as we collected plants to use to make dye to colour the wool she had spun.<br />
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The story is called <a href="http://theplanthunter.com.au/culture/adventures-sour-sobs-lichen/" target="_blank">Adventures with sour sobs and lichen</a> . Have a look if you like - I wonder what sorts of creative adventures you had as a child?<br />
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Staying with the fabric theme - this is a beautiful crochet blanket that my Oma hand made and which I now proudly own. Another special memory of her and her many talents.<br />
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Vanna xxx<br />
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Vannahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03423119681838419135noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3789444512568657813.post-17862767021976866692014-09-26T18:22:00.001+10:002014-09-27T19:41:24.852+10:00TTotaler<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
Its been a while since I've blogged about tea so here goes ...</div>
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Yesterday my friend Wendy and I had a wonderful tea experience at TTotaler in Newtown. Going there was on my list of things to do this school holidays and I'm so glad we did!</div>
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Wendy enjoying her Chai Yoga tea - and amazing apple and orange cake.</div>
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I couldn't resist one of my favourite teas - French Earl Grey. My cake was delicious too - carrot, walnut and chai!</div>
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I love the simple style of the cafe - it sort of felt like a very comfortable old science lab that was being slowly taken over by plants as they grew quietly around us.</div>
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I'm looking forward to going back and trying more tea - the selection is large and interesting. Have a look on their Facebook page or website - <a href="http://www.ttotalertea.com/">www.ttotalertea.com</a></div>
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<br />Vannahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03423119681838419135noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3789444512568657813.post-71579213692491473212014-09-07T22:55:00.000+10:002014-09-07T22:55:49.616+10:00Love on Father's Day
I'm missing my Dad today on my first Father's Day without him, so in his memory I'd thought I'd share something he wrote in one of his many diaries:<br />
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; line-height: 115%;"><em><span style="font-size: large;">“The free Nelson Mandela concert in UK closed with
the chair closing the celebration with 4 words –<o:p></o:p></span></em></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: large;">FIRST – HUMANITY<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; line-height: 115%;"><em>and <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></em></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; line-height: 115%;"><em>I say</em> </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: large;">FIRST
& LAST: </span></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-AU; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-size: large;">LOVE.</span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-AU; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span></span> </div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-AU; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">May all Dad's and all beings be peaceful and well and loved.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-AU; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">Vxxx</span></span></div>
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Vannahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03423119681838419135noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3789444512568657813.post-59528245568187276422014-08-21T17:46:00.001+10:002014-08-21T17:47:20.917+10:00The landscape of childhood.I recently read these thoughts on youth and writing about childhood, paraphrased from George Eliot:<br />
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...<strong>in the landscape of youth there is nothing important, except that is where we learned to be human. Sensitivity to one's childhood landscape is a sign of moral maturity. </strong><br />
<em>(In a review of Rebecca Mead's The road to Middlemarch, by Helen Elliott SMH, Feb 2014).</em><br />
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This idea of sensitivity to childhood resonates with me as lately I have noticed that much of my writing is about my reflections of childhood. An incident from my memory is often the starting point for further discussion about something that is pertinent in my life today. So, if as Eliot suggests, this means that I have "moral maturity" then I feel pretty chuffed! </div>
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There are reasons for my fascination with childhood. Obviously my work with young children reflects and influences my constant thinking about this significant time in our lives, and I agree that it is when and where we learn to be human. We learn how to relate to others, how to move and survive in this big crazy world, and our brains and hearts take shape. I do however also believe that this learning continues our entire life and that it's never to late to change, but that's a whole other conversation.</div>
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I also had a very happy and privileged childhood and I guess that as I age I am becoming more appreciative of this fact. I know that losing my Oma (grandma) and my Dad in the last year has also made me more nostalgic for my early years, as I remember the huge impact of both of these special relationships on the person I grew up to be. I'm also reminded of my childhood and adolescence as I watch my children grow towards adulthood. The emotions and experiences that they go through often feel familiar, sometimes painful, however mostly filled with that sense of excitement for the future and the idea that anything can happen. <br />
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At the same time I also remember the feeling of really enjoying and being in the present moment which was such a special part of being a child. I know that as I grow older I am doing my best to relearn that ability to appreciate and fully experience what is happening now - be it good or bad, and let go of worrying about what has been or may happen.<br />
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<strong>Loving the moment! All dressed up for my brother's party with my best friend.</strong></div>
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<strong>Home, family, friends and celebrations are all part of my 'childhood landscape'. </strong></div>
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I have to admit that I have wondered if my references to childhood in my writing were in fact childish! Did it mean that my thinking and writing were limited in some way? Perhaps not deep enough for an adult? After reading these words from George Eliot, which then motivated me to think more about why this time of life is so significant for me, I do feel much more confident about this aspect of my writing - and rather morally mature!</div>
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Vannahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03423119681838419135noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3789444512568657813.post-84330460125550242792014-08-12T14:05:00.001+10:002014-08-12T14:05:37.237+10:00Life and deathAs I began my walk today I started by feeling so sad after hearing of the loss of the brilliant Robin Williams. It's always a weird thing to shed tears over someone you never knew personally - however being able to make people laugh and cry the way that he did is worth remembering.<br />
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As I continued to walk my spirits began to lift. It's cold today - only 12 degrees C, which for a Sydneysider is pretty chilly, but the sun was shining and as I felt it on my skin and I walked with my beautiful dog Mali beside me I felt truly alive. The park had that lovely clean and fresh atmosphere that you get after rain. The sky seemed extra blue and once again I felt so fortunate to have this wonderful space so close to home and the time to appreciate it.</div>
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It might sound a little corny, but the contrast between the sadness of death and the beauty of this day filled me with gratitude. Being alive is such a gift and while life is full of sadness at times, the grief reminds us how precious life is and am I thankful for that. </div>
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Vannahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03423119681838419135noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3789444512568657813.post-54584848232777013292014-08-01T19:01:00.000+10:002014-08-01T19:01:37.130+10:00Cheers to tap water!!I've just realised that as today is August 1st, it means that I have gone for a whole 7 months without buying a bottle of water!! Pretty impressive I think.<br />
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You may remember that at New Year I resolved not to buy bottled water and while I didn't think it would be too hard, I'm actually surprised at how easy it has been. Buying a bottle of water, and pretty much any bottled drink, is just not an option for me anymore. I have to admit that I have had a few sips from other's bottles, however I would rather wait until I get home, or to a source of tap water to have a proper drink, or take my own bottle filled from the tap at home. I did this often during Summer when we were going out for the day, to the pool or wherever. <br />
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It's one of those funny things about our society that so many of us choose to pay for water and then don't think twice about throwing away the bottle that it came in. I think it is a good example of how easy it is to get caught up in what everyone else does, or what marketing tells us to do, without questioning it. Why should we pay for water? Why not drink from the tap? Why is it OK to add to landfill and use up resources by drinking from plastic? Why should convenience always be the priority? <br />
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I think that making this resolution has shown me that I can make a choice about my consumption. I am also aware of how fortunate I am that I can make this choice - that I have unlimited access to clean, safe water. There are some sobering statistics about water scarcity on this UN website - including the fact that <a href="http://www.unwater.org/water-cooperation-2013/water-cooperation/facts-and-figures/en/" target="_blank">780 million people do not have access to clean water.</a> <br />
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Someone once said to me that every choice we make is also a political one. This sounds pretty heavy, however I agree to a point, because everything we do reflects our beliefs and priorities. If we believe that everything is interconnected, then our actions, whether positive or negative, sustainable or not, will impact on each other and the natural world. I hope that my small change in habit will impact positively and perhaps make others think about the choices they make when it comes to buying water, as well as reminding us to be grateful for what we have.<br />
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Vannahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03423119681838419135noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3789444512568657813.post-31408575038543070532014-07-22T22:15:00.000+10:002014-07-22T22:46:17.085+10:00Early Memories<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">There was a discussion on the radio (702 ABC) today about our earliest memories and it inspired me to write and think about the early things I can recall. I find memory and the way our brains work to store memory really fascinating. I know that memory is influenced by emotions - particularly strong ones such as fear and surprise. We are programmed to remember negative things so that if we come across them again we know how to protect ourselves. I have done a lot of reading about the brain and about ways to also teach our brains to reinforce positive experiences and emotions. I do feel fortunate that my default is to be glass half full, and this positive bent means that I am generally happy and content. I believe that this has also influenced my memory as I also know that memories are reinforced each time we recall them - so that if you tend to recall happy, positive memories you seem to have more of them and vice-versa with negative ones. </span><br />
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It's also intriguing to me that we all remember different parts of the same experience, or recall it in various ways. My cousin Nicole often remembers things from our childhood and adolescence that I had forgotten - although I can usually find some memory of the event in the back of my mind. My friend Hilary has an amazing memory for detail in books - she remembers the names of every character and has a wonderful ability to visualise scenes. I am not known for having a brilliant memory, particularly for everyday details, however I am greatly influenced (and often overwhelmed!) by my emotions and I am aware of this when I reminisce.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So ... my earliest memory? It is a bit like a series of old polaroids with blurry edges that trigger feelings. <em>A brown paper bag filled with Autumn leaves</em> - I took this for show and tell at preschool. I would have been 4 years old. I can see the bag and I can hear the crackling noise that the leaves made as I gently squashed the bag. <em>A child in a wheelchair holding the bag of leaves and he is smiling</em> ... I remember asking my Mum about this memory years later when I was a teenager and she confirmed that when I took the leaves in, some of the other children including this boy had a turn at holding the leaves and hearing the sound they made. I was apparently very excited about taking the leaves which I had collected from my garden to show everyone. I guess there was something special about that day, or those moments, or the people I interacted with that made them imprint in my memory. I wonder if it has had an impact on the person I am today, maybe even the choices I have made that have led to me being a preschool teacher? This memory feels very comfortable to me, and its significance in my mind sits well with the things that are important to me today.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">What do you remember from your early years? Do your memories tell you something about the person that you grew up to be?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"></span><br />Vannahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03423119681838419135noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3789444512568657813.post-89300646387135214682014-07-15T15:03:00.002+10:002014-07-22T22:15:39.945+10:00Literary surprises!This weekend after cleaning out one of my bookcases, I left an offering of a pile of books out at the front of my house. I've mentioned before that one of the ways I soften the blow of decluttering books is the hope that someone who loves them as much as I do will stop and pick one up as they walk by my house. I get a little thrill each time I pop my head out the gate to check on them, and notice that one or two have gone. I admit to being a little obsessive about this, and check a little more often than necessary! Within a few hours the pile of books was almost gone, which filled my book-loving heart with happiness.<br />
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On one of my walks around the neighbourhood with my big dog Mali, I recently picked up a couple of books that someone had left out in the same way. What goes around comes around doesn't it?<br />
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When I opened the book of short stories by Elizabeth Jolley I got a lovely surprise to find a double page from a literary supplement from the Sydney Morning Herald, dated December 31st 1988. The paper is yellowing and nice and big (like the Herald used to be) and contains a short story by Elizabeth Jolley. My Dad's old books, many of which I have inherited, are similar. Slipped inside I often find a newspaper clipping that is relevant in some way; an interview with the author, reviews of other books by the author, or a comment piece that is in some way related to the book's topic. Most of the clippings are adorned with Dad's comments and important parts underlined and marked with asterisks! (<em>By the way I just discovered that the word 'asterisk' comes from the Greek 'asterikos' meaning little star - isn't that beautiful!</em>).When I find one of these treasures I feel like Dad is with me once again sharing his love of books, which is very comforting. Just as I was, I know that he would have been thrilled to know that somewhere, long ago in 1988, someone else was saving newspaper articles for the same purpose!<br />
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Vannahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03423119681838419135noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3789444512568657813.post-44487967014689144182014-07-08T19:03:00.000+10:002014-07-10T23:31:02.594+10:00A new pact with myselfI've never been brilliant at making decisions. I tend to over think situations and I know that I definitely try too hard to keep everyone happy which can sometimes be to my detriment. I have written about decision making before here - <a href="http://teaandcontemplation.blogspot.com.au/2014/04/make-pact-with-yourself.html" target="_blank">Make a pact with yourself</a> - where I talk about always making time with my children a priority. In the last few weeks I have been mulling over an offer of extra work and wondering whether I should accept it or not. I have tossed around the pros and cons over and over, but just haven't been able to shake the feeling of discomfort it gives me. I have feelings of obligation, guilt, desire for recognition (and money!) and so on, however none of these are enough for me to commit to a job that, based on my past experience, I am pretty sure will result in me feeling stress and anxiety. <br />
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Yesterday I spent time with two old friends who both work in the same field as me, and I talked to them about my decision. Both reminded me that yes! I had asked them to please tell me not to do this type of work again. I thought about what advice I would give them if they were in the same situation and I know that I would tell them to make themselves a priority. And this is where I had the idea of making a new pact with myself - <strong>to do what is best for me</strong>. This focus on myself feels slightly uncomfortable. I definitely fit into the category of women who worry about everyone else before themselves. I have had major health issues in recent years and yet I still don't make my health and need to reduce stress the priority that it should be. <br />
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Later in the day as I was grocery shopping I was thinking about this new pact with myself and I ran into another friend who without even knowing what I had been thinking over, gave me the final encouragement I needed. In the checkout at Woolies - where many wise words are spoken - she reminded me to rest, to take care of myself and to be creative. <br />
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So now, with thanks to my 3 wise friends, I've made a decision. I will take on work that feels good, that doesn't give me that awful tight feeling in my chest whenever I think about it. I will do work that fits in time wise - so that other things in my life and my family's life aren't compromised. I am also going to commit to use the time I do have to be creative - to write at a regular time at least once a week and to exercise regularly.<br />
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I'm looking forward to seeing where this new pact will take me. I expect I will find it hard at times, and of course I know I will continue to consider others in my decisions. I had a look for quotes about self care, of which there are many. This one really resonated with me - its about letting go which I believe is a bit of a theme in my life.<br />
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<span style="color: purple;">“When I loved myself enough, I began leaving whatever wasn’t healthy. This meant people, jobs, my own beliefs and habits – anything that kept me small. My judgement called it disloyal. Now I see it as self-loving.” ~ Kim McMillen <a href="http://www.myinnerspaceblog.com/2012/01/17/when-i-loved-myself-enough-by-kim-mcmillen/" target="_blank">When I loved myself enough</a></span><br />
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<span style="color: black;">I also like this one - if I take care of myself I'll be more able and available to take care of others.</span><br />
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<em>Do you agree that looking after yourself is a priority? How do you think you are doing in this area?</em><br />
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Vanna xxx<br />
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Vannahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03423119681838419135noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3789444512568657813.post-57533330812196421782014-06-30T22:22:00.001+10:002014-06-30T22:23:50.582+10:00Reading - the silver lining.It's been a while between posts as I had a small health hiccup, however am thankfully all recovered and ready for life to return to 'normal'. There is always a sliver lining and having to take some time off to heal meant that I got to do lots of reading! I finished both books that I posted about previously - <em>Far from the Tree</em> and <em>Currawong Manor</em>. <br />
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<em>Currawong Manor</em> was a wonderful escape into another world full of interesting and eccentric characters and mystery. The atmosphere that Josephine creates is thick with suspense and her words build such strong and beautiful pictures. The story is set in the Blue Mountains and I always enjoy reading about somewhere that is familiar to me. I'm looking forward to my next visit to the mountains so that I can enjoy the beautiful scenery with the images and characters from<em> Currawong Manor </em>playing in my mind.<br />
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<em>Far from the Tree</em> also lived up to expectations. I was overwhelmed by the stories of family, love and resilience that Andrew Solomon presents as he explores identity and difference. My work as a teacher has given me a small amount of understanding of how having a child with a disability or who 'doesn't fit in' can impact on families, and this book explores such a wide range of children and families that I feel I have expanded my knowledge enormously by reading it. He covers so many issues, particularly the significance of identity, without judgement and with love and sensitivity, and highlights the incredible strength that can be gained from tough times and experiences. <br />
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I also re-read <em>The Rosie Project </em>by Graeme Simsion - such a fun and clever book.<br />
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<em><span style="color: purple;">I am so thankful that I enjoy (actually adore and couldn't live without!) reading. Knowing that I can escape into a book helps me to move beyond my own concerns and makes my life bigger and more amazing.</span> </em><br />
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Vannahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03423119681838419135noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3789444512568657813.post-77023671076179360372014-06-07T12:24:00.001+10:002014-06-08T22:59:52.027+10:00Long Weekend ReadingIt is a long weekend in Sydney and I plan to spend large amounts of it reading!<br>
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Currawong Manor is the fabulous Josephine Pennicott's new book. Find out more at<a href="http://josephinepennicott.com/" target="_blank"> josephinepennicot.com</a></div>
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Her previous book Poet's Cottage was beautiful and intriguing, so I am really looking forward to this one.</div>
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I first saw Andrew Solomon doing a TED talk: <span style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.292969); font-family: '.HelveticaNeueUI'; font-size: 15px; line-height: 19px; white-space: nowrap;"><a href="http://www.ted.com/talks/andrew_solomon_love_no_matter_what">http://www.ted.com/talks/andrew_solomon_love_no_matter_what</a></span> which just blew me away. I had to wait for this book after it had sold out as a result of his popularity at the Sydney Writers Festival. </div>
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Two very different books - I'm not sure where Ill start. Perhaps I'll swap between the two. At the moment I am enjoying that gorgeous feeling of having brand new books just waiting to be opened.</div>
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Time to make a cup of tea and let the long weekend begin!</div>
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Vannahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03423119681838419135noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3789444512568657813.post-19272393715619767582014-06-05T14:17:00.000+10:002014-06-07T12:00:43.668+10:00The Way of Tea<br />
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Finding out more about the tea ceremony was high on my list of things to do while we were in Japan.<br />
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I have always been drawn to rituals - they make me feel comfortable and give me a sense of being in control. I think this is why the ritual of making a cup of tea is such a big part of my everyday. If I miss out (or if there's no milk at home or work!) I feel quite lost.<br />
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I found a place in Kyoto called "En", which offered an introduction to the tea ceremony. The information on the<a href="http://www.teaceremonyen.com/eindex.html" target="_blank"> En website</a> appealed to me as it talked about connection - a concept that is very important to me. <br />
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Our host began by telling us about the spiritual aspect of the tea ceremony and the 4 attitudes that must be present at the tea ceremony and that everyone attending must observe - <br />
"WA-KEI-SEI-JAKU" which means:<br />
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<strong>Respect</strong> - for everyone and everything including the objects that are part of the ceremony.<br />
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<strong>Purity</strong> - leave any worries or thoughts from everyday behind before coming into the tea room.<br />
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<strong>Tranquillity</strong> - this occurs when the 3 attitudes above are present.<br />
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<em><span style="color: #274e13;">What a wonderful way to approach any event - and life itself!</span></em><br />
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After sharing lots of interesting information , our host performed a short tea ceremony for us. It took about 20 minutes - apparently they can take up to 3 hours. <br />
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I found the experience meditative and beautiful. Each movement was considered and had significance. The absence of words meant that we could hear and appreciate every sound - the water as it was poured, the tea whisk mixing the tea. It was totally focussed on the present moment which was very calming - I certainly felt tranquil after watching the ceremony.<br />
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We didn't take many photos during the ceremony, however these ones from when we had tea at Kinkaku-Ji, a Zen temple known as The Golden Pavilion also in Kyoto, show the beautiful frothy, green matcha tea. Tea is usually accompanied by a sweet - this time decorated with gold leaf.<br />
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When we came home my Mum gave me this lovely little book which I'm looking<br />
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Vannahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03423119681838419135noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3789444512568657813.post-82171238108749448312014-05-11T22:30:00.002+10:002014-05-11T22:32:12.946+10:00An abundance of (mostly green) tea!<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
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Cherry blossom tea - we were given this on our arrival at the ryokan (traditional guest house) in Kyoto. It was very salty and served with a slice of watermelon which balanced the taste.<br />
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Tea was offered on arrival or available at every restaurant. This is at a fantastic sushi train place in Kyoto which had lightly flavoured green tea on tap! By this stage of the trip I was really enjoying green tea after drinking so much of it!</div>
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As green is my favourite colour I just loved seeing the many shades of it and the way it contrasts so beautifully with the cups. </div>
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Green tea bags - all the way from Kyoto! Now in my kitchen in Sydney waiting to be enjoyed during a quiet moment - or used to encourage some quiet when it's needed.<br />
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Vannahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03423119681838419135noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3789444512568657813.post-4199517173447422352014-05-06T18:06:00.002+10:002014-05-07T17:31:27.100+10:00The PlanthunterI am very excited and just have to tell you that I have had a story published in the wonderful online magazine The Plant Hunter - <a href="http://theplanthunter.com.au/">http://theplanthunter.com.au/</a><br />
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I have written about childhood, children, and the natural world - something very close to my heart, and it's such a wonderful feeling to know that someone else believes that my ideas and thinking are worth sharing.<br />
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Have a good read and look at the rest of The Plant Hunter too. I love the concept behind it - a place to document and celebrate the connections between plants and humans. <br />
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Vanna xxx<br />
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<em>One of the many beautiful flower displays we saw in Japan.</em><br />
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The hydrangeas remind me of my childhood. They were favourites of my Oma and my brother. Oma used to have big bushes of them growing at the front of her house, and I was always intrigued by the way she covered them up with sheets in the middle of the day to protect them from the sun.<br />
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Vannahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03423119681838419135noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3789444512568657813.post-69070938565694282342014-04-19T23:14:00.001+10:002014-05-07T17:31:40.820+10:00Iced green tea on the ShinkansenHello from Japan!!<div><br><div>We have been in Tokyo for the last four days which has been amazing and fabulous!!! We have done lots of shopping, eating ramen and noodles, and enjoying being swept along by the crowds as we explore different parts of the city.</div><div><br></div><div>Today we travelled by Shinkansen (bullet train) from Tokyo to Kyoto. As we had been told by everyone who has been to Japan, the rail service is amazing. The train is clean, comfortable and punctual. We were able to buy drinks and snacks from a cart that arrived twice during the trip. <div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-eNEAfXL99So/U1J2q3VO9FI/AAAAAAAAAUg/x2eA--msFWo/s640/blogger-image--771282618.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-eNEAfXL99So/U1J2q3VO9FI/AAAAAAAAAUg/x2eA--msFWo/s640/blogger-image--771282618.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">I don't really like green tea, however I am trying to learn to like it! It is very healthy and in Kyoto it is the tea used in the traditional tea ceremonies. Ella likes green tea so when she ordered a bottle of cold tea I decided to join her. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-baKg6QL2qDw/U1J2sZIDwVI/AAAAAAAAAUo/RXuNN7mki0M/s640/blogger-image-642114723.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-baKg6QL2qDw/U1J2sZIDwVI/AAAAAAAAAUo/RXuNN7mki0M/s640/blogger-image-642114723.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">I love the packaging here in Japan. This close up of the bottle shows the gorgeous detail - and it didn't taste too bad either.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-u-Dcf4Mie8w/U1J2tyyafvI/AAAAAAAAAUw/6550Lp5BXwM/s640/blogger-image-1453161206.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-u-Dcf4Mie8w/U1J2tyyafvI/AAAAAAAAAUw/6550Lp5BXwM/s640/blogger-image-1453161206.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Isn't this chip pack great? I love this image of The Great Wave. This one is coming home in my suitcase! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">More from Kyoto when I get a chance - hoping to do a traditional tea ceremony here. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Vanna xx</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><br></div><br></div></div></div>Vannahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03423119681838419135noreply@blogger.com0