New Years Eve

Well the end of a decade is quickly nearing. I wonder if in some ways this has prompted me to do some much needed spring cleaning! I have managed to bundle no fewer than five bags of clothing (mine and my husband's) and I still have a couple more drawers to go through! I suppose I have held on to a lot of these clothes for a variety of reasons, though now I am taking a different approach to keeping items.

I will be sure to take some time to quietly think about my goals for 2010. Resolutions are not really my thing. I already exercise, I don't drink a lot and I don't have any vices so I don't really need to resolve to live a healthy life.

I do wish all of you a very Happy New Year! I hope that in the last few hours of 2009, you take time to reflect on the decade that has been. Remember that we cannot change the past. We should spend less time living in the past and worrying about the future, because we end up losing today!

I suppose that I have some wonderful memories of the 'noughties' - I worked in three amazing schools in that time. I married my wonderful husband, became an aunty. I think I was a bridesmaid about 6 times as well! Made lots of wonderful friends. Went to Vietnam and had the privilege of working with children who were orphaned or with profound needs. I learn't to ski, learn't to abseil and do a high ropes course! I travelled overseas five times in the decade and interstate quite a few times as well! Was evacuated from Lebanon by HMS Gloucester - a Navy warship. My husband was elected to local government and established his own business. It has been a huge decade. I think our family, on reflection has seen much happiness in this decade and I hope and pray that we have continued good health, happiness and prosperity.

Christmas Eve

Merry Christmas friends! Am watching the carols now, before mass. A tradition that i wish to preserve forever! I hope that your Christmas is filled with much joy! While it is great to celebrate with family and friends, please remember to keep in your thoughts and prayers, those who do not have any family or friends. Those who don't have anywhere to go tomorrow. Those who - for whatever reason, are without hope. This is the season for hope. Let's keep those less fortunate in our prayers.

I hope your day is filled with wonderful and beautiful moments so that you can cherish them forever!

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas...

This lovely handmade decoration is from Peru. The women who make decorations like this one are supported by the Sisters of Mercy. The money made from these gifts helps to sustain family incomes and support their families where no income exists. I love to support these women. I think their work is second to none and it values their skills and talents!

This is a brown paper bag (not quite a stocking) that contains gifts for my brothers in law and their girlfriends. This will be the first Christmas where none of my husband's brothers will be in Australia. One works in Dubai as does his girlfriend. The other is visiting with his girlfriend. It would have been good to spend Christmas with all of them but I wish them all the best!

Holidays!

How wonderful! The school year is over and we have just over five weeks to enjoy peace, quiet, family, friends, books, and whatever else takes our fancy!

Yesterday we finished with a lovely mass, followed by gift giving and a wonderful lunch with the entire staff! It was a wonderful occasion - the opportunity to sit with colleagues for a couple of hours and just talk. Talk without being interrupted by bells or for requests of any description! I didn't stay out after lunch. I was tired and was actually craving some time away from everybody and time with my husband. So, I went home and Mark and I went out to dinner to a local Thai restaurant. We thoroughly enjoyed it. Needless to say I was asleep from about 7:30pm last night! I quite enjoyed the 11 hours of sleep! Am looking forward to going for a long run now and then to finish the Christmas shopping! Have a lovely day!

Summer is in the air

I really love this time of year for a number of reasons. I love Summer - it is my favourite season. It is light, it is warm and because the school year ends, we spend much of Summer on holidays! I also love this time of year because we are moving closer to Christmas. I always have mixed feelings at this time of year, but for the first time this year, I am trying to keep very upbeat. I love the celebrations with family and friends. I love the liturgies at Church and in particular the beautiful classical music inspired by the coming of and the birth of Jesus. I love the simplicity of the season and I love to be able to help those who could never give me anything in return. That is what I really love about Christmas. What I don't like about this time of year is the excessive marketing of a religious season. It infuriates me that the 'image' of Christmas is about how the table is decorated, the size of the gifts, the clothing that one wears, the amount of food on the table... the 'image' construed by the marketing people in no way bears any resemblance to the season. Having worked for charity organisations in the past and continuing to assist where I can, I know how these images of Christmas can make those already living on the poverty line, feel stress and anxiety about the season.

This year, I have tried to not let the corporatisation of Christmas bother me so much. I am doing this, because I feel that the anxiety it causes me doesn't necessarily help to change the situation. I realise that I need to continue as I always have, trying to be an example of what Christmas really means. As imperfect a person as I am, I am enjoying Advent and preparing for Christmas. I hope that your preparations are going well!