Category Archives: Reflections on life
Two weekends in South Africa
In my third year of Primary School in the UK, I had a teacher called Mrs M. Every Monday she would gather us together to sit at her feet where she’d ask us in turn about our weekend. I guess it was an early … Continue reading
Posted in Rants and raves, Reflections on life, Travel
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Travelling thoughts
Just recently as I was gazing out the window of a plane at 35,000 feet, mesmerised by the snow-capped peaks below, it dawned on me how different my husband and I are in our attitude to travel. Now in his … Continue reading
Posted in Rants and raves, Reflections on life, Travel
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The proud parent of the pilot
I’m drinking my freshly-stewed (sorry, brewed) coffee, well at least it’s less stewed than it will be for the other passengers, because I’ve been served first. Feeling privileged! I’m on the first flight of the morning from Newcastle to Melbourne … Continue reading
No great expectations
I’ve seen a lot of my granddaughter over the last few days and there’s nothing better for the soul than watching her find constant joy and surprises in the mundane rhythms of life. She smiles when it rains; she is … Continue reading
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Multi-story thinking
I recently listened to Nigerian author Ngozi Adichie talk about the inherent dangers of the single story. By failing to understand and appreciate multiple stories, the single story can end up shaping how we view people, nations and entire continents; … Continue reading
Posted in Rants and raves, Reflections on life, Travel
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Of Blood and Blogs
Ernest Hemingway said, “There is nothing to writing. All you do is sit down at a typewriter and bleed.” Well if that’s the case, Mr Hemmingway, I have been sitting at my laptop for weeks while my blood coagulates. I’ve … Continue reading
Hope in Haiti
I’m sitting by a log fire in the foyer of my hotel on a freezing cold, Colorado autumn day. A hot, spiced-latte is slowly thawing out my frozen body after I foolishly decided to take a walk wearing only a … Continue reading
A meadow in Oxford
Summer blue sky Wispy clouds chased by gentle cooling breezes Verdant riverbanks, dense and luscious Geese feasting greedily on lunchtime leftovers Murky waters gently flowing downstream, swirled up by passing punts and barges A mother … Continue reading
Where on earth?
Burkina Faso is ranked 9th lowest in the Human Development Index. With a population of just over 15.8 million, the average age of its citizens is 17. Unlike neighbouring Ghana, there are no cocoa or oil exports. Recent deposits of … Continue reading
Back to school
Today was a big day. After 10 years of doing other things, I survived my first day back in the classroom! Anyone who knows me realizes that I love kids. That’s why I decided to study teaching at university, back … Continue reading
Posted in Reflections on life, Uncategorized
Tagged children, kids, School, teachers, teaching
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You have a granddaughter
It’s usually three little words that set a woman’s heart fluttering and turn her world upside down. In my case it’s four. It’s not that I didn’t know it was going to happen. The signs were all there. Nine months … Continue reading
Wake Up Call
At home, my slumber is usually broken by the sound of an alarm clock or the coffee grinder in the kitchen as my husband prepares our morning brew. On the odd occasion, it’s an over-enthusiastic kookaburra or the rain pelting … Continue reading
Posted in Reflections on life, Travel
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I in 1.4 billion
There are 1.4 billion people living in extreme poverty – one of the many statistics we’re bombarded with on a daily basis. In fact I’m such a words girl that as soon as I hear or see numbers, I chill … Continue reading
Posted in Compassion, Rants and raves, Reflections on life, Travel
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A new kind of dog’s life
Did you know that last year we Aussies spent a little over $3.6 billion on our dogs? In comparison we donated $346 million to World Vision and $11 million to Breast Cancer Research. Now don’t get me wrong, I’m a … Continue reading
Posted in Reflections on life
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