Ralph, you tart!Monday, November 24, 2008
Tuesday, November 18, 2008
Thursday, October 16, 2008
Cake = Celebration
Birthday Cakes... Christening Cakes... Engagement Cakes... Wedding Cakes... I love to make them.
I've also made cakes for album launches, for project completions and now for baby showers (congratulations Ellen and Doug!).
Cake is such a simple and lovely way to mark the little moments of life. I think that's why I like to make them. We have so few traditions left, I hope this one always remains.
In support of this thought, I was reading about the history of cake in western traditions of celebrations, hoping to discover a little gem of wisdom to write about. Not sure if I found it, but after recent discussions with mates about what our back up skills are (should current careers paths be unavailable) I am now unclear whether my back up skill to make cakes equips me to be a baker.... or a housewife?! (http://www.foodmuseum.com/excake2.html)
"In most of NW Europe and North America a well-developed tradition of home baking survives, with a huge repertoire of cake recipes developed from the basic methods. The abililty to bake a good cake was a prized skill among housewives in the early to mid-20th century, when many households could produce a simple robust, filling 'cut and come again' cake, implying abundance and hospitality.
Although the popularity of home baking and the role of cakes in the diet have both changed during the 20th century, cakes remain almost ubiquitous in the western world. They have kept their image as 'treats' and maintain their ceremonial importance at weddings and birthdays."
Either way, photos are now a wonderful way to eat your cake and keep it to.
I've also made cakes for album launches, for project completions and now for baby showers (congratulations Ellen and Doug!).
Cake is such a simple and lovely way to mark the little moments of life. I think that's why I like to make them. We have so few traditions left, I hope this one always remains.
In support of this thought, I was reading about the history of cake in western traditions of celebrations, hoping to discover a little gem of wisdom to write about. Not sure if I found it, but after recent discussions with mates about what our back up skills are (should current careers paths be unavailable) I am now unclear whether my back up skill to make cakes equips me to be a baker.... or a housewife?! (http://www.foodmuseum.com/excake2.html)
"In most of NW Europe and North America a well-developed tradition of home baking survives, with a huge repertoire of cake recipes developed from the basic methods. The abililty to bake a good cake was a prized skill among housewives in the early to mid-20th century, when many households could produce a simple robust, filling 'cut and come again' cake, implying abundance and hospitality.
Although the popularity of home baking and the role of cakes in the diet have both changed during the 20th century, cakes remain almost ubiquitous in the western world. They have kept their image as 'treats' and maintain their ceremonial importance at weddings and birthdays."
Either way, photos are now a wonderful way to eat your cake and keep it to.
Thursday, September 25, 2008
Not Quite Around the World
Today is the last day for me to take the final leg of my expensive and OTT Round the World ticket. The flight is from Tokyo to London and I have to be on it before midnight.
Given I am sitting at my desk on Flinders in the Melbourne CBD watching the sun start to set over the docklands and typing this post, I think my chances of making it to Narita on time are looking slim.
Finance, distance and job security, plus a need to just think sensibly mean I decided not to push my luck with another extravagant trip. Its just another short term pain that I hope will pay off in the long run.
Tracey, James, Lauren, Craig and Aidan, I am sorry I won’t be in Japan to welcome you when you come to visit me.
Good bye poor old RTW dream.
London – can I take a rain cheque?
Given I am sitting at my desk on Flinders in the Melbourne CBD watching the sun start to set over the docklands and typing this post, I think my chances of making it to Narita on time are looking slim.
Finance, distance and job security, plus a need to just think sensibly mean I decided not to push my luck with another extravagant trip. Its just another short term pain that I hope will pay off in the long run.
Tracey, James, Lauren, Craig and Aidan, I am sorry I won’t be in Japan to welcome you when you come to visit me.
Good bye poor old RTW dream.
London – can I take a rain cheque?
Wednesday, September 17, 2008
Who are you?
According to www.astrology.com.au
YOUR BIRTHDAY: 11 August (LEO)
Your personal ruling planets are Sun and Moon.
You feel things, deeply and passionately, and so relationships and a mutual support system is indeed an important focus for you. You are capable and sympathetic enough to bring the best out in others, especially when you are able to relate emotionally to them. Though you push yourself independently you will experience far more satisfaction and success through shared and cooperative ventures. You need people and they need you.
You are able to aspire to a very high standard of work whilst maintaining a strong commitment to home and family. Learn the art of balancing both sensitively.
Your lucky colours are cream and white and green.
Your lucky gems are moonstone or pearl.
Your lucky days of the week Monday, Thursday, Sunday.
Your lucky numbers and years of important change are 2, 11, 20, 29, 38, 47, 56, 65, 74.
Famous people born on your birthday include Carrie Jacobs Bond, Jane Danson and Diana Woei.
YOUR BIRTHDAY: 11 August (LEO)
Your personal ruling planets are Sun and Moon.
You feel things, deeply and passionately, and so relationships and a mutual support system is indeed an important focus for you. You are capable and sympathetic enough to bring the best out in others, especially when you are able to relate emotionally to them. Though you push yourself independently you will experience far more satisfaction and success through shared and cooperative ventures. You need people and they need you.
You are able to aspire to a very high standard of work whilst maintaining a strong commitment to home and family. Learn the art of balancing both sensitively.
Your lucky colours are cream and white and green.
Your lucky gems are moonstone or pearl.
Your lucky days of the week Monday, Thursday, Sunday.
Your lucky numbers and years of important change are 2, 11, 20, 29, 38, 47, 56, 65, 74.
Famous people born on your birthday include Carrie Jacobs Bond, Jane Danson and Diana Woei.
Thursday, September 04, 2008
Shock, denial, anger, bargaining, depression, testing and acceptance.
These are the cycles of grief according to Kübler-Ross. Clever lady.
I am back in Melbourne now for a new-new start. For me it is the end of this cycle and the beginning of a new adventure.
There are no regrets for following my heart to Japan. Love is powerful and steers us through all sorts of storms and paradises. I am happy to be the sort of person who is not afraid of where love may take me. I always want to be too. I don't want to be bitter or angry. I don't want to be closed.
But I know myself too and love cannot be completely blind - its definitely got to be vision impaired, but it cannot be without all sense and reason if you want to survive it! I have spent a lot of time in my 20s figuring this out and I know what I want and how I want to live. I know how I deserve to be treated and I know what will make me happy.
At the end of this chapter I am left feeling strangely numb
The moments of despair and anger have passed
I am no longer overwhelmed.
The path ahead is not laid out, but the next step is very clear.
I wish you well.
Perhaps there will be a time when fond memories connect us instead of this grief.
I am back in Melbourne now for a new-new start. For me it is the end of this cycle and the beginning of a new adventure.
There are no regrets for following my heart to Japan. Love is powerful and steers us through all sorts of storms and paradises. I am happy to be the sort of person who is not afraid of where love may take me. I always want to be too. I don't want to be bitter or angry. I don't want to be closed.
But I know myself too and love cannot be completely blind - its definitely got to be vision impaired, but it cannot be without all sense and reason if you want to survive it! I have spent a lot of time in my 20s figuring this out and I know what I want and how I want to live. I know how I deserve to be treated and I know what will make me happy.
At the end of this chapter I am left feeling strangely numb
The moments of despair and anger have passed
I am no longer overwhelmed.
The path ahead is not laid out, but the next step is very clear.
I wish you well.
Perhaps there will be a time when fond memories connect us instead of this grief.
Wednesday, May 28, 2008
Tokyo... finally!
So I am in Tokyo now, and not just to visit.
Its been such a long time in the planning that I can`t believe I`m finally here. I mean its been over a year since Mac asked me to come and live with him, and over six months since deciding to actually leave London and start the journey to get here.
Since then there have been 13 countries in between and a wonderful wonderful wonderful few months back home in Melbourne with family and friends!
With no job, no contacts, no friends, no car, no language, no money and a very busy boyfriend, its been an interesting few weeks so far.
But one thing I know how to do well now is to build all of these things again and with the support of my recent Australian injection so vivid in my heart, I feel very supported and very inspired to make the most of this amazing experience.
Thursday, February 14, 2008
Tuesday, February 05, 2008
Shaman Shaman Shaman Shaman Shaman Shamelia
October 2007
Perched on a high cliff of the Isla Del Sol on the Bolivian side of Lake Titicaca, we participated in a small ceremony where we were blessed by a local Shaman.
In a small basket he had a collection of small sweets in the shape of items important to travelers - passport, money, plane ticket and map etc - to which he added some herbs and some straw. He said a prayer over it and then the offering was burnt in a small fire he had prepared nearby while we sat and watched mesmerised.
He prayed to Pacha Mama (mother earth) that we would be safe and travel well and then very simply walked by each of us and said a prayer for us as he dropped a small amount of water in our open palms.
It was so simple, so beautiful, we were all moved by it. These are the things we wanted and it couldn't hurt to ask Pacha Mama to give them to us.
Now I don't want to go all native on you here, but the experience and the place were very special. Incan legend holds that the god of creation made the sun at Isla del Sol and despite the sometimes touristy trek we were forced to take, I definitely felt like I was gracing some ancient and sacred place. The Incas seem able to leave an impression whether their buildings and culture survived in tact or not.
Perched on a high cliff of the Isla Del Sol on the Bolivian side of Lake Titicaca, we participated in a small ceremony where we were blessed by a local Shaman.
In a small basket he had a collection of small sweets in the shape of items important to travelers - passport, money, plane ticket and map etc - to which he added some herbs and some straw. He said a prayer over it and then the offering was burnt in a small fire he had prepared nearby while we sat and watched mesmerised.
He prayed to Pacha Mama (mother earth) that we would be safe and travel well and then very simply walked by each of us and said a prayer for us as he dropped a small amount of water in our open palms.
It was so simple, so beautiful, we were all moved by it. These are the things we wanted and it couldn't hurt to ask Pacha Mama to give them to us.
Now I don't want to go all native on you here, but the experience and the place were very special. Incan legend holds that the god of creation made the sun at Isla del Sol and despite the sometimes touristy trek we were forced to take, I definitely felt like I was gracing some ancient and sacred place. The Incas seem able to leave an impression whether their buildings and culture survived in tact or not.
Sunday, January 27, 2008
Loving Melbourne
I spent the first 26 years of my life in Melbourne. I am one of its biggest fans. Over the past two years when living in London, it featured in my thoughts often. Naturally because most of my family and friends live here but also because I think your home town is always a character in your life, as well as a destination. Its something that you hold on a pedestal when visiting other cities around the world. It is definitely a friend that you want to keep in touch with.
Coming home again (for more than a weekend) has been a really important decision for me, although not the easiest one to make and execute.
I guess its natural when coming home after such a long time to feel a little bewildered, and I admit that I have felt like that a lot these past few weeks. Tonight however, I walked along the beach in the lovely summer cool with the dog and looked up at the stars and was hit with so many great feelings and memories about this place. I felt safe and happy to be home and excited about the next few months here, the last chance to commune with Melbourne for who knows how long?
(Picture is a photo of the beach at Mordiallocat sunset, where I was born and now live again.)
Coming home again (for more than a weekend) has been a really important decision for me, although not the easiest one to make and execute.
I guess its natural when coming home after such a long time to feel a little bewildered, and I admit that I have felt like that a lot these past few weeks. Tonight however, I walked along the beach in the lovely summer cool with the dog and looked up at the stars and was hit with so many great feelings and memories about this place. I felt safe and happy to be home and excited about the next few months here, the last chance to commune with Melbourne for who knows how long?
(Picture is a photo of the beach at Mordiallocat sunset, where I was born and now live again.)
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