I've been going through a week of big questions about my life and the future and what I am doing.
Part of it was being on holidays and having time to think. Part of it is still dealing with the pain of our loss. Part of it is knowing that next year is going to be a time of huge changes, as I leave a job and a city and a life. Part of it is being asked regularly (and not surprisingly) "What are you going to do next year?". Most of the questioning has been serious and tough. I feel like I don't know what my life is about and it's really hard to be in my thirties and still not be sure about what is the best thing to be doing with my time. And I can't help thinking about how different next year could have been... :'(
But there has been a little silly part of me that has been doing some dreaming out of the box, and that has been the fun part of the uncertainty of next year.
Things I would love to do if I actually had the power to get any job I want:
-Author
Of course I will be writing regardless. But the dream is that someone will see my novel, realise it's potential, and give me lots of money to finish it.
-Playschool presenter!
It's been a dream of mine since I used to watch it, but after nearly three years of Playgroup running I genuinely think I would be really good. I can't speak for other demographics, but I rock the under 5. Now if we can only convince the ABC...
-Video game story-line writer
I really enjoy watching my husband play story based video games, which often have a sci-fi/Fantasy twist. I would love to come up with concepts that can be turned into a video game. They are like fatasy movies, although with different plots and posibilities depending on what the player does. It's like choose your own adventure writing on steriods!
Governor General
I've seen the house. It's got the best view in Sydney. Of course we are moving back to Melbourne so it wouldn't really work...maybe a retirement options?
The next Oprah
Do i need an explanation?
The possibilities are endless...
Love B
Showing posts with label Holidays. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Holidays. Show all posts
Tuesday, June 28, 2011
Thursday, December 16, 2010
The work year over
For the first time all year- I am staring at the possibility of having a to-do list actually completed.
Clean office
Send final email re summer supervision
Put together activity sheets for Christmas and Boxing Day services.
Then I'm off.
Reflections on this year at work.
Really tough.
And yet really wonderful.
I wouldn't say it has been the easiest working year of my life. I've just been overwhelmed with the tasks I've had to do. It's funny- for various reasons- our whole staff team has designated this year as the year of "Just getting by". All the grand plans of things we hoped to achieve were dumped around May- and just surviving the year with the day to day jobs has been enough of a triumph.
And yet, God has continued to work.
Term 4- the craziest term in the year- has also been the most amazing. My Playgroup friend Maggie has become a Christian. The kids at Youth group seem to really be growing. I have three women to follow up in the New year who really want to know more about Jesus. My Mum's Bible study group is filled with the most enthuastic women. And after a slow year on the Sunday School front- at the end of the year we have been innondated with new families and crazy numbers of kids!. For the first term ever- I didn't have any stresses in organising Sunday School leaders and one of the leaders commented that this term of teaching- rather than being the overload she had felt previously- had been a huge delight and had really grown her in the faith. And our Carols service was the best attended ever with heaps of visitors. I am so thankful to God for this term, and humbled that I had so little to do with it :)
As I close the chapter on the best term of the year- I get excited about the holidays and try not to think too much about term 1- the worst term of the year. It's always so difficult!
But for now I'm relishing the fact that the for the first time all year- my to do list is about to become empty.
love Belinda
Clean office
Send final email re summer supervision
Put together activity sheets for Christmas and Boxing Day services.
Then I'm off.
Reflections on this year at work.
Really tough.
And yet really wonderful.
I wouldn't say it has been the easiest working year of my life. I've just been overwhelmed with the tasks I've had to do. It's funny- for various reasons- our whole staff team has designated this year as the year of "Just getting by". All the grand plans of things we hoped to achieve were dumped around May- and just surviving the year with the day to day jobs has been enough of a triumph.
And yet, God has continued to work.
Term 4- the craziest term in the year- has also been the most amazing. My Playgroup friend Maggie has become a Christian. The kids at Youth group seem to really be growing. I have three women to follow up in the New year who really want to know more about Jesus. My Mum's Bible study group is filled with the most enthuastic women. And after a slow year on the Sunday School front- at the end of the year we have been innondated with new families and crazy numbers of kids!. For the first term ever- I didn't have any stresses in organising Sunday School leaders and one of the leaders commented that this term of teaching- rather than being the overload she had felt previously- had been a huge delight and had really grown her in the faith. And our Carols service was the best attended ever with heaps of visitors. I am so thankful to God for this term, and humbled that I had so little to do with it :)
As I close the chapter on the best term of the year- I get excited about the holidays and try not to think too much about term 1- the worst term of the year. It's always so difficult!
But for now I'm relishing the fact that the for the first time all year- my to do list is about to become empty.
love Belinda
Saturday, November 27, 2010
When life gets busy...
A few things happen when life gets busy.
Number One- fiction writing goes out the window. It's really sad, as I suspect my mental health would survive the busy-ness better if I could escape regularly from all the tasks spinning round in my head with a short trip to my fantasy world. Hoping that today will be the day to get back into it.
Number Two-Shopping goes out the window. By shopping I mean regular grocery shopping. Of course I still shop- otherwise Tim and i would be taking out every meal (that's just for the really, really busy times :). But it tends to me a quick duck to the shops after work to get something for that particular night. It is the breakfasts which suffer the most for this situation. Don't tell Tim, but I'm having Maggi noddles for breakfast this morning ;P
Number Three-The house. It is atrocious. Praise God busy time for me coincides with holidays for Tim- so it's not a total loss. If I can managed to put cloths in the washing machine and clear the dish rack, then generally speaking when I wake up/arrive home the washing is on the line and the dish rack is full again.
Number Four-Early nights and early mornings. Generally, when I'm busy when I wake up in the morning I can't get back to sleep, I'm thinking to much. It's a bizarre form of insomnia because for some reason those same thoughts didn't bother me when I originally went to sleep. So I get tired earlier so go to bed earlier, then wake up earlier again. Vicious cycle :)
Number Five-I can't wait, wait, wait for holidays!
love B
PS It's a totally stupid, particularly given that my family haven't even celebrated it for years and years themselves- but I always miss my Mum and Dad and Sister alot on Thanksgiving. We lived in the states for two years and I loved that holiday. For the first ten years or so back we used to have one ourselves. Poor Tim has had me groaning all week about Turkey and pumpkin pie. He tries to be sympathetic, but he just can't get passed the idea that pumpkin in a pie sounds disgusting. Oh sweet oblivion!
Number One- fiction writing goes out the window. It's really sad, as I suspect my mental health would survive the busy-ness better if I could escape regularly from all the tasks spinning round in my head with a short trip to my fantasy world. Hoping that today will be the day to get back into it.
Number Two-Shopping goes out the window. By shopping I mean regular grocery shopping. Of course I still shop- otherwise Tim and i would be taking out every meal (that's just for the really, really busy times :). But it tends to me a quick duck to the shops after work to get something for that particular night. It is the breakfasts which suffer the most for this situation. Don't tell Tim, but I'm having Maggi noddles for breakfast this morning ;P
Number Three-The house. It is atrocious. Praise God busy time for me coincides with holidays for Tim- so it's not a total loss. If I can managed to put cloths in the washing machine and clear the dish rack, then generally speaking when I wake up/arrive home the washing is on the line and the dish rack is full again.
Number Four-Early nights and early mornings. Generally, when I'm busy when I wake up in the morning I can't get back to sleep, I'm thinking to much. It's a bizarre form of insomnia because for some reason those same thoughts didn't bother me when I originally went to sleep. So I get tired earlier so go to bed earlier, then wake up earlier again. Vicious cycle :)
Number Five-I can't wait, wait, wait for holidays!
love B
PS It's a totally stupid, particularly given that my family haven't even celebrated it for years and years themselves- but I always miss my Mum and Dad and Sister alot on Thanksgiving. We lived in the states for two years and I loved that holiday. For the first ten years or so back we used to have one ourselves. Poor Tim has had me groaning all week about Turkey and pumpkin pie. He tries to be sympathetic, but he just can't get passed the idea that pumpkin in a pie sounds disgusting. Oh sweet oblivion!
Monday, September 20, 2010
Long Service Leave
Tim has been causing a sensation.
In social situations he will announce to everyone "Belinda and I are going on holidays to Europe".
Everyone looks very shocked and surprised, no doubt wondering if being a four day a week children's/women's church worker and a Bible College student pays better than they had expected!
"When?" Is always the next question.
"In Twelve Years" is Tim's cheeky reply, "Long Service Leave".
Tim has wanted to go to Europe for as long as I've known him (don't get him started on the fact that his parents took his little brother without him!). And the wish has been growing more and more.
Lots of our friends have gone. In fact, along with buying a house, it seems to be "the thing" that every couple does. And for me it is just one more thing that we are missing out on doing together. And I don't like my attitude! As Tim keeps reminding me- I wouldn't trade a European holiday or a house for the awesome relationships and ministry that God has so graciously thrown my way!
But it is still so hard.
Hence the plan.
Tim will (God willing)- start working in 16 months. Starting in January we will put aside $100 each month into savings. That way, by the time we hit long service leave, we will have at least $12,000 saved up for our holiday.
And just having made that plan, we feel better. Yes, we have made sacrifices, and we would make them again.
But its so lovely to have a goal, something special and exciting to look forward to, to celebrate potentially ten years of ministry work. (James 4:13-15 of course in mind and acknowledged).
And strange though it seems, Tim and I are already excited thinking about it.
Of course there are other options. Tim's sister cheekily suggested we go to Europe this summer, go into debt- and spend the next twelve years paying off the debt rather than saving up for it. Or someone else suggested Tim could always become a multi-millionaire Televangelist and have his own private jet to go to Europe whenever he wants.
But I think we'll stick to the savings plan ;)
love B
PS To be fair, I have been to Europe before with my family. But I don't really care about going except that it would make Tim so happy. And I like a happy Tim!
In social situations he will announce to everyone "Belinda and I are going on holidays to Europe".
Everyone looks very shocked and surprised, no doubt wondering if being a four day a week children's/women's church worker and a Bible College student pays better than they had expected!
"When?" Is always the next question.
"In Twelve Years" is Tim's cheeky reply, "Long Service Leave".
Tim has wanted to go to Europe for as long as I've known him (don't get him started on the fact that his parents took his little brother without him!). And the wish has been growing more and more.
Lots of our friends have gone. In fact, along with buying a house, it seems to be "the thing" that every couple does. And for me it is just one more thing that we are missing out on doing together. And I don't like my attitude! As Tim keeps reminding me- I wouldn't trade a European holiday or a house for the awesome relationships and ministry that God has so graciously thrown my way!
But it is still so hard.
Hence the plan.
Tim will (God willing)- start working in 16 months. Starting in January we will put aside $100 each month into savings. That way, by the time we hit long service leave, we will have at least $12,000 saved up for our holiday.
And just having made that plan, we feel better. Yes, we have made sacrifices, and we would make them again.
But its so lovely to have a goal, something special and exciting to look forward to, to celebrate potentially ten years of ministry work. (James 4:13-15 of course in mind and acknowledged).
And strange though it seems, Tim and I are already excited thinking about it.
Of course there are other options. Tim's sister cheekily suggested we go to Europe this summer, go into debt- and spend the next twelve years paying off the debt rather than saving up for it. Or someone else suggested Tim could always become a multi-millionaire Televangelist and have his own private jet to go to Europe whenever he wants.
But I think we'll stick to the savings plan ;)
love B
PS To be fair, I have been to Europe before with my family. But I don't really care about going except that it would make Tim so happy. And I like a happy Tim!
Monday, September 13, 2010
Holidays
Holidays in Melbourne are...
-Eating lots of food I shouldn't and not getting any exercise except a little bit of Wii fit. Though I did managed for the first time ever to get a Wii fit age which was actually within 10 years of my actual age so I assume I can't be going so bad!
-Being late to everything because every moment you spend with people you want to drag on and on. Or being late to everything because you just aren't in the habit of calculating the time it takes to get from A to B anymore.
-(speaking of cars) That Melbourne roads are beautifully wide and uncomplicated and that small cars like my sisters and my Mum's can't fit much stuff but they are so zippy and fun!
-lots of tears, as you realise once again that life is hard and that a burden shared may not be a burden halved, but that it does make a difference to be able to share the tough stuff over the last little while that you've all been through.
-Seeing people you don't see or talk to for 5 months and it is as if you just spoke yesterday
-Mad, crazy, not enough sleep.
-Wonderful.
love B
-Eating lots of food I shouldn't and not getting any exercise except a little bit of Wii fit. Though I did managed for the first time ever to get a Wii fit age which was actually within 10 years of my actual age so I assume I can't be going so bad!
-Being late to everything because every moment you spend with people you want to drag on and on. Or being late to everything because you just aren't in the habit of calculating the time it takes to get from A to B anymore.
-(speaking of cars) That Melbourne roads are beautifully wide and uncomplicated and that small cars like my sisters and my Mum's can't fit much stuff but they are so zippy and fun!
-lots of tears, as you realise once again that life is hard and that a burden shared may not be a burden halved, but that it does make a difference to be able to share the tough stuff over the last little while that you've all been through.
-Seeing people you don't see or talk to for 5 months and it is as if you just spoke yesterday
-Mad, crazy, not enough sleep.
-Wonderful.
love B
Saturday, July 10, 2010
Monday, June 28, 2010
Two Nights, one glorious day
There are certain things I know about myself.
For the sake of my mental health, every so often, I need two nights away with my husband.
Two nights.
Not one.
Two.
Don't get me wrong. One night is wonderful! It is so wonderful. But the problem is that it ends up being just that. One night.
Mornings packing, cleaning the house so it doesn't depress the holiday out of us when we get home, and thinking- we should get a bite to eat before we go. Arrive at the place usually around 3. Have a lovely, lovely time. But then, the next day, once you've packed up and eaten lunch and you hit that afternoon slump, you end up heading home. To a home that isn't quite as clean as you remembered. To computers and books and xbox and television and whatever is happening the next day. Not that these things are bad. But suddenly the holiday grinds to a holt.
But when you have two nights holiday- you end up with this glorious, completely-contained holiday day in the middle. And THAT is what I need right now.
Tim and I were trying to work out it.
First plan was for me to leave work early on Thursday- so that we could go somewhere for Thursday night and Friday night.
Commitment Saturday morning. Scratch that.
I didn't know what i could do! Then my scripture class was cancelled for Thursday and one of the lovely Mum's in my Bible study offered to run an end of year morning tea and prayer time for that day so I could take it off.
I enthusiastically told Tim: "We can go away Wednesday night and Thursday night".
Tim: "But we have "Food for Thought" on that night" (FFT is our annual big church dinner when people can invite their friends to hear about Jesus)
GRRRRRRRRrrrrrrr... (don't get me wrong- I LOVE Food For Though- but the timing is just...Grrrrrr)
We still haven't worked out exactly what it will look like- but we are getting our two nights. Even if it means starting our mini-break at 10pm on Wednesday night!
It has been a big year. And while I have had lovely holiday time in Melbourne, I have not had holiday time with Tim.
I need my one glorious day.
love B
For the sake of my mental health, every so often, I need two nights away with my husband.
Two nights.
Not one.
Two.
Don't get me wrong. One night is wonderful! It is so wonderful. But the problem is that it ends up being just that. One night.
Mornings packing, cleaning the house so it doesn't depress the holiday out of us when we get home, and thinking- we should get a bite to eat before we go. Arrive at the place usually around 3. Have a lovely, lovely time. But then, the next day, once you've packed up and eaten lunch and you hit that afternoon slump, you end up heading home. To a home that isn't quite as clean as you remembered. To computers and books and xbox and television and whatever is happening the next day. Not that these things are bad. But suddenly the holiday grinds to a holt.
But when you have two nights holiday- you end up with this glorious, completely-contained holiday day in the middle. And THAT is what I need right now.
Tim and I were trying to work out it.
First plan was for me to leave work early on Thursday- so that we could go somewhere for Thursday night and Friday night.
Commitment Saturday morning. Scratch that.
I didn't know what i could do! Then my scripture class was cancelled for Thursday and one of the lovely Mum's in my Bible study offered to run an end of year morning tea and prayer time for that day so I could take it off.
I enthusiastically told Tim: "We can go away Wednesday night and Thursday night".
Tim: "But we have "Food for Thought" on that night" (FFT is our annual big church dinner when people can invite their friends to hear about Jesus)
GRRRRRRRRrrrrrrr... (don't get me wrong- I LOVE Food For Though- but the timing is just...Grrrrrr)
We still haven't worked out exactly what it will look like- but we are getting our two nights. Even if it means starting our mini-break at 10pm on Wednesday night!
It has been a big year. And while I have had lovely holiday time in Melbourne, I have not had holiday time with Tim.
I need my one glorious day.
love B
Thursday, May 27, 2010
My week
As I sit down to write about this week, I feel like falling asleep on the key board instead.
It has been a great week. But you don't realise how tiring it is running around doing little errands until you come home and stop and realise how nice that feels.
It's been a great week. But you can't just go on holidays after a very busy and difficult month and expect recovery to be instantaneous. I am still emotionally winding down, and returning to a normal Belinda. Hopefully I will be there before I go back to work :)
It's been a great week. But not as I expected. Rather than heaps of social time with Fi, it's been lots of quality family time, and time hanging with the other Bridesmaids. Two people who I didn't know that well, who I've always liked from afar, and who I now know are as lovely as I'd imagined.
It's been a great week. But it isn't over. Not tomorrow but the next day I get to see my friend Fi walk down the aile, not as a rehearsal but for real. I get to hear her make amazing promises and start a new stage of life with her husband.
I'm so excited.
love B
It has been a great week. But you don't realise how tiring it is running around doing little errands until you come home and stop and realise how nice that feels.
It's been a great week. But you can't just go on holidays after a very busy and difficult month and expect recovery to be instantaneous. I am still emotionally winding down, and returning to a normal Belinda. Hopefully I will be there before I go back to work :)
It's been a great week. But not as I expected. Rather than heaps of social time with Fi, it's been lots of quality family time, and time hanging with the other Bridesmaids. Two people who I didn't know that well, who I've always liked from afar, and who I now know are as lovely as I'd imagined.
It's been a great week. But it isn't over. Not tomorrow but the next day I get to see my friend Fi walk down the aile, not as a rehearsal but for real. I get to hear her make amazing promises and start a new stage of life with her husband.
I'm so excited.
love B
Sunday, March 28, 2010
Reflection on the term that's been
Technically the term is not over yet- I still have two playgroups, several meetings, a Bible study and a scripture Easter lesson to go!
But I've spent much of the weekend thinking about the term that's been and I thought I'd share a little (don't worry, not everything!) of what's been coming up.
As I approached this year i was excited. For the first time in many years, with the exception of moving house- I was hitting a year without major changes. I normally hate change, and so I thought that it was going to be an easy year start.
It wasn't.
For a start, my job ramped up a notch. Normally when I tell people that I work 4 days a week Tim pipes up with the quip "No, you work full-time, your just paid four days". I normally disagree, but I've had to confess that this year- due to some ministry commitments that I have somewhat willingly taken on- it is definitely heading to at the least 4.5 days, some weeks 5.
Plus, to my complete shock, the fact that there wasn't any changes was hard.
So many people in my life are going to changes. Good changes. Exciting new jobs, changes to their families, whatever it might be. And in many ways I was feeling like i was being left behind- like my life and my world were stagnant. Envy- the sin monster who is my most violent of foes- reared up more overwhelming than ever.
It's been a hard term.
But I've been learning alot.
Unsurprisingly I suppose- the hard things have been nosing me toward God, and I've actually seen my trust in God grow. My huge fears about the future and what we might be doing are still there, but they now stand along side a strange new feeling, a sense that maybe uncertainty and suffering are okay- if they are for Jesus.
And I've rediscovered in the last 4 weeks a love for my job.
As term began I knew I was leading a Bible study- and I knew I didn't have time for it. I felt a bit resentful that once again something had fallen to me to do- because there was no one else. My feelings where not helped when the first week for various good reasons- no one came. I sat in the room where the Bible study was suppose to be and managed just to hold in my tears.
The next week Bible study happened. And it was wonderful!
I forgot how much I loved leading Bible study. I forgot how special it is to sit down with other Christian women and see what God has to say to us. In my frustration at the situation I forgot the privileged that it is to serve.
So those are some of the things that have been going on. I am very tired and weary, and looking forward to the holidays so I can stop, and work four days for a change :)
So tired in fact, that I can't think of a good end to this post. So...
love B
But I've spent much of the weekend thinking about the term that's been and I thought I'd share a little (don't worry, not everything!) of what's been coming up.
As I approached this year i was excited. For the first time in many years, with the exception of moving house- I was hitting a year without major changes. I normally hate change, and so I thought that it was going to be an easy year start.
It wasn't.
For a start, my job ramped up a notch. Normally when I tell people that I work 4 days a week Tim pipes up with the quip "No, you work full-time, your just paid four days". I normally disagree, but I've had to confess that this year- due to some ministry commitments that I have somewhat willingly taken on- it is definitely heading to at the least 4.5 days, some weeks 5.
Plus, to my complete shock, the fact that there wasn't any changes was hard.
So many people in my life are going to changes. Good changes. Exciting new jobs, changes to their families, whatever it might be. And in many ways I was feeling like i was being left behind- like my life and my world were stagnant. Envy- the sin monster who is my most violent of foes- reared up more overwhelming than ever.
It's been a hard term.
But I've been learning alot.
Unsurprisingly I suppose- the hard things have been nosing me toward God, and I've actually seen my trust in God grow. My huge fears about the future and what we might be doing are still there, but they now stand along side a strange new feeling, a sense that maybe uncertainty and suffering are okay- if they are for Jesus.
And I've rediscovered in the last 4 weeks a love for my job.
As term began I knew I was leading a Bible study- and I knew I didn't have time for it. I felt a bit resentful that once again something had fallen to me to do- because there was no one else. My feelings where not helped when the first week for various good reasons- no one came. I sat in the room where the Bible study was suppose to be and managed just to hold in my tears.
The next week Bible study happened. And it was wonderful!
I forgot how much I loved leading Bible study. I forgot how special it is to sit down with other Christian women and see what God has to say to us. In my frustration at the situation I forgot the privileged that it is to serve.
So those are some of the things that have been going on. I am very tired and weary, and looking forward to the holidays so I can stop, and work four days for a change :)
So tired in fact, that I can't think of a good end to this post. So...
love B
Thursday, March 18, 2010
Mission time...and NZ
When its time to write a blog post- conveniently under the box where I write is a box to "label" my posts. They have suggestions of what you might label your posts, like "Vacation", "Fall" and..."scooters"?
the other ones are very American, but I can't exactly work out why enough people in this wide world would blog about scooters for it to be a "e.g." of what to label a post!
Anyway, this is just a way of introducing the fact that I am writing about two very different things today, and it will be labeled accordingly.
Mission time:
On Sunday Tim will be away for 8 days on College Mission. He is going to Pitt town (I know what your thinking, it sounds like a HOLE!!!!), where he will be helping out with various bits and pieces as well as preaching during the evening service on the 28th of July. Please pray for him and the team.
But also pray for me. I'm beginning to feel a little petty about this, particularly as some wives are having 8 days looking after kids without their husbands. But I am really nervous about it. I hate being home alone, and I'm really going to miss him. Pray for me too- particularly that I will get better at coping without him- as I'm sure I will have to do at various stages in our ministry careers!
NZ- just because until now I haven't put any photos up or talked about NZ and I think I should show you at least a few snaps. It was wonderful and beautiful and just what I needed.
Just a bit of a snap shot of the lovely scenery- and the only "selfie" I was happy with out of the 8 or so we took :)
love B
the other ones are very American, but I can't exactly work out why enough people in this wide world would blog about scooters for it to be a "e.g." of what to label a post!
Anyway, this is just a way of introducing the fact that I am writing about two very different things today, and it will be labeled accordingly.
Mission time:
On Sunday Tim will be away for 8 days on College Mission. He is going to Pitt town (I know what your thinking, it sounds like a HOLE!!!!), where he will be helping out with various bits and pieces as well as preaching during the evening service on the 28th of July. Please pray for him and the team.
But also pray for me. I'm beginning to feel a little petty about this, particularly as some wives are having 8 days looking after kids without their husbands. But I am really nervous about it. I hate being home alone, and I'm really going to miss him. Pray for me too- particularly that I will get better at coping without him- as I'm sure I will have to do at various stages in our ministry careers!
NZ- just because until now I haven't put any photos up or talked about NZ and I think I should show you at least a few snaps. It was wonderful and beautiful and just what I needed.
Just a bit of a snap shot of the lovely scenery- and the only "selfie" I was happy with out of the 8 or so we took :)
love B
Friday, February 5, 2010
Fun Stats
The title of this post is in honour of my sister- a soon to be Dr of the much maligned discipline of Statistics!
One of the drama's of going to Melbourne for a month is working out how best to work on my story. Do I put it on a memory stick. Do I put it on the laptop? Do I write in a notebook? Of course before I leave I have big dreams that I will be using much of my holiday time to work on my story.
Normally it doesn't happen.
This time I did do quite a bit of work on my story, writing in a notebook and thinking hard as Tim and I traveled around New Zealand. Blessed man that he is- Tim was quite happy to spend from half an hour to 2 hours talking about my story most days of our trip, and even gave me a special notebook and pen for Christmas to take on our trip!
But I couldn't remember whether I had actually used the lap-top to record my story, and therefore whether I needed to take the study computer copy of my story and replace it with my laptop copy of my story (confusing hey!). So I went onto the laptop, opened the document, and looked in the property section, to find out that on Dec 20th I did indeed open up my story- and modify it. It turns out that lots of information about my story had also been stored
Which leads me to my fun stats.
Did you know:
I started my novel (in its current form) on the 10th of July, 2007
It has been revised 191 times
The total editing time has been 4400 minutes (73 hours)
It currently has:
118 pages
1016 paragraphs
34,045 words!
Still lots to do, but cool to see none the less!
love B
One of the drama's of going to Melbourne for a month is working out how best to work on my story. Do I put it on a memory stick. Do I put it on the laptop? Do I write in a notebook? Of course before I leave I have big dreams that I will be using much of my holiday time to work on my story.
Normally it doesn't happen.
This time I did do quite a bit of work on my story, writing in a notebook and thinking hard as Tim and I traveled around New Zealand. Blessed man that he is- Tim was quite happy to spend from half an hour to 2 hours talking about my story most days of our trip, and even gave me a special notebook and pen for Christmas to take on our trip!
But I couldn't remember whether I had actually used the lap-top to record my story, and therefore whether I needed to take the study computer copy of my story and replace it with my laptop copy of my story (confusing hey!). So I went onto the laptop, opened the document, and looked in the property section, to find out that on Dec 20th I did indeed open up my story- and modify it. It turns out that lots of information about my story had also been stored
Which leads me to my fun stats.
Did you know:
I started my novel (in its current form) on the 10th of July, 2007
It has been revised 191 times
The total editing time has been 4400 minutes (73 hours)
It currently has:
118 pages
1016 paragraphs
34,045 words!
Still lots to do, but cool to see none the less!
love B
Sunday, January 17, 2010
I'm back
I'm back.
Back in the country
Back in Sydney.
Back at church.
But I am not back in Stanmore. Because as of Friday Tim and I moved into our new house! I actually really like it. I'm not sure if that's because its so new that it's like we are living in a hotel (only a hotel filled with boxes), but I suspect it's just because it's such a cool little place. There is still lots of fun to be had- we don't have any hot water because Tim didn't realise it was gas and so didn't organise for gas to come in, and there are an awful lot of boxes (some full some empty) cuttering the pathways between everything but it's got our stuff in it and our pictures and it feels like home. The home feeling was heavily emphasised also by the three couples who provided lunch, dinner, and cookies/tea for us (and these are two couples we know vaguely and one I had never met!) The benefits of living in a Bible College community house.
New Zealand and Melbourne were both amazingly wonderful. I don't really have time to go into detail but as this is the one time I get internet access before Tim and I head off to a camp I thought I should at least let you know that much.
Feeling overwhelmed with the prospect of the year ahead, but so much more calm after today- just seeing the people i serve and going "Oh that's right, I love these people" makes the work ahead seem more achievable.
love B
Back in the country
Back in Sydney.
Back at church.
But I am not back in Stanmore. Because as of Friday Tim and I moved into our new house! I actually really like it. I'm not sure if that's because its so new that it's like we are living in a hotel (only a hotel filled with boxes), but I suspect it's just because it's such a cool little place. There is still lots of fun to be had- we don't have any hot water because Tim didn't realise it was gas and so didn't organise for gas to come in, and there are an awful lot of boxes (some full some empty) cuttering the pathways between everything but it's got our stuff in it and our pictures and it feels like home. The home feeling was heavily emphasised also by the three couples who provided lunch, dinner, and cookies/tea for us (and these are two couples we know vaguely and one I had never met!) The benefits of living in a Bible College community house.
New Zealand and Melbourne were both amazingly wonderful. I don't really have time to go into detail but as this is the one time I get internet access before Tim and I head off to a camp I thought I should at least let you know that much.
Feeling overwhelmed with the prospect of the year ahead, but so much more calm after today- just seeing the people i serve and going "Oh that's right, I love these people" makes the work ahead seem more achievable.
love B
Saturday, December 19, 2009
The Lasagna sandwich
Well, we are on holidays and in Melbourne and it is less than a week until Christmas.
Writing those words- you would probably think I would be welled up with joy. And I will be. Just. Not. Yet.
I'm still in recovery.
I'm still in recovery from two weeks of Christmas craziness at church, the two and a half mad days of packing, 5 hours of steady cleaning and then 10 hours of driving.
Something I observed and was pointed out to me while I was working for RMIT is that after an intense period of work it takes a few days for me to properly relax and in fact for the first few days I often feel emotional and miserable. And while being in Melbourne is keeping off the misery and I am very tired and very, very emotional.
We stopped at my Grandparents for the night last night, and I was so happy to see them but also felt down to know that it had been a whole year since I had seen them! That just seems too long and it was unsurprising but still sad that my wonderful Grandmother (who is starting to loose her memory) kept referring to me by the names of the female Grandchildren who she actually does see on the regular basis :(
But we had lasagna for tea, so that made me feel a bit better.
Several years ago, actually its probably more like 7 years ago, I mentioned to my Grandma that I liked lasagna. From then on, any time I went to her house there was always lasagna. And I mean always. Our family would arrive and Grandma would have a lovely dinner made for us, and then she would pull me aside and say "Bindy, there is also some lasagna here for you if you would prefer it". And there in the fridge would be the two lasagnas she had made especially for me to get me through the time we would be staying with them. Even as her memory has been fading, my love of lasagna has somehow stayed with her.
But my favourite was when Tim and I were driving down to Melbourne or up to Sydney one time and Grandma made us sandwiches to take with us. I took a bite. It was absolutely delicious, but like no sandwich I've ever had. So I opened it up.
She had made me a Lasagna sandwich
love B
Writing those words- you would probably think I would be welled up with joy. And I will be. Just. Not. Yet.
I'm still in recovery.
I'm still in recovery from two weeks of Christmas craziness at church, the two and a half mad days of packing, 5 hours of steady cleaning and then 10 hours of driving.
Something I observed and was pointed out to me while I was working for RMIT is that after an intense period of work it takes a few days for me to properly relax and in fact for the first few days I often feel emotional and miserable. And while being in Melbourne is keeping off the misery and I am very tired and very, very emotional.
We stopped at my Grandparents for the night last night, and I was so happy to see them but also felt down to know that it had been a whole year since I had seen them! That just seems too long and it was unsurprising but still sad that my wonderful Grandmother (who is starting to loose her memory) kept referring to me by the names of the female Grandchildren who she actually does see on the regular basis :(
But we had lasagna for tea, so that made me feel a bit better.
Several years ago, actually its probably more like 7 years ago, I mentioned to my Grandma that I liked lasagna. From then on, any time I went to her house there was always lasagna. And I mean always. Our family would arrive and Grandma would have a lovely dinner made for us, and then she would pull me aside and say "Bindy, there is also some lasagna here for you if you would prefer it". And there in the fridge would be the two lasagnas she had made especially for me to get me through the time we would be staying with them. Even as her memory has been fading, my love of lasagna has somehow stayed with her.
But my favourite was when Tim and I were driving down to Melbourne or up to Sydney one time and Grandma made us sandwiches to take with us. I took a bite. It was absolutely delicious, but like no sandwich I've ever had. So I opened it up.
She had made me a Lasagna sandwich
love B
Tuesday, July 21, 2009
Holidays
I'm on holidays.
It is the weirdest feeling.
I haven't actually been looking forward to these holidays that much. I was looking forward to kids club being over and theoretically having a break- but as Tim is today back at college it just seemed a waste of all the time in Lu I earned during the last crazy month. I'm not generally a hang at home by myself kind of person. I am a people person- and particularly a Tim person and it seemed such a frustrating shame that our only corresponding holiday was Monday!
But...despite that I think I will have a great week.
Kids club was just incredible. I don't know if I totally enjoyed it while I was there, I enjoyed part of it, but there is something about being the one keeping an eye on the time and making sure every things happening that means that you can't relax and enjoy the fun and excitement. One of the leaders (bless her!) who actually was really involved and helpful apologised to me because she didn't think she did much, she had too much fun to be working hard. That is definitely NOT how I feel, but I pray its how most of the leaders felt. But it was fun, it was a buzz, and it was a good reminder that God, despite my sometimes grumpy feeling that he doesn't, really does listen and answer my prayers
But I'm glad its over. This last term has just been huge. I think part of it has been realising that I have to stop thinking about myself as someone who works 4 days and therefore has lots of time. I don't. I don't have lots of time. Life is very full. Some of that fullness is due to the nature of my work. Some is due to wanting to be involved in College. Some is due to certain tasks (such as babysitting and cooking for people who need it) which I love and aren't technically work, but do take up my free time. Some is due to the fact that for health reason I need to keep up exercising- and as much as I enjoy that it does again take up time. And some is due to the simple act of keeping a house clean- even with Tim's assistance- it takes a while. And then there are just the life things that mean that sometimes even days off a written off with work, stress or just general sadness.
But now I can rest. Now i can sleep in and get up when I want to not when its time to do the next task. And now I can see how much of how I've been feeling is due to needing just this time.
It's a great feeling!!!!!
love B
It is the weirdest feeling.
I haven't actually been looking forward to these holidays that much. I was looking forward to kids club being over and theoretically having a break- but as Tim is today back at college it just seemed a waste of all the time in Lu I earned during the last crazy month. I'm not generally a hang at home by myself kind of person. I am a people person- and particularly a Tim person and it seemed such a frustrating shame that our only corresponding holiday was Monday!
But...despite that I think I will have a great week.
Kids club was just incredible. I don't know if I totally enjoyed it while I was there, I enjoyed part of it, but there is something about being the one keeping an eye on the time and making sure every things happening that means that you can't relax and enjoy the fun and excitement. One of the leaders (bless her!) who actually was really involved and helpful apologised to me because she didn't think she did much, she had too much fun to be working hard. That is definitely NOT how I feel, but I pray its how most of the leaders felt. But it was fun, it was a buzz, and it was a good reminder that God, despite my sometimes grumpy feeling that he doesn't, really does listen and answer my prayers
But I'm glad its over. This last term has just been huge. I think part of it has been realising that I have to stop thinking about myself as someone who works 4 days and therefore has lots of time. I don't. I don't have lots of time. Life is very full. Some of that fullness is due to the nature of my work. Some is due to wanting to be involved in College. Some is due to certain tasks (such as babysitting and cooking for people who need it) which I love and aren't technically work, but do take up my free time. Some is due to the fact that for health reason I need to keep up exercising- and as much as I enjoy that it does again take up time. And some is due to the simple act of keeping a house clean- even with Tim's assistance- it takes a while. And then there are just the life things that mean that sometimes even days off a written off with work, stress or just general sadness.
But now I can rest. Now i can sleep in and get up when I want to not when its time to do the next task. And now I can see how much of how I've been feeling is due to needing just this time.
It's a great feeling!!!!!
love B
Friday, September 12, 2008
Pictures from our holiday
Tim looking out over the Mt Tomah Botanical gardens
The beautiful gardens
Me and my pigtails
My very unsuccessful attempt at a self portrait!
Thursday, September 11, 2008
Back from Holidays
Hi Folks,
I just got back from a marvelous three days near "Historical Winsor"- North West of Sydney. And it is pretty historical by Australian standards- we walked through both the oldest church and the oldest pub in Australia.
Its funny what makes a holiday great. We rocked up to our Bed and Breakfast and I had the butterflies I always have in these situations- wondering if what we found on the internet would be any good. As we introduced ourselves to the lady running it and she showed us round the place my eyes immediate fell to the shelves and shelves of cooking books and cooking magazines they had available for guests! I was sold. What more could I need on a holiday!
It was a lazy time of long walks, afternoon sleeps, reading and driving around the country-side. And time away is always such a refreshing thing for Tim and I and our relationship- its just nice to have heaps of time together to relax. Tim laughs at how silly and happy I get when we go away. Because as much as I love our house, no matter how much I tell myself to relax there- it is always like a weight of my shoulder to be somewhere else and not have to do anything!
Now I just hope I can reacquaint myself with my essay topic enough to hand it in on Monday!
I will see if any of my camera photos worked tomorrow and put some up!
love B
I just got back from a marvelous three days near "Historical Winsor"- North West of Sydney. And it is pretty historical by Australian standards- we walked through both the oldest church and the oldest pub in Australia.
Its funny what makes a holiday great. We rocked up to our Bed and Breakfast and I had the butterflies I always have in these situations- wondering if what we found on the internet would be any good. As we introduced ourselves to the lady running it and she showed us round the place my eyes immediate fell to the shelves and shelves of cooking books and cooking magazines they had available for guests! I was sold. What more could I need on a holiday!
It was a lazy time of long walks, afternoon sleeps, reading and driving around the country-side. And time away is always such a refreshing thing for Tim and I and our relationship- its just nice to have heaps of time together to relax. Tim laughs at how silly and happy I get when we go away. Because as much as I love our house, no matter how much I tell myself to relax there- it is always like a weight of my shoulder to be somewhere else and not have to do anything!
Now I just hope I can reacquaint myself with my essay topic enough to hand it in on Monday!
I will see if any of my camera photos worked tomorrow and put some up!
love B
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