Random Reflections

My babies who have spent the weekend helping me with garden, study and chores.

Still not sure what to read next, I thought I would share some random thoughts from random readings.

Firstly, Shakespeare. No, I'm not actually reading any Shakespeare - in fact I never have, but I did read the article in this weekends Australian Review about a hero of mine. I could never quite grasp Shakespeare to read, and I blamed this on my dislexia. So when I was preparing to turn 30 yrs old, I set myself 30 things to do before I'm 30. One of these things was to go to the theatre more often. My first theatre experience as an adult was to go and see the Bell Shakespeare Company perform in Canberra. Now I cant even remember what it was (Sad), but I was blown away with it. Suddenly Shakespeare started to make sense to me. I've since seen quite a few productions, most of the shows staring John Bell. Bell is now preparing for his role in King Lear which is about to roll out throughout Australia. I'm so going to go and see it.

Secondly, while reading the same magazine this morning I noticed a new book is out: Fruitless Fall: The Collapse of the Honey Bee and the Coming Agricultural Crisis. The review captured my interest because I am concerned about the role of the Bee in the permaculture garden in the suburbs. Without the bee things would be very different in the world of fruit and veg. Jacobsen reminds us that Rachel Carson (Silent Spring) predicts of the fruitless fall, and the prediction is unfolding before us. I'm going to keep my eye open for this one too - and maybe even pull out Rachel's Silent Spring as a refresher.

Thirdly, since blogging last week that I had Paulo Coelho's 'Pilgrimage' on my list to read, I've found his blog. 2 entries in the past week have given me food for thought. On Feb 11th he wrote about 'the accommodation point' in which he raises the point that 'love changes and nobody understands that'. I was inspired to think more deeply about my own relationships after reading his words and some of the comments. The on Feb 17 he shared a short story '15 second reading: rebuilding the world'. For me this is a reminder of what I believe in (think global, act local), so check it out and think about what it means to you.

Finally, I've been spending a bit of time researching for my new laptop... any suggestions?

Just thinking

I haven't finished a book recently, and feeling like I'm in a reading slump at present. I've been feeling it for a while, and on reflection, I can recall buying several books in the hope I will get excited again. On my to be read list at present

• Kate Mosse - Sepulchre
• Catherine Deveny - Free to a Good Home
• Jhumpa Lahiri - Interpreter of maladies
• Paulo Coelho - The Pilgrimage
  
• Anais Nin - A Spy in the House of Love
• Marion Halligan - The Fog Garden

But then again, several of the bloggers I am reading at present are doing the Woolf in Winter Read-a-thon and I am finding just reading these bloggers satisfying my reading thirst for now - and maybe I'll pick up a Woolf to read instead.

• Bookbath
• DellaBellezza
• Bibliographing

It's also back to class for me - while I work full time, and volunteer for about 8 hours a week, grow my own veggies, enjoy my walking and cycling - I am back to French lessons for 3 hours week for my 6th year now. So I'm currently reading the latest version of ParisMatch available in Australia (du 7 au 13 Jenvier 2010).

On reflection - there's a lot happening in my head - so Im off to spend a day in the garden, listening to my teapot fountain trickle and to taste my fresh strawberries. Je vous souhaite un bon weekend!

The Wind-up Bird Chronicle (JRC3)

'Murakami writes of contemporary Japan, urban alienation and journeys of self-discovery, and in this bok he combines recollections of the war with metaphysics, dreams and hallucinations into a powerful and impressionistic work' (Independent). [back cover]

What just happened? This is usually what I think when I get to the end of one of Murakami's chapters, and often what I think when I get to the end of the book. I like the way DolceBellezza puts it 'When i close the pages of a Murakami novel, I feel that I have to sit quietly for a while. a long while. The pieces of the story that he's told me float through my conscious, and my subconscious; some of them make sense....'

So it's near impossible for me to review this book in detail today. I'm 100 pages from finishing it, and about 3 weeks away from processing it. But today's the end of the Japanese Reaching Challenge 3, so I wanted to offer some of my thoughts.

First - I found several other bloggers who read this during the challenge and offer really great reviews

• DolceBellezza
• Su[Shu]
• Divya's Reading Room
  

Now, my current thoughts: There's a story and then there's the experience - it's like you walking down a winding path and the world beyond is all fuzzy - you want make our the shapes or the activity beyond the path - perhaps its more like you're caught up in the current of a fast moving river - clearly heading towards something greater (like the ocean) but you're not sure what you're passing along the way. Yet at some points on that journey you do get a glimpse of what you've passed or passing.

What I love about Murakami's novels is the introspection they offer. While I read what's happening to Mr Okada, or Mr Wind-up Bird, I see myself in the mirror. Was the cat's disappearance a signal for things to come, or coincidental? Was his wife's leaving a sign or a symptom? What was the mark on his face trying to tell him? ( I'm hoping I'll find out when I actually finish the book).... but the point is - there's always loads of questions in a Murakami story line - and most of them I can apply to myself.

I'm currently thinking that Mr Okada was accepting the journey he was on because he believed in fate - of destiny or karma. Me, I'm much more likely to see what I can do about my journey, change it if I need to, and to work towards my goals.

Again, I would recommend this read to anyone who's prepared to take the same journey of Mr Okada, or his cat, or Maya Kasahara or any one of the others in the story - because their journey is a reflection of ours, or the people around us.

I would like to reflect more on the spiritual aspects of this novel, but it's too early for me now.

Happy New Year!

Wishing you all a very Happy New Year, and may all your hopes and dreams come true.

I've definitely been on a blogging break, and during that time have reflected more about the reason I blog and what it means to me to continue, or not. I haven't yet got answers, but my thoughts have been progressing.

Sometimes I feel guilty that I haven't been able to find time to blog, I even feel guilty sometimes that I haven't finished reading new books to review, or that my reviews aren't really interesting. But as I look back over the past few weeks, I have had none of these feelings. Life has been full, and I've been pretty content with what's been going on and all that which has kept me away from the computer.

Of course, there was Christmas. And in one of my volunteer roles, I was asked to attend a Christmas Lights display on behalf of my branch, to help raise funds. I did this, with some friends, in the weeks leading up to Christmas, and I have to say, it was just a lovely way to spend a those nights - hanging out with others who love Christmas, listening to carols, and talking with locals and visitors about the work we do as volunteers.

Between Christmas and when I was due t return to work, parts of Central-Western NSW were inundated with flood waters. This is one the the challenges of living in Australia, extremes in weather. One minute we're in drought, and the next we're in flood. These floods may be for some, just what was needed to save their livelihood for another season or two. For others though, much was lost.

I had the opportunity to go to the flood affected area's, for 9 days, to assist with recovery and relief, and to spend time with the affected communities, learning more about what this would mean for them. I really enjoyed my time out west, and I value the opportunity I had to sit with new friends and learn more about life in Australia.

I hope you had a lovely Christmas Season, wherever you spent it, and I look forward to getting back to blogging as my life settles down into 2010.

Winter Ghosts

Last weekend I traveled interstate to celebrate my best friends wedding and to have early Christmas with my family. It was just lovely, although a very busy weekend, to be with friends and family and celebrating. The wedding was wonderfully simply and elegant and the ceremony just perfect for the bride and groom. I had the pleasure of reading a short poem as part of the ceremony, although I had the challenge of finding one for myself.

Love at first sight
by Wislawa Szymborska

They're both convinced
that a sudden passion joined them.
Such certainty is beautiful,
but uncertainty is more beautiful still.

Since they'd never met before, they're sure
that there'd been nothing between them.
But what's the word from the streets,
staircases, hallways -
perhaps they've passed by each other a million times?

I want to ask them
if they don't remember -
a moment face to face
in some revolving door?
perhaps a "sorry" muttered in a crowd?
a curt "wrong number" caught in the receiver? -
but I know the answer.
No, they don't remember.

They'd be amazed to hear
that Chance has been toying with them
now for years.

Not quite ready yet
to become their Destiny,
it pushed them close, drove them apart,
it parred their path, stifling a laugh,
and then leaped aside.

There were signs and signals,
even if they couldn't read them yet.
Perhaps, three years ago
or just last Tuesday
a certain leaf fluttered
from one shoulder to another?
Something was dropped and then picked up.
who knows, maybe the ball that vanished
into childhood's thicket?

There were doorknobs and doorbells
were one touch had covered another
beforehand.
Suitcases, checked and standing side by side.
One night, perhaps, the same dream, grown hazy by morning.

Every beginning
is only a sequel, after all,
and the book of events
is always open halfway through.

While passing through the airport, this book caught my eye - "Winter Ghosts" - by Kate Mosse. I had previously read "Labyrinth" and really enjoyed it, and this one looked much shorted. So I started reading this on the plane and have been engrossed until finishing the book today. It was a much simpler read, and fairly engaging. I enjoy the historical aspects, involving the war of the Cathars in 13th C France. I also enjoy the mysterious storytelling of Mosse who cleverly presents the history intertwined with deep emotions.

Chance? The story I chose to read, and the poem I found for the wedding, were both about the chance encounters of strangers??? and that those encounters changed the characters lives. I am a believer of mysterious/serendipitous meetings that lead to life changing moments. I appreciate the forces (divine, chance, destiny???) that lead us through our daily lives.

Reflections on Volunteering - first installment

The girls we taught in 2007, now at High School

In September and October this year my friend and I went to Tamil Nadu to volunteer as english teachers and to work with a small NGO, ODAM. The Organisation of Development, Action and Maintenance envisions "Establishing equality among human society" irrespective of caste, creed, gender, region, religion, language or politics. To translate this vision into action, ODAM works on issues such as: rural poverty, women's empowerment, child welfare and environment.
Why did we go? This was our second trip becuase after our first one we felt committed to returning to demonstrate a human connection and to see our girls growing up. But the first time we went was a matter of opportunity. After more that 15 years working for the Government I had long service leave and my plans then included traveling. I had 6 weeks in my program to fill in and volunteering somewhere in India made sense - it would be a cheap 6 weeks, and give me an opportunity to try something different. I don't have children, and my husband doesn't get as many holidays as I do - so it makes sense for me to give my time through volunteering. Volunteering allows me to share my skills and knowledge with an organisation that may be poor on human resources. It also provides me an excellent opportunity for personal and professional learning. At the moment, I am committed to volunteering as a learning experience instead of enrolling in my PhD which would demand me to compromise some of my values.

How did I choose ODAM? There are many hundreds of agencies that happily take volunteers. There are also many who charge you for the experience. Many others work towards their own set of values and beliefs. Finding an agency or opportunity that was affordable, and fitted well with my own beliefs were two of my main selection criteria. I wanted to work towards the empowerment of women and against violence, I didn't want to be involved in 'pushing' organisation values or religious beliefs on anyone I would be working with, and I wanted to learn about a new culture. Finding ODAM (on Idealist) was the answer. In early correspondence with the volunteer coordinator at ODAM I asked lots of questions about what work they do and how they could use me. I appreciated the way they responded, and my friend and I eventually agreed we could go as English teachers.



Would I do it again? I'd definitely volunteer again. And I'll promote ODAM to anyone who will listen.

This is just the first of my reflections on volunteering. I will post more soon about my experiences in India, the challenges and lessons I learnt and how it changed me.

Girls playing the senses game.

Catching Up on Book Reviews

As promised, I've returned to review (briefly) a few of the books I've read over the past few months. Some of these have been light and easy going reads, while others where a little more challenging. I'm reviewing from most recently read to those read a while ago. So I just finished these 2 yesterday while recouping from a medical procedure.

The Distance Between Us, by Bart Yates. This was reviewed at ebooks as a 'gem' and attracted me because I like to see how authors can write about the real experiences of life. I'm also a lover of classical music.

The story is about the family of Hester Parker, a classical concert pianist, whose career was cut short due to an accident, closely followed by the children. Two of the children have inherited the gift of music, while the 3rd child struggles with her inability to match her brothers or mothers standards.

It's a powerful story of a family that unravels after the suicide of the middle child. The author captures the readers, with his ability to express the emotions - especially of the mother - of their grief, turmoil and pains.

While a main character in the story, the young gay tenant in Hesters home, Alex is the gentle presence that carries Hester through one of her most difficult times, as she faces the loss of her husband, eldest son and her home.

I enjoyed this read - although it reminded me, sadly, of my own family dynamics.

Very Valentine, by Adriana Trigiani, was a fun light read (just what the doctor ordered yesterday). The story, a 33 yr old woman, finally deciding on her lifes' vocation - shoe making - is faced with the challenges of a failing family business and failing love life. Somehow she brings both her lifes desires into perspective and the story has a happy ending.

My favourite parts included the tomato garden on the roof top of their Manhattan factory/home, the walks along the Hudson River with her man, her grandmothers love affair, and the ultimate - her trip to Italy, with all it's highlights of shoes, fashion, fancy hotels, discoveries, boat rides to secret bays, and the kiss.

This book engaged me, and kept me captured until the end.

How to Paint a Dead Man, by Sarah Hall. I like what the back cover says: 'Sarah Halls' writing is powerful as well as delicate, and How to Paint a Dead Man affords the deepest pleasures fiction has to offer, She weaves together the four stands of the story with supreme conviction, beauty and emotional intelligence.'

There are four stories - the famous artist of the 1960's, Signor Giorgio, who tells his story from journal entries - the Scottish landscape artist, Peter Caldicutt, whose story unfolds with crazy antics demonstrating the egocentric flaws of a passionate man - the blind but fragile & young flower seller, Annette Tambroni, whose story is one of her mothers eternal protection and catholic paranoia, and her discoveries of the world around her - and finally, the daughter of Peter Cadlicutt, Suzi, who is struggling with the her own extreme grief of having lost her twin brother.

I loved all four story lines, although it took me a while to join the dots. Once I did join the dots, and the time line, I was able to see that Sarah Hall had indeed weaved the story. My favourite aspects of the story included the reflections of Giorgio, as told through his journals, his wisdom and his age and also the confusion of Suzi's grief and her drug of choice, a sexual affair. I found Peter Caldicutts story a little too close to home - as his antics reflected those of my father - also a creative force that survived the 70's...Those chapters were aptly titled 'the fool on the hill'.

Brida, by Paulo Coelho, was my first Coelho novel, and I doubt it will be my last. I picked it up while volunteering in India, out of the common room library, and once I started I couldn't put it down. I read this as part of my Lost in Translation Challenge 2009.

Now it's a while ago - so, from memory, the story's about a young woman who's searching for her calling in life and finds her path through a collection of individuals who teach her and mentor her.

Mouthsut.com (like other bloggers I've looked up) doesn't reveal much, but says 'The conflict within all of us to be with someone whom we have known since long [before], or to be with someone whom we have known for a lesser time but who touches our heart more, or to just leave everything and submit ourselves to a lone path with no partner, forms the crux of this story. There are not too many sub-plots but the ones which are there (hint - voices, previous life) are short and will bring back you to the story very quickly.'

I was definitely captivated by the story line, and found many connections between Brida's challenges and my own - especially as I was in the midst of a alternative experience, living in India, surrounded by alternative spiritual paths and far from my family.

Considering this as a part of my Lost in Translation challenge, I loved Coelho's writing, which obviously translated well into English (and apparently 65 other languages). In reading other reviews about this work in translation, I am obviously no alone in my position.