Ruined Monastery Windows

WINDOW VIEWS

Taken in April 2009 in Ireland. Ruins of a Monastery.
Was just playing around.

Window Views from London

Taken from top of a London Tourist Bus. Its amazing how this meme has got me focused on taken photos of Windows.

To see more Window View hosted by Mary visit: http://windowviews2.blogspot.com/

Wordless Wednesday

Corbet Lough, Nothern Ireland

Motion

http://headsortailshome.blogspot.com/

How to Exercise While Sitting at Your Computer - wikiHow

How to Exercise While Sitting at Your Computer - wikiHow

Unconscious Mutterings

The first response was easy - its my uncle's nickname for me. Mona being short for Simone.

The second is my religious background - its also a chorus.

The third is a movie I think watched but don't really remember (Jim Carey was the actor)

I have never really listened to him but I have read a lot of self-help books and they refer to him. Seen his material advertised and read quotes.

Don't why her name came to me. I had to look up how to spell her surname. Its a name I have heard in the media a lot.

Dolly Parton - I think she is an icon - I wouldn't be surprised if many people thought of her as well.

These two names came to me but I couldn't associate them wit something specific so I googled them afterward and saw that they are brand names - once again its something I have just picked in the media without being interested in their products.

That is self-explanatory. We my sister Deborah - Debbie.

I love their music

I enjoyed some of her music and loved her energy.

Luna Nina

I say ... and you think ... ?

1. Lisa :: Mona Lisa
   
2. Hope :: faith, love
   
3. Irene :: Me and I
   
4. Tony :: Robbins
   
5. Anna :: Kournikova
6. Dolly :: Parton
   
7. Laura :: Lee, Ashley
   
8. Debbie :: my sister
   
9. Wilson :: Philips
   
10. Paula :: Abdul

Favourite Spots

For those who regularly read my blog some of these photos may be familiar but some are new.

My Three favourite spots besides the Library is on the couch in front of my lounge window, Nando's in Belfast and at the coffee shop in Walkers.

Why?

This is the view from my favourite spot in the house. the couch is comfortable. I enjoying reading, drinking coffee, having time alone and with family and friends from this spot. i enjoy looking outside at the tree, the grass, the houses and the activities in our little road.
it is peaceful.



The second is NANDO'S a South African restaurant - it taste just like home, plays great music and has good service.














I love this coffee shop. I love the cosy furniture, the warm colours, the fact that they cater for children. I love the cappuccinos and scones. I love that they are reasonably priced.

I can sit there alone or with friends and feel like i am at home.

Window Views

Advertising Window



The GAP window




Outlet Mall

I went to the Banbridge Outlet to have coffee with some friends at Costa's coffee shop. I knew I would arrive early and decided to take some shots of the shop windows.

I am still trying to get familiar with Cannon 450D camera.

See more or join the meme click here: http://windowviews2.blogspot.com/

Can you tell what's happening??

Wordless Wednesday

Brave

Tails: A true experience of being brave



In primary school when the boys would come around with frogs and crabs, i would act brave and hold them. Frogs were not bad but I was really scared of been pinched by a crab. But I realised if you showed that you were not scared they wouldn't bother you.

Every time I have to give a talk. speech, act or preach - its an act of bravery. I was once told by a drama teacher that feeling nervous shows that I still cared about what I was doing and that was a good thing.

I have the bravery to try new things like moving to a new country (Au Paired in USA and am now in Northern Ireland), going on a mission trip to Malawi etc.

I was brave when I went for my drivers license for the third time and I will have to find the strength to do the test again in one months time.

I have been brave to face people that are older than me, in higher positions and threaten to hurt me - I did not not back down and stood my ground.

Remembering those times gives me the courage to pick myself up again and to push myself further. If I could do it then, then there is no reason why I cannot do it now.

Bravery to me a state of mind, its a choice I make. Not always an easy one.

Mutterings for today

Hosted by Luna Nina

I say ... and you think ... ?

1. Vex :: make angry, cast a spell
   
2. Relapse :: drugs, addict, depression, cancer
   
3. Twinkle :: twinkle little star
   
4. Crawls :: creepy
   
5. Optimistic moment :: wish I had one right now
   
6. Cage :: Nicholas, Bird
   
7. Superwoman ::I am not your Superwoman (song)
   
8. Personal :: private
   
9. Vapor :: water
   
10. Grocery store :: Tescos, Pick 'n Pay (South African store)

100 Words Swap

The mission is to write 100 words on anything, in just about any form so i go:

To maximise
and minimise
To create
and Expand
To dream
and to venture out
The known and the unknown (18)


To simplify
and strip
To complex
and intricate
To sublime
and rich
To enjoy without guilt
To engage and immerse yourself in (22)


To plan
and evolve
To see
and hear
To touch
and tasted
To experience fully
The wonder of life (19)

To believe
and discover
To love
and treasure
To mask
and to expose
To go deeper, to reach further
Define and yet not confine (24)


To days gone by
To days to come
To today
We recapture, surrender, and celebrate
To life (17) [100]

Extras:

Some links that may interest my partners:

1. Knitting and crotchet blog with some free pattern: http://jessicasuzanne.com/ including an owl.

2. Including Woody the Owl: http://www.roxycraft.com/free_patterns.htm

3. Owl Dishcloth Knitting Pattern : http://www.knittingonthenet.com/patterns/clothowl.htm

4. Comfort food recipes - the South African way: http://www.cooksister.com/
and http://www.inmamaskitchen.com/index.html

Wordless Windows

Sunday 3 May, waiting for lunch at Nando's, Victoria Centre, Belfast

Taken in the Get Lost Maze - Festival of Fools Belfast 3 May 2009

Matric Ball

Me at my friend Adelaide's Matric Ball, Durban South Africa.

Matric Ball is held in your senior/last year at High School - Grade 12 (Standard 10).

Unconscious Mutterings

Host at : http://subliminal.lunanina.com/

I say ... and you think ... ?

1. Again :: and again and again
   
2. Shower :: Power, deodorant

3. Flirting :: outrageously, girls just want to have fun

4. Moving on :: nothings going to stop, nothing is going to to break me

5. Rachel :: Stone, and Rebbecca (Bible women), Issac (her husband)

6. Chips :: The TV series


7. Texting :: sms, cell phones

8. Feel better :: after a long hot bath, good nights sleep, getting it off your chest.

9. Cashmere :: sweater, rich

10. Sucked :: slang word meaning no good, something terrible or boring.

Anon

Tonight I am missing the feeling of being anonymous.

Tonight I am missing home.

Tonight I am missing my friends.

Tonight I am missing being understood

Tonight I am missing the freedom of being me

BLOG time

A list of blogs that may interest you.

1. Photography (I have just joined them and I am really finding it useful and interesting) http://digital-photography-school.com/tips

2. My friend. We met in South Africa 3 years ago before I moved to Northern Ireland. She has some great knitting links on her blog as well. She mainly knits and quilts.

Ruth’s Place


Musings of an Australian living, travelling and crafting in South Africa

3.Photography and ........Sandra. This is my little corner of the blogosphere to share tid bits of my life and document my attempts at living an artul life. Artful life (*Art Quote of the Day *Art enables us to find ourselves and lose ourselves at the same time.)

4. Green Blogs
http://greengirlsglobal.com/blog/
http://littlegreenblog.com/

5. Paper Craft Blog: http://papercraft-world.blogspot.com/

100 Ways to find inspiration

This is a Swap-bot swap.

I hope to think of new ways for myself and hopefully you will something on the list that could work for you.

Erich Fromm:

Creativity requires the courage to let go of certainties.

1. Keep an open minding.
2. Change your surroundings.
3. Read a genre you would not normally read.
4. Listen/read inspiring books like. The Artist Way
5. Go on an Artist Date (even if you don't see yourself as a Artist).
6. Journalling (this is not something I do on a regular basis but it has help me through some tough times and given me inspiration)
7. Expose yourself to a variety of music. One I do this is by doing music e-swaps.
8. Making Collages.
9. Photography - story telling with the camera.
10. Visiting Museums
11. Spending time in the library - whether its just to browse, take out a book or use the internet there.
12. Work in a different spot - if normally work at home - go work in a coffee shop etc...
13. Challenge yourself to learn something - like a language etc. and don't forget to reward yourself.
14. Have a hot and cold shower.
15. Long warm bath and day dream
16. Spend some time alone in nature or in a spot in your home.
17. Visit Artist Way website based on the book - free resources and guidelines.
18. Go for a walk.
19. Drinks lots of water
20. Eat healthy
If you nurture your mind, body and spirit, your time will expand. You will gain a new perspective that will allow you to accomplish much more - Brian Koslow
21. Debate - it stretches your mind
22. Brain Gym® Exercises (Click here for the Illustrated version)
23. Make your own inspirational quote collection to dip into.#
24. have a mini-vacation
25. Spend time with inspiring people
26. Play strategy games like chess or ..........
27. Spend time watching kids play
28. Go to an adventure park
29. Listen to people talking - you will be surprise what that may inspire in you.
30. Brainstorm ideas
31. Mind-mapping is another useful tool.
32. Reading Poetry
33. volunteer
34. Change your routine - like have an unspide down dinner - eat dessert first, them main course and then a starter.
35. Have a travelling dinner either at friends homes or restaurants - 3 or 4 course meal.
36. Watch a comedy
37. Do a labyrinth walk - you can do this online if you don't have one close to you. Find the one that suits you and your spiritual walk of life.
38. Create a mandala.
39. Make a simple craft its amazing how it feels to complete a project it inspires you to do another.
40. I love ticking off or crossing out what I have done on a list - it inspires me and motivates me to continue.
41. detox - physically or technologically (don't use the internet or tv etc. for a day or more)
42. Host a party.
43. Join a book club or start one.
44. Pamper yourself
45. Pamper someone else
46. Wake up earlier and see what happends
47. Watch the sun set
48. Watch the sun rise
49. Donate to charity. 5 Things to Think About When Giving to a Charity Shop
50. Read an autobiography
51. Accept yourself - write a letter of acceptance to yourself or stand in front of the mirror nake and truly accept yourself.
52. Dance in the rain.
53. Have ice-cream in the snow.
54. Give yourself permission to play.
55. Visit an art gallery.
56. Go to theatre.
57. Attend a festival.
58. Be a tourist in your own town/city/county
59. Stay in your pjamas for the whole day
60. Get a new hairstyle
61. Get a new outfit.
62. Have a makeover.
63. Do a room makeover.
64. Join something like Freecycle - go to garage sales or Flea markets.
65. Draw a map.
66. Read a magazine
67. Try a different craft at least once - go to a class and get a friend to help you.
68. Try to make your favourite take-out or restuarant meal meal at home.
69. Make someone else laugh.
70. Smile at and greet strangers.
71. Write a story or a poem.
72. Join a blogging meme or an unusual swap
73. make another list of 100 (LOL)
74. Contact an old friend.
75. Make a new friend.
76. Make a mental picture of what you want to achieve - and think about it regularly
77. Sometimes it’s helpful to walk away from a project or goal or problem you working on. Let it brew in your mind. Then come back to it later. Its wonder some of the things I solve or ideas that come to me in my sleep or while I am doing the most routine of things.
78. Don’t listen to the nay-sayers, if someone thinks you’re a little nuts, or don’t have faith in what you can accomplish, then forget about them.
79. One of the things that has always helped me with my goals/problems is talking about them. While I am talking an idea or solution just seems to come to me.
80. Delegate - its especially great if you can delegate certain tasks that really block you from moving forward.
81. Clean up your home office or room - its amzing the stuff you will find - it helps you re-connect with yourself.
82. Try a new product.
83. Research something random on the internet or in the libray.
84. Implement a new habit.
85. Focusing on getting rid of a bad habit
86. "Always think of what you are going to do as easy and it will be" French Psychologist Emile Coue. -It has worked for me.
87. Turn an unpleasant task into a game.
88. If today was your last day on earth - what would you do? - then do it.
89. Practise you using affirmations.
90. Count your blessing - what are you grateful for?
91. Have a girls/boys night out
92. Step into someone elses shoes for a day
93. Interview someone for the fun of it.
94. Answer a survey.
95. Start a blog or a website.
96. Doodle.
97. Watch birds /insects
98. Go on a road trip.
99. Do a puzzle.
100. Do a public talk or lead out in a group activiy (this type of activity inspires you to try something different .......).

Fools Festival or the Festival of Fools

HEADS OR TAILs
Any past theme

Well I thought since I attended the Festival of Fools this weekend it be the right theme for me to choose this week.






Me making a musical fool of myself - what fun!!


My daughter is in the pink.

WOULD YOU DARE ENTER?





We had to in order to get out of the maze.

Festival of Fools

Belfast
Street Theatre



To see more click here.

Window Views # 2

Taken in a Catholic Church in Ireland about 10min drive out of Galway
trying out the settings on my new camera - Cannon 450D

Window Views is hosted by The Teach

Wordless Wednesday Tulips

Belfast Botanical garden April 2009

Running away from home

I grew up in the city. Some people call the area I grew up in a township, I saw it more as suburban - it is about 20min drive from one of the main cities in South Africa - Durban.

My first true farm experience was round about the age of 12/13. My best friend's had moved to Ixopo. I spent just over week during the winter school holidays with her.

What I liked best was walking to the streams and river banks to sit and write poetry.

When we did go into the small town where her mother owned a clothing shop we would spend most of the day flirting with the older guys that worked in the complex.

It was the first I drank coffee that was not caffeine free. That for me just made the whole stay more romantic/artistic - I would daydream about sitting at Paris cafe's drinking coffee, writing and listening to poetry.

A year later when things at home got really rough. My parents were arguing a lot. During one argument my Dad threw money at Mother. They both left it in the garden. I went and picked it up. I saw this as my opportunity to get their attention and go on an adventure. After getting some directions, pretending I was looking for information for my next holiday - I was set to run away from home.

For those who know South Africa they will understand the dangerous position I put myself in. By the time I realised I was I did it felt like it was too late. And I prayed all the way to Ixopo.

I went down to the Durban market. To the taxi rank that was generally only used by black people and some coloureds. I got lost and I did not speak Zulu. I found an old lady who finally gave me directions. I found the the taxi/combi (15-18 seater vehicle) and now I had to wait till it filled up. A guy came to speak to me - he told me that he loved me and that we should marry - I burst into tears and lied - I said I had just lost someone in the family and that could not talk to him. I think he could not handle the tears because he left me and the another lady advised me to rather sit in the front of the taxi/combi . Which turned out to be another nightmare - I had to collect the money for the driver and make sure it was right. Thank goodness there was no problem.

When I arrived in Ixopo I went straight to Aunty Enunice's shop (my best friends mother). She called my mom immediately. I had left a note at home. Mom took off work , read the note and decided not to give it to my father, she then went to school and explained what had happened.
I spent three days on the Farm before safe transport could be found to take me home.

When I got home my dad had left for Johannesburg leaving a message that if he stayed home for my arrival he was not sure what he would have done to me. I know my mom would never have left him hit. Despite his violent temper she managed somehow to stop him from taking it out on us and miraculously he never hit her either. It would normally be the furniture, the dishes and sometimes our dog that would carry the brunt.

A week later we got a call from a lady who turned out to be his girlfriend and was under the impression that he was divorced. She wanted to talk to me and let me know how much my father loved me. That turned out to be turning point for mom who then started divorce proceedings.

That is what came to my mind when i read the prompt - Down On The Farm.

Heart Drop

Have you ever experienced your heart sinking when you here name of someone you dislike or are in conflict (directly or indirectly). A literal feeling of your heart dropping.

I have. And then I realised that I giving this person too much power over my life. But the question now is how do I take back control. I am now smiling at myself. I have been here before. I can't believe how I can caught in the same cycle of behaviour over and over again but I do. get caught up in the storm of stuff and before I realise it I am making the same mistakes I have made in the past. The good though is that I am better and quicker at recognising this and I am not putting myself down and carrying the weight of the world on my shoulders anymore. I can take ownership of my mistakes, stop and re-evaluate my situation and position and now I can take steps to correct what I can, let go of what I can't and move on with the business of living.

As I am writing this I feel a calm and peace. Thank you Lord.

I am not sure what you need to do to take back control. Sometimes its as simple as recognising that you are who are and the choice of your emotions and actions lie with you. Know one can make you do you or feel anything - that choice is yours.
Sometimes its more difficult and you need to work through various layers. The most important thing to remember is that it is possible, don't give up and don't give in.

Window Views

Carrickfergus Castle Window
Northern Ireland

Wordless

"Once upon a time"

hosted http://headsortailshome.blogspot.com/

TAILS

Once Upon a Time

Once upon a time, son,

they used to laugh with their hearts

and laugh with their eyes:

but now they only laugh with their teeth,

while their ice-block-cold eyes

search behind my shadow.

There was a time indeed

they used to shake hands with their hearts:

but that's gone, son.

Now they shake hands without hearts:

while their left hands search

my empty pockets.

`Feel at home! `Come again:

they say, and when I come

again and feel

at home, once, twice,

there will be no thrice-

for then I find doors shut on me.

So I have learned many things, son.

I have learned to wear many faces

like dresses - homeface,

officeface, streetface, hostface,

cocktailface, with all their conforming smiles

like a fixed portrait smile.

And I have learned too

to laugh with only me teeth

and shake hands without my heart.

I have also learned to say,`Goodbye,

when I mean `Good-riddance`:

to say `Glad to meet you,

without being glad; and to say `It's been

nice talking to you, after being bored.

But believe me, son.

I want to be what I used to be

when I was like you. I want

to unlearn all these muting things.

Most of all, I want to relearn

how to laugh, for my laugh in the mirror

shows only my teeth like a snake's bare fangs!

So show me, son,

how to laugh; show me how

I used to laugh and smile

Once upon a time when I was like you.

Gabriel Okara

"Once upon a time" is a stock phrase that has been used in some form since at least 1380 (according to the Oxford English Dictionary) in storytelling in the English language, and seems to have become a widely accepted convention for opening oral narratives by around 1600. These stories often then end with "... and they all lived happily ever after", or, originally, "happily until their deaths." These are examples of the narrative form, and occur most frequently in the narratives produced by children aged between 6 and 8. (from refernce.com)

Back from my Holiday

We were on Holiday in Galway, Ireland.

We toured Galway City on Tuesday and Wednesday. We did the Cliffs of Moher route on Thursday and Connemara route on Friday. Then we spent Sabbath in New market on Fergus then traveled up to South African friends in Port Laoise.

More details and photographs coming soon.

Galway Irish Crystal

Galway Crystal has established an excellent reputation as a world renowned crystal manufacturer. The premises offer visitors and opportunity to buy glass and crystal ware at the factory shop at reduced prices.

Food alphabet

E-swap

A- Aubergine

B- barley, bagels
C- croutons, coffee, cinnamon
D- Deviled eggs

E- Eskimo pie, Echinacea
F- French Fries, French Bread
G- Ginger beer
H- Hollandaise, hummus
I- Iced tea
J- Jalapeño
K- kale,kiwi,
L- Lentils lasagna (Recipe)
M- Macaroni
N- Naan bread
O- Omelet (Our favourite Sunday morning breakfast)
P- Pasta, Pavlova (How to demonstration, Wikipedia info)
Q- Quaker oatmeal (101 Oatmeal,
R- Rooibos or Red bush Tea - a South African herbal tea - RED espresso



S- Sea Salt
T- Thousand Island salad dressing
U- ugli fruit (pronounced as /ˈʌgli/, or ugly) is a Jamaican tangelo, a citrus fruit created by hybridizing a grapefruit
V- Vanilla, virgin oil
W- Watermelon has a high GI
X- xmas cake
Y- yellow squash
Z- ziti (which has square-cut edges and is smooth, not ridged, in texture), which also refer to particular dishes made from penne-shaped pasta.

How To Make Baked Ziti With Tomato Sauce from Video Jug

List of three

HEAD OR TAILS

A. My daughters new hobbies:

1. Birdwatching (something her dad does as well)
2. Coin Collecting (she read a book at school about it & we have now incorporated into our swaps as well)
3. Swapping (on Swap-bot with her mom)


B. Three Books I am reading at the moment:

1. The Money secret by Rob Parsons
2. Wonderful today by Pattie Boyd
3. The beginners guide to coin collecting by James Mackay

C. Three projects I am working on at the moment:

1. Working on a liturgical dance to the song "Who am I" by Casting Crowns
2. Planning a holiday to Republic of Ireland
3. Investigating buying a SLR camera