Moments

Paper fruit cocktail decorations in the hair, lazy lunches with my parents, sand dunes and sunsets, hydrangea bombs and cooking club with lady friends. All lovely moments to savour!

Happiness (to me)

I found this list that I wrote way back when. 

My Dad said to me once, out of the blue, "you have to enjoy it, all the time, because it goes so fast and we can take that for granted." It was advice that struck me as both simultaneously inspiring and terrifying but it pushed me to try and cultivate a sense of appreciation.  In dire moments I hang on to Dad's words because when it comes down to it, we are incredibly lucky people.

What are the little things that make you happy?

Gomen!

Sorry about the recent lack of posts. I've been travelling around Japan with my dearest ma and pa, which has been a wonderful adventure. There have been typhoons, sumo wrestlers and old Japanese ladies to bargain with in the Kyoto markets. There were also mini deer that tried to take a bite out of us while travelling around Nara! Above are some pictures. The deer were so tiny and cute but also very assertive when it came to eating snacks. It was amazing to seem them wandering around completely uncaged and tamed. Hope you've all been well and enjoying the change of season, wherever you are in the world. xx

Doris

It's one year today since my Grandma passed away. I can hardly believe it. Instead of feeling sad I'm channeling my energy into thinking about the things I loved about my Grandma:

 -Her evening jumper selection that were bejeweled and embroidered for special nights when her and her husband went dancing

-The softness of her cheeks. They felt like silk, and smelt like lavender

-Her handwriting. The most beautiful I had ever seen

The things she made. Doilies, needlepoint masterpieces and long knitted scarves. Every piece she made was loaded with time and love

-Her ability to make killer pavlova

-The house she lived in; filled with antiques, trinkets and photographs

-Her collection of diamond rings, 5 stacked on each finger. Her hands were bedazzling

-The fact that she wasn't like most Grandmother's. She was very subdued with her emotions and affection, meaning a hug was incredibly significant. On my last visit she asked me for a kiss on the cheek. It was our way of knowing it was the last time we would see each other. I feel so lucky I got to say goodbye.

The last seven days

It's been a busy week full of travel, family, romance and adventures. The top pictures are from a relaxing day I spent in the garden enjoying the sunshine. I finished Just Kids by Patti Smith which was beautiful, and so well written. Then later in the week, rummaging in a junk store on the road I found a treasure trove of National Geographics. Oh lordy, there are some amazing outfits! Scans coming soon. The next picture is my niece showing me fictional holes in her teeth after gorging on Easter eggs and below that was the cutest roadside church I stopped in to look at. To top all this off my brother tied the knot which was so exciting and it turned out to be a spectacular day with family and friends. Him and his new wifey looked pretty amazing and everyone dressed up nice and fancy which was great. Below that is my charming boyfriend acting rather poised for the camera, and then my niece trying to escape, as well as my brother. The last photo is of me and mum and dad on the dance floor doing what I presume is the robot. I can't quite remember because I think I was laughing too hard. A good week!

Change

Away from home when big ass earthquake hit New Zealand, felt weird

Best friend moves four blocks from the Eiffel tower, phenomenal skype dates.

Oceans away from my loved ones

Quit smoking

Loved one passed away

Booked tickets to India (today)

Mothers day

In 1979 my mother and her sister were sitting in a milkshake bar in a small town called Ernakulam in Southern India. My father, a pig hunting, farm roaming salt of the earth type clapped eyes on her and that was that. My existence was a sealed deal. They were married within three months.

Bessy was supposed to have an arranged marriage and the communty was in uproar. The woman gossiped, sighed loudly and cursed the heavens (all the while secretely enjoying the juiciness of the scandal), the men smacked their foreheads in exasperation and indulged in heated debates accompanied by whiskey and late night cards. My stubborn mother stuck to her guns and gained the eventual support of her mother. This was all that mattered.

When they tied the knot a 1300 year old heritage was broken. In 700AD, 60 families from Syria made the voyage to India where they set up a new life. This community, called Canaanites, married strictly within the 60 families keeping the bloodline pure Syrian. Books were kept recording every birth, death and marriage and mum can track her lineage back 1300 years. My brother and I were wiped clean from the books and her heritage was snubbed out from the community forever.

After travelling through Europe mum moved to New Zealand with dad. With her family oceans away, unusual customs and climate and not a single friend but my father, it must have been lonely. She has built an amazing life for herself and the made the most of every opportunity given to her. Bess now has her MBA, manages a veternary and biomedical faculty at a university, cooks the best meals I have ever tasted and most importantly, leaves any boyfriend of mine quaking in their boots with her sassiness.

Happy mother day! x