Saturday, 18 September 2010
September 18, 2010
This week most of the chch groups get back to their normal routine. I'm taking a semester off from being an iHUB leader, and am switching to a women's morning bbl study group instead. So I got to meet some new ladies on Tuesday morning, it was good fun, but very different to international work. No screaming children while you're trying to read, no problems understanding each other. It was weird- it'll take me some time to get used to I think! :)
Monday, 13 September 2010
September 13, 2010
A little update today for G's family- he updates facebook regularly so find him and friend him there to get all the details. :) He's writing up 2 presentations this week, one for a talk in Slovenia, and one for a talk in Berlin, both at the end of this month! We have friends getting married in China at the end of October, and I'm photographing their wedding so that is excellent fun. G has a conference in Korea at the beginning of November, so it's a combined trip for him-if I can manage to find the person in charge of said conference and convince them to hire me to photograph it, it'll be a combined trip for me as well. I've never been to Korea, but I'm for sure looking forward to China again!
Things are marching ahead with 361- I'm getting more productive by the day, and able to focus on the business and business development again. It's really exciting- we have several streams that we're taking forward and developing, and I love that aspect of having a business. We certainly have every reasonable expectation for success, but I wonder what things will look like in 5 years!
Boo- it's 8pm and completely dark here. I hate the shortening days, especially when it gets to December and the sun sets at 3:30pm. At least it's warmer here in the winter, which is a good thing. :)
Things are marching ahead with 361- I'm getting more productive by the day, and able to focus on the business and business development again. It's really exciting- we have several streams that we're taking forward and developing, and I love that aspect of having a business. We certainly have every reasonable expectation for success, but I wonder what things will look like in 5 years!
Boo- it's 8pm and completely dark here. I hate the shortening days, especially when it gets to December and the sun sets at 3:30pm. At least it's warmer here in the winter, which is a good thing. :)
Sunday, 12 September 2010
September 12, 2010
Been a busy Sunday here- morning service at 10, then off to foto raptors, and then on to a leaving party for a business colleague. Lots of things struck me about today. The talk this morning at chch was a good reminder to us that JC's friends weren't the religious types who had it all together, the ones who taught people what the holy book said, or were pillars and examples in their community. His friends, the ones who followed him, were primarily the outcasts of his society- tax collectors who stole money from people, gangster types, prostitutes, the homeless and jobless. JC said he came for those who realised that they needed a doctor, not for the ones who thought they were healthy. In fact none of us is spiritually healthy- whether we recognise it or not. But for those who realise their unhealthy state, there's great news- JC came to heal you and make you right with Gd. The ones who realised their state were the ones who were JC's friends, and that's what I want to be.
A BNI colleague of mine who lived 10 years in California and moved back to the UK where he's lived 30 years asked me to come round to photograph a leaving party he and his wife were hosting. They're 67 ish, and have decided to retire and move back to California. Their children all live in the US, 2 daughters in California and a son in Chicago, and so they're going back to their home there to be with their grandchildren and watch them grow up. They have US citizenship so they can do that easily, but what a thing to do- to give up comfortable and established lives here amongst their friends to go be with their little grandchildren and their daughters of course. They are selling their house, and in 2 weeks are off to America. I was impressed by their leaving party- so many people were there with whom they had shared their younger years- people they went to high school with, graduated from college with, raised their children with. To have to say goodbye to people like that would be so very hard. And as they aren't followers of JC they will very likely never see most of those folks again.
Most of you know that although I do love fun and enjoying my life, I'm also a thinker. I think quite deeply about these sorts of things- I try to look for wisdom and pursue it when I find it, and learn from those who are older and wiser than myself. Today as I looked around at the faces at this party, I wondered what it was like for my colleague to see the older, in many cases elderly, versions of the friends he knew in his younger life. I wondered to myself what it will be like for me to be in his shoes in 35 years- how surprised I'll be to find that my friends have gotten older, that I've gotten older, and that life has gone by so quickly in the interrim. I heard him mention that he and his wife first went to the States in 1969- that doesn't seem so very long ago to him. In 35 years it'll be my turn to say "I went to Cambridge in 2007" and that will be nearly 40 years in the past. It will be my turn to deal with a body that is aging, with parts that don't work the way they used to, slowing me down and affecting my day to day, when inside I still feel young.
What I gained from thinking about these things is that I am so grateful that I'll be able to see so many of my friends in heaven someday, where none of us will feel old, seem old, or be frail or infirm. I also thought about how valuable it is to keep in touch with friends. And I was reminded again that keeping a diary and recording things in my life is a valuable practice. In some ways my camera is my diary, but my proper written diary will be so valuable to me in the future, as my past writings have already been to me.
Sometimes it's hard to remember that I'm only 31. I had to remind myself today. I don't feel 31- I've squeezed an enormous amount of adventure, excitement, and life into 31 years. But I hope to always look back on the years of my life and see how Gd has been working, and to always no matter how old I get be looking forward to what He is going to do in the future. To my older friends, remember that you're never too old for Gd to use you in a powerful way- 70, 80, 90, He still has something for you! To my younger friends, remember to keep the joy in your lives as you get older, and to keep seeking Gd. Living life isn't about perfection, it's about trying to put JC first day by day.
I'm off to write up a business plan now, and process photos, and send out quotes. The Bbl says "So whatever you do, whether in word or in deed, do it all for the glory of Gd." So off I go to try and do just that. :)
A BNI colleague of mine who lived 10 years in California and moved back to the UK where he's lived 30 years asked me to come round to photograph a leaving party he and his wife were hosting. They're 67 ish, and have decided to retire and move back to California. Their children all live in the US, 2 daughters in California and a son in Chicago, and so they're going back to their home there to be with their grandchildren and watch them grow up. They have US citizenship so they can do that easily, but what a thing to do- to give up comfortable and established lives here amongst their friends to go be with their little grandchildren and their daughters of course. They are selling their house, and in 2 weeks are off to America. I was impressed by their leaving party- so many people were there with whom they had shared their younger years- people they went to high school with, graduated from college with, raised their children with. To have to say goodbye to people like that would be so very hard. And as they aren't followers of JC they will very likely never see most of those folks again.
Most of you know that although I do love fun and enjoying my life, I'm also a thinker. I think quite deeply about these sorts of things- I try to look for wisdom and pursue it when I find it, and learn from those who are older and wiser than myself. Today as I looked around at the faces at this party, I wondered what it was like for my colleague to see the older, in many cases elderly, versions of the friends he knew in his younger life. I wondered to myself what it will be like for me to be in his shoes in 35 years- how surprised I'll be to find that my friends have gotten older, that I've gotten older, and that life has gone by so quickly in the interrim. I heard him mention that he and his wife first went to the States in 1969- that doesn't seem so very long ago to him. In 35 years it'll be my turn to say "I went to Cambridge in 2007" and that will be nearly 40 years in the past. It will be my turn to deal with a body that is aging, with parts that don't work the way they used to, slowing me down and affecting my day to day, when inside I still feel young.
What I gained from thinking about these things is that I am so grateful that I'll be able to see so many of my friends in heaven someday, where none of us will feel old, seem old, or be frail or infirm. I also thought about how valuable it is to keep in touch with friends. And I was reminded again that keeping a diary and recording things in my life is a valuable practice. In some ways my camera is my diary, but my proper written diary will be so valuable to me in the future, as my past writings have already been to me.
Sometimes it's hard to remember that I'm only 31. I had to remind myself today. I don't feel 31- I've squeezed an enormous amount of adventure, excitement, and life into 31 years. But I hope to always look back on the years of my life and see how Gd has been working, and to always no matter how old I get be looking forward to what He is going to do in the future. To my older friends, remember that you're never too old for Gd to use you in a powerful way- 70, 80, 90, He still has something for you! To my younger friends, remember to keep the joy in your lives as you get older, and to keep seeking Gd. Living life isn't about perfection, it's about trying to put JC first day by day.
I'm off to write up a business plan now, and process photos, and send out quotes. The Bbl says "So whatever you do, whether in word or in deed, do it all for the glory of Gd." So off I go to try and do just that. :)
Saturday, 11 September 2010
September 11, 2010
Ha ha- I just realised with this new blog template I don't need to title my blogs with the date, because the date is automatically posted! Oops. Oh well. :) It's 9/11 today of course- an infamous day for those of my generation. But a few days ago was the 70th anniversary of the start of the Blitz- an infamous day for those of my grandparents' generation. Tragedies are always terrible indeed, no matter what sort. And I wouldn't want to downplay any loss of human life. But when I hear the first hand accounts of the literally millions of people who lived through the Blitz, all over the UK, whose cities were bombed over their heads while they hid in terror in underground shelters, every single night, for months, I am reminded that we have much to learn from that generation. I praise Gd that I grew up in a time of peace- I am so grateful for that. But I might not have had the opportunity to live a peaceful life, nor would my parents, if it wasn't for the tens of thousands of American pilots and crew members who died here defending their far away country in the land of their allies. All of the soldiers who died in the war, so many young men who were doing their jobs and lost their lives as a result, so that we could grow up in a peaceful society.
We have so much to learn from this quickly passing generation, a generation who leaned on Gd for the strength to endure suffering and trials, and who walked daily through experiences we can't even imagine. Some of our dear friends reading this are of that generation, and I just want to say yet again that I'm so grateful for you- your example of persistence and perseverance in the small day to day things as well as the great events that shaped your lives inspires me to thank Gd everyday for his blessings to us all.
It's Z's birthday celebration today, so I'm off to celebrate with her and all our close friends. I hope you have a lovely weekend everyone!
We have so much to learn from this quickly passing generation, a generation who leaned on Gd for the strength to endure suffering and trials, and who walked daily through experiences we can't even imagine. Some of our dear friends reading this are of that generation, and I just want to say yet again that I'm so grateful for you- your example of persistence and perseverance in the small day to day things as well as the great events that shaped your lives inspires me to thank Gd everyday for his blessings to us all.
It's Z's birthday celebration today, so I'm off to celebrate with her and all our close friends. I hope you have a lovely weekend everyone!
Tuesday, 7 September 2010
September 7, 2010
There's been lots of news coverage of the anniversary of the Battle of Britain, and of the Blitz, which happened 70 years ago this year. Having grown up in a time of peace, it's hard for me to imagine just what it was like for that generation to experience WWII. I know many in our Living Proof class lived through that time in the US- I've been thinking of you all today and how blessed we are to know you and learn from your wisdom and experiences!
On a much lighter note, you'll be glad to know that the muntjac deer has made it's way out of our garden thankfully, and has been replaced by a big grey squirrel trying to bury walnuts everywhere. :) We do get a lot of wild life- we've had herons, deer, squirrels, and hedgehogs, besides a lot of song birds. Keeps things interesting. :)
This morning I had BNI at 6:30am, and it's that time of year when you start to notice that you're waking up and it's still dark outside. We've not come to the worst of it yet, but it's still noticeable. BNI was great though- generating new leads, and trying to focus more on getting new clients. Today I'm making a list of companies that I'd like to talk to so I can see if someone will refer me to them, and hopefully I can get some business out of it!
6:30am comes early when you're not used to meetings at that hour, and it's time for my nap. :)
On a much lighter note, you'll be glad to know that the muntjac deer has made it's way out of our garden thankfully, and has been replaced by a big grey squirrel trying to bury walnuts everywhere. :) We do get a lot of wild life- we've had herons, deer, squirrels, and hedgehogs, besides a lot of song birds. Keeps things interesting. :)
This morning I had BNI at 6:30am, and it's that time of year when you start to notice that you're waking up and it's still dark outside. We've not come to the worst of it yet, but it's still noticeable. BNI was great though- generating new leads, and trying to focus more on getting new clients. Today I'm making a list of companies that I'd like to talk to so I can see if someone will refer me to them, and hopefully I can get some business out of it!
6:30am comes early when you're not used to meetings at that hour, and it's time for my nap. :)
Thursday, 2 September 2010
September 2, 2010
I took Nelly to a new vet this morning- my friend Simon from the camera club is a vet, and I decided to switch because the original vet we'd taken Nelly to basically said there wasn't anything they could do about her ears being so itchy. I noticed when I got back from Michigan on Friday that not only has Nelly been scratching a lot, she's rubbing her eyes and also around her mouth seems to be itchy. She scratches quite a bit, and I can hear her scratching at night. She's also more fussy than usual (those of you who know Nelly will know what I mean!) She's been waking me up at night every 3 hours or so, and that usually wears off in a day or 2 after I get back from a trip. Anyway, time for a trip to the vet. Simon said it was probably allergies, and he gave her a steroid shot, hoping that it would knock back her over active immune response. I'm not expecting a cure, I'd just like her to be more comfortable and less fussy especially at night. Anyway if the steroids work she may need them every 3 months or so- it's not good to give them too often. Here's hoping it helps. The vet couldn't believe that Nelly is 16 now- she's very healthy, aside from a slight deafness in the lower ranges at times. Her teeth look great, her fur is nice and shiny, and she's still very active, aside from right now which is typical for a post-vet visit. Yesterday she forgot she was a housecat and was outside stalking a muntjac deer (about the size of a boxer) which somehow made it's way into my garden!
Just now I was drinking some tea, and I got to the bottom of the cup and thought "uh, what's that crunchy thing in my mouth?!" Turns out that it was a decent sized bug! With wings! I was blessed enough to have started to crunch it with my teeth so I got the full effect of crushed bug flavour in my mouth...not the first time I've eaten a bug, but I prefer to have the choice of it. :) This was quite a big one, with a crunchy exoskeleton, and it wasn't very tasty. Yuck.
About that muntjac that I mentioned earlier- you may have missed that as I was mostly talking about Nelly. Muntjac are a small deer, and at first glance might pass for a tan coloured boxer. They are not city dwellers. Important point, because I have no idea where this one came from, how it got in, or where it should go. Apparently they are impossible to catch because they panic and break their legs in the frantic struggle to get away. I've put some water out for this one because I thought it might be thirsty, but Simon my vet friend suggested the only thing to do is provide a way for it to get out of the garden. Great. Where's it going to go though? Into the street? I don't want a dead muntjac, so I guess I better figure something out. Here's a link with some more info on these little deer:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/nature/species/Reeves%27s_Muntjac
Since I got back I've also been doing a lot of cleaning, vacuuming, and getting rid of random clutter that appears over time- it's been nice to get rid of old clothes and just generally nip that "you've lived in the same house and stuff piles up" business that happens to most of us. :) I was thinking about it today, and basically I haven't been living here in my house for over 3 months, between house sitting, traveling, and staying with friends. Time for a clear out! You're probably wondering why I'd want to stay elsewhere for 3 months. I mentioned over a year and a half ago that we'd been meeting with a relationship therapist/counselor, and I've also mentioned to quite a few of you that it's become clearer over the past 6 months that the issue is in fact not relational, but has to do with some quite serious thinking issues that G has, which impact me in a negative way. It's too complicated to put into a blog really. But not living in the same house has been very helpful for both of us, and in light of that G is going to be moving in with a good friend here in Cambridge in a week or 2. I know I'm glossing over a lot of the detail, but suffice it to say it's been a difficult process- pr for us both as we adjust to the changes, and for our community here to be supportive and understanding.
Just now I was drinking some tea, and I got to the bottom of the cup and thought "uh, what's that crunchy thing in my mouth?!" Turns out that it was a decent sized bug! With wings! I was blessed enough to have started to crunch it with my teeth so I got the full effect of crushed bug flavour in my mouth...not the first time I've eaten a bug, but I prefer to have the choice of it. :) This was quite a big one, with a crunchy exoskeleton, and it wasn't very tasty. Yuck.
About that muntjac that I mentioned earlier- you may have missed that as I was mostly talking about Nelly. Muntjac are a small deer, and at first glance might pass for a tan coloured boxer. They are not city dwellers. Important point, because I have no idea where this one came from, how it got in, or where it should go. Apparently they are impossible to catch because they panic and break their legs in the frantic struggle to get away. I've put some water out for this one because I thought it might be thirsty, but Simon my vet friend suggested the only thing to do is provide a way for it to get out of the garden. Great. Where's it going to go though? Into the street? I don't want a dead muntjac, so I guess I better figure something out. Here's a link with some more info on these little deer:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/nature/species/Reeves%27s_Muntjac
Since I got back I've also been doing a lot of cleaning, vacuuming, and getting rid of random clutter that appears over time- it's been nice to get rid of old clothes and just generally nip that "you've lived in the same house and stuff piles up" business that happens to most of us. :) I was thinking about it today, and basically I haven't been living here in my house for over 3 months, between house sitting, traveling, and staying with friends. Time for a clear out! You're probably wondering why I'd want to stay elsewhere for 3 months. I mentioned over a year and a half ago that we'd been meeting with a relationship therapist/counselor, and I've also mentioned to quite a few of you that it's become clearer over the past 6 months that the issue is in fact not relational, but has to do with some quite serious thinking issues that G has, which impact me in a negative way. It's too complicated to put into a blog really. But not living in the same house has been very helpful for both of us, and in light of that G is going to be moving in with a good friend here in Cambridge in a week or 2. I know I'm glossing over a lot of the detail, but suffice it to say it's been a difficult process- pr for us both as we adjust to the changes, and for our community here to be supportive and understanding.
Saturday, 28 August 2010
August 28,2010
Made it back to Cambridge yesterday, G left for Brazil yesterday, I fotoed a wedding today, G arrived in Brazil today. Crazy crazy. :) Its cold here, cool anyway compared to the MI summer that I've been enjoying. It feels weird to be sleeping in a bed- I've been sleeping on the floor for 2 weeks. :) Trying to sort out work stuff after 3 weeks, make to do lists, and generally get back to normal.
I'm jet lagged and pretty worn out after today's work, so off to bed for me. I made it till 9:30pm, quite an accomplishment!
I'm jet lagged and pretty worn out after today's work, so off to bed for me. I made it till 9:30pm, quite an accomplishment!
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