Inspirational

There are days and then there are days that inspire, long days of accomplishing what needs to be accomplished. I came home to the clip below shared via Facebook, shared via Explorations Early Learning. Don't you just love social media and the sharing that means many people get to hear this when at other times in our history they never would.

Sir Ken Robinson: Building a Culture of Innovation from AERO - Education Revolution on Vimeo.

Dr Ken has been an inspiration to me for a while now. His was the message I heard when I thought I must be odd to think like I do and wonder why others just don't understand my thinking. It's said that things come to you at the right time, I truly believe that. I trust that sharing this piece of common sense wisdom comes to you at the right time too. 

Your Truth

Yesterday I took some time out. I've been very tired and a little unwell since returning from my holiday and launching straight back into work. It seems that saying yes to most things that are asked is tiring. I know people ask me to do things because they know I get things done, usually to a high standard. That's difficult to do when feeling overwhelmed by the sheer volume of tasks and not quite feeling well.

So yesterday, I stayed at home. I slept in, I pottered around in my lovely home space, I snacked on some yummy chocolate raisins, I lay on the couch reading and dozing, I met Otis (Noah's new furry friend) and chatted to family and friends on Skype. Then I slept for 10 hours more, peacefully only waking once. Just what I needed.

This morning I feel raring to go, and go I will. I'm helping at a regatta out east today so that should be lots of fun. I trust they will forgive me for not coming yesterday. First, I wanted to share a site I've been exploring after seeing it for a while on Di's blog. Diana Baur is inspirational and her blog has wonderful insights into growing and changing.

I enjoyed reading Diana's ebook Your Truth, a book I will revisit often for it's wisdom. The wisdom of understanding the process of change and the profound impact it has on oneself and others. The quote below resonates.


There's honor in stepping into risk that's been well thought out. There's  
honor in trying the unknown. Doors will open that you cannot see right now.  
And you'll decide if you want to step through them. Because you created  
their existence by taking action and accepting the consequences. Step firmly on your path, and let it lead you where you were meant to go.


Your Truth can be purchased on Diana's website, linked above, and I recommend it if you are thinking about change or are in the process of making change. I believe that things come to us when we need them and although I could have done with reading this book a while ago, I suspect I would not have believed what was written without having experienced some of it. Enjoy. 

A nice day

A lovely, restful day spent out enjoying the water, in and on it. Communing with all that is the gentle North Sound. I'm a little sunburnt, a little tired in a good I've been swimming in the sea way. I needed a sea swim, even if it was a bit chillier than I like. I've been a bit run down, buggy with a horrible cold sore since flying back. The swim cured that and chased away the bugs that I managed to collect on the way from my fellow passengers. I may just have passed some buggy bits back to them, I'm generous like that. 

Last week I was really feeling poorly, bugs that are going around the office liking me because I was feeling a bit run down. I'm finding that the long haul back from New Zealand is one that takes some recovering from. So much time in air conditioning with a horde of others, travellers just like me. This week promises to be a good one. There's plenty to do and not as much pressure as there has been lately, the deadlines more gentle and the projects more developed. 

First job for the week is to change my Cayman visa to my new passport. My new, shiny and fantastic passport with the passable photo of me. I'm really pleased with it although I will regret not having my old faithful one full of stamps and visas. I suspect I won't have such an interesting time at immigration, that's okay. I'll soon fill up this one too. Next trip is to New York in March although I think I may go for a Miami weekend before then. 

I have the need to buy a coffee machine, one on which I can make a good espresso. I've not been drinking much coffee and miss a well brewed one that's not from an over stewed pot or a pod machine.  I thought I'd found one here. A flash, red Illy one that I'd be proud to have on my bench. Alas, it was a pod one, the dials and things just for show. Since I made up my mind to get one, I've been plotting how to order one online and get it here. I should have bought the one in Briscoes and carried it as carry on. 

I will work it out, I also need a pair of warm boots and some warm clothes for my New York trip. I checked out my winter lot in the wardrobe, shaking out the moths, and they are a bit worse for wear and not quite fashionable anymore. Time for some new gear, I may just have to take another winter trip to get the wear out of the new threads. There is opera belting out from the dining room and dinner calls, well the cooking of dinner. Salmon salad soon come. 

I almost forgot.....

My passport is winging it's way here. It left New Zealand at 8.50pm on 16 January, less than a week after I sent my application. That must be a record. I cannot believe just how efficient, friendly and helpful the staff at the passport office in the Department of Internal Affairs were. I phoned them twice, once to check on what I needed to do and the other to give them my full address which didn't quite fit on the form. Both times they were fantastic, patient with my questions. Thank you, thank you, thank you, I can't wait to see my new passport.

It was funny, I was talking to Tim on the weekend and he knew all about the online process. He was one of those who got to trial the new system and give feedback the last time he got his passport. He was also impressed. The only problem we both have is that the passport is only for five years, effectively four and a half if you travel. I think my photo is good enough for ten years, funny to think how old I'll be when it runs out. I wonder where in the world I'll be, at least I know I can renew my passport without too many issues. 

Hachiko

This movie needs to come with a warning, do not watch if you don't want to shed a tear or two. I bought the DVD in Walmart in Miami and have just had the chance to watch it. I should check out the story more carefully before buying, it had me sobbing on the couch. Be warned.

Dogs are such a very special part of our lives. Memories of all the ones I've cried for, ones who are gone, made this an emotional watch. Noah is about to become a dog owner, he's really excited. He got to meet his new friend last weekend and he was buzzing when I spoke to him. It was so lovely talking to him, after my recent visit he really gets who I am and was very happy to have a chat.

The photos of the little ones have been a hit with my friends and colleagues, I'm not too boring with them I hope. For now it's an early night. The big weekend of sailing and some tough work days have left me feeling a bit jaded. More on the sailing later, I'm in the process of writing something for the paper so will include that here too. 

A deserving OSCAR nomination

Kate posted about this documentary, Di provided the trailer. Worthy of a watch, a watch that shows real people involved in a real struggle for their freedom to live their lives as they always have until recently. I trust that stories like this are told, stories that reveal the truths of lives that are so severely impacted on by others. During my short visit I saw the wall, saw the settlements. Humbling.

A bit of a shock

Further to the passport comments a few entries ago. Feeling all misty eyed and New Zealandish after watching the Hobbit and in possession of a half way decent passport photo, I decided to tackle the last of my online form. After many frustrating attempts at restarting and after being told my passport didn't exist, I found that user error was the issue. It said expiry date not passport date, I was getting quite grumpy and swearing just a bit by the time I realised.

Onwards and sheepishly apologising to those I cursed, I completed the form, paid my money and viola one accepted passport application. Then there was the small print, the print that's not actually shown during the application process but came via the confirmation email.

"You can no longer use your current passport"

A cold hand clutched at my heart. What do you mean, no longer use my passport? I'm living on a small island in the Caribbean, okay I'm showing off a little, with no passport there is no getting off the island is needs must. Not for at least 10 working days plus delivery. Delivery may be interesting with no real street address. As Jane pointed out, we did manage in the UAE when the deliverers spoke little English so it should be okay here.

It's actually a bit scary being without a passport, especially my beloved, full of interesting stamps and visas passport. I'm going to call the passport people to set my mind a little at rest. To make sure things are okay and underway and that I will get my passport before the New York trip in March.

And that too is interesting. I asked why I needed 6 months on my passport. It seems that if I'm in the US with less than 6 months to expiry, and I decide to stay until it runs out, there is an issue. Can they not just deport me? Don't they take into account that I live somewhere else and am on a short vacation for which I have a valid return ticket? It seems not, common sense is after all not that common.