22 July 2009

Ponderings


The last few days has been spent doing a lot of pondering.
Pondering, quite a strange word isn't it? I guess I could have said I'm ruminating or even contemplating, but Pondering is my word for today -

–verb (used without object)
1. to consider something deeply and thoroughly; meditate (often fol. by over or upon).
–verb (used with object)
2. to weigh carefully in the mind; consider thoughtfully: She pondered her next words thoroughly.


My ponderings are about many things.......................

The bigger picture
the store
my relationship
myself and my health
my art and desires to do more
my family
friendships - past & present

ponder ponder ponder so many thoughts run through this head of mine.

After the cruise and some gentle pondering on board, I feel I must now ponder some bigger things - am I boring you with all the ponders?.
I'm even pondering if I should explain in more detail my ponderings.
Not today
It would take too much typing, I'm going to go back to my painting - I might just call it.........

Pondering!

(Feel free to use this picture :)

8 July 2009

Freebies




It's been a while, so here's a couple of boys for you to use in your (personal) collage art and atc's :)

7 July 2009

Back from teaching on the cruise ship....

Sun Princess - Bec & I in the dining room

Hi There!!

Well, it's been a whirlwind few weeks - but Bec and I are back on solid ground.

The Cruise was so much better than I ever imagined. I was anxious about going and being on a huge ship for so long, floating in the middle of nowhere - but it was the absolute best experience. I loved the 'sea days' where we were miles away from anything.

Being 3 days away from any land at all was an incredible feeling. Somewhat peaceful and invigorating. It really makes you realise how insignificant so many things are - we worry about the 'little things' when in the grand scale of it all - so many things don't really matter...... what matters is our own peace of mind, our inner peace and our family and loved ones.
Without this, we are not much and for me, the cruise and gazing into a dark blue ocean put a lot of things into perspective for me.
It has left me feeling like I need to reassess a lot of things, put things into perspective more, ask myself some really hard questions and decide to make my life exactly what I want it to be...... happier and calmer! (within myself)

The classes on board were a huge hit, we were told that most art/craft classes on board usually had around 30 attendees, due to the fact that there are so many other activities running concurrently onboard at any one time...... ha ha

Our first class was for 60 people - and we completely filled the area we were allocated to work in, and had to turn away another 47 people!!!!!

That set the scheme of things pretty much for all our classes. Full to capacity, lots of creativity, mess and enjoyment.

The Cruise Director actually asked us if we could 'repeat' a class and gave us some $$ to go spend in Singapore to purchase more materials. So we gladly accepted and they had a 'back by popular demand' class for us too! woohoo :)

Here's Bec in Chinatown Singapore
with Moses (I met Moses online a couple of years ago as I participated in an ATC exhibition he held in Singapore. Moses kindly met us at the port and showed us around - and found us the art/craft stores - thanks so much Moses for all your patience and for taking the time out to show us around, it was wonderful)
Singapore was amazing, nice and clean yet very hot (see Bec's fan!) we left early in the morning from the ship and walked to meet Moses, then we caught the train (driverless trains!! arggh) Scary LOL

Here we are at the port in LANGKAWI
A totally beautiful place I would love to visit again..


The cruise was for 16 days and it went so fast. We came back to reality with a bit of a thump, as we had been wined and dined in style. 5 Star meals every night, all absolutely delicious... hence the 3.9 extra kilo's I am now carrying :)

I had my first martini on board and then had to have more!! Martini's of various kinds, all delicious. Cocktails were all scrumptious and Bec and I had several - we were making our way down the rather long list teehee
Shows every night, cabaret acts, comedians, movies, entertainment on board, musicians of varying kinds, an atrium lounge to sit back and soak up the atmosphere, deckchairs to lay out on the deck feeling the sea breeze in your hair. The ocean waves lapping along the sides of the ship.... oh so beautiful.

If you haven't ever cruised before, I can't recommend it enough!!

Although it was very sad to get of the ship, it is nice to be home. Now it's time to get back into the routines to run more workshops, to see all my family & friends and to catch up with all my online buddies :)


The beautiful SUN PRINCESS - ahhh memories