Month: October 2013

photography

Weekly Photo Challenge: Horizon

stanley & bear

On November 5th, I will be heading off to discover new horizons as I shall be spending the next 12 months on Penghu, an island off the coast of Taiwan. This week’s theme therefore was quite fitting, for I’ll be bidding farewell to my current horizons that are familiar and comforting. And I shall be also saying goodbye to friends and family, and someone who falls into both of those categories is my niece, Kate: she is new to WordPress, take a look at her first Photo Challenge. I think she’s amazing.

Sunrise...
Sunrise…
Maleny
Maleny
dogs

I wish I could speak Dachshund…

stanley & bear

I wish I could talk to animals, my animals in particular.

A quiet moment...
A quiet moment…

In doing so I would be able to explain to my beloved Oscar and Stanley that I will be going away for 12 months. But as I cannot, they will be left to wonder where ‘Mum’ is, which breaks my heart and as such, since accepting my teaching role on Penghu, I have shed many tears.

I shared my concerns with my dear friend Amy as 18 months ago, she embarked on a similar journey that took her away from her beloved Lola for 12 months. On her return Lola had not forgotten her, Lola did not turn her back, Lola just continued where she left off. Loving Amy. Her words as usual, were comforting.

My besties...
My besties…

I know they will be well cared for as my parents moved into my downstairs granny flat a few months ago and they love them to bits, and Oscar and Stanley are also devoted to my son Rob, who loves them equally in return. But they are also highly devoted to me and if they can, they will be at my side 24/7, just as they are now as I write this post.

Yes, I wish I could speak Dachshund…

life

Taiwan bound, the journey begins…

stanley & bear

Life really does toss the odd curve ball, particularly when we least expect it. However, it is how we PLAY that ball that’s important. A few days ago I was thrown one such ball and rather than tossing it away, I have decided to run with it as far as it will take me.

Walking a new road..
Walking a new road..

That brings me to the subject matter of my post, for that ball I speak of, was an offer to teach on Penghu, an island off the coast of Taiwan. And the reason that ball is somewhat curved? It’s been thrown a little earlier than planned. You see for some time I have been gathering qualifications in the hope of living and teaching overseas when my youngest son finishes school in 2015. But with job opportunities at an all time low here on the Coast, and my darling boys giving me their full support, I started exploring. And I discovered Penghu.

So in 10 days, I shall begin a new chapter in my life. It will present challenges, I’m sure of that, yet I am also sure it will allow me to grow as both a woman and teacher, all whilst experiencing a new and very different culture.

dogs, life

Silence of the Lambs ahem, Dachshunds…

stanley & bear

Oscar & Stanley are my much-loved wire-haired Dachshunds.
More often than not, when I’m on the computer, they will lie with me on my bed if I’m on my laptop, snooze on the couch if I’m at the desktop, wrestle at my feet, or in quieter moments, simply wait and watch.

A quiet moment...
A quiet moment…

This morning was no different, they lolled about as I posted images for this week’s photo challenge, and as I was engrossed in posting, I failed to notice their departure. It was only on finishing my post that I noticed I had obviously become the proud owner of two highly skilled, 4-legged interior decorators. And their choice of material? Toilet paper: here are a few snaps of their silent, yet somewhat creative handiwork.

Oscar & Stanley
photography

Weekly Photo Challenge: Good Morning…

stanley & bear

Most of us are creatures of habit, and although many will say we are not (myself included), certain morning rituals still tend to shape our day.

And my ritual? Every morning the aroma of freshly brewed coffee fills my home and blends beautifully with scent of burning incense.

It is the latter that is the subject of this week’s Good Morning Photo Challenge, for as I sat sipping my coffee, spirals of scented smoke danced beautifully within the morning light.  A good morning indeed…

life, photography

Weekly Photo Challenge: Saturated…

stanley & bear

Wonderful moments happen when time is shared with wonderful friends. I had such a moment last Sunday: great conversations shared with a dear friend as we listened to other friends (Dubarray) share their music with the world. Whilst the images are grainy, the lighting that saturated the stage was apt for this weeks theme…