Ahoj!

12Jan12

This is word I should just use more.

Ahoj, pronounced ‘ahoy’ is Czech for hello or hi, but it’s informal so you can also use it for bye…

I like the word because it’s short and happy and joyous.

Max’ parents have been over for the last few months and I just spent the last day with them. Such lovely people, interested and interesting and kind. There English is poor, so Max spends a lot of time translating, but then again my Czech is even worse.

I was sad to see them go today…I don’t know when I will see them again. They come to Australia quite infrequently. Last time they were in Canberra was 12 years ago, and I’m not sure that they have been to Australia in between as Jem and Max tried to travel to Czech Republic every year or so…

Anyhoo – what am I getting at…

I guess the word ‘ahoj’ and just saying it will always remind me of my (recently) inherited Czech roots – which I embrace- as I embrace Max as my dear brother, and his parents as part of my family.

Ahoj to you x

Vlad, Jana and Max

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Tags: family, words

366 … aka doing it again

05Jan12

I am determined to take a daily pic of myself with a brief description. I have realized that a picture cannot possibly/usually sum up a day (although sometimes it can), but as a type of record or journal it’s actually quite good.
Carl took at least an image every day in 2011. He is still working on them in Flickr and altho I can see them, you can’t just yet…..
I just couldn’t keep doing it last year though – I just didn’t feel like taking and then posting an image on for instance, the day Jeremy died or the day of his funeral.
I guess what I’m saying is that I hope this is a better year.
Anyway…here goes….

366 Flickr set

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Tags: images

Resolute in my resolutions

01Jan12

Truth be told I have no specific 2012 New Year resolutions, because I am the sort of person who makes resolutions of all sorts all the time.
Daily!!

Currently….

• To be a little easier on myself and those around me
• To smile more
• Continue daily exercise & do some weights training
• Continue to lose a little more weight…6 kilos down and few more to go. I do feel better when I am a little lighter (and I have all these extra clothes…)
• Do some type of pic a day challenge (still working on what and how)

…..
These are just todays.
But a very happy new year to you all.
X

Filed under: Kate   |  3 Comments
Tags: state of mind

Listening to…

30Dec11

I am an uncomfortable sleeper at times. I generally have no problems getting to sleep, but I do wake in the night and just lie…so for the last few years I have put my headphones in (generally one side only as I sleep on my side)..and listen in…

For quite a few years I listened to BBC world wide radio. Whatever was on was interesting, documentaries and lots of football. I don’t often listen to cricket on the radio but I have been known to (and I think of my dad!!).

These days I rarely listen to the radio. I listen to podcasts.
What sorts?
Well these are my current subscriptions: lots of ABC and BBC stuff. There must be more good stuff….any suggestions? Alpha order from my phone.

• All in the mind -ABC (and really happy that Natasha Mitchell is going to
• Life Matters in 2012, although I’ll miss Richard A.)
• Arts and Ideas -BBC radio 3
• Background Briefing -ABC
• Big Ideas -ABC
• Book Show – ABC
• By Design -ABC
• Comedy of the week -BBC
• Desert Island Discs -BBC Radio 4. Selected! Recently I have loved Martin Sheen, John Peel, Deborah Harry,
• Documentaries -BBC
• Family -ABC radio
• Film Program -BBC. Like this as well as Oz Movie Show
• Friday night comedy -BBC I do like the news quiz although it’s UK centric and I don’t always get the jokes
• Graham Norton -haven’t really listened to many of these. I love the TV show, this appears to be a medley of his radio show. Again very UK centric.
• Health -ABC
• Health Report -ABC
• Late night live-ABC
• Life Matters -ABC
• Morning interview with Margaret Throsby – ABc classic FM. Selected interviewees
• Movie Time -ABC Julie Rigg
• Play of the week -BBC
• Saturday Extra- ABC although I used to always listen to this live on Sat mornings, not so much these days
• Slow TV – from The Monthly (I think?)
• This American Life -one of my favorites!! So many great episodes here. Loved Act V from July this year, but they are usually great!
• Wellness Guys -Australian. A recent addition, but enjoy this…

So lots of Australian content, lots of current affairs and lots of lifestyle, family and health programs.

## 7 Jan update. Since I wrote this I started thinking about library type podcasts I could/should be listening to….I read a great post by Polly (@pollyalida), and have also subscribed to:

• Adventures in library instruciton
• Bibliotech
• Circulating ideas
• T is for training
• Tech chick tips

and a couple of non-library:

• Food programme – BBC
• Guardian books
• NPR- Wait, wait don’t ell me
• Triple J movies

I jokingly say that I sometimes wish that I had some kind of commute so I could is listen to these podcasts more. Of course listening in the middle of the night often means I don’t hear a whole program.
If I lived alone I would listen to the radio a lot more…I find it difficult to listen to spoken radio programs when there are people around.

Anyway…a record, just now of what I’m listening to…..will be going camping in a few weeks and hope to get some more listening in then (I sleep pretty badly when camping!!)

And I have learnt to relax a bit more about it all. I have 100s to listen to and it’s great having choice and all of these wonderful podcasts to listen to, to learn and to be inspired.

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Tags: podcasts, radio, sleeping

It’s been like….well…forever….

29Dec11

What to say when there is so much to say?
I am going to try and spend 15 minutes a day just writing here. Not a New Year’s resolution as such, because I would just like to make it a habit and it become a part of my life….probably more an online journal.
Still very much grieving, and I don’t want to become some sort of pathetic bore. I don’t think I am. I just feel shaped and bruised and so very tired by the last year. I miss Jeremy in ways I didn’t think would happen. I really have the most wonderful group of friends, family and colleagues. People just ‘know’ and offer support and light and love in so many ways.
I am so very grateful.
I admit that I wasn’t expecting to be so affected by Jeremy’s death. I don’t know why. Possibly because we haven’t lived together for at least 35 years. I thought that would matter. I have lived without him for ages…..so why not now?

Words of comfort from a friend who lost their sibling last year… “I know xxxx would want me to make the most out of my life, so I’m going to….”
And that is so very true. I know Jeremy wanted us all to go on, to mourn yes of course…..but to live and live happy, fulfilling, full lives. And that’s what I want to do. I love and miss Jeremy so very much. That does not change. But I know he wanted us all to live on…..

Another recent message from a friend….”sit softly with your memories”…this sent on Christmas Day.

x

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Tags: state of mind, future, Jeremy