Happy List, Week Ending 17 January 2010

I spent the weekend at Wilson’s Prom, eating amazing food, breathing in unbelievably fresh air, and listening to Johnny Cash and silence. I have a lot to be happy about this week!

Squeeeeeeaaaky Beach!

• Happy Lists go Bliss! From now on, I will be doubly happy every week: another Happy List, well, actually, a BlissList, will be appearing over at FindBliss, in addition to this one. Look out for it!
• Making the sand on Squeaky Beach squeak. It really does, it’s awesome!
• The view from Mount Oberon. Breathtaking
• Seeing the new growth sprouting up all over the Prom, not even a year after it was decimated by the Black Saturday bushfires. Truly an inspiring view of new life coming forth from destruction
• The meal of the holiday: homemade tuna tataki. It was so delicious. But then, so was the french toast with maple syrup. Mmmmmm. Foooood
• The way my hair is getting super-long. I am pretty certain there is a cut-off point when you become Too Old For Long Hair. I am also pretty sure 34 isn’t it. So grow on, little follicles, grow on
• Having people admire said super-long hair. This happens quite rarely because it’s usually up in a bun for work. Most people probably think that is my only hairstyle, and they aren’t far wrong
• Music: the soundtrack to my life. I am SUCH a groupie. This holiday was all about Megson (again/still), The Audreys, Johhny Cash, like I mentioned before, Devon Sproule, and a bit of Norah Jones with Dolly Parton thrown into the mix. More than a bit Country, baby

• Speaking of work, this week was my first back teaching most of my classes. It was so nice to see everyone again, and to teach again. I needed and enjoyed my holiday, but I am pretty sure I have the Best Job in the World ™
• Laying exciting plans for my trip to South Africa in March/April. Look out for some workshop postings!
• Doing something very brave. I am not going to tell you what just yet, but I will soon…
• Having a teacher I respect call me for advice about sacro-iliac joint injuries.  She said I was the only person she knew who had been open about my journey with this issue. I am so honoured
• The email conversations with various people about the SIJ issue that I have been having, sporadically, for the last year. I suspect I will soon be writing more about what I’ve learnt from my own injury. It’s really quite common, especially amongst women, and it IS possible to prevent it, and also to rehabilitate most, if not all, of the damage

I also have something to be sad about this week: a childhood friend was killed by a shark. I feel so for his parents, because it is not the natural order of things to bury a child, and for all those who loved him. The shock waves have rippled across the world. RIP, Lloydy.  I will always remember you as a barefoot boy, and as a young man in Zim and SA. I will also always remember how you battled to stop calling my mom ‘Mrs Suttie’ because good manners were so deeply bred into you. May your soul know peace and may those left behind find their peace too.