Day 126 of 338

Inspiration for today: Yawning

The yawn is infectious. Once it begins, it follows from one person, to the next. I am sleepy. Yawn. Good night.

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Day 125 of 338

Inspiration for today: describing my current surroundings.

Huddled up in bed, with a cold, I am lying underneath a fleece blanket on the top bunk. The bunk is not far from the ceiling, so I can’t quite sit up. Instead, I fold my pillow in two and rest my head upright, with my laptop on my stomach.

On the left side of my bunk is an air-conditioning dial. We have put a piece of black cardboard over the dial so the lights won’t keep us up at night. To my right is a port-hole, where I can look out and see the water. The current is rippling by at an alarming rate. The sun has almost set, creating  a mirrored effect on the water.

At the end of my bed is a small book shelf, stacked with books we have been reading over the last few months. There are also several water bottles crammed in for when thirst calls in the middle of the night.

On the back of the door leading into the bathroom is a mini gallery of sorts. From my bunk I can look at all the photos and memorabilia we have collected on our travels. There are photos from home in New Zealand and photos we have taken while away. Several bar coasters are on the door. If a bar coaster has the place-name on it, I try to take one home with me as a souvenir. In case you are wondering, I only have four so far, so don’t imagine a whole door plastered with bar coasters. That would be slightly alcoholic!

I am content and snug in this little space. What really amazes me is I have been living in this room, with my fiance, for nearly a year now. The top bunk is big enough so we can both sleep in it, so we joke that the bottom bunk, is our living room. This is where we hang out if we want to read, or have a change of scene. Hard to believe really isn’t it?

In less than two weeks, we leave the boat and all of this behind, heading back to New Zealand. It is the little things I am really looking forward to when we get a house of our own once again.

I can’t wait to be able to sit up in bed and have a cup of tea. It has been really bothersome to me to sleep in a bed where you can’t do this. It is physically impossible to drink tea in these bunks. Heck, I am looking forward to not sleeping in a bunk! I don’t ask for much, but a little space will be great.

Having a sofa we can veg out on by ourselves will be dreamy.

Sleeping without air-conditioning will do wonders for my soul, and my sinuses. I love fresh, clean air.

It will be so special to have a space to myself, where I can sit up and write. The old laptop on the belly has served me well; although, I cannot wait for the freedom to write sitting up, looking out a window at something beautiful.

On leaving, I am also thankful for this little space, as it has been a great haven for me many times over the last year. It has in a strange way, become my little escape from everything else going on.

 

 

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Day 124 of 338

Inspiration for today: one word to sum up the next chapter of my life

Freedom.

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Day 123 of 338

Inspiration for today: Avocado

Do you have a favourite food? I think you know it is a favourite when you could eat it all the time, anytime. I’ve had the same favourite food for as long as I can remember. In my eyes, there is nothing not to love, about the avocado.

It is creamy, spreadable, mouth-watering, deliciousness.

Avocado cut in half, sprinkled with salt and pepper, eaten directly from the skin with a teaspoon is heaven.

Chopped up with tomatoes, red onions, lemon and Tabasco, it accompanies corn chips perfectly.

Avocado on toast, with a poached egg, or even with a little Vegemite.

If there is the option to have avocado with a burger, I will always take it.

Do you know what? I even like Avocado oil on my face at night. Go figure; my love for the Avocado is so strong I am even having a nightly affair with it!

So tell me: what food do you dream about?

 

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Day 122 of 338

Inspiration for today: A great quote on irritating things

After all it is those who have a deep and real inner life who are best able to deal with the irritating details of outer life.

– Evelyn Underhill

I agree this is true; although, sometimes things are just plain irritable no matter how balanced you are!

 

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Day 121 of 338

Inspiration for today: the voice in your head; or gut!

We have all experienced the sensation when you know deep down what you have to do. Your head will often be singing a different story, yet something, deep within, keeps nagging and reminding you it is there.

Often times following your gut can be hard. You will fight and resist until it literally slaps you in the face.

The gut feeling scares me because it generally requires a leap of faith into an unknown territory; that said, I’m a strong believer in listening to what you are hearing.

I’ve been racking my brain and honestly, I cannot think of a single time when following my gut didn’t work. Even if at the time it seemed abrupt, looking back, it was all part of my bigger picture called ‘life’.

Moments by myself to meditate on issues are important for me to clear my head. When I don’t get this time to myself, I start to feel a little claustrophobic and separated from me. All it takes at moments like these is a brisk walk outside in the fresh air; alone with my thoughts and the world around me.

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Day 120 of 338

Inspiration for today: the life switch

As easily as the light was turned on, the switch soon turned it off. My life today has turned down a new road and I am heading into unknown territories; this both thrills and scares me.

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Day 119 of 338

Inspiration for today: a few guilty pleasures I indulged in today

• Chocolate: I had a few mini Almond Joy bars. Perfection!
• Glee: I know I should hate it, but I really love this show.
• One very, very, very long shower: Not very eco-friendly; however, there is something so utterly satisfying about standing under running hot water, thinking of nothing.

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Day 118 of 338

Inspiration for today: Manners. Over-rated or not?

I grew up in a family that was big on manners. My Mum, in particular, went out of her way to ‘train’ us up properly.

At the time it seemed so irritating to me. Who cared if I wanted to put my elbows up on the table, or shovel food into my mouth at top speed? If I was chewing with my mouth slightly open, I really didn’t see what the big deal was at eight years old. It was very annoying when I was trying to eat my meal only to be interrupted by Mum telling me to use my knife and fork properly.

Oh how times have changed. Now, as an adult, I am so thankful for this input into basic social etiquette.

It never ceases to amaze me how many adults do not have even the simplest of table manners.

The ‘scrapers’ are possibly the worst offenders, attacking their plate violently with each mouthful. A ‘scraper’ will be seen stabbing their fork into the plate, and scraping their knife as they furiously cut up the food.

Another violent offender at the table is the ‘lip-smacker’. This un-mannered person will smack their lips with each mouthful. They open and shut their mouth profusely; generally producing the sound of a cow chewing grass. How uncouth!

Let’s not forget the most bizarre offenders of all – the grown adult who doesn’t know how to use a knife and fork. I shudder at the thought of those holding their cutlery as if they have a severe handicap of the hands. It really is not that hard to cut up a piece of lasagna using a knife and fork correctly.

To all these offenders I want to scream, “didn’t your Mother teach you any manners?!”

The adult me is so thankful for the time my parents took to teach me how to behave at the table. As a result I don’t think I am offensive when I am eating out and I don’t make anyone feel uncomfortable with the noises I am producing; I simply enjoy the meal. Thanks Mum. You were right and I owe you one.

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Day 117 of 338

Inspiration for today: ten single words

Beach, brunch, Mimosas.

Sofa, umbrella, sun.

Martini, prawns, bread.

Home.

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