well you may be aware that I have alot of things on my mind right now. My plans have become my unplans, and my focus has shifted for the moment. I’ll keep you informed of my whereabouts in due time. For now, I want to share one of the things at the forefront of my mind: I have been receiving many messages over the past few weeks… and I won’t pretend it’s not a little bit exciting to get an email from Richard Gere in my inbox. But I know it’s only because we just happen to share a common interest in humanity…

Today, being the eve of the Olympics, I will be starting another series of posts about Tibet and China for the duration of The Games in Beijing. I love both these countries for the positive attributes they offer the world. And I will be showcasing some of the things that I love about them and how they inspire me.

Starting with this message from my friend Dorji Dolma la in Sydney, with thanks to the ATC and Get Up Australia – two associations that have worked tirelessly to bring awareness to the plight of the Tibetans. Please watch and listen to her message and remember, humanity needs Tibet.

………………………….

images courtesy of The Art of Peace Foundation.

I know it’s been a while since I’ve enjoyed your company. And of course I do miss you, you know that. But right now I need your advice. Well first of all, do you mind that I drew all over you? You see, I’ve now discovered I can draw all over my photos. And, well, you know how I’ve always wanted to draw all over you but I wasn’t allowed? So you understand right?

But, well, let’s not dilly dally as time is of the essence and your advice means alot to me. You’ve been such a wonderful friend – you’ve always been there when I’ve needed you. You’ve never judged me, nor did you protest when my boyfriend(s) used to sneak through your window. When I was upset, you comforted me, and when I was scared, you wrapped me up like a cocoon, only allowing luscious streams of sunshine in, you made me feel so safe. However you must not be biased, okay – try not to let your emotions get in the way of your good sense. Because I know how much we love each other’s company, and this is really not about you. Or me.

I need you to tell me what to do: Is my place here, in le petit bateau, or right now, do I need to be there, with you, close to her.

Thank you, dear room. I look forward to your reply.

PS Thank you for looking after all my books while I’ve been away. You know how much that means to me since I have never let anyone else near them.

PPS and most of all, thank you for sharing yourself as a refuge. I know how much she loves your company too. She’ll be back soon. She will.

PPPS perhaps I took a little too much artistic license with my floral arrangement? It’s not exactly like the protea bouquet I left you with. I’ll try to be more subtle next time.

xx

personal diary entry, august 7, 2006…

“I have the top of a tall fir tree in my line of sight outside this window, oh how I would love to see a beautiful bald head eagle fly to a branch right now. I would watch that eagle until he flew away.

The tide is out and the sludgy green-gray sand is stretched wide along the bay, sand dollars scattered across the slimy surface. Its a picture perfect view of Treasure Island, rocking in the wind, with the flag that I made already faded to white. I love its new weathered look.

This afternoon I will take a walk along the rocky shoreline. I will find a smooth rock and will lay myself down and look up. And close my eyes. I will take in this shoreline with all my senses as it has become so familiar to me, this ocean that I know so well from it’s other coastline. Being here is like being inside the mirror, looking back and waving to myself from behind the bluish glass. On the other side it is a different palette of blues, warm shades of blues. But here, its grey shades of blue: the dark blue-grey mountains meet the deep black-blue ocean – how is it that you now speak to me like I belong. It is a beautiful feeling, to feel you accepting my presence. I would like to get to know you better than I have over the past years. I’d like to see how it feels to call you home. What an opportunity that would be.”

But on that walk, and on that rock, I sensed something. I sensed that it was the last time I would walk there. The last time I would be invited to visit that special place with those special people who made me feel like I was home. So I lingered a little longer on that rock. I walked back a little slower. And I sensed my heart would ache. For a long time to come.

…………………………………..

The soundtrack to this post is here.

So it’s been a very eventful past few weeks. Let’s jump back a few steps and start with who I had the pleasure of meeting up with while in Paris a couple of weeks ago. Two lovely bloggers in fact, both of whom you know I adore so I was keen to meet them in the flesh. First of all, the young lady who creates these divine crocheted garlands…

…joined me for lunch and then accompanied me on one of my shoots. Yes, I’m talking about the lovely Marie from ici et là. Although we only had a short time to meet, it was lovely getting to know her face to face, learning about her adventures in Paris and chatting away in our Aussie accents amongst the Parisiennes. Thanks for joining me Marie, I do hope we get to see more of each other while we are both in Europe!

Another hit of fabulous Aussieness came a few days later when sweet Anna from Absolutely Beautiful Things landed on the continent. I caught her at the beginning of her 3 week vacation through France, and we were able to catch up for a drink and some banter. What a treat!! Anna lives in Brisbane as most of you already know, and I was keen to hear all about her life in this favourite place of mine, and she was keen to hear all about my life in this favourite place of hers! We had a great time, I hope to see her again soon, wherever in the world that may be (okay, secretly I’m hoping its in Brisbane, or at her incredible holiday home on Stradbroke Island).

Lots of other things happened in Paris that you will just have to wait to hear more about soon, but straight after that I was back to le petit bateau in Amsterdam and then on the train to Den Hague for a rather lavish 3 day shoot in a magnificent property (i gasped, gawked, and shrieked with pleasure when I laid eyes on this place. sometimes my job is too good to me). Spending three days in The Hague was pretty special, while I was shopping for props there I managed to snap a few photos for you, I was so eager to show you this beautiful town…

Sure, it was super sunny the whole time I was there, and we all know how much the sun effects me, but it got me thinking, could this little Dutch city be more gorgeous, quaint and laid back than my Amsterdam?

I was in love with this town. Meanwhile, the shoot was an extraordinarily humungous amount of work and while I was expressing my concerns about the huge set I had to create in the coming days while I was on the phone to dear Danielle, next thing I knew she was offering her assistance. I couldnt have been happier – what a wonderful treat to get to spend the whole day with my friend, and have her wonderful helping hands. So on the last day of the shoot, Danielle and I were busy making lavish garden table settings and little vignettes around the place. Danielle made the most beautiful floral arrangements too, and as soon as the production is in print I shall show you all! Thanks again Danielle, I hope we get to work together again soon, i think we make a pretty fab styling team.

So that’s my catch up news, now for sharing something else very much on my mind, plus a few posts and thoughts I’ve been wanting to share with you. A bientot!

okay okay, let’s have one more bit of fun before we officially declare this week started… so this is it, the final soundscape from my last trip to Paris. I hope you’ve enjoyed these ones as much as I have enjoyed recording them. Please press the play button below to be transported to the magnificent carousel at the foot of the hill of the sacre cœur, where we sit and listen to the children playing (and crying as you will hear!), the breeze blowing through the tree tops and edith singing one of her fabulous tunes. It was a rather magical moment that I hope you enjoy too…

Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.

Author’s note: Don’t do what I did… I was sitting on the bench watching the merry-go-round intensely while I snapped photos, observing the action of all the kids going around and around. I turned away after half an hour of watching, looked at French Boy rather pale and said “I don’t feel so well”.

After that we walked to Le Progrès for a drink and it took me a good hour before my nausea subsided.

The End.