Just a speck

I have to write this.  I have to write this so much that I am typing these words right into the blogger editor.  I never do that.  I always type blogs into Open Office Writer, then paste it into blogspot.  hmmmm.

Maybe I'm afraid I'm lose my train of thought...or maybe the train is small and quick and easily distracted.  Time is of the essence.

Enough of the intro.  Here's the train (of thought).  Clouds.

I was laying on the floor, resting after meditation yesterday, with my head to the East, and my feet to the West.  Opening my eyes, I looked out of the western window to see clouds.  Not odd, you say.  True.  But I looked at them differently.  I thought of them differently. 

I thought of the molecules that make up that cloud.  Water (H2O) vapor.  I thought of how water takes on so many manifestations.  Ice, Vapor, Liquid.  I really thought of how these random molecules of H2O came together to form a cloud.  And not just one cloud...mind you we have had our share of total overcast days recently....on this day there were many clouds...some touching...some just flying by others.  What I thought about was...how, or what, brought these molecules together to form a cloud. And, what kept them together? what kept them from running into one another and forming a bigger cloud? and then a bigger cloud...and so on?  I can hear my Florida friends saying....that's what we call a hurricane! But I have no time to stop!

Thoughts continued to tumble....here on Earth we have all these different clouds...cumulus, nimbus, stratus, cirrus....so not only do H2O molecules cling together to form a cloud....they form specific types of clouds....and for a random amount of time.

More thoughts...clouds are like humans....we are all made up of the same "stuff", but we look different...we move about...we change...we dissipate...dissolve...

How wonderful, and strange, this mystery of life is....how complex and simple...how the order of the universe doesn't need a laptop or smart phone to know to do next...how all the rumblings of science...the pontifications of religions...the promises of politicians....the guarantees of parents...how all of our gyrations fail to convince the universe to bend.  No matter that we point to our GPS, to show the way, we fail to alter that great movement. 

Resting....

I watched as clouds sped by my window. One chasing another.

Musings of the Nature of Change

One day, I caught myself pondering (as I do) about time, space and the different paths my life has taken. I found this quote by Albert Einstein:

“I sometimes ask myself how it came about that I was the one to develop the theory of relativity. The reason, I think, is that a normal adult never stops to think about problems of space and time. These are things which he has thought about as a child.”

This encouraged me to continue on the course of my musings.

What is change? A particular passage in time. And what is time? A relative measure of space. And what is space? Infinite.

And so we know that change is infinite. It is the constant behavior of nature itself. It is creation in all its subtly; maintenance in all its endeavors; dissolution in all its pandemonium. It is a waltz, a foxtrot, the dance of bedlam. Choreographed perfectly to match the level of ones consciousness. This is why, when many see one event, we get many different accounts of said event.

Unfortunately some of us may view chaos as an uncomfortable air sprinkling about us as a fog or morning mist...as the niggling of an older sibling...the additional workload so graciously given by a colleague...that uncontrollable driver in the car behind; following too close...oblivious to our safety or comfort. In addition to our self produced chaos, let us not forget nature's version....earthquakes, hurricanes, tsunamis, blizzards, heat waves, twisters....the list goes on...

Where does this leave us? Huddled in our houses buying everything from groceries to refrigerators online? Planning and saving and creating contingencies for all possibilities? Filled with fear and anxiety knowing that nature is uncontrollable?

We know what happens when we try to control nature....species die out, people become complacent, CO2 emissions rise, pollution becomes part of the landscape.

Forgive me. Please. It is not my intention to paint a bleak picture. I just wanted to think. Think about change.

I watched a program on “Free to Air” TV – yes, television can be watched with a rooftop antenna, no cable or satellite here in OZ – called “GREAT MIGRATIONS”. Talk about pandemonium! Life giving, death defying migrations by butterflies, water buffalo, zebra, crabs....these animals, driven by instinct, by habit, by some internal knowing...driven by nature....this show showed us this bedlam (in slow motion)....and..............

It was beautiful...nature in the raw....following the path of change, in this case, evolution...a necessary path, for without it...to deny or ignore it, a species might perish. So I thought...are we the only species to strive to control that which cannot be controlled?

We must remind ourselves it is knowledge of change, of growth, that allows us an extraordinary opportunity to gather experiences...of events in life that rock our foundations, our core, our soul...and from them we learn...we grow...we evolve. To gather these experiences, to share them, to pass them on to other generations...this is how we connect...how we form common,loving bonds with other people...not only our family and friends, but strangers and acquaintances too.

Then, I came back to earth....I thought about the previous day....it was a blustery winter's day...the rain came in torrents at times....the wind howled, pushed, prodded everything in its path, even reaching around corners to find a stray leaf....it was a day to rent a DVD and make popcorn, all the time being thankful for a heater and wool blankets. Then....change. This morning brought back shadows cast by sunlight and clouds that race and run across the sky. Nature, change, life....hmmmm....time to get back to the laundry!

Here are pictures of natural Australia for my American friends and family.

Natural

Close to the Edge (of the World!)

Hello!

No, I haven't fallen off the edge of the world...we are fine and still living in Australia! 

It's been a year since my last post.  Many, many things have come to pass, but I am not issuing any excuses.  I guess it wasn't time. Let's see....where to start.

If I was to start at the beginning, you would think me pedestrian...keeping you absorbed is a much better path to travel...so with that being said...let's start with the present!

Presently Yasmin and I are living in Torquay.  A coastal town, located a mere 100kms from Melbourne.  We are also a short 30 minute trip to Geelong, a thriving community located on the Southwestern portion of Port Philip Bay, so we have all the stores and theaters we need to survive close at hand!

The around and in Torquay is pristine....the water clear, the sky infinite, the air pure and fresh.  Everyday....and I mean this....everyday I am thankful for experiencing this place.

Torquay is at the Eastern start of the Great Ocean Road...this road was built by servicemen who had returned from WWI...it connected the small coastal communities along the rough coastline of Southern Victoria.  The road was opened in 1932, and is a tribute to all of Australia. If you would like to learn more about the Great Ocean Road, click on this link : Building the Great Ocean Road

Torquay is growing by leaps and bounds....many people come here in the summer months, and during school breaks for holiday.  Due to demand, many old homes are being torn down and replaced by Townhouses and Units.  It is interesting to be in a location that is currently involved in shaping new infrastructure...we will get involved in community actions and hope the growth is kept plausible.  I would be so disappointed if Torquay lost that freshness; the ease that a quaint town seem to exude.

Yasmin and I are adding to the growing community.  We are in the planning stages of a new house based on the ancient Indian principle of Sthapatya Veda.  We are incorporating sustainable options to every area we can....solar panels for conversion to electricity; rain water tanks to use for in our gardens, toilets, and laundry; no clothes dryer (Hills Hoist clothes line, thank you); wood stove for heat; double insulated windows, and ceiling and wall insulation to reduce heating and cooling.  The area we are building in requires all lots to be a minimum of 1 acre, and homes must keep to the "rural, coastal" look.  All homes must have a plan for trees and plants which must be native to this area.  

We designed our house, with the help of a Sthapatya Veda consultant, so it has taken us some time.  During this period we have dealt with health issues, selling Yasmin's home in Coburg, packing and moving, and all the things that go with living and growing.

Not to dwell on the past, but to move toward the future...this is my desire.  

One day we took a trip to our friends' cabin located in Barramunga, which is in the Ottways National Park.  Incredibly quiet, massive trees, king parrots...its all there.  I have included a link to some pictures of the area.  I hope you enjoy.

I also will start writing more....take more time to reflect on this beautiful place, wonderful life, and the bliss of living. 

To See some pictures from the Ottways, click on the photo.  This will open a new site called Picassa Web Albums. You can view the photos uploaded to this album.

The Ottways

Thank you all for your thoughts and love.  I will write more soon....promise.

Cheryl

The Hot Summer

We are still in Melbourne, and this week has brought the heat of summer. Temperatures in the 30's (high 80's and 90's) and low humidity at the beginning of the week seemed to suck every available drop of moisture from the ground. Now, as we walk down the Merri Creek trail, the grasses are the color of golden wheat, cumin, cinnamon, and cardamom...the creek itself is smaller and gentler, the banks are exposed, and it is easy to see that the creek bed is littered with stone and rock.

The ducks, geese, coots, swans, pigeons, and gulls still rejoice upon our arrival, but even they seem slower to take the swim over the lake from their shady retreat. We too, love the shaded areas on the trail...we tend to walk slower through those spots, heads up, looking around and at each other...once we hit the sun, our heads lower, our conversation pauses, and I think that unconsciously we are both looking for that next reprieve.

This morning we woke to warm temperatures...not too warm, somewhere in the mid 20's (seventies)...took time for our “breakkie”, swept the house some, readied the spinach for lunch, and sat for our morning meditation...silence was broken by wind...then rain began to tap out a staccato beat on the laser light porch roof...the wind continued, the rain stopped. Cooler temperatures are arriving...tomorrow's high is forecast to be 21 (69.8F). We have Maharishis Ghandarva Rain Melody playing...the rain started up again at the conclusion of the first hour...

We welcome the change for our own selfish reasons...while we want the rain for the grass and plants, the lower temperatures will aid us in our newest project. We are rebuilding a raised bed...old landscape timbers, new landscape timbers (sleepers, I am told, is the correct verbiage), digging, lots of digging, pavers, mulch, plants...the whole nine yards! More to come on that news....

I hope all my Fairfield friends are surviving the Iowa winter...I hope all my dome buddies are able to travel to and from meditation easily and safely...I hope everyone is feeling well and strong and vital....from Australia...this is me signing off!

Down (Under) But Not Out

Hi All...I hope everyone had FABULOUS holidays...Christmas in summer was a new experience....sort of....it reminded me of my first Christmas in Hollywood, FL...I had moved to South Florida in October to work for the Hollywood Police Dept, and was working my way through the police academy...I celebrated December 25^th alone that year...my parents lived in NY at the time, my siblings in CA....it was a sunny 72° (F – about 22.5°C) day...I went jogging in a T-shirt and sweat pants and nearly had heat stroke...it was on that day that I realized I needed the seasons to change...even if just a little...

But now, here I am with Christmas being celebrated in the heat....well, sort of....we have had some wild weather....heat waves, cool waves, storms, rain, wind...temps in the 90's dropping down into the low 70's (in one day)...definitely keeps one on their toes...

Speaking of toes....I do apologize to all for not keeping you amused this month...I have been writing in my journal, but not transcribing that into my blog...I am going to atone for my laziness....which may or may not be what you really want....by sitting diligently in front of my computer the next couple of days to create the Australian experience for you...so get your favorite snack and cuddle up to your monitors....here I come.

PS...the photo is of the coast at Anglesea...just off the Great Ocean Road...

Sounds of Silence

(Thank you to Tracy Hodge and Megan Jericho for this photo of Kakadu, AU)

Sunday morning, Coburg North a suburb of Melbourne in the state of Victoria.

Squaaawwwk, screeeeech, chortle, coo, chirp, whistle – whistle – whistle- woop, cheeeeep – cheep – chirp, coo – coo – coo, dogs bark and warn away, cat next door mournfully meows to be let back indoors, the clock rhythmically registering the passing of a moment, cars racing in the distance, a truck pulling away from a red light, coo – coo – coo (I have to buy a Bird book showing me the birds of Australia), wind passing through my hair, someone closing a car door, a leaf dropping from a tree onto patio bricks, birds celebrating the morning the day the moment (I'm not sure), a fly scooting past my ear, myna birds taunting, parrots vying for space food a mate (again, I don't know), cawing of a raven (probably at the myna birds), larks, doves, screeching, tick tock, GIANT fly, a plane, a truck, cars (things are starting to stir up), creaking of the house warming up in the sun.

I sink into myself. Thoughts. A rumble. A peace. A different kind of silence. I remember that the silence of life lies in between the chirps and chortles, the creaks and groans, and truck engines. The dynamic symphony of life balancing with the silence in between. This is a good thing to remember. A comforting daily experience. Like a cuppa.


PS I went to Borders Bookstore and got that Bird Book...fascinating.

The Preston Market

I realize I just posted to my blog the other day, but I HAVE to tell you about today's WONDERFUL experience.

Now, before all my TM buddies get too excited, this was not a “Number One” experience during my meditation. I am still doing my program, but this experience was definitely here in the relative world!

Since my last post, we have continued to have showers on and off...some during the night...others in the afternoon. Today, (which happens to be Saturday) Yasmin and I decided to tackle some home projects. We took out the kitchen sink, removed the old faucet, and installed a new one...we tended the garden...we did some house cleaning...we ate some breakfast...showered...and went to the Preston Market.

A little background...Preston is the adjoining suburb to Coburg North (where Yasmin's house is located). About 1km east of the house is a large market place called Preston Market. The market opened in 1970, and is located right by the Preston train station. You can find just about anything there. Household goods, Chinese vendors, Indian food vendors, sushi, coffee shops, cafe's, clothes, electronics, etc. The fresh food is abundant, and ranges from organic to local to ethnic. It is a bustling place that is open from Wednesday to Saturday. It seems like most of the local population is at the Preston Market, especially on Saturday.

So, since EVERYONE was there, Yasmin and I decided to meld into the madding crowd. We stopped at Gordy's Wood Fired Pizza (located at the market, but accessed from a storefront facing the parking lot) and ordered a large vegetarian pizza (could we please substitute pineapple for peppers [capsicum here in Oz]? “Sure,Sure...no worries.). Needing some money to pay for our meal, we walked to High St and visited our respective ATM's. Pizza was waiting for us upon our return (I think I am beginning to LOVE Gordy's). We had a wonderful, mouthwatering pizza (I think there should be a law that ALL pizza places should make their own dough from scratch...and use fresh ingredients...that's not asking too much, is it?).

After fortifying ourselves, we decided to venture into the bowels of the market and pick up a few veggies. Let's see....how to describe this...hmmm...Macy's on Black Friday...no, not ethnic enough...last minute food shopping at Publix...no, not loud enough....I know...standing amidst a screaming throng of football fans (Aussie rules or NFL), and trying to make your way to the restroom with no time to spare.

Well, there may have been a little more shoving/jostling at Preston Market. You get my point.

It seems that around 2:15pm or so on Saturday, most of the vegetable vendors are trying to rid themselves of produce which will not last until Wednesday's market. So imagine this. Every person there trying to get the produce they want at the best available price. But you have to have the reaction time of an Olympic athlete. Here's how it went.

ONE DOLLAR...ONE DOLLAR...ONE DOLLAR...BOX...ONE DOLLAR...(Cheryl) "zucchini?"...ONE DOLLAR...(Cheryl, thinking 3 for a dollar) "OK"....he puts the whole box (about 12) of zucchini's in a bag and holds out his hand. At this point you better put money in that hand, or your bag of goodies could end up in someone else's cart.

So off to the races we went...in addition to the zucchini we got a box of tomatoes ( $2 ), a cantaloupe (called rock melon - $1), asparagus (about 1kg - $1), 3 mangos ($1), 2 ears of corn (.50cents), and 3 heads of lettuce ($1). We passed up the strawberries, capsicum, apples, oranges, beans, and many, many other fantastic buys because I don't think we could have eaten them before they became too ripe.

But it was an adrenaline rush. Pure and simple. We were engulfed by people of all nations. They were tall and short. Round and thin. Loud and subdued. They were in burkas, t-shirts, jeans, shirts, shorts, and pants. They were speaking English, Lebanese, Chinese, Indian, and more dialects I wasn't sure what country they came from. It was a microcosm of the world...and yet it wasn't. It was exhilarating and exhausting. I thought of my Mom and how she would have been in her element. How she would have loved the insanity of it, how it would have reminded her of winning big at the casinos. I thought of this and smiled, because I realized how, at that moment, I was my Mom, and I was every one of those people at the market.

Yes. Today was a WONDERFUL experience.

Melbourne Sunday Morning

Tea and Crumpets

Before I delve in to Sunday morning tea and crumpets, I must first thank nature for supporting me in my Internet endeavors. Let me explain. Yasmin has been in the US since late April 2009. Upon her return at the end of October, she stayed in Torquay with her parents until several days before my arrival. Having just 2 ½ days to ready herself (and the house) for my arrival, meant not checking her email. A couple of days after arriving, when I was able to focus my attention on more then just eating and sleeping, I attempted to use Yasmin's Internet connection. For some unknown reason, the connection would not work, and our attempts to use her Mum's connection failed also.

Soooooooo, until that problem was rectified, we were going to explore the use of the local public library, and/or an Internet cafe we saw on High St in Preston, the next town over. I had decided to boot up my laptop and start a new document in OpenOffice Writer, when I had a small, yet satisfying epiphany. I would check for any nearby wireless connections.

And so, piggybacking on the “AP” unsecured wireless connection came to be. I am being entirely truthful when I write that I am indebted to whomever and wherever this connection springs forth. I am aware of my nefarious deed, and promise to only use the connection for email and posting this blog. And know, that this is only temporary. So, to the One Who Owns the “AP” wireless network in Coburg, Victoria, my deepest gratitude to you. You have ensured my connection to my friends and family, and eloquently removed any and all vestiges of my personal anxieties. Well done, and regards from Cheryl, the Alien in Australia.

And now, back to the story...

Yes, Virginia, there are such things as crumpets, AND you can buy them at the mini mart. Quite interesting, these creatures of the bread and muffin world. Looking a bit like a moon scape on one side and a pancake on the other, crumpets are a perfectly thought out and constructed breakfast/tea muffin. I say breakfast muffin because I enjoyed my first crumpet during Sunday morning breakfast. Allow me to digress for a moment...

Sunday mornings have to be my favorite morning of the week. A morning that you can casually wend your way through with no disparaging looks from ANYONE. It is the one morning of the week where, not only can one quietly immerse themselves into themselves, it is expected. Whether your church is down the street, or at home, we find our quiet spot and sit. Ergo, Sunday morning is sacred to me for many reasons. Back to our story...

The beginning of our Sunday was not to find the elusive crumpet, but to garner the biggest prize of Sunday morning...the Sunday newspaper. We took a roundabout walk...partially through the neighborhood, partially through a grassy water pipe easement. Once we got to the store, we picked up the Sunday newspaper (we chose “The Age”, one of the major papers in the state of Victoria), and perused the aisles for some bread for toast.

There, right next to the English Muffins, were the Crumpets (I just LOVE that word! CRUMPET...sounds like TRUMPET...and, according to Yasmin, Scrumptious...especially with melted cheese and tomato!). Crumpets are perfect because all the little holes on the top allow whatever is smeared on it to soak into the entire crumpet! We snagged a bag, and were off. Back at the house, we put on the kettle for tea, cut up some melon, and toasted some crumpets. HEAVEN. We set up outside on the porch, opened up the paper, and listened to the birds cackle and sing to the morning. PERFECT. Nothing left to say.

Travel Day November 2, 2009

The Departure

LAX Monday November 2, 2009 8:45p (scheduled departure 11:05p)

My sister and brother-in-law, Jeanne and David, endured evening traffic on the 405 to deliver me to Tom Bradley International terminal. To say that most of humanity was in the terminal would be an understatement. Think of an open market in Bali or Costa Rica where everyone has an agenda, and no one is coordinated with anyone else.

Big breath, exhale. After checking in at the ticket counter, and turning my bags in for the TSA x-ray, I went to a sushi restaurant and grabbed a roll and hot green tea. Ate the sushi, took the tea. Stood on the security check line for quite a while, but since I still had a couple of hours before take-off; “no worries”.

Got to the gate (123), along with the other 449 passengers (really, the plane holds 450 passengers), and decided to stand while I was waiting to board. The thought of 15hrs on board the plane was daunting, so standing was one way to take my mind off the trip. As I looked around, I realized how every other passenger had a story, a perception of what was going on, and trepidation about the 15hr trip. Actually for some of the passengers, this was merely one more leg of their trip. One couple, traveling with their daughter (she looked about 2 yrs old), was on the second leg of their trip, having started in NY. Depending on the length of their layover, they would be traveling for about 24 hrs.

This made me think about a comic routine I saw once where the comic stated the obvious about air travel. He said isn't it strange that we complain about the length of our plane trip; the layovers, delays and cancellations. I mean, we are traveling across the country, the world, to other countries. Here I am taking a trip around half the world (7943 miles; 12782 km)...a trip that would take me weeks, if not a month, by boat and I'm whining about 15hrs. Well, I was going to be encased in metal flying over the ocean...which has a 5 minute whine allowance attached to it.

The Plane Trip

I was seated in 84C...about 3 rows from the very back of the plane. My thought is that every child ticketed on that flight was in this section. They cried and howled. Or maybe that was me. I had taken one Melatonin upon boarding, and was VERY sleepy, so the noises could have been coming from anywhere! The Melatonin relaxed me enough for me to fall asleep...before takeoff...in fact, I barely remember the takeoff. I slept for 6 or 7 hours. The rest of the plane trip was uneventful...save for the howling children, the “faulty” lavatories, and the lack of immigration forms. But, once again, “no worries”.

The Arrival

We landed early...9:20a (Wednesday November 4, 2009) and sat on the runway for 20 minutes waiting for an open gate. That should have been my first clue! Got off the plane, and immediately noticed two things. The first was that there were no “EXIT” signs...there were “WAY OUT” signs. The second thing was there was no Spanish. Every sign was in English only. I was not in Kansas any more. So I got an immigration form, stopped to fill it out and take a bathroom break, and continued to the immigration line. We did the Disney World snake line, and after about 40 minutes, I stepped up to the counter and was admitted into Australia! Then I got my suitcases, put them on a trolley, and got on ANOTHER line. This only took me about 15 minutes. I was directed to the security x-ray (for luggage) where I unloaded both my suitcases (the weight allowance was 23kg per bag...I was allowed 2 bags...one of my bags weighed 22.5kg the other 21.5kg) and my computer bag...as I started around the machine to pick my bags up, the worker asked for my handbag as well. Picked up my bags, put them back on the trolley, and exited the immigration area...FREE AT LAST! I looked for Yasmin...no Yasmin...I pushed the trolley towards the coffee shop where she said she would wait...no Yasmin...now I was getting a little anxious...what if she was in an accident, or stuck in traffic? Breathe. I thought to myself...”Let's just have a cuppa and relax.”...it was then I realized I forgot to pick up my handbag from the security check! So, now I had to locate someone who could get back into the secure area...found airport personnel who directed me to INFORMATION, (on the way there I FOUND YASMIN :-) who had returned to her car to get her phone because I was so late in getting out of immigration) who directed me to CUSTOMS....where I found someone who could go back into the secure area...and who returned my handbag!!!! Lack of sleep kept me fairly sane, and finding Yasmin helped me to relax. Remember, I thought, “No Worries”.