30 Day Challenge. Day 6, What Band or Musician is Most Important to you?

August 16, 2015August 19, 2015 raphaela992 Comments

Here is a task! I have had a big life, and it’s soundtrack has been of the utmost importance!

I have loved The Beatles since I was a child. My Grandpa used to play Sgt Peppers Lonely Hearts Club Band when I was a baby, and their music has seeped into my DNA. Anything by The Beatles provides comfort and remembrance of times past.

John Lennon and Yoko Ono. I could listen to Double Fantasy on replay each and every day. Lennon was an optimist and a cynic, a rebel and an artist. To be yourself in a world that wants to box you in, is an accomplishment indeed.

Bjork, Madonna, Marianne Faithful,Sinead O’Connor, Pink and Katy Perry. There are so many strong women out there. These ladies have had record companies attempt to change them in the past, and fail. It takes courage to stand firm! Their music has been a constant soundtrack in my life, whether it be from pop songs through to angry anthems.

Pink Floyd, The Wall. How I felt at 14, put into music. Isolated, alone, ridiculed and rejected. It may seem depressing, but when a young person finds music that resonates with them it is of great comfort. I am not as alone as I feared! Somebody else has been there!

Bruce Springsteen’s Born to Run, one of the greatest songs ever!

I have eclectic tastes, and my music collection features Indie artists, contemporary, jazz, classical, opera, world and everything in between. What a gift these artists bring to our lives!

30 Day Challenge. Day 5, The places you want to visit

August 14, 2015August 14, 2015 raphaela992 Comments

There are so many on my list! I am beguiled by my daughter’s enthusiasm for travel, and of course, must include the places she desperately wants to see!

Paris. We don’t want to go the tourist route; rather, we want to see Paris through a bohemian’s eyes. We want to dine at places off the usual map, and see wonders that aren’t in the brochures.

New York. It has the gritty, tough and optimistic energy of Sydney. Beautiful architecture and a big heart.

London. Actually, the UK as a whole! The history, the colour and the art. I reckon we could live there if it wasn’t so cold!

Australia. Our country is so expansive, that it would take many years to see it all! Heck, just getting around the beaches in NSW is a task in itself!

After conferring with my daughter, we have decided that we can’t narrow it down. We want to see everywhere in the world; the good, the confronting and the visually beautiful. We would like to do this all at once!

30 Day Challenge. Day 4-The Meaning Behind your Tumblr Name and Links

August 13, 2015August 13, 2015 raphaela992 Comments

I’m afraid that this is a little boring! I am called Raphaela Angelou on Tumblr! Gee, that was a quick post!

I can also be found here:

Facebook

Twitter

Blog Lovin’

30 Day Challenge. Day 3-Your Day in Great Detail

August 12, 2015August 13, 2015 raphaela993 Comments

I woke at 5am, and made myself a cup of coffee. I am still on instant. Who has time for coffee machines to do their thing? My activity stirred the guinea pigs, who began squeaking for breakfast, shortly followed by the birds. When munchkin got up, she had her usual soy rashers in olive oil (she calls then not-bacon). She then made herself a hard-boiled egg in our Eggo, a little machine that tweets when the egg is done! We were at the bus stop by 7am, in perfect time for the express service. Our train was waiting at the station, so our travel was seamless. It is a rare thing! My daughter was going to do a puppet workshop, with a renowned puppeteer and ceramic teacher from the UK. We were early, so I went in search of refreshments and we happened across a Les Mis costume exhibition!

Cossette's Wedding Dress — Cossette’s Wedding Dress

It is my daughter’s birthday soon, and she found herself the perfect gift in Mozi, a Melbourne designer’s store. It was a dear little tent. She wants to set it up with soft toys and cushions. Every kid needs a fort and the lady gave us 10% off as it was floor stock! My daughter attended the four hour workshop with the dear fellow and his wife from the UK. They quite often teach adults the act of puppet-making, and expressed sorrow that many grown-ups find it difficult to use their imaginations to make up a storyline. They came prepared with old plastic bottles, which became the puppet heads. They had already done the foundation, so the kids could begin painting. The children had a ball working together on a storyline, which they presented to us.

Afterward, we went back to the shops, and I bought my daughter some educational games. I then had the best peppermint tea of my life!

On our way to the station, we met a tame cockatoo. He was the dearest little thing. He came right up to my daughter! I was too enamoured by the scene to take a photo. We reluctantly left him to get to the platform. To our astonishment, he followed us! I had visions of him hopping onto my shoulder and catching the train home with us, but his friend flew down and coaxed him away. It was a glorious day! My spine was extremely painful, to the point I feared I may pass out from the pain. Fortunately I didn’t! In those times, I fly away from this body, and absorb myself in the sights, sounds and experience around me. It helps if those things are beautiful!

How to View the Power of Resilience

August 11, 2015 raphaela99Leave a comment

I love this piece by Kristy Bear!

30 Day Challenge-Day 2, Likes and Dislikes

August 11, 2015August 11, 2015 raphaela992 Comments

Let’s get Dislikes out of the way first!

1. I dislike neighbours that are noisy!

2. I can’t stand small-talk. It’s always awkward.

3. I can’t stand port.

4. I can’t stand nastiness and gossip. When I lived in a tiny town, I had to spread gossip about myself, as their standard of goss was so poor. I had to ensure quality control!

5. I can’t stand being around people who have closed minds, and are mean-spirited.

6. I can’t stand ironing, which is why I only do it in an emergency!

7. I can’t stand party -plan events.

8. I can’t stand big shopping centres.

9. I can’t stand how time slips through my fingers. It goes so quickly!

10. I dislike how the loudest people are chosen to provide announcements over PA systems!

LIKES

1. I like how my canary, Sam, is so confident within himself. He knows he looks gorgeous and has a glorious voice, and he isn’t afraid to use it!

2. I like hearing the local kookaburras and lorikeets first thing in the morning.

3. I like steaming my veggies then pairing them with chilli beans. Yum!

4. I like zapping my spine with my tens machine then putting my back brace on to support myself (and push the bulging discs into place).

5. I like the smell of lavender, rosemary and violets.

6. I like irreverence, and an off-beat humour.

7. I like going for long walks by the river.

8. I quite like my friends. They are the most eclectic and wondrous bunch!

9. I like vegetarian pizzas with jalapeño peppers.

10. I like life and have actually come to quite like not knowing what is around the corner!

30 Day Challenge

August 10, 2015August 10, 2015 raphaela996 Comments

I saw this on Life, the universe and poetry and thought it was a great idea!

Day 1: Write some basic things about yourself

I am just under 5 feet tall, and have been a vegetarian most of my life. I love vegetables and fruit! I burn either essential oils or incense each day. I can’t handle noise! I love guinea pigs and birds. I believe I can commit to five things in one day and am horribly disappointed if I wilt in the middle of commitments. I love catching buses and trains! I adore colour, and like to transform myself into a rainbow.

Brotherhood of the World-Bloggers Award

August 10, 2015 raphaela9915 Comments

The wonderful Annie of Gentle Kindness has nominated me for The Brotherhood of the World Bloggers Award! Thankyou so much, my friend!

The RULES:

Thank and link back to the person who nominated you for the award.

List the Rules and Display the Brotherhood of the world Award logo to your post and/or blog.
Answer the questions set to you.
Nominate around ten bloggers.
Create your set of questions for your nominees.

I Nominate the Following:

A Momma’s View

Thistles and Kiwis

lovehappinessand peace

Passion through Poetry

Here are the questions Annie set:

Tell us about one of your favorite characters, either from a book or a movie and what is appealing to you about them.

I love Dorothy Hewett, an Australian author, who wrote an autobiography, Wild Card. I adore women who live on their own terms; a brave and difficult thing to do!

2. Do you use personal experiences or beliefs in your writing? How do you incorporate those into your writing?

I certainly do! I come from a place of whimsy and observation, and love to address big issues, which get people thinking. It would be nice if every piece of writing could be sewn up with a positive conclusion. Some pieces are meant to float in the ethers, without a neat ending. I try to make my writing feel as though we were having a conversation about the matter at hand.

Do you incorporate any of your own personality into your writing? How do you do this?

I don’t think that you can help but have your personality seep into your writing. My favourite words, for instance, tend to make their way in there!

My questions for the nominated:

1. Your favourite phrase?

2. Where do you do most of your writing?

3. Do you play music or prefer silence when writing?

Magnanimity

August 6, 2015August 6, 2015 raphaela9916 Comments

My wonderful friend, Swamiyesudas has just posted a piece about kindness over on his blog, urging everyone to perform an act of kindness each day. Imagine the ripple effect! My child never ceases to amaze me with her understanding of kindness. A few weeks ago, a little friend of hers had to have some medical tests. She was concerned about her friend, and wanted to go along for support. We were just about to leave the house to go meet them when my daughter turned around and ran into her room. She came out with her beloved bulldog, made at a soft-toy party a few years ago. She gave it to her little friend, and the joy exuding from both of them lit up the train carriage as we made our way into the city. Her friend had found a light sabre on their last playdate, and gave it to my daughter to keep. My kid hadn’t forgotten her kindness. It is hard to describe how ecstatic my daughter was when we bumped into her friend at the shops a few days later. There she was, clutching the bulldog. “She loves him!” my daughter exclaimed. “Yes, she certainly does!” I smiled.

Last weekend, I took her into the city. There were hoards of people around as we strolled through Haymarket, and I grabbed a hold of her hand. Suddenly, she paused. She retrieved the pocket-money from her purse and went over to a man sitting on the ground. He had two little dogs next to him, and was strumming The Beatles’ Blackbird on his guitar. She gave him everything in her purse. He looked up and smiled, tears in his eyes. As we continued walking, she said, “mum, I have a tingle all over. Giving feels wonderful doesn’t it?” Yes it does darling, yes it does. A child noticed a homeless man and his little dogs. I hope that he does indeed take his broken wings and learn to fly.

As we walked through Darling Quarter, we came across a table filled with exquisite paper flowers. A lady smiled at my daughter, and handed her one. I took an information card. They were giving away flowers in honour of Esther Day. Esther was sixteen when she died, and her wish was for people to spread love to others. She would be proud of these beautiful people, I am sure. Kindness is given and received, in an endless cycle of magnanimity.

The next day we met a grand elderly lady called Anna at the bus stop. I told her that I had been admiring her colourful way of dressing for the longest while, and had been meaning to tell her. She would board the bus smiling, her slight figure clothed in emerald, sapphire and ruby-red hats and coats. We got into a conversation, and she told us that she volunteered at our local palliative care ward, sitting with loved ones, offering cups of tea and comfort. My little girl was regaled by her stories, and sat with her the whole bus trip, Anna’s arm around her. Kindness goes around in an endless cycle of magnanimity…

To learn more about Esther Day and many other inspiring projects, check out The Deluminators

Siren Empire

August 4, 2015 raphaela998 Comments

Siren Empire is a fabulous website that has gone live this past weekend, and I am thrilled to have been one of its writers. The editor is a visionary, and it has been a thrill to see the site spring to life. I have interviewed some amazingly colourful, vibrant and inspiring characters, and hope to do more profiles in the future. Here is a link to information about me.

Check out the inspirational Alessandro

Here is a piece about a dear friend of mine, who has made me lose any fear of aging, Dawn

Siren Empire is a wondrous mixture of colour, art, ideas, life and inspiring people. Check out the entire site!