30 Day Challenge. Day 8, 3 things you wish to say to different people

August 17, 2015August 17, 2015 raphaela992 Comments

It hurts my soul when people I adore can’t see how incredible they are. I want to say each and every day, “Try to see yourself through my eyes…How would you feel if a friend chastised you like you do to yourself? ” If something I said helped them to love themselves, I would be thrilled. I would like to say, “let’s cut the small-talk. I see in your eyes that you are yearning to talk on a deeper level.” None of us really want to chat incessantly about the weather, and we bore ourselves with the stock answer of “I’m okay,” when asked how we are. I love it when a friend shakes me out of my apathy by asking deeper questions. “Why do you run around so fast? Are you avoiding something?” These recent queries shook up my world in a good way! “Forgive yourself, love who you are as we love you, you are doing a great job at this thing called life.” I would say these things over and over again, hoping that they are taken on board. Life is tough enough, without beating ourselves up added to the soup! “How are you really?” “I am proud of you!” Affirmations of love.

30 Day Challenge, Day 12. Screenshot your Desktop

August 17, 2015August 20, 2015 raphaela991 Comment

We have the following:

Post-it Notes, calendar, a little red book of passwords, crystals, printer and a hessian bag full of pens. I must admit, that the laptop is carried to other rooms and used in every room of the house too!

The dining table is usually where I end up!

30 Day Challenge. Day 7, What do you Read?

August 16, 2015August 16, 2015 raphaela993 Comments

At the moment, I read a great deal online. I am relishing the wonderful magazines that are being published in Australia and overseas. I will splurge on an expressed copy of a quality title. Here are some of my staples.

I adore reading books too, when I have time! I cant abide the crime genre; after having survived a violent crime, and enduring the court process, it wouldn’t be something I’d choose as a means of escapism! I love autobiographies, and stories about how people live their lives. I love anything by Nigel Marsh, an enlightened and wonderful Australian author. I have ten books on my bedside table, waiting to be read! As with my music choices, authors and books are an eclectic mix in my household. I will buy a poetry book off a self-published writer, and tend to steer clear of mainstream authors. Many authors have inspired me and propelled me forward in my own journey. Dorothy Hewett, Ruth Parks and Clive James are three who come to mind. What about you?

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!

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.