There's No Place Like Home.

I can't totally understand my emotion. So sad to be leaving so happy to be going home.
I could never had imagined the amazing opportunity ahead of me when I was having a little hissy fit while over tired at work and saying I want to have a holiday, I want to go visit Megan.
It's now been and gone. But the memories will live on forever.

The lesson in this life experience is love your life to the fullest. If you have someone in your life that you love tell them. And when you hug someone do it. If you are going to wrap your arms around someone, give.

To be back in Australia and have my wonderful husbands strong arms around me again is one of the best feelings I could have. A feeling of love, care, safety and belonging. He missed me and I him.
And remember, The best is yet to come.

Room With A View

Each morning this lady comes and sweeps the path at the front of the school. She uses a broom that she has made herself with the veins of the leaves of the palm trees. She does this before she attempts to sit with sad and pack it into the gaps of the bricks in the paving. We are oh so blessed at home. Never shall I complain about sweeping with my huge scissor broom.

When I got up on Saturday morning and looked out my bedroom window I saw this sad looking building across the road, which Megan informed me was a primary school. Didn't look much of a school to me but I was sweetly surprised come Monday. This morning I sat and took over 100 photos.

This dreary old school above,

is transformed with the help from these glorious faces below.

Make a Smilebox slideshow

Chennai Experience.

Day 3 in Chennai and I love it more and more. The people just amaze me. I must try to be more grateful for what I have when I go home.

The children go off to school, hand in hand and seem, oh so happy. Not once have I heard a child whinge. They have so little but yet so much.

The faces of the men and women say so much without a single word. This evening we went to a street market stall and got some beads and the young lady that served us was absolutely stunning. Her smile was priceless and I asked if I could take her photo she posed for me and when I showed her the picture she was so insistent that I get a copy for her. Then she introduced me to her mother and father so proudly. A few more happy snaps and I promised I would take her a copy of them back. To make this young girl happy is so easy. I look forward to seeing her face when I drop them back.

There was a young mother at the corner of one of the streets today with her little baby, maybe 6mths old. Megan said she's there every day. Oh, could I take her and the baby home and scrub them up and give them food and love. I know I can't but I can keep them in my prayers.

There is so much more that I have seen, heard and smelt today but these are the two main things that stood out in my day.

Where ever you are at in your life today, just take some time to think of those who may be a little less fortunate than you.

And hopefully, what ever they are going through they can still smile.

India, Only the beginning.

A small snippet of the first couple of days from Chez in India.

A Long Way From Home.

On Friday the 20th of March I headed off from Lara for my first overseas trip to Chennai India. The day started off well and went from strength to strength. The flight was perfect. The experience is amazing and to those who know me will be shocked that this has been (so far) fearless. Wandering around Changi airport, in Singapore like a seasoned tourist, well I thought I Looked seasoned maybe they all new different. Then onto the connecting flight to India. I read watched out the window and slept my way through 16 hours. It was so good to get off the plane and walk through the airport to the awaiting Megan and Eliza. Smells and sights that I was expecting but shocked by. What everyone had told me was true and now I can pass this onto the next person to do this for the first time.
Here we go, I am just loving the roller coaster ride of the days. Yes, I have shopped, which IS experiencing India, eaten food which I would usually not and walked in areas without a worry. The people are everywhere. Oh my goodness there are soooooo many people around everywhere you go. Getting second looks from all these people who I give second looks to. It's hard to imagine that I am the unusual looking one when I'm looking out at these unusual, to my eyes, people. The huge population of amazingly beautiful Indian men, and women that look so bright at graceful in the bright Sari's. It makes me gaze with amazement. I try very hard not to stare but I can't help it. The people, the cars, the motor bikes and don't forget the cows. Now all I need is the I love India t-shirt. Stay posted. Bye for now.

The arrival
My sisterchick and I

Me and my arrival Rangoli, (Indians use these to bless there homes and ward off evil.) Didn't stop me getting in though.

A new day

Well, it's a new day and I am feeling unusual but good. I made a discovery that I have been living a life that is held back by what other peoples opinions of me are. As long as I can remember I have been so overwhelmed by trying to make everyone else happy that I was often miserable.
NO MORE
If people don't like me, that's just bad luck.
So as I approach my new life on this new day, I hope that I don't loose too many people along my way.
I suppose if I do you're not a true friend.
So as I approach my trip to India, I can feel that this is my life to live & live it I will.
I am hoping that when you see me next, I'll be walking tall with a smile on my face.

Life, Love and All

Today I grew. To be able to speak from your heart to a great friend makes life worth living at a higher level. Many people come and go in our lives and sometimes we hold on to the stuff that hurt and we don't allow ourselves to give enough to the next friendship.
I have decided not to hold on to any of that any more. I will not allow myself to be hurt by other peoples opinions of me.
Simon is one of my newest friends but I feel that we will be friends, hopefully forever. Honesty is a great things that friends share and even though he is a guy and I'm not we can be great friends. Go figure.
My prayer is that everyone can have a friend as great as Simon. Unconditional love, Hmmm