Lady in the Water

I went and saw a really unusual film last night called Lady in the Water. It's the story of how the beings from the Blue World need to get in contact with the humans on the land. Kind of a mythical/fantasy children's story brought into life. It's all set in a block of apartments and their surrounds. The main guy, Cleveland, is so odd but likeable and he really makes the movie.

It's made by the same guy that made Signs which I didn't see because I thought it would freak me out. Anyway, this was only PG so I thought it must be harmless. But it had so much suspense and parts of it kept me guessing right till the end. Intriguing, the kind you don't want to take your eyes off. It has some really biblical themes in it which was interesting. The main girl, Bryce Dallas Howard, was so strange looking as she is a being from another place. The side characters were all really quirky types.. ahh it was just hilariously strange!

I think it's worth recommending, but I'm not sure. Don't go in expecting a particular genre of movie as I'm not sure if it really fits into one.. but good anyway (I think!).

grr

I planned to get up this morning to go for a ride with Em at 7am and someone has stolen my bike. I'm rather annoyed as I really loved that bike. They would've had to have gotten through either 1 or 2 gates to get it and it was 1/3 metre away from Em's room. Who does that? :(

Go Savannah! Congrats Dave & Andrea!

Yay, finally a post with some pictures!

Concentration..

Noice Savvy!

You're a winner!

Straight arms!

Balanced.. atta girl!


This is my oldest niece (she was 7 last Sunday!) at the recent State Gymnastics Comp. She trained really hard and did really well. And doesn't she just look so cute?! Ok, I know these photos are flogged off a website.. but you can get the idea.

Things are good. Had Mum's 60th on Saturday and it seemed to go on without any hiccups. I used to think 60 was old but I've realised it's not really. I think 60 is a lot younger than it used to be..(?). I managed to get my Nana out of hospital for the morning as well which was great. She was annoyed at the thought that she might miss out so along she came. Poor love was dozing on the way home though.. it was a big outing after being in bed for 2 weeks! It was great to see my aunties and uncles and cousins after 6 months and catch up on the latest with them. Well done to the crew at the Oyster Bar South Perth, they were fantastic! Speaking of cousins.. I can't wait for Natty's wedding this Monday! Woohoo.. I really like her guy Steve - well done to you both! Photos to come post-wedding.

My beautiful friend Andrea and her man Dave got engaged last weekend as well.. most exciting! Congratulations to you both. I'm SO happy that she's so happy and really look forward to the big day!

Sorry for the mega-old photo.. they've just gotten hotter with age.

Ok, that's about as exciting a post as I can do right now.

Bye!

xx

Hebron Children's Home

Just letting anyone who's interested know that they've worked hard and done a new website for the Hebron Children's Home. There's lots of info on there and also a lot of beautiful photography. Please feel free to check it out, see what's happening in another part of the world and if there is some way you can help or be inspired..
Go here.

Some of the beautiful girls

That's all for now!

xx

Girly crap

Hey,

Haven't really been interested in my blog of late I'm afraid. It's become a bit of a chore this week or 2 or 3!

So, I've pretty much been living in the old-timers ward at RPH for the past (almost) week with my Nan. She had a stroke and as I have been away when she's had 2 others, I have really latched onto this time. I let myself get really anxious and distressed (before turning to God and being flooded with this overwhelming peace) while I was away and she had a stroke (2) and I heard the progress which sounded really awful. I know, old people tend to get sick then die. But I wasn't ready for that! And nor was/IS Nana. I so wanted to be here, visit her and just be a part of what was happening. So anyway, I've been so grateful to God that he cares and kept her healthy and that I can spend time with her now. I've never had anyone in my family or anyone close to me (just people that are close to people I am close to.. yeah?) pass away or anything so the thought of it freaks me out in an incredible way. It's so good to have been able to help the family out after they did so much with the last ones. Nana is so cute! She comes out with the funniest things in an effort to be insanely polite.. it's really funny.

Church had a "Her Time Occasion" tonight called Energy. Very timely! I've always avoided such things thinking they'd be all fluffy and Oprah-ish and nancy. But Cath did a post about how good they were from the last one and I thought I can't really lose anything from going. So I swung by after hospital to see if I could get a ticket (I could). It was actually really good (I know.. everyone else probably already knew..) and even though a lot of it was about kids and married life related to 40+ year olds, a heap of it is just about being women and I could totally relate. Kristy from The Biggest Loser (I think that was on while I was away as I hadn't seen it) was there and seemed like a genuine kind of woman with some great advice. Kelley Chisholm spoke about some stuff that was really good. A lot of it was about realising what depletes you of energy and how to set your life up to deal with those things so you can get on with everything you've got to do. I can't remember most of it cos I was tired (which I didn't feel so bad about cos it seemed a lot of people there were lacking energy from the sounds of the crowd) but there was some really good stuff. A funny point is when you swing towards matyrdom with your daily life - I could totally relate! Terrible! Anyway, the whole feel of the night was really warm, professional and fun. Good job I say! Next time I might drag my mum and sister in law's along: I think they'd really enjoy it.

As mentioned, tiredness has set in. Looking forward to seeing The Red Shoes ballet this weekend with 3 girlfriends. Should be a hoot I reckon. Anyone seen it?

I promise I will write something really exciting next time!

Kel

xxx

P.S. They asked an interesting question tonight and I would love to know.. how many hours a night do you sleep on average??

A modern-day miracle

FORMER APARTHEID POLICE MINISTER REPENTS AND APOLOGISES TO BLACK SOUTH AFRICANS

Adriaan Vlok, the former apartheid regime's law and order police minister, recently went to church in Soweto and during the service washed the feet of Reverend Frank Chikane, a person he had sought to kill during the years of struggle in South Africa. The pair took turns to describe Vlok's apology as a miracle. It emerged that it took Vlok two months to convince Chikane to meet him and hear his apology.

This is how Vlok described their first encounter on August 3: "I was so grateful, I cried. There were tears in his eyes too. I looked into his eyes and I saw love. Then he prayed for me." Speaking at the church, Vlok - described by some sources as "one of the most evil men that apartheid created" - called Chikane's congregation his "brothers and sisters". "I feel your pain," he said. "I am sorry for what you had to suffer. We were fighting here in Soweto. It was a war. But today we're coming here to pray."

Vlok admitted that he used to "hate your pastor (Chikane)". "We were fighting each other with guns, hand grenades and poison," Vlok said. "I thank God for letting me not succeed in killing you."

Vlok described his wife's suicide in 1994 as the defining point in his life. "It took me 12 years, after the government changed, to come to this point. I had to rid myself of my own pride, my egotism and selfishness," he said. "I don't represent anyone else because I stand before the Lord alone."

Vlok sat in the front row in the packed church next to Chikane's wife. At one point he stood and clapped along to a gospel song. He also joked when being introduced, saying: "You can't give a microphone to an old politician and expect him to speak for only a minute. It's not possible."

Chikane maintained that the apology was sincere and that more were likely to follow. "The fact that Mr Vlok has come to make a confession to me and is here with us today is a miracle," he said. "Some people have told me it's profoundly historical." He said that, despite being angry, people should be prepared to "pick ourselves up and move on". "We must not let the past we've defeated dictate our future."

Source: Pretoria News (c-/ The Australian Prayer Network Newsletter)

The days roll on

Well, time is flying by. It's been a month tomorrow since I landed in Australia, although in Melbourne. Crazy. I haven't blogged properly for a while.. so this is a bit of a whopper.

Had a family thing tonight to see my auntie, uncle and cousins who are visiting from Karratha for a doctors visit. The last time I saw my uncle was the morning I flew out to Singapore back in March. He was in a hospital bed, limited movement to his body, not very reactive, not speaking, being tube-fed, fresh from 4x neuro ops that almost took his life. I remember so clearly how I was so distraught about leaving in the midst of the trauma. But I knew God was going to do something with his life.

Tonight was a totally different picture - they had a big german dinner party before I got there and he was the life of the party. Talking, laughing, enjoying some wine with friends and family. It was weird. He pretty much got the all-clear from the doctors today which is great. It's a true miracle. Go God.

I've got the day off tomorrow. Doing a taxi run for my auntie so we can both go see my Nana in hospital. She had another stroke today. She can still speak this time, but her left side is limited. She's going to be fine though. My mind is racing with different things I could do.. I've been thinking of how I might be able to rent a place and take care of her somehow. Not sure it could work as she'd be home a lot on her own if I'm working. The place that's she's staying is nice but she doesn't like it. I don't think I can offer the best option though.

Work is going well. The place I'm at for the next 3-4 weeks is great. I'm with mostly middle-aged ladies and they're really cool. I love their humour, sensitivity and their zest for life. It's a great place to work. This week I got sent some gift vouchers from my contact person at the agency as a thank you for being flexible with my jobs last week. Crazy, I thought that was what temping was about: flexibility..?! It was so sweet though and it's great to feel as though you're not just a piece of meat being shoved around where ever required.

It's the Mercy Ministries fundraiser walk this saturday. I've organised some girlfriends to go together and it should be great fun. If you wanted more info you can go to www.mercyministries.com.au. If you wanted to go I'm sure you could still register. Just pray that it doesn't rain..

Speaking of which (what?!). If there's any non-freakish, NORMAL people - actually just girls - out there that are looking at sharing in Perth for some (?) period of time, please let me know. I'm not looking forward to the possibility sharing with strangers that could be absolute weirdos. I just want normal people! Do you think it will be too hard to find??

Last night I spent some time going through my India photos. I haven't printed them yet but I flicked through on my laptop.. reminiscing.. having a laugh at some of the memories. I look forward to having some walls of my own one day to stick lots of photos on. I've got some absolutely fantastic shots that my friend Chinni has taken. Blogger's not letting me add photos today. Temperamental bugger. Wouldn't it be great to just teleport yourself to somewhere else just for a while.. not have to tell anyone you were going or coming. Just fly.

Go for an afternoon walk at 5 with Suneeta to the bridge. Laugh with the children that are riding along from school. Say hello and goodbye over and over. Get to the bridge. Watch the sun setting as you stand over the bridge seeing the occasional snake wriggle through the water below. Throw some rocks to try to improve your aim at the snakes. The same boy rides past you on a bicycle everyday. Stops to say hello, again. Walk back down the dusty track. See the same houses, the same people sitting out the front. The old man that smokes home-made cigarettes while sitting near the buffalos out the front of his place. Everyday the same. Not much sound. The occasional motorbike that whizzes by with a guy driving, his wife and shopping (or a kid) on board. The "men in white": a group of eldery men that wear white shirts and trousers that walk the same time as us everyday, but along the railway line instead. Remembering not to stare at people. Picking up flowers from the side of the road to put in Suneeta's hair. Then she would do the same for me. Stopping in at BB's mother's house on the way home. Holding hands with Epsi or Lily. Practising some newly learnt Telugu on them (something really charming like "what curry for lunch?" or "your sari is beautiful") and watching them laugh. Trying to get away gracefully before the sun goes down. They always walk with us up the road, chatting, for at least another 10 minutes before we say goodbye for the fifth time. Shiny comes riding down the road on the front of the scooter with Surya driving. Normally Deena or Prema on the back seat. Play chicken with the scooter to get a laugh from Shiny. Wave frantically as they zoom by, tooting. They stop at BB's mothers, say hello, then back on the scooter to go home. Watching Rebekah (one of the cooks) come down the road, dodging the puddles, on her way home from work so she can cook for her family. Stopping for a brief chat before continuing on. Passing the leper colony with the kids that run around out the front. Chickens are always scuttling around the front. Keep walking around the bend in the road. Using our scarves to cover our noses as we passed where the local pigs are fed rotten scraps of food. The stench is so bad you feel as though your eyes may get a coating on them just from being kept open to the exposed air. Smiling with my eyes at the girls that worked feeding the pigs and hoping they could see I was trying to smile. The relief as you took a deep breath of non-swine air. Ahhh. Back past the rice mill. The aroma of rice cooking. The busy trucks and cars over the road, going into town. Just in time for evening prayer with the girls before dinner. Going with Suneeta to wash our feet of all the dust and mud from the walk.

Every afternoon was the same. It wasn't monotonous. Sure, it was simple. It was peaceful. No rushing. I could keep going on with the rest of the evening's routine but I won't. I'm sure it's boring. It's good for me to think back. Remember what life was like for such a different time in my life. When you knew exactly what was going to be happening for a large proportion of the following day/days.

Oh, I miss you Hebron. Suneeta, Sagar, Pandu, Chinni, Amma, all the children. BB, Ramah, Ramya, Akka-babu.

But life goes on hey? There's more things to happen that you can then think back on. Some memories will last longer than others though. There's so much about my life over there that I've never shared with people. Because I thought I would bore them. Because I felt people weren't interested. That it was my cup-of-tea but not everyone elses. I think I missed out on something by not sharing. It's releasing. It brings closure. It's healthy. I kept a diary over there. Pretty much just prayers. Or things about life in Australia that I missed. Not about life there. Not the routine and the exciting things to experience or learn. It's hard to write about that stuff when you're immersed in it and it's become "normal". I think I might write a book. Even if it's just for me to look back on in 50 years. It might be a really benefitial thing to do methinks.

Enough blabber. G'night anyone who might still read this blog!

xx

Happy Birthday dear Suneeta!

I'd like to wish a very happy birthday to one of my dearest friends.. Suneeta!

This lady is a gem. She had me as a guest in her home for 5 months and really showed me what hospitality means. She is the wife of Sagar and mother of Shiny. She's a brilliant cook (which is rather important in India) and is really clever with stitching, embroidery and beading. She's crafted some beautiful saris and a gorgeous dress for Shiny's last birthday. She is my Indian sister and I really wish I could be there to celebrate (although you don't celebrate birthdays).. or to make you feel as special as you are! Happy Birthday!

Love Kellie

xx

Some information that could change your life

Did you know that Special K that you buy in Australia isn't the same as Special K that you buy in the US or Europe?

I kid you not. I know, I am also appalled to find this out too.

Has anyone else noticed this?