All posts filed under: journal

Daring to embrace New Horizons

Published by

My partner Jason and I have lived a peripatetic, nomadic life, straddling the far western coast of California and the West Coast of Great Britain. Growing the roots of our relationship in an ever changing plant pot. Our 8 year anniversary is coming up very soon. It will make exactly 8 years since our first kiss, under the grand finale of Venetian fireworks at the foot of one of the two famous columns on the even more famous St Marco Square. We could have no idea that from this one, unbelievably romantic moment so much happiness and struggle would emerge. Neither of us had any plans of spending 8 years in regular intercontinental movement, not spending one whole year in any one place. We only once managed to spend a completely uninterrupted 13 months together, for a seemingly endless number of years we survived long geographical breaks, the longest lasting 5 months, twice! (But then again, we also know of course we only had 8 total, so it can’t have been THAT many years.) We …

3 ingredients I use to feel better quickly (all free, no sales in here)

Published by

This is part 3 of a video letter I recorded for to a friend, I thought maybe it is useful for you other people, too. This part of the letter doesn’t have any personal information in it, just a little insight into how I am today coping with stressful times.   keywords: How to win, How to do well, how to use time wisely How to do well and live life today: from a letter to my friend Choosing to direct the focus only on what makes body and mind: healthier, stronger and more knowledgable to conquer life hurdles, anxieties, uncertainties etc.

So very soon I will return to America!

Published by

I can’t quite believe just HOW soon I will return to living in America! HOW did this happen? Remember back in the years before I met Jason? Back then I had just absolutely no interest in the Americas. And then whoosh, I got swept off my feet and piece by piece of me got slowly reeled in like a fish on a tasty worm-laden hook… I am also completely hooked on the books by Isabelle Allende, many of which taking place in the early days of discovering and establishing life in South & North America. So many stories of immigrants, so many courageous women in the pages of her books! And now, now I have a green card, now I am preparing to envision my life in America! I am still bewildered by it all. I know it’s been a slow and gradual process and maybe I shouldn’t be so surprised, but I thought I’d just go visit, stay a little while, go back to Europe and that would be it. Little did I realise that …

The world needs delicious snacks

Published by

This is one of the most tasty and simultaneously outrageously healthy snack treats that I have ever made. And here are the necessary ingredients: • nuts (any nuts, mixed is great, with pecans is fantastic) – lightly toasted (if you have the patience) • dates (pre-soaked in hot water is fantastic, but if they are medjool dates or other soft types then don’t worry too much about soaking, but have some warm water to hand to help loosen the mixture as needed) • ground green cardamom (unless you don’t like it, then skip it) if you like: ground nutmeg, cinnamon, chilli, perhaps you are a fan of aniseed? • the all important HIGH QUALITY 100% coco powder (not the one that has dairy mixed in with it if you can avoid it, but in the end: take what you can find) This Organic Fairtrade Cocoa Powder by Green and Blacks is the one that I use because it is both organic and fair trade, but the company has been bought out and if you can find something …

My Yoga Student completed her 10 day Yoga Challenge!

Published by

So I forgot to mention that 2 weeks ago I challenged my yoga student to a 10 day yoga challenge! She came to my house every day for 15-60 minutes to learn a simplified Sun Salutation, of which we did 2 rounds each day, adding a couple of postures as we progressed through the challenge; following the sun salutations I gave her 2 floor based postures each day, mostly postures to help her with a personal health issue. I am super impressed that she got through 10 days without a fail and she did amazing! I am really proud of my student’s discipline and determination. I think this was a great experience to guide a private student through this journey of discovering her strengths and working with weaknesses. And here is what she has to say about her experience: “When the challenge was offered to me, I was not sure if I could do it time wise, physically and mentally wise. Everyday to go out of my house at a time where i would tend to …

About my faithful Nikon D90 DSLR and about moving countries

Published by

I am writing this post from the living room of my old apartment in Liverpool, UK. I am here to sell my a lt of my belongings on Ebay, giving some things away and deciding on hoe to best move into my future, the next chapter of life which we will live in America. I have had my green card for nearly 3 years now but haven’t been able to completely settle in America yet. We have both been pulled across the globe too much. But I have already spent .. emergency writing break: there is a wasp flying over my head.. Editing tomorrow when I wake and hopefully it will be gone! My current Nikon D90 with my well serving Nikon lens 18-70 f3.5-4.5G is getting old, it helped me take some great photographs and I learnt as much as I think was possible within the limitations of the equipment. I only just looked up the price for the same lens that I have worked with for so many years and can’t quite believe for …

Taking inspiration and courage from the small silver linings of life…

Published by

What are they? Those elusive silver linings at a time when international politics has gone upside down and many are scared, me included? What are those silver linings when the intercontinental love affair that has now lasted over 7.5 years also be the primary contributing factor to the situation that I may have forfeited my residency right in the country that I have called home since the 90’s !? When all that nomadism has rendered me quite penniless, quite literally, at this moment in time? When health is shaky because stress is constant? Silver linings: First and for most of course the answer just has to be: Espresso is a primary silver lining! And: I have had the great luxuries that money can or can’t buy: time. I have had a lot of time in the arms of the one who truly loves and supports me. I have had time, a lot of it, to become the person I am, which would have been impossible in an easier, more standardised and more secure life. I have a …