Vigilia di nuovo anno

Cari amici avvicinano e lontano,

Sulla vigilia di nuovo anno penso alla l'amicizia, la risata e la compagnia da qualche anno e gli augura la felicità e la pace per l'anno prossimo.

Spero che le nostre intenzioni per 2009 siano realizzate e che noi si incontriamo ancora presto.

Trasmettendogli i baci. Jules

Deck the halls with boughs of Holly

Christmas 2008As ribbons, torn wrappings and festive cards adorn the floors and mantelpieces of our homes, winter pudding settles in our tummies, and wine induced laughter and ridiculous conversations buzz through the air.

It's Christmas night and I hope your celebrations were as lovely as the one I shared with my family.

Last night, Mum and I attended Christmas Eve carols and midnight mass at St Francis Church in the city and then had Christmas pudding served with Italian custard before going to bed at 3.30am! Then this morning we had panatone and coffee in our garden and exchanged our Christmas gifts before going to the home of Barbara and Kevin, to celebrate Christmas with Bruno, Christy, Matthew and James.

Dear Barbara & Kevin,

Thank you for a wonderful & festive Christmas gathering. It was a truly beautiful, enjoyable and memorable celebration. Great food & wine, much laughter and great company. I particularly loved seeing gorgeous Matthew & James playing outside in the garden in the afternoon sun.

Tonight it was lovely to continue the Christmas celebrations with Mary Frances, Stephen and my god daughter Acacia. We had dinner together in the city and then we walked to Lygon Street for an ice cream. The night air was balmy and apart from a few restaurants the streets of the city were notably quiet. It was a relaxing way to conclude a beautiful day.

Tomorrow Mum and I are going to Chadstone to tackle the Boxing Day Sales. I think that Norman Rockwell's depiction will be an accurate representation of us at the end of the day.

Enjoy spending time with those you love, relaxing, eating & the festive break.

Buon Natale

Merry Christmas to my family & close friends both near & far.

May Christmas be a forgiving, loving and peaceful time & let's hope that the year ahead unfolds the opportunities our heart's desire.

Thinking of you.
With affection Jules.

Opportunities

In the near future I'm going to be pursuing some new opportunities.

• In February 2009, I'm starting a six month secondment as a Lecturer in the School of Nursing at Australian Catholic University, Melbourne.
• I've lodged an application to rent a beachfront apartment in Albert Park. At night I drift off to sleep dreaming about furnishing my new abode with my treasures, including my provincial sleigh bed, antique amoire, some art pieces, jazz music and sandy shoes. and personal belongings and long walks along the beach. The location is superb - I can't wait!
• Working at St V's has been challenging and fulfilling.
• Now that the weather is considerably warmer I'm enjoying cycling through the city & sea kayaking at Sandringham..and I'm dreaming of a golden tan, cruising the Great Ocean Road and my first swim in the surf.
• Recently I started processing the documents for my Italian visa. Although things are progressing slow-ly I feel hopeful.

New footprints

When I thought about returning to Melbourne, I decided that it was really important to 'live in Melbourne' and to not feel as though I was returning to only catch up with my family and close friends. Therefore before I left Firenze I really thought about the balance I am trying to achieve between these two homes-in-my-heart and about some of the things I wanted to achieve and do during my time in Melbourne.

Since returning some of my expectations have been challenged and I've began to see changes in myself and those around me. Although these changes can be difficult to comprehend, they are helping me to discover a different type of happiness and I'm excited by the opportunities that are slowly evolving.

Si tu me olvidas

Quiero que sepas
una cosa.

Tu sabes como es esto:
si miro
la luna de cristal, la rama roja
del lento otono en mi ventana,
si toco
junto al fuego
la impalpable ceniza
o el arrugado cuerpo de la lena,
todo me lleva a ti,
como si todo lo que existe,
aromas, luz, metales,
fueran pequenos barcos que navegan
hacia las islas tuyas que me aguardan.

Ahota bien,
a poco a poco dejas de quererme
dejare de quererte poco a poco.

Si de pronto
me olvidas,
no me busques,
que ya te habre olvidado.

Si consideras largo y loco
el viento de banderas
que pasa por mi vida
y te decides
a dejarme a la orilla
del corazon en que tengo raices,
piensa
que en ese dia,
a esa hora
levantare los brazos
y saldran mis raices
a buscar otra tierrs.

Pero
si cada dia,
cada hora
sientes que a mi estas destinada
con dulzura implacable.
Si cada dia sube
una flor a tus labios a buscarme,
ay amor mio, ay mia,
en mi todo ese fuego se repite,
en mi nada se apaga ni se olvida,
mi amor se nutre de tu amor, amada,
y mientras vivas estara en tus brazos
sin salir de los mios.

- Pablo Neruda.

A new rhythm

I've been back in Melbourne just over two weeks now and slowly I'm finding a new rhythm: started emergency nursing again at St V's & it feels as though I never left; attended an interview for a Lecturers position at a Melbourne University; been reviewing Bayside apartments; applying for art exhibition spaces; and trying to get my car back on the road. With Christmas on my doorstep my chances of getting everything arranged before the end of the year is slim; but it doesn't matter because for now I'm happy to do things step-by-step and allow life to unfold.

Things do magically happen however. For example, the other day I arrived home to find Cameron's racing bike positioned on our front porch. He has loaned me his bike because he knows how much I'm yearning to go out riding. What a lovely surprise. I'm so thrilled.. but please don't say anything to Valentino!

James

Isn't he beautiful!

James (2 1/2 years old).

Team Edgy

Whenever Lamme visits Australia, there is always much anticipation. Not only because he is a gorgeous man and a loyal friend, but because I always know that his brief sojourn will be eventful and enjoyable.

Often in the days leading up to his arrival, a Chinese whisper circulates amongst his close Melbourne friends as we begin to plan our next rendez vous. We treasure these times because in recent years we have began a tradition whereby we hike together when Lamme is in town. However the essence of the hike is not purely the beautiful landscape, the miles trekked, or about collective admiration for 'Icebreakers'; but rather about the crazy banter, wild stories and belly laughs which we share throughout the day and which continues into the night over dinner and wine.

Sunday's hike at Mount Macedon with Jo, Bloomers, Pete, Cameron, Hurnard & myself was no exception. Dinner at Hurnard & Nu's was wonderful and the company fantastic... I laughed so much that I had tears in my eyes and developed a cramp in my side.

I'll miss you Lamme and look forward to seeing you, Lorena & Team Edgy in February '09 for a kayak-hike adventure.

Safe travels.

Lee's 40th Birthday

Lee's family and close friends gathered today at Fairfield Boathouse for a gorgeous, youthful and spirited celebration - her 40th Birthday (shhhhhhhh).

Whilst the sun filtered through the oak trees and onto checked tablecloths, sausages and prawns cooked on an open barbie, children played with ducks by the waters edge, kayaks paddled by and Lee crowned with a purple jeweled tiara, sat amidst all the chatter encircled by many people who love her dearly.

As we sat under the shelter of the marquee with coffee and birthday cake, not even the afternoon's tropical rain could extinguish the smiles and chatter of those still gathered.

Happy Birthday Princess, may all your dreams come true.

Guru says

..so it's time for me to hit the surf.

Charlie, Charlie...!

The sound of Margie calling "Charlie, Charlie...!" echoed across Hay's Paddock in Kew today.

Charlie is her gorgeous 10year old Labradoodle (a hybrid dog/cross bred between a Labrador Retriever and Poodle), who quickly darted towards the large pond in the park whilst we were out walking today.

Before Margie had a chance to recover the lead, Charlie plunged into the moss covered pond, waded through the reeds and began to playfully chase the ducks in the pond. Despite persistent calls and half-hearted attempts to reprimand him, he continued to play/swim in the pond for an hour.

When we realised that Charlie was not going to cease his game, we sat on the grass in the sun, saw the humor in the misadventure and waited until: he was too tired to continue; one of us reluctantly was prepared to enter the pond to retrieve him; or the ducks had migrated for winter.

As we waited small children, other dog lovers and locals picnicking in the park, gathered to admire Charlie and the paradoxical situation. When Charlie was eventually coached out of the pond, his soft, golden coat was matted by green moss, reeds and bits of bark and he was so exhausted he could barley walk.

Our colourful experience concluded with a late lunch and catch up at a wonderful local cafe. As we sat outdoors in the afternoon sun reclining on benches, as Charlie and Phoebe reclined on us; people stopped to admire her two tranquil beauties... naturally oblivious to our day's great misadventure.

Time for another coffee?

Tonight as I walked along the beach foreshore admiring the rhythmic pattern of the waves lapping upon the sand, inhaling the salt sea air, and absorbing the warm sun on my face; I was filled with a deep seated happiness to be back in Melbourne and to have Bella Firenze in my heart.

Unfortunately because I have been consistently unwell since I returned, my plans to establish myself are progressing fairly slowly. But as I found in Italy; this 'new rhythm' can awaken other opportunities. So I'm taking this temporary obstacle in my stride and enjoying simple moments - like spending time with my family and close friends.

Mum at Dench in Fitzroy, Melbourne.