Opportunities

When one can't be in love, one has to do the things one loves.

So I have accepted the University's offer to teach Second Semester (...or more???). Before accepting new responsibility and challenges, I expressed a desperate desire for better working hours so I can pursue my many passions and maintain a life-work balance. Activities like walking along a windswept coast as 120km/hr as Antarctic winds invigorate and chill my bones is not only exciting, but my soul depends upon it.

I also stated that I was interested in combining my Academic profile with clinical experience in remote and rural nursing (Koori Health) and International Health (teaching & clinical experience). The response was positive.

I close my eyes and pray that that the opportunities I desire will arise.

Mamma

Anzac Day 2009

Happy Birthday Bella!

Breathing & be-ing

After three months of juggling the demands of work (both the workload and 12 hour days), with settling into my beach side abode and establishing a new Melbourne lifestyle, I'm feeling raw and drained.

For a few weeks I've been attributing my fatigue to 'too many late nights', a mild health concern and subsequent change in diet (including a reduction in caffeine intake...!) and my cross training regime'.. but all that aside, I think Jules is plain worn out.

Originally, I thought I'd come back to Australia and settle in Melbourne for no longer than 6months or just long enough to get things sorted for my return to Italy. I definitely wasn't planning on letting the dust settle under my feet. But it seems that things have changed. During the time I've been home in Melbourne one decision seems to have led to another and sorting through these things has been more demanding and time consuming than I had anticipated.

Although I haven't lost the 'dream' to return to my home in Italy to live and work, I don't want to return to repeat the same experiences I've already had there or to end up struggling like so many other ambitious ex patriates.

I feel like it's time to achieve more and to 'live' without looking to the past or the future.

Just like everyone I'm striving for love, peace and happiness.

I had it here and I found it there. I'm sure that I'll find it where ever I go, because it is within me.

In Italy I achieved this by living simply. I went to Italy with one solitary preconception "to live in Italy for 12months"; but the incredible sensations, experiences and people who I shared my life in Italy with, burnt beauty and magic into my mind, heart and soul and transformed me. I want more of this... but perhaps now is not the moment for more.

At times being in Melbourne feels like I'm slipping back into my cocoon and I yearn for the tender vistas of Bella Firenze and beyond, but living overseas made me realise how capable and courageous I am and that I can achieve ANYTHING.

So now I think it's time that I let Australia's landscape and it's people transform me.

I'm not standing on the edge of the cliff waiting to free fall. I'm back on the mountain climbing slowly step by step to my uncertain but exciting destiny.

It's time to breathe & be.

Buon compleanno Florentine Prince

Caro Marco

"Buon compleanno e auguri "

Il tempo inseme era mervigliso e dolce sogni.

Ti penso e spero che sei felice.

Con affetto Jules

Murray2Moyne

The 400km Murray2Moyne... my bum won't forget this challenge in a hurray.

I think Steve's comments below have summarised the weekend and our idosyncratic personalities.

Morning all, I hope you aren’t as sore and tired as I am but I just wanted to say thanks for a top weekend.

Positives from the trip: A lot of laughs; almost enough sledging; just enough sugar; a support crew that was outstanding; perfect amount of hot cross buns; heaps of food (next year we will increase the quantity of Mystery Food Items though); brekky in our rooms at Hamilton…thanks Kris; the Green Machine dragging me along all weekend…thanks team; watching the Red team implode…great entertainment; and of course Frank's insightful analysis "The Red team are wooses and wankers". I think we all agree.

Improvements for next year: Significantly less wind hopefully (in my cabin anyway); slightly more distance between my bed and Frank's….far enough that he can't throw his arm over me in the middle of the night!; more team meetings (you just can't have enough), less wedgies (JA…Russ made me say this), slightly faster service at the All Rivers for dinner. Either that or we take over the kitchen and cook our own; More of Clive's music…only maybe include just a few with words that we can recognise?; ......and finally, definitely far less of this warm and fuzzy team stuff. We need to harden up!

All in all…a great weekend.
Look forward to a ride soon
Cheers steve