Tessuti

Italian Joy

When you are in love with someone, there is no rhyme or reason as to what you will and will not do, you simply follow your passion. Time no longer matters, you will stay up all night just to listen to their voice or fly to the other side of the world to spend a week with them, when you know the bank account can’t take it. You will do anything for that person; you will fold their washing like it is the most important washing in the world or cross town late at night in the pouring rain to see them, and without giving it a moment’s thought. Love has no fatigue. Your heart leaps when the phone rings and almost breaks when the door opens and your loved one is standing in front of you with a bouquet of hand-picked flowers. The smallest gestures give you the greatest pleasure.

Carla Coulson
http://carlalovesphotography.blogspot.com/

Ministero della Salute, Rome

This morning, I traveled to Roma from Firenze to present the documents I have been preparing since May 2009 and to apply to the Ministero della Salute (Ministry of Health) in Roma, Italia for recognition of my qualifications and nursing degrees to enable me to work professionally in Italy.

Even though this is only the beginning, at least the journey has began.

Roma

The image (above left) of the "Geisha girls sleeping" (2009) was taken at the National Geographic Photography Exhibition at Palazzo delle Esposizioni, Via Nazionale Roma and the white on white interior (above right) and white installations comes from the book cafe within the Palazzo.

Piazza della Republicia was formally known as Piazza dell' Esedra and this is where my Mum's name came from. During my grandparents honeymoon, apparently my nonno gazed out from the balcony suite onto the famous piazza below and announced to his new bride, that if they were to have a daughter he wanted her to be named Esedra.

Unexpected

the moment i entered the room
your eyes followed me
and like before
i noticed how they glistened

when wine was suggested after the concert
your eyes made it impossible to resist

as we rode through the streets of Florence
conversations about friends, architecture and art
trailed behind us like the wind
and over dinner
veneers dissolved
fragilities emerged
and a shard from the past evoked our pure emotions

your intimacy
your reflections
the trace of tears in your eyes
- has left me stationary

out of stillness
has come the unexpected

Florence 2010

Falling, flying, freedom...

After a long flight via Singapore and Paris, I arrived in Florence this morning and was greeted at the airport by a close friend. As we sat chatting over coffee in the familiar surrounds of the Pertola Airport, my fatigue dissipated and I felt still and present. I was able to breathe again.

On the motor ride to my apartment in San Marco, we drove through familar streets and places etched in memories from the past: Baccio di Montelupo; Stazione Leopold; and Lungarno with Ponte Vecchio in the distance. As the crisp morning air gently carassed my face and ruffled the folds of my winter shawl, I breathed in the scent of Spring and smiled. I smiled because even if I have changed, Florence was still here exactly as I remembered it. Happiness beyond measure.

The apartment in San Marco has not changed either. It remains full of warmth, light and the energy of young women. My house mates are two female students from France; Marie and Giovanna. Before I retired to bed to sleep we had lunch together; pasta, insalata, Parmaggino e Proscuito di Parma.

I have just awoken after sleeping all afternoon. A deep robust sleep. Apparently I have slept through the sound of my housemates trying to wake me, the phone ringing, and possibly even the sound of the doorbell (a Courier from the airport tried to deliver my misdirected luggage from Paris).

Without my belongings there is little I can do apart from rest and settle in and I think that for the next few days, that is how things are mean't to be.

As for now I will finish the cup of tea I've been sipping as I've been writing, have a shower and curl up in bed with a book before the sounds of Florence lull me to sleep again.

Navigating through my dreams

The preparations are complete... this afternoon I leave for Firenze.

I'm inwardly excited and happy to be returning, and focused upon all that I want to achieve during my brief sojourn.

This morning as I relax in Acland Street over coffee and the paper, different thoughts and images will meander through my mind (i.e. " what will this next trip to Firenze unravel, reveal and revolt...?")

I can't wait to see the beauty of Italy again.

To the nucleus of love in my life whose support, inspiration and consolation is transparent and always accessible - Thank you. I couldn't have made it to this moment without you.

Meter high waves

i plunged into the warm ocean,
tonight at dusk.

the waves were over a meter high,
they crashed against me,
they made me tumble,
and struggle to swim,
but again and again i happily dived in.

holding my arms open wide,
embracing the ocean,
with the enthusiasm of a child,
plunging beneath the water,
full of hope and anticiaption,
smiling,
and wanting -
to go deeper into the sea.

tomorrow i leave for Florence.

All in the mind

"All in the mind."
The Age. February 17th 2010.

A collaboration between artists, engineers and scientists at the University of Western Australia has won first prize in the VIDA 12.0 awards in Spain, which focus on arts that use new technology. But Silent Barrage is not just a work of art; it's a 3D model of the electrical activity in the brain, designed in the university's SymbioticA lab to represent epileptic seizures.

Artists Phil Gamblen and Guy Ben-Ary installed 32 robotic poles that respond to electrical activity in a neural network - one grown in a Petri dish. Scientists hope that the work will help them discover ways to treat and control epilepsy.

wwww.symbiotica.uwa.edu.au/silentbarrage

Six sleeps to go

this time next week,

I'll be flying above the clouds on my way to Florence,

leading up to my departure my heart and thoughts are air borne,

the reflection of the sand and sea looks brighter,

and I'm excited by the moments that lie ahead.

A key & a door stopper

I am leaving for Florence, Italy on Tuesday February 23rd 2010 & returning to Melbourne, Australia on Wednesday March 24th 2010. A small Italian sojourn to replenish the soul with the intricacies, mysteries and beauty of Italy. To close some doors and (possibly) to wedge others ajar.

Next rendez-vous

Ciao Amici,

Ti volevo scrivere per fare sapere che ritorno a Firenze febbrario 23rd 2010.

Sai che e stato piu di uno anno di quando sono partuto e mi mancha Italia tantissimo. Anche se il mio tempo in Italia sara breve questa volta, sono contentissima che ritornerò a Firenze e non vedo l'ora di vederti.

Mi fa contenta sapere che fra pocco sarammo insemi.

Con affetto e baci
Jules

Summer storms

As I sit working at my desk overlooking the Elwood promenade, lightning and storms illuminate the dark sky and the silence.

Pranayama

Darren, my yoga teacher tonight spoke about "Pranayama" (the art of yoga breathing) and stated that

"the breathe should be followed by movement".

A concept to mediate upon.

Da Vinci's List

Professor Nel Glass

Professor Nel Glass launched her book ‘Interpersonal relating: Health care perspectives on communication, stress and crisis’ at St Vincent's Private Hospital today.

I was delighted to be present and the chance to toast to her achievements. The speeches were engaging and poignant. The atmosphere collegial and respectful.

I wish Professor Nel every success with this book and future endeavours.

Professor Nel and her mother (above) & Effie Nel's Personal assistant (below).