Swim-a-thon

Overnight (from 2am-9am) I swam with my colleagues from St V's ED in the MS Mega Swim. A 24 hour relay swim at the Fitzroy Pool held to raise money for people with Multiple Sclerosis.

Although the "Saints & Swimmers" didn't whip up a frenzy in the pool, we had a jovial and fun time together and as always continuously ate, talked, laughed, exchanged bizarre anecdotal, crude and revealing stories.

This is the 5th year that we have participated. There is always great camaraderie within the team which consists of doctors, nurses & paramedics.

Some of our colleagues that have participated in previous years or who are unable to participate, and some of our family and friends often come to the pool (particualrly overnight) to bring us food, warm clothes and to cheer us on and support us.

Their humanity and spirit inspires me.

Felicita

A list of dreams was etched last year - a home by the sea, a career opportunity that challenges & inspires me, expression, creativity, synergy & passion.

Burning bright in the darkness

The Victorian Bush Fires on Saturday February 7th, 2009 devastated the homes, lives and communities of Marysville, Kinglake, Yea and neighboring areas. Hundreds of people died in their homes, huddled together in community halls, and in their cars as they tried to escape the fires.

The human suffering and loss of those directly involved in the bush fires is unimaginable.

Everyday I pray for those who have died, the family & friends of those still missing, for those who have survived and for all those individuals and professionals who had the courage to walk along side and help the people affected by the bush fires and to bring light in their darkest hour

Sand between our toes

The girls have just left and I find myself standing alone in the middle of this unfamiliar room with half sorted boxes, some empty bottles of beer and a Moscato d'Asti and I'm too excited to go to bed even though I'm physically exhausted.

After spending the entire day unpacking boxes, sorting, rearranging furniture, cleaning and settling into my new home in Elwood; tonight (as is our tradition) Suz, Jamilla & Lee came around to help me 'celebrate'.

Earlier in the evening when Jamilla yelled out to me to join her for a dip in the ocean, my mind was miles away. I was content to just stand by the waters edge talking to Suz & Lee. But with her familiar squeal (a mixture of joy and spunk)...

"Come on Jules You know you'll love it once your in.. Yeah it's a bit cold - but it's beautiful!"

The memory of past dares, joy and new beginnings blended into this moment and before I knew it I too was immersed it it's clear waters and crashing waves.

After a quick swim in the ocean and a spectacular sunset, we walked across the road and back to my place with some beach towels around our shoulders and sand between our toes. Then we lounged about on tossed pillows chatting as we ate angel hair pasta served with boccocinni cheese, cherry tomatoes and fresh basil and listened to the sound of the passing traffic.

I feel very happy and blessed right now. Good friends, the sea, and an Aussie Summer.

Now I'm looking forward to diving deep under my quilt and enjoying my first nights sleep in a provincial sleigh bed in my home by the sea.. and waking up in the morning to the smell of coffee.

No longer 'Fragile'

At 5:43pm this afternoon, The White Glove Removalists finished transporting my furniture and personal belongings from storage into my new abode in Elwood.

As I stood in the middle of the empty room, with the afternoon sun streaming in through the open doors and the music of the street humming in the background; I felt exhausted, but quietly content. I feel like I'm about to embark upon a new journey and I no longer feel "fragile" as I did when I packed my life into these boxes 2 years ago.

An exciting time

As I cycle to & from work in the early morning & late afternoon, the wind whips through my curls, the sun shines gently upon my face, and my spirit feels inspired.. it's an exciting and vibrant time. Since returning from Brisbane, life is buzz-ing with an array of wonderful opportunities.


On Tuesday I commenced my new position within the School of Nursing at ACU at the Melbourne campus (great city location); on Wednesday the papers from the Commune de Sedegliano arrived (after three months I have the documents I require to proceed with visa applications); on Friday I move into my beach side apartment in Elwood (...ahhh...) and relocate some of my treasures; and on the weekend I'm looking forward to catching up with the girls over a glass of wine as we overlook the sea and going sea kayaking "locally".

My heart melts

...with their sweet & innocent kisses.

Matthew & James

Pure joy & hope

It arrived in the mail today.... YEAH!!!

Passion

I want more passion ...much, much more passion in my life please.

Family

(above & left) Mum & Zia Pierina, (right) Jules, Zia pierina & Mum, (below) Kevin, Zia Pierina, Jules & Mum.

The language of my heart

My heart speaks a language that is sometimes foreign to me; but if I listen, breathe quietly and wait... the sensations and images become clearer and the steps towards the next opportunity become more tangible.

It can be done. What we dream and want our lives to be can be achieved. Naturally not everything can be achieved at once. Nor is it easy to fulfill our dreams. But I think we question too much. We need to have faith, give moments in our lives air and space to breathe and learn to trust and follow our hearts.

The Geography of Love

Glenda Burgess states that 'Our stories are not easily brushed aside...In the wake of my loss I realise that what we both wanted was unconditional love. Life distills in the elements of chaos and chance. The past is the only place my heart doesn't hurt. Oh what have I learned of atoms and love? They dance.

Our beginnings and our endings intersect in such particular, intimate geography.

Bris-vegas

Even though we were both aiming for a quiet time - we enveloped our week together with a myriad of conversations & activities - yoga & cycle classes at day break that caused our limbs to ache; dining with delightful & inspiring people; possibly the launch of a new career as the Dr's & Nurses florists; our creative minds were entertained at the Optimistic Exhibition at GOMA and later our taste buds were indulged with delicious gourmet seafood at their restaurant; we vainly compared the color and finish of nail vanishes at the Asian beautician salon; playfully got frock-ed up for your Cocktail PARTY; & enjoyed our night in accompanied by muscat wine, an antipasto platter an a gorgeous animation DVD called Wallie.

Thanks Jess for a love-ly time in cosmopolitan & sunny Bris-vegas.

Gym Girls at Meccah Bar, Brisbane

Jessica's fabulous 'four-oh' Birthday

On Saturday night I joined Jessica's family & friends to celebrate her 40th Birthday at the heritage listed 'Moreton Club' in Brisbane, Queensland.

It was a fabulous cocktail party! There were colorful & romantic roses in every corner, Manet style green & white striped shades over a fairy lit verandah, a magnificent view over the city of Brisbane, pink champagne, delicious cup cakes scattered with rose petals, inspiring speeches, the buzz of engaging chatter & joyful conversations & one very sexy women dressed in floor length midnight blue silk & chandelier earrings.

Australia Day

"Happy Australia Day" .. for we are young and free.

As Dorothea Mackellar wrote in the poem 'My Country'.
I love a sunburnt country,
A land of sweeping plains,
Of ragged mountain ranges,
Of droughts and flooded rains,
I love her far horizons,
I love her jewel-sea,
Her beauty and her terror -
The wide brown land for me!

Today as I celebrated Australia Day with the traditional back yard barbecue, wine & friends in Brisbane; I thought about all the immigrants that today adopted our Land of Oz as their future home.

Images from Sherrie's romantic home in Brighton, Brisbane.

Australia Day 2009.

What a joyful moment in the lives of these individuals and their families.

Advantage Point

30:30..to the spectators. The Australian Tennis Open 2009

Family & friends

Family and friends are what take you through life. The people I share my life with have a beautiful spirit. They give me intimacy, inspiration, expression, love & support.

My Melbourne

Scenes & random impressions of the Melbourne that I love and which continues to inspire and nurture me.

These scenes will evolve over the following 12 months.

Eastern Beach

Anna de Noailles

Il n’est rien de réel que le rêve et l’amour.

Anna de Noailles
1876-1933

Moi...

Although I'm in the midst of a brief summer sojourn from "Pursuing dreams", today after reading http://maypapers.blogspot.com/2009/01/16-things-about-me.html, I too was inspired to compile a list of things that describes Jules today.

A dreamer,
believe in justice, humanity & love,
described as passionate, creative, adventurous & sophisticated,
go beyond my comfort zone,
often smile,
feel alive when the wind whips through my hair & the sun rests on my skin,
feel nurtured by the friendship, laughter & love of family & friends,
a Renaissance soul living on a surf beach,
blond unruly curls & celestial blue eyes,
my perfect day combines adventure or art with intimacy,
a night owl,
aspire to owning a house on the beach,
would like to curate contemporary art,
a critical care nurse specialist,
excited about participating in a medical expedition in the Himalayan mountains of Tibet,
the thought of discovering 'another' part of the world excites me,
love... calligraphy, reading autobiographies & poetry, listening to the sound of the ocean & jazz music, cycling, kayaking, ocean-water swimming, hiking, visiting galleries, lighting candles in churches, contemporary dance & theatre, great cuisine, Moscato D'Asti, languages, the squeals and laughter of my nephews ...
& dreaming about meeting the love of my life.

Young dreams

A Melbourne Street scene.

Two thousand & nine

Happy New Year!

I don't know if I'm ready for a new year. Are you...? This year I'm not making a list of 'new resolutions' instead I'm simply going to follow my heart.