Posted on Leave a comment

schapelle meets journalism at its worst

Place: New Norcia Reading Room

Poison: Vegemite on Toast

Favourite Things: Clunky Old and Slow Computers (makes you think more about what you’re doing!)

clip_image002.jpg

Yesterday I read Schapelle Corby’s autobiography and it was deeply concerning. When I was in Bali a couple of years ago, I went to visit her in jail, with no other intention than to pass on some gifts and encourage someone who was in a living nightmare. Whether guilty, innocent or caught up in some gross traffiking bungle, the jail is disgusting, the animals found crawling the floors are vile and no on deserves to live in the squalour she is submitted too.

Reading her autobiography I was appalled by supposed do gooders (esp Christians) who treated her with such disrespect and disdain. My family is in Bali right now, in fact my beautiful sister Jen is there and I assume she will go and visit the Bali 9 and/ or Schapelle and to think that she could be locked away in that living hell scares me to my core.

Why do we always think we have a right to find out the truth in someone’s everyday story? Why does the media rip families to shreds over information that is private, confidential and nobodies business!

My family has had a taste of the media and the ridiculous lies and outright fabricated stories that are touted as fact in disgusting excuses for journalism such as ‘The Sunday Times’ but I truly have no idea what it would be like to be hounded and chased, harrassed and pursued.

This last week has been a hard one for our family because ‘The Sunday Times’ printed a story that was completely false about us. ‘In the guise of free speech’ Jo Spagnolio’s writing should be published as a novel, rather than factual journalism and if he feels he has the right to hound my family, my Father (divorced from my Mother) Dad’s partner or whomever he can find connected to our family…

He should try a dose of his own medicine.

I respect great journalism and love what it brings to our society, but when Australia becomes tainted with the same brush of journalism like the Brittish tabloids and the American glossies, then I’m sorry but we have gone to far.

What’s happened to the good old aussie trait of believing the best in people? What’s happened to people being able to get on wtih their lives in peace and quiet? Journalists who earn their livings by finding the dog scraps under people’s tables deserve to sleep with them as well!

So Schapelle it would be arrogant of me to say I understand your situaton, because Jo Spagnoli’s poor excuse at journalism doesn’t even come close to your hell. But know that I am praying and believing the best for you.

Appalled

A

Posted on Leave a comment

sunbeams through a high window

Place: New Norcia

Poison: Diet Coke

Favourite Things: The stillness of a Library

ScottysWindowReflection2-m.jpg

As I sit here in the afternoon sun I am overwhelmed by the power of a well placed window, the reflection of a Australian Gum Tree and the sound of birds outside. To be somewhere that the only aural interuption is that of a Church Bell chiming the quartets of an hour is simply life changing.

How do we fill our lives with so much need? How do we think we can cope with the constant whitenoise of the television, radio and cars? What is it that fools us into believing we are living some sort of superior lifestyle when we lay on our beds completely stuffed?

Juxtaposing that with my desperate want to make a difference with my life, a life created with purpose, one not wanting to be wasted and aware of how much need I am faced with everyday. How does one face it?

How do we find balance amoungst the pressure? How do we stay sane amoungst the success…

Times of silence and reflection, times of balance and basking in the midday sun shining through a reading room window beackoning rest so desperately required…

Sunbeams a priceless gift of not only one who can catch them, but available to all. Sunbeams not created to cause cancer but refresh a weary soul. Sunbeams of light, love and solace.

A

Posted on Leave a comment

simplicity, stars and snoring

Place: New Norcia Reading Room

Poison: Vegemite on New Norcia Bread

Favourite Things: The window overlooking the grounds in the reading room

mother.jpg

I feel like I have been away forever, yet in time it only clocks on one day. There is something about New Norcia that completes my still o meter and brings inspiration at the drop of a eye lid.

The simplicity of life amoungst monks is tangible. There is not too much to think about it. there is not to much to worry about. All food and drinks are taken care of, back in the real world it takes me a few weeks to a month to read a book here I can read one in a day! No Television, no phone reception but the internet keeps me connected to one of my loves communcation. This start to the year has been quite manic and being up here makes me think why?

Who is pressing my speed o meter buttons, does anyone hold a gun to my head saying I must run at the speed of life or not accomplish my self obsessed need for success. I want to live simply.

Walking around the grounds last night on our way up to the pub for a lemon squash or two, Mum and I were spellbound by the stars and how much they glitter in the midst of much darkness. The darker a town is, (i.e the less light, less people, less industry etc) the more it allows the stars to shine on through. Which to me means better sleep, more rest and much contemplation of life in a slower lane.

Here’s a toast to the monks of the 1800’s who hauled the load away from Perth and created a Spanish oasis in the middle of nowhere as a monument and hideaway spot to honour God.

The bells are tolling, breakfast is calling, Mum is snoring!

Monkified

A

Posted on Leave a comment

CRAZINESS

Place: New Norica

Poison: Cashew Nuts

Favourite Things: My Mum and her snoring!

bryce.jpg

I have whisked away for a couple of days of silence, contemplation and Mum lovin! and oh how I love life.

Last night we said goodbye to another great friend ‘Bryce Green’ who is soon to grace the shores of the star spangled banner with his newly won green card. It made me think how great it is to do life sprinkled with craziness.

Bryce is one person that I can be one minute discussing life, love and our passions and the next screaming ‘Chicken and Nuts’ out the window of a speeding car, loving that craziness is not only for the insane.

In the midst of the speed of life, it is so refreshing to find people who are totally comitted to it yet crazy enough to not take it so seriously all the time.

Brycey I will miss you and your craziness the most. This just means I’ll have to visit LA more often.

Forever your unmarriable friend

A

Posted on Leave a comment

be light in the darkness

Place: My Office

Poison: Curry

Favourite Things: Claudine on the phone

Coming out of a big weekend, Easter, my God daughters first birthday, friends, family and general everyday life…I have tried so hard to stay strong in the midst of so much drama and wanting to be light in the darkness.

Its so easy to allow circumstances, rumour and life to weigh you down. But I totally believe we were born for so much more.

Here are some snapshots from Easter and Charlie’s first birthday.

IMG_6186.JPG

IMG_6198.JPG

Easter Pics: Best seen on this link www.elranchorelaxo.blogspot.com

To all my friends and family, Happy Easter. It is times like this that make me know how special Family truely is and how important that bond is together.

Mum you are inspirational in your grace, forgiveness and love!

Forever yours

A