Hi G,
How are you ? Hope you are well and had a good weekend. Seems like a very long time since we caught up....what have you been up to ? I've seen a few piccies on your FB page of bushwalks, camping and South Africa - looks like you've been adventuring a fair bit. How is Mack ? your fam ? and Alex and Sue ?
I'm still at UTS and enjoying it though it is busy and intense as we're finishing 3 buildings this year. 1 down 2 to go. They renewed my contract for another 3 years so I'm very happy about that. Still paddling though not so regularly - club politics, or paddletics, are getting to me again so don't think I'll renew my membership next season. Happy doing coffee cruises with friends and rubber necking at wildlife (some things don't change). My fam is good. Mum and Dad just came back from 6 weeks oversees hiking, sightseeing etc in Europe. Nat and the kids are good though Andrew is recovering from an ankle operation so is getting waited on hand and foot (pun intended). Zak is very passionate about his surf photography; almost as much as Sally is about the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles !
Just thought I'd let you know that I've been seeing someone for just over a year now. His name is Paul and he's also a sustainability manager. We met at a David Suzuki lecture ! We are actually moving in together this coming weekend - up to Hornsby. Sad to leave my lovely little unit so close to the City but it feels right and I'm looking forward to more space, an actual backyard and not having to listen to my wannabe rock god neighbour strangling his guitar. Ahh the serenity. Just thought I'd let you know in case I post something on FB...
Anyways, would be good to hear your news. I hope you are happy, healthy and enjoying life :)
Ciao,
Dani
Hi Dani
When I was in South Africa in April, I went on a canoeing trip in the wilderness. One night I lay on the ground and looked out into the vast night sky and my thoughts turned to you as they sometimes do. I wished from the bottom of my heart that you were happy and well and that you'd found love with someone really special. As I wished it, three shooting stars shot out across the sky in instant succession. I was absolutely awe-struck as I'd never seen anything like it. And I was also filled with a great sense of peace that surely this was some kind of sign that everything was well with you.
I was so, so happy to read your e-mail the other night and to learn that this wasn't wishful thinking.
I'm sending you positive vibes as you move to Hornsby - that everything goes smoothly and beautifully. Hornsby may be further away from the city, but at least it is on a direct train line and you're always sure to get a seat. Think of all the great books you'll be able to read on your commute. Maybe even put your Kindle to great use. It will be lovely to have a backyard too. You'll be able to make up for last time with lots and lots of delicious barbecues.
You made me chuckle when you mentioned the irritating guitar player in your block. My neighbour has taken up the trumpet (of all things!) and he's been playing the same dreadful tune for months, often early in the morning, and never gets any better at it! I've seriously considered phoning him up at 4 am each morning to tell him how much I enjoy his playing.
You asked for some news from my side so here goes ...
2013, after our break up, was a very tough time for me emotionally. I found myself grappling with feelings, unimaginably deep, that left me reeling at times. It was also a time for deep reflection, and a time of great spiritual growth; a kind of opening of my heart that allowed me to feel emotions I've been blocking for years. A priceless gift, though painful at the time.
2014 has been a wonderful year, one of the happiest of my life. I spent nearly two months in South Africa and connected more deeply with my family than ever before, especially with my little nephew. On the Sydney front, I've thrown myself into many wonderful hiking adventures, capturing the wonder of nature with my camera as I go, and making some very special friendships along the way. My meditation practice keeps getting deeper and I feel more and more connected to something greater than me that I cannot name or define, nor would ever want to. It gives me an immense sense of calm and trust. I'm still playing tennis and my dodgy forearm has suddenly come right which means I just about always beat poor Brendan these days, much to his disgust! Work's going great and I still find time to work on my quotations project which I firmly believe is going to change the world of online quotes and earn me enough passive income to free me up to travel and photograph all the world's remaining wild places (I live in hope!)
On the romantic front, I made a conscious decision to stay single for a year after we split up; to focus instead on broadening my circle of friends and getting total clarity on what I wanted for my life. And then, in June this year, as if by clockwork, I fell for a lovely South African girl who I met through hiking. We got really close, but a few weeks ago she left for a year long sabbatical in Africa to train to be a nature guide and do volunteering which she's been planning to do for years. I'll join her next year to explore Mozambique together.
Mack is as gorgeous and wonderful as ever, although he's suffering a bit from what the vet thinks may be mild arthritis, so I'm not walking him as much as before. Liza is still a big part of his life. We always see the vet together and I think he is extremely curious as to the exact nature of our relationship. We so clearly have absolutely nothing in common. Except for an endless mutual adoration for a little furry creature. And that counts for everything.
You asked about Su and Alex. Well, a short while after we separated, Su happily announced that she was pregnant. She asked if they could continue to stay in the house after the baby was born. I immediately said yes, feeling it was meant to be. They got married in November at Balmoral Beach and I took photos. And then on Jan 15, beautiful little Amilie was born. She was the perfect baby, often sleeping 12 hours shifts, and just about never crying and I was a very proud and doting "uncle". Then in June, they decided to emigrate to Europe, and at the end of July they left and took their (my!!!) baby with them. I felt sad but very grateful to have experienced it all.
Your positive influence continues to live on in my life ...
- I still use my slow cooker often
- I've been to all the National Geographic presentations at the Opera House after enjoying Matthias Klum so very much (that was honestly the best present I think I ever got)
- I live in excited (almost cold turkey type) anticipation of the next series of Game of Thrones and The Walking Dead which you, of course, introduced me to (having now gone to the dark side and become a compulsive downloader of movies!)
- I continue to use the word "nana nap" to describe what has become a regular practice.
- I went to another fancy dress not so long ago, and wore my mullet again!!
- I still think of you when I have a mocha, though I've greatly cut down on my caffeine fix.
Anyway, that's enough news I'm sure. There's always tons more on my blog, which I continue to update religiously, much to the delight of my mum and my 80 year old self.
Wishing you all things wonderful. Plenty of happiness, joy, excitement, adventure, wonder, fun and laughter. A relationship full of love, connection, sharing, support and mutual discovery. And Saturday morning paddles jam packed with exhilarating wildlife sightings.
With love,
G
PS If you're looking to do an amazing but relatively unknown hike that's not far away, I can't recommend this one enough. You'd love it!!
PS PS If Zak ever puts his surf photos online, please send me the link as I'd love to see them. He and I seem to share so many passions.
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