second chance

So far, winter has been cold and rainy. But today dawned beautiful, coolish and sunny. I walked Jon to the bus stop, his last ever 343 for a while as he begins his new job next Wednesday at Milson's Point (which requires him to take the train) and then went for my rounds around our complex. It was so beautiful to be out even though i was overly dressed in two jumpers, a scarf and gloves (it looked really windy from inside my house!). I listened to songs on my mp3 player and just felt really happy, an emotion that thankfully followed me all the way home and miraculously is still present. My dad called and we had a nice chat for a bit. Even he commented on my cheerful voice. It must be the change in weather, a great sleep last night and the knowledge that i don't have many more exam papers to grade. Also the toasted sesame bagel with cream cheese and red rasberry jam and coffee i had for breakfast this morning.

I was reading House & Garden's "Hand crafted- beautiful things to create at home" the other night, a book i borrowed from the library as i was dashing out, enticed by the picture of a big white photo frame, fairy lights enclosed in white doilies and some pink tulips sitting on a desk with a canvas top on the front cover. Perusing through the photos, i decided i wanted that desk and that frame and those lights, and the make-up case (for the make-up i don't own?) and the socks and the blue scarf and everything else that was beautifully photographed. After discovering recently that my supervisor knits (and i saw some red wool and her knitting needles sitting on her armchair once- very endearing), i've had a strange desire to take up knitting too, not least because i want to be just like her when i grow up. Mel taught me to knit once and i reckon i wasn't doing too badly but i have forgotten everything now. Maybe this is a chance for me to take it up again. I will bring some wool and my needles back with me when i go home in July and ask my sewing/quilting/knitting/cooking/gardening extraordinaire auntie to teach me again. In between running aroung trying to get invitations/seating plans/whatever else i can't think about now finalised before i fly back to Sydney, where i will then run around handing out invites, coming up with the seating plan for our Sydney reception, getting the wedding favours, having my dress fitting, hair and make-up trial, GROWING our own flowers for the reception and flying to Townsville to attend Jon's youngest sister, Felicity's wedding. A run-on sentence seems to fit my schedule, don't you think? In three short months, i will be Mrs Rhodes and we can move on with life.

My English breakfast tea is finished, a sign that i must end this entry. No need to prepare dinner tonight because Jon is taking me to my favourite Indian restaurant for dinner. Then home to watch Casino Royale on dvd (speaking of dvds, we just paid $18 in late fines for 3 overnight dvds yesterday. Ouch. Never again.). My dad remarked during our phone conversation earlier what a lovely guy Jon is. And he is indeed quite lovely.
Now that's a sweet way to end an entry.

After the rainstorm came sanctuary

This must be love- a man who sits on your bed and waits for you to fall asleep before he leaves to go home. The same man who carries you from the couch to the room just because you ask him to and doesn't think twice about it. The same man who buys you a sunflower becaue "You're my sunflower." The one who warms your socks by the heater before putting it on your cold feet. The one who watches 'Anne of Green Gables' with you in the afternoon, after he's made you a perfect cup of English breakfast tea. The one who holds you when you think you cannot possibly live another day.

This must be love- the God who watches over you as you sleep at night. The same God who made sunflowers and peonies for your pleasure. The same God who knew my name even before i was born. The One who loves me even when i fail (and fail again). The One with the still small voice who whispers to me that everything will be ok. The One who will rejoice with me on the day i marry the man i love. The One who makes two white plastic bags come together to form a love heart just as i look out of my window ( see above picture) after a rainstorm.

Some days, it is only love that gets me through.