Posted in Adoption, Children, Family, Fun, Island life, Seychelles, Uncategorized on October 27, 2008| 2 Comments »
This new format here on WordPress had me tearing my hair out over posting photos … basically, I can’t. Anyone interested in seeing shots of the kids from yesterday’s trip with Magnar to ride the horses can find them on my facebook page.
Now, if someone can explain to me why the add media dohicky does nothing I’d be right pleased.
Posted in Adoption, Children, Family, International Adoption, Island life, Older women, Seychelles on October 8, 2008| 5 Comments »
So, there’s a new computer on the way, and in the meantime I’m using Sam’s. It does the job, thankfully. It’s Gay’s old one … another Mac, of course … so I’m able to do most of what I could do before, but am reticent to pack it full of my stuff when its real duty is to let my son draw and paint and play “Green Eggs & Ham” endlessly.
That’s for starters …
Moving right along, if you’re a facebook friend of mine you already know that I’m madly in love and within days of living happily ever after. Yep. That light at the end of the tunnel I thought was nothing more than the headlights of an approaching train turns out to be the brightest point of a very bright future. Wow. I’m stunned and can’t wipe the silly grin off my face. Details to follow.
And … learned today that Mark’s girlfriend is 7 months pregnant, which means she managed to purchase her insurance policy minutes after he moved out of the house. I’ve wished him well and offered to babysit.
Sam and Cj are doing well, and although it’s not been easy getting the ground under their feet to steady, it’s been so worth it. Cj is loving school. Sam is brilliant, as always. Both are movin’ with the groovin’.
The wrap? Life doesn’t suck, after all, and it often makes a lot of sense when you look at it backwards.
Posted in Adoption, Cambodia, Children, Family, Fun, International Adoption, Island life, NaBloPoMo, Seychelles, tagged Cambodia, cars, NaBloPoMo on September 19, 2008| 9 Comments »
Cj and Sam on the first day of school
This is Cj’s first school experience, and she’s adjusting as well as she possibly can. Today finished her second week, and her present tactic is to decide during the drive to town whether or not she’ll cry.
Yesterday, the choice was a no. Today she informed me that she would cry, but not for very long. She does ask at least 10 times while we’re on the road if I will pick her up when school is out, but with reassurance … and me being there every day, of course … she’s learning to trust that school is a day thing that comes to an end when Mom shows up.
Sam is thrilled to be back, in a new class and with old friends. He has such a love of learning that every day is fun and satisfying for him. He’s reading well now, and that’s making him happy, as he’s determined to read all the Harry Potter books and Lord of the Rings before he’s seven. We’ll see about that, but he’s well on his way.
He had a bit of an issue with some newer kids insisting that’s he’s Chinese, but has now informed them all proudly that he was born in Cambodia AND is also Seychellois, British and American, an “international kid”!
On other fronts, I’m working on a couple of stories, trying to gear myself up to doing the “write a novel in November” thing for NaBloPoMo squared, and doing my best to figure out which car I should buy, since I soon will need one of my own. The choices here aren’t wide-ranging, but I’m getting some excellent advice from good friends and should have all the info I need and a decision made soon. It would be easier if I cared what I drive, but as long as the thing starts when I turn the key and gets me from A to B I’m completely unfazed by model, color and all the other blah, blah involved. Of course, Cj wants a pink one.
Amazingly, life goes on, and it’s not half bad these days. Well, it’s about 50/50, and that’s one hell of a lot better than it was a few months ago.
While I’m at it, I’d like to take this space to thank all of you who have sent such wonderful support my way. I love you all, even … maybe even especially … those I will never meet in person but who care so much over great distances. You have helped me more than you can even know, and my appreciation is deep and lifelong.
Posted in Fun, I wanna, Island life, Seychelles, Younger men, tagged dating, facebook on September 14, 2008| 4 Comments »
Is it a part of the healing process when one suddenly decides to “be friends” with men all over the world and chat for hours? Ya got me, but that’s what I’m up to at the moment. I’ll admit it … I’m a FaceBook junkie all of a sudden, even though I’m still pretty clueless on most of the ins and outs of the site.
Am not completely a shut-in, though, as I did go to the movies last night. First time I’ve done that here in 8 years or so, but when Magnar the Magnificent insists he gets me out of the house, I go along willingly. Saw “Wanted” and totally enjoyed it and the whole evening.
Posted in American thoughts, Elections USA, Island life, The USA from the outside in, World politics, tagged CNN, Obama on August 29, 2008| 11 Comments »
The title of this post is not one I expected to ever write nor an emotion I would experience, but this morning I am most certainly missing being in the loop of the US political scene.
My measly one hour of CNN consisted of commentary of Obama’s speech at the convention, and although it was conducted with more enthusiasm than I’ve seen from some of the folks at the network than usual, I get the sense that an historical moment passed me by … one that I would have enjoyed a whole heck of a lot, too.
As mentioned in my previous post, my daughter is stumping for Obama in North Carolina and thrilled to be doing so. Having not seen her jazzed about national affairs like this ever before, my 1960’s protesting soul is thrilled at her passion, and her choice of direction for aiming that passion pleases me.
I recently read “The Audacity of Hope”, my first introduction into Barack beyond soundbites, and found only one topic to disagree with in the entire book. (I’m not a fan of bio fuels, ethanol especially, and consider them an unacceptable compromise over fossil fuels that’s going to bite the world in the butt big time.)
For the past eight years, I’ve been living as an embarrassed expat apologizing for GW Bush and wondering how in hell such a stupid man got the job of President … TWICE … which caused no end of worry over what the hell my fellow Americans could possibly be thinking.
Finally, finally, there’s something I can understand happening, a process and a conclusion (so far) that makes sense on many levels, and a hopefulness in the air that’s not been detectable, much less breathable, in a very long time.
So, yes, I find myself missing the politics of today’s America, the hype, the groove, the zeal and wholehearted and hopeful commitment that has grabbed a generation with little example in living memory of happy days being here again.
I will, of course, be voting, as every vote DOES count, and following the campaign as I can from here with my limited TV and painfully slow Internet, and while doing so I’ll be envying all of you there the national frisson that’s taken hold, shaken things up and has so many so hopeful.
Enjoy the ride, and keep up the good work!
Posted in Family, Fun, Island life, Older women, On getting older, Seychelles, Younger men, tagged healing, strappy sandals on August 10, 2008| 5 Comments »
No, I’m not writing about empty places in my life that need filling, but rather a pair of strappy sandals with a three-and-a-half inch heel that was delivered on Friday.
One thing possibly not noticeable in the many photos posted of my husband and me together is the fact that I am 5’9″ and he is a touch over 5’7″. Not that that ever made any difference that I was aware of … although I suspect his new girlfriend, much shorter than he is, does add to how he now considers his stature … as I’d been married to a tall guy who made my life miserable, so a short, kind and loving man was fine by me.
Now that the “kind and loving” bits are hard to find, Mark’s smallness has become a feature I am more aware of, and the fact that I’ve spent the last 15 years in flats tweaks a tiny resentment.
Of course, living where I do, flip-flops are de rigeur. Thanks primarily to my mother I have quite the collection of fancy ones that fit most occasions, and I will continue to sport over-spangled, fancy beach shoes for years to come.
I have, however, missed the dressier, snazzier, sexier footwear that comes with extra inches. No more. This weekend, I strapped ’em on and went out.
I had forgotten how different the world looks from six-feet-plus up, and also the impression I make walking into a room at full height in full glory … dressed to the nines, makeup accentuating my positives and a head above the crowd.
Yep. Apparently, I still have something of myself left that catches eyes and compliments, and how much do I need that at this point in my life? One hell of a lot.
Little did I know how far those extra 6 inches (three per foot) would take my self-image, my confidence and self respect. It was quite a pump, and one I fully intend to take advantage of as often as possible.
Hooray for sexy shoes and the benefits of. They’ve taken me more than a few steps forward in the process of healing, and felt very good while doing so.
Posted in Adoption, Children, Family, Fun, Island life, Seychelles on July 27, 2008| 6 Comments »
Although I write … or usually can write when I’m not as depleted as I’ve been lately … any other artistic skills escape me. My oldest daughter is a wonderful artist, as is my youngest son, and my older son is a musician, but I live within the limitations of words.
This being a rainy day in Seychelles and me doing what I can to keep the kids busy, happy and living with a semblance of normal life, we needed a project for this dreary Sunday. With some donations of scraps and bits from my dear friend, Andrew, we made sock puppets; then Sam put on puppet shows for Cj and me.
Good thing the kids aren’t too picky about perfection in puppets, as my design and application leave a lot to be desired. Working together helped, even though I now have about 3 dozen tiny holes in my fingers.
It’s so good that some things still bring such a big smile with them.
Sam and Cj with their puppets
Up close and personal
Backstage at the puppet show
Posted in Island life, Seychelles on June 23, 2008| 8 Comments »
Below is a link to a site someone set up in response to the whole Moronic Miguel miasma. I have no idea who wrote and posted this, but am pleased and thankful nonetheless that someone took the time to address this topic with informed opinion and reasonable thinking.
You may or may not want to click on the links to his trash, as he seems to get off on every hit and live under the illusion that they make him important or viable or a real man … or something.
http://www.rawpinions.com/he-just-wants-to-shoot-filmsand-make-everyones-lives-miserable
Posted in Family, Island life, Seychelles, Writing for a living, tagged "Papaya ... and other seeds" on June 16, 2008| 17 Comments »
A year ago last April, Paradise Preoccupied was born. It came about as a spill over from all the stuff I wasn’t allowed to write about on adoption dot com, much considered “off topic” … some of which actually was … and the frustration I felt as being so stifled.
Life was so much different all those months and 199 posts ago, that I can only grasp the fringes of who I was then … that enthusiastic, secure, passionate, opinionated woman who felt her feet on firm ground and her hand never far from the tremendous support of a husband/best friend who would always be there for her.
Being the 200th post, though, means this has to have some future to it, and very fortunately I have a week coming up that has a bright side.
Tomorrow I’m scheduled to receive 300 copies of my book of short stories, “Papaya … and other seeds”, and begin working on marketing it for sale locally. The National Arts Council will be hosting a launch party for the book at which Sam and I will be signing copies. (Sam provided illustrations and is looking forward to autographing some, although I suspect he’ll tire of the endeavor before the demand slacks.)
A large banner will be going up on one of the main roads in town that just happens to be along Mark’s route to work that will tout the book with the cover and a photo of me along with some copy pitching sales, and I must admit to getting some enjoyment out of whatever annoyance factor this might cause his girlfriend, and him, too, actually.
I hope to have a site set up for Internet sales through PayPal soon for those not able to drop into a local bookshop in Victoria, but still interested in a copy.
I’m looking forward to July now, as the the 1st should see the public presentations, and the 4th will most likely be the date for the launch party. Although not a holiday here, Independence Day will hold some meaning for me if all this comes to pass as planned.
I am cautious in my excitement at this point, as things can always go awry, as I so well know, but I am very glad to have something positive to report for my 200th post.
Thanks to all who have been reading me since I started these writings from Paradise and welcome to anyone who happens to stumble across and decide to hang around a while.
I can’t tell you how much your support, advice and good wishes have helped me over the past months, and I look forward to another 200 posts where more good will be reported than bad and we can get back to laughing at foibles and taking down bad guys from time to time.
Posted in England, Island life, Seychelles, Writing for a living on June 11, 2008| 11 Comments »
No, I’m not talking about my husband’s middle age crisis and resulting fallout, even though one reader … someone called Chris something, and I’m guessing is male … sent me a snotty comment that said with all the compassion and eloquence one might expect from someone taking the time to post, “Gee Sandra. Whine much?” in response to my last post.
This is a different kettle of fish altogether.
A couple of Friday evenings ago, my phone rang. On the other end of the line was a British journalist/broadcaster/agent interested in my work, my story, my favorite flavor of ice cream … whatever … wanting to speak to me about the potential of working together to get something going professionally that would be to our mutual benefit.
Now, the last time I got a lit agent it took me over 100 query letters before I was signed, so having a call out of the blue seems a much less frustrating way to go about promoting my work off-island, and considering the price of postage from here, a screaming deal since he was paying for the call. His staff has been following my writing and he apparently feels there’s merit to my output. Goodie.
Now the “word gets around bit” that illustrates island life so well.
He’s in England, right? He knows I live in Seychelles and write on the Net, so Googles me and learns I used to work for Paradise FM radio, a division of SBC (Seychelles Broadcasting Company) … and, by the way, I may be going back there for a one-day-a-week show … so he phones SBC.
They know me, yes, but no one he finds has my phone number. One person, however, happens to know that the kids and I regularly eat out Friday evenings at local cafe. He calls there and speaks to the owner, who after some fairly intense questioning decides to pass along my home number.
Five minutes later, my phone is ringing and our conversation begins.
Can you imagine this happening in any other country? Yes, it is a small world, but this island is still special in so many ways.
By the way, he’s still phoning and we’re talking, so there may be more to this story developing over time. Fingers crossed, please, that this is light at the end of one tunnel, not the headlight of an approaching train.
A collection of my short stories:
I'm in this one, too ...
And I'm in here, as well ...
| M | T | W | T | F | S | S |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | ||||||
| 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 |
| 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 |
| 16 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 20 | 21 | 22 |
| 23 | 24 | 25 | 26 | 27 | 28 | |
Paradise Preoccupied 