What Did Today Mean To You?

Today marks exactly 3 months out from my departure for Kathmandu and the start of my Everest Base Camp adventure.

Today I began my course of injections to make sure that my body doesn’t fall victim to any of those little bugs that attempt to infest our insides when we move away from our own little corner of the world.

Today my arm hurt.

Today another girl child in Nepal married because that’s what was expected of her.

Today her life was changed – for the worse.

Sabita and her son

Sabita, aged 16, has an eight-month-old baby boy. She was married in 2010, when she was 14.

Sabita said, “When I was 14, my family started talking about my marriage which I couldn’t deny as this is the tradition in our village, it was a kind of pressure.

“We are poor. My mother and my brother used to work as labourers. I had to drop out from school when I was in grade two. During my first pregnancy, I wasn’t feeling well. I vomited and couldn’t eat anything except milk. Now, my baby boy isn’t very healthy. I realise my life has been negatively changed after getting married at early age.”

As a grandmother I am enormously grateful that my grandaughters will have the choice to be who they choose to be and will not be forced into a life that will inhibit their creativity and stifle their drive and their determination to succeed in whatever they choose to do in life.

The fact that I have the ability and the freedom to visit a country where girls as young as twelve are forced into marriage and motherhood well before they are ready startles me at times. The lives that we lead are so far removed from those who live only a plane ride away.

Help me to help these girls by donating to the Because I’m a Girl Campaign as I trek to Everest Base Camp in May. Make my efforts worthwhile. Please.

Just visit my donate page at Plan International and pledge your support – you’ll be helping these girls to help themselves.

Weather Extremes

I dedicate this post to my online friends in the northern hemisphere who are currently in the grip of severely inclement weather, mainly in the form of snow, not just ordinary snow flurries but the heavy falls that manage to make international news.

As I sit in airconditioned comfort in my lounge room, with the weather gods threatening temperatures over 40 degrees celsius here for the next 3 days, I watch as the news bulletin broadcasts scenes of snow lashed Massachusetts.

Meanwhile, Blonde from BlondeBrunetteTravel bemoans the grim weather in her hometown of Boston on Facebook. The airport is closed and the news readers tell us that the authorities are threatening prosecution to anyone who ignores the severe weather warnings and ventures where they shouldn’t.

Here in Perth we just cook if we step outside.

Talk about extremes!

Is there anywhere in the world that is just right at the moment?

(The snow photo is courtesy of BlondeBrunetteTravel – please pop over and check out the antics of these sisters, trust me – it’s well worth a look see)

A Word a Week Photo Challenge – Island

It seems I preempted this week’s challenge when I published my post on Santorini a couple of weeks ago. This weeks Word a Week Photo Challenge set by Sue over at A Word In Your Ear is ‘Island.’

So, I thought I’d take you to another beautiful Greek island, Crete. We spent 3 weeks there a few years ago staying in a wonderful villa with its own pool and views over the ocean. Many a pleasant evening was spent eating dinner on the balcony of my room, drinking the local red wine or the lethal Greek Metaxa, as the sun set casting a pink glow over the town below.

Yet another place I would love to go back to.

Seek Wisdom

With Old Testament origins  ‘Seek Wisdom’ is the motto of the University of Western Australia, which this year celebrates its 100^th anniversary.

In March 1913 it accepted its first students in a collection of timber and corrugated iron buildings in Irwin St. In contrast, the site today, on the banks of the Swan River in Crawley, welcomes new students into beautifully landscaped, tranquil grounds while its historic Winthrop Hall can’t help but inspire those who study under its gaze.

Yesterday I took a walk through the quiet grounds, before the influx of students for the beginning of the new semester in a couple of week’s time. The University of Western Australia holds a special place in my heart. This campus, its historic buildings, those who come to learn and those willing to impart their hard earned knowledge to those keen to make a difference were instrumental in defining for me who I am, who I thought I was, where I’ve been and where I’m going.

As I sat in Winthrop Hall in my fortieth year surrounded by other prospective students and the echoes of those that had forged a tradition and as I listened to the passion of those extolling the virtues of this university I began to understand the possibilities. I believed that I could and I vowed that one day I would be standing on that stage accepting that piece of paper that would show that I had.

With determination, perseverance, a lot of encouragement and the occasional kick up the proverbial from well meaning friends, I did what I set out to do – and more. I gained that wisdom and it wasn’t just facts and figures, it was a deeper understanding of that inexplicable thing that is life. I discussed, I pondered, I questioned and I learnt.

In the tranquil surrounds yesterday, when my intention was simply to take a few photos for this post, I found myself remembering and reflecting.

If you’re ever in Perth the beautiful grounds of this university are well worth a visit, here’s why …..

The Sunken Gardens – a popular spot for weddings.

The gnarled trunk of a tree equally as old as the university, if not older.

One of the permanent residents of the Arts faculty – these peacocks and peahens roam freely throughout the grounds.

And directly across the road!