When I was single, I wondered if God was deaf. I mean, I was praying fervently for a husband. I prayed long. I prayed loud. I prayed often. When fellow Christians suggested I pray more, I was like, “You’re kidding, right?” I was the most praying person around. If my prayers had been money, I […]
You Are Here
Do you remember those theme parks we used to go to as kids? For me it was Australia’s Wonderland. It was a city of wonder indeed, filled with fast rides, and rollercoasters, and water rides, and chilled rides, and fairy floss, and every other kind of kiddie delight. That place was a maze. It had […]
Alone But Not Alone
I was recently in hospital. I will not divulge all the details, but suffice it to say it involved an overnight stay, a transfer and a lot of tests (no surprise on that one). While there, I was struck by how alone one can feel in a hospital. Even in a crowded ward with doctors […]
Surviving Valentine’s Day
Ugh. Not another Valentine’s Day. The Day when all romance is celebrating in a seemingly never-ending stream of chocolates, red roses and plush teddies holding cute little love hearts. Makes me wanna barf. (And I am its target demographic. Go figure.) And it is not just the rampant commercialism. Sure, I hate the overflow of […]
As A Guilty Mum
I have just watched an ad selling iPads to children. Well, not to children, obviously, to their parents who actually pay for them. Part of the back-to-school marketing onslaught, presumably. The ad appeals, like most parent-targeted marketing, to the importance of giving children a head-start in life. On the surface, this sounds positive and desirable. […]
Shared Spaces
I recently went to a certain nonspecific health centre for some. . . uh. . . woman-related tests. My female readers will probably know what I mean. (My male readers may possibly know as well.) I showed up for my appointment, checked in at reception, and went and sat down in the pastel-coloured waiting […]
Our Days Are Numbered
Why did the calendar get depressed? Because it felt like its days were numbered. Creatives are plagued with a sense of time constraint. They worry about getting things done, or not, as is often the case. This can be particularly problematic if you have a deadline to meet with money or other important things at […]
Big Ugly Spider
When I was a kid, I lived in a house with a big ugly spider outside the front door. We had a front verandah with a few concrete steps leading up to it. In front of these concrete steps was a lovely tree. Big Ugly Spider set up permanent residence in a web stretching high […]
New Fear’s Resolutions
Diets. Exercise. Stressing less. Every year people resolve to eat better, get fit and look after themselves. They set goals – realistic or otherwise – that reveal their hopes for the year that lies ahead. But for some of us, the coming of the new year is not heralded by fireworks and champagne. It is […]
3 Things I Love and 3 Things I Hate About Christmas
There are some who would call me the Grinch. To a certain degree, this is true. The commercialism, the happy facades, the endless pressure to be and feel a certain way can lead to a distinct feeling of drudgery of the soul. But before I clothe myself in black and shuffle down the road muttering […]