Places Archives - INSPIRING MAX

Celebrating Australia—Songs

January 25, 2015 inspiringmax

This long weekend Australians celebrate our nation’s birthday. The 26th January was chosen from the date from which we were settled—January 26th, 1788. Over the years we have developed into a multicultural nation. Because of this the 26th January,sees people from all nations gather to celebrate being and living in Australia. Today I would like to share with you three songs that make me proud to be Australian. They stir emotion in me wherever I am.

John Williamson is an Australian icon and this song reminds me of my time living in country New South Wales connecting with the land and its people.

This song describes the development of our multicultural nation. I remember it being acted out as a play when my children were in kindergarten and it was even more powerful.

I can still remember clearly 30 years ago when we were arriving back to Sydney from a South Pacific cruise, how stirring it was when “I still call Australia home” played through the air—bringing a smile to everyone’s face.

Connecting With Naure

January 20, 2015 inspiringmax

Tell us about the last experience you had that left you feeling fresh, energized, and rejuvenated. What was it that had such a positive effect on you?

I love spending time with nature. It energises me, makes me forget my troubles and grounds me. Nature is everywhere. Living in the city doesn’t mean I can’t connect. There are many ways within 15 minutes from my house or work place I can connect with nature. These include:

Walking barefoot on green grass anywhere
Enjoying the flowers in a local park
Sydney Harbour
Wetlands
Swimming in the harbour beaches and pools
Parramatta river
Mindfully walk around the neighbourhood looking and listening for wildlife

If I wanted a day out I could travel to the beach, bush or the mountains. Both of these are favourites of mine and I enjoy both in all seasons. In one of my early posts I discuss getting back to the beach for the first time in many years in late autumn.

Other ways I like to energise myself is to get amongst mother nature herself. I love watching sunrises and sunsets, playing in the rain, watching thunder storms particularly over the ocean and recently in Ottawa walking in the snow storms. So when I feel I need for a little or big pick me up, I connect with nature, energise myself and get on with the day.

https://dailypost.wordpress.com/dp_prompt/re-springing-your-step/

Silence

November 28, 2014November 24, 2014 inspiringmax

How would you cope if you were unable to access social media on a daily basis. Your choice was taken away. It is an interesting experience, which forces you to re think your priorities.

For the last two years, my husband and I have spent a week living in regional China—a place where everyone lives under the same rules. Everything is controlled by the government. This means Facebook is blocked and Google appears more limited than usual. Suddenly I felt isolated even though I knew ahead of time that this was the situation. I wasn’t blogging at the time so do not know about access to WordPress.

My adjustment was quick and as I had no choice I decided to immerse myself in the quiet. No knowledge of the outside world for at least a week, maybe two. As we were travelling alone in parts of the world that few white people go, most Chinese speak limited if any English, and we were unable to understand Chinese TV our communication was limited. We only had each other. I loved the silence and started to realise the time media and social media wastes.

When we arrived at our international hotel in Ghangzhou, by accident my husband discovered that we had access to Facebook again. I was so excited that this become my status update. On Facebook in China, I can’t believe it. We suddenly were connected to our world again. It did feel like we were breaking rules and definitely changed our holiday. We could find out what was happening at home and could communicate with other people again. This was fun but I am glad we got to experience the forced silence—it taught me a lot.

Weekly Photo Challenge: Angular

November 27, 2014November 24, 2014 inspiringmax

Not to put too fine a point on it, though this week, we challenge you to show us what “angular” means to you.

Shangxiajiu Pedestrian Street—one of Guangzhou’s popular shopping precincts is full of angles and bright lights. Our hotel was on this stretch, which allowed us to enjoy it regularly.

http://dailypost.wordpress.com/dp_photo_challenge/angular/

Dr Sun Yat-sen’s Mausoleum

November 21, 2014November 21, 2014 inspiringmax

It’s a swarm! Show us something that overruns your scene, but observe and compose carefully before you click the shutter.

In 2102, we visited Dr Sun Yat-sen’s Mausoleum, Purple Mountain, Nanjing, China. It was an amazing experience. Swarms of people paying their respects to the father of modern China. I had never seen so many people. As I learnt more about this man and early China—I understood why they came. He changed their lives forever.

http://dailypost.wordpress.com/dp_assignment/photography-101-swarm/

Canton Tower

November 18, 2014 inspiringmax

Built for the Asian Games in 2010 Canton Tower, Guangzhou is one of the world’s tallest building—4th in 2013 although the order changes quickly. Situated on the banks of the Pearl River—Canton Tower is home to the world’s highest horizontal ferris wheel and is the world’s tallest TV tower. It was spectacular to see from the ground. Unfortunately, due to the heat and time constraints, we were unable to go to the top. We will plan our visit better next time.

Weekly Photo Challenge: Refraction

October 18, 2014 inspiringmax

This week, let’s play with light! Show us what refraction means to you.

Vivid Sydney is an annual light, music and technology event held every year in May and June. It is a unique event—sometimes described as the world’s largest art gallery. This years festival highlights include:

Definitely worth venturing out on a winter night to see if you are in Sydney at this time of year.

http://dailypost.wordpress.com/dp_photo_challenge/refraction/

On Our Block

May 25, 2014May 25, 2014 inspiringmax

First my eyes, then my nose felt it. Yes, irritation was in the air. All over my block, pollen had fallen like snow and was covering the road like a quilt, leaving outlines of the cars after they had driven off. As it doesn’t snow in Sydney, I had never seen anything fall so intensely to leave a shape behind.

My suburb was built for the Sydney Olympics and is heavily planted with Australian native trees and shrubs which makes it unique. To this day under the community title, it is a requirement that all gardens have a high percentage of Australian native plants. At present, it is the flowering eucalyptus blooms (see below) that lines every street that are turning the suburb beige, and irritating people’s hay fever.

2014-05-22 06.55.33

The tall eucalyptus trees are approximately twenty years old and bring a lots of bird life to the area. Every morning as I walk out the front door, I hear a choir of birds calling to each other as they fly off. This gives the suburb a very Australian feel, which is unusual in the city. High up in the eucalyptus tree on our side fence lives a very cute possum whom we have nicknamed Tom. Every evening after dark, he comes to life screeching as he defends his territory and running and thumping across our roof as he plays. He once tried eating our lemons but thankfully, they were too sour for him.

Tom Possum

I love my block. It is a great part of the world to live. Close enough to feel the energy from Sydney Olympic Park and yet far enough away that most of Sydney does not even realize it is here. Hiding, tucked up in its own little enclosure surrounded by two of Sydney’s busiest roads and a jail on the third side.

Street View (ANZ Stadium in background)

As I enjoy the natural beauty of the fallen pollen on our block until the wind blows it away, I will treat the symptoms of my irritation as they arise. Who knows over time I may even desensitize to the effects of the pollen, while I enjoy living among the gum trees.