My life and stuff

Thank you so much for taking the time to read my blog. My lecturer, George Veletsianos at the University of Manchester has made me set this up as part of my masters studies on emerging technology and education. I did actually start this blog in December off my own back, but didnt get further than thinking of a name.. and my own name too, not too imaginative! I was hoping for some followers but I only got 1, me...so hopefully more will come in the future.

I must say, I’m not too keen on exposing myself too much, and this is the thing about blogging and facebook and myspace and the rest of them… Why is it necessary to give out your age and birthday all the time on the www. I’ve always lied about my age-when I was younger I was older and now I’m older I want to be younger. Even when I was 25 I was moaning about being half a century. In some cultures like Egypt birthdays aren’t even celebrated-it’s just another year off your life!!!!

As for my life, in the words of Robert Frost “ I took the road less travelled by…” I started very predictably- married young, baked bread and made yoghurt, but always wanted something a bit more interesting or adventurous. Plus I hated the English and Irish weather. Sounds superficial, but the weather has a big impact on mood, or on my mood anyway. Those short grey days of winter. Dreaming of being in some sun-drenched tropical location biding your time waiting until the next holiday came along… not for me. Not that I dislike England, but I always wanted to be somewhere else. I even emigrated to Australia twice…in the Thatcher years. (sorry you Tory voters!)I found out the grass isn’t always greener sure enough. For all the amazing things that have happened and places I have experienced there have also been some rather dramatic events. One time me and a guide were held captive at knife point by 4 men for 3 hours. The place shall remain anonymous because I don’t want to ruin their burgeoning tourist trade.!!!!(But it’s close to where this picture was taken)

The thing that got me out of that scrape was mainly some understanding and knowledge of the culture. But, potentially a great danger because of the anger of the main attacker. I’ve never ever seen someone so angry, and I’ve been very angry myself at times L He turned out to be a transmigrant from Ambon who had lost all his family in the fighting there. I never reported it to the military police located right opposite my hotel because they would have gone right to their village and totally overreacted. Many of these beautiful places don’t enjoy the freedom of expression and safety which people should be so grateful for living in England.

I have also on occasion had the opportunity to help and assist prisoners. This is a cause which I feel quite strongly about. It’s amazing (or is it )how many people will turn their backs on people being held either on unreasonable charges or for good reason but extra harsh custodial sentences. Many say don’t get involved, but I do believe often to my detriment that I should get involved sometimes. I think as an expat British (American, Australian etc) from the western countries get much more respect, even nowadays. Rightly or wrongly certain embassy’s have more say and influence which does effect your way of life living abroad. The downside, and I hate to let the side down, is being a woman, but life would be so much easier if I were a man living in Asia or the Middle East

On a somewhat lighter note, I think animals are by far the best thing for me- Animals and nature. As you can see my photo holding the snake-Okay, I was in Tanah Lot in Bali and not in the deepest darkest jungle somewhere, but the happiness I get from watching or touching animals makes a difference to me. Also, peace and quiet is important. Yes, I do love all sorts of music, but peace and quiet and tranquillity are getting increasingly hard to find in this over-populated world, and this is of great value I think. As for my aims and hopes, well, the fact that I haven’t turned back down the path less trodden is that I’m still learning, trying to get more patient and less angry and hopefully more tolerant of people generally.. and living abroad allows me to do this. Also on the practical side, I am a career ESL teacher and my work means I must live abroad. Besides, England’s too expensive now!!!