Happy Birthday, to Me!

As of today, at around 05:00 AM ( I believe), I am 41 years old.

It has actually been a good year. Challenging on many different levels, oh yes, but on the whole, as good a year as I could have hoped for. I feel I grew, and changed. That I was able to move ahead on many important levels, and that I have come through a year of transformation transformed.

I feel I own who I am with much more honesty, and that I like what I own. For the most part, I guess.

So, here I stand before you, a man who made his fortieth year work for him. Ta dah!

I acknowledge the people who helped me get here, they are many and varied. They are honored forever for how they helped me through the darkest days and nights. Most of all, my eternal love and devotion, my heart-wall thanks, are to my beloved man.

This year is to be one of adventure and the scaling of mountains. Rivers await forging, and island sunsets beckon to us to linger near. Boundaries are to be broken down, and strong sweet-smelling gardens await planting. Meals to be cooked with tenderness, and consumed with delight. Lullaby's anticipate singing. Small and tender fingers wrapping and unwrapping around ours.

May I be blessed with wisdom and good counsel.

May I enter this year with intention and spontaneity in healthy balance.

May I be quick to praise, and slow to criticize.

May I find joy and satisfaction in the work of my hands, and be able to know I do my utmost.

May my Love be multiplied and constantly present to me.

As I receive Love so shall I strive to give Love to everyone around me.

May I know - along with the ones I Love - Peace and Calm, Comfort and Rest.

"Under vines and fig trees" as the psalmist tells us.

With continual gratitude for all that I have been given to the One who gives it

(B'ruch Hu - B'ruch Sh'mo).

Hello 2008!

Sorry it's been such a wait between postings...busy, again, I guess.

The calendar pages have changed again, and we are - once again - mis-dating cheques, and marveling that it is "January 21st, already!" How did that happen? Time is a fickle master, I guess.

The past few weeks (since the last post) I have completed my orientation to Pre-Op Processing as well as the Ambulatory Surgical Centre. I can't say I really like of enjoy either, but I think the entire transfer process was all about learning new tricks and mastering old fears. No?

Our New Years Eve was quiet, but sweet. Dinner with beloved friends; a tasty home-cooked meal, complete with my very first ever attempt at baking a Pavlova (now you know what the hell that is up at the top of the page). I can now call myself a real Kiwi!

For those less fortunate souls who were not born in the Land-of-the-Large-White-Pav; a Pavlova is a meringue cake made of egg whites and sugar. Named for the famed Russian ballet dancer of the early 1900's it is light as air, and tastes divine. Like a fluffy white cloud, frosted with whipped cream and sliced fruit. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pavlova_(food)

There are pictures of it "fully dressed" but I have yet to procure them from my friends...

January has seen us become more busy with plans for our little family. Jobs have been applied for and offered, and the pitter-patter of tiny feet are being planned and plotted. This will prove a wonderfully expansive year, as we move ahead with our long-held plans.

"Watch this space", I guess...