Jan
31
2008
4

I’m home.

Kind of the loneliest journey back home I have ever made though.

Written by Anna Williams in: Uncategorized |
Jan
30
2008
6

I wonder…

… if I can break the 1000-visitor-to-my-blog barrier this month.

Written by Anna Williams in: Uncategorized |
Jan
29
2008
0

Medicine Men Go Wild

I have been watching a fascinating programme which started last week. It is called Medicine Men Go Wild. Identical twin doctors Chris and Xand van Tulleken who are both doctors are going off to various parts of the world to look at how various people groups deal with disease etc. Last week they were in a rainforest somewhere watching one of the local doctors treat a baby who had malaria. Eventually they had to intervene with Western medicine because the child would have died otherwise. Although they did make the comment that it was interesting that they had watched the local doctor treat the baby with herbal medicine and yet they were treating the baby with medication that was developed from a Chinese herb.

This weeks episode is pretty foul. They are looking at how people deal with pain and I have just witnessed a whole load of people having their tongues and cheeks pierced without any analgesia. What really made me want to puke though was watching a woman having a decaying tooth treated with a hot poker. All without pain relief. Grim but fascinating.

Mind you, it doesn’t hurt that the doctors are quite pretty 🙂

Written by Anna Williams in: Uncategorized |
Jan
28
2008
1

Why…

… can’t everyone be as great and organised as me?

I try really hard to keep a handle on my (large) caseload, seeing all my clients, doing the admin etc etc. So, what can’t some of my colleagues who are seeing far fewer people keep things up to date. It pisses me off! Also, I am sick of correcting their spelling, grammar and punctuation…. use a spellcheck!!!! It’s not complicated or time-consuming so just get on with it.

Written by Anna Williams in: Uncategorized |
Jan
27
2008
2

It can’t be bad

The church I have been going to used Percy Pig sweets as an illustration for tonight’s sermon. Yum.

Written by Anna Williams in: Uncategorized |
Jan
25
2008
3

Like one of the family

I have had a really bizarre evening. I went to a meal for newcomers at the little Anglican church I have been going to for the last few months. Now, I know the church is meant to be like family, but this really odd. One of the girls there said she was born in Guernsey and on further investigation it turns out that her dad and my mum are first cousins, which makes us second-cousins. Oh, and she only lives about a 10 minute walk from me. How weird is that?

Written by Anna Williams in: Uncategorized |
Jan
25
2008
0

RC Part 5 – Peace is Every Step

Peace is Every Step Along with all the novels I have read this month I have been reading Peace is Every Step by Thich Nhat Hanh. The author is a Vietnamese Zen master, poet and peace activist. In Vietnam he founded a movement which helped with the rebuilding of villages that were destroyed by the bombs and for helping to resettle the refugees from the war zones.
 
The book addresses the struggles of life and the things that frustrate and antagonise us and encourages the reader to deal with these things head on, but with compassion and integrity. Initially I really struggled with the first half of the book as it seemed a bit ‘fluffy' but the second half was much easier to understand. His take on suffering is fascinating as he encourages the reader to spend time with people who are suffering as this is what nourishes compassion and understanding. His writings remind me very much of the Catholic priest Henri Nouwen's writings, in particular his take on compassion and suffering. It seems to me that Henri Nouwen and Thich Nhat Hanh would have found much common ground, despite their different religious affiliations.
 
Here is one of my favourite quotes from the book…

“The source of love is deep within us, and we can help others realise a lot of happiness. One word, one action, or one thought can reduce another person's suffering and bring him joy. One word can find comfort and confidence, destroy doubt, help someone avoid a mistake, reconcile a conflict, or open the door to liberation. One action can save a person's life or help him take advantage of a rare opportunity. One thought can do the same, because thoughts always lead to words and actions. If love is in our heart, every thought, word and deed can bring about a miracle. Because understanding is the very foundation of love, words and actions that emerge from out love are always helpful.”

Written by Anna Williams in: Uncategorized |
Jan
24
2008
1

RC Part 4 – Chocolat by Joanne Harris

Chocolat Today’s book is Chocolat by Joanne Harris. I absolutely loved the film (which starred Johnny Depp, Juliette Binoche and Dame Judy Dench) and was hoping that the book stood up to expectation. It is gorgeous!! Better than the film in so many different ways.

The story is about Vianne Rocher and her daughter Anouk. They arrive in a small French village at the start of Lent where, to the disgust of some of the villagers and especially the parish priest, they set up a chocolaterie. The story charts the friendships that Vianne develops with some of the villagers and how she deals with the conflict their arrival in the town provokes. The story considers difference; both in relation to the religious and non-religious members of the community, but also the antipathy and fear the villagers have about the travellers who come to their town. The descriptions of the village were beautiful and a book that is all about chocolate has to be a bonus is my mind.

A lovely read and a book that will go back on my shelf to be re-read at some point in the future!!

Written by Anna Williams in: Uncategorized |
Jan
22
2008
6

Sadness

I feel stuck, and I feel sad and those two things seem inextricably linked at the moment.

Over the past few weeks about 4 different people have told me they are pregnant and whilst I am pleased for them I also feel this incredible sadness that I am still single and childless. I am trying hard to feel just pleasure for those people but because in my mind I feel as though I am failed it just reminds me of all the things I do not have. I acknowledge that I have amazing and consistent friends and yet somehow this isn't enough. I long to have someone there for me when I go home. Someone who wants to be with me, to go on holiday with, to cook for, to share work worries with and someone love and be loved by. And yet, this one thing seems to elude me.

Of course none of this is made any easier by the fact that in two weekend's time my younger sister is getting married for the second time. The biggest mark of failure on my life is that I have to go to her second wedding without ever having had the pleasure of going to my own. I don't want to go in so many ways, and yet I want her to be happy. Just the though of going makes me feel sick as I am not sure how I am going to cope. The temptation to dose myself up on diazepam is huge and yet I am not sure that will make things any better. It's hard to explain to my family this huge rift I feel within myself. They just think that I am being selfish and want me to ‘get over it' but it isn't that easy. I feel like for the last few years I have had to try and forget about what I want, because her needs have taken priority, and whilst I can manage that for so long it is becoming increasingly difficult to deny my true feelings. The difficulty is acknowledging that I feel bitter and jealous as that makes other people feel uncomfortable, and yet this is the reality.

For me 2007 was defined by sadness, loneliness and the feelings of failure, and it looks as though 2008 is going to continue in the same way.

Written by Anna Williams in: Uncategorized |
Jan
20
2008
4

Party on

I have had a brilliant (if exhausting) weekend. On Saturday morning Cal and I drove up to South Wales to see birdie and family. We were staying in a sixteenth century pub called The King’s Head which had decidedly wonky floors, especially in the bathroom and apparently had a ghost of an Alsatian dog. I have to admit that we didn’t see the dog, but then again I am not sure either Cal or I would have woken up as they beds were so comfy.

For Mr. birdie’s 30th birthday (which incidentally was actually last year, but who cares!) they had organised a party, with entertainment. It just happened that the entertainment was the very brilliant Brian Houston. He was amazing as usual, and it was great to see him in a small venue. As I didn’t have to drive I succeeded in getting through quite a bit of wine and gin, so it was a good night all round!!

7
15
16

Written by Anna Williams in: Uncategorized |

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