Brand new environment

Today I was put into a brand new environment.

I went with people who were very comfortable in the environment. They were like fish in water. Very natural and completely at ease.

I was not.

It was interesting to observe.

I did not know where to put my hands. I did not know what to say. I felt awkward. I was nervous.
I actually felt under pressure.

An hour or two later, I was back to my normality. My world. Safe and familiar.
I could breathe easily again.

So my reflection today is, when were you last out of your environment? What did you do to cope? How could you have prepared for it? And also, how can we help others, when they enter our environment? How can we be more senstive to their needs?

Maybe I should do this more often.

Protectors

What is nice about being bald is that I have discovered I have many protectors.

You may have noticed that following my blog last week called "It is what you do not say", I received a few different comments on the blog with different opinons. I also had a swarm of texts from those of you who know me, wanting to offer their support and opinions. Thanks for them. I liked receiving them.

How lovely that I created this reaction in my readers.

How lovely that many of you want to protect me.

How lovely that you are following my journey and encourage me to continue.

The opinions on what I "should" do next are varied (remeber the "Should monkey" blog:-) ). And all of them are right. But the path I will take will be mine.

I listen to what anyone has to say then I chose my journey. I would go as far as to say that the journey choses me.

However it is wonderful to know that many of you are fiercely protecting me.

Thank you.

One year on

So it is one year since we touched down.

The wheels of the aeroplane landed on the tarmac in Zurich. Early morning. April 1st 2014.

We have been back "home" now for one year.

It has been a wonderful year, full of ups and downs, mainly ups.

So what has happened since then

1. Our friends are our real friends. If anything our friendships have gotten deeper.
2. We still speak, email and laugh with our Canadian friends,
3. My husband opened a Beer Brewing club - on the very day we landed. 1 year later. Coincidence???
4. We have travelled a little around Europe, enjoying the proximity of the countries
5. I have a new job, which is my dream job, which I love
6. We have lots of plans to look forward to
7. We have seen our family a little more
8. I have given up ice hockey :-( it just didnt work here
9. We have redone the garden
10. We bought, renovated and rented another house.
11. My little girl started school

So lots of things in a year. Some big. Some small.

We are very happy to be here. Very happy to be home.

I believe a full cycle is needed to understand where you live.
One Spring. One Summer. One Autumn. One Winter.

What have you done this last year?