Shooting people

Another day, another blog, another story to share. I look forward to the day where I don’t have the finger muscle capacity to capture it all digitally for you. So in preparation for Nepal I have most definitely up graded my DSLR. There are three plans for Nepal- work with women (preferably almightily pregger ones), hike and take more photos than my CF card can handle. Now for the record I’m in no way, shape or form a photographer. I thoroughly enjoy taking photos and covering my walls with them, but I’m no better than the average person with an excellent camera. In saying that though, the only people I know that take more photos than me for the fun of it are paid photographers. I’m not sure of what to make of that. I mostly enjoy portraiture and macro photography. I do love a good sunset, or if I’m uber enthusiastic in the morning, sunrises aren’t so bad either. I have more photos of flowers on my portable hard drive than I know what to do with. They are usually my subjects purely because they are willing and Ma likes gardening so they are available. The way their colours react to morning and evening light definitely helps their case as to why they should be shot down by me.

It takes effort to shoot a sunrise or sunset. It really does. I have to get my boots on, trudge my way through the bush (so it happens to be next to my house but that’s beside the point), go to my little cliff face clearing and wait. Then, chances are the clouds will decide to audibly laugh at me by inhabiting the souls of kookaburras momentarily, followed by their congregation right over my focus point. Mother earth one, Kate zero. At this point I feel like my time is wasted. Not much good comes out of one massive clump of clouds. That is until I feel compelled to sit and wait around in silence. Alas, I get asked one question off hand, when no one is around more frequently than I ever imagined. “How do you know God loves you?”. Easy answer. One day God asked me what my favourite colour was- pink. From then on He has shown it to me every morning and every evening. The clouds might have ruined my photo opportunity, but if I wait around, I’ll see that God loves me. His love never fails.

On a whole other perspective, during one sunset shoot attempt. Conveniently a cloud smothered failure. I thought of how much I will miss the smell of eucalyptus trees and seeing the sunset over them in the evenings. That was until I remembered that no matter where I go, the sun will follow, and so will my pink sky. How beautiful it is that my sunset is someone else’s rise. That somewhere else in the world someone is pausing their to-do list to breathe in life and the glory that is God.

I am so excited to share portraits of worn, weary, yet joyful and appreciative faces with people at home. At the end of the day the Nepalese landscape is gorgeous, but it’s the people I am going for. If I’m blessed I’ll get a good face in front of a pink sky and know that God loves them too.

xx

Update: Nepal is turning me into a headband wearing woman. Currently I look like I’m wearing a turban. The fact that I have gone 12 days without a hair straightener is to be credited for this situation. I have to be honest, having the trusty old straightener die on me has been incredibly good practice for Nepal. I have also learnt that this trip is far more God ordained than I ever imagined it would be. My mind continues to be blown.

"And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose"- Romans 8:28

Life giving juice

Anyone who knows me at surface level knows I'm into helping people in some way. Anyone who knows me below surface level knows I'm into donating what I have readily available to someone who doesn't. As I'm still a poor uni student, that means being a regular blood donor and being on the mone marrow donor registry. I have precious and healthy cells rocking inside of me, continuously being produced and thrown away. I have an abundance of them while a tonne of people don't. I'm aware not everyone shares a similar opinion, but I feel selfish keeping everything to myself. If you consider blood as you do money- you work for it, gain it, store it and then say goodbye to it by spending it, its sort of simplified. I feel it is my duty and an honour to help those in need. If a little old lady dropped her groceries, the good thing to do would be to pick them up. If the same little old lady dropped her groceries because she was so fatigued due to having a low red blood cell count, I'd stick out my arm in an instant (while picking the groceries up with my other arm).

Now, unfortunately hip young peeps my age don't get so see the effects of donated blood. It really is unfortunate, because that life giving juice does amazing work. I've seen many blood transfusions as a nursing student. It has literally given life back to people! I fondly remember a young man with a young family suffering from leukaemia. Many blood transfusions replaced the cells destroyed by cancer and kept him alive to be with his family. I wish you could see the good it does. Until you do, trust me, it's amazing. Doctors can't save people without blood.

What does this have to do with Nepal? Valid question I hear you ask. Two risks posed to me in Nepal (however minor) are Malaria and Rabies. If I do not have the Rabies vaccine, I cannot donate blood for 12months upon returning from my trip. I am up for around $350 to vaccinate myself against a disease that I am highly unlikely to contract. I can't stand the thought of knowing over a 12 months period, I could make 4 donations and take part in saving 12 lives. The comparison between $350 and an individuals life is incomparable! So, more needles it is.

I'm not into shoving this sort of thing down people's throats, but there are so many excuses as to why people don't give blood. Some are valid, definately, others not. I give knowing that there is a chance either my mum, aunty or brother will need blood at some point in their lives. That's a statistic. Until then I know I have helped someone elses mum, aunty or brother.

I'm going to let this daggy teenage guy do some of the talking for me. He sums it up real well.

http://www.donateblood.com.au/videos/i-do-blood

So today I have exactly 100 days until I leave for Nepal, and I can't imagine sharing anything more important than blood donation on my most pertinent countdown point. Im sticking my arm out in just under a fortnight and would be more than happy to have a blood buddy with me. Who knows, maybe we could have a free milkshake afterwards!

xx

I woke up today in a very simple way

I am incredibly grateful for the life that I've been given. I don't have everything served up to me on a silver platter, but I am aware that I have it alot eaasier than 95% of the worlds population. One thing that I am incredibly grateful for is choice. I'm not limited by time, people or education. Of course there are some times we have options, but the options choose us. That's life, thats God.

This is a season where I'm remembering everything that truly matters in life. I'm quite ok with the fact that I'm having this mid-life crisis season now, it means I won't waste tomorrow, but more importantly today. I could choose almost any path in life I wanted. I had the option of studying medicine, I've toyed with the idea of doing my PhD, I'd love to be a shoe designer, heck I'd even be a percussionist in a band if I could. The scary first world problem is is that they are all possible. The option to be greedy is there. However this beautiful season of simplicity has reminded me of one thing: I was born into this world to be 'with women'. Now thats  really ambivalent- I could be 'with women' serving coffee, down a mine shaft, in the Bahamas, anywhere! To be a midwife though, means to be 'with women'. Without going all passionate on you, I've always dreamt of being a caseload midwife. Basically being with women from the beginning of their pregnancy, right through to after the birth. Really WITH women. I plan on doing that. So I have the option of honours, PhD yada yada yada, but no, I want to be with mums and be a mum. All the other options are just distractions.

Another option I have at the moment is to live passively or actively. God opened my eyes to the fact I have been living passively lately and I decided to pick up my A-game. I am an incredibly acting dreamer and very passionate about my future, however I've taken today for granted so much so that it's become yesterday before I've realised. I'm enjoying the last couple of months as a teenager and have never been so excited about hitting my 20's. My bones are telling me that this is going to be a good decade. I'm incredibly exciting about owning a 4WD- something I've always wanted to do. I plan on splurging on something in my 20's before I save like a poor man for a house. I also get a bit too excited looking at houses for sale knowing that I can independently purchase a house. Now it would be more than wonderful to be married and have someone to share it with, but I'm happy to solo house hunt. I'll spare you the excitement of being a practicing midwife, but thats in the near future excitement basket as well.

Now I would like to say by living actively I'm taking every oportunity that comes my way, but I'm not. There are so many great ones out there, so many amazing people to be friends with, and alot to learn. Not everything that is good is good for God's plan. So in the mean time I am thankful for yesterday, hopeful for tomorrow, but living for today.

Keep running the good race.
xx

Mirror, mirror on the wall...

Welcome, welcome all, to a land where vanity is paramount. Are you used to seeing your reflection constantly? Yes? Good. Say goodbye to the mirror. Farewell thee.

I am reminded every time I have a shower that the rush of fresh, fluoride ridden, warm water pouring onto my face won't fit into my pack and be there with me in Nepal. Silky, clean hair won't fit either. It's a shame that my schedule and lack of showering have also forced my makeup to sit at home, twiddling it's thumbs waiting for my return. And my mirror? Well we've downsized. From several large wall mounted mirrors, to one little compact. This isn't a tough task to undertake, that is unless you are a vain or even slightly narcissistic. To be perfectly honest, I wouldn't consider myself to be either. However, I would admit to taking pride in how I look and I cannot go to bed without a shower, under any circumstances. I enjoy doing my makeup and mascara is possibly the best invention- it makes me feel awake even when Im dead tired. I adore my BFF in my hair straightner. Where I would be without her, im not sure, but its safe to say it would be a messy, wavy, slept-with-wet-hair sort of world. I know I am not alone in this. And I also know this is very normal in the Western world.

I'm attempting to come up with strategies to combat my unsightly hair, face and skin while away. For starters, I'm searching internet dating sites for a short term boyfriend in headbands. I don't plan on keeping my hair down. Ever. If it gets a quick wash, I'll let the locks down, otherwise, they are under wraps. The compact mirror mentioned earlier will probably only get whipped out weekly to ensure the eyebrows aren't too unruly. All I can say is thankgoodness it goes against Nepalese culture to show the amount of skin we do in Australia. Phew, one less hassle.

If anyone has any good ideas, please, feel free to share. The more the merrier. My best idea thus far is to visit a day spa atleast once while Im there. That guarantees atleast one proper shower/bath, hair wash, massage etc. Actually, feel free to donate to the "Kate needs a shower fund". When I get back, I'll be sure to shower and scrub before I see anyone. Guess Ma will be the 'lucky' one to smell me when picking me up from the airport.

I could get all negative about the whole situation, but c'mon, at the end of the day it's my own choice. I can also have the satisfaction of saying that I legitimately immersed myself in the culture, even if that culture is unwashed hair and bucket washes.

This is a bit of a girls post. Sorry boys ;)
xx

A foreign exchange

So, here we are again. We must stop meeting like this. Too many late nights and thoughtful moments for our own good. Alas, here we are and we might as well make the most of it.


I've been thinking: Nepal is one helluva good escape from life. I mean how can leaving everyone and everything you know for 2 months not change things. If there was ever a way to forget, move on, appreciate, acknowledge, or make decisions about life, away from all you know sounds like the dandiest place to do it! In a foreign country, with new people and a new culture surrounding you, why not try and escape? Oh that might be because the one things that transcends distance, countries, cultures and people is your attitude. I'd love nothing more than to leave Australia with a good life, and return to a nicely 180 degree, Donna Hay, fluffy sponge cake life that is beyond magnificent and all thugs acceptable by the CWA.


Shame it is then, that I have the ability to make tomorrow a better day for myself just by choosing to do so. Jetting away would be so much more fun and exciting, but I suppose sometimes you just gotta do what you've just gotta do even when you don't feel like doing it. Bring on Nepal and all it's goods and bads, in all it's glory and misery. I'm sure by the end it will have seen my best an worst. I hope it brings me the dreams I'm forever chasing, but I know it's also up to me to keep on running hard and fast to reach them.


All I can say is, sometimes having insight into a situation is more painful than biting your own tongue and releasing blood. However it's definitely better for you ;)


Until next time amigos
Xx






So please forgive my little pessimistic moment. We all have them, I know, but you weren't obliged to hear it out

Hope... a fickle word.

So late last night I began the arduous task of cutting out pieces of my favourite fabric to make a small quilt to take with me to Nepal. Now I say 'arduous' because I like the end product, but not the actual effort involved in making it. It's truly evident when you look at it, it's not very good. Anyhow, I'm sure a piece of home will be welcomed as the days go on. The blanket is slightly sentimental in quite a daggy and selfish way. When I have been asked to make an item, I often give the client the final choice on what fabric they would like me to use. Frequently I have strange people that trust my judgement, but for those that don't, there are a few who choose my favourite fabrics. Now, to be a favourit fabric of mine is no easy feat. I have hundreds of pieces of fabric, and have only around 10 loves. If Big Brother had his watchful eye on me and deep voice surrounding me, he would be awfully concerned to see that I need a moment, or even several before I cut the fabric and give it away. Sometimes even shed a tear. Why? Because in it I assign hope that is attached to history. Some designs remind me of my grandmother, who, in my mind, is second only to Jesus. We share uncanny similarities and I wonder what she would've made with the fabric, if I make her proud, or if she has beaten Aunty June at poker yet. Simultaneously I find myself thinking about how I'd like to incorporate the fabric design into my wedding, how my children will be wearing an item I have made from the fabric for them, how my garden will be just as beautiful and as rich as the flowers imprinted upon the cotton, and how, when I'm old, I'll be able to give my loved material possessions, in every literal sense of the word, to someone I love and treasure.

Now I don't pride myself on being a thoughtful person. Frankly, if you have half a brain, and you can think, then you are a thoughtful person. However I do admit to stumbling upon evenings such as these where this is nothing that can resolve my 'situation' as I like to call it, but to write. I will promise you that this will all relate back to Nepal in some way or another, but be prepared for a round trip that takes 3,295 days on the road with flat tyres, hitch-hikers and can't-be-passed-up-because-they-need-to-be-surfed-with-a-piece-of-cardboard sand dunes!

It's said evening that remind my of my dream book. Its a gloriously handmade book from somewhere in the beautiful wide world, that has hidiously penned marks throughout it that are simple attempts of a young woman to convey hope and remind herself of the train tracks ahead. I will also admit to being scared to look at the pages in the beginning. I wonder if the person who penned those pages was out of her mind, in a state of complete faith, or me? Rereading those pages makes me tear up just like I do in the last 10 minutes of watching The Notebook. Written infront of me is all I've ever wanted. None of it is unattainable, but that's what makes it beautiful. There is beauty in simplicity and beauty is individual. Someone else may want more than I, but that is more than ok.

I learnt something pivitol to my life the other day. That is that hope can range from mere wishing to a strong desire for something. While faith is hoping for something, but a step further in that we are atiently waiting for it to arrive. So, I still have hope for the days ahead. Hope is apart of faith, they are borther. But I have FAITH that what is penned in my dream book will be fulfilled. They are in God's hands now because I have asked. All is left to do is wait, because I believe.

The amazing thing is that not only can I see glimpses of some dreams down the tracks of my life, but some have already come and gone in their full glory.
I remain confident of this: I will see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living Ps 27:13

So namaste, and keep believing.
Yours sincerely,
xx

P.S. Thanks to Ms Adele and Mr Mayer for accompanying me during this time

New years resolutions

So, I'm sitting here wearing the latest gear I scored today in preparation for Nepal. It's not much, just a jacket and gloves. Snow ones that is. But no, it won't be snowing where I am in the valley, just damn cold. A bit like Tasmania I think. I'm so excited I'm typing this one handed so I can experience the luxuriousness of this glove. Did I mention the gloves and jacket match? AWESOME!


If only you could see me now. Even I'll admit I look like an idiot.


I had an epiphany today. Maybe that's exaggerating it a bit. Anyway, I had a 'recollection' (for better use of the word) that my 2011 New Years resolution was to buy a kyak and go for the biggest paddle down the Nepean River. Nothin' fancy, but something I've wanted to do for a long time. However, four months into 2011, Nepal happened. Unfortunately (or fortunately?) not the country, but the idea of the trip. This means my little university student and nursing finances became as tight as size 6 hot pants on a rugby player. Not much room for freedom. To put it into perspective, the price of an average quality kyak could pay for a one way airfare to Kathmandu, my spending money for the 7 weeks, or about 4 of the best paragliding trips in the country.


Now I'm not the kind of person to change my mind about something I want to do (admittedly that's a good AND bad thing). I'm not one for excuses, to quit or run the other way. On this occassion I have made some self adjustments. Where I am staying is at the base of a wad of mountains, in a valley, covered with beautiful lakes. Real postcard style scenery. What goes on lakes? Kyaks, canoes and paddle boats baby!!! Best part is that it's the dry season and the sky is clear, so perfect boating weather.


Consider the problem resolved. Now, yes, it will be 2012 when I fulfill my 2011 resolution, but I'm sure the sky won't fall in just because of me, so I can rest easy! I might very well fulfill 10 years worth of resolutions while I'm there. Who knows. I'll keep you posted.


Now it's time for me to take this glove off. Typing one handed is a tough gig.
Over and out
xx