Lines in the sand... or lack thereof

On our recent weekend away (you can catch up on that here) I was annoyed in the middle of the night by the distant loud rumblings of a motor.... to this once country girls ears it even sounded like a tractor. 

As I lay in bed with the sound reverberating through my brain I became convinced it was indeed a tractor, you know, just casually passing by the world famous Atlantis Hotel on the Dubai Palm Islands. 

Eventually I jumped out of bed and crept onto our balcony to investigate, and lo and behold below our room working his way across the sand was a TRACTOR!

The next morning I took a stroll down the beach and discovered the beach had miraculously been swept smooth, sun lounges were perfectly straight and the sand denied all evidence of the fun and frivolity enjoyed by hundreds the previous day.

What is it about our human psyche that we crave to feel like the first to step foot on the sand, that we have created this need for clean, smooth beaches and perfectly manicured spaces. 

Do we feel more comfortable with organised chaos? 

I wish I had paid more attention during Sociology 101 at university, I am sure we explored this very topic at some point.

Personally I would of preferred a nice tractor-less sleep and a messy beach the next morning full of foot prints and smashed sand castles.

Do you prefer a clean, structured, manicured outdoor environment?

Or are you ok getting a little dirty in the rugged great outdoors?

Passion

My passion is lacking at the moment. There are a couple of big changes and decisions going on within my little family, so big they are consuming my every waking (and when I should be sleeping) thought. I am not ready to share these yet, the right time will come.

For now, it is impacting my blogging, my passion is just not there.

My passion however, has not totally vamoosed! I am completely and utterly addicted to Stand Up Paddleboarding (SUP).

I blogged here about my first lesson and since then I have gone from paddling in the shallows, a safe distance from shore and on a board the size of the Titanic, to not blinking at heading beyond the buoys, losing sight of my family and security on shore. 
I no longer crave smooth, flat waters but welcome the challenge of small waves and ocean swell.

It is my outlet, my little oasis just for me (as you can see above I occasionally have a little passenger). I try to get in at least one early morning paddle on the weekend and a sneaky after work sunset paddle when time allows. 

The health benefits have been amazing, both on strengthening my body and my mind. Starting a day with a paddle session is the best feeling ever.

Do you have a passion that is something you enjoy just for you?

Have you tried SUP?

Linking up today with EssentiallyJess here for #IBOT, pop over and discover some other awesome blogs worth reading

My favourite blog reads this week

I am still struggling to find the time and to be honest, motivation to get my blogging back completely online.

But while I might be a little quiet on my own blog, I am still frenetically reading more blogs than I can count.

These are my favourite reads this week:

Edenland - Street Talk: Honey the Prostitute

This is one of Edenland's 'Friday Street Talks' a continuing art project she is working on. If you haven't already discovered Edenland, NOW is the perfect time to jump on board. Her recent split from The Remarkables PR company and the direction her blog is taking on is different to that of the old Edenland, and I am really enjoying the journey. 

The Aussie Hausfrau - I Tri'd Again!

Toni the Aussie Hausfrau has recently gone from a non swimmer to a competing triathlete! Her journey and stories are motivating and honest. This weeks post written after completing her second triathlon, rocks!

Tiny Savages - Moorhens

This is a beautifully written piece by Melbourne mother Carli about a mothers love for her son, bedtime rituals and the fears a mother has of her children growing older.

Jacana - Bullying - No Way!
As a parent bullying is always on my mind. I had no idea just how young bullying started and the impacts it can have on the entire family, until some recent incidents with Miss 3 and a bully at her kinder. 
Jacana has written a simple blog post for Australia's National Day of Action Against Bullying, and it contains a message I had never heard of or thought of before. But one that is so powerful in its simplicity.


Have you read a blog post this week that left you thinking long after you finished reading? 
Or do you have a 'must read' blog you want to share below?

Photography journey #7 - Black and White

I have been experimenting in black and white this week, motivated by a brilliant lecture I recently attended. I am stepping away from using presets and trying more technical methods.

I am not there yet, but the learning journey is fun.

These are a few of my shots from recent travels.

Wadi in Oman

Sri Lanka - streets of Bentota

Abra boats on Dubai Creek

Pakistani wrestling

Rare Dubai storm

Do you enjoy new challenges and stepping out of your comfort zone? 

What are your favourite photo editing programs? I am currently using LightRoom until its limitations force me onto Photoshop one day I predict.

Only in Dubai

Will you find valet parking at a hospital emergency entrance

Will you receive an email from your 3 year olds school about a toddlers lost pair of Armani shoes

Will the government announce they are recreating the Taj Mahal... three times bigger, and the Eiffel Tower

Will you find a line of cars parked outside a mall consisting of 3 red Ferrari's, 1 yellow Lambourghini and a Rolls Royce Phantom... on a quiet week night

Will you find penguins living in a mall

What has left you gobsmacked in your home town? 

Linking up here with the always fabulous @EssentiallyJess for #IBOT because well.... it's Tuesday!!!

A little broken

Image source

Things have been a little tougher around here lately.

My parents left a week ago after a month long visit. A time that was both rewarding and welcome and so very difficult at the same time.

The time spent together with my family was rare and precious, I don't think we have spent that amount of time together in over 15 years. But it also raised issues, hurt and feelings I had buried away.

Every family is somewhat dysfunctional, but in our minds and everyday we highlight the good and bury the negative. Does everybody else strive for and build the idyllic family in their mind like I do? 

5 weeks together was tougher than I expected, I am hurt deep down, it did not go the way I planned or wanted it to be.  I have spent hours going over it in my mind, I am really struggling to reconcile the family in my mind, the one I want to remember and love and the reality of what our relationship really is and the interactions for what they really are.

Then tonight my rock, Mr O departed for Australia once more, another month working and living on opposite sides of the world.

There were tears tonight from all of us. Miss O has fallen asleep in our bed, she wanted to sleep on Daddy's pillow.

Tomorrow we will wake and get on with our alternative life routine. We will laugh and argue, there might be some more tears, but we will make it through the day and the one after and the next one. Until we are together again.

How has your week been?

Do you have dysfunctional relationships with your family? Are you always hopeful and then let down like me, or have you learnt to move the goal posts?

Photography journey #6 - Early Morning Camel Races

Last week I woke at the crack of dawn to attend the final camel races of the season.

It was a crazy experience, like no other sporting event I have attended before. 

Once I would of hung in the grandstands, timidly pulling my camera out. 

But on this day, accompanied by another photography loving buddy I swallowed my apprehension and headed for the sandy desert lot where the camels were warming up. From there we ventured down to push our luck at getting access to the start of the races, and surprisingly we were welcomed with open arms, cups of fresh hot arabic coffee and a very close up view of the passion locals have for their camel races.  

Starting line

Off and racing

Owners celebrating