Exams, endings and where's my birthday?

Apart from stress and judgment, exams are symbolic of change. They represent endings, new beginnings, uncertainty.  It's no wonder we had a couple of classroom battles in the last month. I have one more Danish exam on the 24th of June (happy birthday Sis) and so far I've passed the reading and writing.  I can watch and read news in Danish, have conversations with my bonus kids and the Captains family, and even manage a joke or two at the local bar now, but I still don't consider myself fluent. When I have a client sitting in the chair, I still have to point to parts of the body, or struggle with metaphors because we're not taught the names of internal organs, foot bones or complex emotional reactions in danish classes.

I've decided to keep learning Danish by studying 10th grade Biology and Psychology. The local school is a wonderful modern building with a great atmosphere and plenty of teachers I'll enjoy keeping in contact with. This decision is both a learning and networking opportunity and being close to home, it's a great excuse for a walk through the forest two days a week.  Ironically, even though I have studied both subjects at more advanced levels, I never studied them in high school - what you resist persists.

The classes will provide me with more words, more language, more inspiration. Do you think the kids will benefit from learning about nature and the mind with a therapist and ex-nurse in their class? Learning a new language has made me wish I studied so many more things. How cool would it be to know everything a linguist or anthropologist knows. My WIP has an anthropologist in it. My next book, perhaps a linguist, I can learn through my characters, what fun.

I am no stranger to exams in the heat of Summer, but I am a stranger to the end of the year being in June.  In Australia we grow up knowing about school years ending mid year in America and Europe, and it's a strange concept. The end of the year for us meant the start of Summer holidays, as well as preparing for Christmas, celebrating the new year, advancing a level in school and for me, born in January, I also turned another year older, that's a lot of new beginnings neatly packed together.

3am, sky doesn't get fully dark in summer

Sunrise at 4.30am

Summer in June and Christmas in Winter is wonderful, but I don't think I'll ever get used to my birthday being in Winter and the year not starting with a long holiday.  A break in the middle of the year, in summer, is perfect though. People can afford, or have time to go on holidays because it's not Christmas. The best of both worlds would be Summer at the end of the year and Christmas in the middle, or the other way around, just not together.

After 3 years I have acclimatised to the Scandinavian heat and can feel 'warmth' in the cold night breezes. Midsummer is celebrated on the 23rd of June, Sankt-hans-aften (St Johns Eve), the equinox or summer solstice, some say it is the official start of summer. Bonfires with witches on top are burned along coasts and waterways, all over Scandinavia. The days feel like they are getting longer but in reality they start to get shorter, the golden fields of canola are ready to be harvested, the blossoms have been replaced, and the vibrant greens that seemed to arrive so late will soon change to brown again. Queen Bernadotte of Sweden once said that there are only two seasons in Scandinavia, a white winter and a green winter.

sunset on Mariager Fjord

Despite the icy cold waters and chilly nights, I think my missing birthday is the main reason it never really feels like summer here. This year, some of my friend's are visiting  from Australia, (I've told them to pack some warm clothes). I'm starting a 'non' birthday barbecue tradition. Everyone should have a Summer birthday at least once in their lives, or celebrate festivals outside of their normal timezone, pretending works too.

The final photos for the day are some funny business the locals pointed out to me yesterday, quite literally in the center of town.  Here's the plant box.

Does anyone recognise the plant in the middle?

Did you know there is a Freetown in Copenhagen called Christania?  It's like a permanent hippie festival in the middle of the city, and it's main street is called Pusher Street, no need to guess why.

Test are Tests

I have officially lived in Denmark 3 years and one day.  Today I have my final Danish exam. I'm lucky I have two passports, Australian and Italian, so the strict rules for immigration don't apply to me because technically I am an EU citizen.  I am grateful for this little bureaucratic blunder, but I also think it's unfair, that other women in my class, just like me, might get kicked out of the country if they don't pass this test.

It's a lovely language, but I underestimated how hard a new language for a 40 year old brain would be, especially because Danish generally has no real hard and fast grammar rules, and at least 40 different vowel sounds that are simply impossible to hear if you are not a native... it's that slight difference between the vowel sound in words like soup and soon... I can barely hear it English and I admit that it is hard, but every Danish person thinks they sound completely different in similar Danish words.

Then there is inversion, perfect sentences written words with wrong places doesn't that make not sense!  It's the difference between 'She wanted to leave the party, so I did' or She wanted to leave the party, so did I.  One tiny word in the wrong spot changes the outcome... and there is no sign language in a written exam.

Denmark is a tiny land, less than 6 million people speak Danish, it almost seems like a waste of time to learn how to speak it, especially because everyone speaks English, but there really is no better way to understand a culture than to understand the way they speak and thus how their thoughts are formed and strung together...

I can hold a conversation, I can read and write enough to pass a test, but I realise now that it will be something I never stop learning, just like English I guess...

Just to give you a tiny taste of what I am up against, the amount of Danish words is relatively small compared to English but compounding words is very common, according to wiki ''Speciallægepraksisplanlægningsstabiliseringsperiode, which is 51 letters, is the longest Danish word that has been used in an official context. It means "Period of plan stabilising for a specialist doctor's practice," 

Try and get your tongue around that.

Wish me luck, this blog post bought to you by completely avoiding further study, because any and every danish word sounds like french to me right now... 

What a wonderful world.

Blogging every day in May challenge:  A Day in the life (include photos from throughout your typical day - this could be "a photo an hour" if you'd like)

He spoils me with coffee and love hearts in bed, is there a nicer way to start the day?

I see fields of green, white and yellow too.

Find a happy rock at school - smile and the world smiles with you.

A spot of gardening, check out my lettuce seedlings.

Look out the window and see the Captain sailing towards home :)

Keeping this post short and sweet because as soon as the Captain gets home we are heading to the local for a traditional danish meal.

and maybe even a Tuborg

skål - [skoll] or cheers in any language.

Love and laughs
Ida

A public apology...

Day 13 prompt -  Blogging every day in May challenge: Issue a public apology. This can be as funny or as serious or as creative as you want it to be. 

I apologise for the name of my blog.

Originally this blog was partly inspired by my reaction to the words of a fellow reflexologist Kevin Kunz, and I wanted it to reflect that the art of reflexology deals with the reactions between the body and reflexes found on the feet, hands, ears and head.

I apologise that it doesn't really mean anything if you don't know the back story.

I apologise that it's a bit of a tongue twister.

I apologise that the title is ambiguous and I want it to mean more than I can be bothered explaining.

I apologise that I am asking you to help me decide whether I should change the name of my blog to 'Ida knows', or 'Ida know' which is a play on the words 'I don't know,' and hopefully reflects that I don't pretend to know everything but what I do know I am certain of, at least until I know different.  I'm sorry that I haven't made people give me a dollar every time they said 'I dunno,' when referring to the pronunciation of my name, because I really would be rich, or at least have shouted a few extra rounds in bars all over the world.   

I'm sorry if my frank admissions about my own failings and abilities makes you feel insecure or jealous, because that is never my intention, I am sorry that I can't find a way to communicate my intention better, but I really don't understand the language of closed minds.

I am sorry for every time I have lost my temper with people who lose their temper with me or become defensive and rude -  especially if they should have just said "I'm sorry."  I am sorry that I go on and on or ignore them until I hear those two simple words. My ego wants them to realise how easy it is to say 'I'm sorry,' but some peoples ego's are just so big that they consider an apology to be either beneath them or an admittance of a character flaw, when in fact it's a simple recognition of greater understanding and growth.  Many people have become wiser by saying I am sorry and thank you in the same sentence.

I'm sorry that I'm not sorry for hurting or betraying other people, when their beliefs weren't true to me.  I simply don't know how to pretend they are right when they are wrong - e.g. bigots.

I apologise for getting frustrated with people that refuse to admit they are wrong. If I was a better person I would be like a lion that doesn't care about the opinions of sheep, but truthfully I love sheep just as much as I love lions and I do care. Deep down I know that sheep are scared of lions even though they are just as valuable and they need love, understanding, education and acceptance too.

I'm sorry I haven't thought of the worlds best song lyrics that changed the world, because I would have changed the world...  but maybe I can start with a good blog title.  

Cast your votes...  

1. Stick to original title - Reflex Reactions
2. Ida knows
3. Ida know
4. Something incredible that you think of...

I am sorry that I don't know for sure if there should there be an apostrophe in knows... Ida know's - Ida knows ??? - don't worry about answering that one - spell check just gave me the answer - but then again - Do you think I can claim poetic licence for using the apostrophe? - Or is it just to ambiguous?

Lots of love and laughs.  

What do you do?

Day 6, Blogging in May Challenge: If you couldn't answer with your job, how would you answer the question, 'what do you do'?

Thanks The things we say

I do smile a lot, apparently. Everybody talks about my smile. Photo's of me smiling are some of the worst I've seen, but people say it makes them happy so I don't really care what I look like. With smiles come laughter it's uncontrollable, unconscious, social and contagious.

I do unravel knots and help people to see new perspectives or re-affirm the ones they have.

I do nice, and not just during natural disasters. I used to think it was easier to be tough.

I do consider the environment, wherever I am.

I do nothing, it usually leads me to something and it satisfies the sloth, who’s just a part of me.

I do share my thoughts and feelings.

I do love mothers and fathers that aren't my own parents, and children that I haven't given birth to.

I do day to day activities of living, usually weekly, sometimes monthly, sometimes I avoid it or I just forget. I do them when I'm reminded or when I move house. I do try to walk through every door with something in my hand, that belongs where I'm headed.

I do fix things, make things and grow things.

I do always keep an eye out for animals, land, sky and sea. I say 'look over there' and 'did you see that?' a lot.

I do celebrate the truimphs, and console through the trials.

I do lot's of reading.

I do what feels right to me, and if I'm not sure I do ask.

I do love the one I'm with.

I do like to know what you do. I do invite you to share. Is it easy for you to answer what do you do, if you can't answer with your job?

"In three words...

Day 4, Saturday: Favorite quote (from a person, from a book, etc) and why you love it

Thanks Sharon McGill for letting me use this

I recently completed the A to Z blogging challenge in April, it was a rewarding experience and I recommend getting involved, one way or another, in the next one.


The A to Z challenge's only requirement is that each day (except Sundays) you dedicate your post to that days letter, Day 1 = A, Day 2 is B etc...  You can choose your own theme, or even not to have one, and it fosters a friendly connection with other bloggers as well as a commitment to post regularly. 

My theme was Healing with words, and I did 'Q for Quotes', which ties in nicely with Day 4 of the May Challenge prompt. My reflections post provides the links to all the letters in my alphabet challenge and explains more about the whole adventure.

If I had to choose one quote from my Quotes post, that resonates with me right now I would find a creative way of showing you that I have to narrow it down to two, which is why I posted an image with Flannery O'Connors quote above and added this one too. 


“In three words I can sum up everything I’ve learned about life:  It goes on.” – Robert Frost


I'm already thinking of others that could easily take it's place. Check out my Q is for Quotes post for some of my all time favourites. The comments also provide a few extra quotes which are great too.

Go ahead and add your own, you never know who might need to read it, when, how or why but like any good quote, it might just change the direction they were heading in or give them a new perspective.  Simple as that.

Happy reading, writing and blogging

Ida

Reflections post #atozchallenge. I survived 2013

Over 4500 views... Congratulations the crowds go wild. I am thrilled with the results of the A to Z challenge and the outcome of my theme 'Healing with words', from a deck of Magic Spirit Cards I have loved for (almost) decades. The list of words is here, and includes ones that aren't in the deck because not every letter was represented. Other people have added words to the list too. When I am stuck for blog inspiration I will choose one of them to write about.  You too can go to the link and add a word or two if you like.

Now to the the organisers, co-hosts, assistants and helpers of the A to Z Challenge - Thank You.  I also enjoyed being one of L.Diane Wolfe's Spunky soldiers Here's the badge to prove it. 

This challenge is more than just social interaction, it has changed a very important part of my life, and no doubt created dreams for many hundreds of people.  

Would I change anything about this challenge?  No

Ok maybe one suggestion. I noticed a few drop outs because of 'too many rules'  I don't agree that there are too many, it really can't get much looser - but I loved  Klahanie's (aka Gary's) C.B.A approach of doing a post every few days, which included more than one letter. It might be easier for people that have full time lives that drag them away from the home, or stop participating because they feel like they've failed if they miss a post or two. Even though Gary is a grumbler about 'not participating' and is the most active anarchic participant - it might be worth taking note of.

Would I recommend new and/or experienced bloggers to join in?  I did and I will.

Would I suggest creating a new email account to keep up to date with posts, comments and replies?  Yes 

As a novice here's a summary of what happened along the way, as well as the links to all my A to Z 2013 posts - they should open in new windows so click, click away.  

A-  A is for Abundance  

Thrilling, first contact with new bloggers, up early - down late...  - I read a lot, fast and have dozens of tabs open waiting to be read. I know I can't keep up the pace of today's enthusiasm.

B - B is for Balance

I feel like I'm the first person in the world to post, and need to work out how to sort out comments and replies.  Today I received 100's of birthday wishes in my email, for  Joanne and Kate, my birthday is next year.  Wow Benevolent Bradley at Pass the sour cream did a special post just to teach me how to do links in comments.  

C - C is for Clarity

Night owls become early birds, scheduling posts to publish after midnight means I get to wake up to new comments.  Fun

D - D is for Dreams

So many many blogs to read...  Still trying to work out how to keep track. I want to go back and don't know how to get there - I've offered to be a Spunky Soldier - that's 20 more pages to check

E - E is for Embrace

Felt a warm embrace - It's a great idea to get ahead with posts but try not to accidentally post G instead of E!

F - F is for Freedom

We meet my first character - It's easier to talk about myself  - writing about someone else means I have to learn character description building -  and for some reason I keep trying to write poems.

G - G is for Grateful

I'm starting to find a few favourite blogs.  Greta the grouch grape, and Ermie and his GPS made me smile.

H. H is for Humility

Humbled when people share their thoughts - every comment is appreciated but special mentions to,   Susan at The Garden of Eden, Susan at Siouxsies musings, Zoe at re-written, and Mel at the Drafty Garret - ok too many mention and link too...

I - I is for Intuition - Healing with words

J - J is for Joy

So sleep deprived, one more post to publish, one more blog to read, one more comment to make, one more reply to answer, 4 hours later... forgot to eat - and do I sleep in late - I'm up at the crack of dawn to continue.

K - K is for Knowledge

At this point I stopped writing a daily reflection.

L - L is for Laughter

I changed to the title of the theme from words of change to healing with words.

M M is for Magic

The first post that was determined to be written despite it being nothing like what I had planned.

N - N is for Nothing

A sigh of relief - this poem has wanted attention for a long time.

O - O is for OK, Okay?  - 

The first letter that wasn't in my deck of cards - Ok seemed an obvious choice and turned out to be a lot of fun.

P - P is for Purpose

The most nerve wracking, a piece of my novel presented for the first time.

Q - Q is for Quote...unquote

Another choice word. Who doesn't love a good quote?

R - R is for Receive - 

What a perfect day to receive the first of two Leibster and an Inspiring blogger award, from Me at Scribblings and Brandy at Brandy's bustlings

S- S is for S's or Ss 

No not snakes, just so many S words to choose from that includes a sweet and sexy story.

T - T is for Transmute

I had no doubt this word would provide some of it's own magic.

U - U is for Universal  

Nominated for my 3rd Leibster blog award by the lovely Mary Hill

V - V is for Valid  

Away for a few days, this was the last of my ahead of schedule posts.

W - W is for Wonderful Wonderful Copenhagen

The last three letters were like the last 3 km's of a marathon. End in sight, not sure how I was going to make it.  I knew I could do it, but the energy levels were depleting fast.  Through this subconcious haze a miracle happened.  

X - X is for XOXO

A letter to a friend, this one was so personal it almost never made it to screen, the most heart felt post.

Y -Y is for Yield

A contronym that had me confused and a fun word game...

Z - Z is for Zephyr

You think by the time you get to the end of something you have it all figured out, this post was one of those "I feel so stupid but so much smarter now" moments.  :)

I have one more blog I have to mention - Miss Bates at Embrace yourself alliterated her way through the whole alphabet.  Joining her in this journey has been rewarding.  You will need a dictionary for many of her posts, her efforts are even more amazing when you know that English is not her first language... the power of the mind is ineffably incredible.

I'll be keeping my 2014 calendar as free as possible so that I can take on this challenge again. I'm thinking of doing Australian slang for the next one... 

In the meantime - I'll be giving myself a pat on the back for a job well done, sorting out the inbox mess I have created, following my inspirations (which could be this May Challenge), checking out yours and Sailing through Spring and Summer. Literally because a friend just lent us his yacht, you should see The Captain's smile...

Lots of love always

Ida

***

Add a word to my healing with words of change list here.

Story of my life. Blog every day in May Challenge. Day 1

If you are joining me from Story of My Life's Link List, the response to Day 1's task is in the 'about me' section just above this.  

I've signed up to do another challenge, because there'll be no blog police checking to make sure that I do the posts every day. Also, one of my dear new e-quaintance's Klahanie has taught me the value of 'not participating' in challenges, just to support the spirit of the challenge, which fosters a passion for writing and sharing, and quite possibly one of the best ways for budding bloggers to begin blooming (I'm still in a bit of an alphabet daze - I'm not sure I will ever stop alliterating.)  

I won't be doing posts every day because I just finished the A to Z challenge yesterday.  It was thrilling and I am road trip tired. It's time to unpack and as a result of my dedication aka obsessive tendencies, I owe my tribe, garden, house, manuscript and studies for a Danish exam in a few weeks some time, devotion and attention.  

Here's the topics if anyone is interested, and here's the link to the Blog every day in May challenge. 

***

Day 1, Wednesday: The story of your life in 250 words or less (or one paragraph... no one will be counting your words... probably)
Day 2, Thursday: Educate us on something you know alot about or are good at. Take any approach you'd like (serious and educational or funny and sarcastic)
Day 3, Friday: Things that make you uncomfortable
Day 4, Saturday: Favorite quote (from a person, from a book, etc) and why you love it
Day 5, Sunday: Publicly profess your love and devotion for one of your blogger friends. What makes them great? Why do you love them? If you don't have blogger friends, talk about a real-life friend or even a family member
Day 6, Monday: If you couldn't answer with your job, how would you answer the question, 'what do you do'?
Day 7, Tuesday: The thing(s) you're most afraid of
Day 8, Wednesday: A piece of advice you have for others. Anything at all.
Day 9, Thursday: A moment in your day (this can be just a photo or both a photo and words)
Day 10, Friday: Most embarrassing moment (s). Spill. 
Day 11, Saturday: Sell yourself in 10 words or less
Day 12, Sunday: What do you miss? (a person, a thing, a place, a time of your life...)
Day 13, Monday: Issue a public apology. This can be as funny or as serious or as creative as you want it to be.
Day 14, Tuesday: Ten things that make you really happy
Day 15, Wednesday: A Day in the life (include photos from throughout your typical day - this could be "a photo an hour" if you'd like)
Day 16, Thursday: Something difficult about your "lot in life" and how you're working to overcome it
Day 17, Friday: A favorite photo of yourself and why
Day 18, Saturday: Tell a story from your childhood. Dig deep and try to be descriptive about what you remember and how you felt.
Day 19, Sunday: Five of your favorite blogs and what you love about them
Day 20, Monday: Get real. Share something you're struggling with right now.
Day 21, Tuesday: A list of links to your favorite posts in your archives
Day 22, Wednesday: Rant about something. Get up on your soapbox and tell us how you really feel. (a pet peeve, a current event, a controversial topic, something your husband or roommate or neighbor or boss does that really ticks you off)
Day 23, Thursday: Things you've learned that school won't teach you
Day 24, Friday: Your top 3 worst traits
Day 25, Saturday: Something someone told you about yourself that you'll never forget (good or bad)
Day 26, Sunday: Something you read online. Leave a link and discuss, if you'd like.
Day 27, Monday: A letter to your readers
Day 28, Tuesday: Only pictures
Day 29, Wednesday: Five songs or pieces of music that speak to you or bring back memories. Use Grooveshark or YouTube to include them in the post
Day 30, Thursday: React to this term: Letting Go
Day 31, Friday: A vivid memory

 ***I'll be doing a reflections on the A to Z blogging challenge before the 3rd of May and gently plodding away at my adventures and looking forward to meeting and greeting in blogland.

Z is for Zephyr. Healing with words. Day 26. #quickerthanarayoflight #atozchallenge

zephyr |ˈzefər|
noun1 poetic/literary a soft gentle breeze.2 historical a fine cotton gingham.• a very light article of clothing.ORIGIN 1369 from Gk. Zephyros "the west wind" 
(sometimes personified as a god), probably related to zophos "the west, the dark region, darkness, gloom." 
Sense of "mild breeze" is c.1610.

Zephyr in the sky at night - I wonder Do my tears of mourning Sink beneath the sun She's got herself a universe -Gone quickly For the call of thunder Threatens everyone CHORUS: And I feel Like I just got home Faster than the speeding light - She's flying Trying to remember Where it all began She's got herself a little piece of heaven Waiting for the time when Earth shall be as one CHORUS Quicker than a ray of light  And I feel Quicker than a ray of light - Then gone for Someone else shall be there Through the endless years She's got herself a universe And I feel Like I just got home  And I feel Quicker than a ray of light - She's flying Quicker than a ray of light - I'm flying  Madonna's song Ray of light is the reason I thought Zephyr was none other, than a ray of light. Today I realise it's not even confirmed in the lyrics and google also proves that I was wrong. It's a breeze or a fine cloth so that's how I'm going to wrap up this challenge. Gently and a bit all over the place. In Perth Australia, an ocean breeze comes in almost every afternoon and provides relief from the stifling heat in Summer called the Freemantle Doctor.  Today I feel a breeze marking the end of this challenge.  I will reflect on each post in the reflections post later in the week, but for now it is enough to say that my greatest reward was the healing of some old wounds, that were a direct result of the power of words. When I arrive home and walk through the doors of Melbourne's Tullamarine airport the first thing I notice is the familiar winds.  Which direction is it coming from and where is it headed?  It foretells of things to come, but it is also unpredictable.  One thing is for sure the winds keep blowing, and though today's breeze is a gentle one, I've landed in a slip stream and I can feel myself rising into a new ether. With this in mind I will say I'm here to stay for as long as it takes to get to where I am going.  Pop in let me know what you are up to, I have enjoyed visiting other blogs as much as I have enjoyed creating my own little universe. Once upon a time Zephyr referred to western winds full of darkness and gloom, my experience of the winds in Australia, and here in Denmark, prove that sometimes the West winds provide the most comfort for the land and it's people - and what we once believed may not always hold true - but there is always a story to be found in every lesson. I am in the process of writing my first novel and I am ready to tackle editing the first draft now.  There are other blog challenges I have seen that I might participate in too.  I like the idea of prompts or even constraints in writing because I have discovered a new form of creativity that lies within their boundaries.  Thank you to everyone that has joined me on the journey so far, particularly if you allowed me the opportunity to discover insights into your lives through your blogs, and a special thank you to my new e-quaintances. I want to salute Arlee Bird who created this challenge, and all of his helpers that offered great insights through their posts too. I have learnt so much and I am grateful. I know my job here is to teach and be taught as well as heal the healers, whatever their methods are. I have two reflexology clients this afternoon to prepare for, but right now I have some housework to catch up on. The dust didn't stop dropping, though I have ignored it well over the last month.  Maybe if I open a window a helpful Zephyr will blow it all away, and so it is with wishful thinking I sign off for now, bid you well and go forth. Just like the song says - I feel like I just got home. *** I have added a link to a May blogging challenge in the side panel to the left (the other left, on the right)  that I am considering doing parts of. Have you discovered any new blog challenges that you might consider doing? *** Find out how I chose my theme by reading my intro blog A-Z challenge list. Words of change.  You are welcome to add more words to the list in the comments - that I'll link back to you.