Photography

I took a photography class last year and I haven't done very much with it. My focus last year was to get some other bits of studying out of the way. Now that I'm done with that, I hope to be able to spend more time on my photography.

I'm going to start with a weekly photography assignment to get me back into the swing of taking pictures.

Book time to eat the dog, soap making b sarah ade,

The age of cheap

David Bosshart in his book 'The age of cheap,' proposes a very interesting theory. He says, that the welfare state in western europe essentially developed because it was competing with communism. With the fall of communism in 1989, competition was removed and thus the 'motivation to finance the welfare state.'

The weather

I now understand the British obsession with the weather. It's because the weather here is so gloomy. Even I have started talking about the weather.

Yesterday for example, was a glorious winter day - relatively warm and SUNNY! I spent most of the day outside and on my way back home, I starting thinking about how wonderful it is to live in London.

I'm consumed by thoughts of what to (workwise), so much so that over the last few months, I've ignored the cultural and creative opportunities London throws at you - museums, art galleries, classes.

Managing language

I'm struggling with language at the moment. Russian and French that is. Every time I want to say something in French, the equivalent Russian word pops into my head. Very annoying. Does anybody have any tips on 'managing' language?

Careers for the global nomad

I have a friend's 17 year old daughter staying with me at the moment. She's in London to attend interviews at universities she's applied to. We got talking about whether a 17-year-old really knows what she wants to do. I mean most teenagers might think it would be great to be a doctor or lawyer or dentist but have no real world information on what the job is actually like. It got me thinking about my own career and the careers of people around me.... ones I know personally and others (the more famous types) who are always the news. It got me wondering how all of us got to where we are.

I pretty much fell into my careers (I've had a few). I started modelling because my mother thought it would be a good idea to boost my self confidence. That lead to a TV career. At the same time, I was studying for an Information Systems degree (which I didn't finish) that lead me to a career in Marketing. I've worked in the IT industry (putting together marketing plans, writing press releases, organizing road shows and all that fun stuff), publishing industry (writing articles, interviewing powers-that-be, etc), PR and advertising industry (writing more press releases and organizing press conferences, etc) and finally in fashion retail (putting together more marketing plans, fashion buying and brand management). Of all the jobs I've had the last one in Fashion Retail was the most exciting (modelling and TV presenting is fun for a while but it soon gets to be incredibly boring). Unfortunately 'life' took over and I had to quit to follow my husband's career.... I studied for a bit, finishing the degree I didn't manage to complete the first time round. So here I am, a graduate and a global nomad, wondering what to do next. Granted most women don't share my lifestyle but as you can imagine I'm surrounded by women in similar positions. Ex-lawyers/investment bankers/accountants who've given up their careers for their husbands. Don't get me wrong a lot of these women (myself included) don't regret their decisions but it leaves me wondering what I can do considering my circumstances. Searching for a new job every couple of years (that's how often I move) is not appealing - by the time you send out your CV, interview, get a job and settle into it; it's about time to move again. So what do you do?

Meditation: Getting Started

"A few basic exercises on focusing your attention.

- Begin by sitting on a cushion with your legs crossed or, if that's uncomfortable, in a chair or even lying on your back, but always with your back straight and body relaxed. Your eyes may be closed, half-closed or open.
- Be at ease. Be still. Be vigilant.
- Take three slow, gentle, deep breaths, breathing in and out through the nostrils. Let your awareness permeate your entire body as you breathe, noting any sensations that arise. Now settle your respiration in its natural flow. Observe the entire course of each in- and out-breath, noting whether it is long or short, deep or shallow, slow or fast. Don't impose any rhythm on your breathing. Let the body breathe as if you were fast asleep, but with your mind vigilant.
- Thoughts are bound to arise involuntarily, and your attention may also be pulled away by noises and other stimuli from your environment. When you note that you have become distracted, instead of tightening up and forcing your attention back to the breath, simply let go of these thoughts and distractions. Don't get upset. Just be happy that you've noticed the distraction, and gently return to the breath.
- Continue the practice initially for 24 minutes a day. If necessary, beginners can use the mental training wheels of counting each inhale, up to 21. Each time the mind wanders, return to one again."

- Psychology Today