Music Camp Concert

Just come back from the annual end of Music Camp Concert and what a wonderful array of music it was. We got there ridiculously early thinking that as it was in the Beit Hall at St Georges it might sell out but sadly it wasn't that well attended. Waiting outside the hall brought back memories of being in plays at Saints.

There were 5 international musicians performing. Two as part of the orchestra and three as conductors (but also in the orchestra at times). The three Americans were part of a group called Cultures In Harmony, who collaborate in music in countries including Afghanistan and Zimbabwe. The orchestrator, William Harvey had been working in Zim and then invited two other musicians to come. The concert had a special guest appearance by Oliver Mtukudzi or Tuku who had been in attendance at the camp and was given a chocolate cake as a thank you as apparently he really liked it on camp. He sang three of his well known songs accompanied by the orchestra.

Really enjoyed the music and it was great to see so many up and coming young musicians. There's a concert by the visiting Americans and Sekai Zengeza at Arundel Chapel tomorrow at 2.30. It is free, would recommend it :)

Msasas and spring

Dusty sun filled days and the swirl of dust.

The msasas come out with their leaves of rust.

New beginnings, new seasons, the promise of rain.

The rich red earth rises once again.

Spring is coming, it is in the air,

and soon the jacarandas will be there.

Bedecked in blossoms of lilac hue, 

a sight to behold, it is true.

Keeping busy

This week has flown by as I have been keeping pretty busy. I thrive on being active and do much better mood wise when I have structure to my day. I have new Chinese students to use my CELTA teaching English as a foreign language with. They are lovely. One is a businessman in a tobacco company, whilst the other is a house wife. Finally really putting my training in Cape Town into practice and hopefully is a step towards breaking into the Chinese community here which could possibly be the way to go.

Have also been sociable this week seeing lots of ladies for tea. Spent a wonderful afternoon with a lady I don't know that well from church who is challenging herself to meet with every lady in the church. Her story touched me as she too struggled with depression but she has come through with an amazing testimony. Her garden is a delight, full of pinks, oranges and purples with lavender, clivias, bougainvillea and another flower I can't remember the name of.

Also went along to the pub quiz at Amanzi last night with friends. Usually can't go as it is the same night as home group but was free yesterday so was able to go and it was a lot of fun. We came 5th and I was chuffed at getting echelons from the French for ladder. Remembered after the Swiss legend of the invasion of Geneva and the annual marathon around the city commemorating it with La Fete D'Escalades.

Also got the following dingbat - see if you get it :)

The weekend looks busy with a music camp concert tomorrow night, possibly writing group on Saturday morning, another classical music concert by artists visiting from the States for the music camp and then a darts social with friends on Saturday night.

Just over a month till I touch down in the UK. Let me know if you would like to see me if you are over that way and possible dates you're free :)

The Journey

A quest to wellness and a quiet mind,
it takes me deep and I reflect inside.
Inner truths I have unearthed.
My mind inquires deeply
to the core.
Things long hidden now emerge.
A memory forgotten can now take hold.
But onwards I strive and must overcome.
Else these inner demons will become too strong.
To lift my head and release what's been.
To find a cure to this disease.
Has it defined me or am I more?
What else does this journey have in store?

UK ticket booked

So I went in to the Emirates office yesterday and it is now official, I will be arriving at Heathrow on Sunday 4th October and will return to Zim on the 31st (Halloween). Have decided to use it to reconnect with friends and travel a bit. There is still space if anyone wants to join me in the south of France for a week (let me know).

Today has been a really busy day teaching, as due to our car being out of action from Monday to Wednesday with a damaged clutch I had to make up lessons today. Taught four different students back to back starting with grade 6 English, moving on to an art lesson of shell observation studies, then O level maths and biology and ending with grade 7 English, maths and religious studies. Had the questions for religious studies of what Israelite king built a tunnel under a city and then what is a common belief for all major world religions. Afraid wasn't too sure on those two. Have fallen in love with the one student's chow chow or "fluffy lion dog" which goes by the name Hagrid. What a gorgeous dog!

It is getting decidedly warmer and I am in my summer attire. The tabebuias are out and soon it will be jacaranda time. Saw my psych yesterday and was challenged on what are my goals and drive - not completely sure. Have lost my passion a bit and need to rediscover what I really want to do.

Spring

Winter has turned the corner and we are having warmer sunnier days. The dust is rising with the dryness but flowers are bursting forth and soon it will be jacaranda time again. In our garden the jasmine is out as well as the clivias, bauhinias, kalanchoe, hibiscus and primulas.

I have a few more students and am also helping to mark Allied Arts scripts for junior poetry and prose. Having a few student cancellations which is a bit frustrating. No news yet on the jobs I had applied for.

Still increasing on lithium. Had a blood test today to check on my toxicity levels and having to drink lots of water. Seem to not have had my usual big dip premenstrally.

Going to try and go book for visiting Oxford in October this week.

The Mundane

This long weekend has felt rather mundane and life seems to just continue as is. I have been teaching and then taken time out in the garden with my dogs. Am still continuing on lithium but being forced to drink lots of water which is not easy in the cooler weather. At times it does make me feel a bit nauseous but overall it seems to be stabilising me better. Slowly being weaned off my other medication.

Picking up a few more students and I am helping mark Allied Arts scripts. On Friday am hoping to do art in the garden with my art student and some friends.

Seen it is the anniversary of Robin Williams' death. I know how it can feel to see suicide as the only way out and to feel completely alone. He sadly lost his battle and could not find reprieve.

Mind numbing

Met up with my friend this afternoon and got challenged on taking increasing levels of lithium. I do agree that I feel like my emotions have become numbed to an extent but I would rather that than the roller coaster and deep inner despair that I have experienced. My Mum admitted that she too is worried about the lithium being increased but I am on a low dose for now and it will be monitored. My friend also believed that I could come off lithium and live free of medication. I wish this was a possibility but with bipolar one of the key things to being healthy is being good about taking medication and going off it could be more detrimental. Am feeling a little icky today with my higher levels but hope to adjust. If all goes to plan will be weaned off the other medication I have been on and will just be on lithium.

Went on to the Line and Form collaborative exhibition at Gallery Delta. It was a selection of artists using drawing and prints in interesting ways. I liked the use of line by some of the artists and there were some socio-political pieces, a couple on the vendor issue in Zimbabwe and then one titled "Austerity" by Helen Lieros which was on Greece.

Got into conversation with Helen Teede and am going to try visit her studio with my art student. Also entered into a discussion on the whole Cecil the lion debacle. My friend who is also working in the conservation field said that it was a disaster for Zim wilderness areas that Delta Airlines has now refused to carry hunting trophies. She feels that tourism can never match the amount spent on hunting to make other land use of wilderness areas viable. I still feel it is very sad that we have to allow hunting and cannot understand the mentality of shooting things for pleasure. The Livingstone Biweekly makes some valid points here about how hunters favour shooting the prime animals and not those that are weak and struggling. There is also the question of where the money from hunters goes.

Colour

Will be starting on the use of colour and painting with my art student. Unfortunately he has been sick this week though. Is the problem with private tutoring in that my income is not always guaranteed. My grade 7 student has now been accepted at Chisipite next year but her parents are still keen for me to tutor her when she starts high school.

Waiting to hear back on several jobs I've applied for and if I don't get the one can think about booking to go to Oxford in October for a couple of weeks. Will have to decide if when I go I'll make contact with my Dad or not. My therapist and another friend who is a published writer have suggested I write a book about that and my bipolar. At the conference I went to we were encouraged to identify specific things we needed to forgive and let them go. My therapist has suggested something similar.

So far the lithium seems to be working and I'm on a buoyant high. Will see if my doctor thinks this is hypomanic on Thursday. Will have to start going for blood tests now that the dose is going up to check for toxicity.

Going to an exhibition opening at Gallery Delta tonight and meeting up with a school friend who is home from China where she teaches English as a foreign language.