Dear ISO, I’m running out of time…
I am now moving into my seventh week of working from home ISOlation. And I’m loving it, but not loving it. I’ll admit to missing the buzz of interacting with colleagues in the office. I miss not being able to go on long drives and excursions for the day. I miss not being able to meet up for walks at the beach or coffee with friends. I miss that my retail outlets are closed and I can’t just wander in for a look. I miss that the cinemas are closed, that I missed out on the French Film festival, international concerts, the ballet, the opera. I miss visiting the art gallery. I miss seeing my siblings and extended family. When it boils down, it’s the personal contact that Maslow so highly regarded as essential to our human well being that is missing right now.
Published: Sylvia Jimenez
No FOMO for FOMO
Today ends the first week of officially working from home. And I feel fortunate that the organisation I work for, gave us this option, in order to keep ourselves and everyone around us safe. In our home, the kiddos have access to online learning, I’ve structured a pretty good work plan and the cat is happy that she gets to stay indoors. I know some people find having to stay indoors against their will (introverts no need to put down your book), but I’m going to relish this time!
Published: Sylvia Jimenez
In recognition of International Women's Day 2020
I’ve been flicking through photos of my youth of late. And as I give thanks to all of the strong women in history and in my own family, one in particular is my mum. I was (and still am her everything) She endured a not-so-happy childhood, a not-so-happy relationship with her parents and a not-so-happy first marriage. But in every photo we have together, I’m in her arms, she’s smiling, And whilst we are conscious of giving thanks to our mothers for their support, I’m giving thanks on this day for the strength that was instilled in me from a very early age. Strong women are predominant in our family (and as such, I’ve also married into a family with strong women).
Published: Sylvia Jimenez
The power of the collaborative voice
Today I received a lovely email from our local mayor. Well it wasn’t just directed at me, of course I was part of a consortium, but a part of it I was. A little while ago I was reminded of a survey that I was asked to partake. The survey requested my support to oppose a potential change to a ferry service along the shores of one of our many rivers. Now if you live in Sydney, you would have rode at least once, the ferry into the city. It’s a lovely mode of transport, especially on a warm spring day. Clinical papers have proven the effects of fresh air and water having a positive impact in lowering stress levels as well as clearing sinuses, and increasing the overall well-being of the psyche. It was with this thinking that for the first time, I lent my email address, I entered my personal details and took the time to oppose the suggestion cut to the now privatised ferry service
Published: Sylvia Jimenez
Wheelfulness, it's a visual of calm
I ask the question: “How does this image make you feel?”
Published: Sylvia Jimenez
Is December 26 our only day of rest?
Christmas in our part of the world tends to begin on December 1st. Work is gearing up for Christmas, the shop windows are dressed with baubles and lights, heck I even heard a Christmas Carol whilst tearing down the aisles on December 7. And after all that is the joyous time of Christmas and the family gatherings have ceased, the food coma surpassed and reflections on the past 12 months, December 26 seems to be the only day of rest. For on December 27, the machine starts once again. This morning December 26, 2019 I’ve allowed myself to simply rest, not feeling one iota that the dishwasher needs unpacking or that anyone in the household wants breakfast, yes, they can get it themselves.
Published: Sylvia Jimenez
The Arty Farty Retreat, everyone needs a little creative outlet...
I think this will be my shortest blog entry ever. Imagine a group of friends together, getting creative. That’s my existence today. Today we are painting, drawing, writing, we’re getting the creative juices flowing. How important for our psyche to just let it all hang out. I’m not sure we allow ourselves the liberty of simply letting ourselves to rest or to speak to our creative selves, everyone is so goddamn busy. Today I’ll keep my observation to a minimum, because I’m getting busy getting creative…
Published: Sylvia Jimenez
I know you're busy and I value your time...
This week, and perhaps subconsciously for quite some time now, I’ve been compartmentalising my life into sections of definitive time. Everyone I speak to is so, so, super busy. We juggle work and family, social and the everyday. I’m no exception to this rule, so when I look at the aspects of my time, one thing I prioritise is that I endevour to make every time period count. It doesn’t mean that every minute of the day is accounted for, there will always be the one hour binge fest where you just need to ‘chill out’, rather I’m giving value to my time and reciprocating those who give me their time. I watched a TED Talk recently about time management (see below) and what stood out for me, is that whilst we are trying to fit in all of the aspects of our lives into every 24 hours, what is the most effective use of your time? I’m writing this from my ‘people observations’ point of view.
Published: Sylvia Jimenez
Margot had it all sorted, she was just born in the wrong era...
In times of late, Ive been drawn to photographs of the past. And today being All Saint’s day, the memory my late great-aunt Margot comes to the forefront. Whilst I’m still processing the death of my father, I’ve been reminded by the relo’s that in Europe today (and across the world I suspect) people will be frequenting their prospective ancestors in cemetaries across the continents. Today Novemeber 1st, we remember those long past, those newly departed and those whom in history were considered saints. In my eyes, my great-aunt Margot was a saint. She was the youngest of eight children, ballsy, cool and very refined.
Published: Sylvia Jimenez
Don't let the age fool you
A few weeks ago my sister and I travelled OS together. This is something that we had never done before, so it was the beginning of a lot of ‘first’s.’ First to spend more than eight hours together, first to face tragedy together (another story to tell) and a first for me to show her the Budapest I love so so much. One of the ‘first’s’ was a visit to the thermal baths, one of the most famous in the city, The ‘Szecsenyi Furdo.’ The thermal healing waters of the baths were discovered in the 1880s and although now popular with tourists, the ritual of bathing in these baths has long been engrained in the culture of the Hungarian people. When I was a child only the mamas and the papas used to religiously frequent the 28 degree waters and I would complain how boring it was because I wasnt allowed in to ‘bomb’ and splash around. According to my great aunt Rose, the etiquette of relaxing in the soothing waters did not permit Sylvia aged 12 and her famous double barrel spike dive.
Published: Sylvia Jimenez
Minimalism doesn't = minus
The other day I had an exciting date with an ironing board and a basket of washing. Boring I know, however, there does not seem to be an adequate ironing person who I can pay to iron and bring back my garmets on my wooden coathangers (hate those nasty wire hangers) but let’s save this rant for another time. This time I decided to multitask this laborious chore and pull out the ipad, place it on the laundry bench and switch over to Netflix. A new programe appeared on my screen it was called Minimalism*
Published: Sylvia Jimenez
Be the creator of memories
Lately there’s been numerous discussions in our household about getting out and doing things, see and experience life. Master X is hesitant and for the life of me I can’t understand why. I often compare his opportunities with my own (at his age) and when the topic arises, I’m surprised that he doesn’t jump at the chance to get on a plane (or train or any other modes of transport) and seek the (vicarious) adventure I crave. When I was trying to explain the importance of branching out and doing something out of your comfort zone, I summed it up in a statement, that ‘in order for one’s character to grow, one must create memories.’
Published: Sylvia Jimenez
Wünderlust
Wün-der-lust: a strong, innate desire to rove or travel about
Published: Sylvia Jimenez
My friend Selina.
A few weeks ago a work trip took me across the seas into downtown San Antonio. I was excited for the upcoming travels not only because I would be partaking in a summit of creatives, but the fact that I would be able to spend time with a past colleague who ultimately became a good friend after we both parted ways with an ex employer. (Left voluntarily, not the other way around!) You see Selina departed our shores to pursue a beau in the mid-western states and well, now she can safely say she’ll be wearing cowboy boots with nearly every outfit. What I also ascertained very quickly, was that San Antonio Texas is full of big things. Big trucks, Big voices and Big Appetites.
Published: Sylvia Jimenez
An ode to my peeps
‘Come up and recuperate, you can relax and rest and get your body functioning again.’ This was the gift from one of my besties as I deal with my immediate reality, that and the fact that we can share our favourite Gin, chat, catch-up, sleep, FB, Insta and watch Netflix – however, we’ll leave that for another time. So for this particular post, I dedicate this to all my peeps.
Published: Sylvia Jimenez
Finding the 'f' in funny
I’ll admit I’ve let time lapse a little, however there has been a lot on lately. Apart from the usual, three months of chemo, three exams, three assignments (passed, thank goodness) and full time work, Ive been on a mission (with my likeminded friends, thanks Madam C) to ‘find funny.’ I made ‘Finding Funny‘ a mission. How else was I going to get through this horrible disease, without (metaphorically) losing it completely? I’ve scoured bookshops all over Sydney, the same question asked time and time again.
Published: Sylvia Jimenez
"Yes, I'll have a drink with that." How not to let others unload their crap on you.
If I’ve heard it once, I’ll seriously have heard it quite a few times. You know, someone else’s story! Whilst I’ve always had a compassionate ear for others’ misfortunate tales of woe, I’ve sympathised and listened without judgement, but now, I’m sorry, but I don’t have time for you to unload your shit on me. (I do believe that was a line from a song!)
Published: Sylvia Jimenez
A positive mindset
There is a lot to be said about surrounding oneself with a positive mindset. I’m a firm believer that it’s the mind that constitutes our attitudes and values, direction in life as well as not needing the psychological abyss of the black hole of the subconsciousness.
Published: Sylvia Jimenez
Cancer wont get me...
I really love looking at pictures of Zebra’s, with their soulful eye’s and quiet demeanour. They don’t harm, they stay together, they are strong and weak simultaneously. The image of this beautiful Zebra was taken from my hospital room. And although I would generally gaze at its majestic head, today this zebra remind me of a cage, with its black and white bars, because today is really when the truth sunk in. Today I am in a cage within my body. I have cancer.
Published: Sylvia Jimenez
5 things that makes me laugh
This week Ive had what I call an ‘internally driven, humorous look at imagery that made me LOL by myself.’ You know those times, when all of a sudden a wide smile crosses your face, you ‘like’ something, you ‘share’ a funny message. It all started when my son showed me a site he follows on insta, a @rojiman post of Donald the Cat and Kim Jong the cat. Silly and juvenile as it seems, I found it very funny. And like all things, when your senses tune into the universe (yes I’m a true believer of the @attractorfactor) funny scenarios happen to appear almost instantly, see @celestebarber.
Published: Sylvia Jimenez