happiness =

Happiness = a vase of pink dahlias
Happiness = Ché sleeping in the same cot I slept in as a bub
Happiness = a patchwork teddy, a drum, a toy elephant, blue felt elf shoes, mala beads

I taught a beginners yoga class this evening and an elderly couple sat in the front row. They were very cute and smiled at me throughout the 90minute class. It's nice when your students smile - it's reassuring, I feel blessed to be in their space, sharing in their happiness. They probably didn't realise this but almost every one of their movements were in sync. And when they were lying down for a guided relaxation to complete their practice, they begun to breathe in unison. It must be love. And happiness.

It is wonderful to be introducing people to yoga and it is fascinating to watch one, four maybe even 11 people slowly release, relax and let go. If you're reading this perhaps you can become aware of the way that you are sitting. Roll your shoulders back and down. Lift the crown of your head towards the ceiling. Relax your face. Focus on your breathing for the next 20 breaths and mentally repeat "let" as you inhale and "go" as you exhale. Spend a few moments just letting go.

Awareness of breath & body is happiness. Yoga creates happiness. Om Om Om.

earth hour

I had some fresh coriander sitting lonesome in a vase on the windowsill today so I thought it would be best to cook a yummy tikka masala for dinner - sprinkled with coriander and yogurt, mango & naan as yummy accompaniments. We ate it by candlelight because along with millions of others we turned off all the lights for earth hour. I enjoyed walking from room to room, lighting candles in each and smelling the sweet aroma of the curry cooking...there is nothing quite like a curry on a saturday night. Yum!

sort out the planet

Baby Ché began his day playing on his new floor mats and contemplating the day ahead. "Hmmmm, what will today bring?" he muses. Playing at the beach? Hanging out with Mama? A long afternoon snooze? He'd like to remind everyone that tonight the world will be lit by candlelight. "It's Earth Hour and the planet will be dimmed to ensure that when I grow up, I will enjoy clean air, green trees, fresh water and regulated temperature...please."Which is why Ché has decided to wear his political beliefs on his sleeve - "I won't stop screaming until you sort out the planet" says his t-shirt. Need we say more?

The first page of the first chapter of a very interesting story...

I've decided to create this blog so that those of you who live far far away can watch Ché grow. Hopefully you can make the journey to this page every few days and take a little look at what we've been up to. I can thank Kiri for the encouragement...you see, she leaves for Europe in about 20 sleeps and we are very sad to see her go. She is even sadder that she won't see Baby Ché Ché for such a long while. All this sadness was getting a bit overwhelming, hence the creation of Ché & Fidel. We had mochas and blueberry bagels today. This is Kiri and Ché with the new addition - Bunny. Bunny is an Easter gift - a blue and white rabbit with very long, chewable ears. I think Bunny may have become "security bunny" so no doubt in a years time Bunny will still be gracing this page, perhaps a little dirtier and maybe with one less ear.