Categories: work, reading, life
Date: 20 May 2012 04:21:57
In a few hours, after dropping by my friends' place to wish their 1-year old daughter 'Happy Birthday' [and to eat some cake! :) ], I will head up to Newcastle -- well, 18.5 kms north of Newcastle to be exactingly honest... -- where, God willing, I will be living and working for the foreseeable future. I did a drive up yesterday to move my bulky stuff, and did a test drive from my sister's place to my work; I will take a few more things [including the PC I am writing on now...] up there today.
This week has been a blur. I was able to catch up with a few friends, which was great; I farewelled the reception staff and class instructors at my local gym [and did a rather intense Zumba session -- compared to the moves at my local gym! -- with a friend at her gym]; I went through my clothes and books and donated a reasonable number to St Vinnie's [as we down here call it; St Vincent de Paul's Charity Shops] and the local library; and generally just enjoyed the last few days before returning to work.
On books, my reading selections have always been broadened by chance encounters or by comments on blogs I read as well as recommendations by friends and family. After speaking to someone with me in the hospital I started reading Agatha Christie after she recommended them: and rather enjoyed them. I cannot for the life of me remember who put me on to Wodehouse, but I've continued to borrow many of his from the local libraries as he writes wonderfully and humorously. I do remember, as it was less than a month ago!, that Deb on the Run recommended The Book Thief, which I read and was entirely captivated by. Many others, here on the Wibsite and in the broader blogging world, have also given me recommendations I have sought after. I am continuing to find [and generally buy!] books on the English language and linguistics, especially those by David Crystal who is amazing in not only his knowledge, but wit and writing style which keeps me engaged. After reading Pity the Nation: Lebanon at War by Robert Fisk before I went to Lebanon -- again, he is someone who writes engagingly and with experience and knowledge which shows forth -- I then borrowed his The Great War for Civilisation: The Conquest of the Middle East, which helped inform ignorant me of many of the wars in the Middle East and Northern Africa in the last few decades. And from him I will look at more books on the region as I find myself drawn to it.
There is still much for me to read. But thank you to all, and my apologies for forgetting all who have given me recommendations, for expanding my reading horizons. You can be sure, as soon as I am able, I will be heading to the local library and signing up.
And on a different topic, I plan to take a photo every few days, will not commit to every day! :) , to show you my new residence and work, and the sights between them, sharing my explorings and discoveries with you all. I am looking forward to the journey.