Sorry I haven't been around to visit blogs or write a new post here for over one month... :(
You see I had been house-hunting here for over 4 months and now (after renting a different holiday apartment every month for those 4 months - yes, moving every single month = nightmare!) I have finally found a fixed apartment!
So onto another new start.... But now the real fun begins: moving all my things from my old home to the new one, drilling holes in walls for pictures, mirrors and curtain poles, putting up curtains, installing washing machine, setting up my home entertainment room, setting up PC, decorating the guest room (Dad's room) decorating the bedroom, buying endless new stuff seen in shops that "will look great in bedroom, bathroom, Dad's room, Living Room..." and the list goes on... But it's great that I have a strong hunky Boyfriend to help me with all the heavy stuff! hehe ;)
If anyone is a dab hand at putting up curtains, picking out duvets and sheets, cleaning rugs, and all those things that Mum, Auntie Pat, Auntie Linda and Nanny did so well please let me know any tips or hints as I am useless with all those things and so stressed! and I can't wait until I'm all settled into my new Home Sweet Home!!
And I promise I'll try to be around more often! I will "Resume Normal Business" as soon as all the stress is over!
Oh, and I almost forgot: Yaaaaay! Rio 2016!!!!! Big parties here!!!!! :) After Rio de Janeiro winning the official award for the "World's Happiest City" it was a wonderful "icing on the cake" by being chosen to host the Olympics! Oh yes It's going to be beautiful! :D
Rio de Janeiro has officially been voted the happiest City in the world by Forbes magazine... Top of the list... and you can read the report on the official site here
I've lived here for over ten years now and can say with my hand on my heart that Rio really does deserve this fantastic award, nowhere have I ever experienced the absolutely positive joy of life and joy of living and loving that Brazilians have, and for these reasons and so much more I would never want to live anywhere else in the world! All this without speaking about the natural beauty that exists within the city! A city surrounded by beautiful mountains and deep blue sea, a city where you can leave your work, go to the beach and be watched over by the wonderful spiritual Christ statue (Cristo Redentor) standing up there high in the crimson blue Carioca sky as you soak the stress of the day away.
Yes Rio has it's problems, mainly the most publicised ones of violence and poverty, but it's got better over the years (there are a lot of over-hyped stories) Rio has always been a city with all types of social levels living together; lower, middle and upper classes all walking along the same beaches, soaking up the same Carioca sun, drinking fruit juice or beers in the same bars, buying the same food in the supermarkets, sharing the same pure air - everyone living together and getting along, smiling every day no matter what.
For me Rio de Janeiro is absolutely unique, I've travelled to many cities in the world but have never fell in love instantly with a place like I did with Rio the very first day that I got off of the airplane and touched the red hot tarmac. The city has a magic about it, you feel it in the air... I felt it that very first day that I arrived here, it encapsulates you, charms you, takes your breath away and makes you fall in love... just like the Cariocas (the name given to people who are from Rio de Janeiro) themselves.
And the Cariocas?! Here the people are incomparable!! I have no words to explain the wonderful energy and spirit of living that everyone has! You could be sitting at a kiosk or bar alone and within ten minutes you would have four or five new friends. There is a famous expression here in Brazil which is: "Sou Brasileiro e desiste nunca" (I'm Brazilian and I never give up) which is so true... Brazilians have this wonderful way about them that no matter how bad the situation in life they never give up, never allow themselves to be beaten and never stop smiling in the face of adversity. I am also like this now, I have become Carioca, or maybe I always was... because the very first day I set foot in this wonderful, beautiful, fantastic city I felt like I had come home, I really did, for the first time in my life I felt like I belonged somewhere.
Going to the beach here is an experience in itself, you make your way to the sand and the energy is all around you... a huge community of people, beautiful strangers all joined together, soaking up the energy of Rio's sun, sand and sea, people talking, laughing, sunbathing, dating. A day at the beach is like a huge social outing, especially the weekends when most of the city heads for the sand.
Those of you that have never been to Rio de Janeiro and personally experienced all this wonderful energy and beauty should get a flight here as soon as you can!! And I can speak from my own personal experience that there is no place in the world like Rio de Janeiro to fall in love! especially when the love of your life turns out to be Brazilian!
This is the new highly-anticipated comeback single from Whitney Houston called "Million Dollar Bill" It's written by Alicia Keys and has a great positive vibe about the joys of love - a real anthem with it's roots set firmly in the 80s and 90's! This new single is from her new CD called "I Look To You" a must-buy for Whitney Houston fans. It's great to see Whitney back on top after many years of problems not unlike Amy Winehouse!!
Now everyone all together: "Say ooh oh oh oh, say ooh oh oh oh!"
Oh oh oh yeah Ooh oh ooh oh oh Came in the door Checked in my coat And who I'm looking for is Staring in my face oh oh oh They played our song We hit the floor He held me strong And we danced the night away I can see the way that he is making feel This way about his love I’ve been looking for something like this I’m saying ooh oh oh oh ooh oh oh!
If he makes you feel like a million dollar bill Say oh oh oh, say oh oh oh! If you go left right up down Make you spinning round and round Say ooh oh oh oh, say ooh oh oh oh!
It’s been a long long time Since I fell, fell Love has found my way oh oh oh I’ve been looking (looking) I’ve been searching (searching) For the man to touch this place, oh ooh oh yeah Can’t deny the way that he is making feel This way about his love I’ve been searching for something like this I’m saying oooh oh oh oh, say ooh oh oh oh!
If he makes you feel like a million dollar bill Say oh oh oh, say oh oh oh! Makes you go left right up down Makes you spinning round and round Say oooh oh oh oh, say ooh oh oh oh! If he makes you feel like a million dollar bill Say oh oh oh, say oh oh oh! Makes you go left right up down Makes you spinning round and round Say oooh oh oh oh, say ooh oh oh oh!
If you feel good If you’re feeling good Put one hand in the air, say yeah If you feel good If you’re feeling good It’s cause love is in the air Love is in the air
If he makes you feel like a million dollar bill Say oh oh oh, say oh oh oh! Makes you go left right up down Makes you spinning round and round Say ooh oh oh oh, say ooh oh oh oh! If he makes you feel like a million dollar bill Say oh oh oh, say oh oh oh! Makes you go left right up down Makes you spinning round and round Say ooh oh oh oh, say ooh oh oh oh!
I haven't posted anything here for a while, apart from a couple of poems, and I'd like to say sorry to everyone for not being around so often...
I don't have much to say that I haven't already said, except that I am ecstatically happy, over-flowing with love and joy and am spending every moment that I can with My Love... this wonderful, amazing, fantastic, loving man who has been sent to me like a Brazilian Bossa Nova song from the skies, like a gift from God, and who has filled my life with colour... my life that was once so black and white.
For Claudinho: I never thought I'd ever feel this way... All I can think about is you, all I can dream about is you, all I can look at is you... I can't concentrate on anything else at all. I look at you, think of you, dream of you, touch you, hear your voice, feel your touch and see your beauty and I am smiling 24 hours a day, my heart is beating 50 times faster and the reason for all of this is you, Meu Amor - Eu Te Amo.
Thank you God for sending me My Love, Meu Amor! And thank you Claudinho for teaching me how to love again, for giving me the courage to fall head over heels for you (which wasn't difficult), for showing me that so much love and affection exists in your arms, and for showing me that life is full of such wonderful, fantastic, perfect surprises!
This film is fast becoming one of my favourites: "Prime" starring Meryl Streep, Uma Thurman and Bryan Greenberg. No it's not a summer blockbuster, it's not a special-effects laden film, and it wasn't a huge success at the cinema either - in my opinion it was hugely overlooked amongst all the big blockbusters at the time... but if you have the time and want to settle down and watch a wonderful funny, sad and romantic little film about the human heart and the love that surrounds us, regardless of age or religion then rent this little gem on Dvd! In fact it's a perfect film to watch at home on Dvd.
Uma Thurman is "Rafi" a 30 something career woman who has recently divorced her husband and is regularly seeing her therapist "Lisa" played by an extremely funny Meryl Streep. Soon Rafi begins a relationship with 23 year old "David" and finds true happiness for the first time in years. However she confides in her therapist and tells her everything about the affair and how she (or rather everyone else) is concerned about the age difference and also the fact that being as he is Jewish and she is not that there are also conflicts within his family for him to only have relationships within his own faith.
Needless to say they fall in love, unexpected things happen at the therapist's office, unexpected secrets are revealed and the fun and games begin with Meryl Streep stuck in the middle!
It's not the usual sappy romantic comedy with all the expected things happening (as much as I love those films too!) and it's nothing like those films where you already know the ending before the film has begun, it's totally unexpected and full of wonderful little surprises.
In my opinion it's one of Uma Thurman's best roles... she gives a subtle but strong performance that is full of heart and emotion and as always Meryl Streep shines! Every role I have seen her in just seems like it was made for her; but then that is the power of a true actress! And newcomer Bryan Greenberg holds his own against these two strong women and he is proving to be an up and coming talent.
See it soon with someone you love, or watch it alone, either way you will be left with a warm fuzzy feeling all over and the need to kiss the nearest person to you as the end credits roll!!
I loved it!!! But then, as you all know, I'm a romantic fool!!!!!
At this wonderful, joyous time in my life, a new beginning where I feel happier than I have ever felt in many, many years, which isn't really true as I can't remember ever being this happy before... I often find myself stopping and looking at my life from the outside and see a person overjoyed with love, adoration and happiness and all of this is thanks to Claudinho, who has reminded me that wonderful, fantastic, loving, caring, beautiful, honest, faithful and genuine people DO exist in this world. He has made me see that love is greater than anything else in the world and I can't think about anybody or anything else.... nobody and nothing else seems to matter now and I find myself smiling every minute of the day and night, I even wake up from dreams with a feeling of overflowing love and happiness.
The feeling I now feel is as if I have just woken up from many years spent in a coma and my life is only just now beginning, and the reason is you Meu Amor. You are the greatest gift that I have been given.
So what is love? Some scientific people say that it is just a chemical that the human body and brain creates to help reproduction, but I'm not a scientist and I dont have a scientific brain, my brain and heart are those of a pure romantic and I don't believe any of that scientific stuff. I'm a romantic soul and for me love is something that magically appears when two people are so wonderful for one another, when the chemistry and physical attraction overflow with excitement and passion and the hearts and bodies of two people join together to become one and in return results in the sharing of everything together, a new life is created.
No chemical can create what I am feeling now, it's not chemical; it's all natural. The pure love and happiness that I feel when we are together, the longing that I desperately feel when we are apart and all the times in between when I only have you on my mind, your name on my lips, your touch on my skin, your voice in my ears, your beauty in my heart, your smell on my body and all your love washing over me like a river of endless passionate kisses.
Yes I'm truly blessed and I know it! Blessed to have found you, blessed to feel all your love and kisses, and blessed to know and understand the true meaning of love... the meaning of love to me... and it's all because of you!
Reading back over some past posts of mine I found the words that my Mum had written in a card that she gave me the very last time that I saw her, the day that I came to live in Brasil. It was from the post "Scenes From Another Room: My Story - Part 2" She wrote the card as I was sleeping the very last night that we spent together in London. She hadn't been able to sleep and spent almost all night in the kitchen thinking, crying and writing these words to me:
My Beautiful Darling Son, This week has been the worst week of my life, knowing that I am losing you. I've tried to hide it from you as I didn't want to spoil our last week together. Go and live your life and always be happy, the way that I have seen you these past few months. Travel as much as you can and see the world and then when you write home and tell me all about it I will live through your eyes and see everything that you have seen. I can't tell you how blessed I feel to have a Son as wonderful as you, as loving as you, as thoughtful and kind as you are. Always follow your dreams, anything you want to do just do it because too much time is spent in life thinking about whether or not we should do something and worrying about what other people think, so never be afraid to be yourself... I've put three thousand pounds in this card so that you have some money to fall back on should you need it, but if times are ever hard out there let us know and we will send you some more. I love you, I love you, I love you! and see you next Christmas! All my love, Mum xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
That time was terrible for both of us and I can say without a doubt in my mind that it was the hardest thing about coming to live here, knowing that I would be far from my Mother who was always the biggest inspiration in my life, my biggest support, and never in a million years would I have imagined that only one year later she would be gone from my life forever.
But reading those words of her's again now she reminds me why I have always sought happiness in my life.... it has always been my Mother who has given me the inspiration to seek happiness, to grasp opportunities to be happy and to live my life every single day. So I don't feel sad when I read her beautiful words to me.... I smile. I feel extremely lucky and blessed to have had an extremely loving and modern Mother who showed me so much love every single day of my life, who supported me through good times and bad times, and taught me that all kinds of love are important in this world and that nobody has anything to be ashamed of; if they love somebody of the same sex, of a different colour or religion... She always said "Love is love in any language, no matter what"
She was, and still is, so important to me in my life that I know that she is always still around, I feel her around me so often, and there's no doubt that she is smiling for me now in this extremely happy and joyful new beginning in my life!
I love you forever Mum! Walk by my side always and whenever I need you I will reach out to hold your hand...
There's no chill and yet I shiver There's no flame and yet I burn I'm not sure what I'm afraid of And yet I'm trembling
There's no storm yet I hear thunder And I'm breathless why I wonder Weak one moment then the next I'm fine I feel as if I'm falling Every time I close my eyes And flowing through my body Is a river of surprise Feelings are awakening I hardly recognize as mine
What are all these new sensations What's the secret they reveal I'm not sure I understand But I like the way I feel
Oh why, why, why, why, oh Why is it that every time I close my eyes he's there The water shining on his skin, The sunlight in his hair And all the while I'm thinking things That I can't wait to share with him...
I'm a bundle of confusion Yet it has a strange appeal Did it all begin with him And the way he makes me feel I like the way he makes me feel, he makes me feel, I like the way, I like the way he makes me feel.
First of all I want to say sorry for not being around so much but I have had some very good reasons...
All my dear blogging friends and people who have been following my blog will know that the past four or five months have been extremely difficult for me. I ended a long-term relationship of 13 years and even though I hadn't been happy for the last 5 years of it it was still a very stressfull time for me as I needed to re-start my life without knowing what the next day would bring... not knowing if I would be o.k. and if I could survive it all. I decided that I couldn't spend the rest of my life in that situation and that if I didn't make a decision it would risk my future happiness and well-being, so I held my breath and jumped... But even though it was a very scary time it was also very exciting to actually not know where the future would be taking me, there's something very energizing and therapeutic about all of that... So I made myself strong, kept a one-track mind and just thought about myself and my happiness in life, it was the best decision I have ever made, thank God that I have got through the worst.
I moved back to Rio alone and I am still in a transition, professionally speaking, as I am having interviews and looking for work. But I am optimistic and I know that everything will work out for me as I have some wonderful guardian angels looking after me and guiding me in the right directions, I truly believe that, as my life has always worked out o.k. in the past and out of every terrible situation that I have been through there has always been joy and happiness at the other side of the tunnel. Maybe it's just the way that I deal with things, thinking positively and striving to improve everything in my life without distractions. I know that I am stronger than I think and it is at these times that I truly surprise myself as to what I can be capable of, but I like to think that there is a spiritual side to it all and that we only have a certain amount of control of our destinies - everything is already mapped out for us.
But something truly wonderful has happened to me: I'm in love, but so in love!! and I am the happiest I have been in many years. His name is Claudinho, he is 25 years old, moreno (which is the name given to a Brazilian with naturally tanned skin), Carioca (which is the name given to someone from Rio de Janeiro), dark hair, dark eyes, a typical Brazilian latin guy and extremely handsome, loving, funny and caring. We are in a serious relationship and I can't think about anything else in this world and I feel ten years younger! We go out every weekend, we go to the beach and we have a great time.... life is so wonderful!!!
There's been rain and storms in my life, there's been heartache, pain, loss and tears, but the sun has come out and shone onto my life, bringing me golden love, happiness, laughter and joy, and boy do I deserve it!!!
Whoever my God is I thank you for getting me through all of this and giving me back my smile and laughter, throughout everything I never lost faith.
This is dedicated to you Claudinho - Eu Te Amo!!!!!
The soundtrack to my life at the moment continues to be any song by the fantastic British band Keane and this track is just beautiful...
Every time he sings the part: "God I wish you could see me now, you'd pick me up and you'd sort me out." I instantly think of my Mum and the tears arrive (regular readers of my blog will know that she was an extremely strong woman and an extremely loving Mother who helped me through many truly difficult times in my life, supported me unconditionally and gave me strength to get through everything. She passed away shortly after I came to live in Brasil) because I know that she would "pick me up and sort me out" with just a few words of advice, her wisdom and her love.
So on a day when I feel so, so low, am wishing that my Mum was here and I am thinking "God I wish you could see me now" I wanted to post this beautiful song and music video: "Try Again" by Keane.
There's no words that could describe it, or do it justice, as it is so, so beautiful.... so enjoy!
I fell asleep on a late night train I missed my stop and I went round again Why would I wanna see you now? To fix it up, make it up somehow Baby I'll try again, try again Baby I die every night, every time
What I was isn't what I am I'd change back but I don't know if I can Still I'll try, try again, try again Baby I die every night, every time
But I was made the way I am I'm not a stone; I'm just a man Lay down your arms and I will lay down mine Reap back the time that we've been wasting
God I wish you could see me now You'd pick me up and you'd sort me out Baby I'll try again, try again Baby I die every night, every time
This classic song "The Universal" by the British band Blur, from 1995, reminds me so much of my crazy life in London during the 90's, a decade of excess and decadence in a job where I had no time to think about, or do anything else, but work and be constantly tired... the only thing that was always with me on a daily basis was the music and my life was surrounded by the music of that time. Even now that hasn't changed for me as I am always constantly surrounded by music from the time that I wake up until the time I sleep, my life has always been that way and I couldn't exist without music.
Hearing the song again now in a new phase of my life gives so much upliftment, it's joyful and I feel it's a song about hope... it gives me hope anyway; hope for a better future...
And if only all songs and music videos were so wonderfully creative like this these days! Just listen to the string arrangements! And the chorus! And the artisic attention to detail in the music video in capturing the Kubrick fantasy!
Put your feet up, have a cup of tea or coffee and watch the music video as you enter a Clockwork Orange world! ;)
This is the next century Where the universal's free You can find it anywhere Yes, the future has been sold Every night we're gone And to karaoke songs How we like to sing a long Although the words are wrong
It really, really, really could happen Yes, it really, really, really could happen When the days they seem to fall through you, well just let them go
No one here is alone, satellites in every home Yes the universal's here, here for everyone Every paper that you read Says tomorrow is your lucky day Well, here's your lucky day
It really, really, really could happen Yes, it really, really, really could happen When the days they seem to fall through you, well just let them go Well, it really, really, really could happen Yes, it really, really, really could happen When the days they seem to fall through you, well just let them go Just let them go
One of my many, many favourite songs by George Michael is "Spinning The Wheel" and yes I did name my Blog after that song!! ;) George has a genius talent for writing the most beautiful lyrics and putting them together with his wonderful music, he is in my opinion the best singer/songwriter on the planet!
So if you haven't already heard the song and seen the music video sit back and enjoy it here! And if you do already know the song just sit back and enjoy it again and listen to the wonderful poetic lyrics hidden within a fantastic contemporary song!
spin the wheel spin the wheel spin the wheel spin the wheel
Five o'clock in the morning you ain't home I can't help thinking that's strange, Yeah yeah, baby I just want you to know I won't go through it again Yeah yeah
Those clouds are closing in Baby love and I will not accept this as a part of my life I will not live in fear of what may be, yeah and the lessons I have learned... I would rather be alone than watch you spinning that wheel for me
You've got a thing about danger ain't you getting what you want from me? you've got a thing about strangers baby that's what we used to be you've got a thing about danger baby I guess the hungry just can't see one of these days you're gonna bring some home to me...
Six o'clock in the morning you ain't phoned I can't help thinking that's strange Yeah yeah it seems that everybody takes their chances these days oh yeah, we're standing in the rain Baby love
And I will not accept this as a part of my life I will not live in fear of what may be and the lessons I have learned... I would rather be alone than watch you spinning, spinning that wheel for me...
Got a thing about danger ain't you getting what you want from me? Baby don't you love that trash! Got a thing about strangers Baby that's what we used to be I know you're always chasing that arse like it's going out of fashion, baby I guess the hungry just can't see One of these days you're gonna bring some home to me...
How can you love me? when you are playing with my life! you say give me time and I'll do better, I swear! give me time and I'll lead you back to despair... and I don't want to go back there... I don't want to go back there... Never going back to that and that's a fact, baby! one of these days you're gonna bring some home to me... to me...
Spin the wheel Spin the wheel Spin the wheel Spin the wheel Spin the wheel Spin the wheel Spin the wheel Spin the wheel
A turning tide Lovers at a great divide Why d'you laugh? When I know that you're hurt inside? And why'd you say It's just another day, nothing in my way I don't wanna go, I don't wanna stay So there's nothing left to say?
And why'd you lie When you wanna die, when you're hurt inside Don't know what you lie for anyway Now there's nothing left to say
A tell-tale sign You don't know where to draw the line And why'd you say It's just another day, nothing in my way I don't wanna go, I don't wanna stay So there's nothing left to say
And why'd you lie When you wanna die, when you're hurt inside Don't know what you lie for anyway Now there's nothing left to say
Well for a lonely soul, you're having such a nice time For a lonely soul, you're having such a nice time For a lonely soul, it seems to me that you're having such a nice time You're having such a nice time (Just...) For a lonely soul, you're having such a nice time (...another day, nothing in my way, I..) For a lonely soul, you're having such a nice time (...don't wanna go, I don't wanna stay. just..) For a lonely soul, it seems to me that you're having such a nice time (... another day, nothing in my way; Don't know what you lie for...) You're having such a nice time(...anyway)
Why do I have to fly over every town up and down the line? I'll die in the clouds above and you that I defend, I do not love.
I wake up, it's a bad dream, No one on my side, I was fighting But I just feel too tired to be fighting, guess I'm not the fighting kind.
Where will I meet my fate? Baby I'm a man, I was born to hate. And when will I meet my end? In a better time you could be my friend.
I wake up, it's a bad dream, No one on my side, I was fighting But I just feel too tired to be fighting, guess I'm not the fighting kind. Wouldn't mind it if you were by my side But you're long gone, yeah you're long gone now, yeah...
Where do we go? I don't even know, My strange old face, And I'm thinking about those days, And I'm thinking about those days.
I wake up, it's a bad dream, No one on my side, I was fighting But I just feel too tired to be fighting, guess I'm not the fighting kind. Wouldn't mind it if you were by my side But you're long gone, yeah you're long gone now, yeah...
This post has been awarded runner-up contender for "Post Of The Day" for 2 days running: 18/03/2009 and 19/03/2009 over at International Best-Selling Author and Photographer David McMahon's Blog Thank you very much indeed David for this tremendous honour!!
The genius lyrics, music and voice of Annie Lennox singing "The Hurting Time" How could she be able to put everything that I am feeling into just one song?! Genius, I love it!
To everything there is a purpose... To every blade of grass And every leaf on every tree Every living thing will surely come to pass And what will be will be... Ooh That's when the hurting time begins
And all the things you never said Or didn't have the strength to say And everything you ever did That time won't ever wash away Fears that you've been living with Gone and left their trace Tears that you’ve been living with Come running down your face Running down your face... That’s when the hurting time begins...
So tell me what the day brings Has it lost it's thrill? Are you still searching Hoping for that Space to fill... Everything you turn to Is like a mirror on the shelf And the only one you're blaming is yourself
Don’t give me no more of that hurting stuff Hurt me no more cause the pain’s enough!
A million little deaths you've died The times that you've been crucified The more you've loved and lost and tried And still could not be satisfied When will you be satisfied? When will you be satisfied? Not till, Not till Not today yeah yeah Not till the hurting time begins Tell it like it is yeah, yeah Not till the hurting time begins...
Almost a year ago I met a wonderful new Blogging friend who goes by the name of "GoneBackSouth" My own blog was just beginning and I had got off to a bumpy start and only had two readers... I never knew what to write about and I was almost giving up having a blog when I got a visit from GoneBackSouth through the link on my main profile page of the Mike Leigh film "Life Is Sweet" - a great favourite of mine.
A connection was made and she saw the post that I had written at that time with the video of Annie Lennox and David Bowie singing "Under Pressure" at the Freddie Mercury Tribute Concert. This lovely lady then wrote a post on her own blog with a link to my blog and said some very nice things about me and my writing.
Only a few hours after that I started to get so many visitors! All thanks to GoneBackSouth and she introduced me to a whole community of wonderful people, all very talented writers and truly genuine and kind people who I always doubted could exist in the virtual world! I was also introduced to many other British expats and I was now reading many posts that I could relate to, being far from the U.K!
This week GoneBackSouth is sadly quitting her blog to concentrate on her own life and I can understand that as I too have found it hard at times to keep my blog going when I have had other things or problems to deal with. She says that she may be back with another identity in the future, and I hope that she will, but if you don't come back GBS I want to wish you all the very best in all that you do and wish you lots of happiness, health, wealth and success in your life!
I wanted to write this post to say a big Thank You and a very sad farewell to my blogging friend GoneBackSouth.... Thank You for introducing me to many of your own blogging friends that in turn kept my blog alive and has kept me continually inspired to write new posts! I am eternally grateful.
This is the beauty of blogging: all the truly wonderful people who we meet along the way... some we meet for just a short while, some for a long while, but everyone who we meet along the way is connected to us for a reason. For a while we may walk along the same road, but there are times when that road becomes a junction and each person needs to take a new route, a new journey in life...
Farewell GoneBackSouth! You truly will be sorely missed! XXX
I'm a British Guy living in Brasil, an ex music journalist and an aspiring Poet/Writer/Songwriter walking along the road of life and
"Spinning The Wheel" to see what the hand of fate has in store for me...
They told me to hang on as it was going to be a bumpy ride...
I am a "film & music maniac" and will be recommending some new stuff that I have seen and heard along the way.
Welcome to my Blog! Pull up a chair, choose your favourite song on the jukebox and come back to listen to some of my sounds whenever you want!
Claudinho has created his own Blog and has been very busy translating some of my poetry into Portuguese and posting them, I'm very proud of him and all of his hard work! So now my Brazilian readers can visit his Blog and see the translations there... and also anyone else around the world! Go visit!! He also writes his own original texts and his Blog is becoming very interesting... Here is the link: The Brits Brasil
Awarded to me from Internationally published author and photographer David McMahon. Check out his bestselling novel "Vegemite Vindaloo" published by Penguin Books India!
Superior Scribbler Award
I'm So Honoured To Receive This From Fellow Ex-Expat Debs Lehner 07/12/2008
"Vale a Pena" Award
Very Kindly Given To Me By Leo 26/03/2009
Friendship Around The World Award
Very Kindly Given To Me From Fellow Ex-Expat Debs Lehner 07/12/2008
Dog Lover Blog Award
Very Kindly Given To Me By Leo 03/11/2008
Blogging With A Purpose Award
Kindly given to me by menopausaloldbag 09/07/2008
Faberge Artistic Award
Kindly given to me from fellow British Ex-Pat Debs 02/07/2008
Special Scribe Award
From Fello British Expat Debs 28/06/2008
Good Heart Award
given to me from my Dearest Friend Jeannie 06/06/2008
