Identity 2.0: Constructing identity with cultural software

As a part of my studies I have been asked to create a web presence with a central node presence connecting to my other nodes.  Of course, I've created a family history presence as my central node in Wordpress, and then connected to Delicious (bookmarking service), Flickr (organising photos), Networking Blogs, and Facebook Community Page. 

Just doing a bit of extra research, found an interesting article by Anne Helmond discusses
Identity 2.0: Constructing identity with cultural software.http://www.annehelmond.nl/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2010/01/helmond_identity20_dmiconference.pdf


Thought the illustration below was a really interesting visual of the whole scenario.

Illustration: Network of data flows of social services

Enlightenment and forgiveness

I feel this real attachment to the Buddhist religion and always want to know more. 

I'm not sure if I am searching for something more than the realities of everyday life, a special place or spiritualness leading me on in this life.  It could be this, so the thought of Enlightenment is very appealing and place of ease and happiness.  Letting everything just be, and accepting things as they are is special to me.  To fully be able to enjoy the smaller thing and feel no attachment to things that give me pain and just let things be is really really appealing. 

I found a lovely quote too, which I thought was fitting to some of my life experiences at the moment.  I'm wanting to acheive this always especially some of my friends who are feeling pain and angish in their lives at the moment so hope they find love in their heart to forgive and move on to a happier place. 

So anyway, the quote is:

Forgiving is love's toughest work, and love's biggest risk. If you twist it into something it was never meant to be, it can make you a doormat or an insufferable manipulator. Forgiving seems almost unnatural. Our sense of fairness tells us people should pay for the wrong they do. But forgiving is love's power to break nature's rule. 

Lewis B. Smedes

Lovely isn't it!!!

Intention for the Day!



Intention for the Day!

I love writing on small pebbles and leaving them on my kitchen counter.

Throughout the day as I am meandering around the kitchen, they provide me with a reminder, inspiration or an intention for that day!                  

Walking to Kindergarten with Charlie!



Charlie Dale Penhall 4 years old

I love having chats with my son Charlie! 

This morning after finding the car's battery had gone flat, Charlie and I decided to walk to his kindergarten.

I reassured him it wasn't a long walk, only 15 minutes and he responded that it was a nice day and I responded yes it was a nice day with blue skies. 

I asked him what the furthest distance he has ever walked before and expected him to say the duck pond or the shops to buy him a toy, but his response was totally adorable. 

He said the most far he has ever walked is to Melbourne last week with his back pack.

I was very impressed with that!

Charlie is back at swimming

Charlie at swimming lessons

Charlie has been asking to do swimming lessons, so I thought it was a perfect opportunity to spend time with him straight after Kindy.  It has been a few years since he has had lessons, as we used to take him to Blue Dolphin swim centre when he was a baby at 8 months. 

I bought him new swimming goggles, cap and bathers which he loved and the day before the session insisted on wearing them, and showing Grandma Penhall and I how he was going to swim.  It was funny to watch him on the floor thrashing around with arms and legs going everywhere. 

On the big day Thursday, we arrived at the Blue Dolphin swimming pool at 3.15pm and I as a concerned mother insisted on going in the pool with him.  The instructor didn't think it was necessary but I explain that most times Charlie the cautious child does not go swimming in pools and had only just recently swam in the holiday park swimming pool after play and splashing and getting totally drenched. 

We got changed and slid into the pool, and the water was lovely and warm at 32 degrees.  Charlie wasn't scared at all, and jumped straight into it.  Our instructor Clare, provided encouragement to him and the other children, sang songs and played different activities like swimming on their back and front, swimming after a ball and he wore a big yellow ring to keep him afloat.  By the end of it he was jumping into the pool from the edge of the pool and doing everything the other children were doing.  It was awesome to see this confidence and he looked very proud of himself. 

What a lovely activity for Charlie and I to do together and I am sure he is looking forward to next weeks lesson. 

Charlie is at Kindergarten

Charlie has started Kindergarten at Chandlers Hill Kindergarten and so is constantly letting me know he is a "big kindy boy Mum and Owen is a childcare boy".  Its wonderful to see him enjoying this experience with a lot of interest and enthusiasm to learn more and make new friends.

I am making his lunches required by Kindy.  I was a bit spoilt at childcare as all of the meals were provided and the kids loved them as a Chef worked there full time and I would often hear from the childcare workers how the boys went back for double servings.  I hope that doesn't say anything about my cooking as they hardly eat their meals.  Anyway, back to meals at Kindy, usually a sandwich, fruit, yoghurt and biscuits.  All health eating and a big bottle of water. 

Upon arrival Charlie finds his name and photo on the wall and on a small table prepares to write his name on a blank peice of paper.  This is a new experience for him, so I often help him by guiding the pencil in his little hand and try to describe the actions.  There seems to be a lot of structure and activities to keep the kids learning all day.  Charlie is always tired at the end of the day too. 

I take him at 8.45am and pick up at 3.00pm, and then we usually do something together.  I am really enjoying the time with just Charlie and I so we can talk and just hang out. Its lovely! 

Troubridge Island November 2010

Immediately after our holiday at Moonta Bay we met with Diana and Chris at Edith burgh for our next part.  Chris and Judy ? took us by boat to Troubridge Island which 8km off shore from Edith burgh. 

What an amazing place with over 30 species of bird life like south pacific gulls and fairy penguins breeding and surviving on the island. The University of Adelaide use the island to do research with students because its such a unique place with thousands of birds inhabiting the shoal/island.

There was a big red light house built in the 1850s and two white light house keeper cottages.  The last light house keepers left in the 1970s, so the place is starting to look a bit worn out.  Also the sand island is moving so the lighthouse is at risk of being taken by the sea.  There was a king tide which washed great waves into the cottages.  Chris who has a lease applied for funding to restore and protect the lighthouse and cottages but the government won't contribute.  There was some funding received in the 1990s with a team of people reinforcing the structures with cement and giant size sand bas. 

We stayed in the big cottage, with lots of big rooms and beds, and lovely kitchen facilities where we cooked our meals daily and talked with the Penhall family.

Every day we would go walking, canoeing, birdwatching, playing with the children, and looking for treasures like shells, glass and crockery. 

It was a lovely place and I will look forward to visiting again! 

Moonta Bay November 2010



Moonta Bay Jetty at Sunset

We had a wonderful family holiday in November.  Jamie and I with both boys stayed at the Moonta Bay Caravan Park.  Mum and Dad Saunders stayed right next door our cabin in their caravan which was great. 

It probably took a day or so to get into the swing of holidays, but then it was great.  We did the typical tourist stuff like Moonta Mines on the tourist train, Miners Cottage, and family historian. 

I met with the local family historian who gave me a lot of information about Jamie's Penhall family.  There was heaps, and she managed to solve some mysteries for me too about the Baker side of the family.

Every day I walked along the beach collecting shells and stones.  Charlie loved the stones cleaning them straight away into his little red tin lunch box. The beach was pretty and sunsets glorious. 

Mum and I enjoyed walks along the jetty admiring the fish people had or hadn't caught.  We even saw a man catch a squid and all of the ink sprayed a big black cloud into the water blow and then all over the jetty.  We steered clear! 

Every night we had a BBQ as the meat and food was cheap, so we were better off preparing our own food.  The caravan park facilities were excellent and very clean too and we could enjoy the beautiful scenery of the beach whilst bitten by a million mosquitoes. That was the only thing, a million mosquitoes. 

The kids had a swim down the beach, but ended up with sand everywhere, it was quite hard work but Dad and I took some awesome photos and had the opportunity to laugh at the boys chasing each other around the beach throwing sand at each other. 

So we had 5 lovely nights and days at Moonta Bay and really look forward to doing it again sometime.

Quioxte - Rest in Peace

Dale and Quioxte Nov 2011

Little Quioxte gone to heaven. 

You will always be remembered in my heart.

Quoixte was a beautiful dog and I loved her dearly. 

I will always remember her fun loving and friendly spirit and especially those 20km hikes she would take with me along Aldinga Beach and constantly wanting me to throw a stick the entire distance. 

She would always greet me at my brother's house with big loves squeezing inbetween my legs and firmly planting her bottom on top of my feet.

Poor Dale, Deb, Kayn and Kapri who will miss her the most as their loyal companion, friend, sister and daughter. My thoughts are with them. 

RIP beautiful Quixote.

Quioxte - Cherie Saunders

Marion Bay 2011

Our annual photo in the same spot! 

Marion Bay 2011 was so much fun this year.  Catie, Kath, myself and six kids rented a holiday house for the October long weekend to catch up with our gorgeous friend Jess who lives at Marion Bay on the York Peninsula. 

We've been holidaying annually for about seven years now, so its a great tradition and our families are ever expanding with eight kids running a muck. 

It was really full on during the day with kids running around and the house was not that kid friendly outside because of some large stone steps and no fences so I had to really keep my eye on Owen who is only 18 months and accident prone. Charlie has really grown up now, so he is keeping up with Mia and Samuel the older kids and Charlie and Jarrah were playing nicely too.

So we just spent time with the kiddies and then at night we would have a few drinks.  Our first drink was on arrival with Kath opening a bottle of watermelon flavoured champagne. Too bad Catie was so jet lagged from her trip to London, she kept falling asleep at night early.  I drank lots of alcohol that weekend.  Too bad I feel asleep on the last night quite early.

The ever expanding mob

We had a visit to the beach, play ground, visit to Jess and Ryan's house to play with chickens and watch the kids climb trees.  We also managed dinner at the local pub to but it was run and eat  as quick as can be when going out for dinner with so many kiddies.

Girls fun after the kids have gone to bed.

Loved this weekend and cannot wait for next year. The girls are also planning a strictly "Girls Only" weekend at Victor in December/January so will look forward to that for sure!

I feel so blessed to have such beautiful friends like Catie, Kath and Jess. They are totally amazing, intelligent, down to earth, easy going and a lot of fun too! 

Feeling free for life - de ja vu

I just love that feeling when I'm driving up Happy Valley Drive on a beautiful sunny day.  It's such a gorgeous stretch of road with a dense scrubland either side that gives the feeling of country. 

I have a feeling of de ja vu quiet frequently in this same spot as I cross the roundabout leading from Happy Valley Drive to Education Road. 

It's a beautiful day and blue skies.  I have the windows down and music blaring usually trip hop, or something FreshFM.  I'm singing! 

As I drive past the retirement village the thought crosses my mind - "wow I am so lucky to have a car, and be alone.  Back in the days they didn't have cars, they couldn't see all the places or do all the things I can do."

I am totally alone, and no-one is with me.  I'm totally enjoying this moment and freedom! I am so lucky.  It's an amazing feeling.

Taking the kids to the show

This year Jamie and I thought it would be fun to take Charlie and Owen to the show.

It was a very exciting day.  Jamie took the day off work and I already had Wed free now that my studies do not start again until November.

We payed for parking across the road in the park lands near the Wayville Showgrounds.  It only cost $11 and the walk was not too far at all. 

We used both strollers for the boys, sunscreen, hats, drinks and jackets were packed for the day.  It was a bit unclear how the weather would turn out, actually it was quite strange.  When the sun appeared it was really hot and when it disappeared behind clouds it was very cold.  Odd but no rain so that was a good thing.  At first it was forecast to rain, thank goodness it did not.

The first place went to was the show bag pavilion as Jamie insisted we venture there first.  Charlie of course wanted a Hot wheels show bag and I bought a natural lollies show bag to keep the kids at bay.  haha what a joke!!  :) So we filled both Owen and Charlie full of the natural lollies!! 

We walked around various pavilions full of food displays, animals, and agricultural equipment.  Were totally amazed to see electric chain saw wood cutting, Jamie said "whats the competition in that."  I agreed what a joke.  In a previous year we had watched wood cutting with proper axes which was really exhilarating and exciting. 

We had lunch at the gourmet food area and shared a table with a nice man and his son.  Jamie and the m an struck up a conversation about horses and I chased Owen around the food court because he was more interested in running away and climbing on things.

Instead of seeing the baby animals which was totally packed by families with prams and tiny baby animals trapped behind fences, so we visited the pigs instead.  They were very cute, the piglets were gorgeous.  I couldn't believe how big pigs can grow nearly 2 metres in length and they have about 10 piglets that are so cute.  I wanted to take one home as a pet but Jamie said "No".  O well, I suppose cleaning up pig poo is not that much fun. 

Both the kids enjoyed bouncing on the Jurassic Park castle, Charlie was bouncing around the place, climbing and jumping like crazy and Owen enjoyed it too with the occasional attempt to escape.

Back to the show bag pavilions to get Charlie another show bag as he had insisted every minute for about two hours, "I want a toy", "I want a toy" so we gave up in the end.  Jamie bought the Charles Worth Nuts, Bertie Beetle and another Hot wheels show bags. 

Charlie went for another ride on a proper show ride and also a very steep slippery dip which I was too scared to go on and he insisted that he wanted to go by himself.  Jamie and I made short films of these and some photos. 

By 3pm we were exhausted, totally wired from all of the sweet food and ready to go home.  We had fairy floss, dippy dogs and hot jam filled donuts which were all very delicious! What a great day and we had so much fun.

The past year

Just realised that its been a year since I started to blog here.  The recipe blog did not really take off and the My life one the same, but Im glad this one has continued.  It will be a lovely keepsake. 

Looking back on the past year, there have been many exciting changes taking place in our family.

This time last year I was at home with Owen who was five month taking note of Owens first words, teeth, and the tranformation from baby to toddler in such a small time.  Such a gorgeous cute little boy.  He is cheeky, and he stands on tables and watches us knowing we are going to say something to him.  He is also very needy, a mummy's boy, sleeps in my bed everynight, wakes up a few times and sits on my lap all night when we watch TV.  He loves cars, outdoors and kisses.

Charlie's third birthday celebrations at the MV railway mini steam trains was so much fun.  He is growing up so fast.  I have just enrolled Charlie into Chandlers Hill Kindergarten. He seemed really happy there, and it was lovely. Also, the two full days appealed to me - Wed and Thursdays. Its hard juggling the 1/2 days with work.  He is also very tall.  Time has flown. Scary. I was originally going to send Charlie to Happy Valley kinder and I love the playgroup too (despite not going now because Im working Fridays), but the full days appealed to me at Chandlers. Charlie will be going to Happy Valley Primary School so I figured a lot of kids going to Chandlers would go to there too as its just across the road. On the Wednesday my study day I will do volunteer at lunch time to help out at the kindy. Looking forward to it. Charlie starts pre-entry on the 19th October.  Jamie was really pleased with Chandlers Hill Kindergarten too and liked the idea of it being across the road from the primary school.

The creative life writing class with was awesome, and taught me many things about writing with more expression and meaning.

See devastating natural disaster this year, with cyclone Yasi and terrible floods that severly affected QLD and other states with loss of life and livelihood. Just a terrible set of events, and very hard to beleive that this can happen all at once. Also the terrible earthquake that hit Christ Church with 200 people dead. 

I am still going strong with family history, three months this year was spent researching the Jenkins family history with my cousins Lynfa Maeer, Rebecca O'Reilly and Charlie King.  What an incredible and special experience meeting many people from Wales and learning about my ancestors past.  Still have not written up final notes yet, but I have a folder full of stories and photos. 

Met with cousins from all side of the family both Jamie's and mine through www.penhall.id.au This website is proving to be a valuable resource for the family in terms of sharing information and meeting cousins as I originally suspected. Just recently meet cousins from the Mayo and Owers branches both interested in family history, and having access to information and beautiful old photos.  The prize was a photo of my great x 4 grandmother Elizabeth Newman! 

Sad at the passing of my beautiful Aunt Betty in April, I miss her dearly.  I also miss my dear Nanna Jenkins too as I have not been to see her at all this year. Having an extra child has definately added to the complexity, so have not had the time to travel to Mt Gambier this year.

Still going to yoga although not as often as I would like,and doing palates too.

Walking a lot more, started walking with Sarah Dixon (nee Davies) good friend and business partner.  We did not realise that we were both walking along the river Torrens at lunch times in the city, so decided it was a good chance to walk and catch up. So we usually do that on Mondays or Tuesdays to enjoy the beautiful river with many swans, and their baby signets and also the pelicans.

Enjoying my studies in Web programming, exams next week but very happy to have started my studies with the Curtin University Bachelor of Internet Communications.  The next unit should be a little easier, the unit is Internet and Everyday Life.

Jess had a baby this year, beautiful little Leela, met her for the first time the other day.  We've beens o sick this year with colds etc.

Renae had a Bollywood party for her 30th bday (x5 times) so that was awesome.  Everyone made a really big effort with beautiful bright costumes. 

Received invitations for my friend Michelle Barnes to Haidon Linke on 8 October at Serafino Winery McLaren Vale.  Looking forward to that.  Michelle is my dear friend since I was 14 years old. 

Started working at Southern Adelaide Health for two months reviewing the Southern Health Websites ready for the migration to the new SA Health website.  Its a short drive to work now only ten minutes and I get paid more money for easier work.  Gr8! 

Mum and Dad have been in Tully for two months, Dad is working to rebuild homes after cyclone Yasi.  I think they are having a lovely time, and looking forward to seeing them in November. 

Jamie's business has survived for first 18 months, business is going well and he seems happy with this. 

So the past year at a glance as been full of changes and all positive of course.  Looking forward to more fun this year! 

Precious Moments with Owen 16 months

Owen 16 months

I love cuddling with my little boy Owen.  He is such a mummy's boy. 

I love his tiny little hands, and tickle his tiny feet.  He loves tickles. When I remove his shoes I massage his feet.

I grab his nose and pretend to take it away from his face and then put it back on again. This always amuses him and he starts to laugh and smile.  Then he pretends to take my nose away.

He sucks his thumb for comfort.

I say 'kisses' and he gives me a kiss sometimes with a little booger but mummies do not mind their children's boogers do they.  He knows the word kiss.

He smiles and is happy most of the time except when he is teething. His molar teeth have pushed through recently so he suffered with sore gums, red cheeks and a runny nose. 

He has a mind of his own to, is very cheeky and determined. When he is trying to get into the kitchen cupboards or open a door he is not meant to be exploring he looks to see if anyone is watching him and smiles cheekily and does it anyway.  He already knows how to open the child proof locks in the kitchen cupboards.  He drags the little wooden chairs around the house to get into things on benches and tables. He is a pretty good climber. 

Owen a few days new

Every night he climbs onto my lap demanding my every attention. At 16 months he is still breast feeding but we are starting to give him a bottle but he still loves mummy cuddles. 

I consciously try to remember every little moment and detail, his pretty blond curls, blue eyes and adorable smile.  He is small, so small, and so beautiful. 

Please let me remember these precious moments forever because these are the best times of my life. My precious sons who I adore.

Renae's Bollywood Birthday Party

Renae's Bollywood Birthday Party was a really awesome.

Everyone look amazing in their brightly coloured Bollywood outfits, jewellery and little bindi's. Even the guys made an effort with their costumes excepta few of them were trying to hide from cameras.

Renae looked really beautiful in her green sari and pretty jewellery. Matt looked like the cult leader of the Orange people from the 1970s with his little white beaded necklace, loose shirt, and pants and a big orange scarf hanging around his neck. Another guy wore a table runner around his head, and curtains draped over his shoulder. He was the guy avoiding photos. Classic!

Jamie and I hired outfits from 'Fancy That' costume shop at Christies Beach.  I think they have the best outfits.  The outfits were so beautifully and brightly coloured and sequenced. I did not want to give my back because it was so pretty with dark blues, gold and white, with little diamonds sparkling all over the dress, and a pretty long dark blue scarf that I wore around my neck.

The girls helped out with the preparing food like hot curries, rice, and poppodams.  Renae started organising the food too but we insisted that she go enjoy herself.  The Masterchef butter chicken that I cooked was a real hit.  Great recipe and flavour.

To start the night they played Indian Bollywood music.  A bit later Josh cranked up the turn tables to hip hop, break beat, trance, and rnb. After a few drinks everyone started dancing.

Matt took some lovely photos too.

I love the feeling when friends meet like this, to forget about life and embrace the moment, enjoy each others company and have fun dancing, and chatting with each other. It makes me feel young again.

It was a great night!

Friends collage

Facebook has some pretty cool applications.  Here is a Friends collage which shows the faces of my friends on Facebook created by some clever application.  It has gathered the profile pictures of people who have been interacting with my profile.  Funny enough most of my BFs are on it. 

In a dream - Isaiah Zagar

In a dream

A few months ago I saw an amazing documentary 'In a dream' about the life of Isaiah Zagar. It was so incredible to watch this amazing mosiac artist who has mosaic something like 13 kilometres of building and street in Philadelphia. His work is so beautiful it has inspired me to mosaic the wall adjacent our garden in our courtyard.  

The doc has been directed by Isaiah's son Jeremiah showing a lifetime of family movies, and a story about Isiah, and his wife, life and art. Isaiah's mosiac art works are incredible full of colour and life, depicting the story of his life. Massive walls covered with tiles, glass, mirrors and paint a millions colours and designs, faces of his children, the birth of his children, his wife. Just amazing. 

I have just completely fallen in love with this man, his family and life, and LOVE his beautiful art. I thank them for sharing this with me. 

There is a DVD I will buy which shows me how to do mosaic, so maybe this will be my next exploration in art. 

You can read more at these websites:
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1185251/
http://www.hzfilms.com/
http://www.inadreammovie.com/blog/

Isaiah Zagar abt 2008

Kindy and play dough days!

I had a big play day planned with the boys. 

First take Charlie to the Happy Valley kindergarten now that he is a 'big kindy boy' and he especially loves playing with the play dough.  Owen loves it too but to my dismay he loves sticking his head down the little kindy toilets, so I have keep an eye on him.

Grandma Penhall came with us and we had an absolute ball.  The sun was shining and everyone was happy. We sang nursery songs, had fruit and played outside.  It was lovely.  My friends from mothers group Kerry, Melissa and Sarah with all their boys were there too, so it was nice to spend some time with them.

In the afternoon Charlie and I made green play dough with little Owen who kept getting in the way by wrapping his arms around my legs and squelling at us quite determined to be involved.  Charlie kept saying  "No Owen, you are too little". The play dough turned out great and Charlie was carrying it in a cake tin all around the house with tiny little pieces trailing behind him on the floor despite my every effort to insist he only play it at the table. 

As long as he is enjoying his childhood and being good I am happy he is happy and my precious Owen too! 

Days like this will be remembered.

Big green dinosaur

It is nice to see my little boy Charlie growing up. Already three years old but adamant he is four.

At childcare today I stayed half an hour because he did not want me to go. The usual crying and clinging to my side.

After a while it was cool to see him get into the green dinosaurs dress up and start running around the room roaring like a dinosaur.

The other kids were giving him big bear hugs and pulling his tail.