am taking a much needed break in my upgrade document writing to do a quick update here. I dont feel too guilty as I have written just over 1,500 words so far...to the dismay of Chris my office mate!
So what to update...
well on Saturday I met Archbishop Peter, the archbishop of Southwark - as I was at his house at a meeting regarding the papal visit. I am helping out with the young of Bromley attending the event, so we were being informed of our role for the day...sounds quite interesting. now have to get in touch with my 7 youth to meet up with them, and tell them about the day.
also, had our monthly taize service, and we are still attracting new people which is amazing. this time next week, I shall be on the beloved hill. am looking forward to that beyond belief. as i said to someone today, at the moment my prayer is a little bit lonely and painful...but as I type this, I am listening to the podcast with the new jolly benedictus and that alwaysn makes me smile! the memories of last year!
what else....nothing much. went to open air opera last week - placido domingo was amazing!
finished the Karamazof brothers - frere emile will be proud. a hugely thought provoking book about faith...difficult in some places, raised a giggle in others.
right, must go back to the demographics of temporary employment! joy of joys!

I had an accident at the weekend...not an I dropped a pint of milk type accident, but more like a I fell down a flight of concrete stairs and bashed my head type accident.
the day went something like this. Saturday 5:40 am - alarm goes off, get up, showered and ready to get to London to get a train in Norwich. Get lost in Norwich trying to find the Catholic cathedral - get nice bus driver to take me to the cathedral. meet Taize friends from the East Anglian diocese, to witness Luke (now Fr Luke) get ordained into the Catholic priesthood (an amazing service...beautiful to witness). Mingle afterwards with friends,and to congratulate new priest. was just making a slow walk back to train station, when Taize Ben stops me and we go for coffee to catch up, and I wanted to hear about his first year in seminary. finally hear from Licy who has had the most horrendous journey and who arrived in Norwich 4 1/2 hours late after 8 hours of travelling, so i leave Ben to meet her at station. ben tells me a shortcut involving going through a church garden...it was a shortcut as it does not take you long to get down stairs when you fall down them. many bumps, grazes and screams later i am at the bottom of the stairs, in shock saying my head is bleeding and worried that my beautiful shoes are scuffed. 2 men saw me, one called the st johns ambulence people, the other comforted me and collected all my dropped belongings.
i then have to ring poor licy saying i maybe a little longer to meet her as i had a huge bump to my head. ben was found from cafe, and i had to persuade st johns that I was really 27. after a lot of persuassion they let me go, ben walked me to the station - i met Licy, and my train was cancelled. on returning to London, my neck was stiff and my back extremely painful (head was too I may add), and so to A&E I went. all is ok, just body and mind in shock...i was lucky that nothing was broken, and when the parable of the good samaritan was read at church the following day - it rang true.
through doctors orders i took monday off work. my head is still sore - the bump has reduced, and it is yellowy in colour - the cut is still evident. random bruises have made themselves know on legs, thighs, bum, shoulders,feet elbows, knees and hands. grazes are just beginning to clear up.
makes for an interesting weekend!
so all in all, always a drama. have been an emotional state really this week, as I kindof adjust to all events, and realise that body and mind are not that strong, Have planned a super reflective Taize service for Sunday (actually planned it before the day), and in just over a week, i will be going there for my now annual two weeks of reflection. EA will be with me for one week, st james for the other. Licy for both and Daniel for one...it will be interesting times.
am writing the document for my mini viva - actually going over all my reading that i have done is a good task, but it is taking longer to write then i first thought!
thats all for now folks
much love to you all
xx

walking 40 minutes to church and then 40 minutes home again in this heat is a little tortuous, but you do see things in amazing brilliant sunshine.
i have had the "you have to do your upgrade/mini viva" conversation with my Prof, so I am going to be doing some hefty writing of a few chapters soon - this could be fun, but isnt really going to be! i have three weeks before Taize to get a chunk written, so will work towrads that.

we are having a familial BBQ this afternoon - should be fun, will mean i get to see my adorable nephew which is always a joy!

Have had another PhD setback this week - always a joy...!

Oh well...

Church was good - Fr B has been doing some amazing sermons recently, really making me think and consider issues differently.

Now to do a little bit of work before guests come this afternoon