University at 54

So, before I started back to school my sister offers me a weekend in Norway and Wow! What a lovely place – visiting the Stave Churches from Viking times, the Fram Museum – which is a must see – you can also see the statues of Roald Amundsen et al. The first explorers to reach the South Pole in 1911 – a full 33 days before Scott arrived. The sense of accomplishment and adventure of these explorers and without modern technology and survival tools, totally admirable and I am in awe of the spirit of our ancestors.

She also took me to see the Norwegian Eurovision winner – TIX – which was great fun! Can’t think of a better way to precede my Masters and what a start to 2023!

So, January sees the start of my Masters and so much work to do and to support myself whilst studying I plan to run my Yin / Relaxation classes and as I have realised so many people need to become less stressed these days – especially with such difficulties that we not only face locally but globally too. My future plans? To help people to a better place, to help people re-centre, grow and to get to a place without conflict and negativity.

Remember if negativity, your past and conflict is calling you – then don’t answer it … It has nothing useful to say, stay present and stay strong.

Love and Light

Ali x

Hi – Just to wish everyone who has and is reading my blog a heartfelt Happy New Year to yourself and your loved ones.

Yes it is back to halls, rather reluctantly, as I now felt ready for my own space but I do not own a home, so yet again the University has stepped in and helped in my hour of need. I could’ve stayed with family, but I felt that this would be, emotionally, a step back and not only that I would’ve had to commute and I could not risk being late for class.

I am currently waitressing to supplement my income, but my talent really lies in my yoga. So, I am trying to set this up whilst I start my Masters. I am offering yoga but it is actually more like a relaxation class on zoom or in person. Ying yoga is very chilled, not physically demanding at all and very grounding. I specialize with people that need stress-management, also children with parents and troubled children with ADHD and behavioural difficulties. If you or anyone that you know is interested, then I can be contacted through my company email, which is: ali@yingyoga.co.uk.

I wish you all, a wonderful year ahead and as a closing thought; be mindful of the people around you and remember; you are not the main character in everyone else’s story but you are the main character of your own.

Blessings

Ali

So, here’s the thing – I was supposed to go back to my beloved Mexico for a month before Christmas, when the night before the flight I started to feel unwell as I boarded the plane reluctantly, I was facing the onset of flu – not wanting to be walking across New Mexico being ill – I aborted the trip and then I had 2 weeks of severe flu. Then one week ago my mom wakes up talking in a bizarre manner – I thought she’d slept wrongly but then I noticed her left side of her face was dropping. I immediately rushed her to the local hospital and all I could think of was the advert that said ‘the quicker you react, the more of the person you save.’ The hospital confirmed – it was a stroke. The family were so grateful that I was here to intervene and I can now stay with her and help her. However, I was so sad not to see my friends in Mexico, my heart is heavy when I think of them, I yearn to be in the sun again but cannot deny that if I had not been here it could’ve been fatal.

I now have to work as many hours as possible, I have a job waiting tables in a lovely Italian café, the food is lovely, much better than supply teaching. I have to save money for my future, getting stable and looking forward. Still on course to for my Masters, as well.

I would like to also use December as a time for reflection over the year and I would like to wish everyone who reads my blog the best wishes for a wonderful December.

However, let us celebrate being in the present, that is why it is called the present because it is a gift, don’t regret the past or be anxious about the future but cherish the current moment, the present, a gift to you.

Best

Ali

In between residences awaiting student accommodation – I find myself in an Air B&B in an inner city area in Derby. And I am humbled, humbled by the charity, smiles and welcome by this multi-cultural area. On route to the gym last night there is the wonderful aroma of curry, an array of herbs and spices – I think that the families eating those delights are fortunate.

I haven’t blogged for a while as I wanted to show my respect for the people of Iran who are going through such troubles.

And as observations – my recent working experience has certainly been an eye-opener. At first, I was offered supply-teaching with an agency I found out about at the Freshers Fair, where I was also told that I couldn’t join the Army training corps society, as I was too old, very disappointing as I thought it would be a fun way of getting fit. The teaching was bizarre, without training – not even a zoom meeting – I was put in front of a class of secondary school children and told to teach them English. I felt out of my depth, I didn’t even know that I had to take a register – let alone follow the National Curriculum. Then the next day I was asked to teach Basketball? At the school, they said just show them how to dribble and pass? And 2 of the classes had reduced learning needs! At this point I had to fake being poorly, stated coughing and called an UBER! My family were highly amused especially when I suggested that I could teach them Yoga instead whilst standing there with my sound bar and in my sparkly leggings.

Then I do a stint in a well-known chemist selling a world-wide known fragrance – only to be pulled up on my grooming. I felt like a lamb to the slaughter, however, my sales were through the roof! And I concurred that some people in Customer facing Industries definitely need further training.

Such a materialistic society that we live in. I reflect on Wole Soyinka, the great African playwright, whose book is ‘The Chronicles of the Happiest people on earth,’ and they are all from a very financially deprived country. Happiness, I believe is Compassion, Humility and Gratitude in Abundance.

To leave you on a good note, I am now officially President of the Mature Students Society, with lots of fun evenings planned and of course no age limits – Under or Over!!

Best

Ali

So, it’s definitely a Master’s for me. Also got offered a Masters at York University. I received a 2:2 but still offers are coming in, I think that they were impressed that I got up at 3.30am in Mexico to do the interview and I also told them of a performance that I had in mind with refugees and I think that they were intrigued.

I met with Chi Chi today as she flies back to Kenya on Tuesday. She got a 1st but she was so clever academically. I was making notes with her today so I could get hints and tips in order to get a better grade in my Masters. We also discussed my next thesis and I would like to study the concept of returning to study later in life. Not everyone is fortunate enough to be emotionally ready for a degree in their 20’s or 30’s and life gives us barriers to prevent us from returning to study but as Chi Chi said, if I do a thesis about it then maybe it will inspire others to change or start a new direction in their lives. I think that their is a whole network of people out there not discovering or pushing their boundaries. And people that have a lot to say and could offer a great contribution to society.

You know something? Stay in Halls of Residence – there is then no worry then of fuel bills dropping through your letterbox – in fact you don’t even have your own letterbox.

I must admit challenging it has been, studying and living with people much younger than me, I can get on with anyone but during my 3 years I was the oldest by decades and I do feel at times, as I was pushed aside as that old woman who knew no better. Especially in Theatre/Drama – why is this lovely creative area of the Arts not encouraged more to be studied at all ages – it is in fact the seniors that would really benefit from the confidence boost that studying in this area can give you.

Enough said. I am now going to start my preparation for my next studies. Which I think after my experience of travelling and my personal growth – this next chapter, academically, will be the most valuable.

So, before I left Mexico the family took me to the Mangroves. Which is such a beautiful environmental ecosystem located on the southwest section of the Yucatan Peninsula, in Campeche. The below photo shows me jumping in the water with little Noah, the water was so clear that I drank it. I would highly recommend a trip here, if you’re visiting the area and you can’t miss Playa Bonita, where you get the real white sands and crystal clear waters and nearly every second a butterfly goes past you – which is proof of how well environmentally this area is flourishing.

I then head onto Chicago, USA as I have an Aunt who passed away and I want to support the family. It is a breath-taking city, with huge buildings with a beautiful river that runs amidst these concrete structures. And thanks to Ninth Wave Global I was able to go up 95 floors in the Hancock Tower and enjoy the view.

Chicago is a very friendly city – even despite the recent shootings – the customer service is excellent and people have been very warm to me.

The problem we have globally however is climate change – and although changes worked in Mexico at grassroots level – I feel because of the urgency there also needs to be more laws and regulations in higher populated areas to evoke change. I do feel it is a good move to make a charge on carrier bags – when you have seen videos of islands in the Pacific where birds have ingested the bags and it has terminated their lives – it makes you think- it was this video that prompted me to enquire about volunteering work for the environment- which led me to Mexico – an amazing experience.

I leave you with this, ‘Compassion’ definition – ‘A sensitivity to suffering in self and others. with a commitment to try and alleviate and prevent it.’ I ask you to show as much compassion as you can to the environment, each other and of course our animals.

So I have competed the Hudson from Albany to Beacon without even a canoe lesson – without Ninth Wave Global it would’ve been impossible. With constant encouragement and support. Talking to family they say I seem different with an inner peace and calm. To b taken away from the norm and only worry about survival , food and sleep and getting to your destination- it puts a different perspective on life. In my family I have a very troubled nephew who is really struggling so.”, after talking with Jon we are thinking about him doing the Amazon, with lots of support but we all feel it would be the making of him. My sister who is also struggling wants the above photo on her wall to inspire her through every day. This is exactly what I feel the organisation do – individual change that lead to a community progression- a ripple effect of inspiration and positivity.

We then head back to Mexico City and are treated to a comfortable bed and good food and as a surprise I am taken to Mexico City and shown the beautiful architecture and buildings that are never shown to us in Europe but really are Mexico’s hidden gem. Architecture is in abundance- such beautiful spaces, eateries and friendly people- not the Mexico we hear about in Europe. I am in awe of such a beautiful city and yet tourists miss this wonder and stay in cities such as Cancun and yet I encourage you to look around and see what this wonderful nation has to offer.

Just to let everyone know that I am having the experience of a lifetime never in my wildest dreams did I think I’d do something like this. We’ve crossed the desert in New Mexico- the lava stones and seen some wonderful sights and covered part of Route 66. The sense of community in this part of America and the environmental work that goes on is nothing short of amazing. The environmental work is all happening at grass-roots level and it is a change at this level that we can then evoke societal change. I have learned so much and gained immensely. Prior to this trip I had a fear of heights and flying – after flying in about 10 planes and spending a night camping at the top of a mountain without a tent – I feel almost fearless. All credit to the organisation Ninth Wave Global and the work that they do for the community and for individuals like myself- which then is having a knock- on effect on people around me – I can educate family and I think it is important to realise that to do something like this is not to be feared but to be embraced. I am now canoeing down the Hudson in New York from Albany to Beacon – I have never canoed in my life but fortunately I am a strong swimmer. We canoe during the night and sleep on floors and grass by the canoes. It is amazing what one can endure and achieve and I can’t thank Yvette and Jon enough from Ninth Wave Global for the experience. if I can do this at 55 please rethink what you can achieve and do for the environment and remember change needs to start at an individual and then community level. I have gained a wonderful appreciation of the Natural World and we as individuals need to look after it and each other and I feel societies could learn a lot from the work going on in Campeche and parts of New Mexico. I encourage you to trust and have compassion for the people and environment around you. Will bog again soon. Alison.

So here’s the thing – I do a 4 flight journey to Campeche, Mexico, one of them being long-long-haul for 10 hours. I arrive exhausted and very late at night. The girl organiser, Yvette, pulls up at the airport with her friend Charlotte, they have just been out. The car is old. We then drive far away from the airport into what seems like a remote area – it’s very late at night and I am jet-lagged and I start to get worried. Warnings that people have told me start to play on my mind. We then go down a winding dirt-track to the left are several Mexican men, we pull up at a house with huge iron fences around it, I am taken to the house and the gates are locked behind me – I didn’t realise that this is to keep the animals in. I am shown the house – there are lots of dogs – that actually are in the process of being rehomed. I start to panic. There are also goats and pigs. It was also very dark that made everything worse.

My bedroom is makes-shift out of crates and I felt uncomfortable. I ask the organisers to take me to a hotel – I also ask them if they are who they say they are – they then drive me through the run-down part of town to the Holiday Inn. They have no room so I have to go with a hotel that the organisers have recommended, so reluctantly I stay at the Casa Balche, which is actually lovely, fall on the bed and get some much needed sleep.

The next day I still worry. They have asked me to bring some items in – a riding helmet and presents for Jon’s children. Jon is the founder of Ninth Wave Global. But, as my brother pointed out if there was anything to worry about – they would be asking for me to take it out of Mexico – not bring it in! I start to relax. My brother emails the organisers, they talk and they come and see me – I realise that it is legitimate. And in fact my mind starts to open up at the amazing work that they do out here. Also, my suitcase got left at Paris because of a baggage handling strike.

Over the next few days I settle in, get over a bad stomach and talk with the company. They then propose to me – a trip down the Hudson via the Americas, which is actually starting tomorrow for 12 days, it will be canoeing and horseback. Meanwhile, meeting people from Universities, who are working environmentally on the Hudson – I shall be visiting indigenous families in remote areas. Now I will get a real feel for what Ninth Wave Global do. I know that they are very strong on Sustainable Development Goals and I look forward to my eyes being opened to the incredible work that they do. I shall keep a journal. My worries – that I will lose my HRT!

So, I have an offer. Masters at Derby University in Applied Theatre and Education, I’ve heard the course is amazing. Finally, an offer. My undergraduate degree finishes in 10 days and I can honestly say, the last three years – although at times – testing – they have been the most wonderful of my life and I wouldn’t swap it for the world.

So, I have a nice long summer and finally I get to go to Mexico. I shall travel solo and last week I did an “Experience flight” from Gatwick to get me used to travelling on a plane again. And now I can’t wait to get in the air. I intend to meet new people, make lots of new friends as well as appreciating a different culture. For 2 and a half months of conservation work, get a suntan and no assignments! Yay! Blue seas and white sands or watching “The Chase” with mom, easy choice I think. I’ll miss my kids, but zoom is good.

As Mark Twain said and I quoted in my last assignment and before I embark on my next adventure, I leave you with this: “Twenty years from now, you will be more disappointed by the things that you didn’t do than the things that you did do. So throw away the bow lines. Sail away from the safe harbour. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover.”

Enough said. Enjoy life, whenever possible. Alison.