I’ve been searching for the perfect outfit for a while. I used to have one I loved, and it lasted for twenty years, but it got irreparably damaged, and I had to let it go. It took some time to find a new one that I liked, but eventually, I did. …
Deborah Munro
Creativity is Vulnerability
As a creative, I well know that feeling of releasing the product of my soul to the world. It’s about as appealing as walking naked down a city street, and on a bad hair day. To create is to be vulnerable, and so it is no wonder that so many of us …
Barbies vs Baby Dolls
I received my first Barbie doll for my sixth birthday. She was a Miss America doll, complete with short brunette hair in an up-do, a gold bodice on a white chiffon skirt, a red velvet cape trimmed in white fur, plus a tiara, bouquet of roses, silver …
The Cost of Yes
I’ll admit it. I absolutely adore saying yes. There’s nothing more gratifying to me than helping others—that look of relief on their face, the respect they have for me, the pride I take in doing a job well—it’s more seductive and addictive than …
What 2 Broken Wrists Have Taught Me
Feeling lonely and bored after the holidays, I jumped at the chance to play volleyball with some work colleagues during lunch. I hadn’t played in years, but it was fun to be out on the court, laughing and trying to get Wilson the Volleyball over the …
Kiwi Diary – Hiking in Paradise
30 September 2018 Let's Take a Hike! One popular Kiwi pastime is “tramping”, what I would call hiking. There are more hikes in New Zealand than I have time to do in a lifetime, but I’m game to try! I’ve joined a Meetup called Christchurch Women’s …
Kiwi Diary – How to Speak Kiwi
September 5, 2018 “It used to have a different name.” “Excuse me?” I set down my knitting so I can focus. The Kiwi accent is hard enough for me to understand under normal circumstances, but this craft group, amazingly, meets in a noisy pub in …
Kiwi Diary – Finding Community
Alone Versus Lonely There’s a huge difference between being alone and being lonely. Alone is a perfectly natural state and can be quite enjoyable. I’ve become used to my restorative solitariness, and I look forward to my quiet times of reflection. …
Kiwi Diary-Day 1, Starting Over
August 10, 2018 It's 2am and I'm traveling across the Pacific ocean, ensconced against my window. The couple next to me is fast asleep--the woman twitching her foot now and then, making my socked toes cringe. Her husband gently snores and attempts …