Nimavenl - Nicole's Random Ramblings

To those who celebrate Christmas today or tomorrow - Happy Holidays! There, that's done. Now that I've respected your holidays... Please also respect that they are NOT my holidays. STOP trying to wish me a Merry Christmas or Happy Holidays. STOP assuming that being white / European and being Christian are the same thing. I was born with my skin, hair and eyes, I never consciously chose them, they are simply me; part of who I am and always have been. I was not born with a certain religion, I am free to choose my religion. I am free to believe what I want to believe and sorry folks, that does not include believing in sons of gods just because those around me seem to. I am not a Christian. I do not believe that Jesus of Nazareth was God or part God or the son of God or the promised Messiah or anything other than a 100% human and 100% Jewish Israeli male striving to free his people from Roman oppression and bring them closer to God. I am not a Buddhist; I do not celeb...

I may not be a Christian, however that won't stop me from sharing this Dry Bones Christmas wish for the Christians of the Middle East. May the world hear your cries, indeed. To all those who celebrate Christmas (wherever you are) - Happy Holidays. May you celebrate surrounded by those you love and cherish while remembering those less fortunate than you, both in your prayers and in your dreams for a better world. a Christmas Wish - the Dry Bones Blog

I may not be Jewish, however that won't stop me from sharing this beautiful photo! To all those who celebrate Hanukkah - Happy Holidays and may every candle you light remind you that miracles are possible! Post by ‎ Noam Chen - Photographer | נועם חן - צלם ‎.

As part of my recovery from surgery, I've been daydreaming a lot about happier times to come. It is now six weeks since surgery and while I am by no means all better again (far from it, sadly), I am definitely noticing a lot of improvements in how I'm doing emotionally, mentally and physically. Daydreaming is one thing that keeps me going even when I'm sore or feeling depressed or wondering if my leg will ever get better. One thing I am daydreaming about is our next holiday. While it looks like that holiday will be months away yet, I am enjoying dreaming about where I want to go and what we'll do there. We've both been to France several times and would like to go again. I've been to Euro Disney and to Normandy so would like to see a different part of France next. As I love the sea and am looking forward to enjoying swimming and sunshine, my vote goes to the south-east of France. The French Riviera aka the part of France that borders the Mediterranean Sea...

Monument dedicated to Alexander Ball . Lower Barakka Gardens in Valletta, Malta. Valletta, Malta A photo posted by Nicole M. Verhaaf (@nimavenl) on Sep 6, 2012 at 2:51am PDT

Surfing around on Goodreads today, I came across a poem by Philip Larkin entitled "This be the verse". I smiled, realising I knew it as it is my mother´s favourite poem. Not sure I ever knew who penned it, or that it had such an innocent-sounding name, however! Reposted here for my mother who probably doesn't even know this blog exists, because I love you and I wish I could give you a hug and wish you a happy new year face to face. They fuck you up, your mum and dad. They may not mean to, but they do. They fill you with the faults they had And add some extra, just for you. But they were fucked up in their turn By fools in old-style hats and coats, Who half the time were soppy-stern And half at one another's throats. Man hands on misery to man. It deepens like a coastal shelf. Get out as early as you can, And don't have any kids yourself. Author ~ Philip Larkin Philip Larkin Official Website