Our Wedding - My Favorite Shot

Thank you to everyone who came to celebrate our wedding on this day 5 years ago. It was a beautiful day, and a very blessed marriage.

To my husband - I love you.


Taken by Ellis Roddick, August 2006 - Reception, All Saints' Cathedral, Halifax, NS

Mount Tomah Gardens

This is a type of fuchsia, though I'm still not certain which type. I love it because of its long bell and beautiful colour. I also love fuchsias in general because of 2 very prominent memories.

First and foremost, my grandmother always had at least one basket of fuchsias on her veranda every summer. Even though my memory of Shenstone is waning, I will always remember the fuchsias.

Second would be the almost unending fuchsia hedges in County Cork through to Bantry in Ireland, where Micah and I honeymooned. That trip was extraordinary, and the fuchsias were lovely.

I hope someday to be able to grow fuchsias myself. I know my grandma would love that.

taken May 2010 - Mount Tomah Gardens, Blue Mountains, NSW

Ely Cathedral

On a lovely grey day, Micah and I decided to catch the train and head North to Ely. Our thought - Why not? As we travel across the Fens, a mound appears... a mound with a huge church build on top. This beacon called us off the train and up the slope to the grounds of Ely Cathedral.

This is probably one of the best Medieval cathedral in England. It was also the church Micah and I went for the Easter vigil in 2007. I have never experience a more amazing experience than this Saturday evening service. Lighting the fire outside the West door (outside the front side of the church, just in front of the facade above) we all were given candles light from the fire. Once that was done, we walked into the church with the red setting sun casting golden-red light on down the central isle. I have never seen such a beautiful symbol. The light being brought into the church just as the sun set.

We are the light of the world. His spirit is with us. Amen.

Taken January 2007 - Ely Cathedral, Ely, England

Genoa - Columbus' Gate

Can I have one? Just one... I don't need both. Oh, I will probably need a couple of plebs to man the tower as well... *sigh. Life is hard when it comes to gate keeping eh?

One of the stones that had been laid into the wall showed the date to be 1292. Yup, that's one old gate. It has since been renamed for one of the more famous Genoeese - Christopher Columbus. What's a couple hundred years of just being called the gate got to do for naming precedence anyways?



taken June 2010 - City gate built in the 12c, renamed in honour of Columbus, Genoa

Genoa - Lovely Lady

Part of what I understand the place and purpose of the Saints are within the Christian tradition is this: they are people to look up to and admire as being someone we can relate to. With this in mind, this is probably the first image of St Mary that I really feel a connection to. She's got puffy round cheeks like mine and I could totally do my hair like that. I've always had a curious respect for the Virgin, though I would hardly call myself Marian.

Wikipedia link to the Church of S Peitro di Banchi in Italian or English
Wikipedia link to Mary (mother of Jesus) here
Feast of the Annunciation - 25 Mar

taken June 2010 - Church of S Peitro di Banchi, Genoa

Genoa - who's lookin' in your window?

The Catedral de San Lorenzo really was a sight to behold... but first, take a look at this lion-gargoyle! I really enjoyed all of the stone work at this cathedral. I don't know what else to say... so enjoy :)

taken June 2010 - Cathedral de Lorenzo - detail of West Door

Our Wedding - Gladiolus

I'm not exactly certain why I love gladiolus so much, but I do.

In the deep dark winter of early 2006 I found looking forward to summer even easier than normal. We'd already set a date in August to be married, so it was all down to the process of sorting details. Yup, in the midst of winter all I really had to think about were flowers. *sigh Hard life I know!

After only a very short look around at the local florists, I decided that it would cost way too much for them to provide flowers for the wedding. Oh, my infinite wisdom when into high gear here! With Vessey Seed catalogue in hand, I went though all of the possible flowers that would be in bloom in August. Unfortunately lilac, forget-me-nots and tulips were out. But glads, glads should be in.

Only a couple of months later Micah and I sat on his parents back deck cleaning and potting 200 bulbs. Yup, we were going to be masters of the garden... a feet I had never previously managed. I am still thankful to his parents for giving up over half of their veggie patch to glads.

Somehow, against the ardent warnings from one of the local gardening specialists, our glads bloomed on time. And, my goodness, did they ever bloom! I have never seen anything like it in my life. We had over 100 stems perfectly ready for the wedding, all with at least 8 blossoms fully open... some with as many as 17! Several of the stems were as tall as me, a towering 165cm! (Their normal height is around 50-80 cm for those who want to know.)

All said, gladiolus really do now hold a very very special place in my heart.

Taken by Ellis Roddick August 2006 - Reception, All Saints' Cathedral, Halifax, NS

Genoa - that's a big bathtub

I have no idea why this became a common thing in the churches of this area, but the bathtub-alter is a sight to behold. Maybe it's the need to have solid rock to hold up the reredos, maybe it's to remind us of baptism... in either case, I find it a bit odd. I'm just so used to my alters made of wood. It's the whole table analogy that makes me think of wood. Also, I like being able to move the alter for, say, cleaning the floor or, I don't know, a spacial re-design.

Right... let me take a breath. This is a remarkable piece of art. I love how everything seems to direct your eyes up. (Except for the incredibly cool floor... that's inlaid marble!) All in all, well worth visiting, though I wouldn't really want to church here.

taken June 2010 - Basilica della Santissima Annuziata del Vastato (I think), Genoa

Genoa - watchtower

In my second year of University my father convinced me that I shouldn't take all science courses. (Thanks Dad!) I have no idea who suggested it, but I ended up in probably the most influential course of my undergraduate degree - Early Modern Italy, taught by Prof G Hanlon. I cannot even begin to tell you how much this one class changed, well, my life.

Though I never did get a paper handed in on time, and I am still to this day a terrible academic writer, I can, without a doubt, say that Hanlon was the reason I came back to university after withdrawing. Having to leave his course at Christmas of my second year was one of the most difficult things I had to leave behind in Halifax. Being able to sign into the course 2 years later and complete it, well, it was one of the things I am most proud of in my life.

Part of why I enjoyed Genoa so very much stems from my course in Early Modern Italian history. I felt like I could actually smell the same damp scent that lingered in the cobble from the 16thc. The tower pictured about also brought a smile to my face. Though it was obviously built after my preferred era, it reminded me of the prints I had studied. So many of the cities used to be littered with watch towers allowing family to spy on family, guild to watch over guild. The tower above would have had one of the most spectacular views.

...
Thank you Greg. Thank you for encouraging my cynical side. Thanks for suffering through my terrible essays. Thanks for so many afternoon chats. Even after several years, you still rock my world. I only wish had the courage to walk up to you and say all of this properly. Maybe someday soon. Until then I simply say Thanks.

taken June 2010 - Genoa

Genoa - rapturous details

I still haven't figured out which said this is... he's pictured tied by the wrists, arms above his head, to a tree. He has been stripped bare (save a conveniently and modestly placed cloth) and his armour has been propped up against the tree beside him. His sword is still sheathed and leaning against his armour, and his feet are resting on his shield. My best guess would be Saint Alban, but as Alban is an English saint, I could be very wrong.

This whole church is beautiful and seems so clean. Everything seems to be white, and the exceptionally high ceiling allows the clear glass windows to beam in lots of light. This is one of the most comfortable big churches I have ever been in, and I would highly recommend it to anyone needing some space and quiet. Because there are soooo many churches in Genoa, they seem to rotate who gets what funding and patronage. Unfortunately, Basilica Carignano is falling into disrepair. This is a shame, as it is very beautiful... but to every thing there is a season.

Wikipedia link in Italian or English

taken June 2010 - Basilica di Santa Maria Assunta, Genoa

Christmas Rose

2006 was my first Christmas in a place where the ground wasn't frozen from October to April, so seeing a rose in full bloom while on my way to a Christmas service at church was absolutely stunning!

Happy Christmas everyone - may this year be full of roses and wonder!

Taken December 2006 - roadside, Cambridge, England

Genoa - Who's that over your shoulder

I get a giggle every time I look at this picture. In my head I always here "Dude! Do you see that guy over your shoulder? I think he's famous or something". Yeah, I'm a regular comedian eh?

I still think it's cool though, and I think the image is one worth having tucked in the corner of your mind. The image of Jesus in the background is of His sacred heart. He is always there with a hug, and with love no mater if we're looking for Him or not. He's got so much love that even the beautiful angels with their neigh-infinite love still need His presence because He perfects them fully.

Wikipedia link here

taken June 2010 - Basilica della Santissima Annuziata del Vastato , Genoa

La Spezia

This Cathedral really does combine the 60's space age with church design. Pretty and pretty unusual.

Check here for my other rant...

Taken June 2010 - Christ the King of Centuries Cathedral, La Spezia, Italy

Genoa - Steps

I have no doubt that there will eventually be a movie made about my amazing life. I also have no doubt that a place like this will feature in the film. I just love these stairs. The wrought iron work, the stone walls, the ferns that will grow just about anywhere... it's all just so lovely. It was also lovely and cool on these steps, the stone absorbing some of the heat of the day. Yup, here's one of the 4728 locations I would choose to include. I'll see if you can think of any others...

taken June 2010 - one set of City steps, Genoa

La Spezia - Alter reality

This Cathedral was concecrated in 1975. Built in the round, the red circular carpet you can see in the foreground is in the centre of the church.

So interesting!

Taken June 2010 - Christ the King of Centuries Cathedral, La Spezia, Italy

Rose at Peppertree wine

I don't take that many photos of flowers from the side, but I think this one worked out quite nicely indeed. Also, my camera sometimes has a fit taking pictures of pink flowers. I don't know why, but there it is.

taken May 2010 - Peppertree Wines, Hunter Valley, NSW

Genoa - detail of church wall

I really do like taking this style of photo. More properly said, I would love to touch these sculptures and take in their details as much as I am allowed to.

Wikipedia link here

taken June 2010 - Basilica della Santissima Annuziata del Vastato (I think), Genoa

Genoa - Zaccaria

This lovely statue was one of four in a niche. Zaccaria, Stefano, Elisabetta and Giovanni. If I'm reading the card right. they are from the 17thc. Hurrah!

The statues at this basilica were absolutely stunning. I say this because they are completely up my alley as it were. I love the flowing lines of the cloth, and the near-human reality of the expressions.


Wikipedia link to Basilica di Santa Maria Assunta in Italian or English
Wikipedia link to St Zechariah (priest) here (feast day Nov 5th)

taken June 2010 - Basilica di Santa Maria Assunta, Genoa

My favourite shoes

I cannot tell you how much I love these shoes. Basically, whenever I think I can get away with wearing bright yellow on my feet, I do!

Genoa - Dome-tastic

Would you believe me if I told you this church was heavily bombed during WWII? Yeah, really. There did some pretty darn-tootin' impressive restorations here. This church floored me to begin with. It really does show 17thc style. (at least to my mind's eye it does).

I'm now going to quote to you from the church's English pamphlet.

A statue found and preserved "without hands"and respondent to prayers of an anonymous Flemish person of the 15th century "Christ does not have hands - he only has our hands to do his work today..."

Now I ask you to take a moment, to sit, look up and wonder at the works of God around us and say thanks. Then stand up, and find a way to use your hands to the glory of God.

Wikipedia link in Italian or English

taken June 2010 - Church of San Pietro di Banchi, Genoa