My new 50D camera sits in its box and never have I felt so demotivated to use it . It has been there almost a week and I have not felt inclined to tame the beastie. Why ... well having got back from England at 4.00am on Tuesday morning after a delayed flight, delayed release of luggage and having to open suitcases at customs because they thought some loose Swarovski crystals given to me by my sister-in-law were loose diamonds, I was simply exhausted. Having been diagnosed with hypothyroidism in November ( on my birthday too!) and giving up full-time teaching at a good school in Dubai I have not exactly been the happiest butterfly on the planet. The doctors have tried to sort it out and I am currently in the hands of a specialist who I will be seeing on Sunday. Coupled with this my kidneys are playing badly up too - so I am currently find my self at war with my health and at war with our lack of accommodation ... and there does not seem to be a solution to either.
Yet despite it all I have managed to do some editing of the pics I took in England prior to the camera being damaged ( my 40D) and editing the pics which I took for Jacky Mehennet in a shoot the day before I left. What a lady ... and her model Minnie was simply divine. I could not have asked for a more beautiful, co-operative subject in front of the camera. Wow ... and some of those pics are quite breathtaking. And not because of my ability behind the camera but rather that Minnie has the ability to speak to the camera and she is very photogenic and spontaneous without my having to coax her too much. It was such fun and Jacky is an incredibly creative highly talented bead artist who has a very generous spirit and a warm heart. I am blessed to have met her and to be able to call her a friend. 


For those of you who know me well, I have many acquaintances but a only few who I regard as close friends so leaving my family and friends behind in SA has left a huge hole in my heart . But in Dubai you do become very selective about who you cultivate as friends ... and society in Dubai because of the recession is so very transient. I have made another good friend - Dominic who shares my passion for photography and who lightens my spirit on a daily basis with numerous emails invariably about photography and people that we have come across together in our photographic jaunts. He has just been to Yemen and took some incredible images and yes, I did miss his quirky emails whilst he was away. But we managed to grab a quick meal last night and to catch on each others adventures of the past fortnight. Yes, and thanks Dominic, for giving me Photoshop ... much appreciated so now when editing I can use layers to make the snow whiter than white !!! And retain the texture... which will please another photographer immensely namely Henk Bos who has been in his own way most encouraging/challenging  of my photographic adventures here in Dubai.
So all it leaves is the forum Expatwoman... which I think for many women in Dubai is a lifeline . There is someone on that forum who I would like to thank in this Blog and that is a lady  known as Sandfly. Your call on Friday really touched me and I am so very grateful for your support. And that is the wonderful thing here in Dubai that total strangers are prepared to stretch out a hand and offer unconditional help ... and it is that which keeps you going .
Today's moments are tomorrow's memories  - let's not forget to acknowledge those who make an effort to make a difference to our lives.
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