Hi Googlies, 25/2/10
PTL!
Just back from an enlightening educative and entertaining retreat. We were invited by a couple to do the marriage encounter retreat and I was happy to be told the kids were to come as that was my major obstacle; where to keep the kids? Glenn was reluctant but I managed to persuade him and he finally agreed. So on 19th evening, after Aaron performed at the Passing Out parade at St. Britto’s, we left in the van for Raia. Yeah, we had to go all the way there because at Porvorim, where we were supposed to have the retreat, only one other couple had registered besides us. They dropped out when they were told it would be in Raia but we jumped at the idea because I was eager to meet my writer friend Sajla. She also writes middles, etc. and had made contact with me last month because she liked an article I had written called ‘A middle writer’s tale’. We have been phone-mates ever since. Anyway, she too was excited to hear that I would be coming. We reached by 8 pm and had to go right away to the hall as the 1st session was underway. I was the only fool who had not taken a bath, thinking I will have once we reach, but no luck! That day we had two sessions and slept by 11 pm. Sajla asked me to look towards her house, which was on the next hill but I wasn’t able to spot it in the dark. She said she’d blink her lights so I’d know where she was but it backfired and I was very disappointed.
The next day we had session after session with breaks only for tea, lunch, tea and dinner. So I barely managed to take a wash in 5 mins; forgot to carry the soap so it was just a wash. Yuk! The kids enjoyed themselves; only Kirsten grumbled coz Baby was worrying him to carry at times. They had volunteers come in to take care of the kids. there were like, 7-8 kids, two babies who refused to part with their mothers and would stay in the room with us. The team couples(2 were there) would help in keeping them occupied. Colin Coelho, who writes in the Herald Sunday Mirror (Music Mania) is involved in the ME movement and his wife came twice in the daytime to help out.
The programme is aimed at making GOOD MARRIAGES BETTER. It chiefly centres around writing as an expression to feelings coupled with dialogue. I enjoyed writing my love letters to Glenn and he also warmed up to it. There is no counseling done, which was ok with me. It was as if we were counseling one another, you know. Now for the rest of our married lives together we have to write our love letters to one another and dialogue. I thought when we reach home, Glenn will be as before but he has made the decision to love and is making the effort. I was very relieved these last two days with our dialogue sessions at home.
If you need info and dates of the retreats, you can contact Valy & Anna Coelho at 9326128259. They have the retreats also at Porvorim for North Goa couples. Best thing is that there is also follow-up at the monthly meetings so a support group is formed. I quite liked that because after a while you can flounder and its good to know there is help out there.
I asked Leeta to dedicate a song ‘There’s a new world somewhere’ to all ME Couples in Goa on Fm Rainbow Midday Magic. She played it yday. I’ve recorded it. Its by The Seekers and is called “I’ll never find another you”.
My article will come tomorrow. Look out for it. I was disappointed that my short story did not come yday in Junior Herald. Maybe God is saying I must be patient.
Sajla’s house is very beautifully done; she has good taste. I esp loved her use of electric blue on the outside and earth colours on the inside. It reflects her personality of flashy attraction on the outside and deep warmth on the inside. Saju, am I flattering you? I was surprised that my kids did not break anything; there were so many fragile artifacts. I have underestimated my kids badly, I think. I did not get a homely feeling down there coz I guess it being a drawing room and kitchenette area. It was more like a museum. I hope to see the top rooms as I feel they may be more messy; I like messy coz it tells me there is life there. She will definitely faint when she sees our home. We have writing and drawings all over the walls And our floors are always strewn with toys and clothes and food particles. I am a lazy housewife, detest spending too much time in the kitchen and am happiest reading a book or doing work on the comp. or clicking photos and videos. I also avoid cleaning up so we have spiders and cockroaches and lizards as permanent residents. I keep telling Glenn we must charge them rent. Why, we even have a rat visit at nights but he can’t come in coz we close all the doors before we go to bed. Because of him, actually, we have to close the doors and suffer house arrest.
Posting snaps of the retreat and Sajla here. Also a family snap for those who don’t know us personally.
Chalo, bye for now.
4m d heart J
Auriel


Sajla-Sahir-Baby-Glen-me. Receiving our ME cert. ME Family at SVD Semin