It was a fair dinkum, kick-arse, weird week at MIA.
First up, the Ex and I had our mediation.
For those outside of Australia, mediation is something you go through as a last ditch attempt to avoid going to the expense and emotional upheaval of court whilst divorcing a former love.
I'm not allowed to say much about our mediation, but I can tell you it sucked. Hugely.
Ironically enough, the mediation venue was in walking distance of the mental health hospital I was once a guest of, thanks to the major depressive disorder which was diagnosed during the end of my marriage in January 2009.
That period was the roughest, most gut-wrenching time of my life; and yet it was life-changing, in a good way, as well. I'm not the broken, shell of a woman who walked through those hospital doors anymore, and I never will be again. And for that, I am truly grateful.
In an even more unusual juxtoposition of services, the law office where the mediation occured was right next to two wedding/bridal shops. Lovely.
So that just really put the icing on the cake of a really crappy day.
For a couple of days following mediation, I could barely talk to anyone. I felt so let down by the legal system. I can only liken the experience to having my insides pulled out and trampled over by a thug, while a thief rifled through my wallet and took everything.
I felt like pulling the doona over my head and staying in bed for a week.
But then I remembered, that I'd secured partial sponsorship to Nuffnang Australia's inaugural blogopolis, and that perhaps it might be timely to attend.
Besides, it seemed like kismet that blogopolis was occuring on what would have been my 11th wedding anniversary. And we had spent some of our honeymoon in Melbourne. It felt right, to go, despite or perhaps in spite of, how crap I felt.
Somehow, the planets aligned and I was able to get fairly affordable flights (thanks Virgin Australia). My accommodation (wotif's mystery hotel deal, which was at the Melbourne Citigate, and within walking distance of the blogopolis venue, was also a bargain).
On arrival at Melbourne, the flight was on time, and I jumped into a cab because the Airport Bus chick told me I'd have to go to a station, then walk to another one and take another train). I just wanted to get to the conference, and didn't want to miss any more of it than I had to.
Instead, thanks to a fab taxi driver, I made it there only about 15 minutes late, and that was only because it took so long to find the freaking conference venue once I'd arrived at the corner of Swanston and Flinders streets.
And then, despite my 3 am start, despite my stress and anxiety, I felt at home as I was warmly welcomed by the best of Australia's bloggers. And my fatigue and stress disappeared.
We squeed, we hugged, and we learned.
It was awesome.
Leaving the conference, this stunning double rainbow crossed the Yarra River. I tried and failed to capture its beauty, but it was wonderful. And meaningful too, you know? Like the symbol of a new beginning.
The other side.
Walking to my hotel. Taste of Paris anyone?
To be continued ...
19 comments:
*hug*
That's all.
Sometimes the planets align so perfectly purely to expose to us the direction we should be heading in. You write well and you're right about the double rainbow-definitely a sign of a new beginning!
I can't even imagine the ex and mediation situation. But that rainbow was just stunning. Took my breath away. I met you very briefly at the coffee station and wanted to say I loved your dress!
You got a good cab driver? I had terrible cab drivers, one who didn't even know where Fed Square was.
Glad you had a good day and was lovely to see you again x
Thank you all so much. Actually, my cab driver didn't know where Fed. Square was, but he put the address into his GPS and we were there. He kept saying: I will get you there on time. I got his number so I could report him - as awesome - to his company.
But of course, still way off Zinc, and all those freaking stairs.
And you know what? I had a much better time in Melbourne for blogopolis than I did during my honeymoon.
And it is all due to all of you! Thank you so much. xo
Glad you (mostly) loved Melbourne this trip, and it was lovely to meet you too! x
Gosh, what a weekend of intense emotions! I was sad not to be there, missed meeting up with old friends and finding new ones!
Talk about the lows & highs of life!
Melbourne sounded great & I look forward to reading Part 2!
xxxx
Ah hun, big huge hugs to you for having to deal with all of the shit that surrounds the end of a marriage.
The conference was perfectly timed and it is so nice to see that you had a great time.
Jenn
Oh how wonderful. This post gave me goosebumps. So glad you had a happy ending.
I think Lisa said it all. But I'm glad the high came second. Always nice to finish up instead of down.
so glad the universe was in the mood to guide you to something so worthwhile … but the mediation centre next to the Bridal stores? evil, just evil! xt
What's with that mediation thing? Isn't that some kind of salt meets wound? It's painful enough that you have your heart broken but seeing the person who broke it is just too much. It's just like I can feel the distraught you're feeling right now! Oh, just don't let it get you. In the end, there's always a rainbow after the storm.
What a week indeed. Loved seeing you again, esp after drinks. Felt for the first time I actually got to just chat and wasn't hurried. That rainbow was all kinds of amazing. xx
An emotional week for sure.
And wow. You live REALLY close to me. I recognised both of those shops. I got my wedding dress at one of them.
I was amazed when I walked out a saw that rainbow too. A fitting ending to a great day.
Im so glad things are turning around for you *hugs*
Ack what a juxtaposition of stores! And I'm glad that you got some support, sounds like you had a great time!
Oh, Bronnie... What a roller coaster. You really lived the adage 'you can't have a rainbow without rain.' Sending you huge hugs and kisses. xxxxx
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