Here are my answers to Week 25 questions.
I love fox-terriers, poodles and labra-doodles, huskies and a little Shih Tzu by the name of Mufti, who appears on my blog in pictures and stories. Dogs have always been part of my life, although for the last three years mostly a soft toy variety. My favourite is Softy Noo; I wrote about him in a tumbling verse (it’s somewhere on my blog, too). Here’s his photo.
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Even if you gave me a million dollars, I’d never go scuba diving! I’m just plain scared of sea creatures, those that can harm you.
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Two very important things happened in my life last week:
On Wednesday 18 June, I submitted my very first manuscript to the publishers: a collection of poems and photos. It took me two months to select, edit and collate the poems and photos for submission. It was a steep learning curve. I wonder how long it will take for the book to be published.
And on Friday, my husband and I celebrated the 50th anniversary of our arrival in Sydney, Australia in the company of our dear friends who made it possible for us to migrate by being the guarantors and welcoming us with open arms. We have never looked back. The four of us had a lovely time together in a restaurant by the sea at Balmoral, remembering the good old times of our youth and very grateful to be living in this beautiful country.
Here I am with Vera, my dear friend, I went to school with back in Zagreb. She was 80 this year in May, and I’ll be 80 next March. How good is that? To have a good friend by your side all those years. Vera Sydney is now actively involved in Courage to Care, a travelling exhibition using Holocaust survival stories to promote tolerance and the courage to stand up against the bully.
Using Holocaust survivors’ stories as an example, Courage to Care empowers its participants to take positive action in relation to discrimination and bullying in all forms, from the schoolyard to the workplace and beyond – not to be bystanders, to make a difference whenever possible
http://www.couragetocare.com.au/content_common/internal.aspx?id=dd349cf4-d913-498c-b5b2-2f95c1294fd5
Good on you, Vera!
Vera’s story can be found on Google in the Story of Vera Neufeld and the Escape of 220 Jewish Refugees from North Italy during World War 2.
Beginning in NSW in 1999, Courage to Care has staged over 32 exhibitions mainly in regional galleries and museums throughout NSW and beyond, as well as larger venues including the National Archives of Australia in Canberra and the Powerhouse Museum in Sydney.
Our lovely husbands talking sport. They deserve to appear in a big photo because they’ve both achieved a lot and their contribution to their new homeland is quite impressive. They can both be found on Google – Aleksandar Sasha Dimitric and Nino Sydney, the type of migrants Australia appreciates, and Vera and I are very proud of our husbands. 🙂
And beautiful Balmoral Beach definitely deserves a large photo.
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Not many people know that I can still touch my toes!
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I’m looking forward to having a haircut!
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I believe I’ve answered all the questions.
http://ceenphotography.com/2014/06/23/share-your-world-2014-week-25/
©2014 Irina Dimitric
Irina's Poetry Corner 
I was interested to learn more about you, my friend! Good luck with the book! Are you publishing it as an electronic version, on line? One day I must get around to doing something similar.
Thanks for dropping by, Nicholas. Actually, it’s going to be both a printed version and an e-book. I decided to do it because I’m not getting any younger! 🙂
Nor am I. LOL But please do tell me more. I’ve totally lost touch with publishing in Australia and haven’t got into the publishing scenario in the States. And like you, I really must do something about it.
Nicholas, I suggest you look at my post “Would you do what I did?”
https://irinadim.com/2014/05/19/would-you-do-what-i-did/
And then I suggest you don’t do what I did, but rather spend some time on research. I chose Xlibris because they contacted me by phone as soon as I registered interest on their site on Facebook, and I was in that vulnerable state of seeing my early demise, so I made a decision there and then, on the phone. Crazy! I suggest you consult with some online friends. Doug Westberg uses Create Space (something like that).
Good luck! Yes, you must publish your poetry while you’ve still got all your marbles! 🙂
I’m using Create Space to help Elsie get her book published. There’s a book on Amazon, Create it With Createspace, written by Joel Adams. I won’t rant and rave over the book as some parts were clear as mud, but it did get me through the interior formatting. Some I figured out on my own as the book made no sense, but I think it will get me through the rest. When I download the interior, CS supposedly offers free jacket designs, and publishing is free. Plus, they offer print on demand at a reasonable price. Keep in mind that I’m not through the process, so what I just said could be very very wrong.
Thanks, Pam, for this info. If I ever want to publish anything again, I’ll check out Create Space. Good luck with Elsie’s book!
You have a fascinating history Irina. The photos are great. Good luck with the book.
Fascinating enough to write a psychological thriller!
Thanks for dropping by and wishing me luck with the book.
You had a marvelous week. Much good luck on your book. I look forward to hearing on when it will be published. Thanks for sharing 🙂
Yes, it was a memorable week. Thanks for wishing me luck with the book.
Much enjoyed, Irina.
Love,
Jan
Thanks for dropping by, Jan. Glad you enjoyed it.
Lots of answers. Congratulations on publishing your book! Awesomeness.
Pam, the hardest part of the publishing process has just started. They’ve just sent me the material for review and it’s not at all according to my manuscript. So I’ve sent it back to them to correct the layout according to my manuscript. I think this will take some toing and froing!
I hope they come through for you. Funny, I was thinking this morning that maybe I should do some ‘how to’ posts on publishing as I’m muddling my way through. Maybe I will—it may be a continuing saga, but it might help others. Your thoughts?
Yes, that’s a great idea, Pam. I think a lot of writers would be very grateful to get some ‘how to’ info on self-publishing.
Okay, I’ve started it and I have Elsie’s permission. It will be a multi-part version of muddling through.
Good on you, Pam! 🙂
Much food for much thought! Thank you very much Irina and Pam.
My pleasure, Nicholas.
I submitted my first chapbook manuscript earlier this year. I sent it to dancing girl press. Good look with your book.
Good luck with your book, Veronica! Mine has already encountered trouble! Methinks I’ll need nerves of steel!
Pour mieux comprendre,j’ai utilisé translator. C’est fascinant ce post Irina, les photos sont magnifiques. je suis heureuse de te découvrir ton visage, d’apprendre plus de toi et de tes projets. Je te souhaite bonne chance pour l’édition de ton livre.
Bonne poursuite Irina, bisous de ❤
Merci de ton passage, Lucia. Eh bien, plus de secret. Tu me connais d’en face! :)
Apres une semaine de travail intensif j’ai approuve la publication de mon livre aujourd’hui a midi. Maintenant je peux me reposer un peu.
Merci pour tes bons vœux. Bisous ❤
I wish you all the very best on your book! 🙂
With much love
Zara
Thank you so much, Zara. 🙂
What a lovely post. Enjoyed it very much.
Thank you for your lovely comment, Gigi. Cheers 🙂 Irina
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