Ma Wa Gray

All birthing stories are hectic. Because they were quick, or slow, because they were emergencies, or perfect, or because the babies were big, or small, or born loud or silent. Because birth plans are like parenting plans, they don't exist the moment you realise that, as a parent the control ship has sailed and you are merely a passenger. And you're not actually on a ship, you're in a space rocket, and the manual you're holding is for a donkey wagon, and it's written in Taiwanese. The stories are generally and hopefully great, after the fact. A good yarn to spin the night before your eight year old's birthday. 'Your birth was life changing and amazing... yes, I was induced, and there was meconium when they broke my waters, and your heart rate dropped and you were over 4kgs and you tore me open like a massive jagged mango and I didn't think I would ever sit again... but it was life changing and amazing.'  But as mothers that day, those days, never leav...

 The above picture is singlehandedly both the worst and the best picture ever taken of me. And because Dan Eager's try will go down as a truly iconic moment in Kearsney's history my double chins and psychotic eyes will now also be immortalized. The photo has gone viral and has given my family, friends and vague acquaintances great, great joy.  But I love this picture for all its horror because it shows me for who I am. It is a raw statement of my spirit.   Because I am a witness. Because I celebrate the victories of those I care about with wild abandon and overzealous joy. Because when the people I love win, I win. And because I always want to be on the sidelines cheering you on, in victory, or defeat.  This intense need to see my people flourish is why I became a teacher. When I was considering the various options of study when doing my MA the choices were to go the fame route and develop myself as an actor, director and scriptwriter or to study applied theatre...