Love from the Orient...

Well if you know me well enough you will understand that I absolutely love oriental cultures pretty much China and Japan.  Most of all I love reading about the lives of Chinese people this year I bought a book from a pound shop and the Author Xinran was that good I bought more of her books and wow they are amazing.

Chinese and Japanese culture I have only skimmed the surface of. I have seen oriental blossoms - Geishas, parasols, home made medicines, characters, vibrant colours and so much more. The actual style and culture is amazing, I do know that all of their lives were not so glamorous and some went through so much hardship you cant even begin to know. 

I started young when I saw the Joy Luck Club by Amy Tan and that story captured me then I have searched over time and found the book "Memoirs of a Geisha" followed by the Mo vie. I noticed with the films I have seen they are not glamorized or over done. They just have a realistic quality and I like that. I think why I like their culture is because they are humble and kind and keep emotions private. I think in Britain that's a rare thing. When I once sang at a new Chinese members baptism (Agnes Dang Yeng) one of her friends Helen came up to me and told me in genuine kindness a beautiful sentence. " You voice is like a bird that is flying to heaven" How beautiful is that? Not to the fact of she liked how I sang but how it was described very very pictionary and that's the way I work I know they use images or pictures and the characters represent something. I love that way about them too, I love their tea ceremonies (I'm staying with the oriental styles not the country) their kimonos and their hair pieces and combs. 

I really hope one day I can go visit these places, I want to go visit Hong Kong Temple and hope one day China will have one. I miss the Chinese members who have been baptized over the years - they had difficulties like all of us but they handled them so well. Li Li, Nancy, Agnes, Helen and Tom we love you and miss you and where ever you are - we wish you well and that God be with you...

More recently I took an interest in Madame Butterfly and just saw the film version yesterday such a sad story but I know its true and that so many tender young girls hearts would of been broken...made me sad but the element I loved was Butterflys devotion to her husband the absolute love she had for him and waited for him day in and day out. Amazing quality! I'm thankful for her example...

So there you have it my oriental journey so far, I get to see the Chinese circus on the 28th which I'm excited about will have to post some photos on here. Yey I cant wait!!! They will tell the legend of the Monkey King. Watch this space...

Photography by me

Well I havnt posted anything to indicate that I am a photographer - because I have had to return to full time work I havnt done as much as I would like in the area of photography, but this summer wow I did more weddings than ever and I was really happy with how much I progressed thanks to my husband I got to learn Lightroom techniques and have spent time refining myself with that. 

http://www.rebeccanorthcottphotography.com

http://www.rebeccanorthcottphotography.com/blog/

Funny as I read a book that it talked about gaining talents and that anyone can do anything as long as they have that interest for it and the drive and passion to keep up the practise and master it. I really hope in 2010 I can get even better than I am now as I know I have progressed this year. My main goal is to really get some depth in my images. Sure I have lovely images and some are absolute pearlers but I know I can do better with other areas. Afterall I am still "young" in my years and still have lots to learn. I will give you my blog for my photography and you can follow me there. As I am a wedding photographer mostly this is what the blog surrounds. I hope you enjoy it and again let me know your thoughts.

Here are some examples of my images...

Let it snow, let it snow...

Well its got really frosty over these past few weeks and as I promised I thought I would add some photos. I am going to add some of the view from our "loft" window its interesting how its got all the particles I thought it was nice anyway. 

I am really enjoying finding beautiful things arround me at the moment. I hope I can keep this going, I enjoy it - I'll also put a photo of our little tree. So what if its small we like it - theres time in the future for big numbers.

Christmas is just round the corner...CRAZY! I will have to take some photos. Yey!

A new arrival in the family...

We have 2 new babies in the family - we have Oliver Winter, hes such a lovely little baby and looks like his brother joshua, I can't wait to get some photos of them together and you will see what I mean. My dad took great joy in giving him a hug and letting me take some photos of him. I had to be quick as he had to go back to his mummy. I love it when we have new ones in the family My cousin had a beautiful little boy too called Isaac Grice. Hes lovely and I may have to put a photo on of him too...hes such a cutie, babies are deffinately miracles and I love giving them huggles.

Photos of Oliver and George by me 

Photos of Isaac and Simon & Amy by Helen Rose (shes amazing!)

My Favourite Scripture

I thought I'd share this because it has been my favourite scripture for a long while now.

"Have I not commanded thee? Be strong and of good courage, be not afraid neither be thou dismayed for the Lord thy God is with thee withersoever thou goest." Josha 1.9

I remember learning this when I was just 12/13 in my Young Womens class and since then it has stuck with me. I really loved learning this and when I have times when I am down I just remember who is looking over me and that I dont need to ever be afraid.

I hope you all have your own scripture or collection of scriptures that give you comfort.

Another that I draw from is Ether 12:27 - because I have many failings thats ok because I can turn to the Lord and he helps me in EVERYTHING that I do. I am so thankful for the scriptures, Im glad I started about 9 years old reading just 10 verses each day and I havnt stopped since. I am so happy for them.

Yey, please comment if you like. Comments always welcome.

Much Love

Rebecca Northcott

Its all on a laptop...

Well here I am sitting eating my tuna sandwiches - just got back from having a chest X-ray to decipher what has been going on with my chest. Its been snowing over night and there's a field outside of my window where a man and his dogs are playing catch. Its really pretty outside but boy is it cold.

I decided I really need to keep this blog - just because I need to. I have been sat at home on my own mostly this week whilst spluttering and taking medicine - Mark has been working hard on his architectural work and has been doing some freelance work. Hes really good at it and he always doesn't think so. I am same in a way with my photography - you are always your own worst critic.

So Christmas is next week and I feel like I haven't been apart of any preparations just because I have been out of it. Last weekend was probably the worst when I couldn't even lift my head off the pillow for 3 days. ARGH it was really bad I don't ever want to feel that bad again but I guess once I have my babies that will probably be the case.

Here I am just over a year being a wife and me and Mark have grown up together and matured not too much thought hehe ;) but I do love him more on a different level I think its nice when you can see how your growing separately but together. He's doing such a great job as a Ward Clerk Assistant - so much so that everyone is is coming to him for advice and help. He really puts his heart into what he does and his motto is "if I can help you I will!" only when he doesn't know how to do something then he wont. Always gives his best though and that's what I am impressed about.

Well I have a lot of picture posts to come but I thought I would do my Blurb first :) I really hope you all have a wonderful Christmas with your loved ones. Please remember what Christmas is truly about. I really hope I can give of myself to help others :)

Much love

Rebecca Northcott

Stake Primary Christmas Party

Yey we had alot of fun doing this although I have been really ill, we had lots of fun with the kids making all sorts of things the young children did chocolate logs the older ones did truffles and in other rooms they made little baskets and wreaths all good things the children could take home and either show their parents and/or eat. Maybe the sugar went too far though as they were running arround really hyper. I think its always hard to have LOTS of children all in the same place and make sure they are all doing what they are supposed to but I still loved it and we had some lovely moments. 

Autumn - What a beautiful sight

Whilst out in the Autumn and at the temple trip I had a little bit of time to take some photos of my favourite tree, its right in between the MTC and the Accommodation centre and I love to sit by it - so I wanted to share a little bit of the beauty I see whilst sat there.

Stake Primary Temple Trip

Ok so this happened a while ago but I really wanted to record it, I was called as Stake Primary Secretary earlier this year and so we had been planning for this temple trip nearly all year.

We had a really good day and all the presidency worked hard along side the ward leaders - the children are so full of energy but have a love of learning that is amazing. I know they loved to see the temple and MTC even if we had some hiccups on the day.

We started late but made up through the day we had a talk from our High Councillor over Primary who is my dad but what a lovely job he did he really was amazing. I am so proud of him!

So here is example of the frames that the children made which later would include a photo of them with a slide over the top of Preston temple wish I had the finished product to show as they were so cute but we gave them all out!  Jo our President lead some games with the children - also asking them how they felt about primary and got them to write down how primary makes them feel. 

We encouraged the children to go and touch the temple after they had made an MTC promise to return to serve a mission. They seemed very impressed to meet the MTC Mission President and got to meet the Missionaries I know alot of the children enjoyed this and seemed really in awe of the Mission President.

We got a photo at the end how cute they were. I could tell they were tired though bless them. They all got to walk underneath the statue of Moroni and look up at him. Again they were amazed. The look on their faces said it all...

 Last but not least Ive met an amazing lady serving in Primary I go visit her wards primary - its Sister Wiles! ah we had alot of fun and she couldnt resist getting in this groovey cart they have at the temple - I thought I'd put this on for you Kerry - fun times!

Me and Mark

I havnt posted a new photo of me and Mark for a long time - mum took this at our friend Ruth Dryden's (now Swain) wedding. So thanks to mum for that :)