In this series our writers were asked to submit 3 to 5 50 word stories based on the prompt below. Here is what we received. Thanks again to all our wonderful contributors.
I am sitting here looking out my window and starting to think…..…
Chris Bodley
1.
I was looking out of the window when I was thinking about Australia Zoo.
I was thinking about how good it would be to meet Bindi and Terri and Robert.
I would also like to go to America one day to see Melissa Benoist, who plays Super Girl.
2.
I was sitting, looking out of the window and imagining that I was going back in time.
I wanted to meet Kim {Lucie Arnaz} when she was doing the Here’s Lucy series.
I would have liked to ask her how she liked working on the Here’s Lucy series.
I am a fan of hers.
Candace Bates
Sitting here looking out my window
Wondering when COVID-19 is going to be over.
Always in lockdown, then out again.
Now everything has changed.
It’s all difficult, people are doing things different.
Hopefully in the future
It will go back to normal.
Adam James
1.
I’m sitting here and looking out my window and starting to think about my favourite football club Fitzroy. It was one Saturday I went with my dad, his name is John, and my mum, Patricia. We went to see my number 1 favourite player Bernie Quinlan play his 100th game.
2.
When I see my friends again, I will remember the good times I had at youth camp with my two good friends Matt and Mandy. At camp Matt and I went into the canoe and had a race with all our other friends. It was such a good time.
3.
The last time I went to my favourite restaurant it was many years ago. The restaurant was called original Joes Italian restaurant in Heathmont I went with my family and friends to celebrate winning an award. I was host of the party night it was lots of fun dancing with everybody.
4.
I went to the cinemas with my brother Mark to see the new Star Wars movie. I liked the battle between Luke and Darth Vader. Luke saved the galaxy. We bought a choc top, a bag of MnM’s and a coke.
5.
I remember going to see my favourite singer Daryl Braithwaite in a dinner show with my mum Patricia and my sister Sam. I got to meet Daryl and his band at the end of the night. It was at a place called Alfred’s Homestead.
Georgia Green
1.
I am sitting here and look out my window and I start thinking
How pretty my garden is. I see some flowers outside my Windows.
They are pink flowers.
I also see Billy the dog barking out my bedroom windows.
My Dad outside working in the garden.
I also see some small birds in the garden drinking water from the bird bath
2.
I was looking out my bedroom window at the outdoor dining table and thinking it will be nice to have lunches out there again with my family and friends now we have more freedom. I love playing games outside with my friends. We play Boccia, it is like lawn bowling. I would also love to play Tennis with my support worker when the weather warms up.
3.
I’m looking out my window and thinking
I would like to go to Adelaide to see my cousin
when COVID 19 is over.
We will go for a walks on the beach at Glenelg.
I would like to go shopping in Adelaide.
I would like to go for walks on the beach.
And I would like to play Beach Volleyball.
Andrew Prior
1.
I’m looking out my Window and I start thinking
I hope Corona goes soon. I hope we go back to Moe Life skills.
Soon.
I hope to get out of my home and go shopping.
I want to see my friends.
I want AFL to come back to Melbourne.
2.
I am looking out my window and thinking I hope COVID 19 goes away soon.
I want to go back to Moe Life Skills Centre. I want to see my friends again.
I miss them. I want to talk with them again and have some fun.
I want to do my classes in person. I miss seeing staff like Abi, Majella, Sarah and Stacey.
I love writing, I love seeing my friends in “Music”. We sing and dance together. I grow
my skills and meet some of my goals in “Self-Advocacy”. I like going to the gym in
“Fitness for You”, I miss doing that.
3.
I was looking out my window and thinking I miss my Moe Life Skills Self Advocacy Group. It will be great to be back together again. When we are together again, we will celebrate the Lloyd St risen crossing being made. I will be happy to see all the staff there.
4.
I was sitting looking out my window thinking about the AFL finals. I am imagining the “Doggies” win the Grand Final. I will be so happy if they win. They will get the Grand Final Cup and have a party. If they win, I will celebrate with a Beer and chips. I hope the Doggies kick ass at the game on Saturday afternoon.
Laura Pettenuzzo
1.
I look out my window on Monday to observe the dawn. Lights spills over the sky, a gentle unfolding. The moon fades and the darkness recedes, making way for something new. There is hope in the uninterrupted rhythms of the world. This is a joy no pandemic can take away.
2.
I look out my window on Wednesday, laptop balanced on my knees. It is the middle of the working week and already exhaustion has settled in my bones. Silence and loneliness are my only companions. Until, through the open window, a gift. A child’s laugh, a dog’s bark: a balm.
3.
I look out my window on Friday, yearning for the world before. For all the pleasures we’ve been denied. The postman rumbles to a stop, dropping letters and packages outside my door. A friend’s familiar handwriting, her words a lifeline – sudden eagerness for the many pleasures we’re still to find.
4.
I look out my window on Sunday, the sunshine calling my name. I stand, stiff legs protesting. It’s time to move. I cannot go far or fast, but mine is a journey without expectations. Tie my shoes, fit my mask, walk. The world is still here and so am I.
Raphael Kaleb
1.The Beurologists Life
I am sitting here and looking out my window and starting to think about
Performing The Beurologists Life which has 800 Song Titles in 15 minutes.
When I was Dancing On The Ceiling like a Maniac with the Kids in America and Mony Mony …
People have compared me to Austen Tayshus.
2. Bush Holidays.
I am sitting here and looking out my window and starting to think about calming bush sounds.
Kookaburras laughing. Kangaroos hopping. A soothing stream.
Living in Tent City. Guilt free food. Chatting around the campfire.
Free choice of topic. An Imagination essential. No deadlines.
A pen and paper. Plus my camera. A full moon.
Finding freedom. Escaping the world. Restoring my spirit.
3. Making A Difference
I am sitting here and looking out my window and starting to think about making a difference.
We had no food. No resources. No access to a bathroom.
Disability Pride – One night Only in Footscray. It was a world first.
We protested after it was removed.
In 2018 Disability Pride Is Back, Mural returned.
I went home and cried with joy.
4. Changes
I am sitting here and looking out my window and starting to think about how my life has changed.
Twenty years ago I was Broke. Homeless. Fired from volunteer jobs.
Over time I learned to pay rent and bills. Cook. Wash my clothes.
Host radio. Perform. Write stories. Smile and laugh.
I’m invited to strategic planning meetings.
People can and do change.
5. Hope Is Actioning Dreams.
I am sitting here and looking out my window and starting to think about my camera.
I paid it off by buying what food was on special and marked down.
I took it everywhere gaining experience.
I bought more lenses, lights and backdrops.
In 2019 Jacci Pillar, professional comedienne commissioned me to take their headshots for Melbourne Comedy Festival.
Hope is actioning dreams.
6. Building Better Lives
I am sitting here and looking out my window and starting to think about Mojo Film Festival.
It’s where people with a mental illness can submit a short film sharing their side of their story.
Chairperson, Heidi Everett asked “Raph, will you submit a film”
That inspired The Honorary Schizophrenic. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YUFJ3tlMtQk&t=8s
Advocating and Activism reduces social stigma.
Every person has a voice in the community.
Ann Mina
1.
I am sitting here looking out my window and starting to think…..
East Keilor is a Hotspot ☀️
Essendon is a hotspot☀️
Niddrie is a hotspot☀️
Broadmeadows is a hotspot☀️
Craigieburn is a hotspot☀️
Werribee is a hotspot ☀️
Watergardens is a hotspot ☀️
2.
I am sitting here looking out my window and starting to think about …..
Physical distancing.
We all have to wear a mask to keep us safe😷
We are doing our best to maintain social distancing.
I don’t listen to the news because the news is stressing me out.
I watch something funny.
We can take our time to go back to Yooralla, there’s no rush. There is no rush to go back to Yooralla at St. Albans.
Take one step at a time.
Think happy things.
3.
I am sitting here looking out my window and starting to think of…..
My friends, Liana, Renee, Violetta, Jody, Tim, Tommy, Thomas, Scott
and James.
Because of the viruses 🦠 we have to stay inside the home 🏡
I am staying at home 🏡
We have to stay at home 🏡
Can we go to the flower show 🌹🌹
Perfume store and jewellery 💍stores
A hand bag 💼
I don’t watch news; too stressful
Very stressed and bored 😐
4.
I am sitting here looking out my window and starting to think that….
The weather is cold and rainy and it’s winter.
Sometimes I like to write the sentence in the paper like a story about what I’m doing now.
The viruses is getting boring but we have to stay safe and if we want to go for walks; we have to wear masks; I got a pink one.
Judy Kelly
1.
When Footy went into lockdown, I didn’t get in touch with anyone from the Hawthorn Football Club until a staff member from the Hawthorn Membership department rang me regarding donating 50% of my Membership to the Hawthorn Football Club Foundation.
2.
I did exercise at home: exercise bike, weights & walks (when on nice days), while the gym is closed. I also did catch up on story writing. I learned a new skill: music, even though I haven’t done it since high school.
3.
At first when Myer closed down temporary for 2 months, I did not expect what I expected and I did my best to keep going both physically and mentally. It was good to be back at work at Myer and being there safely.
4.
I did a post on Underworks Instagram page to raise awareness for Foodbank called #IGiveASock campaign. I put pictures of Hawthorn FC socks as my donation. Mental Health: I have managed very well. I get regular emails from Movember & Beyond Blue.
5.
I got sent emails from Afford Customer Service coordinator Kellie Carruthers on the services Afford has to offer, including their involvement with the Hawthorn Football Club. I also got sent an email from Hawthorn Community Manager Carlie Saunders in Oscar Anderson’s behalf.
6.
I am sitting here and looking out my window and thinking about ……
2015 on a beautiful day. Hawthorn Football Club had a Grand Final training session at the Ricoh Centre, Waverley Park.
I was the first to get an interview with 9 News Sports Reporter Mark Macgugan and they were easy questions & answers. We both met for the first time and shook hands.
The interview was about the Grand Final, how Hawthorn will play for the 3 peat; will Luke Hodge and Jack Gunston be fit, etc. I faced my fear of stage fright.
Fellow 9 News Sports Reporter Corey Norris got me to the side to do a video message for 9 Sports Presenter Tony Jones – a Happy Birthday; I hoped Hawthorn would win the 3 peat; they did. I hoped “The Recruit” contestants would come to Hawthorn F.
Sarah Veli
1.
I am looking out my window and starting to think about my holiday to America! I went to Disney Magic Kingdom, I saw all the Disney characters in Florida. I also went to the Wizarding World of Harry potter – Dragon Alley and I saw a Harry Potter bus. I had a ride on the Harry Potter train, the Wizarding world of Harry Potter – Hogsmeade at Universal Studios. While in Orlando I went shopping which I brought 2 new dresses, 2 hats, a bag, some perfume and a Harry Potter wand. I noticed that the restaurants were closed at 9.00pm. The cruise ships we were meant to holiday on was cancelled so I didn’t get to see the Hollywood Walk of Fame in Los Angeles. We ended up having to come home early. Once we arrived have come back to school at genU where I have one to one services. I enjoy doing my gardening program on Mondays and craft on Fridays.
Sonja Van Bruen
Sarah Veli
My holiday
I went on holiday to America! I went to Disney Magic Kingdom, I saw all the Disney characters in Florida. I also went to the Wizarding World of Harry potter – Dragon Alley and I saw a Harry Potter bus. I had a ride on the Harry Potter train, the Wizarding world of Harry Potter – Hogsmeade at Universal Studios. While in Orlando I went shopping which I brought 2 new dresses, 2 hats, a bag, some perfume and a Harry Potter wand. I noticed that the restaurants were closed at 9.00pm.The cruise ships we were meant to holiday on was cancelled so I didn’t get to see the Hollywood Walk of Fame in Los Angeles , we ended up having to come home early. Once we arrived have come back to school at genU were I have one to one services. I enjoy doing my gardening program on Mondays and craft on Fridays.
