Final day of travelling (Sunday 17th January, 2021)… its been the hugest trip as a solo drive…. I take my hat off to the truck drivers of this country, who do these kind of treks every week!
Read on…..
Left early for the 915km trek from the backpackers in Alice Springs to Daly Waters….
Stopped at the character-filled, beautifully clean and friendly Barrow Creek Hotel to fill up with fuel and met the lovely Manager and her cat ‘Tiger’, plus the very kind and friendly duo of Bazza and Karina who were assisting with maitenance.
Travelled on to be soon, utterly awestruck, with Devils Marbles rock formations….
Then stopped 10kms past of Tennant Creek town where I found a great picnic spot in Threeways Caravan Park….
Then onwards to Daly Creek Historic township, to stay the night at the local Daly Waters Historic pub – now THAT is a true gem of a town… full of memorabilia…. and discovered that Daly Waters airfield used to be the main fuel refill for planes on their way to Singapore ie. was Australia’s first International airfield!
Finished the day with meeting a truly lovely lady – Mel – caring for an orphaned Joey called Chris!!
There is many photos – see more below……
Alice’s Secret Travellers Inn (Backpackers) And a trip up the stone steps to Anzac Hill – Alice Springs, NT
Wishing everyone around the world a beautiful day – at very least, with kindness of family, friends, a special meal, beauty of environment, the gift of life being a treasured day. For those who do not have such blessings, may the Divine protect you from harm, and bring you a gentle peace to keep your smile bright.
Look after your loved ones, health, heart and environment – to be nurtured with great care.
A very tough year for so many – myself included. However, singing has very fortunately brought me a form of emotional stability (despite four house-moves this year, university challenges, daily travel, teaching part-time and assisting behind-the-scenes of the community – all this, plus singing!) – music has been my Saviour to an insanely challenging time; and to this end, I have been blessed to work with some of the most wonderfully kind, and brilliantly talented musicians on the planet via the Smule App. Each song was crafted with so much love and passion – singing for any serious artist is a lifelong practice in pitch, timing, song choices, beauty, empathy, rhythmic challenges and sheer perseverance.
I am deeply grateful for my family, friends and musical collegues (whether in the flesh or cyber, local or international); for without, I would not have survived this very harsh year.
So here are some of the most endearing and beautiful Christmas recordings; and some ‘other’ beautiful songs to entertain and uplift you – I sincerely hope you enjoy them – please ‘like’ and ‘share’ this post far and wide – music is the glue that connects and unites humanity – the Universal language!!
SI TIENES FE
(When You Believe)
HALLELUJAH
O HOLY NIGHT
LITTLE DRUMMER BOY
Lets just say, my dearest friends and cherished (close and extended) family have been my saviour; with studies and Smule singing keeping me stable and sane during the most crazy ‘annus horrobillus’. To all who know me and have assisted, my gratitude is unchecked, as without your love and support, this year would have done me over in a few different ways if not for the kindness and practical support I have received – not so much from ‘many’ people, but the right few, who have genuinely cared.
I have spent my time studying with some of Australia’s most seasoned film and tv professionals, and I am so so grateful for the opportunity to ingest their practical knowledge. Now, I must put all I have been blessed to learn, into practice.
Singing also, has been the nectar and sweetness to an otherwise hugely difficult year – thank goodness, for musicians, whose love, care and sheer talents, inspire me always, to stretch for the stars – too many people to thank one by one – as I am just so grateful for having sung with them, to save my own sanity.
I will just end this post with a few of my favourite solo and duet songs, as ever, with the intention to brighten your day – wherever you are in the world.
I am actually feeling quite emotional – so sad to soon be leaving Uni, the safe place of inquisitiveness and learning… thank you to all my Mentors: Michael McMahon and Sandy Cameron; Wilson Main who selected my suitability; and the very gracious and lovely Kathy McIntyre – all who were incredibly patient with my incessant questions… the many guest lecturers from all over Australia and the world (Zoom calls are amazing); and of course, my academic peers – all the talented and vibrant younger students who gave me so many insights into their own worlds. May we all find our feet, and, be blessed into the future.
Sarai Qui
La Califfa
Someone To Remember Me
“Bailero” on Smule: https://www.smule.com/p/333880048_3788224967
Its been quite some time since I wrote a post – so much has happened in the past many months. The Australian bushfires that took the lives of many people, more than 1500 homes and a guess-timate of a staggering 1.25 billion native animals, and displaced 1000’s of people and their businesses and whole towns turned to ashes. And if that wasn’t enough suffering, we then suffered (with the rest of the world) a full lockdown with CoVid-19, millions losing their livelihoods, dreams dashed, innovation and community spirit rallying, all this amongst additional awareness raising of ‘Black Lives Matter‘ rallies that ironically then caused further lockdown in the state of Victoria. Its been a huge time for everyone.
I personally had three house moves in five months directly due to these events – life turned upside down for a while; and I lost all ‘traction’ with my video-business-card film business, instead, teaching ESL (English to 2nd language learners) online, and praying daily, for financial respite. Just beginning again, to gain a little movement forward in life again. Phew, tough times!
Run to You
“Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.”
1 Corinthians 13
Feels Like Home
Sung by Luiz Clark and Jaya Khoobsurat
‘Come What May’ (Te Amare)
This is a simple Smule recording, no rights reserved.
Please wear headphones for correct sound balance
as this is not studio engineered.
Smule link: https://www.smule.com/recording/il-divo-ti-amero/959685226_3133656589
NB. Thank you to Luiz Clark, for permission to share this duet on my website.
One of my favourite songs – the joyous ‘Sky Full of Stars’ by Coldplay – I love Smule!
No rights reserved.
The Power of Love = This song is simply beautiful.
Sung by Brazilian Tenor Luiz Clark & Australian Jaya Khoobsurat
This is a simple Smule recording, no rights reserved.
Artwork of Archangel Michael
Source http://howarddavidjohnson.com/Angel-art.htm
SOLO: BY SPECIAL REQUEST – The Power of Love ♥️💜♥️💜🙏🏻😇 – I was asked by a very dear friend to sing this piece. Please wear headphones for sound balance phones as this is a Smule recording (not studio balance or engineered – just pure voice, sung in one take, without altering the fundamental vocal abilities). This song is sung for for the Amazon & Africa jungles that are burning, and the Australia’s GBR – the precious air, earth, water, oceans, and all the precious animals and birds, for without, our lives will be diminished and even, removed.
Continue reading “Africa & Amazon on Fire – Power of LOVE”
Such an awesome song…. !! Lovely Smule group, sung with love from all over the world!!
https://jayakhoobsurat.com/2019/07/24/angels-brought-me-here_fnm_international-group-song-collaboration/
Please support hand made Millet brooms before the Factory is gone for good! 🧹🧹🧹💕🧹🧹🧹⭐️🥰
Official website: Tumut Broom Factory
Source report: ABC report
These songs are not studio sound balanced and therefore,
best sound is heard with headphones.
Merry Christmas, sung with love, Jaya Khoobsurat ~ December 2018
Continue reading “2018 Christmas Carols playlist by Jaya Khoobsurat”
Something different… a beautiful post written by one of my Thai English students – Weerada Wongputorn – in memory of my recent trip to Chiang Mai Thailand – a huge thank you so much Weerada, for such a lovely written expression.
These pictures of Weerada and myself (taken at the Love Language Academy in Samut Songkram, Maha Chai) also include some tourist trinkets that I purchased at the Long Necked Tribal Village (about an hour’s drive from Chiang Mai); and some angel wings painted on the wall at the hostel I stayed at.
Weerada writes:
“Today, I have talked with a petite blonde-haired lady who is from Australia. She is Teacher Jaya Khoobsurat. We had talked about various interesting things – for example, her recent trip to Chiang Mai; and her Singer challenges (about making music in general, relationships with the singers, and my new understanding of what the phrase ‘bedroom-eyes’ means ie. Jaya told me a funny story about a male singer who adores the female singers.)
Continue reading “Memoirs from the eyes of a student”
Smule video – no rights reserved
Both smules were recorded in July 2018
NB. I will re-record both songs on Smule, and post here, as a comparison
jayakhoobsurat.com 