Day 35: Annecy Pink flowers

Back in 2005 when we were in Annecy, I told Rob about Saoya, the earring shop where Mum and I had bought her studs (Day 1: Annette's Annecy Studs). Unbeknown to me, the next day he slipped away to find the shop and bought these pretty pink earrings and a matching necklace. I didn't get them straight away, or indeed as a package. James - then aged 2 - gave me the earrings as a Mother's Day gift, about a month after we returned to Sydney. Another 7 months on, I received the necklace as Christmas present, a reminder of our wonderful experiences in France. So typical of thoughtful Robbie!

Selfie chicks: Jan and Lou/Maggie T!

I wore these today to match my pink "Maggie Tabberer" turban. It was my first foray onto campus since December, and was feeling a bit self-conscious about my new look, so I needed these as protection. As it turned out I had a very affirming visit, first catching up with my lovely colleague in Politics, Carolien van Hamm, and then with the wonderful Jan Breckenridge, an Associate Professor in Social Work and Social Policy. Jan is an expert in gender-based violence and her work in the area is groundbreaking. Largely through her tireless efforts we now have workplace laws in Australia to provide leave for those subjected to domestic violence; her latest initiative is to work with the big banks to address financial abuse as a form of domestic violence. The banks have responded incredibly well to Jan's ideas and are changing their policies and practices to give women fleeing violence access to emergency finance, and to reduce the red tape needed to stop debt being racked up in their name. Jan's life-changing work is an example of what a difference academics can make to society.  Together Jan and I supervise the fabulous PhD student Sophie Yates, who is also working on a gender violence topic.

Last year Jan and I had the pleasure of hosting at UNSW  Sr Angelique Namaika, who was in Australia as a guest of the UN High Commission for  Refugees. Sr Angelique does amazing work running a refuge and training programs for women and their children affected by conflict-related violence in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. It was an incredibly inspiring presentation.

Jan has her own wonderful earring collection, my favourite being her cushion-shaped diamond- cut citrine's that she often wears. She wonders now whether she's become and creature of habit with her earrings, and what that means about her life - who knew our earrings could make us think so much about ourselves and those around us! At work, Jan always has my back, and in recent months, she has sent me constant messages of love and support, for which I am so grateful.

It was great to see Jan and Carolien today, followed by a meeting with George Williams and the powers that be about our human rights initiative (by the way GW wrote a great piece today in the SMH on the need for better recognition and representation of women barristers - go George!). A bonus lunch meeting with the wonderful Steph to discuss the initiative was icing on the cake. By the time I got home I was exhausted...I had just enough energy to sit through the Academy award ceremony and watch aghast at the La La Land debacle! Whoa! The stars are completely out of alignment in every sense in the US right now!