My desk is not just a space for work...

I want to make good on my promise to Laura, who tagged me a while ago, to share what my desk looks like.

I was going to photograph my desk at home but these days, like Laura, I tend to work on my laptop (on the sofa) more than at my desk, which is now covered with paper and crafty goodies. So, as I'd retrieved my camera from a friend's to take snow pictures and had it with me, I thought I'd take some photographs in my office instead.

(click if you want a closer look)

• Every day begins, continues, and ends with tea in my sweet little momiji mug - a secret santa gift bought for me the Christmas before last. I love her. And I think she loves me too. She always smiles at me so prettily.

• Potted plants don't do well in my office - something to do with the aircon I think - so I have cut flowers instead. These roses are such a beautiful, uplifting colour, and they have a slight but delicious scent too.

• Tools of communication and development, and a little window to warmer climes for when I don't want to look out the real window, across a wintery square.

• As well as boring-looking project plans and schedules, my pinboard has pictures of my loved ones, my official Obama '08 badge all the way from the States, quotations that inspire, and postcards from here and there. It's an ever-changing collection.

• Piles of books everywhere, a digital photo-frame (another gift) with more pics of loved ones and places that make me happy, and more tea... Do we detect a theme here?

My colleagues tease me a bit about my desk. I don't work happily if it's not neat - at least at the beginning and end of the day - in between I don't much mind. I love stationery ('specially if it's colourful) and files are my friends. I often generate piles of work in progress but when I leave for the day, they must be neat piles. It's one of my things. Weird, I know. But it works for me. I like my desk. It always feels like I'm coming home when I get back to my office after travelling away and find it all friendly (and neat) and waiting for me.

I work at my desk but I also meet and chat and laugh there, enjoy colour and order, read and learn and grow, think of people I love, dream of places I'd like to go and remember fondly places I have been.... And, let's not forget... where I drink a bit of tea. It's not a neutral space.

Now, in the spirit of tags but not in the tradition of them, I'm not going to tag anyone in particular but I'd like to invite you to share your desk if you feel so inclined. I'd love to see it.