How is this for random? DD's brother, who lives in the UK, happened to be in Osaka at the same time as us! He was hiking with high school friends, then joined us for a ramble around the city. Adding to the family reunion, DD's son is currently living in Japan, so he caught the... Continue Reading →

Guess where I've headed on hols? Japan! I tell people it's my first time, but that's not entirely true. I spent Chinese New Year here waaaay back in 2001. I was working in Singapore at the time and wanted to make the most of the short holiday break, so I booked an organised tour. I... Continue Reading →

There is a lot of cake in my office. It is served to celebrate various birthdays, graduations, baby showers ... I think I’m allergic to it. Whenever I eat a slice I start getting stomach cramps. I have continued eating cake whenever it is handed to me ... just to be certain. Yesterday there was... Continue Reading →

I have a very first-world problem. But I need to get it off my chest. I booked a cruise for next year that starts in Auckland and concludes in Cairns. I was drawn to it because all the stops were islands, with Norfolk Island and Lady Musgrave Island as highlights. I am in bucket-list-ticking-off mode... Continue Reading →

Remember going on Sunday drives with your mum and dad as a kid? They were such rambling, carefree, iPhone-less times. I went on a spontaneous Sunday drive yesterday with the kids and we loved it. We started our adventure by heading down to The Imperial Hotel at Clifton - via the Sea Cliff Bridge -... Continue Reading →

You know how I hosted the body corporate meeting at my place last night? Well, I may have implied I was willing to become the body corporate secretary. I do not have time to be the body corporate secretary and it is beyond me why one of the retiree residents can't take it on. The... Continue Reading →

How do you feel about bosses wanting staff back into the office five days a week? I have mixed emotions. I would probably be annoyed but OK with it … if I didn't have dogs. The dogs would not cope AT ALL. They have been spoilt by having constant company over the past four years.... Continue Reading →

I had the unexpected pleasure of dinner with DD last night. He was on his way home from the airport and offered to take me to see Beetlejuice, Beetlejuice. He saw it in Melbourne on Sunday afternoon and loved it so much he wants to watch it again together (he also thinks it would cheer... Continue Reading →

I am tired and cranky. Work is far too busy and my social plans keep chopping and changing. I can’t bitch about work on the blog, but the stress is waking me up far too early. As for my after-work plans … I do not like chopping and changing. I make arrangements and I stick... Continue Reading →