Joy Ride

This morning, we were in the mood (or pressed!) for New Year's meal shopping. We've always been invited by a friend to go to a Filipino store in Dee Why (~25km from our place) but we were always tied with something else, so for a change & out of curiousity, we thought of getting our Asian needs for NY in that store. We didn't know where it was but with the address and the Sydney map in tow, we thought of giving it a go.

However, even before we found it, we discovered the Dee Why beach instead! If you know us real well, you would have guessed that we dropped everything and went straight to the beach! We forgot about the shopping we had to do, searched for parking and stopped for the view and savoured the good food. There was a fair bit of people picnic-ing, sunbathing and swimming, too bad we weren't ready with our bathies.

We spent at least 2 hours in the place when we realized we were there for a reason. We tried searching for the shop but didn't find it. We were too shy to ask our friends so we continued on the joy ride, drove further the coast line of the Northern beaches and enjoyed the water views (and wondered how much we need to earn to get a house with this view).

We ended up getting our Asian needs in a nearby Asian store (~1km). Well, it was a productive day after all.

Christmas 2006 down under ...

Merry Christmas everyone! Sorry for the late greetings, we were having too much fun and forgot to update the blog. We hope you had a blessed Christmas & may 2007 bring us more hope, blessings & happiness with our loved ones!


Just a quick recap of our 2006:

Our Australia adventure continued this year with me signing up with a telecommunications company for contracting work which kept me pretty occupied for the first 3 months. On our fourth month & while we were in Adelaide for the Holy Week, we received the sad news that Mum was deteriorating. I rushed back home on Easter Monday then God claimed her back dawn of Easter Tuesday. She was 54 who gave a brave fight against the Big C for 2 years.

Manny is still with KC & commenced on a HK & China SAP implementation project in June requiring him to travel to these countries two weeks every month. It was fun the first couple of months but was sad for me & exhausting for him after that. The project lasts till Q2'07 so there may still be a bit of travel in the coming months.

Despite the busy sched we were able to squeeze in a quick holiday to the tropical towns of Cairns & Port Douglas where we had a bit of extreme sports: hot air ballooning & Great Barrier Reef snorkeling & diving which was superb! I continued working for the same company for 6 more months but I decided to bid goodbye to the job in the end of Nov.

We flew down to Adelaide in the beginning of Dec for my cousin - Natasha & Dylan's wedding (wine-overflowing!). The next day, Manny flew to HK for business, swung by Manila one weekend & met his then brother-in-law to be. Ate Hershey got married the Monday after. He was back just in time for Christmas which we spent mostly with our relatives in the land down under (see photo).

We hope you have a safe new year celebration and we'll definitely post some more pics if we get to catch the Sydney fireworks on New Year's eve.

God bless & Take care!

Cuz's Wedding

Last Saturday, my cousin - Natasha was wed to her friend & partner, Dylan at the Barossa Valley, South Australia. It was scorching hot that day - peaking up to 42deg but there was no stopping the couple and the wedding turned out quite beautiful! Here are some snaps:



To my cuz and cuz-in-law: Congratulations and all the best wishes! May you fill your marriage with fun, laughter and cheer and remember to pray & thank God along the way!

My Christmas 2006 Wish List

I believe I've been nice the past year so I reckon it's fair enough to post my Christmas Wish List for this year. So to all my generous Santas, here you go:

$30 & below

1) a very nice ice cream scoop
2) a new pair of dressy white havaianas (my black havaianas is 1 year old!)
3) pinoy DVDs
4) home or showbiz magazine subscriptions
5) car accessories
6) a nice Nude lipstick
7) an eski
8) a traveller's road guide/map of Australia
9) scented candles for home

over and above the budget!
1) a beauty & leisure package
2) a new iPod
3) a Digital SLR camera
4) a new Powerbook - that can play abs-cbn now (hehe?)
5) a personal coffee table book with our travel pictures collection
6) an outdoor barbecue & barbie tools
7) golf set
8) subsidized tennis lessons
9) gym membership

And the list goes on ... how about you, have you got your wish list yet?

Wet & Wild at the City

Below are some snaps from my nurse cousin, who is visiting from England, A's idea of Sydney adventure.



The harbour jet experience was so fun! We went on a 50-minute jet ride with more than 10 270-deg spins from 75km/hr jet speed. I think these photos don't justify the enjoyment we felt, specially since we looked horrible. Lesson learned, to be prepared for this ride of your life, make sure you tie your hair, wear a tight cap, wear your sunnies and put some sunscreen!

I felt like I was in a resort island when we boarded this jet, complete with holiday music, and yet I realized when we were passing by one of the bays, which we frequent during lunch-break-walks from the office, that this was actually in the city! Who can have the luxury of having fun like this while in your home city? Not everyone I bet.

Farewell, Team

About 10 months ago, I posted about securing my first job ever in the land down under.

Today, I bade goodbye to that job and to the people that had the pleasure of working with me (hehe). I plan to stop for 2 months or so until I find something new to learn. I have been excited knowing that December is generally a happy month where everyone is in festive-mood and I've been looking forward to this time.

However, it was weird today as I actually felt a little sad. I realized I've earned some friends along the journey and saying goodbye was a bit heavy for me (as always is). I was so flattered by the well-wishes everyone gave me but was most touched by the people who told me I'd be truly missed, my Business contacts included.

My team and my extended team prepared a little afternoon tea carrot-cake to send me off and handed me their token. Too bad I didn't bring my camera but this is a recent picture of the team.



I will forever remember the fun I had with this team, treasure the friendships I have earned and bring the lessons I have learned wherever God leads me. Bye guys, our paths may cross again but until then good luck and take care!

We have moved!

We have finally moved to a new apartment!

This move had been occupying a lot of our weekends since we had to search apartments in the local real estate websites, short list them then schedule for inspections. The Saturdays during the month of October had been mostly spent inspecting apartments. It's not easy specially if you have 15-minute open houses scheduled one after another and at different streets - or worse at different suburbs in which case you just have to prioritize and pick one. Finally, before the month ended, we agreed on getting one that is still close to where we used to live -- about 500meters.

And the BIG MOVE was completed over the weekend, with a spill-over on Monday. I thought the apartment search was the difficult part, I was so wrong! We had to pack our stuff (kitchen was the most time consuming) and sort out a lot of papers and trinkets - and for someone who just loves to keep everything thinking I might find use for that sometime in the future - that was chaos!

But the good news is, all of that is now in the past. And now we're on to the next phase - UNPACKING. Our living, dining, kitchen, master's bedroom, toilets and baths are all doing good -- BUT our extra bedroom is still full of boxes, some of them still in their original packing from Manila. I promised myself to unpack at least one box a day. Hopefully by the end of the month they're all done so I can finally tell our friends and relatives, you are now very much welcome to visit and sleep over! HAHA

PS. If you haven't received our new address, please do not hesitate to let me know and I'd make sure you get it. We certainly need that Christmas present you are planning to send us :)

Sydney Motor Show

This is the event we have both been looking forward to since March/April, well more for hubby perhaps since this is mostly a guy thing -- the annual Sydney Motor Show. If we hadn't been out looking for our first car down under, I do not think I'd be there for the full 6-7 hours. There were some that made it to our shopping list ... what happens to the list is still beyond our control.



The best experience we had on that day was 4WD'driving on the test track at the back of the event venue. On board an actual 4WD, we drove thru mock-ups of rocky road, a hill-like incline and a balancing lever (see-saw). That was a first for us and we both enjoyed it -- it was like riding on a private roller coaster. I was too excited I forgot to take a photo of track. It was really so much fun!

hubby's Great Barrier Reef dive video

Let's complete this blogsite's theme with an underwater movie shot of ours. This is one of the most exciting experiences we've had so far here in the land down under. Unfortunately, though, I chickened out at the last minute and didn't let go of the rope (and got my refund! hehe), hubby managed to get through the strong current and got us this short 6-minute video.

He's in the blue fins taking the photos that you see in the photos post.

Hot, hot, hot!

I did the weekly laundry while watching DVD (Little Women) last night. It is a classic movie and, truth be told, a very good 4-stars from someone who is not so fond of classic.

Anyway, going back to my laundry, when I was about to "line" dry my second batch, I was surprised to find out most of my first batch are already crisp dry! That was just 40 or so minutes in between and mind you at night. Uh-oh looks like summer in Sydney will be bad!

Based on the forecast, today will be fine and hot, peaking to 37deg ... I wonder how I'm gonna survive my apartment inspections at mid-day. Oh well, with my cap, sunnies, and water in tow I guess ... wish me luck!

Precious Kisses

My cousin, N, went to Manila last month to personally pick up her wedding dress as well as her bridesmaids gowns. She is based in Adelaide but when she was sent by her company to attend a training here in Sydney on Monday, she brought us some hit pasalubongs from Manila.

First, our bilins - hubby's contact lenses and mom's cuff links.

Second, an album of pictures of our nieces and nephew, sent by my good sister. Can't go to bed w/o browsing this album!

A bag of sweet & sour sampaloc.

And a bag of Hershey's creamy milk chocolate KISSES!!! Yum! The first bite was sssooo good, incomparable! And I couldn't get enough of it, I've almost finished half of the bag and it's just been 3 days since! I never thought I could miss Kissess this much!
(Hersheys has not been able to break the Australia chocolate market. The country is protecting the locally-produced chocolates like Cadbury.)

Thanks dearie for the pressies!

an attempt to underwater photography ...

These are hubby's underwater shots from his Great Barrier Reef dive using the disposable Kodak underwater camera :) I do have 3 shots there, first one from the platform about to jump into the water to snorkel .. second from the sundeck still convincing myself to go for the dive .. and the last one underwater doing the 3-point exercise before I chickened out! Hehe!

Hubby's biggest b-day balloon!

To my dearest hubby, happy BiRtHdAy!

You fill my heart with happiness, you chase the clouds away.
Our hopes and dreams we share together each and every day.

I hope that on your birthday, your wishes all come true
as you've made my life so complete, just by being you.

I love you honey.


Here are some snaps from our 5-days Cairns and Port Douglas holidays to celebrate hubby's birthday and our 1st year anniversary in Australia. Port Douglas is the closest point to the Great Barrier Reef, the largest natural feature on earth stretching more than 2,300km along the NE coat of OZ - where we spent most of hubby's birth day.

If you can't be bothered installing the filmloop player, photos can also be viewed from our Port Douglas webshots album.

Godspeed, sis!

May God bless and guide you. May He light your path, keep you company and give you good health, peace and love as you brave your leap of faith. Be a good nurse, live your dream, stay safe and look after yourself, okay? We love you sis, we will be praying for you always. Miss you!

Hubby's Beijing 101

Hubby in Beijing, China - July and September 2006

Thank you Nelson for the company!

What to do when ...

1) you don't feel a bit sleepy on a Sunday night and you know you have to wake up early the next day?

2) you are alone and you're tired of watching TV and DVDs and you've played all the CDs you feel like listening to and now feel the silence so deafening?

3) you suddenly feel you are miles and miles away from home .. no families, relatives and friends of easy reach?

4) you see some "people" movements at 11:38pm in the shopping mall's foodcourt just across where you live?

5) you realize on a late Sunday night you have not ironed your work clothes for the coming week?! Oh no!

There you go, just found something to do ... see ya!

Rain, Rain, Rain

Bbbrrrr .... Yup, I guess I jumped on the boat too soon! It's been raining for 2 days now. For a moment this morning I thought I was in Manila for the scene looked like a typical Manila stormy windy day. The forecast says it's going to continue like this for at least the next 5 days ... so I may have to pull our quilt back soon for hubby feels cold quite easily. Oh well, as the saying goes ...

The best thing one can do when it's raining is to let it rain.
~Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

Spring is here!

The month of September, I believe, officially marks the start of Spring down under and this first weekend of the month proved just that.

It went to 28deg peak yesterday and 26deg today. Our laundry dried up naturally this weekend and we didn't even need jumpers when we went out -- well everyone is excited to bare some skin, most were in singlets and shorts already! I think it's not that warm yet for us to go that path.

So when I changed linens today, I "bravely" put the quilt away and we'll see how this goes. We didn't need it anyway until it was freezing winter time so I guess we're safe with the wool blankets now. The heater timer has also been adjusted accordingly -- no more heaters at night, just early in the morning an hour before I get up so I won't feel too cold. Tonight is the first night so wish me luck!

Migrant & Refugee Sunday

Today was the Migrant and Refugee Sunday in Church and it was just very gratifying to see the Church full-packed with people as well as with activities. Some people, specifically those with special roles, came in their national costumes (bet it was so cold for Barong Tagalog & Baro't Saya). Most had the festive mood before the mass even started. The choir was well-attended and Philippines very well-represented.

There were two co-celebrants with Fr. John and one of them was Fr. Crismark (?), a Filipino priest; the other one a Korean priest.

The kyrie was sung in Indonesian, Korean and Irish.

The first reading was in Korean.

The psalms was in English and was sung by a Filipino.

The second reading was in Indian language.

The Gospel was in English and was read by Fr. Crismark.

During the Homily, Fr. John reiterated that Australia, our country, is a migrant country and he couldn't have emphasized it more. We all have chosen to emigrate and how distinct we all may be, wherever we may have come from, no matter how small or big our eyes are, how white or black our colors are, we are all here to make it work and to respect the diversity of the cultures. He put it really very well and I actually had goose-bumps listening to his message.

The prayers of the faithful was in different languages, amongst which was in Filipino.

And the offertory was presented by, our best guess, the Dutch.

The Lord's Prayer was sung in the original Latin lyrics (for several weeks now so most of us are already familiar with the pronounciation, not enough to memorize it though!).

It was a beautiful celebration and an interesting experience for us. We are proud to be part of the community but it just makes it more difficult for us to decide to leave the council (we are house-hunting again and who knows where this will bring us this time around!).

Bedtime Funnies

When we got to bed last night, the following conversation transpired after I saw hubby making funny faces.

Wife: What are you doing?

Husband: I'm stretching my face, it feels so dry.

Wife: Well, use my moisturizer. Put some on your face.

Husband: Ok, can you please get it and apply it on my face? Have no idea how you do it.

Wife (too tired to get up): Hmm ... do it tomorrow, one day (after thirty-plus years of no moisturizer) wouldn't make that much difference.

We both burst out laughing.

When Sydney went B & W

It was a beautiful and sunny Tuesday morning today and the first time since May (when I returned from Manila) that I reported to work without a coat. At lunchtime, hubby and I even had a good walk over to a fastfood station and the weather was sweet.

But just when I thought winter is almost over, a thunderstorm hit Sydney around 4pm. It was loud then the city went black, I did notice that from where I was sitting, but poor IT slaves, like yours truly, don't get a good window-seat so I had no idea what was actually happening outside - couldn't be bothered to get up and walk to the window for I was too caught up with work. It was business as usual. Then when I left the office 30 past 5, the wind was the usual nice and cool, which I really like specially when I'm about to get into a train that is heated -- I get motion-sick easily when it's too warm in the train.

Our train ride on the way home stopped midway and didn't move for 30 minutes. We were informed that someone from the train ahead had a heart attack causing the delay for all trains operating on the same track! We patiently waited, I finished my Sudoku puzzle for the day, had a quick chat with my Ninong & cousin while hubby was reading the last few pages of his Robert Jordan pocketbook. Still oblivious of what had happened when the city went black, when we got to our station, we even went grocery-shopping before finally coming home.


After dinner and during the routine personal email checks and internet-news browsing, we found out that when the city went black it went white soon after ... some city streets were covered in near-ankle-deep hail. Visit the Sydney Morning Herald's picture slideshow to get a glimpse of how it looked like. (R photo courtesy of SMH) These photos are as much as we've seen.

Can't believe we missed it but can't really say we're sorry though ... thank God these all happened while we were still at work for I don't believe we were appropriately dressed for a sudden change in weather.

Serious about Census

8th of August 2006 is Australia Census Night and everyone here is serious about it. Each household should record the details of all people (including visitors) who spend the night in the dwelling on Census Night. It is a compulsary activity and penalties of upto $100/day is enforced for failure to do so. This can be completed either by filling in a Census form (distributed a week before) or thru the Internet. For an excited first-timer, I did both! Hehe I submitted the internet form, I'm keeping the hard-copy printed form in our file.

It was pretty interesting filling in the form, a first for me as I don't even recall any Census form of any kind back home. I remember someone just ringing the bell on the gate, though, and quickly ask the number of people living in the house. Due to lack of collector's proper identification, we would even hesitate to entertain the questions as we couldn't be sure who else could have access to their files.

Here, by law, the Census information are to be kept confidential with the option to make it available for the National Archives of Australia after 99 years! I did agree to make ours available after 99 years, no big deal ... something for our kids/grand-kids to interest themselves on I guess. They will learn about my religion, education, qualifications, income and job. Hubby, on the other hand, is an absentee the first time so all they got is his name and age :)

I wonder how fast the Australian Bureau of Statistics can process all the records and how soon they can reveal the latest Australian population. Just some census facts before the official 2006 release:

Population
20,589,208 (July 2006 - ABS)
--- less than one-fourth of Philippines population (87,857,473+)

Population growth rate
1.2% (December 2005 - ABS)

In July 2006, the population growth rate is based on estimates of:
- one birth every 2 minutes and 0 seconds,
- one death every 3 minutes and 55 seconds,
- a net gain of one international migrant every 4 minutes and 47 seconds leading to
- an overall total population increase of one person every 2 minutes and 12 seconds.

Cookies, anyone?

These are fresh from the oven courtesy of moi :) soft and chewy chocolate chip cookies.

Today is the 3rd day this week that I'm trapped at home because of my viral illness. I've been asked to rest but the more I'm in bed, I think the more I get weak! So when not in bed, either I'm in the computer or in front of the tellie or in the kitchen looking for something to munch (oh no!). I think I am close to cleaning up our fridge so I started looking thru the cupboard and found something that kept me busy for an hour.

So here you go. Please serve yourselves ;) before it's too late.

Zoe's Faces

When I was in Pinas a couple of months back, I helped to baby-sit this one charming, lovable, cuddly, pretty baby. She just turned one year old then and she had the attention of everyone. She was just learning to walk and was just learning to speak ... she always wanted a share of everything you munch and she'd say "mam-mam". If you don't share, she'll scream to death!

Now, I'm missing her terribly specially when my sis back home sends photos. Zoe's been growing so fast, I wonder if she'll remember I once looked after her. I hope she will. Last thing I heard, she's so daldal. Hay, can't wait to talk to you on the phone girl.

PS. she's my niece if you were wondering ;)

On a not so busy weekday ...

... my buddy and I went to the top floor of our office building and took some photos with Sydney Harbour bridge as the background. The amusement park you see below it is the Sydney Luna Park; hubby works in one of the buildings beside the park which is one train stop from mine. It is unlikely to spot it from the pics but behind the bridge is the famous Sydney Opera House.

It's not one of the best spots to take photos, I know :) rest assured we'll try better next time. Keep you posted!

False Fire Alarm

I woke up this morning earlier than usual because of a continuous vibrating sound. Apparently, some maintenance guy has started early to work (6:30am!) and was jack-hammering the floor in the ground floor of our apartment building. What did he think he was doing?? It was a wet and cold morning and he was waking everybody up!

But then I decided to start my day early so I took a shower earlier than usual. After shower and while brushing my teeth; I started hearing an alarm; so I opened the bathroom door and saw the fire alarm at the ceiling blinking. I quickly checked if I caused some smoke that may have set off the alarm; but didn't find any. I checked the windows and of course saw nothing because our view was the pool. The alarm continued on (with the sound getting louder and louder) and followed by instructions "Please proceed to the nearest exit and evacuate the building". I looked through the peephole and saw some neighbors going out ... so I opened my door and asked if it was real ... somebody said there was a Fire Truck outside. Oh great, I was in my robe and it was raining outside so I decided I'd put something on first, I quickly got into my thermals; grabbed a coat and took my bag.

I attempted to take the stairs but I heard and saw no-one down the stairs .. I decided to use the lift (and so did our next-door neighbor). I had the feeling it was a false alarm anyway so why bother using the stairs? It was 7am!

Thank goodness for as soon as we reached the lower ground; people who have evacuated earlier were there to take the lift back up to their units saying it's a false alarm. Poor 87-year old woman (on her robe as well) who took the stairs!

It was not a good morning for everyone I guess. I reckon someone who got really annoyed with the unusual "vibrating" sound wake-up call deliberately set the alarm off. We are yet to confirm and find out the real story behind the alarm .. but I hope it doesn't happen again specially this weekend since it's forecast to be bed-weather; perfect chance to sleep in.

"Friends" Keeping Me Company

"Friends" Monica, Chandler, Rachel, Ross, Joey and Phoebe are all keeping me company when the husband travels overseas for his new project assignment. It never fails, I always lose track of time and before I know it I've spent the whole day in front of the tellie.

I'm at Season 6 and still having fun! I watched it with my champorado (Filipino chocolate porridge) this morning & it was so good. This is where Rach found out Ross has not annulled their "Vegas" wedding; and where Chandler moves in with Monica. Rach is supposed to hook up with Joey at one point and that's something I am yet to find out how.

In between volumes (1 season = 3 volumes), I listen to hubby's audio Jazz or Acoustic CDs. Now playing is that of Jeanette Lindstrom (The Look of Love; Both Sides, Now) one of my favorites; it sets the mood for a good 15-30min bath soak on a Saturday afternoon. So, gotta go :)

"Till Death Do Us Part"

Today is the 36th wedding anniversary of Mom & Dad and this is the first time Dad is celebrating it w/o Mom beside him. Wedding anniversary is a celebration of the union of a couple and now that Mom is gone, the thought of Dad celebrating it alone pains me so much. How is he supposed to celebrate it? How are we supposed to greet Dad? I tried to put myself in his situation and it was barely bearable. Happy memories of Mom & Dad together keep on flashing to my mind and I cried heavily today. I was hoping that by crying I could lessen the pain that Dad has to go thru. It hurts to know that I'll never see them together again and I can't imagine how much more painful it is for Dad. It could be 10 x more.

I phoned him just then and he said he woke up early today to bring her flowers and to share his pandesal with her. He said she always wanted flowers on this day and he enjoyed their special breakfast date. He did make it special in his own little way and I know Mom was very happy watching him from above. I thanked Dad for being true to his wedding vows of "till death do us part" and for loving Mama so much. He said he loves Mama so much even after death that he would court her again in his next life. He feels the loneliness and emptiness now that Mom is gone but he is still thankful that he has us, their children.

It was a difficult and heavy day but we just have to believe that Mom is in a better place now with the loving care of God where there is no more pain and suffering. Dad, always remember that we share your pain and we are always here to love and support you.

WE love you Mom & Dad and happy anniversary to you both!

The Big Screen

Inspired by our special friend, L's Best Pictures post, I am sharing our list of big screen pictures we've seen since we settled here in October. Here you go:

1) Exorcism of Emily Rose - Hoyts Wetherhill Park - Oct. 10, 1.30pm

2) Flightplan - Liverpool Greater Union - Nov. 19, 9.30pm (not worth it)

3) Harry Potter and The Goblet of Fire - Hoyts Wetherhill Park - Dec. 4, 11.30am

4) Narnia-The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe - Hornsby Greater Union - Dec. 27, 6.40pm

5) Munich - Hoyts Chatsfield - Feb. 3, 5.45pm (not worth it)

6) The Da Vinci Code - Hornsby Greater Union - May 30, 7.30pm

7) X-Men 3 - Hornsby Greater Union - June 2, 7.30pm

8) Cars - Hornsby Greater Union - June 20, 7.00pm

9) The Break Up - Hornsby Greater Union - June 27, 7.00pm (not worth it)

10) Superman Returns - Hornsby Greater Union - July 1, 2.00pm

That's 10 movies in 10 months, an average of 1 movie per month; hmm, not too bad. Would you consider that a luxury at all? Nah, I don't think so, specially since most of them were seen on Tight Ass Tuesdays :)

Blogging Again

I feel like starting off with a "Hello World" again for it's been more than a couple of months since I've abandoned this site. Sorry to everyone who'd been checking regularly just to find out it was still the Lenten post. I am starting anew and I hope I can enthuse friends and relatives to come and visit again on a regular basis. I will try my best to be back on track. Bear with me though as work is underway (template, format) in the interest of change. See you around ... TA!

PS. You are supposed to see an underwater - nautica theme. If not, please please drop me a message as this means the new template is not working for your browser.

My Lenten Cross

I am sooo glad that Lent is almost over.

March has not really been a good month for me. During this month, I worked for 28 out of the 31 calendar days and I still have almost 3 days in total of overtime or work from home.

Hence, I consider my work as my Lenten Cross for this year. Everyday I've asked God to help me carry my cross, give me all the patience I need in dealing with the stakeholders and the demands of work and I'm just so glad Lent is almost over! I hope I'm not speaking too soon and will be on the train home on time again tomorrow. Hmm, we'll see?

At least I know tomorrow's my last working day for this week :) which is enough reason to blog, to be happy and to celebrate!

So to all my loved ones, Happy Easter! May we live with God alive in our hearts always.

We're starting a new tradition this year, we used to drive to La Union on Holy Wednesdays, this time we're flying to Adelaide for the Holy Week. Will be back with some pictures and stories.

"Firsts" for us

The husband and I experienced a lot of Firsts this past week. Sounds exciting huh? But not all of them were fun ...

First time for me to work from home on weeknights! That was three consecutive nights working from home and Friday night, I was at work till 7pm. The husband waited in the train platform for more than hour ... and I wasn't very happy either. I guess it's time to start job-hunting again! Something less stressful and less demanding, maybe?

First time for us to attend an OZ wedding! Best Wishes & Congratulations J&D! It was fun ... a bit different from the Pinoy weddings - they served 4 courses of meal and everyone stayed and danced the night away! We met new friends again and our circle is getting bigger and bigger!

First time for us to hire a car and drive on our own! We enjoyed this experience as well as the comfort of riding at our own pace and not worrying about missing the train. Call it beginner's luck for we didn't get lost to and from the wedding venue. It was a good team effort for the driver and the navigator :)

Well, it's also the first time we missed a weekend laundry. We had to attend another party today so there's barely time to do household chores. I haven't even iron'ed the clothes from last weekend's laundry! I can tell my coming weeknights are booked ... so guess who'll be doing the cooking? Hehe the husband's learning fast anyway!

13th of March

12 days have gone by the new month and I haven't written a single post. Sorry, I've just been really busy with work as we are approaching the end of the corporate financial year. This means trying to clean-up project spends and using up whatever's left for mini-projects. I am so looking forward to the break in April!

Exactly 8 years ago on a Thursday around this time, I was heading home from a late dinner date with the man I am married to now. And that was a special night for as soon as the clock ticked 12midnight (didn't plan it this way!), I decided to make our commitment to each other official. We'd been sort of 'exclusively' going out for a month but it was still a special night for it was the start of the rest of our lives. {Since then, the husband has considered Friday the 13th a lucky day for him. Incidentally, he is 13th-born in his family.}

To the love of my life, thank you for keeping up with me in most of the times and for loving me unconditionally. Thank you for all the support, words of encouragement and words of wisdom. Thank you for cheering me up when I'm down and for calming me down when I'm too assertive. Thank you for feasting on food I serve. Thank you for almost always, doing the dishes, my most hated chore. Thank you for saying the nightly prayers with me. Thank you for everything and cheers to a wonderful 8 years and to forever more to come!

I love you honey. I'll see you soon, in bed (wink!).

Missing Beaches

On our way to church this morning, we can't help but notice that Autumn is fast approaching for familiar "autumn" leaves are all over the place. I forgot to bring a camera so I've got nothing to share for now. Hmm, a brand new season for us to experience ... we wonder how we'll adjust. Has it started already with my one-week old wind-burn? I've been going to the office with lips full of vaseline, I know that's not a very good sight but who cares! I just hope it gets healed soon.

On the other hand, this also means that summer has probably started in the Philippines! I remember we used to plan for summer outing with friends for it was always fun to visit places with company. Here are a few snapshots of what we visited in the last few years.

And just with these photos, I'm suddenly missing the beaches there now ... and I admit I miss the company of old friends too! Oh well, we can only find ways on how to get over it ... try to go to one of the Northern Beaches perhaps before Autumn really takes over? Let's see next weekend.

Overnight Guest

Our dinner guest, Ninong A, was able to move his flight back home to Adelaide to Saturday so he came back on Friday to spend the night in our humble home. Both the husband and I were very happy specially since our lounge had just been delivered the same week too, which meant we had something better than the floor to offer haha.



He arrived at our place after an hour and a half drive from the airport area, he said traffic was terrible, uh-oh. Everyone was probably going to the Northern beaches for the weekend!

Anyway, our mini-cheese platter came to the rescue for he said it was his weakness! We "cleaned up" the 3 opened wine bottles (Shiraz, Late Picked and the Rose') from the fridge while I was chopping the ingredients for the Thai chicken curry the guest had volunteered (?) to cook for us. We opened a Yalumba Vintage Viognier for dinner and we finished them too! It's amazing how we can drink wines now, I guess company and non-stop chatting made it easier for us :) We stayed in the balcony after dinner and the breeze was just perfect. We enjoyed it so much we didn't notice it was midnight ... time to clean-up the kitchen and go to bed.

In the morning, after breakfast we went gallivanting in the city. The husband and I saw some places for the first time -- China Town where we had yum cha (dimsim) lunch, Potts Point and King's Cross. I was the assigned navigator and that wasn't fun and easy, but we survived! Then at mid afternoon, we sent him off to the airport.

Ninong, it was nice having you here! We hope you enjoyed as much as we did. See you again in a couple of weeks -- if not, see you in Adelaide in April!

OZ Language 101

Australians love to shorten everything and they create their own vocabulary and phrases too. Here are some we've learned over time:

Barbie - short for barbecue party. Traditionally, the guys barbecue sausages, chicken, lamb, beef while they talk about cricket or tennis or the latest sports news over beer. The ladies prepare the rest of the meal - salads/coleslaw, side dishes, dessert, set the table and clean up afterwards.

Esky - the OZ version of "cooler", an insulated ice chest to hold tinnies.

Tinny - usually refers to a can of beer.

Lollies - candies, chocolates, sweets

Mackies - Mc Donalds

Serviette - table napkins

Pav - short for pavlova. The merengue dessert, topped with cream, passionfruit, berries and other fresh fruit in season.

Hello, how are you? - usual greeting for everyone - family/friends/office colleagues/acquaintances/cashier/train mates and sometimes even strangers. It is just polite to answer that and greet them back.

Your shout! - Buy me a drink! Don't ever accept a shout unless you intend to make your shout soon after.

No worries. - the OZ version of "You're Welcome" when someone says "Thank You".

Dinner Guest

We had a dinner guest tonight in the person of our godfather - Uncle A. He lives in Adelaide but he is in Sydney for a week's work and we planned to have dinner together tonight. We didn't expect that he was willing to come all the way to our place for dinner so when he told me that he was driving to our place for dinner, it was a bit of a surprise. It turned out to be a good idea after all.

We were home a bit earlier than usual today - 10 mins before 6pm. And the visitor arrived 40mins later, it just took him 35mins from the Sydney CBD to here, which is good.

We had the all-time safe-recipe Filipino dinner -- baked oysters, pork spareribs adobo and steamed peas and corn on the side. We also popped open the Rose' wine that we got from Hunter Valley. The box of chocolates in the fridge (2months old Xmas present) came in handy for dessert. Everything went well and we'd like to believe he enjoyed dinner as much as we did.

After that, we had a nice chit-chat on the balcony where the breeze was not so cold but just right and comfortable.

It was a good first experience after all. We're starting to entertain -- which is healthy and good (could be bad?)! He promised to try to stay longer the next time he visits -- probably for a night. Looking forward to that!

Lucky Winner!

We received a post yesterday from the private health fund, we signed up with last month, informing us that we are one of the lucky winners in the raffle draw to win a summer sports pack! Yippee! They said the prize will be delivered via registered post within 28 days and will include:

- Wilson tennis racquet
- Puma Foundation back pack
- Puma baseball cap
- Puma mini soccer ball
- Puma sweatbands
- Four tennis balls
- 750ml water bottle

Wow, what a good news! Now, was it a "not-so-subtle" way of telling us to get fit and healthy?! Hmmm ...

Mother dearest, Happy Birthday!

In this most trying time of your life, we join you in seeking for God's blessing of complete healing against the Big C. He is the greatest Healer and He knows all our hearts' desires. Let us continue to believe that He has a big plan for us for He has entrusted us with a big cross to carry.

On top of this, we wish you all the happiness and love that we can bring to you, as well as all the thoughts, care and support that all your friends, family, office mates and even acquaintances can show you. For you continue to be an inspiration not just to everyone else who are burdened with the same sickness but to all of us who snap easily with the simplest non-sense inconveniences in life.

As you celebrate your 54th birthday, blow all your worries and anxieties away and let us all embrace the blessings that we see around us with great faith and trust in God. Keep in mind Mom, that you are the strongest and bravest person we've ever known. We continue to believe that we'll get thru this together as a family and we'll never ever leave you alone. We love you mom and we wish you more wonderful years to come!

-- from your kids down under

Kitchen Teamwork

The husband and I stayed back at the office a few minutes later than usual today. So we arrived home around 6:30pm rather than the usual 6:00pm. Since we each had different agenda after dinner, I asked the husband if he can help me prepare dinner and he was very open about the idea (read by common friends as he didn't have a choice).

The husband took care of the pizza (white pizza, half plain, half w/ mushroom) and I took care of the beef tacos. While pizza was being baked, the mini-dining table was set and wine was poured and in less than 30minutes, voila, dinner was ready! The pizza was yum, very close to the Sbarro white cheese pizza I've been missing for months! The secret was the marinated feta cheese that we got from our trip to Hunter Valley last month. The husband loved the tacos, as always, although we've ran out of fresh tomatoes as additional garnish.

After dinner, both of us are happy, for the husband can now watch "Beyond Tomorrow" and I can now do my "internet"ing. :)

I'd say, good work for both of us (clap, clap)! I look forward to more teamwork in the kitchen! (hmm, I wonder if husband feels the same)

Life's Different Hats

I was able to catch up with a cousin today thru the very reliable Yahoo! Messenger. After the usual Hi's, Hello's, How are you's, and What's Up, I learned that her mom (my mom's younger sister) has accompanied my mom to her check-up in Manila this week. {Mom is receiving chemotherapy treatments.}

I was happy to hear that because I know Mom needs all the support she can get to boost her faith in God and in finding reasons to continue to fight for life. I can imagine them talk non-stop about their childhood memories ... how they washed dishes together, swam in the river together, how they would avoid being hit/scolded by their very strict "tatang" ... they reminisce and even talk about who their childhood playmates married! I know this because I've heard them talk non-stop one time during our trip from Manila to the province (5 hours!).

They have obviously grown close together and I am thankful that my aunt has made herself available for mom even during this difficult time. She obviously has not thrown her "sister hat".

Not all of us today understand the different roles we play in our lives, the different "hats" we have to wear. Most of the time, we only play the role at hand and forget that we still have other roles in life waiting to be played.

Today, I'm reminding myself that I am not only a wife to my husband, but I am also a child to my parents, a sister to my siblings, a niece to my aunts/uncles, an aunt to my nieces/nephew, a cousin to my cousins, a friend to my friends. I should be more sensitive to their needs, know when to catch up and know better than tell them life's okay for "okay" does not say it all. Today, I'm reminding myself to give time for each of the hats, whether old or new, for they are there waiting to be picked up and worn again. Today, I'm reminding myself to be like my aunt, ready when my loved ones need me even before they ask.

Boxes!

These BOXES are keeping us busy these past few days. Our shipment has finally arrived at our door (after almost two months!). This means more work as we need to unpack -- again! By the way, the picture is just one-third of the total number of boxes - the others were left out due to security reasons ;)

As we opened the boxes, we were happy to find some familiar items! Shoes, bags, albums, CDs, the husband's toys - audio equipments & comics, cookwares - rice cooker, pressure cooker, steamer (oh no, this time no excuses for not cooking!). They got us so excited but some made me wonder why I even bothered shipping them over like old tupperwares haha! Well, most of them are good stuff so it was still worth it, I think. We've been unpacking but those we don't find a need in the near future stay in the boxes. We've made very good progress I think, as we are now only left w/ the clothes boxes.

How we wish we sent more though -- like boxes of Purefoods corned beef, Century Spicy Tuna, Instant Pancit Canton and Champorado. Hehe.

A Typical Working Day

The husband's 6:25am alarm goes off and he clicks on snooze. As soon as he does that, my 6:30am alarm goes off and I snooze it too. After a couple of minutes it goes off again, I click on stop and finally get up from bed. I go straight to the T&B, do my thing with the T & the B and try to make the room available for the husband before 7am. We dress up as swiftly as we can then take a quick breakfast -- either cereals w/ lactose-free milk or just some toast.

After breakfast, we walk around 100meters from the apartment building to get to the platform to the city center. On the train, a good day will be when we can sit together. When the train leaves, I silently say the rosary while the husband desperately tries to keep himself awake by reading pocketbook during the 35mins ride. I alight one-station earlier than he does and I walk just another 100meters from the station to the office building. The husband does the same as his office building is just across the station too.

Work during my first week involved some admin, some training, some meetings and some action ... at the end of the week, it was mostly action. For lunch, I would either be meeting the husband in a nearby fastfood station, or sitting in my own cube munching left-over from the previous night's dinner. Fridays, I learned, are usually team lunches and my first Friday was special for we went to the Sydney Fish Market for lunch! Yum :)

The first couple of afternoons were difficult! I was yawning every 10 mins or so! Gosh, I hope they don't have hidden cameras somewhere. That's probably why they put some glass/clear plastic panels on the corner of the cube where you're facing. I frequented the toilet and the pantry to get over it!

After work, I would call the husband when I'm ready to go and we meet at my station's platform. Usually, he would be waiting for me there when I arrive. Some times I had to wait for him and when he gets there we would either ride the same train he just got off from or wait for the next train if it was the "limited stops" train. Not that it can overtake the "all stops" train but hearing the door open and close every now and then makes it feel farther and longer to get home. Oh well, a psychological thing.

We get home usually 6-ish, that is if we don't drop by the library which is right at the back of the apartment building. We try to enjoy a bit of the broadband, watch the news then get ready for dinner -- sooner if it's Smallville or Surface or Supernatural or Grey's Anatomy on TV. Ha, we're starting to enjoy the programs from the local networks, I don't see the need for cable tv anymore, which is good, one bill less my back!

After the favorite TV programs, lights go off and what follows after that is something I'm not ready to share to the public :) at least not yet? haha!

That's how our typical working day went last week. It probably would be the same for the coming week, except that Thursday will be a holiday to celebrate Australia Day. Hmm, could we probably commit to go to Hunter Valley on this day? Let's see if Mr. Weather cooperates.

Damn snatchers ...

Of course I don't expect snatchers to be reading blogs .. specially mine. But I just want to pour out my hatred, my despise to those who do nothing better than seize someone else's belongings.

No, not a bad experience for us here in OZ. Dad had been snatched of his mobile in Manila today. How can these people be so mean?!!! They're lazy cowards! I hope they all go to H*LL!!!! All of them specially those who run the syndicates behind these! GGGRRR.

Is there still hope for Manila to be safe at all? Is the government doing anything to make their people safe? I wonder!

Dad's safe, by the way, so that should be something to be relieved about. Although I heard he tried running after them ... a bad idea! He shouldn't have.

Be very careful all of you out there.

Happy Birthday Sweetheart!

Sweetheart -- that's how we call our dad. Mom, us - the children, and specially the grandchildren would address him with this term of endearment. And it speaks well of himself for he is such a sweet, caring, thoughtful father and grandfather to us all.

As a father, he used to be very strict -- I vaguely recall he would lock the TV cabinet during weekdays so we can focus on school-work. Or have his belt ready when someone had to learn a lesson! But he has been a very good provider and, even to this day and age, we know, he would always put the family's needs before his own (even if he's not supposed to anymore).

Friends describe him as a very jolly man who will go out of his way to make other people happy! His own brothers and sisters as well as his in-laws and even his colleagues and staff at work all look up to him with respect and pride.

He is a man with a such BIG heart. He continues to make us proud and he is an inspiration we look up to as we start our own families.

Dad, as you celebrate your 63rd birthday, we pray that God bless you with the best of health, keep you strong in everything that you do and give you happiness and contentment in everything that you have. Miss you sweetheart! We both love you!

-- from your children down under

It's my Birthday!

Thank you all for the wonderful birthday greetings & wishes! Please serve yourselves a slice :) Cheers!

My Colorful 30th

As I close the chapter of my 30th year, let me look back and give a last hurrah for the top 8 events that made it colorful:

1) Travels to Bangkok, Thailand:
- first one as the husband's tag-along in his business trip
- second as a meek tour-guide during the family's out-of-the-country trip

2) First time on trampoline ... it was so fun to be a child once more!

3) The birth of a new Salvador -- Jannifer Zoe :)

4) Para-sailing in the beautiful island of Boracay

5) Goodbye old house, Hello retirement house -- for the parents!

6) The first studio audience experience in ABS-CBN's Home Boy

7) "Basic Make-up Application" lessons with my friend J

8) Migration to the land down under and the works as detailed in my first post -- "Finally Blogging .. I think? "

Wow, what a year that was ... gearing me up for my 31st!

Welcome 31, let's make this work!

Answered Prayer

After 1 year, 4 months and 15 days, and with God’s grace, on Monday I will be joining the workforce again. I received the good news about securing the role last Tuesday, thus the post, "Feeling Lucky".

Today, upon signing the contract and on my way to meet a friend for lunch, I called my Dad to inform him about the good news. He was delighted and said “Congratulations!”. I said "Thank You" … and then there was silence. I said, "Hello?" … then, w/ a different tone of voice, Dad said "I always find it hard to speak-up when I hear good news from you" then I heard him sob tears of joy.

I pacified him and told him, "Don’t cry Dad, this is an answered prayer. I know you’ve been praying for this too, as much as we did and we have to be happy. God is making our dreams come true." -- the same way I pacified him when he learned about our visa approval to OZ.

He said, "That’s very true" and later passed the phone to mom who was as ecstatic but not as emotional, thank goodness.

Thank you Lord for this answered prayer. I trust that you’ll bless us in our jobs and that you guide us in everything that we do. I love you!

Late Night Shopping

It's just funny why the husband had to warn me last night ...

He said, "Honey tomorrow is late night shopping (till 9pm, normally they close at 5pm) and I want to go malling".

I said, "OK" with a look waiting for reason why he was telling me that?

He then said, "Maybe you can consider not malling in the afternoon so you won't complain that you've got tired feet already at 7pm!" ... which was exactly what happened the week before ... hehehe.

Hmm, let's see if I can fill in 7 more hours w/ household stuff.

10 Things I Miss About Manila Today

I still cannot get over Manila, I don't know why. Here are just a few points I miss about her now.

1 - the Food - Sbarro white cheese pizza, Project 6 crispy pata, lechon, mangoes, bananas, Quicklie, halo-halo, banana que, turon, fresh buko, fish ball, dirty ice cream, jollibee .. and the list goes on ..

2 - the SPA - facial, manicure, pedicure, foot spa, reflexology, massage, massage, massage!

3 - the luxury of living w/ a household help

4 - driving and not having to commute

5 - cheap new movies

6 - shopping & going around with just a hundred in my wallet

7 - chismis, telenovelas & reality TV shows! (hehe)

8 - cable TV - specially AXN, HBO & Star Movies




but i think the most significant of them all are:

9 - our friends: Gadgets, RDC, Misis, SLC, Sasmi

and

10 - our families: Daddy, Mama, Sis Cha, Manong Cris & family, my pamangkins, Ate Hershey, Ma-Eds, all Dictaans, Salvadors and Larracas's

Miss You All!

Feeling Lucky

I'm feeling lucky today. For the first time in so many working days, I got up from bed with the husband still home. (Yeah-yeah, I can imagine the smirks on all the moms' and dads' faces!) Woke up fairly in a good mood, read my phone's inbox and received a very happy message from my sis back in Manila. So, this must be a very good day!

True enough, an hour or so later, I received the good news!

Carried Away by Love Affair

Have you ever experienced waking up in the morning with a craving for a movie?

I woke up this morning desperately wanting to watch my favorite movie of all time .. the Love Affair. It was a lazy bed-weather Saturday morning anyway, the perfect weather for a love story, I thought. I asked the husband to plug in the DVD and told him he can go back to sleep if he wants to. But he didn't ... he watched it w/ me all the way to credits.

I have watched this on VCD more than three times and having found a DVD copy was another good reason to watch it. Terry (Annette Bening) and Mike (Warren Beatty) have their way of reaching out to me thru this movie. I don't know if it's how they fell in love, how they decided to test their sudden love or how fate had tested it that makes my eyes glued to the tube whenever I see this. The perfect setting of Mike's aunt's (Katharine Hepburn) hill-top country house can be another reason. Or the soundtrack. Or the actors ...

But whatever it is, I have always found myself crying in at least a couple of scenes. The first one would always be when the aunt starts playing the Love Affair theme song in the piano and the second one would be the last scene when Mike looks for his painting in Terry's room. Today, I cried again and the husband was wondering if I've forgotten the story. But no, I just always get carried away ... and today was nothing different. In fact I cried in at least 4 scenes today, hehe. Who cares? Besides, crying is healthy!

Finally blogging ... I think?

I have finally convinced myself to give the blogging a try! I'm not very good at words nor at writing journals but I love sending emails to update everyone anyways so why not just create a one-stop shop for everyone to see and visit at their own convenient time. So here I am trying out this stuff.

I do not really know how to start since I do not have an idea of who I'm writing this for? It's different if you don't know who your target readers are ... am I really ready for this? Can I really share my thoughts and stories about what its been and how its been for us? Can I make the commitment to regularly blog and not keep the posts outdated? It's not easy but why not. Maybe after a few posts, it will get better?

I'm sharing a summary page of our first three months of our journey in the new land. A lot has happened during our first three months in the new country we chose to live in other than the Philippines, the land down under, Australia.

We came here after 3 years and 4 months of living together as husband and wife. It was a big decision we had to make leaving families and friends behind but it's a leap of faith for us. We prayed that God lead us to where He wants us to go and passing all the immigration requirements in a short 10-months processing time was a positive sign that He has greater plans for us here.



The first month was easy -- it just felt like we were vacationing in a foreign land, like we used to. Only this time, we had four full bags to carry and no return tickets to secure. In a little less than a month, we jumped from one state to another - New South Wales (NSW), Australia Capital Territory (ACT), Victoria (VIC) and South Australia (SA). After this we realized we're halfway, only four more to go!

Our friends, L&S and E&N with their families, welcomed us in Sydney with arms wide open on the day we landed. They were witnesses to the puffed eyes and a few more crying on the first days. They considered us as family and offered their bedrooms for us to rest. L&S generously extended their offer indefinitely until we find a job and find our own place. What great friends we have here! L even patiently gave me a crash course in laundry!

The week after we arrived, we joined my cousin S, in his Melbourne flat to have a look around the said to be Europe of Australia. We were there for a week and learned that this was much more tourist-friendly than Sydney. We liked the convenience of riding in trams and the simplicity of the street layouts, loved the fun of shopping in what we call "tiangges" back in Manila and adored the Italian cuisine down at Lygon street. There was so much more to see ...

A week after that, my tita E & the rest of her family - ninong A & cousin N, arrived in Melbourne and we drove all together back to Adelaide where they live. It was an interesting 8hours drive as there were endless roads, skylines and farms (canola oil farms for one!) like forever. They showed us the beach at Goolwa, the view at Victor Harbour, the vineyards at Barossa Valley and the quiet little towns of Gawler and Tanunda. We were able to meet our friends M&C and their cute little kids B&N in their lovely residence. We introduced them to our other kumare and kumpadre M&J who're also based in Adelaide so they can have each other to get-together with on some occasions that they need others to keep them sane. We also had our first barbie party with some more relatives (all of them, we met for the first time!). We had fun and they captured our hearts but we had to go back to Sydney to start on the more serious fun -- the job-hunting. Then we realized vacation was over!

The job-hunting in the second month was not fun like we expected. There were fears and there were discussions here and there whether we can make this work until after 2 weeks when we learned of the husband's job offer. It was a big relief and we praised God for all the blessings He's been showering us. When the husband started working, I started apartment-hunting. I made phone-calls, inquired if they had the least of the facilities we needed, I short-listed apartments to inspect and we did most of the inspection on weekends. The look-see-and-feel lasted for three consecutive Saturdays until we found THE ONE.

On our third month, we were moving to our own pad and have started settling-in. It was interesting renting the first time since it's very different from how it's done in Manila. As tenants here, you first get "The Renting Guide" from the Office of Fair Trading under The Department of Commerce. This pamphlet details your rights and responsibilities as a tenant. Then when you move in, you have to fill in a "Residential Premises Condition Report" which is a checklist of items for inspection whether they are clean, undamaged or working. This report protects the tenant from any unnecessary charges the lessor may demand from the bond. I wondered if and when Philippines will be able implement rules like this.

Choosing which utility company to tie up with was another dirty work ... I didn't imagine there could be so much choice even for electricity and gas (for water-heating and cooking). The home phone was understandable because in Manila there are now more choices than it used to but the electricity and gas was something new to us. We finally settled for what was popular amongst the friends as well as what was recommended by the building property manager. There was no charge for water which was good, one less bill to worry.

During this month, we also celebrated the holidays -- Christmas and New Year days in our new abode. Lots of cooking and eating for two! It wasn't very bad for first timers. I guess the TV with lots of DVDs helped ease the homesickness.

Tomorrow will be the start of our fourth month adventure here in OZ. I wonder how it will be? I hope and pray this month and the coming months of year 2006 will be kind and generous to us. Let's see.

Till next post then ...