Spring Flowers

Every year (well, traditionally every year - there have been some bumps in the road of late) David Jones puts on it's beautiful Spring Flower show. For those of you overseas, it's our Department store in the city and they fill it's windows and floors with displays of exotic flowers. There is usually themes - last year's was oceans and quite spectacular.

I always race out to see it (and this year dragged my mum along and made a 'day' of it with lunch). For me,  however, the David Jones Spring Flower Show is the start of Spring (and Summer) and the party season. From this point we roll into Halloween and Christmas.

There are weekends away, end of school and holidays.

There are 'let's make the most of the sunshine' outings and the outdoor festivals begin.

So the Spring Flower Show is like my alarm clock. It is the wake up call to 'get ready for the good times to come'. 

We are creatures of habit with many external routines and this one heralds the start of three months of fun.

Years of attending it and I only just realised it. It's an activity that provokes a shift in me, an event that marks time loudly in my calendar. 

So here's to the colourful burst of happiness and enjoyment ahead.

Do you ever realise you have traditions that take on more meaning than the actual event?

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Satisfaction of one's curiosity is one of the greatest sources of happiness in life. Linus Pauling

I was at the dentist and this bird came slamming into the window and began pecking on the glass. I squealed and jumped in surprise but the rest of the staff just laughed at my reaction and explained he just wanted to see what we were doing.

Apparently the bird was very curious about their business and patients. It happened quite frequently.

So even animals have a natural sense of curiosity.

I wrote about Curiosity here recently, so I won't repeat myself but recently I had this exchange on twitter and it links into the title quote. So for many of us, curiosity is very beneficial to well being.

There are two other very positive by products of curiosity. One it gives you understanding, and so my empathy or tolerance of difference. 

Replace judgment with curiosity. Lynn Nottage

I was surprised at recognising myself at this one by de Botton. I am the person who hates to draw attention to myself but I always have to ask the questions once that itch of curiosity begins to scratch at my brain. Basically my curiosity is stronger than my introverted shyness.

I think of myself as quite a shy person. But when I'm curious about something, I'll go quite far to satisfy my curiosity. Alain de Botton

So while they say 'Curiosity killed the cat', it's also true that 'Satisfaction brought it back'

Linking with #WildbirdWednesday

Singapore, baby!

After a 4 year hiatus, I was back trackside for the Singapore F1 night race. I can not recommend this race for solo women travellers - it's easy, friendly and safe.

 

You have the day to explore and be a tourist and the nights with the car festivities and a mini music festival.

There are even free driver meet & greets around the city in the lead up to the race days. (Alas I arrived a day late but got the Zone 1 event on the Saturday) 

There are simulators and f1 games all over the city, as well as all the art galleries and museums.

Singapore has a glut of great restaurants - Michelin starred down to hawker centres. So choose wisely and don't waste a meal.

Me, I did a bit of this,

and a bit of that!

A lot of this, 

and even some of that. 

I always say, if you don't have a good time in Singapore, that's on you - you just didn't do it properly.

There's plenty of free things to do and you can eat well on the cheap.

Or you can lash out and luxe it up.

Still smiling at all the pics while planning my return next year.

Linking with #MuralMonday

Can not wait!

Good times have been on my calendar. What's been on your calendar?

Linking with #ThruMyLens  #TravelTuesday  #WBOYC? #MCoW #WednesdayAroundtheWorld