Share my snaps! - Singapore

Shutting the blog again for the holidays but squeezing in a quick Share my Snaps! over at #Lifethisweek.

One way or another, we are all voyagers on this planet, regardless if we travel distances or just through time.

If we're really lucky, we get to do both.

Will be, as always, on Instagram if you miss me.

















Drive safely over the break, happy trails. and may you learn how to steer the ship, even if you don't know precisely where you are going.

Linking an old post with #MakroTex and September usually means I head to Singapore for the F1 (in the pre covid years). I can't go this year due to poor planning but I am booking my ticket for next year the moment it goes on sale! And I will sulk over the next few weeks as my Socials fill with the Singapore Night Race preparations...

Same, Same yet Different

My eldest graduated high school this week. She's almost 18.
She still lives at home and treading water, waiting for exam results.
Same, same but different.
Something is changing but we don't know what yet. There's no certainty. There's a plan, but we may have to scramble to a new one depending on the outcome of the HSC.

The mum things are still the same, but the freedom of an adult in the house is different.
The worry is the same, but it needs to be different.

The wall is still the same plain wall, yet suddenly changed completely reflecting the sunlight
Same, Same yet Different

As someone commented on the end of an era post, a chapter has closed. I need to focus on the excitement of a whole new book awaiting to be opened! For now life is like an aeroplane in a holding pattern waiting it's turn to land. It will happen, we just have to be patient.

"The tide comes in. The tide goes out. We're always on our way somewhere, even when standing still". Bill Willingham

Linking with 

Loving the theatre, Loving cheap tix

The night before I went to Singapore, Bad Mama snuck out to the theatre. I'd booked the play when I thought I wasn't going to make the Grand Prix, as a consolation prize. Then when the stars aligned for my weekend away, I wasn't prepared to ditch my tickets. And I was so glad I went.

Accidental Death of An Anarchist is on at the Opera House until the 27th October. It's hilariously funny. I can't remember laughing at a play like that in a long time (and yes, I went to Morman this year). If you can get tickets, you definitely should go.

Smart Tix sent me an email, and if you sign up you can get $54 tickets for performances next week - 1st - 4th October here. ($41 if under 30 years old. This is not sponsored, I just want everyone to see it).

So this week I am loving the offerings in the arts at the moment, and loving laughing, and loving the smile that creeps back on my face when I think about it. And as you look at our current political shenanigans, may I impart the wisdom of Dario Fo 'We are in the shit up to our necks, which is why we're walking with our heads held high.' 

Linking with #LovingLifeLinky

13 years of school

It's the last week of school for my eldest. Together we've had a journey of thirteen years of school. This week is parties, farewells and graduation. Then in a few weeks the exam and formal.
And then no more. Ever.

I'm very excited at all the change ahead. Be it work or university, the new friends, the new lifestyle. (Hopefully a bit more help around the house??)

Suddenly there's a new adult in the house. I'm not too stressed about the exams, even though she may not get the marks she's after. I figure she'll get into something and can always move on from there if she needs to.

My middle child chided me with an irritated "You know I still have to go to school next term?" when I spoke merrily of school year being over - it does feel like it is for me! But then it hit me. I may have voyaged thirteen years of school with one kid, but I have another eight more years in playgrounds and assemblies to go. The reminding of assignments, the coaxing to study, the 'do you have your...' before they walk out the door. It makes me tired at the tediousness of it all.

My enthusiastic celebration is slightly tainted with the thought that I have to do it all again and again long into the future. I'll have spent 21 years of my life as a school parent.

Yet I should consider myself very lucky that I do get to do just that and treasure those fleeting moments for in a blink of an eye, I'll be at my very last graduation and then my children will be gone, replaced by adults with their own lives and families.

I hope when my youngest is in his final year, that I will be equally happy and excited at closing that door. I hope I won't be sad and feel loss, as some people do. I hope I'll be able to revel at the prospect of his future finally on the horizon.

So for those in their HSC year, my advice is to just enjoy it. This is the fun time, not to be spoiled with worries of marks (because realistically, you will sit the exams and you get what you get - worrying won't help at all. Study in the next few weeks, of course, but don't mar the next few days with stress). There are great new adventures to come, regardless as to whether you get the mark you wanted or needed. These last days of school are probably the most carefree you will ever be.

Make the most of them.

Your life is just beginning!

Linking with #KCACOLS #StayClassyMama and #MummyMondays

Vibrant nature

In the middle of grey winter, the red in the vegetable garden screams for joyous attention.
Sometimes a splash of colour is all you need to smile.
What made you smile today?

Linking with #RubyTuesdayToo

Pop Up Globe

The replica of Shakespeare's Globe theatre has popped up in Sydney and it's fabulous. A replica model with the same sensational acoustics so no one is miked. We went to Macbeth and I loved it so much that we're booking Comedy of Errors in the extended season. It's a fun experience and the venue is delightful in the true sense of the word. If it comes to your town as it travels the world, make sure you see a show. 

If in Sydney, you have until the end of November and then as Shakespeare so aptly said 'Parting is such sweet sorrow!'







Linking with #TheRealWordlessWednesday #ThruMyLens #WWOAT #MySundayBest and #WordlessWednesday

Christmas is coming....

It's 100 days until Christmas. Less by the time you read this.

What?

Where did 2018 go?

So, when I saw there was a free gift with purchase, I decided to start my xmas shopping.

I have a friend having rather a rough time at the moment through no fault of her own, we are just at the age where life can become exceedingly difficult. So while I don't normally get her a big gift, I headed to L'Occitane and got her their advent calendar. So every day in December, she'll have a little treat and hopefully a little pick-me-up to make her smile.

As for the free gift? It will be my MIL's present, as it's perfect for a traveller like her. I consider part of what I paid for the advent calendar the cost of the 'gift with purchase' so I don't consider it a free gift at all (in case that makes me look bad)*.

Do you like Advent calendars? Have you started thinking about Christmas?

Linking with #Lifethisweek and #Nanahood

*and we did just buy her a $100 pillow for no reason at all. I'm worried I look like a terrible person!!!

Let the good times roll

You have from now until the 30th September to hit the rollerskating rink on the roof at Broadway Shopping Centre. As part of the Sydney Fringe festival, there's a rink set up with outdoor lounge offering jenga and connect four with sparkling city views and a DJ pumping beats.

The Wednesday club chose this activity, and I'll admit I was slightly terrified. When I turned up to get my skates, the guy asked if I'd done it before. Not for 40 years, was my answer. Literally.

Tentatively I rolled out. It's harder than ice skating, as you don't have the flexibility of the blade, all four wheels need contact with the floor. I did end up getting more confident but I couldn't do any of the 'tricks' I used to be able to do. And I realised my career as a derby girl was never going to happen. Delusions were shattered.

However, it is fun, and I hope to get back with my little one before it shuts. (Note I think you need above a shoe size 9 for kids). I didn't fall, and I did get faster and more co-ordinated in my movements.

So while you can't teach this old dog new tricks, she can at least muster the courage to try.

Now I'm quite tempted to get those roller skates that Santa gave me 6 years ago* out of the cupboard and actually give them a try....

Torshlusspanik List:

1. Shooting (check)
2. Fencing (check)
3. Play croquet at Croquet Club
4. Laser skeet
5. Off road buggy driving
6. Play Assassins Creed
7. Jetpacking (check)
8. The Color Run (check)
9. Invent something
10. Cooking Masterclass (check)
11. Master a Masterclass (check)
12. Perform a rap song (check)
13. Trampoline adventure (check)
14. BMX Riding (check)
15. Do a cart wheel (check)
16. Ride an Electric Bike (check)
17. Astonish Myself
18. Write a book.
19. Participate in a distance event (check)
20. Climb Sydney Tower (check)
21. Dance in a dance class (check)
22. Trust a stranger

23. Get a truck for the Landmine Museum and Relief Centre in Siem Reap

24. Paint a picture

25. Go Rollerskating (check)

 *Six years? I had guessed 4. Where on earth did that time go? And shame on me - not even tried them on in over 2100 days!!!!                                                                                                                       Do you rollerskate? When was the last time you tried something that scares you?                                                                                                                                                                                                 Linking with #ANewWhirl

Loving Singapore, Loving Life

The HSC gods arranged the music exam in the first few days of the exam period which then allowed  me book a last minute trip to Singapore for the fabulous F1 night race. I was there for 3 nights only, but managed to see 9 exhibitions, 2 temples, 4 bands, shopping, drinks and even a swim and reading my book by the pool. I was lucky enough to have people there to kick around with and was able to get a room for a relatively good price, walking distance from the track (so I could safely and comfortably walk home at 1 am without feeling fearful as a solo woman).

I was saying to my husband last night, that the best part of the weekend was being able to leave the room without having to organise anything for anyone else. No children to feed, no 'stuff' to carry, no one to think about except myself. Everyday there, I'd do my own thing and then meet my friends for lunch. It was a luxury that I'd forgotten, and I'll be honest, I miss. This year, little of my time has been my own. While I can't really complain, it does a little more wear and tear emotionally than I'd realised.

Part of me wants to bring the family next year but part of me wants my respite. That little window back into the person I was, when I could explore as I wished, stay out as late as I liked (without the responsibilities of the morning's obligations pressing into the enjoyment of the night before).

Fittingly, as the closing performer Martin Garrix said, I was high on life. Had Kimi made the podium, it would have been the perfect weekend for me.

Quick thank you to Singapore for as always, putting on the best race weekend of the season. Your Night Race is the jewel of the F1 calendar and your city shines bright for everyone who travels to participate in the festivities.

Do you escape by yourself ever? Would you want to? Do you love Singapore?

Linking this old post with #HappyTuesday because I'm counting down the days until I go again!

Taking a break, lah!

Just a quick note to let you know I'm shutting up shop for a few weeks - I'm off the the Singapore F1 and one kid has an HSC exam next week and I'm just a little behind in my work. So may be back on my return or may be back after the school holidays.

I saw the Bookclub yesterday, and I love that somehow in Hollywood a woman got a younger love interest. Is that a first? Younger being Andy Garcia but still a decade younger than Diane Keaton.

I love that I'm off to The Pop Up Globe tonight for some Macbeth, speaking of kick ass older women.


I'm not loving that my tax dollars are being used by the PM to read the Telegraph and tweet on their 'articles' (for want of a better word). When's the election?

Loving Nora Ephron's Hearburn read by Meryl Streep in the car.

Loving that I'll have 3 days next weekend to do nothing but look after myself. I've picked a few exhibitions, a few gigs and of course, the farewell to Kimi Raikkonen. I can not wait!!






Back soon, and have fun everyone. What are you loving?

Linking with #Lovinglifelinky

PS If you miss me too much, I will be on Insta ;)