August in Wollongong, and the signs of approaching spring are clear. The geraniums in my garden continue to bloom, and the kumquats, miniature mandarins and Tahitian limes spring back to life. What winter there was, we wonder, apart from the rainy episodes and howling winds at night. The last week of August heralds the arrival of the flowers and the promise of the fruits of late spring. Festivals beckon, and blue skies are abundant.
Between August and September, and I enjoy a magical window of a hiatus. The hard yards were done, the possibly stinging snakes are kept at bay and I can fully enjoy a glass of wine, so to speak. There is nurturing warmth all around!
My fav fruits at the grocers are currently golden kiwis, red delicious apples, Queensland bananas and sweet thin-skinned imperial mandarins - that is what is available anyway for me here. On a winter's evening, treats would be Streets Almond Magnums, King Dairy Island blue brie from Tassie and Dairy Farmers thick and creamy yoghurt. And then into the long night and its wee hours without a care in the world on a weekend.
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Wednesday, 2 September 2009
Tuesday, 1 September 2009
Idyllic
Home Party, Balgownie
Underwater World, Home Aquarium
Cakes and Pastries, Asian Bakery
Lazy Sunday Morning, Sydney Suburb
University Campus, Wollongong, August 2009
On Golden Pond, Gywenville
Underwater World, Home Aquarium
Cakes and Pastries, Asian Bakery
Lazy Sunday Morning, Sydney Suburb
University Campus, Wollongong, August 2009
On Golden Pond, Gywenville
Tuesday, 25 August 2009
Twenty Years
The days count towards my 20 years in Australia. What are my top twenty things I cherish from this stay in this big dry land?
A penchant for lamb from the land and opportunities to mingle with almost every culture from around the world.
Understanding better my Straits Chinese roots.
Sunday nights having home cooked dinner in Carlingford.
Thankfulness for having a network of truly great mates and relatives.
Rearing goldfish and listening to the rhythmic bubbles of the aquarium or the water bamboo spout feature.
Ability to refresh my inner soul and social side with family and good overseas friends each Lunar New Year.
Lanterns that light my way outside my house.
Inspiration from special individuals whom I have been fortunate to know.
Amazement at the amount and quality of printed media in postboxes, newspapers,magazines...until cyberspace took over.
Understanding my Cantonese roots.
Salmon grilled, steamed or added to pasta.
Tingling at driving sensations over a variety of roads, sceneries and weather.
Relishing liberal freedoms and at times too much choice, but why is there no true winter?
Abalone, oysters and lobsters enjoyed in a degustation course.
Lifting my inner passion for caring for dogs, plants, fruits and blooms.
Immersing myself in soft sleep on a perfectly quiet dawn.
Accepting that there is not much night life after work on most days, but then there is some jazzy tv viewing at times.
A penchant for lamb from the land and opportunities to mingle with almost every culture from around the world.
Understanding better my Straits Chinese roots.
Sunday nights having home cooked dinner in Carlingford.
Thankfulness for having a network of truly great mates and relatives.
Rearing goldfish and listening to the rhythmic bubbles of the aquarium or the water bamboo spout feature.
Ability to refresh my inner soul and social side with family and good overseas friends each Lunar New Year.
Lanterns that light my way outside my house.
Inspiration from special individuals whom I have been fortunate to know.
Amazement at the amount and quality of printed media in postboxes, newspapers,magazines...until cyberspace took over.
Understanding my Cantonese roots.
Salmon grilled, steamed or added to pasta.
Tingling at driving sensations over a variety of roads, sceneries and weather.
Relishing liberal freedoms and at times too much choice, but why is there no true winter?
Abalone, oysters and lobsters enjoyed in a degustation course.
Lifting my inner passion for caring for dogs, plants, fruits and blooms.
Immersing myself in soft sleep on a perfectly quiet dawn.
Accepting that there is not much night life after work on most days, but then there is some jazzy tv viewing at times.
Monday, 24 August 2009
Chinatown Groceries
A Selection of Pick-Me Ups from Chinatown Grocery Shopping -
Top L to R:
Thai chicken seasoning mix; coconut cream and pho (rice noodle) soup stock;
Penang prawn mee condiments and dry noodle pack; sago dessert in Malacca palm sugar and pre-mix sauce for stir-frying pad thai (rice noodles Thai style).
Bottom: Seasoned sauce for steamed fish ala Hong Kong.
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