September, and I have memories of misty nights on top of a hill. How it seemed to be only yesterday, and how clearly I can still see it now. My mates and I had budding ambitions, growing urges and a convulating sense of togetherness. For a few nights we relished this escape from the routine and the usual. More than that, each of us could look out into the bright lights - and expanse - of our otherwise ordinary lives back there below the lookout point. Was that first week of September a momentary escapade, or an opportunity of a pause between what we were leaving behind - early adolescence - and what we had to build ourselves - future adulthood?
The bungalow offered lazy afternoons and group nights, where we could gather to offer our inner thoughts, make fun of each other and unknowlingly get to know each other better. The cooler air induced us into a kind of comfort zone that we longed for in contrast to where we first met - the humid heat of classrooms in regimented schedules. We dabbled in discovering and experiencing then forbidden areas - which with the benefit of hindsight now, were passing phases possibly necesary to our individual development. The fireplace, the foreboding darkness outside the colonial styled windows and the wavering of leafy branches threatened with moving fog - it all added to a certain comforting charm, a dramatic backdrop and a unique perspective to our apparent liberation to talk about anything, to do without constraint and to realise that things were not forever.
I recall the sight of the twinkling stars above the dark night sky, and how we were all decked out in sweaters seated on the patio looking out literally at the world waiting before us. What magical evenings they were. They then added to our resolve to build a unique life in each of us. They now offer a refuge to inspiring memory.
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Friday, 25 September 2009
Monday, 7 September 2009
Swinging Through Shopping
It was early September and it felt just right good to just shrug off the demands of the past week and go walkabout in retail land.
The devoted Calvin Klein store was on sale. May be a rare occasion, but it was obvious they were clearing old stock for new. However, CK products can be timeless, and this time it was a bargain moment.
Thompson green seedless grapes were so crunchy sweet these days, and it's not even the full swing of the season. Deep reds are gorgeous looking, but somehow they have not managed to produce seedless ones for retail, or it's just me who have not encountered red skinned grapes that I can swallow whole. Mandarins continued to be available in abundance, whether they are the honey murcotts or others, and they can be so refreshing after a meal, even if some quarters now hold the view that fruits should be eaten before one.
The Body Shop has its classics, and an orderly fashion in its displayed lay out. Spurred on by consumer preferences for better treatment of animals in product research and development, the brand continues to thrive despite new competition. I loved the eider-based below eye lotion best, a soothing balm for computer screen laden eyes!
I had not stepped into Myers for so long, not even in Wollongong, I had to check out their flagship store at the Chatswood Westfield.
A break from shopping for lunch found us in Vietnam Bo. Rice noodle soup can be found with more adventurous ingredients, though I only took one step away from the comfort zone and had pig trotter slices for a change to relish with the rich stock. It may not have been sufficiently confronting.
The label Country Road has been reinventing itself and evidence of this can be found no better than in a flagship store in one of Sydney's northern suburbs. Although most of the line are now made outside Australia, I found a finely made shirt that cried out to me to be rescued. The sales guys were polite and friendly. One was a typical Aussie twenty something who obviously had a late night out the evening before, with dishevelled hair but he looked so attitude-cool. The other held himself in stylish cool, neatly attired, with a kind of Japanese-Hong Kong air about him.
Pearsons Florists was welcoming - I could not resist getting into the mood for the southern spring and get two petite growing bouquets, not those which survived on sponges but in real soil packed in little pots brimming with blossoms.
Teatime had us trying the Japanese run Cacao chocolate cafe, upstairs in Chatswood Chase, where the beverage quality can stand up to any other in Sydney's line of fancy upmarket stores. Chocolate led to thoughts of books, and the sales guy at the new Angus & Robertson store in the Chase told me of the new concept outlet the chain had implemented in certain suburbs. I reckoned the bold and more open layout is a winner in attracting people to walk in - I fell for it myself. No more cramped aisles and hidden corners. It may look more like a Borders store, but I thought this is the trend for the future.
The devoted Calvin Klein store was on sale. May be a rare occasion, but it was obvious they were clearing old stock for new. However, CK products can be timeless, and this time it was a bargain moment.
Thompson green seedless grapes were so crunchy sweet these days, and it's not even the full swing of the season. Deep reds are gorgeous looking, but somehow they have not managed to produce seedless ones for retail, or it's just me who have not encountered red skinned grapes that I can swallow whole. Mandarins continued to be available in abundance, whether they are the honey murcotts or others, and they can be so refreshing after a meal, even if some quarters now hold the view that fruits should be eaten before one.
The Body Shop has its classics, and an orderly fashion in its displayed lay out. Spurred on by consumer preferences for better treatment of animals in product research and development, the brand continues to thrive despite new competition. I loved the eider-based below eye lotion best, a soothing balm for computer screen laden eyes!
I had not stepped into Myers for so long, not even in Wollongong, I had to check out their flagship store at the Chatswood Westfield.
A break from shopping for lunch found us in Vietnam Bo. Rice noodle soup can be found with more adventurous ingredients, though I only took one step away from the comfort zone and had pig trotter slices for a change to relish with the rich stock. It may not have been sufficiently confronting.
The label Country Road has been reinventing itself and evidence of this can be found no better than in a flagship store in one of Sydney's northern suburbs. Although most of the line are now made outside Australia, I found a finely made shirt that cried out to me to be rescued. The sales guys were polite and friendly. One was a typical Aussie twenty something who obviously had a late night out the evening before, with dishevelled hair but he looked so attitude-cool. The other held himself in stylish cool, neatly attired, with a kind of Japanese-Hong Kong air about him.
Pearsons Florists was welcoming - I could not resist getting into the mood for the southern spring and get two petite growing bouquets, not those which survived on sponges but in real soil packed in little pots brimming with blossoms.
Teatime had us trying the Japanese run Cacao chocolate cafe, upstairs in Chatswood Chase, where the beverage quality can stand up to any other in Sydney's line of fancy upmarket stores. Chocolate led to thoughts of books, and the sales guy at the new Angus & Robertson store in the Chase told me of the new concept outlet the chain had implemented in certain suburbs. I reckoned the bold and more open layout is a winner in attracting people to walk in - I fell for it myself. No more cramped aisles and hidden corners. It may look more like a Borders store, but I thought this is the trend for the future.
Wednesday, 2 September 2009
August in Wollongong
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.
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.
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
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