Motif on the walkway
Charlotte slice, Green Poppy Cafe, Addison Road, Shellharbour
Sitting on the edge of the bay, watching the tide come in
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Saturday, 12 December 2009
Forever Summer
Shellharbour Beach Dec 12, 2009
Motif on the walkway
Charlotte slice, Green Poppy Cafe, Addison Road, Shellharbour
Sitting on the edge of the bay, watching the tide come in
Motif on the walkway
Charlotte slice, Green Poppy Cafe, Addison Road, Shellharbour
Sitting on the edge of the bay, watching the tide come in
Monday, 7 December 2009
What Really Matters
It is not how much you bring home in pay or reward, but how you spend it to not just take care of yourself, but how you utilise it to make a difference for the individuals for whom you care about.
We cross paths with various scenarios, attitudes and vibes. How we choose to respond and react to them reflects our strengths, insecurities and inner soul. In the end it does not matter the swipes of discomfort, hurtful words some blurt out without much thought or the temporary joys of insincere praise, for what is of value shall grow within our hearts and nurture our being without such distractions.
Material things provide the illusion of possession and temporal soothing. We come to our individual existence without such acquisitions, but as we live out life's journey, we partake, accumulate and dispense more important things than the latest electronic gadget or an abode bigger than what we need. Real wealth goes beyond the material and is truly shown in what we do when facing challenges, how we share when we experience joy and what we actually do when we have the choice to ignore, be involved or be a neutral observer or listener.
I love the reality of things being not permanent. How wise this teaching brought to me, so that when I suffer negative episodes, I know it will not last and look forward to better dimensions. Wheh things are really thrilling and satisfying, I am humbled to know that I better truly enjoy this positive sensation to the utmost. As I understand that things will change, it dawns on me to not take anything for granted, whether it is pain or the lightest, happiest feeling in the world. This helps me to better manage letting go, whether it is the clutter in the house or past friendships that have gone past its shelf life.
The seasons are the best signs to remind us to be one with the natural cycles of life, growth and renewal. This can be experienced not just physically but also mentally and within our inner soul. The universe can be paradoxical, but maybe it just wants to give us variety and change to feed our lives.
Diversions and expectations are fun tests to our heart and mind. Changing our way of thinking can be as refreshing as changing our directional steps when walking in a garden that we have not visited before. We can never know what to expect and there is the thrill of absorbing new things and adding to our understanding and continuing learning.
Meeting new people and visiting hitherto unknown places involves risks, but also offers new vistas and different ways of thinking. Falling back on the ritual of tradition, whether of family, culture or region, provides a safe haven in times of changing weather, fortune and experience.
We cross paths with various scenarios, attitudes and vibes. How we choose to respond and react to them reflects our strengths, insecurities and inner soul. In the end it does not matter the swipes of discomfort, hurtful words some blurt out without much thought or the temporary joys of insincere praise, for what is of value shall grow within our hearts and nurture our being without such distractions.
Material things provide the illusion of possession and temporal soothing. We come to our individual existence without such acquisitions, but as we live out life's journey, we partake, accumulate and dispense more important things than the latest electronic gadget or an abode bigger than what we need. Real wealth goes beyond the material and is truly shown in what we do when facing challenges, how we share when we experience joy and what we actually do when we have the choice to ignore, be involved or be a neutral observer or listener.
I love the reality of things being not permanent. How wise this teaching brought to me, so that when I suffer negative episodes, I know it will not last and look forward to better dimensions. Wheh things are really thrilling and satisfying, I am humbled to know that I better truly enjoy this positive sensation to the utmost. As I understand that things will change, it dawns on me to not take anything for granted, whether it is pain or the lightest, happiest feeling in the world. This helps me to better manage letting go, whether it is the clutter in the house or past friendships that have gone past its shelf life.
The seasons are the best signs to remind us to be one with the natural cycles of life, growth and renewal. This can be experienced not just physically but also mentally and within our inner soul. The universe can be paradoxical, but maybe it just wants to give us variety and change to feed our lives.
Diversions and expectations are fun tests to our heart and mind. Changing our way of thinking can be as refreshing as changing our directional steps when walking in a garden that we have not visited before. We can never know what to expect and there is the thrill of absorbing new things and adding to our understanding and continuing learning.
Meeting new people and visiting hitherto unknown places involves risks, but also offers new vistas and different ways of thinking. Falling back on the ritual of tradition, whether of family, culture or region, provides a safe haven in times of changing weather, fortune and experience.
Good Morning Sunshine
Frangipanis in Balgownie, December 2009
Display at Flower Haven, Wollongong
Summer lilies along Crown Street, Wollongong
A Touch of Asian, Wollongong
Sunday, 6 December 2009
Return To the Shire
The chocolate fondue is now served in a smaller container, but the slices of strawberry, banana and marshmellows remain. The place is still a favourite of group meals, whether for work colleagues, birthday parties, families or teenagers in search of tasty pizza. The front counter led into a packed hive of activity, passing on baked stuff, pasta concoctions and bowls of salad with fetta cheese or cooked chicken bits.
At the back, near the boys' room, I saw Indian guys carry in the heavy stiff of supplies and ingredients, even late in the evening.
What is this successful formula that encourages turnover in sales and sustains the return of repeat customers? Is it the location, the quick service or the generous amounts of food for a 30 dollar package? I have always wanted to get those gelato containers sold from a fridge near the entrance. Personally, I like the pastas, with a light sauce, variety of flavours and servings more than any one can handle. Parking is limited off the street and the restaurant lies between the Tom Ugly Bridge and Kirawee.
Friday evening, the first one of December and I found myself on the main strip of Gymea. The last time I was there I was on an auditing visit. How long ago that seemed, and yet the experience is recollected with clarity. I had found it a long way to drive down to Gymea from Sydney's northern suburbs at dawn, and to me then it was like being on the frontiers of the moon. The Gymea Pub in 2009 has managed to find the right balance of informality, sufficient diversion and a generous amount of space for its patrons to scateer in groups or allow couples to settle in niche corners. The main customer demographic wore thin light summery t shirts with tight fitting pants, mid-calf or long, and the most popular drink that night was the Bundaberg rum, mixed or straight.
At the back, near the boys' room, I saw Indian guys carry in the heavy stiff of supplies and ingredients, even late in the evening.
What is this successful formula that encourages turnover in sales and sustains the return of repeat customers? Is it the location, the quick service or the generous amounts of food for a 30 dollar package? I have always wanted to get those gelato containers sold from a fridge near the entrance. Personally, I like the pastas, with a light sauce, variety of flavours and servings more than any one can handle. Parking is limited off the street and the restaurant lies between the Tom Ugly Bridge and Kirawee.
Friday evening, the first one of December and I found myself on the main strip of Gymea. The last time I was there I was on an auditing visit. How long ago that seemed, and yet the experience is recollected with clarity. I had found it a long way to drive down to Gymea from Sydney's northern suburbs at dawn, and to me then it was like being on the frontiers of the moon. The Gymea Pub in 2009 has managed to find the right balance of informality, sufficient diversion and a generous amount of space for its patrons to scateer in groups or allow couples to settle in niche corners. The main customer demographic wore thin light summery t shirts with tight fitting pants, mid-calf or long, and the most popular drink that night was the Bundaberg rum, mixed or straight.
Thursday, 3 December 2009
Light and Easy
Ever since I was introduced to tea-infused cuisine in Kuala Lumpur earlier this year (refer to my posting "Catching Up, Three and More"), I have been eagerly looking forward to lighter, less oily and still tasty meals served with a kick to the palate. I recall the long beans and chicken servings, with the light aromatic infusion of oolong tea, with the refreshing feeling leaving the Purple Cane Restaurant in the heart of Kualla Lumpur's Chinatown.
It has not been easy to do so in Australia, with the summery barbeque stuff on the grill, the southern Chinese courses that can leave a certain thirst in the middle of the night and the bacon and egg blends of breakfasts at cafes here.
Then I remembered the unique Chinese and Korean dishes prepared at Towon along a quiet side of Victoria Avenue in Chatswood, north of the Sydney Harbour Bridge. I had a recent opportunity to partake some dishes there, which offered a change from the stereotypes of udon, sizzling beef plates and kimchi. Instead my group of seven persons, from Carlingford, Auckland and Wollongong, dived into peppered chicken and pork fillets, seafood-laced tofu and Sichuan flavoured king prawns that stood apart from the normal perception - and taste of Chinese cooking. Even the northern Chinese roast duck with wraps was a world apart from Beijing duck - it was afforded a different lean and mean twist.
There were two menus available, labelled simply as Chinese or Korean. Towon is no tea-infused place. However, the good taste was not accompanied by a dose of unhealthy ingredients and flavourings. What was rich admittedly is the dessert range, from deep fried ice cream to toffee bananas.
It has not been easy to do so in Australia, with the summery barbeque stuff on the grill, the southern Chinese courses that can leave a certain thirst in the middle of the night and the bacon and egg blends of breakfasts at cafes here.
Then I remembered the unique Chinese and Korean dishes prepared at Towon along a quiet side of Victoria Avenue in Chatswood, north of the Sydney Harbour Bridge. I had a recent opportunity to partake some dishes there, which offered a change from the stereotypes of udon, sizzling beef plates and kimchi. Instead my group of seven persons, from Carlingford, Auckland and Wollongong, dived into peppered chicken and pork fillets, seafood-laced tofu and Sichuan flavoured king prawns that stood apart from the normal perception - and taste of Chinese cooking. Even the northern Chinese roast duck with wraps was a world apart from Beijing duck - it was afforded a different lean and mean twist.
There were two menus available, labelled simply as Chinese or Korean. Towon is no tea-infused place. However, the good taste was not accompanied by a dose of unhealthy ingredients and flavourings. What was rich admittedly is the dessert range, from deep fried ice cream to toffee bananas.
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