Bringing in 2010

Uncle Richard reading Esther 'Wombat Stew', she was very concerned that the wombat was going to be eaten and wouldn't even consider making stew out of her wombat-baby brother.

Isn't he just the cutest little wombat baby.

New Years was spent in the Hollow. We packed up our warmest clothes and headed up to Northern Baltimore to visit with L & B and their little ones. Their little house in the hollow is quickly filled with the wild antics of a crazy 3 year-old and and an 11.5-month old wombat baby. We confined ourselves indoors to escape the cold (we have turned into tropical beasts) and enjoyed the familial environment, just chilled. Played with Libby's new deep fat fryer, we made maple-glazed donuts, yum. Represented Oz by forming them into shapes of Australia and crocodiles. Now I want a deep fryer, though I don't know how often I would end up using it for just the two of us, and we probably don't need the extra fat. I must admit though for most of the visit my mind and temperament just wasn't present. I've been really struggling with a new life in Australia, and now to be displaced once again for the holidays, really shook me. My emotions go up and down like a roller coaster and its really tough to stay in control and positive. Not really good for social interactions. Sorry for being such a downer. This was the theme of New Year's Eve unfortunately and I hit the pillow at 11:30 PM and brainstormed New Year's resolutions with my love just before we passed out.

Resolution for 2010: Seize the day and think positively - which can be translated to: stop being such a scaredy cat and get up off your ass to actively get yourself out of this almost-self-inflicted rut.

Srumptuous Carrot cupcakes

A Kitchen Bitch Production for the day: Yummy Carrot Cupcakes with a cream cheese icing. Has raisins in it and not too much sugar (brown sugar was called for) and only 100g of butter. Got the recipe out of the weekend newspaper. Not bad, though I am not a fan of cream cheese. Somebody else liked it lots however. More of a muffin though - which makes it a great breakfast treat. Must find substitutes for sugar and butter so I can feed this to the health-conscious.

Summertime

Its a bright and sunny day (over 100 degrees F or 41 C according to my hometown news) which is a pleasant change from the blistering cold that we just left behind over the holidays in the States. We arrived and just missed the snow storms that delayed many a holiday traveler. It wasn't so bad until all the snow melted, it rained and the wind set in decreasing the temperature more and more, at least it felt like it, especially at my parents house situated on a ridge without proper insulation or heat - what are my parents thinking?! On our visit on one of these frozen days we were immediately handed extra wooly layers just to sit in the living room. Ay! Knowing me and my cold bloodedness, this did not suffice, so we made the visit brief.

The Christmas season this year was unnecessarily crazy, as I ended up stressing too much about visiting people and doing things at the best time and place, which didn't really happen so I would end up disappointed and moody rather than making the most of whatever time I was left with. I guess I should have expected that considering the state of mind I have been in for the last few months. I found myself reverting back to old feelings from when I was a teenager, which was something I had thought (hoped) I had grown out of long ago. So much for that idea.

The idea to go home to the states for Christmas was last minute, born out of nostalgia during the Christmas tree shopping expedition one chilly and rainy spring day just after American Thanksgiving. I got all into the Christmas spirit then and realized that he has the time off and I definitely have time off, why not spend Christmas with family? Oh yeah - money for the ticket. We ended up going all in to join in the family festivities that take place every year. My mother loves Christmas and is at her holiday best, which is probably the best time to catch her. We made it just in time for Christmas eve spent with my mom's side of the family. The is when a zoo of cousins, aunts and uncles, and these days the cousins' babies, gather at my Aunt's house for a scrumptious feast of every imaginable meat accompanied by mashed potatoes, of course, and other tasty sides and don't forget my mother's fabulous pashka and kulich - Yum. Usually too many people (getting bigger and multiplying every year), no real chance to connect with one another unfortunately. Its pretty much my one chance to see my family for the next year or so until the next time I fly home.

The feast is followed by Posadas, a reenactment of Mary and Joseph searching for a place to give birth to Jesus. A & E, as the recent newlyweds, got to play Mary and Joseph going from room to room witnessing the younger cousins' crazy antics that push Mary ad Joseph toward taking refuge in the manger. Ian and Joe were the stars with their version of Terminator taking over one room. Definitely don't want to give birth in that room. Little Duncan was pretty damn funny too. With everyone in the living room singing carols before ripping into the presents appear as a sea of bodies, some bigger than others. Its interesting to wonder how other families spend their Christmas Eve. For sure, Richard is overwhelmed by the enormity of my side of the family, and the violent body slamming that takes place when the wrestling ensues. Good thing there's a room big enough to contain all those bodies and boys big enough to take on the gaggles of munchkins ready to pounce.

New Year, New Life, New Blog

I am feeling the need to scrap my previous amateur attempts at blogging and start anew as I embark on a new adventure in a new land. AUSTRALIA here I am! And I am determined to make the most of this new life. This blog will be my way of enhancing what will probably be everyday mundane experiences, living in the moment and savouring every aspect in a positive light, because unfortunately, lets face it, I have a tendency to focus on life's miseries and pain - despair and anxiety in everything and that is no way to get through life, I am probably aging prematurely because of my outlook. Revamp, which I guess is my New Year's resolution for 2010 (one of many).

Last year was a difficult year, one of many hardships and challenges. But as I think about, the previous years were much the same as well which makes me think that I am repeating mistakes and not learning my lessons that would help me improve my life. Another reason for taking this opportunity to improve my blogging so that I can really take time out to reflect on my experiences and get a little bit more out of them and possibly share them with interested persons because despite my moanings I lead a pretty interesting life. From Africa, meeting the love of my life in a romantic whirlwind, working in Asia, and now living and playing in Australia, there were a few other excursions in between. If only I could depict it properly in writing. 2010 is the year for self development starting with this blog...

Images of Sri Lanka

This will all be a thing of the past.

Big scary buffalo, crazy driving, my office (with my husband in it).

How do normal people live?

This is the question I pose in preparation for the big move to Oz. My challenge will be to reintegrate into normal society with all the normal cares and worries about ... traffic, the price of groceries and petrol, friday night entertainment, social engagements with friends we don't have yet, following a budget, christian holidays, etc...

Our favorite Sri Lankan Hotel - Aditya

Beautiful Indian Ocean Coastline


Big daddy cool and his belly


As soon as I got back from my exile in the States, Richard and I reunited for a long weekend break at Aditya, our favorite Sri Lankan hotel just south of Hikkaduwa. The decor is modern and stylish with a touch of the exotic as there should be when in a tropical country, the staff are friendly and respectful, the best part - is the amazing food that can be ordered at any time of the day. We caught up with Charith and Michelle who we probably won't see again until the Christmas holidays in Melbourne.

May seems like so long ago...

The last posting was too long ago, but that time has flown by in a flurry of frustrations (mostly related with work) so its just as well that the time has gone by so quickly. I have barely had a chance to breathe, much less blog. Not that anyone reads this blog to miss the updates.

In the past 5 months (wow- really? 5 months of silence!) I finally got my Sri Lankan residence visa after 6 long anxious weeks waiting in the states back in April and May, excelled at work to become the program manager in the North, sent my husband to Australia 3 months ahead of me, watched lots of DVDs like The Wire, finished the West Wing, became a total couch potato when not totally engrossed in working 12 hours a day, 7 days a week, I think I lost 7 lbs (At least one size down) by not eating due to fatigue and stress, anniverseried in Singapore, attended my sister's wedding in the States and now back to work for another 3 weeks before settling back into "normalcy" in Oz - only semi-looking forward to a feeling of relief and freedom.

The above is a photo montague to record the past 5 month's events. Some comments are included.

We saw...

Galactic, James Taylor, Some Jazz, Brassiliano??, Ile Ayie (good dancing drum beats, I love it), Earth Wind and Fire (very Retro), and Locos por Juanes - Deb's influence.

Jazzfest NOLA 2009

As I wait for my visa to be processed, might as well take the opportunity to take in some Jazzfest and visit with Deb and Erin in my favorite city. Lots of fried foods, oysters, po-boys and crawfish, gastronomic therapy. I really needed to get some dancing into my style. its been a while.

Saw some really weird people, good 'ole Nawlins.