Holiday Cheers

As early as now, I have been dropping hints and telling hubby that we should go on a family holiday next year! I would prefer to travel during Christmas, so we could visit family back home in time for the festivities. I have asked him though to save enough money so we could also go visit another city and stay in a nice hotel such as The Palace Hotel. Little does he know that I have a few cities in mind to visit! The Palace Hotel Manchester would be quite a nice property to stay at, and it would give us a chance to experience white Christmas there as well. I would have to do a bit more research whether The Palace is kid friendly and whether there are activities for children in Manchester. I suppose as a family, we would enjoy any activity for as long as we are on a holiday together! I can’t wait!

So far still baking

Am on my 37th week, and baby is still baking. So far. I really hope baby stays in for another 2 weeks. There are still a few things that I have to do. And, buying time now is really good. Well, not for too long.

I've been staying home most of the time the past few weeks, and as much as I would love to still be going around I really need to fix the house in preparation for bub. I really try to be not lazy, but it is a big effort! Oftentimes I am just a lazy potato couch, but sometimes moving around can be quite painful! Even walking up and down the flight of steps in the apartment can be a chore for me. To think this coming New Year's Eve, we are expecting a few guests to view the Harbour Bridge's fireworks from our place!! Hmm! I guess I will have to manage, and prepare easy meals. I have an excuse. A valid one!

Lately I really appreciate hubby helping me out with a lot of the house work. I haven't done the laundry for the past six months, never cleaned the bathroom, never really vacuumed our carpet. He does all that plus helps out with the dishes every so often. I just can't expect him to have anything to do with food preparation. He just eats whatever I prepare. Which is fine with me. That leaves me to be a bit useful around here. Even just in that aspect. Well, of course I've got a bun baking in me which is really a big job.

I also get to appreciate online grocery shopping nowadays. Most of my big bulk grocery needs are ordered online. They are usually quite efficient, and the only thing that annoys me is having to wait. Wait for the delivery that is. I suppose that isn't too bad really. I order it 24 hours in advance and get it pretty much the following day at the time I want it to arrive the apartment. I cannot complain, really, no carrying heavy bags, no cashier queues, etc.

Another few weeks and I will be a mum. Such an exciting time! Also, quite nervous about the whole thing. Imagine having to think of only myself (and hubby) for the past 30 years, and now we will be responsible for another life. I cannot fully comprehend it yet, but I am looking forward to it. I have my questions about whether we will be good parents, or whether I am able to care for such a fragile being.. But I guess it will all just fall into place.. Parents instinct..

It is the season

With the holiday season coming up, fashion icons are coming up with all these themed Holiday outfits and Holiday Fun Eyeglasses. Sometimes these New Arrivals list is just hard to keep up with. I remember a friend who would dress up in something Christmas-y the five days leading up to Christmas day. Although I would not go to the extreme by dressing up as Mrs. Claus, I do like wearing something red on Christmas day itself. I have even picked out my $8 Prescription Zenni Glasses that would match the outfit!

Cot for baby

I think we may have found the cot we want for baby!! It's a cot convertible to a junior bed and to a day bed down the track!

Since most of our furniture are in dark wood, we opted to get a dark one for baby as well. Hopefully this gets delivered soon coz we are both excited to assemble and finish decorating the nursery!

Travel this and Travel that

For some reason my friends in Germany are into Karaoke as much as they are into golf! Being a travel agent, I do get weird questions asking about where the best place to go for certain things in a particular city. One that I got a few months back was asking what Golf shop is best available in Germany. I had to do a bit of research for that of course, since I’ve only been to Germany once and have never been asked this question before. Anyway, I found an extensive online shop for my friend. I have also offered to tell him where Golfkurse or Golfkurs Platzreife is (just in case he’d ask).

I wish I could travel Germany extensively so that I can be a better travel agent. That’s one good thing about my profession, we do get to go on familiarization tours. Although at the moment, there are no offers to travel to Europe. Majority of our educational offers are to Asia or the South Pacific islands, I just wish I could see more of Europe again! It has been a while since I’ve been to Europe, or been on an educational! Although now, I know these dreams will have to be put on a bit of a hold since we are expecting our first born. Perhaps in about a year and a half when I go back into the workforce and back into my consultant job I could snag myself a work sponsored free trip to Europe. For now, I should satisfy myself with online researches and daydreaming about visiting that far away land! Sometimes I think if I envy the younger ladies at work who have been grabbing all the chance they could get to travel, whether work or self expense. As much as I haven’t really been traveling that much when I was single, I don’t regret it all. One day I can still travel the world with hubby and kids in tow. For now, thoughts on motherhood is what’s on my mind, together with local travel that is.

Bubba shopping : Nappy kit

I never thought shopping/online shopping for baby things can keep me busy!! I have been browsing through websites and just bookmarking a lot of possible baby stuff! Exciting! This is something I have never ever done in the past. At past 30 years of age, I still get to do things for the first time which keeps life interesting.



My cool stuff for today is a nappy kit! I guess for just an hour or two trip to the grocery or town, this would be quite handy. And its great they have it in different colours! Maybe I should add this onto my gift registry.. hehe. Or, just send the weblink to my mum :) Oh, if you want to ship it to me, it's from B.Box the essential baby box!

Dreaming of a getaway

Hubby and I are planning a bit of a quick getaway within the next few weeks or months. Since we are expecting a baby early next year, we want to spend a bit of time with each other and perhaps do a bit of traveling as a couple before we become a family of three. We were discussing what sort of holiday would be nice to go on, something that is not too expensive but still enjoyable. At this stage of our lives, we are both after a more relaxed type of vacation but we need a place to stay where there are still a number of outdoor activities to choose from. Hubby and I are both very much into photography, thus we look for holiday destinations and make sure that there are plenty of opportunities to take a variety of interesting photos. Aside from the fact that we both would need an interesting city, I make sure that the hotel we would be staying at is at least a four star. I guess since I am a travel agent I can manage to get good deals even at such hotel properties. I need a really heavenly bed, and a nice view to the room. I have browsed a few cities and have decided that I would love to go and visit Switzerland sometime and stay at a typical Swiss chalet overlooking the glorious Alps! Ideally I would be traveling during winter so the view from our room would be powder white snow. On the other hand though, I am not my best during this season and I am willing to settle to visit Switzerland in springtime. I have already conjured up a few Swiss Hotels that I would love to visit and stay at, or even do hotel inspections of. I am sure whoever is planning a Swiss getaway would be interested in surfing through this website to check out good deals and just to give one travel ideas on embarking on a truly typical Swiss adventure.

Where is life taking you?

Well, it has been a pretty eventful past 12 months for me. So far. So many things going on, changing, unfolding, opportunities presenting itself, plans being made, plans manifesting, and plans changing.

Since getting married late last year, I have reached a few milestones in my life that I am thankful and happy about. The most important one is falling pregnant with our first baby! And then, finally going for my citizenship and now having just received my OZ passport!! I know I may sound too excited about this feat. But how can I not be, when all this quest for the blue travel document (aka Aus Passport) started 6 long years ago. I gave up a lot of things to be able to go after this dream. I've left family, friends and for a while the love of my life... all in the name of this dream. I cannot begin to count the number of sleepless nights and restless days I've had in connection with walking towards this goal of residency.. and eventually citizenship. It was a long, slow walk on a sometimes lonely and rocky road. I am so relieved and thankful that it all fell into place.

I did not travel much in the past 12 months, but I know I am a few steps further from where I was a few years ago. And for the gift of patience, I am thankful. It has been a meaningful journey to where I am now.

Travel for meetings

There are so many beautiful areas in England that are all so green and luscious, no wonder a lot of people enjoy traveling around that country.

One growing market that I know who travels for business and at the same time pleasure are the meetings and convention market. I have handled a company who travels overseas at least once every three years as an incentive for their employees and their families, at the same time they hold planning sessions at halls. I have offered to help arrange a trip to England and book them at this lovely Hotel in Sheffield. This property is nestled in a very beautiful area, and offers a variety of activities and meeting halls for my clients.I do hope they go ahead and book with me in spite of the current economic crisis.

Busy bee

Ever since I've started studying again, I have always had my hands full. Sometimes I ask myself why did I have to get myself into this scenario again. In the last 5 years, I already completed two diplomas and one certificate. And now I am doing another one. I guess I am one of those people who just keeps studying. But this time, I know I have a plan. I plan to shift careers within the next year or so, and in order for me to get there I have to busy myself with readings and papers. Ah life, an endless journey of learnings!

An overhaul project

I know this blog needs quite an overhaul. I am talking about getting a new blog layout, nicer colour scheme, and possibly a new webhosting site. It has been a while since I've paid more attention to this site. I could use some inspiration and obviously help. I am not the most techie person alive, and if I go on and start this project it may take a long while. I guess that is how rebuilding was meant to be. It's good that I have found a site that is very beneficial to me and this endeavour that I would be undertaking. They do have a blog section that allows helpless people like me with tips and other useful information on hosting, etc. I have yet to discover if they can assist with the creative part of hosting sites or whether they have some sort of affiliation with a company who does. I should really be doing my research on this, if I am seriously considering overhauling this blog!

I am missing my good friend in Manila who could maybe help me with this project of mine. I guess she could do some live camera assistance, while I try to figure out how I want my site to be. But then again, I don't like troubling other people with my concerns. I should maybe send an email to the site I am looking at doing my hosting. I am sure they do offer a very good service on technical assistance!

Has Been, Will Be.

We all have our ideas on how we want to grow older and wiser. And, sometimes we think too much about how to reach this goal that we lose track of the present.

So much lost time on pondering thoughts about the future, that the 'now' slips past us too soon. In the blink of an eye today is yesterday. In a few minutes we are onto the third month of the year. I would not want to think of what a whole hour can bring, while endlessly searching for meaningless answers which cannot bring back lost time.

Easier to write about, than to actually practice living for today. Really, the secret must lie in finding purpose in this very minute of life. C'est la vie.

Hidden Treasure : Paperbark Camp

I've been thinking about a place to head off to for the long Easter weekend. I have managed to convince hubby to go South Coast NSW and I wrote that we would most likely be close to the beach again. Tho I would really love to go visit Paperbark Camp in Jervis Bay, for now it would only just be a dream getaway (it has been for the past six months!).

Paperbark camp is a luxury hideaway, with a choice of original or deluxe Safari tents. Each canvassed tent features timber deck, outdoor lounge, a comfortable bed, private open air shower, luxury amenities, etc.

The property, which is about 2 1/2 hour drive South of Sydney, offers interesting bike trails, canoe adventure activity, hikes, etc. For the ones who are just visiting for the hideaway luxury of it, can wait by the deck to spot possums or kangaroos, or perhaps enjoy lazy day readings in the outdoor lounge, or have a massage within the private tent.

What not to miss is the food experience at the Gunyah (Aboriginal for meeting place), which is the property's reknowned restaurant. At the moment, they have got extra special deals to celebrate their 10th anniversary. The cuisine is mainly modern European, at which the menu changes to match the season.

(Images from Paperbark website)

Struggles and Work

How is work coming on for you? And the rest? Times like this financial crisis, one can never really tell what will happen tomorrow. At work, we have been assured that we are the best house in the worst street but still that does not give us a whole assurance or income protection. Every week my colleagues and I ask our leader to give us some sort of update on what’s going on. He does not always give us an answer, just because there is no certainty in this world now. What more, the tourism industry everywhere is just in a slump. That does not mean that people are not traveling, coz they are. They are just traveling wisely now. I know especially, that big families are delaying vacation plans, but some young professionals still go off to spend hard earned money. Our manager’s told us, the best way to keep our jobs is to spend money wisely, and not just save. Apparently spending allows others to keep their jobs, which in turn lets us keep ours. That’s why the government injects so much of these interest rate cuts, etc!

Where you at?

After all the hullaballoo of the holiday season, where you at?

I find myself going back to normalcy of life. At least for the next 11 months again until next Christmas season. As we grow older, we try to find the real meaning of Christmas, and starting a new year. As a child, Christmas meant gifts, holidays, no classes. But now, we make our own meaning ourselves. We can take a long holiday from work over the holidays, but what does that actually mean? Does it mean spending time with family? We can buy our own presents, things we actually like. But does that make us a better person?

I am just really praying for a better year ahead. Christmas was not spent with relatives, but I was with my immediate family (hubby). It was a time spent away from the usual work environment but only for a few days. I am thinking, the first day of the new year allows us to hope for happier and better days ahead.

Wishing everyone a Happy 2009!