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June 15th, 2009

11:18 am - In the mood for purging! Just back from overseas .. and have decided it's time to purge! Cleaning up the desk, cleaning up the computer, getting rid of things I don't use anymore (recycling where possible). Think my LJ is also going to go - those of you who have Facebook can catch me there: http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=532638060&ref=name Now all I need to do is try to remember how to create a PDF version of my entries here .... for a keepsake! Tags: me me me

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March 18th, 2009

08:14 pm - Food musings One of the few New Years' Resolutions that I made this year, was a promise to ruzza that I would endeavour to cook one new dish each week, either for lunch on a weekend when we were both home or for our evening dinner. This resolution came about for a couple of reasons. Firstly, I get somewhat bored when I cook the same things over and over again, and while stir fries are a relatively new thing to Ruzza they certainly aren't to me, and without fantastically new and exciting vegetables or new inspirations for tantalising sauces to bring out the flavour in the stir fry, I find that too many of them in a short period of time really doesn't inspire me. The second was because over the years I've built up a lovely collection of good cookbooks through gifts from friends and family that really aren't used to their fullest potential (see exhibit A below): Over the last few weeks I've been recovering from surgery and so my dear Mum came to visit for a fortnight and helped with the cooking, cleaning etc. until I was strong enough to be able to do some things for myself (bless her heart!) In that time I think we had a MONTH full of new dishes, but since she has now returned to her home State I've decided to get back on-board with the resolution and keep that going - so far I haven't missed a week since New Year (well, apart from the week I was in hospital, that doesn't count!) Last weekend we had some interstate friends over, and we had a great BBQ which was really good. We decided we really should do this more often, and to inspire us to do just that, we decided to move the BBQ from the garage where it was currently located to the back verandah, which is just outside the laundry and within very easy access of the kitchen. So tonight we had our first mid-week BBQ which I believe qualifies as this weeks' new dish (maybe not so inspirational in terms of using recipe books, but definately a new thing to have mid-week)! And here is the pictorial evidence: Nice clean BBQ to start the meal off (I'm from the school that says you have to clean the BBQ after each use; I know others diagree but that's how I like it best) Everything on the platter ready to cook we have some tomato and onion sausages; potato slices; pumpkin chips; onions; zucchini; tomato and mushrooms (I was also trying to use up some veggies that we had left-over in the fridge) It's also all about how you lay it out on my BBQ neat and tidy is my preferred option Almost cooked - smelling delightful! Yep definately looking cooked look at those beautiful sausages by our local butcher, top quality! Ruzza got home just as the cooking was finishing up - perfect timing! Dont' think there were any complaints to the household's culinary department this evening clean plates prove it went down pretty nicely indeed! Tonight's meal also got me thinking about a comment that was made in jest over the BBQ with friends on Saturday, and that was a woman's place was inside making salads while the guys looked after the BBQ. Now the person that said it was certainly just speaking in jest, but it did get me thinking about these little things that are 'the norm' in terms of household duties, and I realise that we just don't quite fit those stereotypes. I have done much more BBQ'ing in my life than Ruzza and my Grandfather was probably the best teacher (if one needs a BBQ teacher) that I have ever had. It also got me thinking of how much I have enjoyed spending time at home and having the freedom and the time to come up with something a bit more creative. Normally Ruzza and I travel together and reach home anywhere between 6.00pm - 6.30pm on a week night, which means if you want to eat at any sort of reasonable hour before going to bed you really need to have at least thought about what you're going to cook; and have defrosted the meat or at least pre-purchased it; and have planned to have something which doesn't take too long to cook. It's been nice to have virtually unlimited time in terms of meal preparation this past week. Could almost get used to this stay-at-home lifestyle - if only it paid as well as a working wife! Well, that's my little inspirational musing for this evening .. time to think of what I could dredge up for tomorrow night's culinary adventure! I'm still off-work until Monday, so while I am still taking the resting and recovering thing seriously, I have ample time for thinking about what inspiring food preparation I might be able to muster up (or as my friend Katie calls it when I do these type of posts - "food porn" - hehe). Current Mood: energetic Tags: cooking

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March 17th, 2009

10:49 am - Death Anniversaries When I lived in the Philippines, death anniversaries were a big thing. People would sometimes have the day off work to go and visit the graves of their loved ones; people would travel from other parts of the country to be with those who were going to the graves; and it would usually always involve big family get-togethers. Today is the first death anniversary of my Grandfather, a truly amazing man who along with my Auntie Susan are two people that I can say that I do honestly miss. This is the little link to what I wrote last year- doesn't seem much for someone that was such an influence in my life, but all fairly accurate:- http://kafechick.livejournal.com/82061.html Today I am not planning to visit his grave as I am interstate; nor shall I be in the company of any other family members who are also all interstate. But I shall think about all the fond memories that I have of him, which should keep me pretty busy! Donald John Collins was a man worth honouring, and a person I still (and probably always will) deeply respect. Current Mood: reflective Tags: family

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February 22nd, 2009

10:51 pm There are some times in my life, when I have absolutely not a doubt that I am from my family. What I mean by that is some things that I do, that all my family members do, which leaves absolutely no doubt to any by-standers, that we are all from the one "pod". My love of raspberries is just one of those things (something which ruzza just hasn't quite adapted to yet). There is noone in our family who doesn't like them, and probably even more than that - who doesn't go out of their way to get them, on an "as often as you can" basis. The other thing that remains in common amonst us, is what we sometimes do to them (if there's enough left after picking - we tend to eat just as many as we pick if we're getting them fresh from the vines). To illustrate this example, we have fresh raspberries (I froze these ones and defrosted them because I had to bring them back from interstate last weekend): Add a little icecream or yoghurt (preferably ice cream), and they turn into "raspberry mush" Probably NOT what one should be eating at 10.57pm at night, but nonetheless totally enjoyable. Even have a picture of my little neice eating raspberries like this when she was only about 8 months old - it so runs in our family! Current Location: Home Current Mood: chipper Tags: me me me

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February 11th, 2009

06:32 pm - More from the "koala series" of photographs ... Here some more shots of some koalas during the last 2 weeks of Melbourne's terribly hot weather - some are taken directly from the area where the fires have been. Koalas are definately not normally tame in any way - they are not as cute, cuddly and gorgeous as they appear - they have very sharp claws and would certainly not normally be this comfortable so close to humans - usually they run up the nearest tree (which in this case could well have been the problem, lack of eucalypt trees after the fires). Having said that, these photos are so cute!! Current Location: Home Tags: me me me

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February 10th, 2009

10:56 pm - Sometimes photos speak for themselves The weeks' events here in Melbourne have been nothing less than tragic and horrific. Yet out of all the tragedy - one volunteer stops to help the wildlife at one of the fire sites. I am completely in awe of those who are tirelessly working towards helping those who have been affected by the fires here in Victoria, they are worth their weight in gold! The death toll has reached 181 people, with a possibility of up to 300 people being found dead. My biggest struggle is accepting that most of the fires in Victoria were deliberately lit - I struggle to think of how on earth you deal with the offenders who have done this. On one hand they are obviously nothing short of ill to not think of the consequences of their actions, yet on one hand I believe they deserve to be punished to the full extent of the law + some more. But for now, I am one of the lucky ones and while I am indeed thankful for that, I still somehow don't feel like celebrating that. http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2009/02/10/2487517.htm?section=australia Current Mood: sad Tags: me me me

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February 7th, 2009

05:04 pm - Too hot for comfort! I am an ex global nomad. I have lived in countries where the mercury was used to being high day after day, and where the humidity was enough to drive anyone feral! Yet today in Melbourne, it has reached an all-time high (ie the hottest temperature since they started to record temperatures for this City over 150 years ago). It hit 46.4 degrees celcius (that's 118F for those who deal in farenheit) at 4.04pm and it is still hovering around that now, an hour later. We have aircon inside the house - which is a bit of a luxury and makes things bearable inside. But how is one supposed to come and go from the house when it is that hot I ask? Thankfully it looks likely that tomorrow will be much cooler - unlike last week when we had 5 days in a row of hot weather. Right now I feel like I just want to melt!! What is happening to our crazy world? Time to lament the days of being able to hose each other down outside in the name of cooling down - water restrictions have put an end to that. I'm sure life used to be "cooler" when I was younger!! On the upside .. today I bought a cute little Kodak digital photo frame and am loving the trips down memory lane flashing up in front of me as I sit here at the desk. I've decided I like digital photography - a lot!! Current Mood: hot Tags: me me me

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January 14th, 2009

10:58 pm - The things I do Upon leaving work tonight, I thought "ahhh, a nice quiet night at home awaits me" and I began to think of what I might do after cooking dinner. Little did I know what an industrious night it was going to be. First sign that it wasn't going to be as quiet as I thought - the local greengrocer was selling a 10kg box of apricots for $5.00. Who could walk past that I ask? Second sign, the plums picked two days ago were beginning to over-ripen, hence some attention to their health and well-being was needed. The end result of the evenings' work is below! What a busy little "squirrel" I have been!! Angelina Plum Jam Apricot Jam The time I should have been thinking of perhaps heading to bed .. rather than starting a jam-making frenzy!? Current Location: Home Current Mood: energetic Tags: me me me

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January 5th, 2009

11:29 am - Amusement Two entries in 2 days - woohoo! Saw this on my friend Leon's blog over the weekend and really, really liked it. Sometimes the simple things in life are the most amusing!! Current Location: Work Current Mood: cheerful Tags: humour

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January 4th, 2009

10:11 pm - November 2008 - January 2009 HAPPY NEW YEAR to everyone!! It's been a while since I last wrote here. OK so it's been a LONG while since I last wrote here! And YES - I've been getting all the prods and pokes people have been sending. I've just kind of been ... well ... busy! Kafechick's summary from last 3 months: - Wedding went amazingly well and was a wonderful day! I have never smiled so much, nor had so many photos taken of me in one 18 hour period in my entire life! Nor have I ever had that many bobby pins put in my hair, false nails attached to my fingers, or donned such a nice frock! I loved every minute of November 8th!! - The 3-day honeymoon was just not quite long enough (go figure)! It was, however, a wonderful time to relax after what had been a very busy time - and to enjoy the beachside location where we stayed! - Married life continues to be just great - I really kinda like ruzza as a companion ya know!! - Photographer came good with wedding photos (that wasn't in any doubt really), and there's a few that are absolutely wonderful that we're really happy with. Was very pleased - have had friends who recently got married and ended up with NONE, so am very pleased that wasn't the case with us! - Lead-up to Christmas was mayhem at work, and included the dreaded performance review that everyone had warned us about. In the end it was pretty tame and gave some good direction for 2009 work, which is helpful. - Christmas on 24th December with ruzza 's family was lovely - small family do at his Mum's house, with 2 young kids which was lovely. ruzza's crumbed fish is something pretty good to look forward to each year! - Flew to Tassie on Christmas Day and spent 6 days with my family which involved far too much food, but lots of wonderful fun times with little kids (Christmas is so much more fun with little kids, I admit). Was a bit cooler than we expected, but still had a swim at the beach (absolutely freezing) and this year managed a bit of fishing in the ocean - and even caught some!! - New Years Eve was pretty subdued this year, much more so than I thought it would be. Was still good fun catching up with friends at a house-based party. Lots of good food, that's for sure. - Last few days off have been great, puddling around home making things, tidying up, upgrading computers etc - all those little things you don't have time to do during normal busy weeks. - Head back to work tomorrow while ruzza continues to have another 3 or so weeks of leave up his sleeve (that's hardly fair I think). - Will be counting down the next two weeks until I have a week off (starting at 5.00pm on Friday 16th January). But who's counting? - Planning to head away with ruzza for a few days travelling around Victoria, before ending up in some camping ground with a few friends for the Australia Day weekend - can't wait to go camping again, it has been waaaaaaay too long since the last adventure! So there you go - lots of news all in one entry! Perhaps it won't be quite as long between this and the next entry .. we'll see! Current Location: In the study Current Mood: chipper Tags: me me me

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October 25th, 2008

11:35 pm - Countdown ... This time in 2 weeks, I will be a married woman! Not only that .. I will have "survived" a day in a beautiful dress, and our beautiful bayside wedding reception and be working my way towards a nice few days off with the Groom-to-be (who of course by then will be The Groom)! Can't wait .. yet so much to do before then!! Current Mood: excited Tags: me me me

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June 23rd, 2008

09:22 pm - What's been happening lately? March 16th is the last time I tried this .. and it's been a while since my last LJ entry, so thought I might tackle this again. Some key things that have happened in my life lately include: * Have unpacked all my stuff (with exception of about 3 boxes) into ruzza's house * Finished up in my old job, where I worked for 6+ years, it was an incredibly sad farewell, yet I have no doubts that it was the right time * Started my new job in the CBD area of Melbourne - my job lets me work on some projects that I am so passionate about in my own life, and it's been like a breathe of fresh air to start the job * Slowed down a little with my Facebook addiction (it was bound to happen eventually) * Been twice to Tasmania to see family and friends, once for the funeral of my Grandfather (my last remaining Grandparent), once to celebrate the safe arrival of a new nephew who arrived safely (despite the odds given pre-birth) * Done a few mini bike rides around home with ruzza * Done a 20klm bike ride (just yesterday) - and survived without feeling too sore * Finished my 2005-2006 Tax Return, which sadly was a $2,800 exercise (ie I owe the Tax Office - mumble mumble) * Held an engagement party with ruzza's and my family and friends - and it was a great night! * Survived the initial onslaught of a cold Melbourne winter * Got excited about a work trip to East Timor early July * Got a little disappointed when the East Timor trip was postponed to later in the year. * Got a photographer sorted for our wedding - that's the groom, church, reception venue, photographer, and bridesmaids dresses all sorted now (with a list still a mile long of things STILL to do) * Successfully managed to delete ALL files from the "my documents" part of my hard drive - about 75% were backed up only. That'll teach me! * Picked a pattern and fabric for my wedding dress, and found a lovely lady named Pat who's offered to make it for me * Had a solid long-weekend of cooking my little heart out - made so much food it was crazy (especially as I was sick at the time)! Good to "squirrel" so that there's something in the freezer for nights when you come home late and can't be bothered cooking anything too exciting. * Caught up with 5 very old (well, long-term friends) on Facebook, and have had some amazing "on-line" catch-up conversations. That's the last 6 weeks pretty much I think. Life is good right now - apart from still shaking the remnants of a cold that hit last weekend, and still feeling a little tired - I have no real complaints right now. Current Location: Home Current Music: Ruzza's "Gordon Ramsay PC Game" - ???!!! Tags: me me me

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May 12th, 2008

08:28 pm - Thought of the month .. .. I'm contemplating giving up my LJ. I started my LJ almost 4 years ago now, and I've proven to myself over recent months / year that I'm far from committed to writing regularly in it, let alone reading the well-written, thoughtful posts of my friends. It's not that I don't have the time, I just don't seem to have the motivation. Half my friends on here are friends in real life, and I don't think many people log in thinking to themself "wonder what kafechick has been up to lately. Most know what I've been up to, most people I see from time-to-time. I have had a Facebook fascination since the latter part of 2007 that is also coming slowly to a grinding halt - is it possible that one just gets "over" using computers at work during the day and then again at home during the evening? Pondersome thoughts .. from the procrastination queen! :) Current Mood: pondersome Tags: me me me

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April 6th, 2008

10:36 pm - LJ Profiles OK, so apart from a fairly recent addition in my LJ profile to include ruzza about 6 or so months ago, I have not touched my profile since I joined LJ in September 2004. I now realise that probably 80% of it is irrelevant. Not in terms of who I was at the time I wrote it, but who I am now --> and perhaps more aptly who I am not. The time has come to re-write. This could take a while - stay tuned! Current Mood: thoughtful Tags: me me me

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March 18th, 2008

10:19 pm - My Grandfather Yesterday, my 86 year old Grandfather lost his long-term battle with illness, and passed away at 4.45pm in the company of my Mum and his wife Wendy. I was always going to spend Easter at home with the family, and will now go a day early for the funeral. It shall be a time of celebrating all the wonderful things that he did in his life, and the wonderful influence he has been on all of our lives. I would have loved to have seen him one more time, but I talked with him on the phone as recently as this past weekend, and saw him in December when I went down there, so I am not too disappointed about that. I am sure I will be sadder when surrounded by all my family and we are attending the commemoration service, but right now I am so thankful that his battle with illness, and the incredible pain that he was suffering is now over. May he forever RIP - he was my last biological Grandparent, but more importantly he was truly an amazing man!! Current Mood: sad Tags: me me me

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March 16th, 2008

12:03 am - What's been happening lately? It has been a very long time since I was on LJ last. Some key things that have happened in my life lately include: * Moved more of my stuff into ruzza's house * Bought more RAM for my laptop - amazing how much difference 4GB makes to my previous 1GB when it comes to Vista * Resigned from my current work after 6+ years in the job * Accepted a new position in the City (big cheer) which involved so many passions and projects that I can't wait to start * Slowed down a little with my Facebook addiction (it was bound to happen eventually) * Accepted the fact that my Grandfather has very little time on this earth left * Bought a push bike for the first time since I was a young girl (nice black hybrid) * Started to prepare my 2005-2006 Tax Return, which the ATO seem hell-bent on questionning me about * Half prepared the engagement party invitations * Had a haircut that is way, way different to whatever I've had before - and love it! * Kept up evening walks and the occasional bike ride with ruzza and his Mum at least 3 nights a week * Enjoyed several 35 degree celcius days in Melbourne in March, just when I thought summer was fading away! * Almost selected the Church in which ruzza and I will marry in November! That's the last month in a nutshell I reckon. It's been busy, and I'm tired. I need sleep, but I'm happy as anything!! Current Mood: tired Tags: me me me

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February 3rd, 2008

11:11 pm - Aussie Day Humour (a little belated) Last Monday (26th January) was Australia Day .. and there was this wonderful cartoon in the Newspaper on that day that I have only just got around to scanning. I LOVE Michael Leunig's way of portraying the current political debates. I so wish I had his talent! Current Mood: chipper Tags: politics

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January 26th, 2008

11:00 pm - Australia Day - Leunig style! A little few words of wisdom from one of my favourite people on this planet, to celebrate Australia Day: 26th January! I love how he can put into funny pictures what many of us would like to be able to say! I have another funny one that I found in the local newspaper today also, but I still have to scan that one - watch this space! Current Mood: cheerful Tags: politics

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January 25th, 2008

02:12 pm - Post dentist entry ... Sitting here waiting for anaesthetic to fully wear off from dentist this morning, thought I'd do a little meme! Your Ideal Relationship is Marriage You've dated enough to know what you want. And that's marriage - with the right person. You're serious about settling down some time soon. Even if you haven't met the person you want to get hitched to! What's Your Ideal Relationship? Probably a good result considering ruzza and I get married in November! :) You've Changed 72% in 10 Years Compared to who you were ten years ago, you've changed a great deal. In fact, you're probably in a completely different phase of your life - and very happy about it! How Much Have You Changed in 10 Years? This one not really surprising either .. sooooooo much has happened in the last 10 years! Current Mood: sore Tags: me me me

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January 24th, 2008

11:09 pm - Gradual decline I haven't felt very well for the last 2 days since getting back from Sydney. I finally gave in to my own inner-voice this morning and booked an appointment with the only GP practice who could see me today. It is NOT my preferred practice, in fact - it couldn't be further from it. The last time I went to this practice was in February 2002 when I was misdiagnosed with burst appendix (for 8 days!) which landed me in ICU for 21 days and hospital for 30 days, and very nearly brought about the demise of the kafechick! Even after having bitten the bullet and gone to the doctor today, I can't say that I feel much better, but I do know that I feel somewhat relieved that I'm not quite as unwell as I suspected I was. He ordered all the usual blood tests, some which require me to fast for 12 hours before, and some which I suspect are just out of interest more than of use in making a full diagnosis. That's OK by me as I'm somewhat curious too, and I'm kind of glad I found someone with a holistic approach - who didn't just want to prescribe me drugs and get me out of his office as fast as he could! It's one of the things I like very much about my own GP, who sadly just so happens to be far too busy to see me at the moment (trouble with good GP's)! It seems the problem beast is my infected tooth, which is scheduled to see the dentist tomorrow morning at 11.15am, and I know will most likely be extracted by 12noon. It actually broke in half almost 2.5 years ago now, after a chicken wing v's kafechick incident at a friend's BBQ, and has unsuccessfully been treated twice by a Dentist, with me giving up on further treatment of it about a year ago. Since then, of course, it has obviously declined further to the point of developing abscesses which have now given me other infections and a revived case of costochondritis! I think I sometimes forget how valuable my health is to me until I am not well. And when I am not well these days, I seem to crash pretty hard - which means the whole "self discovery" of how I could have prevented it, hits somewhat harder. Ironic (and somewhat ashamedly) for someone who has a medical and community health background, and currently works with people where she preaches "prevention is better than cure" on a daily basis. But I also guess I am also probably not alone there! I think I also sometimes foolishly slip back into the "I can't afford expensive dental treatment" mindset, which comes from years of having been a student on a low income and then a global nomad living in third-world countries which paid just a little bit more than a student. I must remember that I now have regular income; have savings in the bank; and have private health insurance which will help cover some of the costs (even though I STILL totally disagree with the concept of a two-tier health system .. don't get me started on that!!). I must also remember that my health is one of THE most important things that I have, and I must learn to be more proactive in this area, rather than reactive. But, the good news is that my own prognosis is that thanks to a course of antibiotics which were started at 5pm, and an appointment with the dentist tomorrow, I should be able to make a speedy recovery just in time for both birthday celebrations on Monday, and going back to work on Tuesday. The power of positive thinking!! Tomorrow though, may just be one of the longest days for some time.. especially once the anaesthetic wears off! Current Mood: nervous Tags: health

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