Autumn Chill

While almost the whole world is stirring up for summer, Australia is gearing up for winter. Yes, the Land Down Under have the opposite weather to most countries. Whilst just about everybody is used to having a cold Christmas, the Aussies have that special holiday in the middle of summer!

It is autumn right now, though it only started getting chilly this week. But one of the nice thing living here in Queensland (known to be the Sunshine State) is that you only get those frigid temperature from early in the morning and towards late in the afternoon till midnight. It is sort of bearable in the middle of the day; not hot but not cold either. However, you can get about a week or two of really freezing condition all throughout the day. And, it doesn't snow here in Queensland. The known snowy areas here in Australia are the Snowy Mountains in New South Wales, some towns of Victoria and the really cold State of Tasmania.

Some parts of those above-mentioned states are having early winter snow that started this week!

Bbrrr!!!

Gorgeously . . .

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I ♥ IKEA

I have always liked/loved IKEA. The moment I discovered it in Taipei, I came to love home furnitures and accessories. I also frequent another home furnishing store there called HOLA. Taiwan had a lot of shops like that. I just cannot remember much of it, though Good Housekeeping somehow rings a bell.

Anyways, being in IKEA got me started with home furnishings. But sad to say, B doesn't really like IKEA. We have never purchased anything big there, just small things like kitchen or bedroom knick knacks. He said furnitures there are good but not that much on quality.

When we moved to Dubai, IKEA was there too! It had been in Deira City Center for years before they moved to a bigger and nicer place which is at Festival City.

I love IKEA's unique and innovative ideas in setting up a home. They make the best out of a cramped space and turn it into a useful one. They have samples of small bedrooms or lounge rooms plus kitchen. So if you are living in a condo with not that much of a space, you can get different concepts from IKEA. Most of their stuff are in a kit for a do-it-yourself thing. They have good kitchen designs that will fit whatever size your house have.

I knew that there is an IKEA here in Brisbane but we just never got around to finding it. Last Sunday, we were looking for Home Centres to get some ornaments. We drove to Logan and found IKEA! I was so excited! But the place was packed! There was like a procession going on because the people were walking so slow, obviously because everyone is checking on what the store have. The Husband said that going there on a weekend was a bad idea. You can't have a good look because of the crowd. So we went back yesterday. There was still a bit of a crowd but not as bad like last time. But B and I were disappointed that IKEA here in Brisbane doesn't have much to offer. We were looking for things to fill the little boy's bedroom but what they have were more of baby stuff. Oh well.

I got my iPhone to take photos because it's kinda embarrassing whipping my camera out. I got the following pics as discreetly as I can. It isn't that good but you can somehow see what the place is about. B stopped me in the middle of my session. Bugger!

So here they are . . .







These are IKEA's good set-up for a kiddie bedroom . . .





Gorgeously . . .

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Awards! Awards! Awards!

I am so fortunate to have been in the list as a loving friend gives out an award. She has been doling out accolades all the time. Thank you so much my dearest Lynn! I am so pleased!





So what do I do with it? of course, share it! These are for all of you, my good blogging friends!

Gorgeously . . .

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B's Tree Planting Project

I still haven't uploaded the pics from our trip so I can't make a post about it yet. I do not have that much luxury of time because B and I always go out during the day and comes home to get the little one from school.

B is semi-retired since his last working stint in Latvia. Semi-retired in a way that he do some consultancy work every now and then. He loves his free time the first few months out of work. He did not regret resigning from his former job. I think he got out before the world's financial economy started collapsing, that somehow affected the company he used to work for.

B enjoyed doing things in the house. He had a lot of things done here and liked exchanging stories/ideas to the men working. Now that everything is finished, B is having a hard time finding things to do. He cannot just stop and do nothing. His mind is always running a hundred miles an hour. He needs to have something to do. That boredom leads him to tree planting.

We drove around everywhere looking for his perfect plants. I was surprised that plants are quite pricey. Nurseries here are good business. The plants that we got range from AU$20 - AU$100 each. But they look good and B wanted it, so I'm not complaining.

These ones will somehow serve to be the hedge in a few years.


These 4 are his palms.


These 2 are placed near our front door.


While this is my chosen one. I liked it the first time I saw it on the nursery. It looks good in the corner where it is.

The little one lend a hand in planting some of those. I didn't get pics while they were at it because laziness took over me. B planted about 20 more plants near our retaining wall but I did not get photos of it. I just sat in our pergola watching them. I know, lazy, lazy me!

While B was planting those, he remembered that the local council is giving everyone free 8 plants once a year. All you need to do is show your recent (paid) Rates Notice and there goes your free plants. So we head down to the nearest Council Nursery and got the plants. Something for free, why not?!!!



As you can see, they have a wide variety of plants to choose from. Good, hey?!


These are the 8 plants that we got and where B placed them. He got the native bush plants. He wants that area to be the Aussie bush.

We may not be that Earth-friendly fanatic, but in our own way like this tree planting; I know we are somehow contributing something good to Mother Earth.

Gorgeously . . .

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ANZAC Day

It is ANZAC Day here in Australia and in New Zealand. ANZAC stands for Australian and New Zealand Army Corps. They were the brave men and women of these 2 countries who fought at Gallipoli in Turkey during the World War I.

ANZAC is commemorated with ceremonies of remembrance. If we, Filipinos have our National Heroes Day every last Monday of August; the Aussies and Kiwis have theirs every 25th of April.

Just a bit of 411 . . . There were Filipinos sent here in Australia and participated during the war. B and I heard an old lady being interviewed over the radio; and she was talking about her experience during that time. She mentioned about a camp set out across the Brisbane River that were occupied by Filipino soldiers. She did not expound on that further. Good to know though.

This is the ANZAC Square War Memorial in Brisbane.



Kaiden's school is participating on a parade today. Students are encouraged to attend wearing medals of family members who served for the country. I would love for the little one to take part in it wearing his Poppy's medals who fought during the World War II. It would be an honor watching my Father-in-Law seeing Kaiden with them but unfortunately, those medals were in the possession of B's older brother.

Kaiden's Poppy is here with us today. He came up for a visit. I asked him why he is not partaking in any of the ceremonies being held. He said that he got tired of it and would not know anybody. Most of his comrades were from New South Wales and Victoria. He also said that he doesn't want to recollect that war. He had spent a long time being there and was glad it was over.

If anyone started talking about the war with my Father-in-Law (I call him Pop), you'll never hear the end of it! I have had my share of endless war talks! Pop had a good time talking to my Dad about it, when my parents came over before. When he learned that my father is a retired military, that started it.

Anyways, I just want to share with you one of Australia's national public holiday.

Gorgeously . . .

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Rich In Awards

The ever Dashing Carlota welcomed me back in the blogosphere with awards! This is about a month late so I am posting it now. Thanks again, dear lady!







I am passing this to everyone! Please feel free to grab it anytime!

Gorgeously . . .

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Hervey Bay and Underwater World

We're back! We went to Hervey Bay last week. But before I do a post about that, let me share with you the trip we had there before; while my youngest sis, Sheila was still here . . .

We went on an out-of-town trip for about a week at Hervey Bay, during the first week of December last year. It's a looong way, at about 4 hours drive from Brisbane. I've been there before, during my first trip here in Australia. B loves it there and he wanted to show it to Sheila.

We did not book for any accommodation so we drove along the Esplanade looking for a place to stay for the duration of our trip. We found a Bali-inspired resort which we liked so much. Got to talk to the owners who have stayed in Manila for years. The guy even worked at the building that B used to managed. Small world, hey!

My little one just adored the sun, the sand and the beach! He would have stayed out there all day all night! It was the middle of summer and he doesn't give a care how hot it was! All he cared about was playing in the sand!

While my son is having a time of his life, my sister was being a camera whore! Click here, click there! No point in showing the pics here, it's all her! LOL!

Anyways, Hervey Bay takes pride in being the Whale Watch Capital of the World. Tourism there prospers during summer, obviously because of the beach; but thrives during winter because that's when the humpback whales arrives. Tours and accommodation gets booked out even a year ahead, because of whale watching. We got there late for the season so we did not get to go on those whale watching tours. But we all enjoyed the beach so much! It's just so far to go to all the time.



As we were driving home from Hervey Bay, I saw Underwater World signs and asked B to go there so Sheila can compare it to Manila's Ocean Park. Like Australia Zoo, Underwater World is also in the Sunshine Coast, particularly in Mooloolaba. Entrance fee is AU$28.50 for Adult and AU$18.00 for Child.






This is a nice and very educational place for kids to start learning about different sea creatures.



Underwater World have this program where you can go inside that humongous water tank and be just inches away from those scary looking sharks, stingrays and other fishes! We watched as a group of people slowly got in. There was this one gigantic shark who kept on circling at a particular guy. People from the outside, where we were can't help but laugh seeing the poor guy just froze standing there! Someone was saying that he could be peeing there for all we know! The shark just kept on moving close to him! I wouldn't wanna be on his shoes or anybody inside there, because just one wrong or misinterpreted move might trigger those sharks to do what they do! Although they say that those beings are always well fed, you still can never tell.



Kaiden loved being on the conveyor looking up at those amazing sharks, stingrays and other kinds of fish. He went on it several times, running, tapping the glass.




We were all tired after a very long week, but being in the Underwater World was a nice way to end our out-of-town trip!

Gorgeously . . .

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Back On, But Going On A Holiday

Our internet connection went back to its normal speed yesterday. I was not able to post anything because my whole day was almost spent in bed. I had such a terrible headache that I can't do anything; though I try to, because I've got the little one. Every movement makes me feel woozy and any noise triggers a throbbing headache. B tries to make me go to bed each time I get up. Having a long shower somehow helped.

I woke up not feeling that great today, but it wasn't as bad as yesterday. I have to get going today because Kaiden will be attending a classmate's Birthday Party. B don't want to go so I have to. We haven't got a present yet so we rushed to get one. We arrived half an hour late! The kids were already starting the games. I just sat in one corner and waited till the party is over.

I forgot to mention that it is Kaiden's school holiday since last Friday till Monday next week. We have planned to go away this whole week but B was just finishing some things on his end. And it has been raining here for the past days. There's no point in going away but be stuck inside the hotel room because of a lousy weather. Good thing the sun is up and we're hoping it stays that way. So we will go on a vacation somewhere for a few days.

See you till then!

Gorgeously . . .

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Draggy Internet Connection

Our network has been playing up since last Saturday night. The speed seemed to have gone down to dial-up. It's just so slow! It takes me minutes just to load up any homepage. Even trying to post this took me like forever!

I tried hooking up with the WiFi's in the neighborhood, but I get a weak reception.

I don't think I can do my regular hop to your blogs. So pardon me for being a no-show in the coming days, till B fix our crappy connection.

I'll miss my daily routine!

Gorgeously . . .

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An Easter Greeting

Gorgeously . . .

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A Black Saturday Thought

"1 cross + 3 nails = 4GIVEN"

photo source

Gorgeously . . .

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Kaiden's Grandparents Day

25 March 2009 / Wednesday
KAIDEN: Mummy, I have to fly to the Philippines to get GrandDad and Lala for my Grandparents Day! (The little boy is beaming with excitement!)

ME: That's nice, Baby! But GrandDad and Lala (that's what he calls my Mum!) cannot just fly over here like that. Maybe some other time.

KAIDEN: OH! (Showing a sad and very disappointed face)

KAIDEN: What about Poppy?!!!

ME: Poppy is too old, Baby.

KAIDEN: I can help him walk with his walking stick.

ME: That's sweet. We'll see . . .

08 April 2009 / Wednesday
Kaiden's whole class and the rest of the other 2 sections of Preschool were gathered at their classrooms' front lawn. Kaiden saw us and waved.



The children performed an action song about Jesus. Then each class went to their respective classrooms with their Grandparents/Parents.




Most of Kaiden's classmates have their Grandparents with them, though some have their Parents, like us. The children just did activities with whoever came for them. Then everyone was given Easter Eggs to end the day.

We got a mail from the school that Wednesday morning. It was some sort of Kaiden's behavior during the 1st Term.


B and I were happy about it. We laughed about the little boy's resistance with being distracted by others. He can easily be distracted. Kaiden tells me that he sometimes get to be in the Blue Zone (that's their Class' Time Out mat if they have been naughty) because his friends keeps on talking to him. Well, that's kids for you.

Gorgeously . . .

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A Walk In The Park

Well, it's more of a drive in the park. There are 2 parks in the neighbourhood we're living in, but the ones at Springfield Lakes are way bigger and better; so that's where I took my little one. It was just a 5 minutes drive.



This is the massive man-made lake that greets you as you enter Springfield Lakes.


And this is the playground . . .




Kaiden loved how he got the whole place all to himself. He had a lot of fun playing. And of course, Mummy get to be the little boy's playmate! Yes, I had a go on the slide and on the web-looking thingy! It was fun; brought out the kid in me! LOL!

I live for moments like this, a great bonding time for a Mother and Son. I love seeing simple joy through my child's eyes!

Gorgeously . . .

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Another Go At Toscani's!

Yes, we went to Toscani's again! But this time, for dinner. It was about 1730H when we were done with our groceries and B wanted to have dinner. We both don't feel like eating at the Food Court so the next choice was at Toscani's. And B was craving for steak, like the one I had for lunch the other day.

So Toscani's it is!



As usual, our charming son went straight to the Play Area.


Kaiden had nuggets and chips.


B had the steak I had the other day.


And I've got the same as well! At least I did not get to have it on 2 consecutive meals! It was so delicious and worth coming back for more! I don't normally eat veggies, but their carrots and scalloped potatoes are so good.


Everything there was great, except for the long wait. Even though there were only 3 tables being served, the food took so long.

I guess it is obvious what I used to take the pics. 3 times in a row now! Notably, the iPhone get to have more function for me, other than just to make/receive calls and sms!

Gorgeously . . .

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