2012: Happy Australia Day!

26 January, 2012 (WST)

Happy Australia Day!!

Starting the day with coffee and bircher muesli followed by beach and drinks enjoyed with friends, and then whatever the day brings (barbie anyone?). Oh yeah, and eventually fireworks :)

Australia is (in my opinion) the best country in the world— I'm pretty damn lucky, because I get to live in it. Every day I'm humbled by how amazing this country is, and by all of you, fellow Australians (Aussie Aussie Aussie! Oi! Oi! Oi!), that make Australia what it is.

Australia: I love you.

With that said, I'm off to enjoy a scortching 41°C (106°F) day in gorgeous Perth.

2012: Planning "Snowmageddon"

24 January, 2012 (WST)

I have started planning the 2012/13 holiday season. We're calling it "Snowmageddon" and it promises to be an adventure throughput Japan's snow regions over a couple of weeks either in 2012 or early 2013. We might even celebrate New Years there...

If anyone has experience in the region or suggestions, get in touch!

Early days yet, so watch for updates.

Nine months since moving

15 April, 2011 (WST)

On a whim just under a year ago I decided to move house. Earlier that day I had come up with the idea of walking to work. This single change would save over 1 hour each work day, provided I could get to/from work in under 15 minutes. With approximately 220 working days a year, that equates to saving just over 9 days of my life per year!

I set out to satisfy my only criteria: walk to work in less than 15 minutes. In moment of excitement I visited the local real estate agency and asked to see their closest rental— yes I could have inquired online, but in my irrational exuberance going in person seemed faster. The universe smiled back; there was an apartment less than 10 minutes walk away from the office.

The unit had been recently renovated bestowing it with gas cooking (tick), gorgeous stainless steel kitchen (tick), polished concrete flooring (somwhat unique, bonus tick!), an overall thoroughly modern feel (tick)— and I could afford it! Applying on the spot, I found out that afternoon where I'd be living for at least the next 12 months. Side note: going in person to the real estate agency turned out to be much faster.

Living in one of the nicest suburbs in Perth has been fun, interesting, and at times enlightening. Some of the positives:

• Made some amazing new friends :)
• Significantly less driving
• Walking distance to work.... best. thing. ever.
• All day-to-day ammenities (groceries, pharmacy etc.) within walking distance
• Fantastic public transport (train and bus)
• Close to many of Perth's top beaches (Cottesloe, Swanbourne etc.)
• Bonus: Successful and pretty people everywhere