A year in Brisbane
Last week marked the end of my first year “back” in Brisbane. When I returned to the city I’d lived in for the best part of…
Slithering into the Year of the Snake
In Chinese astrology, we are entering the Year of the Snake. I’m not a Snake, I’m a Dog. But living in Australia has brought me more…
Passport to memories
My new passport has arrived. It’s stiff and clean and shiny. It’s my sixth passport, and suddenly I feel like I’ve never been anywhere before! As…
Gifts, giving and gratitude
As we battle with last-minute gift-giving dilemmas, and curse roundly as we circle the shopping centre car park in a seemingly interminable search for an elusive…
An empty place at the table
Christmas can be the loneliest, saddest time of year for some people. They may not even be alone, but there may be that sense of loneliness…
My Christmas card list
It’s the middle of December, and so far I’ve only received one Christmas card. From my mother. And somehow, I won’t be surprised if it’s the…
Confessions of a rookie race-goer
What is it that makes a city stand still for four minutes? If you live in Australia, chances are you know the answer. It is, of…
Hair today…
Shelley is giving me a lesson in blow-drying my hair. I tell her I just normally blast it and it looks fine. She asks about what…
Sailing: the art of slow travel
A turtle pops its head up as I glance across the water. As quickly, it is gone again…but I know there’ll be another along sometime, for…
Winking at the moon
There was a lot of “do you remember where you were?” talk this week, with the death of astronaut Neil Armstrong bringing back memories for those…
A Glass Half Full 