Now & Then

We returned to the Banyan Tree in Bintan for our 25th wedding anniversary. We had spent part of our honeymoon there all those years ago. 

It was really wonderful to go back, you couldn't help but reminisce as the location triggered a lot of memories that I don't think I would have remembered otherwise. The small insignificant ones, kooky and funny things we did or saw.

The photos 25 years ago were on a camera with film, so it was also interesting how few photos I took back then, or at least how few were good enough to make the album, compared to now, as I madly snap at anything that takes my fancy, always with my phone handy, if not my camera!

You can never go back, nor should you try but return visits are magical as it triggers memories of tiny details that would be lost. It was so worthwhile coming back, and I recommend return visits if possible - not for a re-enactment but the immersive recollection (also highlighting how things have changed, and how you have changed).

25 years doesn't feel like a long time, and in one way it isn't and in others it is. Seeing the change, and lack of change as well as the immersive trip down memory lane was such a wonderful way to celebrate all that happened since.

Linking with #TravelTuesday #MCoW #WednesdayAroundtheWorld

Anzac Day

April 25th is Anzac Day, the national day of Remembrance in Australia for those who served and died in all wars and conflicts (or peace keeping missions).

The Ode to Remembrance, which is part of all services on Anzac day is part of a poem called For the Fallen, written by Laurence Binyon in 1914. The English poet worked as a medical orderly with the Red Cross on the Western Front. The poem was published in the newspaper in September, which shows you how much death & horror Binyon had seen in the first month of war. (WWI started July 28). For some reason that makes it all the more sadder to me. 

Lest we forget.

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#Allseasons linky runs from Thursday to Wednesday each week.

Link one post that shows something seasonal. Traditional weather wise, a seasonal nature marker or a seasonal celebration. 

Make sure you link back to this  #AllSeasons post. 

Please comment on the post before yours and the host. Don't dump and run

 

You are invited to the Inlinkz link party!

Click here to enter

Fly away

This is on one of the neighbourhood power boxes. Very beautiful work. It's a pretyy busy road so I couldn't get t the angle I needed to be (in the middle of the road) to get the shot straight...(or my brain is crooked, which I'm begining to wonder as often my shots need to be straightened!)

Anyway, I'm flying away for a bit, back around the 25th April. #Allseasons will return then.

Enjoy the holidays. Drive safely (and slowly, double demerits).

See you in a few weeks.

Will be on Insta here. 

Linking with #WWOT

“We project to others the image of ourselves that we believe and carry in our own minds. With humble pride think well of yourself and others will do the same.” -Cloudia Charters, Comfort Spiral

 A friend of mine is getting married. She’s had rough years of marriage breakdown and rebuilding a life as a single parent. She’s now met a lovely man and they are cementing a life together. She recently made a comment about losing weight before the wedding.

It got me wondering, how do we as mature women, having lived a full life and embarked on a menopausal journey, still be reduced to this? I am not immune. I was listening to a book on menopause for another post and while my symptoms are manageable, I did start to wonder if I should take HRT to shed the pounds that have decided at this stage of life to suddenly live around my middle. I did shake that idea away but I will admit I pondered it longer than I’m proud of.

Why do we still rarely see wrinkles in movies or a size 14 on tv? Why are all our achievements eclipsed by a few pounds in the ‘wrong’ places?

We are meant to be the guiding lights for our daughters, but I find I’m learning so much more from the younger generations than those that came before me.

I was at the Sumo when the host made a joke that was deemed a ‘fat’ joke and the audience quickly turned, making it clear it was unacceptable. The MC hastily back-peddled and I was a little proud at how far we have come in this mentality, at least when it comes to others. Or is it just when it comes to men?

I am exercising more and trying to eat more cautiously but most of all it’s my thought processes I’m trying to work on. I’ve been experimenting and whenever I wear a dress I think I’m a little too out of shape for, I almost always get a compliment from a stranger. 

Even at this ripe old age, what I see in the mirror is distorted by the beauty standards of my youth. Intellectually I understand this but over-riding the critical vision is much harder.

My question – who put it in there and why is it so hard to update?

As for my friend, I told her to enjoy the dress and she will look wonderful. Confidence is like make-up that covers up our flaws…

(This was a guest post written for & originally posted on #WWWhimsy)

Linking with #HappyNow #TheRandom TrafficJamReboot #WowonWednesday #ConfidentTwosday

Being watched...

I went back to the laneway with the Mows in it while in Melbourne. They are still there though a little altered. I'm not sure why the good art gets scribbled on but for some reason it does. I felt I was being watched and then looked down and saw this:

My favourite was this one - pleasing to the eye and my humour. And out of reach of the talentless defacers.

While this wasn't art, I feel it should be. Warding off intruders, both the artists and the birds.

Linking with #WWOAT #WordlessWednesday

Ten Thousand Suns - Sydney Biennale at Chau Chak Wing Museum

The Sydney Biennale is spread around town, and one of the free gallery space where it is located is the Chau Chak Wing Museum. This little museum in Sydney Uni holds a great collection of antiquities but also space to host the visiting art collection. 

Entry is free (as always). 

Well worth a visit if you haven't been before.

Linking with #ThruMyLens 

Housekeeping: #Allseasons link up will return 25th April. I am out & about for school holidays and travelling. Instagram will be where I'm at.

March (lack of) Reading

I've really struggled to read anything at all this month. I hope to rectify that in the weeks off next month. So super short post this month.

The Confidential Agent - unlike The Quiet American and Honorary Consul, this book lacks the murky ethical discomfort that I had reading those books. It's easy and entertaining. Would recommend the other two books over this one.

Love Stories. I'm not loving this the way everyone else does. It's interesting and has some really great bits in it but I'm labouring through it. I think part of the problem is I'm listening to it and I might be doing better if I was reading it. Again, I'd recommend Boy Swallows Universe over this (however, the rest of the world loves this book so maybe just ignore me).

What have you been reading? Can you inspire me?

Linking with #SeniorSalonPitstop #WowOnWednesday #SundaySalon #MonthlyBookworms #Bookdate