Our House is Just Too Small

There's only my partner and I (plus our dog mimi and cat Alley) and we live in a three bedroom townhouse in Cabramatta.

You would think that would be more than enough space. Alas no.

Due to my partner being an avid reader as well as doing his PhD for the next three years, we have 10 book cases full of, er books. There's countless books in boxes in our garage, which is now too full to garage our car.

He's had to get a filing cabinet to keep track of his PhD research, which was delivered this week... and lo and behold, we can not find anywhere to put it. We tried his room, then the landing upstairs - we can't get to the bathroom, and finally settled on our bedroom... not the best arrangement, but at least it fits.

Next week another 2 bookcases are coming... god knows where we'll fit it all!

WHERE I LIVE

I work in Artarmon, in the north shore. Work seems to be getting more and more frantic lately meaning many early mornings and some late nights and the occasional weekend.

In good traffic, it’s an hour drive, when things are bad it could take two hours – each way. Some of my kind work friends (and there are many because I’m particularly blessed) have asked if I’ve thought about moving closer to work or at least to the City.

It’s not like I haven’t moved out of the Cabra ghetto, I’ve lived just about everywhere in Sydney; as far west as Penrith, Lane Cove in the North, Paddington, Kensignton, Darlinghurst and Surry Hills in the east and Newtown and Enmore in the inner west – and even York Street in the heart of the City. I have never been one to plan out my life or where I live much, it seems like I moved out of home early and kept moving.

I must admit when I get up at 5am during dark winter mornings, I have thought about moving away from Cabra. It seems just about anywhere would be closer to work.

But then I think of the things I’d have to give up, the Saturday 6am ritual of buying hot knot rolls for breakfast from my favourite bread shop in Canley Heights.

Chatting to the old women who make Vietnamese desserts and cured pork at home to sell them illegally on John Street on the weekends. Sometimes our casual conversation is abruptly ends as they quickly pack their wares into a trolley and sprint away, with the speed of someone half their age, from an approaching Council Officer. Admiring their resilience, because they’d be back once the Council Officer is gone.

And speaking of food, of course how could I leave all the delicious food from all around the world which is literally outside my door step?

Then there’s the homeless guy that sits on Railway Parade between Canley Vale and Cabramatta. He has a shock of mangled Asian jet black hair, a beard that was long but patchy and starting to grey. His skin dark and uneven, his eyes bloodshot but necessarily alert. Last Christmas Day I made a point of finding him to give a Christmas plate which had freshly sliced ham, buttered bread, mango and cherries. He politely refused but asked for $10. As I walked away clutching the plate, I saw him fished out some old fried rice which someone had chucked in the bin.

I’d miss seeing the old men on the mall, their eyes cloudy and weary but their voices and gestures loud and strong, reading the paper or just watching the world go by. They dress up in their finest slacks, shirt and obligatory loose grey or brown jacket… but they’re not doing anything special. They’re happy though because they are part of a community, I know it because I see their smiling, wrinkled faces.

I still get swept up with the local drama of Cabramatta – which restaurant is doing well, who’s son has just graduated as a doctor, who’s daughter is now a pharmacist. Even saucier still, who’s divorcing, who’s put on weight, who’s lost weight, who’s lost too much at the pokies and who’s had plastic surgery.

There’s something about this community that seems to have seeped into every part of me. Like a slow drug it runs through my vein and I can’t imagine my life before that. Now, I can’t imagine a life outside Cabramatta.

Thang Talk Blog at Fairfield Advance Newspaper

NEW HAIRDO

My hair has been short for very practical reasons, I save time by not having to worry about how to do my hair.

But the past few weeks have been hectic, and have not had time to get a trim, in short it was looking abit worse for wear - untidy around the edges. And then eventually, it wouldn't stand up anymore and I've had to do a part, complete with fringe... harkens me back to a decade ago.

At the first opportunity, on Wed this week, I got it cut at a Korean place in the city. I don't know what she did to it, but for the whole evening, I felt totally glamorous (see pic). But of course, I can't seem to reproduce that film star hair on my own.

From the practical to complete vanity!

HARVEST THANKSGIVING

Went to New Church, Roseville this morning for their annual harvest thanksgiving service. I think the idea's pretty big in Europe as a thank you for the abundant blessings at the end of the harvest.

Rev Julian Duckworth and his wonderful (and very hardworking) wife, Ruth and their volunteers decorated the whole church with fruit and vegetables, apples, pears, grapes, watermelon, corn, carrots, potatoes.... We packed them up after the service and it came to over 10 boxes - these were then given to charity - Mission Australia, I think.

The whole concept is just wonderful and a great reminder of how good we have it, and that sometimes we should think of the less fortunate.

The other good thing was that the children were exposed to the idea of giving and thinking of less fortunate people. A great idea!

I took this pic on my phone.

Monday Night Meditation

For a year now, Walter has been conducting a meditation session on Monday each month, at the Sweedenborg Centre, North Ryde. It's called Monday Meditation.

I promised him I'd get a little website going so people would know more about it. I always enjoy the session because I'm so much calmer, clearer and settled after just one hour.

While an hour sounds long, we do several "bite size" meditation. My particular favourite is the walking mediation.

The group started out with just a few of us, but we had a packed house in February!

MCC Good Shepherd Out West

For over a year, we've been going tho MCC in Granville. It's a wonderful welcoming place for everyone, not just gays.

In fact, Teddy is a case in point. She makes sure you know she's straight, but that she loves coming here because everyone is so welcoming and lovely.

And Teddy doesn't come on her own, each week she's perched on the front row with her two dogs Timmy and Bella, the two white cute doggies, the grey one is a dog she's minding for a friend.

Walter Mason: public speaker

I was so proud of Walter when he delivered a talk on spirituality in Vietnam at MCC Good Shepherd in Granville.

The talk was based on his three month research late last year and is a sneak peak from his up coming book to be released through an Allen & Unwin imprint.

MY FLOWERS - THE JOYS OF GETTING OLDER

Is that I spend more time in the garden to plant, tend and watch the plants grow. You know you're getting more responsible when your plants don't die within a few weeks of planting.

I have shared with you my obsession with getting my frangipani to flower, then my banana plant, my jasmine. I'm glad to say they are all doing well.

I've also started a sort of herb phase, with mint, basil and chilli. I think they will survive.

But today's post is about the flowers in my garden, frangipani in bloom, fragrant jasmine and my latest addition, strelitzia.

They all happen to be in bloom together, see pics. In another week they'll be joined by the gardenias... and it all co-incides with spring.