Little Wandering Wren …. chats!

I really admire people who have a passion,  follow their dreams, and  push  themselves outside their comfort zone.   Take Helen Bronte Boyd. We first met when our kids were at the Australian International School, Hong Kong. Mum of three lively boys and fellow Bookclub lover, she has just had her opening night as Artist in Residence at Instinc Art Space, Singapore.   I daren't really try to compare notes. Whilst I have been flitting around the world, enjoying a myriad of countries and time zones, Helen has been solidly exploring her artist passions. She is now firmly out there as a creative entrepreneur with a flourishing Hong Kong art business.   I have reconnected with Helen recently as fellow Instagram lover through her HeART project, you can read the post here .   Fast forward ten years from my Hong Kong days, I caught up with Helen for a cuppa, to ask how the Dickens did you end up here in Singapore as an Interna...

Today Australian and New Zealand communities all over the world join together  for ANZAC Day. In 2015 we joined the ANZAC DAY dawn service at Kranji War Cemetery. Two years later to the day we find ourselves back in Singapore. Today is a work day and not a holiday here so I am reposting as I join in saying 'Lest we forget' Our service was held at the Kranji War Memorial Cemetery, Singapore,  hosted by the Australian and New Zealand High Commissioners. We weren't alone, we left our hotel at 5.30am,  and arrive in a steady convoy of taxis,  it's way too early for the trains! We walk in silence. The 4,500 gravestones at Kranji,  emerge from the shadows in silent observation of events. Once there, it is a well organised, dignified affair. Public to the left and right, official guests and dignitaries, straight up the middle. The Anzac Day dawn service is the same the world over; a military order, school children and scouts, na...

So what would you do when your husband comes home from work with a question?  "Singapore or Bangkok, do you have a preference?!" a. Respond with an empathic "not on your Nelly, I love living in Melbourne!" b. Ask for a look-see to make an informed decision. c. Whoop, whoop around the kitchen dancing to the tunes of "Happy' and/or "I will survive" So here I am living in the world's most liveable city, Melbourne, with the most amazing (and part-time work) in the rewarding not-for-profit sector being asked to make a life changing decision... What would you say?

Today we joined Australian and New Zealand communities  all over the world  for an ANZAC Day dawn service. Our service was held at the Kranji War Memorial Cemetery, Singapore,  hosted by the Australian and New Zealand High Commissioners. We weren't alone, we left our hotel at 5.30am,  and arrive in a steady convoy of taxis,  it's way too early for the trains! We walk in silence. The 4,500 gravestones at Kranji,  emerge from the shadows in silent observation of events. Once there, it is a well organised, dignified affair. Public to the left and right, official guests and dignitaries, straight up the middle. The Anzac Day dawn service is the same the world over; a military order, school children and scouts, national anthems, wreath layers from all walks of life and usually a slightly dodgy bugler or bagpipe players, and despite the former, a haunting last post. Followed by an uplifting Gunfire Breakfast. ...

Happy Easter to you, for those who are celebrating! We are currently in Penang, Malaysia on a weeks family holiday. We had some Malaysia Airlines airmiles due to expire, and so took the opportunity for a quick trip to Kuala Lumpur.... With two kids now at University, we really enjoy these last family holidays altogether... especially having only just regrouped back in Australia after having kids studying last year in India and the UK. It seems like only yesterday that they were all very little and our Easter would always include lots of chocolate and of course the Easter Bunny and a massive Easter Egg hunt... It is about this time of year that we recall one Easter in 2006 spent with family friends in China. We were in Yangshou, Guangxi Province, China and took a stroll after breakfast around the wet market that had appeared outside our hotel. The market was alive with all sorts of weird and wonderful fruits and veggies as well as chickens and rabbits. We had an unfortunate experience w...