When we decided to spend two months in Bali as the first leg in our year-long sabbatical, I read as much as I could find about what to bring and what to buy when I got to Bali. The information was scarce, scattered and often dated. Hmmm. I did my best, but over-packed some items … Continue reading
The new normal
When you’re living abroad, there are things that were initially obvious to you – or even jarring – that over time become your new normal.
Here are some from living in Bali over the past couple of weeks. Continue reading
Living La Vida Local
After a week of living in Bali, I’m settling in just fine. Continue reading
Wherever I lay my head…
The expression, ‘wherever I lay my hat, that’s my home’ has never been as relevant for me as it is now. As I only wear a hat on occasion, however, I think of it more in terms of wherever I lay my head. Since we handed over the keys to our apartment on Feb 2nd, … Continue reading
Taking stock…
Ben and I have now been in my home state, Western Australia, for 3 weeks of our 4-week visit. The time has gone quickly, but we have crammed in a lot of time with family and friends, and have celebrated both of my parent’s 70th birthdays. As we are over the hump of our time … Continue reading
A Toast to…
We are currently in Western Australia, visiting family and friends for a month before we head to Bali, our first international stop on our year-long sabbatical. Although we’re still in Australia, we are getting into sabbatical mode, which means that each day we work a little (I write, Ben works for a client), we play … Continue reading
To Airbnb, or not to Airbnb…
Before Ben and I officially start our year’s sabbatical in a couple of days, we have taken a quick side trip to New Zealand, a place we have now been to four times together, and which holds a special place in our hearts. Seven out of eight nights have been booked in Airbnbs, and here’s … Continue reading
Take, Chuck or Store?
Over the past few weeks and months, Ben and I have been playing our own version of Shoot, Shag or Marry – only with our stuff. We have literally handled and considered every item we own and have asked ourselves, ‘take, chuck or store?’ That’s every darned thing. When we originally talked about taking this sabbatical, … Continue reading
Beautiful Chaos
Last time it was about details, drowning in them, to be more specific. While I am still up to my chin in the minutiae of departing the country for a year, I have found myself in another not-particularly-comfortable predicament: I’m surrounded by chaos. Our usually orderly home is a study in disarray. There are boxes … Continue reading
New Year’s Absolutions 2018
Every year I like to write a list of things I absolve myself from doing, no matter how good they may be for my mind/body/soul/relationships/success/wallet, and so on. This year I absolve myself of the following: Eating spaghetti squash as ‘pasta’ While I am all for substituting healthier foods for less-healthy foods, like Greek yoghurt … Continue reading
