personal

Europe Trip: Ireland

I’m finally back from my four-week holiday in Ireland, Scotland and Italy. Since I can’t go back in time, blogging is the next-best way to relive the trip.

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The Last Fishing Trip

Fishing with my Dad is a line of memories that runs back all the way to my childhood. I didn’t have a deep relationship with him as an adult and we weren’t in the habit of having real heart-to-heart conversations, so time spent together on an activity like fishing was our bonding time. There were long gaps where we wouldn’t go fishing for years, but in the past few months I was lucky to share a few trips with Dad, including what turned out to be the very last one.

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A British Shorthair Named Charlie

Charlie’s been my housemate for a few months now, and it’s hard to imagine that I ever lived in my apartment without a cat and a couch that wasn’t shredded. After our old family cat passed away, I was wondering if I’d ever get attached to another pet as strongly, but nope he’s my little treasure alright.

Here are some random facts and observations about Charlie:

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I did Myers-Briggs personality test

Apparently I’m an INTJ. You of course have to take this sort of thing with a grain of salt, but overall I found the description pretty accurate.

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Bali

Last time I went to Bali I was so determined to have a purely relaxing holiday I deliberately left my big camera at home and didn’t bother about photos. Though this recent week was also mostly about relaxing and pampering (hot stone massage, mmmm) I did take some shots of a few beautiful places we visited.

Bali Botanic Garden, a green oasis of calm

Bali Botanic Garden

Bamboo grove… now that’s proper Neighbours-Be-Gone hedge

Lake Beratan

Local market

View on the rice fields from our hotel in Ubud

Ubud Monkey Forest

Macaw at the Antonio Blanco Museum

Antonio Blanco Museum – the roof

No idea what the deal is here, but it’s a striking sight

Temptation – a drabble

A short humorous drabble I wrote a while ago.

“Go on then, have a bite,” said the Serpent.

Eve looked down at the fruit. Contrary to the popular paintings, it was a tangerine.

“Come on, don’t you want to be kicked out? An eternity of raw food and this moron for company?” The Serpent pointed at Adam, who scratched himself as he struggled to name a horsey creature with a single horn in its forehead. His beard was caked with the remains of last night’s meal. He hadn’t said thank you for dinner, then or ever.

Eve glanced at Adam, sighed, and began to peel the tangerine.

Sydney – Vivid Festival

Sydney is always great to visit, and this time I got to attend the annual Vivid Festival, when Sydney is illuminated by some amazing light shows. We were also lucky to catch the Archibald Prize portrait exhibition at the Art Gallery of New South Wales, spend some time at the Manly Beach, and enjoy some great food. I tried non-alcoholic beer for the first time, which was surprisingly nice (real beer still gets a no from me though).