SOLVIL ET TITUS

I am writing this at the hospital next to dad. He is kinda watching TV or dozing off to sleep. Mum and sis are not here yet. I am missing yet another BSF class this evening where my wife is (at the girls group) right now.

I gave dad a SOLVIL ET TITUS watch more than 10 years ago and he gave me a very similar one (same brand, similar look, gold face instead of white, etc) a couple of years after that (of course out of several that he has bought for me over the years).

The steel watchband used to be too long so I took out a few "blocks" or "links" (not sure what you call them). I am the kind of person who puts away his best stuff and not use them untli much later (or never as it turns out for some)...

Anyway, my very old (Citizen) watch's battery died. So, I thought I would put a new battery in the SOLVIL ET TITUS and give it some use before the dead battery inside (yep, it also had a flat battery inside) leaked. The bracelet is now too short but was bearable. A couple of months has passed and summer has arrived, it has become too tight and uncomfortable to wear (I am sure I haven't put on weight).

Thank God that mum found the "blocks" I took out so I put a couple back in. Now it is a bit loose but it is really good. Just got to be careful not to scratch the camera or lens with it and vice versa. Very happy about it. Thanks dad. :)

Couldn't find any good link to SOLVIL ET TITUS. If you know of one, please let me know. Thanks!

PS, my Citizen watch, while not a Eco-Drive Chronograph** type, it served me many years and still going strong if not for the flat battery. It is accurate and reliable.

**Citizen Eco-Drive Chronograph

Simple things in life

My wife is a great cook. We were in a rush this evening. But that is no challenge to my wife. Albeit having very limited ingredients in the fridge, she whipped together a simple but fantastic dinner.

Teriyaki Chicken wings and drumsticks, rocket leaves amongst other leaves, baby tomato, sweet corn infused with a secret sauce. All made in less than 30 minutes and I gobbled everything down in a flash. It (my manners) was not a pretty sight and wife doesn't think I can fully enjoy it at that speed. However, hours later, the taste and fragrance still lingers in my mouth and nostrils. Yum!

BTW, this is the new ice-cream we tried out today - Connoisseur Chocolate Brownie Temptation. I like my ice-cream rock hard hence the frost on the container. It is rich dark chocolate with chunks of chocolate brownie nestled throughout. To top it off, it was on discount at Coles supermarket! :)

Wicked Chocolate

Fräus Crêpes & Chocolat

Had breakfast with wife and a much loved friend of ours, Esther, at Fräus Crêpes & Chocolat, North Melbourne.

It has an extensive collection of sweet and savoury crepes, cakes, drinks and wine; including a range of gluten-free galettes.

We had a Vegie Galette, Chocolate Strawberry and Banana Crepe, and a Chocolate Pear Crepe. They were all delicious, especially the Vegie Galette! Chocolate (drink) was very rich, too. Felt somewhat guilty for having so much chocolate for breakfast... but it was really yummy!

We chose to dine at the court yard at the back. The weather was just nice and there are a few old vines which made the place very homey, warm and beautiful.

Highly recommended! A++++ (looks like ebay feedback. LOL. :D)

Yes, Today!

There is nothing like today and now. Don't put things off. It is Yes and Today.

I am very thankful to God that we found a nursing home for dad today and he no longer stays at the hospital. Thank God that dad has a single room for the time being. Thank God that the hospital fee has been waived. Thank you Mariel, Sammi, Pei Pei, Barbara, Susan and Carmen that I have come to know in one short day, who look after my dad. Thank you very much. You guys are wonderful. Frosty is very cute.

There may be more battles ahead. But God is faithful and He watches over us. I need to perserve and keeping my eyes on the one who is invisible - God (Hebrews 11:27). He can be trusted, He has proven that so many times.

Lamentations 3:22-23, "Because of the LORD's great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness."

Philippians 4:6,7, "Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things."

Friendship & Generosity

Thank you so much Andrew and Dharshi for the lovely quiche and baked pasta. They are both pleasing to the eyes as they are to the stomach. Well done for your achievements to date. All the best to your plans. Thank you for your love. We love you too and wish every good thing for you. So wonderful to have good caring friends around.

Proverbs 11:24 "One man gives freely, yet gains even more; another withholds unduly, but comes to poverty. A generous man will prosper; he who refreshes others will himself be refreshed."

OK, below are the quiche and the baked pasta. I love the cheese on the baked pasta and the herbs on top of that. The sauce is so tasty. So yummy! Only pinched a little of the quiche so far... need to give it a proper test run tomorrow over lunch. I can't wait! :O...

~ Baked Pasta ~

~ Quiche ~

[2009-03-05] OK, been eating both the quiche and the baked pasta through the week. They are fantastic! Love the pepper on top and the pastry of the quiche is so nice and crunchy, even when I put it in the microwave. Hey Andrew, you are talented! I will blame you if I put on weight! Thank you very much bro.

Where did February go?

Sorry if you follow this blog because you must have become incrediably bored waiting for updates. The last post was on the 3rd about a photo shoot last month. So, what am I up to? What have I been doing in the whole month? Did I go on holiday? Was I ill? Was I inundated with work? Well, there were several things, and to sum them up, busyness with work and my dad has been in hospital basically since the Australia Day (26th Jan).

Many of you would know, on the 7th February, Victoria has experienced its worst bush fire in history in what is known as the "Black Saturday". Over 200 people lost their lives and I indirectly know at least two of them. I would have loved to take pictures of the amazingly beautiful (colourful) sky when it was covered with smoke or haze. But then, personally, I didn't feel right to enjoy the sky in such tragic time so I didn't take any picture... No offense to those who did.

Anyway, had a couple of photo assignments on Thursday. Firstly for NAB, then again for the Manningham city council for the Healthy Lifestyle Week Launch and the Retirement Expo Launch. Yeah, all on the same day. So I picked up my camera again after an unusually long break (thank God the batteries kept their charge well)... Yesteday (Friday), I took a few more pics just nearby. Here they are..

If a photographer's work reflects his mood or what is in his heart/head... What message do these pics convey to you? Saddness? Depression? A sense of lost? It is a fairly dark footpath, winding, and no hint where it leads to... Well, the end of the road is actually an amazing sunset, full of colours and vegetation (and houses - family - people), full of hope, power and life. It is rich and beautiful. Can you picture it? :)

Melbourne Weekly Eastern A Celebration of the Nation

I am going to be a copy-cat this time. Just noticed one of my pics in the local Magazine - Melbourne Weekly Eastern (Feb 3-9 aka week 5 2009 Volume 3). Below is the pic and the article. :)

"There were flags and barbecues, music and citizenship ceremonies across the nation last Monday in celebration of Australia Day. In Manningham, 63 people became Australian citizens and many more enjoyed the festivities on offer at the council offices in Doncaster. Mayor Charles Pick (second from the left) and councillor Fred Chuah (right) were on hand to announce Manningham's Citizen of the Year and Young Citizen of the Year. Heather Ambrose (left) was named Citizen of the Year for her work with Manningham U3A, and Eve Ember (second from right) was handed the Young Citizen of the Year for her outstanding achievements in tae kwon do, at school and as a teacher of martial art."

Manningham Council, thank you very much for giving me the opportunity to serve you. Looking forward to serving you again.

Congratulations Heather and Eve for your excellent achievement!

Visit here for more information about Manningham U3A or if you want to help or sign-up to a course. Heather is the Volunteer Coordinator and she teaches Psychology there.