Category Archives: Lifestyle

The Power of Pasta

Posted on 11 June 2014 by sheg4184

  “Life is a combination of magic and pasta.” ~ Federico Fellini, Italian film producer I love that quote. As an Anglo-Australian, pasta was never a significant part of my culinary upbringing – we were more of a meat and … Continue reading →

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Manila International Schools: part II

Posted on 30 May 2014 by sheg4184

Continuing to explore international schools in Manila, I have met some truly inspiring educators in surprising corners of Manila… The Australian International School (AIS) ‘Like a seed, in every child lies the promise of a fruitful tomorrow’ ~ E.P. Esteban, … Continue reading →

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Mad About Malls

Posted on 24 May 2014 by sheg4184

Bill Bryson once wrote “Where once we created civilizations, now we create shopping malls.” Nowhere is this more apparent than in Metro Manila, where new shopping malls seem to pop up daily, and like the Once-ler they ‘are figuring on … Continue reading →

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Just Another Manic Monday at TNK

Posted on 18 April 2014 by sheg4184

Another Monday morning in Manila, and a group of regular volunteers is en route to Tulay Ng Kabataan, a home for street kids, armed with crafts and books and merienda.  We arrive to the usual excited welcomes and so many kids … Continue reading →

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Shanghai Nights

Posted on 29 March 2014 by sheg4184

Tickets had sold out before Christmas – an unprecedented occurence even for an event as popular as the ANZA Ball, and it was obvious on the night that everyone had high expectations of a great evening’s entertainment. As usual, everyone … Continue reading →

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Being Australian

Posted on 31 January 2014 by sheg4184

Australia’s national Day is January 26th. It is also the same day that the First Fleet landed in Australia in 1788, holds laden with convicted felons, to establish a penal colony far from the rectitude of upper class Britons. Perhaps … Continue reading →

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A Ritual of Renewal

Posted on 2 January 2014 by sheg4184

“When the old year gives way to the new, we are emotionally manic.” I can’t even remember where I read this, but after a truly manic year, full of travel and drama, we decided that we would welcome in the … Continue reading →

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In the Spirit of Christmas

Posted on 3 December 2013 by sheg4184

Welsh poet Dylan Thomas wrote ‘it always snowed at Christmas.’ Maybe this was the case in northern Europe, but not in the Antipodes, where the seasons are upside down, and Christmas arrives in the height of summer.  In Australia there … Continue reading →

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Simple Pleasures

Posted on 3 December 2013 by sheg4184

“Wine is one of the most civilized things in the world and one of the most natural things of the world that has been brought to the greatest perfection, and it offers a greater range for enjoyment and appreciation than, … Continue reading →

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Growing Pains…

Posted on 27 November 2013 by sheg4184

Every parent has buckets full of stories to tell about funny moments with their children: quirky conversations, mispronunciations, misunderstandings, that make us shriek with laughter and race to share the latest tale with friends and family. My mother collects anecdotes … Continue reading →

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