Julia Gillard

"It's not that I have anything against the institution of marriage, it's just the accumulation of a set of life choices that has led me to this point,'' she tells the Weekly.

"I'm not going to rule anything in or out, but I would say that any discussion about marriage would be about me and Tim, not about The Lodge, or being prime minister or elections or government, or any of those things.''

'I'm not preaching my life choices as a model for other people. It's my life, I made my choices, I don't regret my choices nor am I urging anybody to mimic them.''

Indeed. Life is full of choices, yes, there is fate and there is destiny and for the believer, there is God. At the end of the day it is the choices you made that shape your life. Your choice to be happy or sad, rich or poor, have a family or not.

"Under a vast sky" 海闊天空

Any Hong Kong people of the Generation X or Y vintage will know this song. It is the product of the heydays of 80s and 90s HK. Timeless. Thank you Anthony for letting me know this new version.

Winter in Melbourne

Whilst Auckland can be cold at times, the overnight low is not often 3 or 4 degrees. In our 5 months here so far, the highs were up to 34s in Feb, and the low last night was 3.
It was our one year anniversary the weekend just passed. It's only timely to post some photos here, kind of a time capsule I guess.

Cooking by omunni

From the famous Brunetti

Mum's sushi - felt like home

Our pre-anniversary dinner - a 5 course affair at home

Recipe from Julie Goodwin

Finishing with a fruit platter - haven't had Jack Fruit for so long!

1st Anniversary!

Vuvuzela

Ban vuvuzela. It emits up to 127 decibels and the noise is seriously deafening. I wonder what it is like if you're in the stadium.

Fines

Just like Lena Douglas, who was fined $292 for cycling past a tram on Swanston Street in central Melbourne, we have contributed a ludicrous sums of money to the the Victoria state government since we've arrived. Red lights camera, parking fines.. etc. I remember only paying 12 bucks for parking overtime on Symonds St.. well.. more recently 24 bucks in the city.. but not the $100s of dollars fine they issue around here..

David Cameron

After 4.5 years in the opposition, David Cameron, at the age of 43, is the youngest British PM in modern times. 4 years younger than Bill Clinton when he became president. What will you be doing when you're 43?

Lin Yu Chun

Listen for yourself, there is hope people!

Cherry Call

This is a UK site, but they have sisters sites in down-under too. I must say I haven't tried this yet but my neighbor did, and she said it's fantastic service.

Sounds like all you need is some free minutes on your mobile phone and you're on your way, calling overseas for free. It just get charged as a local mobile call i think. Well, for the lebara sim card my wife is using.. calling a local call is 20 cents/min, NZ call is 5cents/min.. and there aren't any free minutes that come with lebara.. so doesn't work for her.

http://www.cherrycall.co.nz/

http://www.cherrycall.com.au/

Difference

Cat and bird together, the sheer beauty of this photo lies in the fact that you can find harmony despite difference.

Start by doing what's necessary..

then what's possible, and suddenly you are doing the impossible. - Francis of Assisi

Every now and then, we all need a bit of a motivational talk.. this is from the current Monash faculty newsletter..