Towering 10

 Recently I was featured as an Alumni of University of Technology, Sydney.  As my wife, son and daughter had all completed multiple degrees at this institution -- it was somewhat embarrassing for me having only completed a Postgraduate Software Engineering diploma.


The article was called 'Towering 10', and yes I can be described as 'tall' when I lived in Japan; but by this definition it was unusual company for me !

towering 

1. very tall; lofty

2. outstanding, as in importance or stature

3. (prenominal) very intense a towering rage

http://www.alumni.uts.edu.au/tower/002-a10/index.html

Abla's - food from the heart

We ventured down to Elgin Street to an institution named Abhla's -- has been around for 30 years and while there were many awards on the walls, this was not a place you came for the decor.  The service was bright and friendly, and they asked us would we like to start?  where there any dietary requirements etc

Then the degustation begins........the Mezze dips (wow - the Babaganous with texture and smoky flavours were amazing. Abla Amad the grand old lady herself started walking around and welcoming you into what then felt for a moment her home.  Ladies Fingers, Vine Leaves, Hummus, Falafel, Makaneek,  Kibbee, Tabouleh, her famous Chicken Almond Rice, Coffee and Baklawa.   The food goes on and on.

By the time you are ready to leave you realise that your car is parked too close and you need much more time to walk off this meal.  If I had to put this into words you feel like a well-fed Lebanese Prince and Princess.

Amazing.........and now I understand why you can't get a table and need to plan in advance.

Life...Unpacking......Belongings....and our Kids visit

Life in Melbourne is good....we have been unpacking 380 boxes that have finally arrived. The apartment is finally taking shape.  Fortunately most of these items have arrived in one piece, except for some few damaged items.

A great lesson in life is that 'material' items really don't matter that much.  We now have an apartment full of 'material' pieces, these are all nice belongings and it is good to see these again after nearly 5 months.

But, in the end the greatest joy we have is that in Melbourne our contact with our kids through proximity and their visits has been the most rewarding part of being back in Australia.  Mum is undergoing some treatments for a Tumor in her bladder, while that is not great news, however she is not in any discomfort.

We saw Mum at Easter in Sydney and when I tell her that we now live in Melbourne, I can sense her anxiety levels are much lower.  While she has dementia and probably at best a 5 minute memory, in the past she remembers that I am living overseas somewhere and that I'm sure makes her more uneasy.

It is great to be home - Life is indeed very good !