I love the simplicity of our weekend routines.
A trip to the shops for groceries.
Window shopping in the numerous furniture and appliance stores along Old Geelong Rd, like Store.
Checking out an OFI or display home in the area for inspiration for interior redecoration and to see what's on the market.
Reading design magazines.
Chauffeuring Beth to and from classes and sitting with her in Yamaha class.
Going to church and reconnecting with our church family. Helping the SS kids learn something new about God or do something hands-on.
Catching up on the ironing.
Lazy afternoons reading The Age or watching a video with the girls.
And the highlight of each Sunday evening: watching Merlin together.
Beth shares my passion for fantasy, romance, medieval history and myth, so we always enjoy a vigorous discussion and analysis of our favourite stories - Chronicles of Narnia, LOTR, Harry Potter...
Monday, June 22, 2009
Tuesday, June 16, 2009
Swine Flu Updates
Thanks to everyone who has written and called to ask how we are coping with the H1N1 pandemic. We are very touched by your concern and prayers.
We are all well, aside from the usual winter sniffles and coughs. Read in the local paper that our nearest A&E (Werribee Mercy Hospital) is swamped with people thinking they might have the swine flu.
Just lifted this off the Dept of Human Services website:
The Australian Government pandemic alert remains in the contain phase. Victoria is in a modified sustain phase to manage the impact of the H1N1 strain and normal seasonal flu in our community. This includes focusing efforts on vulnerable groups who are most at risk.
If you feel unwell with flu-like symptoms, please call ahead and present to your GP.
Isn't it funny how wherever you go, official-speak is the same? 'Manage the impact', 'focusing efforts', 'modified sustain phase', 'present to'...
Okay, I know that last one is GP lingo. :)
Spoke with mom a few days ago and when I told her there's none of that How To Wash Your Hands Properly or people stockpiling face masks here, she sighed and went, 'Why your gahmen like that?'
Interesting, that. The Aussie Govt has become 'my govt'.
We are all well, aside from the usual winter sniffles and coughs. Read in the local paper that our nearest A&E (Werribee Mercy Hospital) is swamped with people thinking they might have the swine flu.
Just lifted this off the Dept of Human Services website:
The Australian Government pandemic alert remains in the contain phase. Victoria is in a modified sustain phase to manage the impact of the H1N1 strain and normal seasonal flu in our community. This includes focusing efforts on vulnerable groups who are most at risk.
If you feel unwell with flu-like symptoms, please call ahead and present to your GP.
Isn't it funny how wherever you go, official-speak is the same? 'Manage the impact', 'focusing efforts', 'modified sustain phase', 'present to'...
Okay, I know that last one is GP lingo. :)
Spoke with mom a few days ago and when I told her there's none of that How To Wash Your Hands Properly or people stockpiling face masks here, she sighed and went, 'Why your gahmen like that?'
Interesting, that. The Aussie Govt has become 'my govt'.
Monday, June 08, 2009
Doing homework the Aussie way
Beth's homework last week required her to use flour to write out her list words.
Homework has never been such fun!
Homework has never been such fun!
Why the orientation of your property matters
By Chris White, Director Prosper Group - Property Advisory
At this time of year, it’s easy to see why a property’s orientation matters. The sun sits lowest in the sky around 21 June and shadows cast by the sun are at their longest.
Whether the property you’re considering is a home, investment or business premises, choosing one with the right orientation increases its energy efficiency, making it more comfortable and cost-effective to run. Good orientation reduces the need for auxiliary heating and cooling by letting winter sun in and keeping summer sun out.
The perfect orientation
The ideal orientation for living areas is 15°W-20°E of ‘solar north’ (or true north). This allows standard eave overhangs to admit winter sun to heat the building and exclude summer sun with no effort from occupants.
When is the best time to buy?
You know how the typical realtors' ad runs right?
"The best time to buy is NOW."
"There will never be a better time."
"Interest rates are at their lowest in 30 years."
Etc etc.
So this recent ad in our local Domain paper was refreshing.
According to LJ Hooker, a local realtor, the best time to buy is when you have the financial capability to do so.
What they didn't say is that it's not just about being able to buy, it's also about being able to hold on to the property long enough to see capital growth and/or positive cashflow.
Property investment is associated with a number of holding costs beyond the interest that you pay on the loan. Anyone who is planning to jump on the property bandwagon needs to know something about:
"The best time to buy is NOW."
"There will never be a better time."
"Interest rates are at their lowest in 30 years."
Etc etc.
So this recent ad in our local Domain paper was refreshing.
According to LJ Hooker, a local realtor, the best time to buy is when you have the financial capability to do so.
What they didn't say is that it's not just about being able to buy, it's also about being able to hold on to the property long enough to see capital growth and/or positive cashflow.
Property investment is associated with a number of holding costs beyond the interest that you pay on the loan. Anyone who is planning to jump on the property bandwagon needs to know something about:
- tax laws,
- depreciation,
- positive gearing vs. positive cashflow,
- the pros and cons of negative gearing,
- how to structure an investment (your name, my name, our names, a company name?),
- how to find a good tax accountant,
- how to choose the right loan product...
Friday, June 05, 2009
What Pandemic?
The number of confirmed swine flu cases in VIC is 752. (It was just 500+ yesterday!)
Notwithstanding the rising numbers, the authorities are taking a detached approach to the pandemic.
Parents I chatted with are similarly philosophical.
"No one has died right?" said one.
Good point.
Beth's school newsletter this week contained this comforting note:
"...the rules for schools and how we deal with the H1N1 Swine Flu has changed.
The Dept of Human Services advises that VIC is no longer trying to isolate and eliminate the flu.
The spread of the flu is now impossible to contain."
Try telling that to my mom!
Notwithstanding the rising numbers, the authorities are taking a detached approach to the pandemic.
Parents I chatted with are similarly philosophical.
"No one has died right?" said one.
Good point.
Beth's school newsletter this week contained this comforting note:
"...the rules for schools and how we deal with the H1N1 Swine Flu has changed.
The Dept of Human Services advises that VIC is no longer trying to isolate and eliminate the flu.
The spread of the flu is now impossible to contain."
Try telling that to my mom!
Thursday, June 04, 2009
Singapore civil servants ranked most efficient in Asia: survey
The HK-based PERC has ranked Singapore civil servants the most efficient in a survey of 12 Asian cities.
They also noted that Sg civil servants are unhelpful when things go wrong.
No surprises here.
On the other hand, the findings mean there is still plenty of opportunity for service-minded individuals to really make a difference.
The other day, I dropped by the Commonwealth Bank (the one at the Plaza) to get bank drafts for CA and me.
The customer service officer (Annette) helpfully pointed out that I would save myself $20 if I bought one draft for both of us instead of two separate ones.
When I had finished signing the paperwork, Annette asked: "Is there anything else I can help you with?"
I said no.
Annette got out from behind her counter and walked me to the teller to collect my draft. She explained to her colleague what I needed, and said 'thank you Marilyn' as she left me in the latter's capable hands.
Marilyn's first question to me was: "How are you today?"
We had the usual Aussie exchange of pleasantries while she got the draft ready. As she handed it over, she asked, "Is there anything else I can do for you today?"
A common customer service practice, you may sniff. Nothing special.
The thing is, it's not hard to issue a top-down memo to staff to implement certain best practices.
The hard part is:
How do you motivate employees to follow through with best practices daily when no one is watching, to the point that it becomes their natural response when dealing with customers?
How do you foster a culture of genuinely wanting to help your customers?
Or does the solution lie in finding and hiring people with the right attitude and aptitude for the position?
They also noted that Sg civil servants are unhelpful when things go wrong.
No surprises here.
On the other hand, the findings mean there is still plenty of opportunity for service-minded individuals to really make a difference.
The other day, I dropped by the Commonwealth Bank (the one at the Plaza) to get bank drafts for CA and me.
The customer service officer (Annette) helpfully pointed out that I would save myself $20 if I bought one draft for both of us instead of two separate ones.
When I had finished signing the paperwork, Annette asked: "Is there anything else I can help you with?"
I said no.
Annette got out from behind her counter and walked me to the teller to collect my draft. She explained to her colleague what I needed, and said 'thank you Marilyn' as she left me in the latter's capable hands.
Marilyn's first question to me was: "How are you today?"
We had the usual Aussie exchange of pleasantries while she got the draft ready. As she handed it over, she asked, "Is there anything else I can do for you today?"
A common customer service practice, you may sniff. Nothing special.
The thing is, it's not hard to issue a top-down memo to staff to implement certain best practices.
The hard part is:
How do you motivate employees to follow through with best practices daily when no one is watching, to the point that it becomes their natural response when dealing with customers?
How do you foster a culture of genuinely wanting to help your customers?
Or does the solution lie in finding and hiring people with the right attitude and aptitude for the position?
Tuesday, June 02, 2009
Garden Gossip
The gardener's just come and gone.
I always learn something new from Glenn.
Today, we chatted about what sorts of plants we could use to fill in the gaps in the mulch left by dead plants that had been removed. He suggested roses, daisies and the pandan-like plant that we've got two of, splitting those and replanting the bits in different spots. Also lilly pillies (?) and possatarium (?). (Ed: Have just been told I probably mean pittosporums. Oops!) He's making a trip to a regional wholesale nursery and offered to email us pictures so we can choose the plants we want. He gets them cheaper than if I bought from a local nursery.
I'm a total non-gardener, so to me it's like, whatever, as long as it takes care of itself! Which leaves me just drought-tolerant plants and natives I guess.
We discussed how to screen the ugly common boundary fence.
One section is falling to bits but I haven't got round to writing to my neighbour to ask if he wants to do anything about it. (Under Council regulations, the cost of replacing common fences is shared 50-50 by the affected property owners.) His property is rented out, so I am guessing he wants to spend as little as possible on improving its appearance. Screening plants would be an inexpensive and effective way to camouflage the broken timber from my side.
Another thing we might want to do is keep all the trees and plants in the backyard to the borders. This achieves a double benefit: screening the common fences and creating some semblance of order. At the moment, there are fruit trees and random other shrubs growing helter-skelter all over. Since we aren't even tending the trees, removing them would be doing ourselves a favour.
It's Blue Week. Gotta get ready for yard duty in 30 minutes!
I always learn something new from Glenn.
Today, we chatted about what sorts of plants we could use to fill in the gaps in the mulch left by dead plants that had been removed. He suggested roses, daisies and the pandan-like plant that we've got two of, splitting those and replanting the bits in different spots. Also lilly pillies (?) and possatarium (?). (Ed: Have just been told I probably mean pittosporums. Oops!) He's making a trip to a regional wholesale nursery and offered to email us pictures so we can choose the plants we want. He gets them cheaper than if I bought from a local nursery.
I'm a total non-gardener, so to me it's like, whatever, as long as it takes care of itself! Which leaves me just drought-tolerant plants and natives I guess.
We discussed how to screen the ugly common boundary fence.
One section is falling to bits but I haven't got round to writing to my neighbour to ask if he wants to do anything about it. (Under Council regulations, the cost of replacing common fences is shared 50-50 by the affected property owners.) His property is rented out, so I am guessing he wants to spend as little as possible on improving its appearance. Screening plants would be an inexpensive and effective way to camouflage the broken timber from my side.
Another thing we might want to do is keep all the trees and plants in the backyard to the borders. This achieves a double benefit: screening the common fences and creating some semblance of order. At the moment, there are fruit trees and random other shrubs growing helter-skelter all over. Since we aren't even tending the trees, removing them would be doing ourselves a favour.
It's Blue Week. Gotta get ready for yard duty in 30 minutes!
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