The mind is a terrible thing to taste ...

And also ~~~~

John and I celebrated 11 years together on Apr 21. Still together, very happy ~ 

Was wonderful dinner out and general yumminess <3

The mind is a terrible thing to taste ...

Well it is now May 2022. Where does the time go?

I know I don't post here often, but I should post more. A lot has happened since the tale end of last year.

I have been diagnosed with several serious issues and will no longer be able to work. The good news is that I was accepted by the NDIS and by the disability pension here fairly quickly, so needing to find work is no longer an issue. A great weight lifted for sure ~

I have been blessed with wonderful care workers who have been so very good to me. I am also involved in hydrotherapy which very much helps with pain issues, and with music therapy which has really helped my overall morale and well-being. Very soon I will have the opportunity to participate in our community radio station here through Team Music Care - looking very much forward to that!

This last week has been spent attempting to get over a virus (not COVID-19) which has devolved into pneumonia, and so sadly, I have had to miss the disability event I had worked towards for the last 2 months. Have been so breathless I would not be able to make the journey down there - I am so proud of all the TMC people that are there and wish them all well in their singing and playing :)

Hopefully this next week will see me better and I can go back to my routine - very much looking forward to all going back to normal. Lots of hot soup, hot coffee, pain meds, huge antibiotics and steroids - fun times LoL

I will try to post an update soon! :)

The mind is a terrible thing to taste ...

Well now it is 2021 - We all made it! 

So now, Covid is still happening, although not front row center in Australia as it is many other places.

We have an outbreak once in a while - usually when someone escapes from quarantine, but we have, as a country, been exremely fortunate.

I am very proud to have a new US President in Joe Biden - I do not envy him this very difficult task of trying to fix everything Trump has broken but I know between he and Ms Harris, we are in good hands.

We are mostly retired now - happens when you get older, and enjoying our time resting and doing things we never got to do when we were working.

Still adding to this adventure of a life we have ~ yay! :)

The mind is a terrible thing to taste ...

Update - I did become an Australian citizen  a couple of months ago and very happy and relieved at the same time! Proud to be Aussie! :)

Australian Citizenship and Covid19

The mind is a terrible thing to taste ...

Well, my Australian journey is culminating in citizenship. I was invited to take my test back in March, which I passed %100 -- So HAPPY! :)

Well, then a couple of weeks later or thereabouts, Covid19 hit. Australia effectively shut down. The authorities here have done an absolutely marvelous job of containing the virus, but it meant that things like citizenship ceremonies are on hold since most government offices are still closed with the exception of social services.

On a good note, the 12 month cut-off to attend a ceremony has been waived so I wait for them to start up again. Hopefully that will be soon as things are now beginning to open back up after a couple of months - within this next month we should be getting back to normal - at least I am hoping so.

We have continued to work thru this pandemic as parcel couriers are now considered to be essential workers since most people have to stay at home and self -isolate. We have actually been crazy-busy as people are ordering tons of things online while they are at home. As  businesses begin to re-open, we have slowed a bit, but still going pretty strong.

I am thankful, we have been very fortunate, and my prayers are with those who lost their jobs an business because of this.

Peace ¬¬¬¬ :)

The mind is a terrible thing to taste ...

I have to say - Australia has the best fireworks shows of anywhere I have lived ~ I hope all of you have had an awesome and safe New Year's Eve, and wish you an even better and happy 2016! :)

My fellow US expats:

Please do pay attention to your IRS filing requirements. Your deadline is in January ~

I don't want to see anyone lose their US passport, and effectively, their rights to travel or move back to the US.

If you owe over $10k USD, starting in February, this could be a reality. This bill has passed in Congress.

Things are getting serious so please make sure your are good with the IRS ~

http://www.emirates247.com/news/deadline-alert-report-foreign-income-or-lose-your-us-passport-2015-12-26-1.615107
The mind is a terrible thing to taste ...