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 ...

Holidays and the New Year ~

The mind is a terrible thing to taste ...

I want to wish everyone out there a safe and prosperous New Year ~ :)

Older Workers in Queensland Being Ignored ~

The mind is a terrible thing to taste ~~~~

 Although I have been searching for work for over three years, have found that I seem to be too old to get a job. I am not surprised, it is the same in the US as well.

My partner owns a courier route, so I have been helping him with that. It's a rather large and busy route, so I save on any costs for extra help during really busy times like now during the Christmas season.

I am still hoping to get a job, however after 3 years, I do not expect I will find one. The world has moved on, it seems, and now wants younger people, despite Australian qualifications, and much experience in several areas. I rarely receive even turn-down emails any more, I now don't hear anything at all from my online applications.



A bit disheartening to say the least, especially when I keep hearing employers here talking about not being able to find good employees.

If you cannot find good young people that you can rely on, please consider us older folks. Lots of us out here need a job too, and we are reliable, dependable, and most of us are honest and hard-working. You are missing out on a whole set of folks who WANT to work!

Please don't discount us just because we graduated High School a bit earlier than you ~