The long run

Finally clicked over the 30 km mark. Prior to signing up for this event the furthest I'd ever run was 21 km. It's all relative where 20 km feels like a non-event. Roughly 2 hours (for me), but with this week's run of 34 kms, it took me just under 4 hours. That's a long time to be out running. Aside from actually running that long, the other challenge is finding long enough routes.

Have found some decent routes in excess of 30 kms in Sydney, Hong Kong, and Singapore. The challenge with Singapore and Hong Kong is that during this time of the year, it gets hot, quick. So even starting at 6 am, but the time you've wrapped up it's almost 10 am and it's warm. 

Year of the Snake

It's nice having something to look forward to. Despite only being back a month earlier, I was excited to returning to Sydney once again. Namely, seeing family, seeing friends, catching up on sleep and hopefully experience a little more of the amazing summer. Thankful that my job isn't that important where I need to co-ordinate leave with other members of the team, and to date haven't had major push back to any of my scheduled annual leave. I return to Sydney with a large suitcase full of snacks. The flight back has me carrying a near-empty suitcase.

The 9 days, as expected went by rather fast. A 100 day celebration, Australia Day BBQ, 40th Birthday, 39th Birthday. Chinese New Year, long run, more Chinese New Year all featuring a healthy amount of eating. It was also an excuse to renew my passport. Which expires in July, but actually is really only valid up to 6 months prior to the expiry. Note, express passport, via Rapid + 2 day processing 712 AUD. Processed on the same day, pick up in Central. Not cheap, but not bad.

Left the house hold with non urgent whooping cough scare. Back to Hong Kong.

Sydney

MBL. Mandatory Block Leave. 10 days where an employee is forced to be out of the office and removed from operations. The idea being that the employee is forced to take a break, and from a risk management and compliance perspective, removes any single point of failure from operations. It's been a while since I've been "forced" to take 10 days of annual leave from work. Sydney would be the destination. Christmas and end of year would be the occasion. 

Jam, jam, jam. Quite a busy time of the year. Catching up with people, health check ups, errands. Blessed with an amazing summer, although there were some stinkers (read 40 degrees).

Long weekend in Sydney

 

Year of the something Dragon

I have come to terms with not having any annual leave, I really have. With the four day long weekend I headed off to Sydney. It's funny to talk to people from Sydney, and they hear that I fly back every couple of months "Don't you get tired?" yet when you talk to people in Hong Kong, they don't even bat an eyelid. Sure, I'm a little tired when I arrive in Sydney and promptly send myself to bed for a couple of hours. I have figured out how to maximise my sleep, it requires and isle seat in the middle section (although I have been re-thinking this stratagem), an eye mask, ear plugs and a neck rest. This formula, not always, but for the most part does ensure some level of sleep before waking in either Hong Kong or Sydney.

2024 is the year of the Wooden Dragon. Chinese New Year, family time, however this year's CNY would be slightly different. Meeting her whole family. The previous sentence isn't short for any reason other that emphasis. I had met her sister and some of her nephews but this was the whole family, siblings, in-laws and parents. Meeting her whole family. There were some nerves, but quietly, I was given a lay-up. Gifts were pre-prepared, heads -up on attire, games for the kids. It would take a monumental stuff up to make a bad impression. Sorry not interesting end to the story other that it all went well. Gung Hei Fat Choy!

Christmas

I really wish I had more photos of this four day trip. It was such a good trip, and all I have are hazy memories. Here's what I remember. I arrived back in Sydney on the 23rd of December. We had a room booked in the city, as it was one of, if not my closest friend's (not a) wedding reception. The (not a) wedding dinner was held at the Eight, and it was so good to see everybody, the USYD group, to UTS group. We ended up at a cocktail bar and bar crawled until around 2 am before wrapping the evening up with a kebab.

T'was the night before Christmas. 25th, another friend "I didn't want to steal his thunder, but I'm engaged".  More excellent news. Headed down to Sutherland for the Ng Christmas Dinner. So good seeing all the relos, who for the first time were introduced to "the girl" who managed to show up looking like a "drowned rat". Nervous times meeting the family, for me? No, for her? No, maybe for the family. I got a Spurtle for Christmas.

Christmas Day, another lunch in Blakehurst and dinner in Earlwood. Boxing day, breakfast with Mon, followed by Yumcha with the Chans. A very wholesome weekend, feeling full of love.

 

Mom's 70th!

Back in Sydney for a couple of days. Making the most of the long weekend trips. Getting used to these short trips. Got to try to make more of an effort with Birthdays, there's only a finite number left!

 

Sydney

 Long weekend in Sydney. Birthdays and visitors

Sydney

The dream is over! Managed to sneak five days back in Sydney. Fair relaxed scheduled back home until waiting for Cardiologist report. "I would suggest you don't fly and wait until you can speak with the Cardiologist next week" 

Sydney

I had initially planned to work remotely, or from the office, but have since been told just to take the time off. So I have extended this to two weeks. Very enjoyable trip back, not having to work with a new job lined up is such a nice feeling. Managed to do some running along Cook's River, coastal hike in the Royal National Park, tour of the North, home cooked food, training with Jimmy and caught up with relos and university friends. Oh, and convinced the parents to do some travel!

As a first, en route back to Hong Kong, we were told that given the poor weather conditions the aircraft was not able to land in Hong Kong, so we have been diverted to Shenzhen. 3 hours later and we're back in Hong Kong. Time to head into the office.