A Trip to a Filipino Store in Sydney, Australia

It’s hard to be away from the place you have lived majority of your life. Kris and I were born in the Philippines where we finished our studies before starting a new life in New Zealand then moved to Australia. Along with the new adventures come some challenges in adopting to a new culture, tradition and food as well.

Craving Filipino dishes on special occasions such as birthdays and Christmas is not easy. Most of the time we have to learn how to cook and bake from scratch since it’s difficult to find a shop that sells these traditional meals and sweets. We do find ways to get them as it’s not only the taste that we want but also the experience and the memories that come back to us every time we have a bite.

Good thing we have Filipino Stores around Australia that bring home closer to us by selling familiar ingredients and goods. Kris and I were so glad to discover this particular Filipino Store in Sydney where we found most of the food and groceries that we crave for.

We hope that this post could help our fellow kababayans who are looking for a filipino grocery shop where you could also dine in and enjoy their delicious meals. Enjoy!

Come and visit them at 211 Marrickville Road, Marrickville NSW or follow and like their Facebook Page @ Filo Pride by clicking HERE!

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When birds are better at doing Social Distancing

Kris and I have potted plants and flowers in our tiny balcony where birds do come and visit once in a while. We sometimes put our leftover fruits and give them to the passing birds to feed. In Australia, Lorikeet birds are everywhere. They are adored for their vibrant colours and and beauty. This particular Lorikeet frequently visits us ever since when we offered it water and bird food during the hot summer when there were bushfires around country. It is such a joy to have them around especially in this challenging season of isolation and social distancing.

Speaking of social distancing, this has been imposed in most counties around the world to stop the spread of this deadly virus. I think some birds are way ahead compared to some us in practicing this. And here’s a video to prove my point:

I think when you are being kind and mindful to these tiny beings, they remember your deed and now they keep coming back. Getting visits from them every now and then is very entertaining. Sometimes I reflect and envy their freedom. We humans are kept at home while they are free to fly wherever they want to go.

I guess this is an important reminder that we are all a part of the circle of life. No matter how small, big, or whatever kind of living being, we all live in the same planet and we all have part to play that could make an impact to everyone.

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Here’s the full video if you are keen to watch:

Taking Yourself Out For Coffee

Last Friday , Kris was at work and I was on my day off. I went to our favourite Cafe to enjoy a good cup of coffee.

I felt guilty going there alone and not waiting for Kris to be free so we can have coffee together. I really love my husband’s company that going there alone is a bit weird. I stopped myself from thinking that way and said out loud that going out on solo is not an entirely bad idea.

I placed my phone on silent mode and placed it inside my bag. I opened my journal and started writing in my thoughts and think about my life and our life together. It has been 6 months since we have moved to Australia. Moving on with our lives meant leaving but not forgetting our past. New Zealand will always be home to us but we are meant to move forward and continue with our adventure. It felt good to know that each chapter of our lives is authored by God and that there are no mistakes in His book as long as we walk according to His will.

We can easily become busy in our jobs and in social media that we sometimes forget to pause, reflect and meditate.

Life can become a routine at times. It can be tiring but giving yourself a break to observe everything happening around you from a different perspective can give you a fresh start. It can also be a powerful opportunity to be reminded of God’s never ending faithfulness in our lives.

I believe that having your “me time” is not selfish but rather a special of way giving yourself that kindness and love so you can have the capacity to be kind and loving to those important to you.

How about you? How do you spend time alone to recharge?

Australia is literally on fire!

Yesterday, I asked someone how was their New Year and have they spent it at home. She said they lost their house by the fire and have to live on a camper van with a sick child. For a moment I was speechless and the only word that came from my mouth was ” Sorry”. I felt the pain in an instant. It felt surreal. That encounter made me reflect on the lives and properties lost by the bushfires.

Australia has been battling the worst bushfires ever that has claimed the lives of thousands of animals, killed residents and firefighters, burnt houses and farms leaving a number of people without their homes to stay this new year.

I have seen news updates in facebook, television news. I have seen a weird looking brown sky and a sun looking like a giant orange fireball reflecting the large fires happening around New South Wales.

Kris and I just moved to Australia last year and haven’t experienced summer in this country yet. We’ve heard that it can really get super hot as 45 degrees.

Why do bushfires happen in Australia?

There are plenty of reasons but the topmost one I could think of (and have heard) is the extremely hot weather. Australia is about as big as United States of America but majority of the land is dry and uninhabited. Fires in dried grasslands may start naturally by lightning strikes. Australia has also got lots of Eucalyptus trees (that provide food for the Koalas) that can be a very good source of oil and can burn fast. The wind may cause the fires to spread quickly in any direction.

There is no way we can stop bushfires from happening but a lot of people think it has gotten worse than ever.

Does global climate change have to do with this?

I think it has created a significant difference to what we are experiencing right now. Not only in Australia but in Amazon and Indonesia. It’s all over the world.

What can we do to help?

Here is a link that provides direct help to the families and communities affected. You can donate online and can make a difference wherever you are.

https://www.rfs.nsw.gov.au

For those living in dry areas please spare a bucket of water as a refreshment for our wild animals.

Thanks for your help everyone. Remember to say a prayer for our brave firefighters, people battling the fires in the frontline, families, koalas, kangaroos and the wildlife.

Much love from the land down under.

Kris and Aileen