Swimming a little, eating a lot

Although I still have a lot of unpacking, cleaning, and redecorating to do, I'm beginning to be more organized in my daily routine. Threw away a lot of unwanted junk which has been cluttering my life. The house is starting to look like a home again!
Yup, I've reached that important point of my life. I am reassessing my priorities and starting to plan the next step ahead....at least whatever is left of life's journey.
Spending lots of time with family members, especially mum. I'm going to buy a new swimming suit and work out in the pool and gym. Learning to bake and cook from watching AFC (Asian Food Channel) on TV. Much easier than reading cookery books. And after I've mastered a few recipes, I'm gonna invite friends over for afternoon tea by my poolside.

Contemplating new interests

I attended several meetings in Japan recently. It was so fulfilling to observe scientists from 13 countries participating in the regional activities with so much enthusiasm and commitment.

Some of the participants asked me about my future plans. They urged me continue my involvement in acid deposition and the regional network activities. Another group of researchers at MRI/JMA have approached me to co-write a paper on the ASEAN climate dataset.

Shall I continue my involvement in environmental issues or shall I return to meteorology and climatology? It's a tough decision but at this moment my instincts tell me it's time to move on to new areas of interest.....like bonsai!

Three Old Friends

Imagine meeting your university mates again after an absence of 40 years! Used to flat together in North Adelaide when we were students. Life was such fun.
We're almost 60 years old now but refuse to consider ourselves old.

Springtime in Adelaide

I'm a bit busy preparing for a few meetings. Here are some random pictures taken in Adelaide in early September (springtime). It brings back memories of Sakura season in Niigata....but of course the blossoms are more beautiful in Japan. We went wine tasting in the Barrosa Valley one weekend. After visiting a couple of wineries I was pretty drunk. The bottle brush tree (with red flowers) is unique of Australia and it is in full bloom - so colourful. That's me and my daughter enjoying a meal of fish and chips by the seaside.

Life in Adelaide

I never imagined a life like this two months ago. Here I am in Rundle Mall in the heart of Adelaide city, free as a bird. I'm contented to sit on one of the benches enjoying the fresh spring breeze and watching the crowds go by - people rushing back to work and students from their university.

It still feels a bit strange to be retired. However, the days seem to pass so quickly and I find so much pleasure in doing the things that I have never found time to do before. Like shopping in Chinatown and cooking, watching TV and spending time chatting with my daughter. Hope to eventually look up my old university mates. We haven't met for almost 40 years. So much have happened in our lives since we were fresh graduates, ready to conquer the world.

Love Pattaya!

Pattaya is a tourist paradise. After the conclusion of a long and tiring meeting, Ken, Asami, Maz and I decided to pamper ourselves with a foot massage before dinner. Mmmm........very relaxing.
That's me and Ken enjoying mango rice and sweet coconut juice at the food court near the hotel.

A new phase of life

It felt a bit strange at first not having to go to work but it did not take long to adjust to this relaxed lifestyle. It is the season of the "king of fruits" - the durian.

We had a family reunion in Malacca last weekend. The children were overjoyed with the toys from Japan. The adults feasted on durians for tea and shabu-shabu with Australian wines for dinner!

Life will forever have its ups and downs. I wish to treasure the happy moments and develop the strength and courage to face difficult times.

Sayonara!

I will leave Japan at the end of this month after working 2 years in ADORC. It has been a wonderful experience for me and I shall treasure forever the memories of life in Niigata and especially the friendship of dear colleagues. We shall meet again!

Mt. Fuji...?

On 22 July 2009, this picture was taken near ARAYA river by my ADORC colleagues in Niigata.
We will only be able to see another solar eclipse on 2 September 2035, 26 years later.
Hope that we can meet again in Japan to watch the next solar eclipse together at the top of the Mt. Fuji.
See you there!