fuchsia fragments

By no means was it the best wedding I've ever been to - not even the best January wedding I've been to and I've been to many January weddings! In fact, the days leading up to yesterday's celebrations were filled with a bit of anxiousness and trepidation.  And not only because I was in charge of the cake and bombonieres but also because I've been disconnected with many of the people who would be at the wedding for many years.

I guess I shouldn't have felt so silly. It was fine however it kind of reminds me of where we were 6 or 7 years ago. Approach with caution. It was the first wedding where there were square tables. And it was also the first reception wedding where I went for drinks between the ceremony and reception and stayed and partied on till the end. I think I really enjoyed that.

The cake turned out amazing and tasted amazing (I could see it was still so moist) despite Mother Nature trying to sabotage the whole process the week leading up. Three full days of 35+ degrees and > 85% humidity wasn't exactly cake decorating weather. Thanks again to Chau who came in and saved the day. Would probably have jumped off a bridge without her.

Think it all went off without a hitch. The church was in a very bad location though - on Oxford St with no parking in the vicinity due to the one day cricket! I was very lucky to not get booked in a 1P spot! Could see the rangers circling and we headed back towards the car. So I am guessing I was off the hook by mere minutes. The parking at Walsh Bay in contract was much easier which was a good thing.

An enjoyable day and the rain clouds stayed in the heavens!

Right - so 11 days into the new year and I finally have somethings I want to jot down.

Firstly, my goals have changed. I've spent the past two years really solidly working on my business - slowly but steadily. I was not getting a ton of orders but there were peaks and I was really enjoying it. I like spending time on my own in the kitchen and just tuning the world out while I bake. It was great especially when you're given a task that you haven't done before and in the end, you manage to do it. Really fulfilling.

In the last year months, and even more closely, this past weekend, I've also realised that I try to do too much at the expense of other things. I've spent around 30 hours this weekend (not kidding) in the kitchen for cakes and prepping for a wedding. It's exhausting. Even now, I've taken a day off whilst it is 30 degrees outside and smoldering in the kitchen. I've hidden away to the darkness that is my bedroom, shades down and looking for some quiet comfort.

I'm moving to Tokyo in a few weeks and I am really looking forward to it. The end game to this step is a promotion and to focus on my career goals. With that comes even more time away from baking. It's not a hard equation: would I throw away my (pretty) stable career for one that's just budding, waiting by my laptop or phone for a new order to come in? Not likely. Not in this decade...

So as I was baking my nth tray of macarons in the evening last night, I sort of wondered if I'd be willing to come back to all this: giving up weekends at a time. I know I don't do it for the money for there's no money to be made really on this lower end of the scale. It's more the enjoyment and giving happiness to others. Maybe I will cut back? Or maybe I will rethink my strategy? What will I turn down? What is easy and achievable?

I look at what I wanted to do in 2015 - more cake classes and things related to baking. But even wanting to do that, I didn't find the time. It's almost like saying to those acquaintances, border line friends yes we'll catch up, let's do it. And you never do. And in all honesty, you probably never will.

2016 is easy: career goals + savings + travel + seeing my friends in other parts of the world.

Here's to a new year.

I really don't have anything to say that comes to mind...

One month away from home really isn't such a long time. It's the equivalent of a longer holiday and it many respects, a lot of the things can kind of just be 'put on hold' for a few days longer until you are home.

And during this time away I haven't felt bored yet. I still have so much of Tokyo that I can see and easily get to and spend time around. One thing is for sure: I haven't really experienced much of the Tokyo nightlife (since I'm really not that kind of person... on my own anyway) and after walking around shopping centres or tourist attractions for 7 or 8 hours straight, you're kind of tired by the time the evening rolls around.

It's hard to believe that I've already spent 3 weeks here. I've tried to do some things that the locals do  - still hard considering most of my colleagues do not live within Tokyo - and I've also done a number of touristy things. It's kind of obvious when you're at a tourist attraction. You don't hear much Japanese. In fact, its lots of mainland Chinese thrown in with the odd English phrase or two. I hear more American accents than Australian. I've managed to be at a couple of locations where there was some festival: Tokyo Dog Festival day yesterday for example. Pampered pooches everywhere but no matter how dolled up they look, I firmly believe that Nessie & Maxxie have a much happier life with a garden, real walks (not being pushed around in a stroller), real friends and real parks to see.

I've done a lot of shopping. And even more window shopping but I should probably assess the space in my suitcase before I go out this last weekend for last minute purchases. I think I have also done more shopping for others than for myself.

I've even managed to find a better supermarket and places where I will probably stock up on necessities when I come back. Toyko is not a cheap city and when you think about it, the subway for that matter is not cheap. 200 Yen or so for a 10 minute ride a few stations and if you are hopping on and off it a few times a day, that is easily over 1,000 Yen in transport fees. Of course, a taxi is even more expensive...

I've felt very safe here. I think I felt a slight tremor on Saturday evening in my building (wasn't sure if it was the washing machine though) as there was an earthquake off the south coast of Japan - very far from Tokyo. It kind of just highlights the need to be aware I guess. You can't very well live in fear.

I am definitely looking forward to some warmer weather although it has been very mild albeit wet. And Christmas BBQs and new year drinks. And I also am dreaming about Hawaii... I wonder when will be the next time we meet oh beautiful island(s).

It's Remembrance Day back home. And apparently here, there is something called National Pocky Day. Say what?

Halfway here and halfway home and I can safely that time has flown. Learning to take the small wins and to take every win for what it is because the culture here is so different. I'm not experiencing a culture shock and so many people said I would but I have embraced this with both eyes open and without judgement. Perhaps it is the forewarning that I received that I am not surprised.

Things are slow here. And vastly different. It's a genuine surprise when I run into the odd one or two familiar faces from home.

My mommy came to visit this week after visiting HK. We did a day trip and lots of shopping (window shopping). She agrees that everything is a lot more expensive that the previous times we'd been here. Prices have risen sharply (their consumption tax has gone up 3%) and our dollar's buying power is weaker. That makes things significantly more expensive. The two things that we consider affordable in Australia: Meat and Fruit/Veg are ridiculously overpriced here. We paid almost 600 Yen the other night for 5 chicken wings and for the same price in Australia, we could get 3 whole kg! Similarly, fruit is sold by the piece here and you are probably looking at 400 or 500 yen for an apple or a pear (they are noticeably ginormous though).

We also had to buy another suitcase (LOL). We always seem to be doing this with the exception of Hawaii earlier this year where my sister and I were totally prepared. Suitcase inside a suitcase plus a Country Road bag each for the win. To be fair, there are a few that are old and we should look at throwing out. And digressing, I would love to own my own suitcase collection - we just have a few that are either just too small or just too big. Each to their own but I want my own hand carry and suitcase (needless to say, preferably a brand-y one...).

Then onto my handbag search. I'm going to do it. I even asked my aunt before my mum left HK if it was cheaper to get there and it's not. It is cheaper in Japan by about A$400...  yeah! Now to get paid so I can buy. Huge month of spending and whilst I am excited that December (and Christmas and New Years is coming), I am really not looking forward to getting back to my Sydney office. One crisis at a time... the more I observe, the more that I feel I'm a minority in Gen Y. What has happened to taking accountability and responsibility? And pride in one's work. And here's a good one: how about using your own brain instead of always asking someone else?!