The Rise of Rooftop Bars – Why I Can’t Get Enough of Sky-High Sips
In the last week I visited two new rooftop bars. One because its birthday month and doing something different on your special day is definitely Joie de vivre and the second,well, we don’t need an excuse for a midweek beverage other than for a girlfriend catchup and connect. With the many bars on offer around this beautiful city, why does the prospect of sitting outside in the fresh air, above the commuters on the ground watching the sunset make me want to push everyone aside as I run for the elevator?
Published : Sylvia Jimenez
21 observations why you should go to Kyoto
In the spirit of Japan’s famously meticulous order, I figured the best way to share my Kyoto observations (the ones you won’t find in a tourist guide) is through a list. Here are the top 21 observations and recommendations.
Published: Sylvia Jimenez
Beachside morning and a shared moment
Today the beachside wasn’t just a shared destination, it was a reminder to appreciate the moment, the sound of the waves, the warmth of the 9am sun and a testament to how easily strangers sit close, upholding social decorum to not invade personal space and like a Mills and Boon novel, everyone was dreamy, and the atmosphere was euphoric.
Published: Sylvia Jimenez
Roller baby
a girls roller skating obsession in the 80s
Published: Sylvia Jimenez
A missed connection reflection
One’s true personality tends to reveal itself under due stress. As you read this, I am on a flight from Dubai to Europe. I should have been there yesterday. However, our scheduled flight from Sydney was delayed by one hour. I only found out the reason behind the delay from one very vocal and distressed passenger. I was both intrigued and amused, and as I and most of the others were going nowhere fast, I thought and sat back and enjoyed the ‘entertainment’, a private joke between husband and me.
Published: Sylvia Jimenez
Praise for the list.
I love writing lists. Seems like so many others do as well. There are Pinterest boards dedicated to correct list writing. Youtube videos demonstrating the ‘write’ way to write a list. Some would say that it’s too rigid, while others claim that life without a list would be chaos.
Published: Sylvia Jimenez
I've finished writing a book: how I'm keeping myself busy in between querying
Daunting, fighting imposter syndrome, ecstatic, excited, tense, optimistic and reconciled that whatever happens, happens! But I won’t be sitting on my laurels. One of the aspects of falling into the writing rabbit hole was that time did fly by until my novel was completed (a few drafts and many edits later). For my close friends reading this, I apologise for my incognito state; I was simply obsessing over getting it finished, and as you know me well…a deadline is still a deadline! Hence, the best advice given by my mentor and writing communities is to start writing the next one.
Published: Sylvia Jimenez
12 Good-mornings versus six blanks stares
My observation for this week. Since when have we become a community, where a pleasant ‘good morning’ has been replaced with a curious blank stare? I’m watching Ted Lasso on Apple TV, and I find it hilarious in a Ned Flanders kind-of-way how the main character Ted faces the constant barrage of colourful language while still smiling and extending a cheery hello! I would have told them to stick it where the sun doesn’t shine, but hey, that’s just me. The thought did linger. I decided to test out the theory that faced with a ‘good morning’ from a stranger would compel you to adhere to social customs to respond, unless you were a psychopath and if that’s the case, run for the hills!
Published: Sylvia Jimenez
How one conversation took me back many decades...
I was sitting poolside watching the young master and his weekly training squad when (a relatively new friend, our boys play in the same team) and I started chatting. She is a recent inhabitant of our shores, but our family background is very similar, in that I too am an immigrant from the European continent and we love all things marzipan. We discussed her new home, the children and then we started talking about books. What you like, what motivates, what moves you? And as an avid reader, I suggested we swap books as a means of spreading good storytelling. She asked me what was my favourite book? A few titles popped into my subconscious, but one especially is the above mentioned. The Land Before Avocado, by Richard Glover.
Published: Sylvia Jimenez
Turning 50 equals feeling fabulous
For the first time, I had a party, not just any party, but a house par-tay! I thought if we are still stuck in Covid purgatory and it’s hard to organise anything due to social distancing, then we may as well bring the folk to us. In my last post I talked about attitude and age, my part-ay was testament to that. My lounge room served as a dance floor while the kitchen was the makeshift bar. I was asked how I felt, and my answer rolled off my tongue quite easily… fantastic! We part-ayed better than people half our age. And while phones were present only for the camera use, no one sat in a corner checking their socials. Instead, Great catering, great conversation made way for a great atmosphere. And as my friends and family sang me happy birthday, I felt that 50 is fabulous! I have a voice that is heard, a mind in which to conceptualise and the motivation to be grateful each and every day!
Published: Sylvia Jimenez
Never assume on a daily walk...
As a creature of habit, you will most likely find me taking my daily walk at the same time every weekday. I plan, it’s scheduled in my online diary, friends can catch me on the phone as I am most likely listening to a podcast or song, generally, it’s a green light for any future stalker. Contemplating now, perhaps, is not such a good idea. That being stated, there are others like me, who walk the same path around our area, albeit opposite, which, is another OCD moment on my behalf because I tend to walk the same path at the same time in the same direction.
Published: Sylvia Jimenez
No FOMO for FOMO
Today ends the first week of officially working from home. And I feel fortunate that the organisation I work for, gave us this option, in order to keep ourselves and everyone around us safe. In our home, the kiddos have access to online learning, I’ve structured a pretty good work plan and the cat is happy that she gets to stay indoors. I know some people find having to stay indoors against their will (introverts no need to put down your book), but I’m going to relish this time!
Published: Sylvia Jimenez
Minimalism doesn't = minus
The other day I had an exciting date with an ironing board and a basket of washing. Boring I know, however, there does not seem to be an adequate ironing person who I can pay to iron and bring back my garmets on my wooden coathangers (hate those nasty wire hangers) but let’s save this rant for another time. This time I decided to multitask this laborious chore and pull out the ipad, place it on the laundry bench and switch over to Netflix. A new programe appeared on my screen it was called Minimalism*
Published: Sylvia Jimenez
Wünderlust
Wün-der-lust: a strong, innate desire to rove or travel about
Published: Sylvia Jimenez
My friend Selina.
A few weeks ago a work trip took me across the seas into downtown San Antonio. I was excited for the upcoming travels not only because I would be partaking in a summit of creatives, but the fact that I would be able to spend time with a past colleague who ultimately became a good friend after we both parted ways with an ex employer. (Left voluntarily, not the other way around!) You see Selina departed our shores to pursue a beau in the mid-western states and well, now she can safely say she’ll be wearing cowboy boots with nearly every outfit. What I also ascertained very quickly, was that San Antonio Texas is full of big things. Big trucks, Big voices and Big Appetites.
Published: Sylvia Jimenez