Japan Archives - INSPIRING MAX

If we were having coffee I would tell you that we have recently returned from Japan. The purpose of our visit was to meet our first grandchild. A beautiful healthy baby boy who we will call X. Unfortunately Japan’s covid rules don’t allow hospital visits so while we waited to see him we enjoyed sightseeing around Japan. I look forward to sharing our experiences in the future.

If we were having coffee I would tell you that Alan Joyce, Qantas CEO was right when he said that ‘Australian’s had forgotten how to travel during the pandemic.’ When he first said it, I was offended. I didn’t agree and thought he was making excuses for his company’s problems. But we had forgotten many of the things that need to happen before you get on a plane. As we hadn’t flown in 4.5 years I suppose it makes sense.

If we were having coffee I would I would tell you how great it felt to have my first swim of the season just before we left for Japan. It was a very hot day and my girlfriend and I were meant to go walking but instead choose to swim. She hadn’t swum for a long time either so it was a win-win all around.

If we were having coffee I would tell you how happy I have been learning how to make projects with my Cricut machine. I signed up to Jennifer Makers Design To Shine course. I love it. She is teaching us not only how to make things but also how to design them from scratch. I find it fascinating how by using simple shapes, very complicated designs can be created. I am loving having an idea and seeing it come to life. Below are several of the first things I have made using various techniques and materials.

If we were having coffee I would you how weird it was going from 35C in Australia to -5C in Japan. Then just to add to the weather confusion last week we had the hottest days in our state since 1964. I hope that the beautiful Autumn weather we usually have arrives soon. Last weeks hot nights made it very difficult to sleep.

If we were having coffee I would ask you what is happening in your world?

Thanks to Natalie for hosting #weekend coffee share.

If we were having coffee I would tell you how dramatically my life has changed since our last coffee catch-up 5 weeks ago. My son has moved to Japan to be with his finance, I have resigned from my job, taking a month off before returning to casual nursing and this week it was confirmed that my husband has a new job in Newcastle, the city I grew up in. Life is definitely moving forward and the future looks bright.

If we were having coffee I would tell you about the great, wet weekend my husband, son, daughter and I spent together in the Hunter Valley before he left for Japan. The villa I rented contained a slow combustion fire place, so, despite the cold and wet we were toasty warm. I had kept this a secret from my husband to add to give him a surprise. He was so excited that he didn’t stop playing with it all weekend. The fact that he didn’t have to chop the wood made his day even better. The cabins were in wine country and had resident kangaroos that roamed around the property. The photos below are from our verandah and we thought one of the kangaroos even had a joey in her pouch, however, because it was too wet we couldn’t get any closer. What do you think?

If we were having coffee I would tell you that since we last meet my blog has turned 2. I can’t believe how much I have learnt and grown since I joined the blogging community. This time 2 years ago I think I was still struggling to have 7 followers and now I have over 700 and fortunately they continue to grow daily. My goal by Christmas is to have over 1,000, which I think is doable if I keep ~~chipping~~ blogging away. My goal for my 3rd blogiversary is to have had 50,000 views. As this is just over double what I am now on, it may be a tall order, but hey reach for the stars I say.

If we were having coffee I would tell you that since I resigned from my managers position, I have enjoyed having no stress and getting back into my blogging regularly. I don’t think I realised the impact the stress was having on me until I stopped and literally felt my body relax. Every time people see me now they are commenting on how good I am looking and how it is nice to see me smile again.

If we were having coffee I would tell you how grateful I am to A Momma’s View for choosing my poem on understanding as one of her pick’s of the week. It has helped me develop my confidence in my new skill of poetry writing. Stop by and visit her blog if you get the chance it definitely worth a look.

If we were having coffee I would tell you how nice it was last Saturday to share an Aussie BBQ with my son and close family and friends just hours before he left the country to start his new adventure in Japan. Sharing stories and future plans is great bonding experience and with the ease of travel these days nowhere is far away.

If we were having coffee I would tell you about the beautiful flowers I got from my staff after leaving work. They were so heavy and take pride of place on the table behind my desk, bringing a smile to my face daily.

If we were having coffee I would tell you that my daughter’s birthday seems like it was months ago, however in reality, it was only 3 weeks ago. Because everyone was busy, it was extended over the week and celebrated many times with some intimate gathering of family and friends at the times everyone was available.

If we were having coffee I would ask you what you have been up to since we last met. Has your world been calmer or crazier than mine? Let me know in the comments.