Diario de Mascarenhas

We went for our labour weekend trip to Goat Island. Hopped on the Mana Bus and arrived at Warkworth on a gloomy day. We went for breakfast at the Riverside Cafe. Then took a  taxi to Goat Island. Upon arrival, we were told that the Glass bottom boat trip has been canceled due to windy conditions. The weather was not cooperating, we went walking on the Goat Island beach and then went back to Warkworth earlier than expected.                                              It was a short, slightly disappointing but memorable trip.

Prayer is a matter of relationship. Intimacy is the basic issue, not answers to problems or resolutions “to be better.” Many of life’s problems and challenges have no answers; we can only live with and through them. Problems and challenges, however, can be faced and lived through with more peace and resilience if people know that they are not alone. A man’s wife will not return from the dead, but the pain is more bearable when he has poured out his sorrow, his anger, and his despair to God and has experienced God’s intimate presence. —Excerpted from Letting God Come Close by William A. Barry, SJ

October is here and only a few weeks to go and we are off to Philippines. The last few weeks have been hectic. The pics below were taken last week when Steve and I went for a walk at The Domain. I love these walks, the Domain is just a treasure, specially during Spring when the flowers are in bloom.                                         We also met Sudeera's parents. It was great to see them. After 1 year and a few months, we went out dancing again. Bungalow 8 is still a favourite, but it was disappointing that at around 12 am, the place became empty. We then moved to Lenin and wow, that was fun.                               ...

 The BER months have started again and Christmas is just around the corner. I am so excited to go home and be with the family again after such a long time. But first, just celebrated another birthday. What can I say about getting older? Perhaps ageing is indeed good for the soul. We are getting older and wiser and hopefully learning more lessons in life. This year, we went to Monsoon Poon for my birthday dinner. It was lovely.  As usual, my birthday cake is from our favourite shop, just so yummy. 26th September,we  invited Krupa for lunch. It was such a lovely spring day. I am glad Krupa enjoyed the food we prepared. After lunch, we went for a small walk in the city so Suzie can go to the Indian Spice shop.   It has been a lovely year so far. We have gone through so many changes like my new job, the house move, Steve's work move etc. But with all the changes, we have managed well and I am very happy with how we have chugged along...

Moving house is such a pain. However, it is another experience in life. I am not looking forward to another move though. Unfortunately we will have to do this in 6 months time.

                                           After our dinner at Levant. Steve's yummy Tiramisu birthday cake                                              Having lunch at Longroom, Ponsonby Our dinner at Levant, chicken Shashlik                                                 Pulled beef Sliders and crispy pork belly

                                                    Spending a nice weekend lunch at Degree.                                                  At Degree, yummy chicken fingers with salad, chips and                                                                    ...

Having barbie with Sam, great food, great company Lovely time.   Auckland Anniversary weekend   A tribute to the fallen heroes who gave up their lives in the  line of duty. Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon them.   

The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*** Hint: don't read this article if you are offended by the F-word ;)   By Mark Manson / Source: MarkManson.net In my life, I have given a fuck about many people and many things. I have also not given a fuck about many people and many things. And those fucks I have not given have made all the difference. People often say the key to confidence and success in life is to simply “not give a fuck.” Indeed, we often refer to the strongest, most admirable people we know in terms of their lack of fucks given. Like “Oh, look at Susie working weekends again, she doesn’t give a fuck.” Or “Did you hear that Tom called the company president an asshole and still got a raise anyway? Holy shit, that dude does not give a fuck.” Or “Jason got up and ended his date with Cindy after 20 minutes. He said he wasn’t going to listen to her bullshit anymore. Man, that guy does not gi...

                                    Taken after attending midnight mass at St. Patrick's Cathedral                                                             At the Whangarei wharf                                        1st January 2015, after attending morning mass at St. John's                                               Parnell Beach on 2nd January, just relaxing. I have so many things to be thankful for the last year. Even though I had a most trying time with being made redundant from my last job, in the end I a...

Courtesy :  Harley M Storey  CEO, Executive Coach  "The Life Coach Toolman!" I had cycled in to the city to buy tickets for an international motorcycling event, and as I was riding around the city square, the enchanting strains of a bamboo flute drifted toward me. I followed the sound and sat down near the guy busking on Main Street. I had a great time relaxing in the sun, listening to some live music and watching the crowd go by. It wasn’t until I was preparing to leave, that I noticed right next to us there was some very noisy road construction underway. I didn’t even hear it. I was listening so intently to the music that I didn’t notice the jarring din of the jackhammers and generators. (You can see the plastic security barriers in the photo.) Just like a radio, I had tuned out the sound of the construction and tuned in to the beautiful music. Over Christmas and New Year we are all too aware that the values of charity and peace get lost in a whirl of sales, shop...