Right now America is in something of a frenzy of violence, anger and despair as the events of the last few weeks have ruptured people’s sense of security. There are lots of ways to try and disengage from “the news” and one of those is to get to the movies – but when so many latest releases are full of violence, you have to wonder what kind of disengagement you are going to get?... 

My Nutrisystem-sponsored* weight loss and fitness journey continues! I am so pleased that I am into double figures of weight loss! Keeping the water up, and ensuring if I feel like chewing something, I get out some sugar free gum instead of a candy bar is a really good go-to thing. My new favorite dinner is the chicken breast, stuffed with broccoli and cheese. The way Nutrisystem works is to give you... 

I’m checking in with my weekly update on my Nutrisystem journey. The company is giving me an opportunity to be on the program for four months in return for my honest feedback on how I go. As someone who is experienced on the diet roller coaster, I wanted to really make sure I learn as much as possible. What a week! In combination with my Nutrisystem routine I have been trying to get my exercise... 

Daisy was born on 30 October, 2009. When she learned Daisy was going to arrive, mum used Doctor Google to find out all about the process and got very upset. Let’s face it; Google rarely makes anything medical pretty. I tried to help. I tried to find positive images, real stories. Things that would help mum balance out a little. I sent her what I could find. My mother questioned her doctor at... 

When we moved from the rented condo with rented furniture to a larger rented condo with no furniture, we needed to get… furniture. The days of my McMansion in the suburbs of Sydney behind me, I’ve embraced living cheap, and have gotten really good at it. Almost everything is second hand. Bernie the floral couch. Poor Bernie. Including the floral couch. Some students were moving out of Boulder... 

Five weeks on the Nutrisystem program and my impatience is getting a little better. I’m remembering that I am learning new food routines, portion sizes, and better choices. They’re lessons, and they take time to stick. The key to succeeding is just to keep  going. So I am. I’m trying to get some exercise in, beyond just walking the dog, but it’s really tough because while... 

Following on from my immigration question, I promised to update you if I heard from Senator Michael Bennet again. Initially I asked the Senator to clarify the language in his proposal for immigration reform – the one that said “immigrants” who got PhDs in the US would then be automatically granted a greencard. I pointed out that students who legally were in the US under visas were... 

The cold weather is making me want to snuggle in and eat creamy sauces and mashed potatoes. Even though I’ve been down the Nutrisystem path before, I’m not finding it a walk in the park. I need discipline. A second time around is not easier, but in recognizing the challenges I have come up with some great ideas to help me through those stodgy food desires. I’ve discovered the brilliance... 

The king has fallen. Hard. The microwave he purchased last year is a dud. It’s a big, shiny, still scary (yet irritating) dud. The Panasonic Sensor microwave, which was supposed to be a steal, with good ratings from other purchasers is possibly one of the worst things we’ve bought on Amazon. (Not including the book I bought from a weirdo woman who sent me an empty envelope and explained... 

Starting out with Nutrisystem is fantastic. You’re all about the shiny packages, the different foods, the new ways of eating. It’s a challenge to drink all that water. If you’re competitive like me, you focus on ticking the boxes on your guide and with trying to get everything in place. But three weeks in, that shiny new toy feeling gets a little worn down. I’m all “I... 

With the immigration proposal under the spotlight in the US, I’ve discovered how little Americans in general know about immigration. Many people align “illegal immigrants” with Mexico, not with undocumented presence in the US. For those people, immigration is minimized. “Illegals,” has become a thinly veiled racist term. It appears prevalent across US society. I have even... 

Have I ever told you about the time (many, many years ago) I had dinner at a Japanese Karaoke restaurant in Kings Cross with Kylie Minogue and members of INXS? (I probably haven’t because it’s what I consider a past life.) Yeah, I didn’t take the stage then (nor did anyone else at the table), and I remain grateful that evening is not memorable because of my hands around a microphone. I’m...