Thu 26 Mar 2026: Nathan has pancreatitis
Admitted back into hospital, this time, it's his pancreas which is causing the pain.
He has had to have tubes inserted to drain his pancreas of digestive enzymes.
His pancreas ducts were blocked. He had to have a further 2 tubes inserted. 2 in back and 1 in front. Makes sleeping impossible.
He stayed in hospital for around 3 weeks and then they had to discharge him.
Out for a week but then he was admitted again after his treatment around 19 April.
Sun 22 Mar 2026: Catch up with PGHS friends
Tina organised a catchup at Bar Italia in Norton Street, Leichhardt for lunch with Cathy Riley and Karen Mobbs.
I caught the train to Petersham and then walked to the restaurant.
It's been years since I spoken to Cathy, but it's like we just picked up where we left off. She's married with a son and raising chooks. She's a teacher and lives in Lewisham.
Had pasta and went all out with Tiramisu dessert.
Thu 19 Mar 2026: Ex-ACCA Ladies who dine inaugural dinner
Ange and Bindy have organised a dinner for the ex-ACCA ladies, although someone (Kelly) brought their hubby and son along.
Dinner was held at Wakana in Artarmon. Close to the station, so I could train it there and back.
Ange ordered for everyone and we had 2 tables, Bindy, Emily, Vanita, Jacq and I on one, and Ange, Marisa, Jen, Kelly, Nick, Jarrod, Eliza and Suzy on the other.
Bindy cooked and looked after our table. Was good not having to think about what to order, just eat. Was a good night.
Bindy, Ange, Marisa and Vanita continued with dessert at Chatswood with bingsu. Would have spiked my sugar levels. Had a train to catch, so got home early. Work tomorrow.
Thu 12 Mar 2026: NSW Premier's Gala Concert and Exhibition
Having hit 60, I am now a fully fledged senior so I took a flex day and attended the senior's gala concert and expo with Janet, meeting up with Lily and Mark and their walking group after the concert.
We hit the expo first and got our photo booth senior photo, followed by spinning the wheel at the Cancer Council. Looking for freebies, lots of rulers, magnifying glasses, cleaning cloths, pens and paper.
"Live Life in Colour"- Performers were Jay Lagaáia, Tarryn Stokes, Olivia Coe Fox, Nathan Foley and Dami Im. The 90 minute show was a great one.
After the concert we went to Chinatown o have lunch upstairs in the Sussex Centre Food Court. Had wonton noodle soup - huge bowl.
Then Janet and I left to go to Woolworths and Big W - nothing much, so we went home straight after.
I organised a big party for my 60th birthday. Invited over 70 guests.
Booked out the Tiger Bar at the Grand Shanghai Hotel in Burwood for $4500 with $500 for drinks. For 12noon start.
Food was canapes:
Prawn Hatosi, Hoisin Crispy Duck Pancake, Spicy Prawn on Crispy Dumplin Wrappers, Beef Skewers, Fried Tofu SKewers, Golden Grab Rangoon, CHicken Skewers and Crispy Chicken Baos. Followed by Lemon Curd Raspberry Tarts and Torched Vanilla Custard Tart with fruit.
Kaylene orders the cakes - yes 2 - from Enze - 10" Strawberry Mochi Cake $141.00 and 10" Chocolate Zephyr Cream Cake $134.00.
Justin dropped Sophia and I at the bar around 11:30am. Sophia helped me with decorating the backdrop. She got those balloons pumped and enlisted the wait staff to blow up the foil balloons.
Guests arrived early and promptly, like Mare and Hendra with us still putting up the balloons.
I had invited high school friends, Karen and Tina with Squizzy
ACCA rowers and family - pictured: Linda, Jacq, Wnedy, Ange, Bindy. Silvia, Vanita, Emily, Richard, Jana, Quan and Evan
Iveta, Katherine, Ronald and Leah from LTS,
Uncle Henry, Aunty Ping, Wendy & Carmen
Also invited Linda, Jenly, Rio and Luna
Cut the cake. Gave a speech. U David sang - "for she's a jolly good fellow"
Funny photos with my nephews and niece and grand kids
Then we were out by 3:30pm-4:00pm - Cleanup and remove everything.
My Thank You Speech
Friends, family, colleagues and loved ones - thanks for being here to help me celebrate my 60th birthday. Looking around this room, I see the faces that have made mu journey so special and I feel truly blessed.
Family - I love my family who have been there for me through many years (good and bad).
I was born in Lae, PNG, and as most of you know, I have 3 sisters, Lily, Janet and Fiona. We are very close and super supportive of each other.
It was a great childhood - climbing trees, picking mangoes and guavas. Chasing chooks. Chinese New Year was always fun. Watching the lion dancers perform and the fire crackers going off. Playing with fireworks - although one time, I couldn't wait for adult supervision and I scoffed dinner down and lit a tube that shot off fireworks on my own. It backfired and my hand got badly burnt. I think I gave my mum all her gray hairs.
School - Anyway, we moved to Sydney in 1975 (PNG gained indepence from Australia) when I was in grade 4. Lived with my Uncle David, Aunty Cath (thanks for looking after us) and family, until my parents bought a block of units in Penshurst and we moved there.
Completed years 5 and 6 at Penshurst Public and then attended Penshurst Girls High. Thanks to my high school friends who helped me through the School Certificate and HSC - hanging out in the library and celebrating birthdays in the science labs, Tina and Karen are here today.
Guess all that hanging out in the library is what prompted me to become a librarian - that and my HSC marks.
Thanks to all my Burwood Library family. I have celebrated a few birthdays with you all. Karaoke was big at one time.
All those years at 4 Marmaduke Street, Five Dock, Drummoyne and Enfield waiting for the promise of a new library and then after I left, they moved to Conder Street. Not quite a brand new library. They begged me to stay, but after 20 years, it was time to move on.
I moved on to TAFE and worked closer to home. Thanks to the team who are very supportive. I have been there for 15 years, coming on to 16. Should I retire now??
Dragonboat rowing: Thanks to my paddling buddies at ACCA. This was once a big part of my life and they have become my family too. It was fun and I have fond memories as well as aches and pains.
Stampin' Up!: Although they all couldn't make it, thanks Sue, Maria and Carol. Making cards with you once a once is a great way to catch up and share life's challenges. You all have also been ver supportive.
As you all know I love to travel. Usually with my sister Janet, but also with the rest of the family. We've also travelled with others, some here, some couldn't make it, (travelled to Asia, Canada, US and Europe).
We've made many wonderful memories together in my 60 years.
I want to thank you all for making this occasion one to remember and thanks to sophia, Justin and Kaylene for the decorations and cakes.
I am grateful for all the love, kind words and thoughtful gifts (you really didn't have to). You have all played a positive role in my story.
Thank you for making this milestone big-60 so memorable.
