SYDNEY SUCCESSION

When I was posted at the Embassy in London, I was the most junior officer there with at least four Career Ministers, a Chief of Mission and an Ambassador all ranked above me. The running joke then was that I was perpetually scheming to carry out some King Ralph-type scenario that would propel me to be Chargé d'Affaires of the Embassy for one day -- whereupon I would immediately retire so that I could claim a pension at the Head of Post salary-grade.

(As laughable and ludicrous as that sounds, I actually came close one year: one holiday season, the Ambassador post was vacant and most of the officers senior to me were either away on official travel or on leave.  There was only one Career Minister left behind, and I kept on hinting "ang lamig lamig naman dito, sarap siguro mag-bakasyon sa Pilipinas".  The CarMin actually did go on leave....but only the day after the next most senior officer returned to London and assumed the Chargé position.  So close.)

Now, no such convoluted plans may be necessary here in Sydney because: there are far fewer officers assigned to the Consulate; our new Consul General has not been officially named yet; and the Acting Head of Post and Person I'm Numerically Replacing FerGer is completing his tour of duty and flying back to Manila today.

and, boy, will his arms be tired

Howevvverrrrrr.....

....batchmate ONE MAIN IDEAL is actually posted here at Sydney too and she arrived a whole year ahead of me which officially makes her more senior and thereby acting head of post which is fine because she's as nice and beloved as FerGer and there's a big summit coming to Sydney soon which will involve a lot of work and pressure and whatnot so we're gonna have to work together if we're gonna get through this ok bye   

please direct any concerns in that direction

SENYOR Y SISTERS

Me: I'm travelling over three hours with the consulate family (and the family family) to join a Sinulog in Bathurst. Time well spent!
LLDD-Hyphen-L: Aren't the famous Three Sisters of Blue Mountains on the way to Bathurst?

Me: Well that was nice. I wonder now if the Bathurst Sinulog will be just as happy and pretty.
Bathurst Fil-com:

Me: I'm so happy you danced with me in the parade, LLDD-Baby!
LLDD-Baby:



Me: sumbong kita sa Sisters

THE SYDNEY BOTANIC GARDENS AND OPERA HOUSE ARE NOT UNATTRACTIVE, ACTUALLY KINDA HOT

"You know what, family?" I righteously ask the family one Sunday morning. "It's already the new year, we've been in Sydney for two months, it's been summer school break for weeks now, and we've still not walked around the Botanic Gardens or the Opera House. That's just shameful neglect on our part. Let's head right over there after mass."

(family attends morning mass, steps out and realizes it's 40 degrees and climbing)

"You know what, family?" I righteously ask the family after morning mass. "It's already the new year, we've been in Sydney for two months, it's been summer school break for weeks now, and we've still not seen 'The Last Jedi'. That's just shameful neglect on our part. Let's head right over to an air-conditioned movie theater now, and then walk around the Botanic Gardens and Opera House in, oh I don't know, the fall.

(family actually heads over to the Botanic Gardens and Opera House the following Sunday when it was a nippy 35 degrees and climbing)

(it was still quite lovely)

(like 'Last Jedi' lovely)

She's either using the Force or the hot air is lifting her up

A MARRIAGE MADE IN MANLY

As luck would have it, a nephew of mine was getting married in Sydney soon after our arrival in the city. Happiest day of the couple's lives, for sure, but also a giddily exciting occasion for me for several reasons: First, the wedding was held on the school grounds in Manly where the couple studied and whose chapel was where Nicole and Keith got hitched and whose building served as the mansion of the Great Gatsby himself... 

so the ranking of hottest guys who've ever set foot on the grounds now goes: 1) groom 2) Keith 3) me 4) Leo

....Second, it was a chance to meet up with some relatives I haven't seen since before the LLDD-Baby was born... 

some of whom are actually cheekier than the LLDD-Baby

...And Third but not the Least, this is the first wedding I've ever been invited to that had it's own hashtag (shout out #theonlyjuanformarj) and a social media game where guests could participate and send their best pics of the wedding to said hashtag.   

I felt like a millennial with all the hashtags, is what I'm saying. This bodes well.

#happyeverafter

MGA PAMBANSANG PISNGI NG PILIPINAS

From the LLDD-Hyphen-L's facebook:

"Alden visits Consulate, Husband immediately tries to get dimples too."

From my facebook: "dear @alden, ba't ang dami nating bashers? dahil lang ba talented at millenials tayo? buti na lang pagkabait natin 'sing lalim ng dimples mo (at ko). Basta stay strong, keep real." #baebrotherhood