Nathan's Insights

World Traveller: 7 Continents, 90 Countries, 871 Days Overseas

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Flight Reviews | Lounge Reviews | Destinations | Short Breaks | World Trip 1986 | World Trip 1998 | World Trip 1999-2000 | World Trip 2006 | World Trip 2009 | World Trip 2009-10 | World Trip 2010 | World Trip 2011 | World Trip 2012-13 | World Trip 2015 | World Trip 2016 | World Trip 2017 | World Trip 2017-18 | World Trip 2018 | World Trip 2019 | Australia 2022 | World Trip 2023 | World Trip 2024 | World Trip 2024-25 | World Trip 2026-27

  • Christmas 2006

    Christmas day can be about a lot of things, sometimes stressful and sometimes very peaceful.   Now that my family has a new generation of children with Harry, Darby & Erin it is definitely fun again. Hopefully I’ll manage to lose some of the weight I’m sure I put on during this big traditional Christmas lunch my mum put on once again! I hope everyone had a peaceful and happy Christmas day.   I find this day of year very refreshing, and the spirit of people can be very uplifting this time of year.   If only we could be this nice to each other all the time.   I for one am going to enjoy the spirit of happiness & friendship I have been feeling this week.

  • A Wonderful Day

    Two days before Christmas I was reminded about why life can be so great. Recently a good friend called me on my negative attitude and a colleague commented on me being so cynical lately.   It was a wakeup call I can tell you.   That is what friends are really for, not just to agree with you but to also tell you things you need to know but probably don’t want to hear. So why was this a great day?   I got to send a few hours with some close friends and despite all not being well in their lives we all left with a smile on our faces and some love in our hearts.   There is nothing like a hug from close friends to help you feel connected. For the rest of the day I celebrated my brother-in-law Jason’s birthday.   It gave me a chance to see family and some family friends.   But the highlight was getting to nurse and hold my new niece Erin.   Not even one month old she is starting to learn to use her lungs.   The experience of having a baby resting on your chest and you hearing her heart beat is very close to total bliss 🙂

  • The last year & returning home

    Life isn’t always easy or even clear.   It’s been close to 2 1/2 months since I got back from my big overseas trip.   Anyone who has gone away for such a big adventure knows that there is always a little post trip depression.   This has been no different for me. The last 12 months I’ve had experiences that I never thought I’d have.   I’ve tried things that got me to experience different kinds of highs (spiritual, emotional & physical).   At one point I actually feared for my life.   I faced a fear and jumped 216 metres (bungy jump) and got closer to some people than I thought possible. The past month or some however has been a bit disappointing.   From the high of becoming an uncle again, to the fear of being in hospital, to the let down of plans not coming together like I wanted.

    My big goals for the future have fallen away.   Some people have really disappointed me.   In tennis we lost in a semi-final after only losing once during the year. At work I wasn’t given a release to work on a project wanted to be on full time, and more recently I’ve realised other people have pasted me by or are given opportunities I used to get.   On the other hand I’m going to be on a recruitment panel deciding others futures. So who am I and what am I trying to achieve?   Right now I have no idea.   I have friends and family but I seem to be falling into a hole filled with depression.   I’ve lost my drive and focus.   I’m not even enjoying some time alone anymore.   Hopefully this is just temporarily; I don’t want to feel like this in 12 months time.   Maybe the problem is once you realise what the world can offer and what others have which you don’t it is hard to be happy again.

  • Darby’s Birthday & Family

    Today I got the chance to visit my 1 year old niece Darby.   On the hottest December day in Melbourne in 50 years (42.5) I got the joy of watching Darby and her brother having fun opening presents and in the case of Harry running around like crazy. Darby got to enjoy her first taste of ice cream (I’m sure it won’t be the last!).

    Erin was born 3 weeks early and has for the most part been sleeping which meant she has not been eating enough (they needed a tube).   Now however it looks like she is ready to join the rest of us.   I added a few photos from her actual birthday (Essendon jumper included).

  • New family member, the beautiful Erin

    At 2.10 am on Tuesday 28 November I became an Uncle for the 4th time when my sister Kara and her husband Jason welcome into the world Erin Helena Gauci.

    Weighing in at a small 4.14 pounds Erin is a very beautiful girl who was eager to join us all.   I met her for the first time today.   I predicted a while ago that Kara’s new baby would be a daughter, that’s 4 right predictions in a row, if only I was that good at the casino 🙂   Erin will be surrounded by love, Kara & Jason had wanted her for some time.   Wanted babies are very lucky.   Congratulations to the Gauci family!!