KEEP IT IN THE PHAMLY

Dad Pham fought against the Viet Cong during the Vietnam War because they were the enemy of the Vietnam Navy (VNN). He didn't truly know Ho Chi Minh's communist regime until the VNN were defeated and he was put in a 'Reeducation Camp' (aka prison camp). It's estimated 1 million people were thrown into the prison camps without trial or process. Prison camp was revenge and punishment for being on the losing side. It was inside the prison camp where Dad Pham learned what the Viet Cong really stood for - cruelty, torture, murder and greed. He learned firsthand the hypocrisy and injustices of their policies and the corruption of the officials that carried out those policies. It's also when Dad realised he couldn't live in Vietnam under their rule if he ever got out of prison.

Usually when friends visit from interstate there's a cafe or restaurant catch-up followed by a short stroll to dessert...which is probably why Little Sissy Pham got me a Fitbit for my birthday now that I think about it. Anyhoo, I have one friend who's an exception to this rule. B is a circus trainer and roller derby athlete. She therefore eats like a teenage boy going through puberty and is constantly active. The longest time she sits still is on a plane to another part of the world where she will go mountain biking, hiking, rock climbing, kayaking and whatever else nature and sport have to offer.

Dad Pham thinks his children are wusses who can't handle the tough life because we were spoiled by Australia's cushy lifestyle. He's right. But he wouldn't have it any other way. He and Mum Pham sacrificed a lot so we could live this sweet, blessed life where we're more likely to be killed by eating too much and exercising too little than malnutrition and labourious jobs.

With less than 2 weeks to go to the big day, our cousin learned she needed lucky number 8 in her wedding party so Little Sissy Pham and I went into a mad scramble to be more Asian. Normally, Viets get their dresses made in Vietnam. Unfortunately minimum turnaround is 2 weeks so this wasn't an option for us but it's totally an option for you.

Today in Perth I ran into a friend at the airport - he was in town for Stereosonic as was I, yet we only managed to cross paths at Perth airport. Probably because we didn't make solid plans and 35,000 other people at the festival slimmed our chances of a random encounter somewhat. But there are only so many flights back to Brisbane on a Monday evening.

I worked at Universal Store's Banger Beach at Stereosonic in Perth over the weekend. It's all fun and games until you get a bandana sunburn and tan line across your forehead because you kept telling staff to be sun safe and didn't tell yourself. Ijiut.

I found out the red, stingy face way that I'm allergic to a preservative called hydroxybenzoates. I loved my Neutrogena Oil Free range the past few years but all of a sudden my face tingled whenever I use it. I don't know if it's the new formula or whether my skin has gotten sensitive over time from my Oratane acne meds. Being a bit dopey, I thought the redness in my skin was from being generally hot and sweaty after blow drying my hair. But no, it was my skin reacting to the moisturiser.

I am a firm believer that life is too short to use stationery and accessories that don't bring me joy (spoken like a true stationery addict). Which is why I have a BYO stationery policy in my professional life and I'm so loud about it, a colleague I haven't worked with for over 2 years remembered not to supply me with any stationery on my first day in a new job.

The good thing about workaholism is people love hiring me so I've jumped from contract to job to contract to job to contract. The downside is I haven't had a proper holiday in 5 years. So this year when Chris & Chrissy announced their Bali Wedding in August and I learned my former housemate/family would be there, I booked my flights and forced myself not to look for work after my last role finished. Best idea ever.