Life at No. 8: December 2018 Highlights and Moments

Welcome to Life at Number Eight, my monthly series where I recap the month and share what’s been happening.

December is usually busy, but this year felt especially intense — my calendar was packed, and at one point I took six flights in two weeks. I also only slept nine nights in my own bed all month.

Here’s a rundown of the highlights.

The Philippines

I mentioned it in my last update, but I started December in the Philippines. I flew Brisbane > Sydney > Manila, then spent about 2.5 hours driving to Clark.

I was there for work; our team is based in Clark, a former US military base that has grown into a busy business hub. Manila airport was an intense cultural shock and the traffic was astonishing. Vehicles squeeze into any available space — at one point a bus was only about 30 cm from my window in the backseat. I tried to stay calm and watch the chaos like a movie.

The nighttime drive through Manila was vibrant: colourful stalls lining the road, vendors walking up to cars at traffic lights selling bananas, and Jeepneys — public buses decorated with bright colours and neon lights — cruising by with people hanging out the back.

After a brief nap in the car we arrived in Clark after dark. It was the first time in a long while I went straight to bed without dinner.

In the morning I opened the curtains to a wide landscape of lush green mountains surrounding the city. Work kept me busy, but I did get a drive around the area to see how it’s developing — and I ate a lot.

I find the best way to understand a place is through its food. The Philippines blends Chinese, Spanish and American influences into a distinct multicultural cuisine. One standout was Charlie Chan Pasta from Yellow Cab Pizza Co. — a sweet, spicy peanut and chicken pasta that I’m determined to recreate at home.

I also tried Jollibee’s spicy fried chicken with sweet tomato pasta — an odd combination that I had to experience. The chicken was excellent. We ate at an Italian restaurant in nearby Angeles City where I had the largest oysters I’ve ever seen (one was the size of my palm) and a seafood pasta with lobster tail, mussels, fish and prawns for about AUD 26 — incredibly affordable compared with Australian prices.

Overall the trip was rewarding — a quick taste of a new country. On Saturday we flew Clark > Hong Kong, had a six-hour layover, then an overnight flight to Brisbane. I arrived home at 6 a.m. and finally got some sleep.

Bathurst & The Blue Mountains

After a few nights at home, Jarryd, Mum and I flew to Sydney, hired a car and drove to Bathurst for Jarryd’s graduation — he completed his Master’s degree.

On our first afternoon we drove toward Mount Panorama to see the famous race track. To our surprise, the course is a regular public road, so we were able to drive the circuit. It was fun to recognise landmarks from televised races and to be amazed by the mountain’s size and the sweeping views from the top.

After Bathurst we drove through the Blue Mountains toward my cousin’s house in Penrith, stopping to snack on cherries sold for $5 per kilo and to visit the Hydro Majestic in Medlow Bath for morning tea and local goods.

Our return flight was delayed repeatedly due to storms in Brisbane and Sydney, and after a four-hour wait we boarded. The flight was turbulent, and I was relieved when it ended — I was done flying for the year.

Holidays in NSW

After a week at home and finishing work for the year, we hit the road for a New South Wales road trip. First stop was Mum’s house by the beach to rest, recharge and eat.

We had a lovely lunch at Three Blue Ducks at The Farm in Byron Bay, then navigated the busy town to drive up to the lighthouse and enjoy the spectacular coastline.

After a couple of relaxing days we drove to Jarryd’s family in Evans Head for Christmas. I ate a lot of seafood — including a very large, fresh mud crab — and spent time on the beach with family and friends.

We then drove five hours inland to a friend’s place to spend New Year’s, enjoying a few calm days of downtime. We’ll head home later in the week, giving ourselves a couple of days to settle before returning to work on the 7th.

New Year Goals

I’m excited for the new year and plan to follow my mantra of prioritising happiness. I want to identify what truly makes me happy and focus on those things instead of dwelling on negatives. After a year that tested resilience, the holiday break gave us time to rest and recharge. In 2019 I’m committed to making self-care a priority so we’re better prepared for whatever comes our way.

If you have tips for improving energy levels, I’d love to hear them.

Most Popular Blog Post

This month I found my rhythm again with the blog and published everything I planned. My goal for the new year is to maintain that consistency and aim for two new posts per week.

Chocolate Peppermint Brownies (Gluten-Free) — Not surprised this was the most popular post; brownies are always in demand. This gluten-free variation was perfect for the Christmas season: quick, easy and delicious.

What I Read This Month

December was a strong reading month: I finished five books, bringing my annual total to 27. I published my favourites of the year but missed one I’d still like to mention. Here’s what I read.

Beartown by Fredrik Backman (2017)

From the author of A Man Called Ove, Beartown centers on a small Swedish town where hockey shapes community life. Like Friday Night Lights, the sport is the backdrop for a story about people: loyalty, responsibility and coming of age. It’s character-rich and compelling — I couldn’t put it down.

You Are a Badass at Making Money: Master the Mindset of Wealth by Jen Sincero (2017) (Audio)

After enjoying Sincero’s You Are a Badass, I listened to this follow-up on mindset and money. Her direct, motivational tone makes the audio format especially effective. The book challenges limiting beliefs about money and encourages a more positive mindset around wealth and deserving success.

Becoming by Michelle Obama (2018) (Audio)

Michelle Obama’s memoir is divided into three parts — Becoming Me, Becoming Us and Becoming More — covering her childhood in Chicago, her relationship with Barack, and life in the White House. I enjoyed her reflections on pursuing her own ambitions, the partnership she and Barack built, and how she used her platform to create a legacy.

Normal People by Sally Rooney (2018)

I picked this up for lighter reading. It follows Connell and Marianne from a small Irish town to university, exploring complicated relationships, communication failures, mental health and codependency. The characters are flawed and sometimes infuriating, but the book kept me engaged until the end.

Stay With Me by Ayobami Adebayo (2017)

Set in Nigeria from 1980–2008, Stay With Me is a heartbreaking story about marriage, family pressure and motherhood. Yejide and Akin struggle to have children, and when a second wife is brought into their life, the consequences are devastating. The novel is powerful, aching and unforgettable.

What’s Coming Up?

Hello 2019! I don’t often make strict resolutions, but I have a few general goals: enjoy summer days outdoors, spend more time at the beach, and keep the blog momentum going with regular posts.

Until next month.
Sally x