Post holidays

I have quite amused myself with the idea that I am writing a holiday post post holiday. OK I am easily amused!

We have been on a family adventure to Cambodia, Vietnam and Singapore. Angkor Wat in Siem Reap, Cambodia should be on all travellers' must see list. Unlike so many other things that get described as such, it really is awesome.

Palm trees and margaritas moments aplenty.

Palm Trees and Margaritas - The Book

We launched Palm Trees and Margaritas, the book, last week.

It was a Palm Trees and Margaritas moment for me. It's available online at www.palmtreesandmargaritas.com and in book stores in the new year.

I hope you like it.

My book is coming!

My book based on Palm trees and margaritas the newsletter is at the printers and available soon.

While it won't hit the bookstores till the new year, you can get your copy of 'Palm trees and margaritas - finding your oasis in a busy world' at the website www.palmtreesandmargaritas.com

A great holiday read and ideal stocking filler! A per centage of the cover price of the first 100 books sold will be donated to the National Heart Foundation.

What we get to do

I really should know better but this morning I was just looking at the kitchen full of dishes that I should have been washing while I read The Age instead. For me, it isn't Saturday without The Age.

I was reading the tributes to the wonderful journalist and father of three Matt Price who died at 46, eight weeks after being diagnosed with brain tumours. He was a star.

I hate washing dishes but all I could think was I bet Matt Price would love to have the chance to wash those dishes or any of the other domestic chores that define family life.

It occurred to me that I get to wash them, not have to wash them. How lucky am I?

Living a big life

We juggle all of the things in our lives so we can live what I call a 'big' life. Not one of excesses or self-absorption, just one of making the most of the opportunities that come along or that we create for ourselves.

It is interesting to see major advertising campaigns tapping into that sort of thinking. I guess that means it is becoming an observable trait in society. We are moving beyond relaxed and comfortable and becoming aspirational and challenging ourselves.

We have a major bank claiming 'NAB, a little word for a big life', a major retailer spruiking 'Big W. Live big for less' and a major university encouraging us to 'dream large'.

Vale John Ilhan

The Palm trees and margaritas view of the world is that none of us knows how our lives will unfold, so we should seize the day, or not, according to our own life plan.

Some want to live big lives and almost certainly such a pursuit requires keeping a lot of balls in the air.

The sad and sudden death of John Ilhan, at 42, illustrates how uncertain our futures are and why right now is so important.

He lived a bigger life than most, demonstrated an extraordinary commitment to family life and business and his loss will be felt by so many.

Investing

My friend and I were talking about investments and what our preferences were.

I decided that my investing priority is air tickets for trips with my kids while my kids are still kids.