Chez

Pretty sometimes doesn’t come naturally. Someone has to put an effort to put it all together. Thanks F-I-L for this beautiful pot of flowers that you have! It makes me smile every time I see it.

I made soap for the very first time and I am so happy with the outcome. I am curing it for 6-8 weeks but it’s smelling like soap already. 😄

5SF, 33% Lye concentation, used a turmeric infused olive oil (440g), organic coconut oil (200g), lard (200g) and castor oil (45g).

Unexpectedly, I'm spending the first two days here in the USA, at Dallas-Fort Worth (DFW, TX), and have experienced a couple of things already. I bought a couple of donuts at the airport, and when I came to pay, I was asked to tip; I selected $0, finding it odd (coming from Australia). My understanding of tips is they're some form of gratuity or bonus - when and/or where does a tip become mandatory?

September 14, 2023 - Application submitted online (Perth, WA).
January 13, 2025 - Petition approved - received notice of action.
January 14, 2026 - Not a typo. It took a year to receive an email stating - Immigration visa case has been expedited.
January 27, 2026 - Received an email from the Consulate to post the original docs along with the medical exam appointment confirmation.
February 24, 2026 - Medical exam in Melbourne, VIC.
March 3, 2026 - Interview at US Consulate in Sydney, NSW. Application declined, needing more paperwork [e.g. proof of assets or joint sponsor and medical exam results]. Uploaded the required paperwork and followed up with the doctor.
March 6, 2026 - Finally, received my passport back with the visa stamp!

Niabot na gyud. The puzzle 🧩 is complete. Time to send it to the embassy!

Good to see it’s coming together.

Sleigh bells ring, are you listenin'?
In the lane, snow is glistenin'.

Ang atop namuti sa snow. ❄️