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On Sunday we finally got around to visiting this flea market a handful of suburbs away. We kept putting it off as we were quite apprehensive about having to wake up so early on a lazy Sunday morning.

After all, We haven’t had much luck with the other markets we’ve been to so far. It’s filled with either overpriced local goods or cheap, tacky imported junk.The good ones are usually 1-2 hours drive away.

We were really pleased to find this market brimming with vintage treasures, bric a brac,one off pieces, nic nacs, collectables, antiques and bargains to be had. Exactly how I had imagined a proper flea market to be!

The day was slightly overcast and the sun had just started to peep through the morning clouds, the soft light made it absolutely perfect for photos.

I managed to snap up two framed vintage prints and a white washed iron wrought jewellery mannequin.I could have bought so much more if it wasn’t for Leo’s efforts in talking me out of it.

And with this old man belting out Natalie Coles’ ‘L is for the way you look at me’, we huddled up together for warmth, left the market with our hands full, and walked into a nearby cafe for breakfast.

It was THE perfect Sunday morning.

So if you are ever in town, and are into vintage treasures, be sure to drop by Camberwell Sunday Market for a browse!

I can’t believe it’s been almost 3 weeks since my last post. So many things have happened, so many words, so many pictures, yet so little time.

Just last week, I was in the thick of things and witnessed for the first time, the consequence of a corporate giant’s restructure. On the very unassuming and gray Monday morning, at approximately 9am, when everyone was waiting their turn at the coffee machine, a handful of HR people marched into our department and cornered 5 of my colleagues.

I returned with a mug of steaming hot coffee just in time to see them pack their belongings and being escorted straight to the door.

That was it. That was all.

No goodbyes, no well-wishing, no see-you-tomorrows, no more exchange of words. These people whom I have worked closely with for the past 14 months or so, were told to leave. Just like that.

An emergency board meeting was held immediately that afternoon. We were all assured that the sudden departures were dealt with with the strictest of confidence and the utmost of professionalism. What a crock of shit.

I will never forget M’s soft spoken demeanor and funky tortoise shell glasses, K’s strawberry blond hair and his perpetual English accent, D’s proud face when he told everyone his son just started college last month,  the times I shared with S whining about the injustice of being a corporate foot soldier; and last but not least, the many many conversations I have had with P, trying to convince him to take me under his wings.

Everybody was silent. No questions were asked.

After all, what was the point? No one is ever safe, no one is ever secure.

We are all dispensable.

Photo subject: Little Joshie. Wouldn’t it be great if we could all go through life with chocolate stained faces, and not a care in the world?

Project 366: Photo 54

We always rant to each other during the long drive home as a form of winding down from the daily grind.

Today, Leo popped the question, “Do you think there’s such a thing as a dream job? The perfect job?”

After many many potential answers being thrown into the mix, we have concluded that there is no such thing as the perfect job. No matter how rosy, comfortable or high flying a job might seem to be, there will always be a downside. Be it the incompetent team member, the grass is greener on the other end syndrome, work and life conflict, the project that will never be, ignorant and self absorbed management, the payrise that never came, the benefits that were never there….

After all, how can it ever be perfect if it’s a ‘job’?

Last night as I was browsing through an old magazine running an article on Amazing Women, I came across this quote from Ellen Degeneres.

“You just have to let go of perfectionism and keep focusing on the next moment, because if you don’t, you’re going to miss out on something. You have to stay present every second”

I have always appreciated Ellen for her refreshing straight-forwardness and honesty.

Ever since we were young, we were told we need to work hard for that coveted perfect job, perfect apartment, perfect car, in order to lead the perfect life. Yet, perfection remains subjective, and therefore at times, elusive. Have we been, so pre-occupied in the pursuit of perfection, mistakably retired the pursuit of happiness onto Life’s back burners?

As the lights turned green, I tapped the accelerator and made a swift turn to the left. We both agreed that while we might not have perfect jobs; but being able to sit side by side, listening and talking to each other every evening, whilst watching the traffic crawl into the setting sun?

That, to us, is perfection.

Photo subject: Backyard. Flower of one of the many overgrown shrubs

Project 366: Photo 53