Category: Australia

I haven’t posted anything for a while because since I got back from New Zealand, it’s been relatively quiet with just getting back into the swing of things. I’ve taken some nice pictures lately, and tonight, I headed for Mrs. Macquarie’s Chair, the little peninsula that faces the harbour bridge and opera house for some night shots of the New Year’s heart. Every New Year’s, there is a new icon that they place on the bridge which they leave lit for several days after.

Anyhow, after my photoshoot, I was walking back towards Woolloomooloo when I approached some branches, a bat flew out and hit me on the head. Most people I think probably haven’t even seen a bat before, much less feel the fur of one rub across their forehead and head. The bats here are quite big too, and when he flew off the tree at me, it was like someone had thrown a cat at my head–they’re THAT big. Obviously it scared me to death, but since I had seen them flying around all night, I figured that’s what it had been.

After I arrived back into Sydney in the evening, I rushed back to the house to my flatmates having a barbecue. It was perfect because I was starving and tired! We watched some fireworks from our balcony, ate a great barbie, and then headed to the streets for the midnight show. The bridge had a pumping heart on it, and from the top they shot all the fireworks which was foreshadowed by the Opera House. It was really pretty, tons of people, and a nice hot evening. The day of New Year’s was the hottest day on record, climbing up to 41C/111F! It was almost piercingly hot, so I went to the pool and cooled off and enjoyed the sun. That night, we had such a huge wind storm followed by a down pour of rain, which luckily cooled the city off.

I hope everyone had a nice New Year’s, and I’m looking forward to a successful, eventful year!

Tonight, my flatmates and I had our Christmas Dinner together with some friends. Whenever we do a party, we DO a party. Chris had found some sticks out in Potts Point to spray paint white, and he strung lights on them and hung ornaments. The tables were brought out to our back balcony and set with white and silvertable coverings, along with place settings. We had a bonbon (a popper with a surprise in it) on each of the plates. We had the speakers out playing Christmas music, and around 7, the guests started to come in. Our first course was an amazing crab salad that Stephen had prepared, along with Mango champagne and wines. We then opened our bonbons to reveal the little surprises — playing cards, mirrors, and odd knickknacks. Then, someone from the building next to us called down from his 14th floor apartment and told us to pose for a zoom picture he would take of us. He then said he’d bring down the film and give us the pictures. We then had the main meal which included roast potatoes, salad, roast beef, and green beans. After everyone finished dinner, Chris brought out the dessert cake with 3 sparklers in it. It was an amazing strawberry cream cake from the restaurant he works in– Yellow. We then enjoyed the evening listening to music and enjoying the views. So nice to have warm weather to do these nice activities for Christmas!

Tonight I started working at a Japanese restaurant right at my doorstep called Himizu. I was a little concerned about eating (as I was to start at 4pm and no idea when I’d be done with training), and Chris my flatmate said that he doesn’t get fed at his restaurant, so I ate a snack before I left. Well, when I got there, we all cleaned for about an hour, then everyone sat down for a dinner together before we opened at 6. The best thing about the Japanese restaurant is that there was only one non-speaker of Japanese there! So I chitchatted away the entire night in Japanese with our staff and Japanese customers. It was great! I really had a good time, and think I’ll be a great server–I love to schmooze! Plus this will give me a little extra income to help out with my travels!

This morning, Toby and I decided to go to Manly as the day was absolutely gorgeous. After taking the train to Circular Quay, we boarded the ferry for a short ride to Manly Beach. We grabbed some lunch and met up with Paula. The sun was so hot it felt so nice. It’s so strange to see Christmas decorations and such when you’re out on the beach sunbathing. We spent the afternoon enjoying the sun, playing frisbee and playing in the ocean (just a little bit–it was still a little too cold for me!). Anyhow, Paula is heading to the states in a few days, and bid her farewell in the afternoon. Toby and I then continued on walking around Manly to different areas taking in the gorgeous views of the endless sea in front of it. It was great. We then headed back to Potts Point for some pizza for a nice ending to a perfect summer day.

So I got back home safely last night and got some groceries to make a sandwich and headed to bed. It’s good to be home, and I’m glad I didn’t feel sick on the flight home! I checked my grades this morning and so far I have three Distinctions, and one still not posted. So I’m very relieved at that! I’m posting my pictures of the Hawai’i trip so check them out!

Last night marked my last exam for my first semester here in Australia! I cannot believe how time has flown. I mean, in January this year, I was making plans to come here, applying for Sydney University, and thinking of closing up shop in San Francisco. I had my 26th birthday in Vegas, and planned for my leaving my job to pursue this masters degree. It never seemed like it would be here, and now, I’m finished with my first semester! Last night’s exam was the toughest exam, so it’s quite a relief to be done, but an even bigger relief when I see the final marks come out. Tomorrow I leave on vacation to Kauai, Hawaii, to meet up with my best dear friend Rebecca to spend Thanksgiving together. It’s going to be fantastic to see her and get caught up in everything that’s gone on since I’ve been in Sydney. I’m really excited for the amazing scenery that should prove to be perfect photo ops for me!

Today is the day I turn in my last project assignment! I still have three exams left to study for… Nov 10, 15, and 17. Then, I’ll leave for a nice vacation to Hawaii to see Rebecca and her family. I still can’t believe that I’ve already finished my first semester getting my Masters, and it went by really so quickly! But, the good thing about being in the Southern Hemisphere, is the Christmas trees are starting to go up, and it’s getting hotter each day! The beaches are packed! I also recently saw a funny commercial talking about ‘holiday weight in the winter’ yet, there’s no really big holidays in the Australian Winter. Guess they’ll have to watch what they eat during Christmas if they expect to be in a bathing suit the next day!

So today at the gym, I saw a guy wearing a top with the Athens 2004 Olympic logo below the insignia of Australia, which made me think he was an Olympian. So, when he came near me to use a machine, I asked him if he was in the olympics. He was–he’s a canoer. So, I asked if he knew Dan, the rower that was in my class just this semester, who is also the olympian, and he did. How many people out there can say they have met two Olympians! :)

What an amazing Halloween Party! After lots of preparation including makeshift Capsicum pumpkins, streamers, balloons, tombstones, bats, spiderwebs, and candles everywhere, the night was ready to begin! We had our keys attached to a balloon that would be dropped down to the entrance when people buzzed in–and attached were the rules of the murder mystery game we had going. Paula arrived in tow of so many goodies and spent some time getting them prepared. We had everyone to the balcony area (you can see there are quite a few), I had the murder mystery game going, and had a best costume vote, and got to see all the new friends I’ve made since I’ve been here since July. It was fantastic. Chris fired up the grill and we had sausages, great desserts, nachos etc.. being host though, I missed out on a lot of the food! Thanks everyone for an amazingly successful party!