a week in Sydney

On Thursday 1st July I got up insanely early. But I never mind when the reason is going on a holiday. (Thanks so much Dad for driving me to the airport!) Flew Tiger Airways for the first time. I don't like Tiger at Melbourne airport though. It's kinda....tatty. And get this, they actually weigh carry on luggage. First airport I've seen that has a bag weight check that you have to go via. I hadn't weighed mine and it was too heavy. I switched some things around and then decided to get in line to check in. It was my first dilemma whether I needed to 'check in' when I was flying with only carry on. I was stressing a little in line. There's only one line for all the Tiger flights and time was ticking on. By the time I eventually got to a counter they were apparently just closing check in for my flight. At least I made it. Second dilemma was that my bag was still too heavy but with no time left to work out what to do I checked it in. Cost me $55 to do so, darn it! But I got to Sydney happily enough and found the right train to head out to where my brother and his family live.

It was splendid to spend a week hanging out with them. We didn't really do much but when I practically live on my own (and I'm a homebody) it's nice just to have company around. Especially family. The kids had to behave under threat of being sent to school on Friday. Ha ha. Last day of term for them so they skipped the games they usually play. We mostly did stuff like went shopping, played computer, watched movies, ate and a few other bits and pieces. Taught my niece and the two older nephews how to crochet as they wanted to learn. It was also good to stay up late and watch movies and talk with Simon and Esther. On Sunday we did go 'touring' a bit. It turned out to be quite a nice day. So we caught the train into the city and then the Manly ferry. Got a nice view of the Opera House and Sydney Harbour Bridge going there and back.
It was where I wanted to go hunting...in Manly. Simon, Esther and the kids hadn't been there before so they were happy to do some adventuring. It was a successful hunt. We'd done our research. Ice creams! From Australia's first Ben and Jerry's Scoop Shop! I ate B&J's a number of times in the USA and it's rich and delicious. A bit on the expensive side but it's a treat. Not so bad when you're buying for just one anyway... And I'm sure the ones in the USA were a bit bigger. Still, we all enjoyed our icecreams. I indulged with chocolate therapy and phish food. Mmm.

Simon's birthday is this month so as a present for him I booked a table at a local restaurant for him and his wife and sent them out for dinner. Back at home, after a peckish tea and getting the table cleared and kids in pjs (not hard when I said I wasn't putting on the movie until it was done--just need the right motivation) we settled in with snacks and milk to watch some original episodes of Astro Boy. He he. Funny watching such old cartoons now with the expertise they have in animated films these days.

I also quite enjoyed the afternoon I played a board game with my nephews. We were pirates and treasure hunting. We got quite loud and animated in our hunting and stealing and sword fighting. And Tim so nearly won...until the Royal Navy came and we had to drop all our treasure and then I went and stole his pile. Ooo I'm nasty. No mercy. Let's play to win! The rivalry was fun.

Ah, but holidays always come to an end. To come home I had to add to my luggage a few forgotten items from previous visitors as well as some gained gifts. To save some stress I posted near 3kg home so my bag was under the carry on limit. $10. That's what it cost to post. Way cheaper then checking my bag in again.

So I'm home again. Working again. Sliding back into regular life and preparing for the next anticipated adventure. (Next on the list is the Bendigo Sheep and Wool Show!) Thanks for having me stay a week in your house, my Gellert family, and sharing your company and food and such. I just wish I could visit a little more easily so I could come a little more often.

roaring party

I turned 30 a month ago today! (Yes, I'm finally blogging about my celebration.) So the night before my birthday I invited my family and friends to come and help me see out my 20s in 'roaring' style. I set up the hall like a jazz club--tables up the back to sit around, mood lighting, room to dance and jazz, swing and blues grooving across it all. I asked my guests to dress to suit the 1920s and they did a fabulous job. I'm so pleased. I had a Charlie Chaplain movie playing and also had a dance instructor come and give us some lessons for dances from that era. My wonderful friend, Heather, made a toast to me later and we at the most scrumptious individual birthday cupcakes. (Choc mud cake with choc mousse in the middle and caramel icing!) It was a lovely evening and it was lots of fun to party out my twenties in style.

Click on any photo for a closer view.

My 20s have rolled on out and a new decade is here for the writing...

reason for overseain'

This is the main reason I'm planning to head overseas next year. Photo stolen from the fiance--excellent photographer at TulyFoto

Isn't she just gorgeous? Ha ha...love her! This is my delightful friend, SuhRa, who recently (finally) got officially engaged...to another friend of mine. Yaaaaayyy! So wonderful! Congratulations Mike and SuhRa! All the best for the time in between now and finally being married. And beyond of course! It's been a long time coming. She's been telling me to save so I can attend since before I left the USA (in March 2008).

So I'm saving my dollars to get to Germany where they're planning on marrying. But why travel to other side of the world and spend a hefty chunk of cash for just a week or two?? So my plan is to head to the UK in the first half of 2011 to hopefully live and work for up to two years. And when the joyous celebration occurs, I'll just duck over to Germany for the weekend or so. So if you see me wasting money, tell me off!

end of autumn

Work was good for a laugh today. I'm often amused by the way kids' minds work.

I was sitting outside with the boys this afternoon. Two was riding his new bike in circles. When he stopped right in front of me I filled him up with petrol and asked for some money. He thought that was a fun game and came back a few times for more. The last time he came back I filled him up asked for money just the same as the other times.
"I don't have any money," Two replied this time.
"No money? What are you going to do? You can't have petrol without paying," I said. He just repeated that he had no money.
"Hmm," I said thoughtfully, "Do you have a card we can put it on?" So he pulled out his 'card' and I swiped that and got him to enter his numbers.
Now I wonder what made him decide to say he didn't have money that time? He he.

Later I was jumping on the trampoline with them. That was a bit of fun coz it was almost completely covered with autumn leaves and we were throwing them around. I was singing a song...well, a familiar tune simply repeating the word 'jump' over and over. And jumping whilst I did of course. They were laughing; thoroughly enjoying being double-bounced and tumbling down. At the end I'm puffing but of course as soon as I stop they ask for more.
"You jump while I catch my breath," I suggested.
Four grasped at the air and then open his hands to me saying, "Here's your breath."
I laughed, 'took' the air and breathed it in deeply.

An active and amusing crisp autumn afternoon. A nice way to end the season. Tomorrow winter officially begins.

pre-winter wonderland

No wonder I had so much trouble trying sleep last night....shivering in my multi-layered bed!

Woke up this morning to see the ground like this. Must have been darn cold last night. A descent covering of frost all over the ground. Quite pretty really in the morning sunshine.

party planning

Next month I'm going to celebrate my completing 30 years of life with a 1920s party! Planning is underway and I'm very excited. I have a dress pattern and material to make my party dress, the hall is booked and loads of ideas are swimming in my head. I thought I'd share some fashion pics sketched by John Peacock in his fashion sourcebook "The 1920s" that I borrowed from the local library.

Click on a pic for a bigger squiz!

The 1920s was a decade of lighthearted entertainment and frivillous fun after the drudgery of World War I (until the Great Depression hit in 1929) so it should be a fun and boisterous party!

truck entertainment

I was entertained by trucks today. First, I arrived at work this morning to a trailer from a B-double truck lying down. Pretty sure they're not meant to do that .. ha ha. Found out shortly after it was a big load of plaster for us. D'oh. Kept hanging out by the window throughout the morning to see the latest progression of getting it back on its wheels. (No one hurt of course. The rest of the truck was fine too.)
Then some nanny work this arvo and the neighbours are building. The boys particularly were very excited. We watched with interest while I explained what was happening to the oldest. Cement poured from the cement truck into the other and then pumped along the long arm so the men can put it in the holes. Made work a bit easier for me with the trucks doing the entertaining.