Thirty three & one third...

Good day my lovelies,

Whats happening for you? I haven't heard much news but things must be starting to gear up now that Xmas is upon us.

I promised you last time I wrote, that I would get some photos of me up in this b*tch so here they are (no I don't really talk like that, but I have a mate that used that phrase the other day and I laughed and set myself a goal to do the same - sigh - no reason!)

Weekends are way too short and last weekend I spent Sunday in the park with some mates, throwing a Frisbee and drinking Pimms & lemonade...was the first time I got to see so many peeps in Sydders at once and it was great.

Below is a photo of a 'Team IT' team-building exercise we did a few months ago. The department was split into two groups. One group took one Fri arvo to do this, the other group the following Fri arvo. Each group was split into a green and a red team - we had to compete to make various Italian dishes including Pizzas...then eat the food, and stare at some interesting aprons....

The green team won (my team!), and also the following week, so red may go faster but they can't cook!

Almost December - Summer is upon us but it's already heating up. I got burnt last weekend because I put oil on after my shower and then went out to run some errands. School girl error!

A few weekends ago I was in Brisbane for Powderfinger's final ever concert - An Aussie band from Brisbane. 10,000 people came to the Brisbane Botanical Gardens. They ran out of beer, scotch but surprisingly had plenty of Bundy Rum and Vodka left over...and call themselves Australian...Bloody Brisbanites!

During the day I caught the last weekend of the Valentino exhibition.

Valentino Evening gown Haute Couture Spring/Summer 2003, Model 130 Strapless evening gown with low-set draped pale crimson chiffon sleeves, a train with appliqué pleated crimson taffeta rosettes and red strass crystals in their centres, and pink and grey taffeta rosettes in its lining; fabric: Buche-Guillaud; embroidery: Marabitti Collection: Valentino Archives Photograph: Jean Tholance

On Sunday I flew to Melbourne for my youngest niece's 3rd birthday. I saw my folks who had been away for 9 weeks and my sister and husband and the girls, and some of his family who I hadn't seen in 4 years. With a little bit of live Jazz it was a lovely relaxing afternoon.



Still busy at work though, long days and fatigue all around the business, we do what we can to lighten things up. We had an international food day yesterday. Everyone brings a dish and away you go...and I away i went as you can see with a BIG smile!



It was awesome. We timed it with thanksgiving as we have a vendor from the states on site for 8 months and he is getting very homesick. He made a Turducken which is a Turkey, a duck and a chicken. They are all de-boned and flat; Turkey first, then duck on top, then chicken rolled together as well as some stuffing and put into the oven...it was delicious with some cranberry sauce! He started cooking at 3am and arrived into the office at 11.

I didn't want to cook something that needed heating up as there is always a queue to the microwave, so in line with Hannukah coming up this week I bought Jam doughnuts!!

I have been here now for a third of the contract time anticipated...and I am enjoying myself. I am so very thankful that I am close to my family and life long friends that I missed for years, that I have a job and a roof over my head.

I hope you are all well - I miss you all very much and will see if I can visit in 2011 as I think about all of you and London almost every day. I didn't know if it would be possible to get back there before 2012, but where there is a will...

Love ya
xox

Home is where the heart is...

Hi :-)

Been a while.


I know I haven't been as great at staying in touch as I said I would be.


I could blame the speed (or lack thereof) of the Australian data networks, or the lack of Internet connectivity because I haven't wanted to send $1000's on a temporary Internet solution.


But it's also got a lot to do with the 12-15 hour days I have (including at best a 40 min commute by car or 1.5 hours public transport). But then that makes me sound like my glass is half empty! And its not.



It has definitely been an adjustment. I would say its been a roller coaster but I don't like them so much! Work has been up and down - it is a massive job and I have not quite got the hang of it yet. Plus I have been travelling a lot, mainly Melbourne but also to Ocean Grove (below) in Victoria and Canberra. So I just need sleep!

Off to Melbs again tom night for my niece's 6th b'day. I was there 2 weeks ago for fathers day - so I am making the most of being home like I said I would.

I went to the Hunter Valley - a few weeks ago. This is a wine region in NSW, near Newcastle (yeah it freaks me out that EVERYTHING is named after places in England...).

I had a great time - 3 nights in a lodge, a gnocchi lesson and a wine tasting - two free lunches and beautiful home made muesli - all free because i paid and drank for a few too many glasses of Moscato at a wine festival when I was living in Manly :)

When I am home I am only moments away from the beach. I can see the water from my flat which I LOVE - I didn't realise how much I loved the water until Nic and I lived in Surrey Quays. We had that great view to CW over the Thames...anyway I digress.

I get to see the water when I leave home now that the sunrises earlier... soon its daylight savings too, yey! I cancan walk to bondi beach in 10 min or 15 minutes to Bronte - have not walked as far as Coogi yet but cant wait! My closest beach is Tamarama.

The view on this walk is awesome - every turn is another postcard photo.

Seeing family and old friends is great - but I miss all of you. Its crazy but 'I left my heart in London'!

I am hanging out for summer. I have not had one in soo long! Anyway at this stage I cant see myself staying here longer than the contract but see what happens ay. Summer may change everything.

Write to me - tell me some news.

xoxox