ARMAGEDDON!!!

So this morning: An unbelievable strange red light filtered through my window at 7am. I blinked twice to see if I was still dreaming, and then panicked, having decided that there was something seriously wrong with my my eyes. When I looked away and my room seemed it's usual colour, my next thought was Y2K is here, just a few years late! HOLY CRAP WE'VE BEEN NUKED! Luckily for my eyes, and the existence of the continent but unluckily for my lungs, it was what is being called a "red dust storm." What they heck is that? I remember signing up for heat, and I'm learning to deal with the rain and recently the extreme temperature swings, but a dust storm? Last I checked Sydney was not a desert! Anywho it's unfortunate timing since last night I wandered into the kitchen for a late night glass of water only to find the floor swarming with little black baby cockroaches. I swiftly grabbed what I thought was the Mortine (roach kill spray) but actually was oven cleaner!!! I didn't notice until this morning when the fumes from the previous evening's massacre were still hanging heavy in the air. Gag ME!!! Of course this happens to be the first day in history where opening the windows is ill-advised. Choosing between a layer of red dust over everything or noxious air fumes, I figured dust+ fewer toxic fumed might be a bit better than no dust + copious toxic fumes so I opened the french doors but jeez! I feel like going back to bed and waking up with this all having been a strange dream.

Beautiful Beautiful Sydney

Although this not the first time I've moved to Australia (it's the second), leaving my many and dear friends in Canada was still very difficult. My only consolation was the expectation that, like my last trip to Australia, (studying at the University of Wollongong for one semester in 2005,) I would meet some nice people but not make any real, lasting friendships. This, I mused, would make it all the more likely that I'd enjoy the Aussie experience before being on my merry way home again. Well. Lo and behold I couldn't have been more wrong! No offense to Wollongong, but the friendships I have made while at Sydney Uni have far exceeded anything I ever imagined or could have hoped for.

I feel as though I am not just a visitor anymore but that I belong in this big beautiful city. It's like even thought I'm foreign, I still fit in with the glamorous sydneysiders to whom spectacular sunsets and whale and dolphin sightings are an every-day, no big deal occurrence. Of course I still incessantly take pictures like a tourist but my friends just grin and pretend to object (but deep down I know they like the pics!) For me, getting to know this city as a local has been a much more satisfying and deep experience than the weekends where I'd take the train in from the Gong (usually alone) to explore. This past weekend was no exception. Two of my besties from work and I went to Darling Harbour at dusk for a night out on the town. It's quite a glamorous area and I can see why! Everything was just that little bit more posh and polished than what I'm used to in grunge-chic Newtown. Highlights included enjoying a pre-dinner glass of vino at sundown, our table overlooking the spectacular view of the harbour.

Eating the MOST amazing half rack of pork ribs I've ever had. Hurricanes Restaurant is famous for their ribs and even fix you up with a full torso bib! The meat simply fell off the bone it was so tender and the sauce was finger- and plate- licking delicious!!!

Luckily the bib protected my (new- on sale!) dress and I was good to go out for a dance at Bungalow 8 to work off all those ribs.

One of the girls introduced me to my new favourite drink- Vanilla vodka and orange juice. Yum! It's like dessert in a glass!

Pinch Me!

In light of my latest hospital visit (last night, 7 hours, don't ask) I feel the need to report on something fun. I may be allergic to law school at this point (seriously, if RPA Hospital gave out frequent-flyer miles I'd be able to get a free boob job or something by now) but I am certainly not complaining about my amazing boyfriend! He was home from Darwin for the weekend and we filled every bright sunny moment of it with bright sunny memories :)

First, I picked him up from the airport. (Please excuse my appearance- Nick took the red-eye so it was 7:30 in the morning.)

Did you know that in the domestic terminal a non-passenger can still go right up to the gate?! Of course I got "randomly selected" at security for a bomb search n' swab, but I passed with flying colours! (no pun intended.) After Nick greeted me by sweeping me off my feet Hollywood style, he gave me a present from Darwin-a gorgeous piece of aboriginal art. It's a crocodile and some lilies and I love it!

Next we left Sydney for the trip down the coast to Nick's house. Ahhh fresh air at last! We rounded up the doggies and took them for a run on the beach before heading out for a scrumptious lunch.

Since the restaurant was out of the item I'd ordered, the chef concocted a special dish- raspberry and custard french toast with marscarpone cheese- just for me! It was utterly delicious.

I was impressed with the coffees we'd ordered too. Nick's Cappuccino was a decent size (as opposed to the thimble sized coffees that usually get served at breakfast places here) and my latte was positively tall! Nice latte art too.

Being the great guy that he is, Nick didn't complain once while I browsed around a couple of cute boutiques. I love going to the shops in new places. Even though I rarely buy anything it's fun to see what's for sale and dream!

The next day we lunched with a couple of Nick's mates at this amazing restaurant overlooking the ocean. The main seating area is outside in this lush green garden and the tables look out right to the cascading cliffs and crashing ocean waves. What a stunning sight!

That evening we drove back to Sydney for a party with students from my law faculty. We ate dinner at Prague- a Czech restaurant in Kings Cross. The food was tasty but very... dense, as I suppose is to be expected. I quite enjoyed my dish- a combination of meat, a sweat creamy sauce, sour dough bread, cranberry sauce and whipped creme, but having tried it once, I probably wouldn't need to order it again. We met up with my classmates at Hugo's Bar in the cross and danced the night away!!!


The next day we went back down the coast to watch Nick's mom and sister play in their Grand Final Netball Match. I'd seen snippets of netball on TV but never watched a whole game before. All the matches on TV are in an indoor arena so you can imagine my surprise when we pulled up to a mass of outdoor courts! The sun was beating down on us, it was about 30 degrees and I'd not come prepared to sit in the sun! Thankfully I managed to locate some sunscreen (well Nick fetched some for me) so after that I was fine. The game was super exciting! Our team lost but it was a pretty close game until the very end.

On Nick's last morning we (Nick, his mom and sister, and I) hiked up the mountain next to the beach near the house. Again it was a hot sunny day (winter? What winter?) perfect for a hike in the woods.

We brought 3 of the doggies who were bursting with excitement in the car ride to the entrance of the trail.

At the top we enjoyed the magnificent view- including a pod of dolphins gracefully gliding in and out of the water in the distance.

On our way down Nick spotted this huge Goanna Lizard in a tree!

After having worked up a sweat and an appetite, a dip in the pool and a classic Aussie barbie for lunch hit the spot!

Ahhh... perfect company, weather, activities, food... What more could a girl ask for?? It was sad to say goodbye at the airport and although I miss him right now, it's only 6 short weeks until Nick is back again. I am already looking forward it :)

Best Jogging Bail Ever

I had a one month streak of staying out of hospital going but alas, all good things come to an end. This time I managed to inflict more injury upon myself whilst jogging! Jogging!!! I guess I didn't actually have to go to the hospital but still. Another incident.

There I was, jogging along, in the zone, and not even listening to music OR wearing sunnies (sunglasses) yet I still didn't see the speed bump in the path. Maybe this was because it was a BLACK speed bump on a BLACK running path. Not one sign or yellow stripe to speak of! When I fell it was like someone had tackled me around the ankles- all at once I dove into the pavement and skidded to a stop in the spread eagle position- face included. How embarrassing! A woman jogging with her dog ran over to me and asked if I was ok which was nice. I said yes but I was definitely choking back tears. I was in so much pain! Peeling myself off the ground (slowly) I assured her that my ego was probably more hurt than my knees (and hands, and face), which was true, but I still hurt all over. Upon inspection I noticed both hands were a mess, bruised, scraped and stabbed (since I was carrying keys). I somehow scraped the top of my right shoulder and the bottom of my chin. Both knees are really cut and bruised but the left one is worse. I could barely drag myself home. Feeling better today but still can't put any pressure on the left knee. Hopefully there is no permanent damage!

I think I'll be sticking to the treadmill from now on...

Me New Spectacles!

Ok so not the greatest picture ever but you get the idea... I took this before having the glasses re-fitted so they were slipping down my nose a bit too but in any case here we are, the new and (hopefully) improved geek-look! My previous pair, a much-loved Oliver Peoples design circa 2002 had long seen their day come and go and it was high time for a new pair. The store didn't have a lot of choice (kind of a running theme in this country I've noticed) but I managed to find this pair of Ralph Lauren glasses that I'm very happy with. In fact I've been wearing them out of the house quite often! Unlike the old pair, these glasses have the right prescription which, lo and behold- makes a colossal difference. Talk about seeing through a whole new pair of glasses!

Blue Mountains Mini-break part 2

In a valley, what goes down, must come up and our mode of choice was this cable car. Crammed in like sardines we listened to our overly enthusiastic tour guide.

His pommy-turned- strained Aussie accent was almost as bad as his ranger hat and boots- so did not work next to his sallow, pasty skin. His banter was not remotely witty and seemed to be appreciated only by the non-English speakers on the ride...

Fortunately the magnificant views were enough of a distraction so keep me happy for most of the five minute ride to the top.

After such a big day in the mountains it was wonderful to retire to Lu's Nana's house... a cozy cottage-like home with plenty of blankets and a cute little pup to cuddle! The air was so fresh, I couldn't breathe deeply enough to satisfy my lungs' thirst for it. Upon our arrival we were greeted warmly and ushered into the dining room for dinner- a yummy homemade chicken casserole. Living the student life sure makes me appreciate a home-cooked meal! We had tea and homemade ginger biscuits for dessert and then cozied up in the barcaloungers to watch a bit of tv before bed.

The next day we enjoyed a leisurely breakfast before setting out for the Jenolan Caves. The trip was especially meaningful because my friend's parents had first met there when her dad was working as a tour guide and her mom was a visitor (from Canada!)...awwwww!

The caves were magnificent!!

This park seem to also have their own fashion-challenged members of the ranger-team. I thought the thongs were quite ambitious given the temperature was only about 14 degrees. Also, who wears short shorts? This guy!!

Lastly we took a lovely walk around a place known as the "Blue Lake" due to the limestone deposits in the water. No trick photography- the water is really that colour. Stunning!

All in all a spectacular trip. Thanks Lu!!!

My Blue Mountains Mini-break Part 1

A few weeks ago before departing for her big adventure in the states ("overseas" as they call it here... overseas being short for "anywhere other than Australia") my friend invited me to spend the weekend with her and her Nana in a beautiful area west of Sydney where the famous Blue Mountains are located. We stayed in her Nana's lovely home in the city of Bathurst for two nights. The crisp fresh winter air was just what my lungs had ordered! I was thrilled to be able to escape the city for the first time since last March and I thoroughly enjoyed every last moment of the trip.

Upon leaving the Sydney traffic in our dust, we set out on the open road for Katoomba, eagerly anticipating a visit to the Three Sisters, a famous rock formation at a place called Echo Point. The Aboriginal dream-time legend of the Three Sisters is rather interesting. According to the legend there were three sisters who had fallen in love with three brothers from a different tribe but under tribal law they were forbidden to marry. Upset, the brothers conspired to capture the sisters from their tribe. This gave rise to a major tribal battle and placed the girls in grave danger. A witchdoctor from the sisters' tribe sought to protect the sisters by turning them into stone, with a view to reversing the spell upon the conclusion of the battle. Unfortunately the doctor was killed in the battle and as the only one capable of undoing the spell, the girls were fated to remain in their magnificent rock formation forever!

Not only did we see the Three Sisters, but we also hiked in and around the beautiful subtropical rain forest in the area. Among other things, it is particularly famous for being the location of discovery of the thought-to-be-extinct Wollemi Pine tree. As one of the oldest and rarest species its 200 million year old plant family dates back to the beginning of the Jurassic period aka the age of the dinosaurs! The tree's discovery by a bushwalker in 1994 was of international significance and has been called the botanical find of the century. Its unique and unusual history is the reason for the fuss and for the fact that, unless you are one of a select group of scientists, do not expect to get to see one of these 1000 yr old trees in the wild: their location is as closely guarded a secret as the Coca Cola recipe!!

This one here, the largest in the wild and known as "Bill," has roots that are thought to date back to the Roman Empire. Now that is one old tree!

We also learned about coal mining in the area and even took a ride on a coal-train- turned- tourist -train down the side of a cliff. We elected for the front row seat with looks great in the movies but is actually pretty scary!

Luckily we managed to regain our composure for a happy snap at the end....

There's lots more to say so stay tuned for my next post where I will share the details of the rest of the trip!

One of those days...

You know when you have just had one of those days? Well multiply that by a week and you have how I feel. Somehow I feel this picture of Bailey encapsulates my sentiments exactly. Between work, school, volunteering, social engagements and housework/ cooking/ shopping - trying to keep all the balls in the air is so overwhelming sometimes I feel like curling up into a ball and staying in bed! But the show must go on. At least we've been blessed with some gorgeous weather over the last few days. I took full advantage of the sun's fabric-drying ability and laundered ALL of my bedding. "So what" you say? Well just to re-cap, Australians have little need of a dryer most of the year which for most, including my housemates, translates into not owning one at all. This makes drying sheets in the winter time an aggravating week-long process which is tricky if you only own one set of sheets. Not to even mention duvet covers or doona covers, as the Aussies call them.... Yay for the sweet smell of fresh breeze wafting that is now throughout my room (a nice break from stuffy, musty dampness). Almost makes me forget about all the reading I need to catch up on. Almost, but not quite.

.... Has it really come to this- where clean laundry is the highlight of my week?