Now here's a funny thing. The first time I came to Australia in 1998, I remember it being really flippin' hot. Like 24/7. I seriously don't remember it being cold. And definitely not this cold. Now, before you all start harping on about how cold its been in the UK etc, we expect the cold and rain where we live. Its what we do. Moan about the cold and the rain. However, over here, the temperature drops so rapidly at night, I have to put 3 layers on AND the heating. Except, most homes don't have what we know as central heating - they just have reverse Air Con units. Yup, like that's gonna keep me warm. It ends up feeling like a baby yawning on you - a little smelly and a bit warm, and it only lasts for a split second.
So, I had to go and buy a plug in heater from 'Dick Smith's' (dont ask) as there is no alternative to Asda, Homebase or Matalan here. Okay, so there is Target and Big W, but you need a car to get to the huge shopping centres and *shock-gasp-horror* they don't put all their items from their stores on their website to order for delivery. Seriously? So, heater is working - sort of - and the flat is a little warmer than the temperature outside. I had to resort to putting the gas rings on when I got home most nights last week as it was that cold - I felt like a student! And it's not even winter yet - that kicks in June. Can't wait. Although the morning and evenings are cold, during the day the sun comes out and its blissful! But then you are stuck with three layers to carry around with you. Can I moan anymore about how cold it is?
So, since the last update, lots have been happening on the social front (not that this will surprise many of you). A good friend got married a few weeks ago and the wedding was awesome. Its was just lovely to see the slight differences between a british and aussie wedding. Over here, they make far more effort to 'dress' for the occasion - more hats and fascinators. Also, the service was seriously quick and really good fun. The priest was hilarious and made some great jokes. The reception venue overlooked the Harbour and you could see the Harbour Bridge in the background. Was so special. And then we had a boat take us across the harbour when it was time to go home. We also had 'Anzac' day last month - remembering the battle at Gallipoli and honouring the service men and women who are still in active service. I also got to play '2-up' which is the easiest game EVER! Its basically head or tails and you flip two coins and you bet on heads or tails - whichever comes up, wins! It's very simple, easy to win (or lose) a lot of money in a few minutes and people get very excited by it. But the law states you're only allowed to play 2-up on Anzac day only. Hence why everyone goes bonkers for it. I loved it.
Anzac was a superb day and it really made me think how we just don't celebrate these kind of things at home. Yes, we have 11/11 and we stop for the 2 minute silence. Thats it. We don't celebrate our service personnel who are still fighting for us. We don't celebrate St George's Day (even though every other country has a day that celebrates it's heritage - Australia day is MAHOOSIVE over here). And it just makes me feel a little sad. I'm not going to get on my soapbox about why we don't bother with any of these celebrations, but all I will say is, unless you have been in another country when their day of celebration is happening (Ireland for St Patricks Day, America for Independence Day etc) then you won't understand the passion everyone else has for their country. I know we have it, but it's like the *mute* button has been pressed on us. I'm just saying.
Anyways, back to living the life of Riley.....
Went to the Hunter Valley region at the weekend, for a festival of wine tasting called the "Lovedale Long Lunch'. It was seriously good and so well organsied, considering you probably had 10,000 people moving between 8-10 wineries! We started drinking at 10am (don't think I've ever started drinking that early) and its all finished at 4pm. You can imagine the state of some people! We saw about 20 people all dressed up as Smurfs, which was hilarious and there were also the pink ladies and t-birds. The 'Aussie' girls I went with were absolutely fantastic fun and we should have known how the day was going to pan out when Del fell down at ditch at 9.30am! I actually couldn't catch my breath for laughing - literally all day. A quick snapshot goes something like this: Mosey scaring the cows; 'Where's Holly?'; Copiuous amounts of vino; Hijacking the bus driver to take us to the pub; 'Fencing' us in with his parking; Kirsty Grills collecting so much wood for the fire and keeping 'her b*tches warm'; Show us your 'half pidge' and 'I am a tree in a pot'.........Makes no sense to you lot, but it was one of the funniest weekends I've ever had. So, to my aussie girls, I salute you - hardcore until the end and you all managed to be bright eyed and bushy-tailed the next morning....how???
A funny thing occured to me recently. As you all know, I have a large circle of friends at home who's one common denominator is me. But when they are pushed together (normally, by me, for some pink party fund raising shenanigans) they usually get on really well. But, since I've met my 'Brit family', I've realised that I spend a majority of my free time with a group of just 8 people - which I've never had before. We meet up 2-3 times during the week and then we usually spend Saturday day/night and sunday day together. Normally, that wouldn't appeal to me, as I've never really had a circle of friends like that (think Carrie et al in SATC). And now I have it, I love it. The girls and I put the worlds to right and the boys just humour me with my lack of knowledge of just about everything. But it is just SO easy. Like we've known each other forever. I feel protected now, that these people 'have my back' and that if I need anything, I have them beside me. And that's made me very happy, knowing I have this support network here.
So, time to sign off. Us Brit family are away in Port Stephens this weekend, so I have no doubt there will be more laughter, sambucca (stu!) and stories to tell in my next blog. I am loving my Sydney life, but I think its not only because of the friends that I have made here, but because I know my time here is limited. And I will make the most of every weekend to make a lifetime of adventures to bore you all with when I get home.
Life is good. Very, very good.
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
So, I had to go and buy a plug in heater from 'Dick Smith's' (dont ask) as there is no alternative to Asda, Homebase or Matalan here. Okay, so there is Target and Big W, but you need a car to get to the huge shopping centres and *shock-gasp-horror* they don't put all their items from their stores on their website to order for delivery. Seriously? So, heater is working - sort of - and the flat is a little warmer than the temperature outside. I had to resort to putting the gas rings on when I got home most nights last week as it was that cold - I felt like a student! And it's not even winter yet - that kicks in June. Can't wait. Although the morning and evenings are cold, during the day the sun comes out and its blissful! But then you are stuck with three layers to carry around with you. Can I moan anymore about how cold it is?
So, since the last update, lots have been happening on the social front (not that this will surprise many of you). A good friend got married a few weeks ago and the wedding was awesome. Its was just lovely to see the slight differences between a british and aussie wedding. Over here, they make far more effort to 'dress' for the occasion - more hats and fascinators. Also, the service was seriously quick and really good fun. The priest was hilarious and made some great jokes. The reception venue overlooked the Harbour and you could see the Harbour Bridge in the background. Was so special. And then we had a boat take us across the harbour when it was time to go home. We also had 'Anzac' day last month - remembering the battle at Gallipoli and honouring the service men and women who are still in active service. I also got to play '2-up' which is the easiest game EVER! Its basically head or tails and you flip two coins and you bet on heads or tails - whichever comes up, wins! It's very simple, easy to win (or lose) a lot of money in a few minutes and people get very excited by it. But the law states you're only allowed to play 2-up on Anzac day only. Hence why everyone goes bonkers for it. I loved it.
Anzac was a superb day and it really made me think how we just don't celebrate these kind of things at home. Yes, we have 11/11 and we stop for the 2 minute silence. Thats it. We don't celebrate our service personnel who are still fighting for us. We don't celebrate St George's Day (even though every other country has a day that celebrates it's heritage - Australia day is MAHOOSIVE over here). And it just makes me feel a little sad. I'm not going to get on my soapbox about why we don't bother with any of these celebrations, but all I will say is, unless you have been in another country when their day of celebration is happening (Ireland for St Patricks Day, America for Independence Day etc) then you won't understand the passion everyone else has for their country. I know we have it, but it's like the *mute* button has been pressed on us. I'm just saying.
Anyways, back to living the life of Riley.....
Went to the Hunter Valley region at the weekend, for a festival of wine tasting called the "Lovedale Long Lunch'. It was seriously good and so well organsied, considering you probably had 10,000 people moving between 8-10 wineries! We started drinking at 10am (don't think I've ever started drinking that early) and its all finished at 4pm. You can imagine the state of some people! We saw about 20 people all dressed up as Smurfs, which was hilarious and there were also the pink ladies and t-birds. The 'Aussie' girls I went with were absolutely fantastic fun and we should have known how the day was going to pan out when Del fell down at ditch at 9.30am! I actually couldn't catch my breath for laughing - literally all day. A quick snapshot goes something like this: Mosey scaring the cows; 'Where's Holly?'; Copiuous amounts of vino; Hijacking the bus driver to take us to the pub; 'Fencing' us in with his parking; Kirsty Grills collecting so much wood for the fire and keeping 'her b*tches warm'; Show us your 'half pidge' and 'I am a tree in a pot'.........Makes no sense to you lot, but it was one of the funniest weekends I've ever had. So, to my aussie girls, I salute you - hardcore until the end and you all managed to be bright eyed and bushy-tailed the next morning....how???
A funny thing occured to me recently. As you all know, I have a large circle of friends at home who's one common denominator is me. But when they are pushed together (normally, by me, for some pink party fund raising shenanigans) they usually get on really well. But, since I've met my 'Brit family', I've realised that I spend a majority of my free time with a group of just 8 people - which I've never had before. We meet up 2-3 times during the week and then we usually spend Saturday day/night and sunday day together. Normally, that wouldn't appeal to me, as I've never really had a circle of friends like that (think Carrie et al in SATC). And now I have it, I love it. The girls and I put the worlds to right and the boys just humour me with my lack of knowledge of just about everything. But it is just SO easy. Like we've known each other forever. I feel protected now, that these people 'have my back' and that if I need anything, I have them beside me. And that's made me very happy, knowing I have this support network here.
So, time to sign off. Us Brit family are away in Port Stephens this weekend, so I have no doubt there will be more laughter, sambucca (stu!) and stories to tell in my next blog. I am loving my Sydney life, but I think its not only because of the friends that I have made here, but because I know my time here is limited. And I will make the most of every weekend to make a lifetime of adventures to bore you all with when I get home.
Life is good. Very, very good.
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
