Happy New Year!

Looking back on the past too-many-to-count years, I can vividly remember watching TV on New Years Eve in the States and seeing the Sydney Harbour NYE fireworks show. Magnificent lights exploding in colors over the Sydney Harbour Bridge and Opera House, with what seemed like thousands of sailboats watching from underneath. Never in my wildest dreams did I think I'd be able to witness it in person. But this New Years Eve, I did!

I was lucky enough to spend New Years Eve with some of my closest friends in Sydney. Tyler and Carly agreed to host us in their flat, which has spot on views of the Sydney Harbour. It was a beautiful and clear summer night - not too hot, no clouds in the sky and 2 balconies from which we watched two fireworks shows. It was a great way to usher in the new year - a full day ahead of the Western world. It was nice to safely report that the world indeed made it to 2012! And as is tradition, I rang my parents at midnight my time to wish them a happy new year. (They were in Atlanta to cheer on my beloved 'Hoos in the Chic-Fil-A Bowl, and I caught them before breakfast their time.)

In the time leading up to a new year, I always find myself in deep reflection. What did I hope the year would bring me? What would I have done differently? What was I happy about from the past year, and what do I hope for the coming year?  It's impossible to capture all my thoughts across the past few weeks, but I can say that the past year was pretty incredible for me. I still can't believe that I packed up a few suitcases and moved halfway around the world! I am so proud of myself that I did! (cue the pat on the back...) What an experience I have had, and what wonderful friends I have made. I have changed for the better (I think), and value what "home" means so much more. In the next year, I want to carry these changes forward, keep my new found sense of adventure, grow my 'global' view of the world and be open to new things/people/experiences.  Ask me in 365 days (well, 366 days given the leap year) how I did!

Here are a few snaps from New Years Eve...the pictures don't do it justice. I could hear all of Sydney count down to midnight and could smell the smoke of the fireworks. An amazing memory indeed.

The Harbour at Sunset on 12.31.2011 

Fireworks!

Bondi Beach 01.01.2012 - view from TMac and Amanda's roof where we had a BBQ

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

I hope everyone had a safe and happy New Year!

Until next time....xoxo

p.s. Less than 2 weeks until my Dad and sister Hilary arrive in Sydneytown!

Icebergs at the Beach

The past week was long but great at work. We were delighted to host our Chairman and CEO, Tom, in Australia this week. It was a big signal for my team because this Q2 is as large as our Q4, given that most Australian companies have a FYE on 30 June. Having Tom here was great to give the team an energy boost and help them understand how important they are to the firm's success. We had a great happy hour/karaoke night, and Tom was such a great sport! In all truths, I am lucky to work for a great leader who gave me this unique opportunity down under.


So when the weekend rolled around, I realized that I had a lot of plans - unlike most weekends! :)  I shocked myself with rallying to go out on Friday night for my friend Amanda's birthday party at the Sheif, which many friends call their favorite bar in Sydney. Now I know why....fun music, lots of small outdoor rooms filled with trees and heaters (it is winter here) and friends abound. We had a great time though I was home by 1:00 AM for a skype date with Christian.


Saturday, I slept in and then had a great brunch with Devin, Dawn and Tyler at Cafe Dov in our 'hood. YUM! My chorizo, goat cheese and mushroom omelet hit the spot, as well as my fresh squeezed lemonade, flat white and water. Let's be honest...it's not brunch without at least 3 beverages. Right, Christian? I then experienced a series of miscommunication errors trying to connect with my colleague Nicole, who was in Sydney visiting from her new home in Tokyo. We were unable to connect during the day so while out running errands, I accepted an offer from Leela and Pete to head to Bondi for about 2 hours. I have only been to Bondi Beach for dinner, and it was a gorgeous winter day of clear skies and 65F weather, so off we went!


While Pete surfed, Leela and I visited the famous Icebergs Bondi Beach. It's a health club/pool/restaurant/bar with INCREDIBLE views of the ocean and cliffs. It's apparently called Icebergs because in the summer, it puts huge blocks of ice in its pools to keep the water cool. The pools are awesome...they are right at the ocean's edge (see below) and waves crash into them every 30 seconds. WOW. While Pete surfed, Leela and I had a few cocktails and talked about all the travel we have done and want to do. The pictures here do not even do the views justice. But Leela and I both commented several times that we are just so lucky to be able to spend a Saturday like we were - we watched the waves crash, had great conversation, relaxed after a long week at work, and saw amazing views of the expansive Pacific Ocean. Nothing better.

View of the north side of Bondi from Icebergs

One of the pools at Icebergs and the Pacific Ocean 

View of the expansive Bondi Beach from Icebergs 

Me at Icebergs, overlooking the great Pacific Ocean

Saturday night I met up with Nicole for a drink and dinner. It was wonderful....Nicole and I have a close mutual friend, Maureen Kestly, who is simply the greatest gal. Nicole and I didn't know each other well before this trip she's taken to Sydney for the week. But we could share stories of living in Washington, DC, mutual friends, working for CEB and being a few months into living knee deep in a new culture. Nicole has never been to Sydney, so I wanted to ensure she experienced the beautiful Sydney Harbour views! So we had martinis at Cruise Bar and a delicious churrasco dinner at WIldfire. I really loved getting to know her better.

The enormous light fixtures at Wildfire.

Today was fairly ordinary as I ran errands and cleaned my pad. BUT, I knew I had a BhangLassi show at the Old Fitz tonight and they did not disappoint! I met my friend Jason at LL's for a beer before the show, where we chatted with friends Jake and his brother Grady, whoa re also in a band. Then a group of friends all met at the Old Fitz for the BhangLassi show. We had beers and great music and great fun together.

A cool snap of Alex on the keys

All in all, a terrific weekend. I got the best of Sydney and my friends. Now for the close of Q2, a very important time for this region. So I will be heads down at work...all my team's hard work across the past 3-6 months will be proven this week.


12 days until I fly home to the States for a visit....I can't wait.


Until next time...xoxo

Girl's Night!

After feeling a bit down this week about working so much and missing my friends back in the States (for the record, I still miss Fletch like crazy), I had a girl's night tonight! It could not have come at a better time. I have mentioned how lucky I am to have great colleagues here in Sydney, but am especially fortunate that a few are really awesome ladies and also old and dear friends.


Leela just returned from a well-deserved sabbatical spent traveling in South America with her hubby Pete. And Steph is on maternity leave after having her first child - a beautiful precious little baby girl named Clementine Ava - about 7 weeks ago. I was ill, Steph has been adjusting to new motherhood and Leela has been settling back in to Sydney, so we haven't had a chance to catch up - until tonight!


We went to a cool little restaurant called The Corner House in Bondi.  Bondi Beach is world famous, but we are in the autumn season here so I haven't ventured out to Bondi yet (but went years ago with my friends Hillary and Inna). We went this evening, had a great meal of wood-fired pizzas and a glass of vino. It was just great to sit and chat with the ladies, who are just awesome and have been valued colleagues & friends for years, but even moreso since I moved here. Afterwards, I had the treat of stopping by Steph's flat (right on a private beach with incredible views of the Bridge) to see little miss Clementine and the hubbies Pete and Andrew who babysat (i.e., ordered pizza and watched footie) while we were out. 


Tomorrow I have been invited to something called lawn bowling in Paddington. Hmmm.....hopefully there will be beer, and thank goodness for Google at a time like this.


Thanks to the ladies for the great night and friendship.


Until next time...xoxo