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!

Giving Thanks

I absolutely love the holiday season. It's my favorite time of year....I love when the weather grows chilly (even cold...I love winter clothes), the leaves change colors and fall, football games, Christmas decorations and carols, and the memories that flood back when Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer or A Christmas Carol (the George C. Scott as Ebenezer Scrooge version, of course) come on TV.  I relish each and every tradition and love the time spent with my family so much.  When I decided to move to Australia, one of the first things I wondered was what the holidays would be like "down under" and whether I would truly miss my version of the holiday season. I do, but am thankful to experience a new one. I'll tell you about it!


So, it's now summertime here. It's rainy but each week, more and more days are filled with clear blue skies and sun. The days are getting longer, and summer clothes and sandals are now on regular rotation from my closet.  That in and of itself is strange - it's December. It should be cold! It gets stranger as more Christmas decorations go up. Without Thanksgiving here, the tinsel and trees were up in mid-November!


Thanksgiving came and went here just like any other day. My Mom asked me if I was at least going out to dinner, but no, I had Pilates and fell asleep without even eating dinner! The next day, while at work on Friday, I skyped with my entire family after they enjoyed my mom's delicious feast. I admit.....I wanted to cry. I just miss them all so much. BUT.....I am damn lucky. I have made such wonderful friends here that I feel as if I have a new "family of friends". And with them, I have now enjoyed two Thanksgivings!


The first was at Amanda's house. There were about 40-50 of us! The beauty of it was that while there were a few Americans there, we also had a token Brit, a lovely South African and about 40 Aussies who have come to love Thanksgiving! We all were meant to bring something, but they don't have the same ingredients here. For example, turkeys are hard to come by. They have to be pre-ordered and are mucho expensivo. And no cornbread, pumpkin pie filling or wild rice! Mom had sent ingredients for her delicious rice dressing but alas, the box was caught in customs so I had to improvise the night before our Thanksgiving. I made a delicious sage/sausage/bread stuffing, my famous stuffed mushrooms, roasted veggies and a horseradish dip. We ate, enjoyed (lots of) beer, played the traditional American college game of beer pong (which more than one Aussie can't help calling "beer ping pong") and watched NFL games via my slingbox. Amanda's turkey was divine, and the day was all-around great fun. Special thanks to Amanda, Dawn, Devin, Nipul, Muzza, Jason, Robbie, RIch and Kath for a great day.

This is Drummer, the dog Amanda is fostering. He's so sweet. 

My sage/sausage/bread stuffing!

My friend Dawn and me! 

Dawn, Nipul and me....with the traditional Thanksgiving jello shot.

Fast forward one more week, and I had another Thanksgiving (yesterday) at my dear dear friends Tim and Amanda's (i.e., TMac and Manders) house. As luck would have it, TMac proposed to Manders the day prior, so we had a lot to celebrate! Amanda made wonderful food (I made the mushrooms and roasted veggies again) and Tim made yummy cranberry margaritas, and gathered a host of folks they know from their time living in London and Sydney. There were Brits, Aussies, Frenchies and Americans. After eating, we all went around and said what we were thankful for. We all agreed that we are thankful for change, and not being too afraid to make it. And we are thankful for our family of friends. Thank you to TMac, Manders, Carly, Ben, Nipul, Kate and James for an awesome day.

TMac and Manders!

It's hard to be away from home, especially during the holidays. But I am so lucky to have met all these great people who will be lifelong friends of mine. I am thankful for the support of my friends and family back home. And of course for Fletcher, because he's awesome.


And thanks to all of you who read my blog! I hope you had a wonderful Thanksgiving, wherever you are!


Until next time...xoxo


p.s. Hey Bondi Chat - I love you all.

Halfway Around the World and Back Again

Hi all! Well, it's been a month since I last blogged and admittedly, I have missed it! I write this blog to capture the memories I am making while living overseas, but have found that I end up writing just about my life (thanks again to those who pretend to be interested and entertained!). So, if this about my life and any and all memories, I'll start writing again by telling you about my glorious trip home!


I was fortunate enough to travel home to the East Coast of the grand US of A on 9 July. After over 24 hours of travel, I landed at Dulles airport in Washington and was picked up by Patrick. After grabbing takeout from my fave spot and a bottle of wine, we headed to my condo and I was finally AT HOME. Tammy popped by and then I hit the hay, for I was really exhausted. The next day, after a brief but awesome catch up with Eileen, Patrick and I drove to Corolla in the Outer Banks of North Carolina for 10 days at the beach with my family. AND WITH FLETCHER!!


Needless to say, I was delighted to see my family and my booboo Fletcher, who has NOT forgotten me. After an emotional reunion, he didn't leave my side for 10 days and I loved every second.  Highlights of my 10 days at the beach include but are not limited to:


~ SO much time with my adorable nephews, amazing parents, beautiful sisters and handsome brothers-in-law
~ quality time with Patrick, and a 5 am wakeup for a great sunrise walk on the beach while I was still jetlagged
~ wine and Watch What Happens (clue word was "Joe" and it was all NJ Housewives...ahem) with Tammy and Courtney
~ daily walks to Outer Banks Coffee and Lighthouse bagels
~ American bacon, Wolfe bloody mary's, baby back ribs a la Debbie, bbq Lays chips, Big Bucks peanut butter & chocolate ice cream and 4 bushels of NC jimmies courtesy of Patrick
~ watching Fletcher chase birds and roll in the sand


Here are a few of my favorite pictures:

Patrick and a fresh catch!

Kevin (my bro-in-law) and Courtney (my sis) 

My dog, me and an empty beach at sunrise

Fresh Jimmies, caught same day!

Perfect beach scene 

BooBoo Fletcher, the most awesomest dog ever in the world

My MOM!! 

My DAD, Fletcher and Sam

Dougie O (my bro-in-law) and Hilary (my sis)

A gorgeous Corolla sunset

Seriously? He is so cute! 

My 3 nephews - Jack, Sam & Thomas 

I then spent 2.5 days in Washington, DC. I enjoyed my condo (though it was weird to be living out of a suitcase in my own home), had a wonderful Lauriol Plaza dinner with close friends (thank you Tammy, Mary, Cat, Ginger and even you Christian) and spent time in our HQ office. Let's just say my trip home was less than smooth -- 4-hour delay in Washington --> missed flight to Sydney and no baggage --> 2 hours spent finding a hotel in San Fran, at midnight, and finally found one 45 minutes our of town --> diversion through New Zealand --> delay in New Zealand --> arrival in Sydney 1.5 days later than planned.

Lauriol dinner with my homies

In the midst of all of this, Tammy had a birthday and Kelly & Juice blessed us with another baby (Nicholas Matthew) in our family of friends. And Jessica Kirkby - whose mom babysat me and then I babysat Jess she was a baby - had a healthy baby girl yesterday! Wow!


It's nice to be back, and I missed everyone in the office. I am not back in the swing of things, until my next trip.....Singapore next week, and THAILAND!! A dream come true! Then back to DC on 2 September for a week-long visit!


Until next time...xoxo

Halfway Around the World and Back Again

Hi all! Well, it's been a month since I last blogged and admittedly, I have missed it! I write this blog to capture the memories I am making while living overseas, but have found that I end up writing just about my life (thanks again to those who pretend to be interested and entertained!). So, if this about my life and any & all memories, I'll start writing again by telling you about my glorious trip home!


I was fortunate enough to travel home to the East Coast of the grand US of A on 9 July. After over 24 hours of travel, I landed at Dulles airport in Washington and was picked up by Patrick. After grabbing takeout from my fave spot and a bottle of wine, we headed to my condo and I was finally AT HOME. Tammy popped by and then I hit the hay, for I was really exhausted. The next day, after a brief but awesome catch up with Eileen, Patrick and I drove to Corolla in the Outer Banks of North Carolina for 10 days at the beach with my family. AND WITH FLETCHER!!


Needless to say, I was delighted to see my family and my booboo Fletcher, who has NOT forgotten me. After an emotional reunion, he didn't leave my side for 10 days and I loved every second.  Highlights of my 10 days at the beach include but are not limited to:


~ SO much time with my adorable nephews, amazing parents, beautiful sisters and handsome brothers-in-law
~ quality time with Patrick, and a 5 am wakeup for a great sunrise walk on the beach while I was still jetlagged
~ wine and Watch What Happens (clue word was "Joe" and it was all NJ Housewives...ahem) with Tammy and Courtney
~ daily walks to Outer Banks Coffee and Lighthouse bagels
~ American bacon, Wolfe bloody mary's, baby back ribs a la Debbie, bbq Lays chips, Big Bucks peanut butter & chocolate ice cream and 4 bushels of NC jimmies courtesy of Patrick
~ watching Fletcher chase birds and roll in the sand


Here are a few of my favorite pictures:

Patrick and a fresh catch!

Kevin (my bro-in-law) and Courtney (my sis) 

My dog, me and an empty beach at sunrise

Fresh Jimmies, caught same day!

Perfect beach scene 

BooBoo Fletcher, the most awesomest dog ever in the world

My MOM!! 

My DAD, Fletcher and Sam

Dougie O (my bro-in-law) and Hilary (my sis)

A gorgeous Corolla sunset

Seriously? He is so cute! 

My 3 nephews - Jack, Sam & Thomas 

I then spent 2.5 days in Washington, DC. I enjoyed my condo (though it was weird to be living out of a suitcase in my own home), had a wonderful Lauriol Plaza dinner with close friends (thank you Tammy, Mary, Cat, Ginger and even you Christian) and spent time in our HQ office. 

Lauriol dinner with my homies

Let's just say my trip back home to Sydney was less than smooth -- 4-hour delay in Washington --> missed flight to Sydney and no baggage --> 2 hours spent finding a hotel in San Fran, at midnight, and finally found one 45 minutes our of town --> diversion through New Zealand --> delay in New Zealand --> arrival in Sydney 1.5 days later than planned. In the midst of all of this, Tammy had a birthday and Kelly & Juice blessed us with another baby (Nicholas Matthew) in our family of friends. And Jessica Kirkby - whose mom babysat me and then I babysat Jess she was a baby - had a healthy baby girl yesterday! Wow!


It's nice to be back, and I missed everyone in the office. I am not back in the swing of things, until my next trip.....Singapore next week, and THAILAND!! A dream come true! Then back to DC on 2 September for a week-long visit!


Until next time...xoxo