On our way

Well, tomorrow we are on our way "home" for 2 weeks. Except, it's not really 2 weeks. Factor in a day and a half there, and three days back, and it's really just 9 days. And then factor in all the errands we have to run and the hassle of the car and the storage unit and the driving and the packing and unpacking... and really, it's like a long weekend. Sigh. I am exhausted, and we haven't even left yet.

Despite the fact that the inevitable drama has already begun, I AM looking forward to elements of this trip. I can't wait to feel some summer warmth on my face. I am so excited to be going shopping and finally get some new jeans! I cannot tell you how excited I am to see Sarah! And I do look forward to spending some time with The Husband and The Doodle. It will be so nice to be together as a family again.

Sorry we won't be able to see you all... but we will see some of you soon!

All work and no play

Work has been busy for both The Husband and I these past few weeks. We've had some major wins and some disappointments, but we continue to move forward and think positively. I am really excited about the next 6 months. I have some great big goals to accomplish, and I can't wait to see how that all pans out.

However, in an effort to refresh ourselves, we made sure to get some good play time in this weekend. Yesterday was a gorgeous day with blue skies and the hint of spring in the air. Even though the winter has been mild here, it has still been winter - and we are all itching for the spring weather!

So I met Tash in the city yesterday for Pancakes on the Rocks, and a good gab fest. After, we browsed the markets. Lots of tourists in the city this weekend! We were amazed how many. Finally, a nice bevvie from Starbucks and a long sit in the sun, looking out over my favouritest of Sydney views. Nothing fancy, just some people watching and some sunshine. I felt so refreshed.

The Husband is spending the weekend with his camera club, honing his skills. I always love to see his latest work - he is getting so good! I suppose that is because he actually takes the time to learn how to use the camera, whereas I turn it on and push the button. Ha.

I am cleaning and packing today. Only 2 more days of work and we are off to the Great White North. Could someone please arrange for summer to arrive there before we do??

Upside Down?

It's winter here. The dead of winter.
And today, it's 77f and sunny. It's absolutely gorgeous.
Everyone is wearing short sleeves and the windows of our office are open and the breeze is blowing through. We all had ice cream this afternoon.

What's scary is that in one week we are headed to Canada for vacation. Canada - where it's the middle of summer.
And the forecast for Toronto today is 67f and cloudy.
With a chance of rain.
Eek.

Which way is home?

  Home is an intresting concept. There have been many times over the past year and a half where I have said "I want to go home." And my lovely Husband usually replies "And where would that be, exactly?"

Exactly.

Where is home? It's an interesting concept for those who travel. Right now, our litle apartment on Military Road is home. At the end of a long day at work, I am so happy to come back to it and find my familiar things. But next week we will board a plane to Canada, and we keep saying things like "when we go home" or "what to pack for home." And the funniest part of all is that when our visit is over, I will be happy to be coming home to Australia.

Home, they say, is where the heart is. But that doesn't seem to work for me. I have a litle bit of everywhere I have ever been in my heart. I could argue that all of those places are home. I think the real test is just to make a home wherever you are.

I have always said that you can tell you live in a place when you start to run into people that you know. Today we had a gorgeous sunny day. We walked through China Town and had yum cha for lunch. And in the midst of the chaos of Hay Street, with tourists en masse, trams gliding by, and even a street parade, we ran into people we knew. And suddenly, this big city on the bottom of the world felt like home.

something good

Every day in my office, we start the day with something good. We sit around a table and everyone relates something good that has happened to them in the past days. Sometimes it's hard and it makes me cranky. But sometimes it's funny and we all laugh and it starts the day off just right.
My Something Good today was the fact that my husband baked me the most amazing chocolate cake... with homemade cherry filling and whipped chocolate frosting. And it was the best thing I have eaten in a very long time. And while it's not exactly diet food, it sure does hit the spot on a cold, rainy, yucky winters night. Yum.

Baa Baa Black Sheep

So, I spent about 4 hours on Saturday in "Beginners Knitting" class. And it was great! I am hooked! I am not so good at it yet, but I have managed to get about 1/6th of a scarf done, and while it looks lumpy and imperfect, I am learning. I think it's going to be a good project for the plane... if I can figure out how to get the needles on board. Hmm.

Anyway, it's probably going to be a while before I have anything knitted that is worth posting pictures of, but I am pretty proud of myself for being able to check something else off the list of Goals. In fact, it was number one on the list. So I am now off to accomplish number two.

So, in case you are keeping track...

1. Learn to Knit.

2. Apply for my Canadian Passport.

Might involve a little more paperwork. I'll keep you posted.

Icebergs Bondi

Since we (the sales team) met our goals last quarter, our generous boss took us out for a long lunch at an amazing restaurant today - Icebergs in Bondi. Located above the famous Bondi pools, it was truly breathtaking. Often frequented by the rich and famous, we really whooped it up this afternoon... spending nearly 4.5 hours staring at that gorgeous view and eating gorgeous food. We even saw whales, wending thier way up the coast, surfacing with the occasional spray from their blowholes. It was a great day! Another fancy-shmancy restaurant to add to the list. And what a awesome view!!

Happy Birthday USA!

Wish we could have been there to share it with ya'll. We did get to see fireworks, so even though it was freezing cold, it still felt a little like home.
Only 3 weeks now until our visit! Woo hoo!!