Monday, February 25, 2008

Our Three Year Love Affair With a Sunburned Country

Like most things in life, things don’t always go to plan. Originally, our great Australian adventure was only going to last for a year; however, one year quickly turned in to two and today we are celebrating three years living down under. It’s strange yet wonderful how life works out, and just how quickly time flies.

While living abroad has its disadvantages- for example, the huge ocean that stands in between us and our family and friends, the time difference, the expensive flights, etc., overall, I would have to say our time in Sydney has been absolutely fun-filled and amazing. Our quality of life is excellent, our lives are relatively stress-free, and we’ve been able to travel heaps. We definitely have a different perspective on life thanks to our time in Australia.

Sydney obviously keeps us coming back for more and while we do realize there will soon be a time when we have to pack it up, for now we’re very happy to continue making our home here.

To celebrate our "three year aussie anniversary" we decided to re-discover Sydney over the weekend. It was finally a gorgeous, hot and sunny weekend so we had to take advantage of it!

It was a very busy and electric weekend in Sydney. There were heaps of people out due to the fabulous weather; the Australia v. India cricket match and the Hyundai A-league finals (football) were going on; it's (gay) mardi gras party time; and there was the royal rendezvous of the Queen Victoria (on its first tour) and the QE2 (on its last tour).

Saturday we caught a ferry to Circular Quay where we dined and drank it up in Aussie fashion at the stylish, harbour-side Opera Bar. After a lovely dinner, we engaged in a bit of culture at the Opera House and enjoyed the comedic production of Shakespeare's As You Like It.

Sunday we went on a walking tour of Sydney. We started in our neighbourhood, walked over the Harbour Bridge, through the Rocks and their outdoor markets, and on to Circular Quay. We had a beautiful seafood lunch and a few wines at a lovely restaurant on the harbour. After lunch, it was more walking all throughout the Botanical Gardens.

We had a wonderful weekend and as we move on in to our third year living on this giant island, we look forward to what lies ahead for us.

Saturday, February 23, 2008

Viva Obama

This is one of the best campaign videos ever made.



To the candidate who is Barack Obama
I sing this corrido with all my soul
He was born humble without pretension
He began in the streets of Chicago
Working to achieve a vision
To protect the working people
And bring us all together in this great nation
Viva Obama! Viva Obama!
Families united and safe and even with a health care plan
Viva Obama! Viva Obama!
A candidate fighting for our nation
It doesn't matter if you're from San Antonio
It doesn't matter if you're from Corpus Christi
From Dallas, from the Valley, from Houston or from El Paso
What matters is that we vote for Obama
Because his struggle is also our struggle, and today we urgently need a change
Let's unite with our great friend
Viva Obama! Viva Obama!
Families united and safe and even with a health care plan

Viva Obama! Viva Obama!
A candidate fighting for our nation

Saturday, February 16, 2008

Happy (Belated) Valentine's Day

I hope everyone had a lovely Valentine's Day! Paul was sweet and surprised me with these beautiful flowers at home. The scent is just gorgeous and makes me smile every time I step through the door.

After work, we celebrated the night with a few friends who were in town from Brisbane for a short visit. We dined on delicious Indian food and cracked opened a few bottles of wine fresh from our trip to the Hunter Valley. So, it wasn't necessarily a romantic evening but it was great fun nonetheless.

On Valentine's Day, Paul and I not only celebrate our love for each other, but we also celebrate something else... our "Engagement Anniversary." It was four years ago on February 14th that Paul popped a simple question that would change our lives forever. And even though it was not planned because of Valentine's Day- it just happened that the day fell on the weekend while we were in New York City- Valentine's Day has an extra special meaning to us.

And yes, we are big dorks and I know what you're thinking, "Who celebrates their engagement anniversary?" Well, we do. It was an important moment in our lives together and one we want to remember each year. In all honesty, we have a few special anniversary days that we like to commemorate every year. It's nice having a little something extra special to celebrate with the hubs and in my book you can never have too many anniversaries or for that matter, too much of a good thing!

XO

Monday, February 11, 2008

A Day on the Green




This weekend, Paul and I left the city for a little relaxation and fun in Sydney’s wine region, the Hunter Valley. It’s just a short two hour drive away and you’ve been transported to the country.

The Hunter Valley is beautiful terrain lined with farms and rolling hills dotted with vineyards. This time of year, everything is lush and green and the grapes are just about ready for picking. We love the Hunter and surely this will be a place we will miss dearly when we eventually move back to the US. Unlike Napa, California, which can be a bit pretentious and too good for its own doing, the Hunter offers a no-fuss, relaxed environment set amongst scenic landscapes. The wines are gorgeous with the region being predominantly known for its Semillon and Shiraz; the local cuisine is simple, fresh and homegrown; and overall, it’s just country chic.






The main reason we headed to the Hunter this weekend was to enjoy ourselves at a concert on Saturday night. For Christmas, we bought tickets for A Day on the Green, which is an outdoor concert series that travels to various wineries around Australia. It combines amazing homegrown musical talent with fine wine, food and a spectacular location. This weekend, Bimbadgen Estate was featuring the The John Butler Trio, an electric roots blue grass jam band that is one of our favourites- We absolutely love these guys. Not only are they quality musicians but they use their talents to bring awareness to social, political, cultural and environmental injustices.

For Paul and I, we identify with their music and their hopes for making a better world. You’ve got to love a down-to-earth band that actually cares about our planet and each other. We had the honour of seeing John Butler play Ocean, which has got to be one of the best instrumental guitar pieces ever. He plays a 12 string guitar which is incredibly difficult to do and this song is just gorgeous. The trio played several other crowd favourites and I can safely say the vineyard was definitely rocking that night!

Monday, February 4, 2008

Mom


Today is Mom's birthday. I truly wish I could be there with her to celebrate as I know, above all, the one thing she would want the most on her birthday is her family, healthy and together again. However with Sister being on the East coast, myself oceans away and the circumstances being what they are with Dad, unfortunately, it cannot be. And although I am a bit sad I cannot give her, her wish, I know she feels our love and support on this special day and every day.

My Mom is not just my Mom, but she’s my friend. Yes, a bit cliché, but we have always been extremely close to one another. Although I am married now and have my dear hubs to love and support me, knowing that I can still go to my Mom brings me great comfort... Maybe because she’s known me for nearly 30 years, or she’s a smart cookie with heaps of wisdom and love to share, or simply, because she’s my Mom and Mom always knows what’s best. Mom and I talk three times a day, every day, despite being over 7,000 miles apart. Yes, our phone bill is high but it’s a small price to pay to hear the voice of a loved one. She’s the one I love to call to help me make a decision, calm my fears, get advice or just to chit chat and gossip. Just hearing her voice makes it feel like she’s right by my side. And although we are far apart, I am grateful for all that she has given to me and continues to give me- her devotion, sacrifice, and love as well as her smarts, her energy and her beautiful spirit. She has loved me unconditionally and given me strength and security to make it on my own.


I think the hardest part of being a Mom is not the sacrifice, the dedication and love, the joy, the tears, or the energy spent, it’s letting your child grow its wings and then setting it free. I know when she set me free, she knew my move to California for uni was going to be a hard thing to get used to… but to add to it, I met a California boy, fell in love, got married and moved to Australia. She was prepared for the move to So Cal and overjoyed that I found the love of my life, but I think she wasn’t quite ready for her daughter to move half way around the world. And although it’s been tough, I know she’s happy I’m happy. It’s because of Mom that I have become the woman I am today and she has given me the greatest gifts which allow me to live my life to its fullest- no matter where it may take me.

That’s the beauty of Mom. She set me right and then she set me free.

And still, Mom continues to always be there for me, when I need comfort, encouragement, or just a good hug. Every day, she gives so much of herself. She has such a generous heart which makes her so inspiring. I love her, respect her, and admire her. For everything I am today, Mom’s love has shown me the way. I only hope that I can some day be just as good of a Mom like she is. My Mom is my hero. She doesn't know she's a hero but that's what makes her one to me.


I have always known from a young age that we are an extremely close family, and Mom is the backbone of our clan. She is a loving wife, friend and a super Mom who manages to do it all- even when times are tough. She’s been the glue that has kept us all grounded and given us so much in life that I doubt I’ll ever be able to repay her.

Mom and Dad have weathered a lot together but their love, loyalty, selflessness, and hard work has seen them through the best and the worst of times. They’ve been married for 34 years and are still going strong. In essence, they have created, together, a strong familial foundation for Sister and I. Mom and Dad raised us to be the best of friends and for this I am truly thankful. As they’ve said before, the day will come that they are no longer with us, and at the end of the day, Sister and I will always have each other. They take comfort in this just as I do. Family is a gift that lasts forever.

So on your birthday, Mom, I celebrate you and thank you for being the wonderful Mom and friend that you are. My wish for you is health, strength, patience, an enduring spirit, lots of love and more good memories to come.

Happy Birthday. XO