Good News

and a little bit of bad news.  We had a great weekend in Melbourne I can not wait to collect a few more pictures from the weekend and then show you how we went from classy, to classier.

So much has been happening. The special visitors then off to derby days, honestly there was no time to work only time to play.  My bank account is slowly decreasing and I am going to need Lisa to send me my tap shoes pretty soon so I can set up shop on some busy corner.  Oh why not go down to Harry's and serve some coffees? To keep things short and sweet...I am just not cut out for the life of a cafe girl.  It was so promising, but I have decided to look for something different. Preferably with kiddies or at a gym so I can get some free spin classes out of it.

123 Blair also got a new housemate last night. Introducing Mr. Seis Huntsman. He could not be smashed because it would have been a crime scene and he could not be caught. I guess these guys like to jump so the five of us all ran into our rooms, shut and locked the door and hoped he would find his own way out. I have been known to exaggerate but I swear this is the BIGGEST SPIDER I have EVER seen.

Cross my heart

hope to die 

stick a needle in my eye!

The Fun Bunch

There were many different titles for this blog post

The Week that Went to Fast

Best Week Ever

Bottle Shoppers

Bridge Climbers and the Scaredy Cat

Bachelor Pad Turned Love Nest Penthouse

Thanks for not Scaring My Boyfriend Away 

Boyfriend Charms Parents

3 Wise Monkeys

I had to send mom and dad home today and not by choice.  It had been far to long since I have seen my two favorite people live and in person.  It was a soggy goodbye at Bondi Junction this morning and I keep thinking no way have they come and now have already left me down under. IT JUST CAN'T BE TRUE. For the sake of not sitting here and crying because I already miss them here are some pictures and stories of that time Lisa and Mark flew across the world to find their long lost daughter. 

Manley Beach

 beach runs and  power walks

BYOT&P (Bring your own turkey and pretzels)

Hide your wine glasses

You can see in the picture below how casual mom looks as she refills our glasses beachside

 photo shoots in souvenir shops 

The shark net doing its job

and the Skipper doing her job

Right under their APT was a cafe that was named after me even though my dad kept saying it was named after him.  We would get our Skinny Fat Whites, whoops I mean our Skinny FLAT Whites. This is where mom and dad tried Vegemite and butter on toast and LIKED it! NASTY! Have you ever had that stuff?? It is not delicious, not even a little bit. 

Breakfast on Bondi

 Bring your own breakfast 

Listen to soothing sounds of waves and live orchestra

Watch the sun wake up Bondi 

 PADDO BOWLS

An afternoon of lawn bowling and beers followed by the rugby world cup

 Strategizing

Brad you should have let my mother win! Good thing you already won her over!

Windy walk across the bridge.

Sexiest couple award goes too Lisa and Mark!!

We had the best time. I feel so lucky and blessed to have these two as my mom and dad. They have been nothing but supportive and excited for what I have been doing this past year.  I can not even describe how much it means to me that they took time out of their busy lives to come to Sydney.  There were tears, laughs, storytelling, some eye rolling, lots of hugs and no goodbyes only see you when we see you's.  I have missed you both so much and I don't even think your plane has taken off yet and I miss you again.  

There are tons of pictures that mom and dad took as they ran around Sydney.  I will put some more pictures up after the weekend. Brad is whisking me off  to Derby Days in Melbourne this afternoon.  LOTs more blogging to do but I had to show everyone some of the things we were up to this past week.

Guest Bloggers!!!!!!

To all of Rachel's blog faithful followers--we made it!  It was one day short of a year since we kissed Rachel good-bye as she embarked on her adventure.  We landed on schedule and had Rachel in our arms less than an hour after touch down.  Rachel looks GREAT!  The exact same as the day she departed.  We feel lucky that Rachel has such a wonderful boyfriend.  We are having a nice visit with Brad and Rachel.  Now that the weekend is here nice will probably turn into lots of fun!!  Can't wait. 

 Just hours into our visit and Rachel already has us on the Bondi to Bronte coastal walk--it is spectacular!  That is Bondi Beach in the background.

                   That is as genuine a smile as you can get--we are sooooo happy to be together again.

Along the walk is this world renowned park.  This brochure says it is one of the best in the world.  Oh wait--I am reading about Como Park in St. Paul.  Truth be told--if you were walking fast and blinked, you might miss this one.  It is quaint though.

The pretty girl.  Lisa, about enjoy our picnic lunch on Manly Beach.  Perfect weather, sunny and 78 degrees.

Our first stop in a tourist shop and the ladies found these patriotic lids to model for the camera.  No more sunburned ear tops for these two.

                      Enjoying the sun splashed afternoon on the inland side of the Manly Beach area.

         Finishing our Manly Beach walk while the sunbathing Rachel worked on her photographer's skills.  Our visit is off to a fairy book start.  Many more days of fun in the sun in the Land-Down-Under. 

This is not even a joke

I knew something strange was going on but I would not believe it until I went to the airport.

LISA AND MARK have arrived down under!!!!!!!!!! AHHHHHHHHHHH

Still in a little shock, I hope this week goes by very slow. It is unreal, I get mom AND dad!  Just missing two important parts to the whole but it is my turn to have some mom and dad time!! Don't worry lukey and famous, we will take lots of pictures and soak up some rays for you two!

Time to show the guests of honor the Opera House and Harbor Bridge and meet a special someone for happy hour.

It is 1 day away from being 1 year since I have seen mama and papa bear, the smile will be permanent all week!! 

Tribulus Terrestris

HI!!

OK, alright, where do I start it has been a while. Still working at Harry's and coming to the realization that being a cafe girl is not what it is like in the movies.  There are lots of washing and drying cups, saucers, plates, and other random dirty dishes and food trays. I have made lots of avocado bagels, salmon toasts, and chicken wraps. The good thing is I am usually highly caffeinated and get a nice wad of cash each week. It is ok for now but my sensitive side might not be able to put up with one of the managers.  I won't get into it here, like my mother says, "If you don't have anything nice to say don't say anything at all." 

Wait. That was Jesus. 

Same

Same

.......maybe a little different....

 Saturday I walked in the front door to dude day. While I was a busy espresso girl the boys were

brewing beer

making a large outdoor movie screen

and

putting together a new gas grill

Sunday, October 16th was a big day. 

It started at good old Harry's at 8AM.  It was a beautiful day, everyone was out and about ordering 3/4 skim flat whites, large cap's, Chai tea with a side of extra hot soy milk and countless numbers of mini cupcakes, toasted banana bread and ham and cheese croissants. We started closing around 5ish. Manager Man ordered some sushi from next door from a place called RAW which is also owned and operated by Harry. (Harry is a good man. A smart one that Harry, has quite the business set up) RAW is amazing. I only had two pieces while closing up and I am re-turned on to sushi. One of the waiters came over and did a little whisper whisper. Turns out that good old Leo was next door, yes that is correct Leonardo Dicaprio.  I took a deep breath and when Manager Man asked who wanted a beer we all raised our hands and I pleaded to be the chosen one to go next door.  I smoothed out my dirty apron and hoped there was no mayo in my hair. I skipped in the door, scanned the small room and locked eyes with Jack Dawson. It was less then a second but sure enough it was him. I bet he heard me order 5 Heni's for next door, he knows I exist.

Sunday night we headed up to one of the local watering holes to watch some Rugby.  I won't lie I struggled a little this weekend. Brad knew something was kinda getting to me.  So, he being the wonderful person he is got me a night cap and let me talk it out.(Just so happen to be at RAW) Don't worry, I will be ok! Maybe a lapse of homesickness, friendsickness, dislike jobness...who knows...well, he fixed me right up.  The evening/weekend could not have ended more perfect.

Today, Monday....it was a good day. Worked, ran errands, went for a run, had a great dinner and some wine, made trail mix and got some flip flops.  I tried to go all Bondi Beach and walked barefoot down to the beach for a run.  On my way back I stepped into a grassy area and to my surprise I felt like I was walking across a patch of needles. NO ONE WARNED ME about the TRIBULUS TERRESTRIES aka bindii. Those little !@#$% got all up in my feet.  There I stood grasping a STOP sign picking thorns from my tootsies. So much for trying to pass as a local. 

Steak Night with a Side of Spin

It was about time. For the past few months every Wednesday Brad would go to steak night and surround himself with ten dollar cuts of meat, veggies, cheap beer and wine. Can you imagine my jealously stuck in RPJ with black beans and tuna?? We polished off a bottle of red wine and we set off to get us some steaks.  I guess did not really know what to expect steak night to be like, but it did not disappoint. We stood in line, ordered steaks and found a cozy little table.  It is set up college cafe style. You order, find empty chairs at big tables, they buzz your buzzer, you go to the window to pick up the goods, grab forks and knifes, another round of drinks at the bar and dig in.  It was perfect if you ask me.  It takes place at RSL (Returned Services League of Australia) so there are metals, flags, and people off all ages enjoying steak night.

After indulging in red meat and red wine last night I kicked my booty in gear this morning. I zumbaed the other night so I switched it up and did a spin class. I have done lots of spin class in my days but this by far was one of the most fun.  It is a new studio and state of the art!  High performance bikes, lights that go with the upbeat music, high energy spin instructor, black lights, intense cooling systems and great energy. This might be a new obsession. 

I love this song. Don't watch the video. First just listen.

If it is not the bus it is those damn birds!

Lessons learned today

While waiting at a bus stop it is important to be paying attention to the road at all times.  If you are a lone ranger the bus will fly right on by.  You must, you must flag the driver down like it is a taxi.  If no one is getting off at that stop and no one is signaling to the driver at the stop the bus keeps on rolling.

One more note about the bus system. There are names of stops but there is no flashing screen or pre-recorded voice telling you the next stop.  You have to use all senses to know when to get off. However, if you ask the driver for a particular stop they will yell it through the bus so the civilian can exit at his or her correct destination. If you are to shy and think you can just wing it, there is a good chance you will walk a few extra blocks.

The second lesson I learned today

 It may be sunny and a perfect morning to do laundry so it will dry by the afternoon but if the sun is out so are the birds.  A few items will need to be rewashed because a bird or birds decided to splatter paint my clean clothes. Thanks birdies!!  Noted: Do not hang clothes anywhere branches could or are extending over.

Last but not least

After drinking many cups of coffee it is A OK to start up random conversations with people on the bus.  Today a girl sat next to me and thinking about a few different opening lines (girlfriend hunting....) I went with, "So, are you just visiting?"  She had an explore Sydney book so I thought it was pretty suave question.  Turns out she was here for the day.  I got this vibe she was maybe American and sure enough, from Boston!  We talked about the States, why I was here, why she was here and now I have a new facebook friend and a good story for my blog. Get this! Rebecca is enroute to New Zealand. She is running 

7 marathons

in 

7 countries

on

7 continents

in 

7 months

Crazy? Yes! 

Cool? Very!

Meat Pie? Sure, Why Not!

Happy Tuesday!  Things are still moving right along here in Sydney. I wanted to do a quick post about a few things. Lets call them mini headlines.

Harrys Cafe de Wheels

This Harry is not to be confused with Harry's espresso bar, where I work.  This little cafe on wheels is a popular place in Sydney. They are known for their pies and mushy peas that are on TOP the the pies. This is no apple pie kids. These are meat pies, they actually remind me of pot pies. These little diddys are delicious.

A few of the housemates went to go get some meat pies after a few beers and a rugby match on Saturday!  I felt like I was really adapting well to life down under this past weekend!

Zumba

I went to my 1st Zumba class tonight down by the beach.  There were women off all ages dancing away for an hour.  Good music but it was a little to crowded for me and I must not have had my dancing shoes tied tight enough because I hardly broke a sweat!  I am on a mission these days to find a gym or spin classes.  I have been doing a good job with beach runs, but I am in the mood for some classes or to go have a good  iron pumping session. 

The drinking age is 18

Last night I chose not to bring my purse out. Put all the necessary things where they belonged. Cash/cards in Brads wallet, phone in my dress pocket and lip gloss in my boot. We go to a bar, get some pies, then head to this other cool joint....oh where they decided to ID ME!  I told them I was 25...no dice. So I had to reroute the crew. I lost 5 cool points last night. SHHOOOT.

I have been a busy working girl this weekend....so that means I had to have some play time as well. I will report back with updates on my sandwich and smoothies making skills and stories from a few nights out on the town.

Still loving the city.

One more thing before I get ready for a Sunday at Harry's... I can't stop checking out the new countdown Brad made. The one, the only, Mark Dietsch is headed this way a week from Wednesday. We got the penthouse rented out a few blocks away.  Last time I saw DOTP I was crying like a little baby while he sent me down the gateway boarding a jet plane to Thailand. I am so excited!!!!!!

TO CHECK OUT THE COUNTDOWN CLICK HERE

Attorney on her yoga/lunch break

"Oh alright, I can meet you for lunch after yoga before I start doing all those important things attorney's do in the afternoons. "

CBD- Central Business District, downtown Sydney where all the fancy stores are found, men in suits hustle and bustle and women wear pencil skirts and sexy pumps carrying briefcases. I have and probably never will work in an atmosphere like this one. Where clients are taken out to lunch, important board meetings are taking place, partake in after work beers celebrating good numbers or a closed deal on a Wednesday night.  However, that does not mean I can not PRETEND. 

I woke up early had some toast and then crawled back into bed with no intention on falling back asleep. Whoops. I woke up to Brad calling  at 11:30 and asked if I wanted to meet  him for lunch....I saw what he was wearing before he left for work...nice slacks, striped shirt, uh...yes please I would like a lunch date.  

 No time for getting all gussied up. I went with the sporty spice look, yoga pants and a black zip up.  I now call it the attorney on her lunch break/yoga class look. So when I meet my handsome boyfriend for lunch surround by all sorts of other beautiful people...I have my back up story.

While we had our picnic/take away lunch on the bench of some fancy business building I dropped a few lines about how it was almost time for me to get back to the office. I thought I was pretty believable. 

Chicken and Rice place, SOO GOOD!! I get fresh veggies in a salad, oh baby I'll play attorney every afternoon I am not playing espresso girl!!

How not to start a Tuesday

Alarm goes off at 4:30 AM, I stretch and stumble into a nice long hot shower. I blow dry my hair and put on some mascara before making myself a cup of coffee and preparing yogurt and berries.  I was hoping to play on the computer for a few minutes so as I flip open the computer to my horror I see the clock says 5:50. 

no

no

no 

Sure enough, I assumed my phone clock changed on its own this weekend because we jumped ahead an hour. I don't really use my phone all that much yet ( I only have about 5 contacts not bad though for being here less then 2 weeks!) I did not even notice it or think about checking it..baaaaaad Rachel.

I showed up to my 1st shift 30 min late and with a terrible excuse since the time change happened 3-4 days ago! COME ON! I am better then that!! Well, the good news is I still have a job.  I am going to be a really good smoothie maker, coffee deliver, and sandwich cooker-upper.  There is a good chance I will become a coffee brat..Starbucks what? who? 

No thanks

I worked six hours..off by noon...come on sun start shining I would have been sporting a killer tan today! I can see the ocean from Harry's it is only 1 block away from the beach and 4 blocks away from the house. 

JACKPOT

The stools are not there anymore. It is a walk up espresso bar with some seating inside and benches outside. So stinkin cute, great customers, friendly staff and killer skinny flat whites.

After my 1st shift I went for a run then got picked up by my friend Joe. Joe has been introduced to the blog before.  We met in Amsterdam, hung out in Bangkok twice when he came to see Erin and now we planned on spending the afternoon together in Sydney.  He gets to call Australia home and was a great tour guide. We drove around the city, ACROSS the Sydney Harbor Bridge and over to another beach called Manley. Great beach and a really nice area to spend a few hours. We caught up over steak sandwiches, grilled chicken salads, a corona and refreshing glass of white wine. Watching surfers, beach volleyball players and skater kids enjoying the extra few hours of daylight.  

 Manley Beach

10/6/2011

Sydney Shots 

 Harbor Bridge

 St. Mary's Cathedral downtown Sydney

On our way to Kings Cross Area

above

below

Sydney Tower

Joe dropped me off, met Brad, and checked out my new pad.  He agreed it was quite the upgrade from rice patties!  Hectic Tuesday morning turned into a pretty nice day if you ask me!  Thanks Joe for showing me some new spots!! 

Is That Why God Made Boyfriends?

"You have to tell them I usually don't wear them. They will think I am a dork. It is only because the trash needed to go out and your feet needed to be warm"

--BAW

It is true. My feet have been so cold!! Since the weather is a little cooler it keeps the house VerY cool, alright at times ice boxish.  There are not many warm clothes in my closet since Thailand was a flippin furnace and Brad has been very generous with sharing slippers and most of his hoodies.( Oh and hoodies are called Jumpers here)  I mean he resorted to socks and sandals and still was looking like quite the stud, takes a real man to pull off that look. 

Marktober Fest

Has officially begun!! Whoooo hooo!!  Happy birthday to DOTP!  I was lucky to have a nice skype date with papa bear and some of the Dietsch's on this lovely Monday morning. Always great to see the family, man I miss Fun Bunch gatherings.Not only a birthday greeting to dad but a congratulations to Kitty! She ran her second marathon with lots of family members cheering her on. Wish I could have been there today to join in the celebrations!

I also got to talk to Amy a little later. Nice little sister skype date, she kept us very entertained as we laid on the couch having a lazy Public Holiday Monday afternoon.

See I am the angel.

Oh and Brad met many family members over skype..he did good.  I can't wait to take him for a real deal gathering...this was a mini taste of what it is like when the crew is together. I think he will make a great addition. 

HAPPY BIRTHDAY DAD love and miss you and CAN NOT WAIT TO see you IN a few WEEKS!!!

CONGRATULATIONS KITTY you have earned many many Captains

Happy Anniversary to Me

I made it one week in Bondi! Brad has not kicked me out, yet.  We did what was necessary and had ourselves a little Sunday Funday.  

mimosas 

CHECK

banana pancakes

CHECK

Amigos

CHECK

catch phrase

CHECK

record player with Sunday morning tunes

CHECK

Rugby Matches

CHECK

snake bites

CHECK

chilled white wine and vodka sodas

CHECK

Kyle, Ashley and Bradley 

one of my new mates

American Shot

Karter is from TN, you know the other two cats in this pic