So its been 40 days (plus some) since I last saw the internet or a social media site.
40 loooonnnngggg days.......
I have had LOTS of time to think!
I've thought about what I want to accomplish with my time spent online, due to lent, I have a real respect for how much time I waste on-line.
So thinking aside....I have decided to implement some changes to my online life!
No more 300 friends on facebook!
I will whittle this down to the real friends (and yes I have to leave family on)
I will spend more time writing meaningful emails (and blogs) to communicate with friends overseas!
liking something or a quick 1 sentence post on facebook will no longer cut it as a friendship!
While these actions are fine for the everyday comments and monologue...
I really want to re-connect with those i feel are important! (Here's to hoping they feel the same way)
SO look-out social circles!
Soon i will be demanding a little more of your time.....but please remember that in return I will be committing a little more of my time....
And here's to hoping we grow from there!
Saturday, April 23, 2011
Monday, December 22, 2008
Crazy Christmas Rituals........
Driving around the burbs of Sydney in the festive season is a treat for those who enjoy a bit of xmas cheer winking out at them from every other random house! Australian's seem to have the tendency to decorate (BLING OUT) their front yards and the front of their houses in huge, weird and colourful montages to Christmas. I'm talking about xmas lights being draped from every surface! Large inflatable Santa's, reindeer and snowmen stalking around every other corner and large bush waiting to surprise the unsuspecting passer-by.
There is even a gentleman in Brisbane who has co-ordinated a full out show with his Christmas lights. People can park in his street, tune in their car radio's and watch a totally co-ordinated light show! It amazing! (Take the time and watch the clip....its really cool!)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8odnTgMIAUc&feature=related
worst of all....
I LOVE IT!
I go out of my way to drive past the crazily decorated house down the street from me! I yell STOP the car....when I see an especially awesome display and proceed to take happy snappy's on my phone (making the traffic wait for me of course!)
There are whole neighborhoods that co-ordinate their deco, streets that run mini competitions and the odd lonely house bringing xmas cheer to the rest of a dark street!
At the after xmas sales this year....I'm buying lights....lots and lots of twinkly lights.....so next year neighbor beware....there will be new bling on the street!
There is even a gentleman in Brisbane who has co-ordinated a full out show with his Christmas lights. People can park in his street, tune in their car radio's and watch a totally co-ordinated light show! It amazing! (Take the time and watch the clip....its really cool!)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8odnTgMIAUc&feature=related
worst of all....
I LOVE IT!
I go out of my way to drive past the crazily decorated house down the street from me! I yell STOP the car....when I see an especially awesome display and proceed to take happy snappy's on my phone (making the traffic wait for me of course!)
There are whole neighborhoods that co-ordinate their deco, streets that run mini competitions and the odd lonely house bringing xmas cheer to the rest of a dark street!
At the after xmas sales this year....I'm buying lights....lots and lots of twinkly lights.....so next year neighbor beware....there will be new bling on the street!
Merry Christmas.....
See you next year!
Monday, October 6, 2008
With the windows down
People are always asking if we are enjoying living in Sydney.....
And while I am quick to say that yes, I am missing my family and friends, I am also very quick to point out that we don't enjoy living in Sydney. We LOVE it!
Last week, I was driving home, fuming after I had read a friends blog.
This particular friend had said that not only would she definitely be staying in South Africa, she also encouraged all those who had left to come back.
Her blog went on to say that by staying in a crime ridden country, she and others like her, were the brave ones. And that those who had left, had run away!
Now driving home shaking with anger and plotting all sorts of activities to get her to see the light, (that inevitably ended up with me trying to beat some sense into her!) I realised two things....
Firstly the reason I was so upset by her comments, wasn't because she had said that we were running away (aka: we were cowards!). It was because she sincerely believed that South Africa would get better. That in 20 years time it would be a great place to live! And that really upset me! Not only was she delusional enough to think that it would be a safe (and great) place for her to live! But that she was willing to bet the life of my husband, my future children and the lives of all those she cared about! And I have to wonder, if she is purposely only reading the bits of news she want to see? Or is she comprehending the whole story, and because she isn't brave enough to leave, we must all come back? Because take it from the person who isn't sitting at home, surrounded by the people she knows and loves, leaving takes much more courage than staying! But I also realised that no matter what I say to her, she is one of the lost-ones and that the truth will only be shown to her at a time when "i told you so" is not appropriate! (Every expat has a couple of lost-ones....friends or family that insist that by trying to make a life for yourself in another country you are making the biggest mistake of your life, as South Africa is an amazing place to live!)
Secondly, I was driving with my windows open!
Yes you read right.
On a beautiful summers day in Sydney, I was cruising down the M4 with my back and front car windows open, my handbag on the front seat, my car doors unlocked.I wasn't being accosted at every robot (traffic light), no one had stuck their head in the windows to offer me a multitude of things i don't need! No one had tried to steal my handbag, Iphone or Ipod all lying on the front seat. No beggar approached my window to guilt me into paying for their drug habit! Nothing!
At the traffic lights, I had a chance to stare at the setting sun, smell the ocean air and laugh at my fellow commuters who all took such trivial things for granted!
When I got home, the first thing I did was share my experience (revelation) with my husband, who laughed at the joy I felt at in achieving such a small thing!
So to answer the first question.....do I enjoy living in Sydney?
Yes thanks. I definitely do!
And while I am quick to say that yes, I am missing my family and friends, I am also very quick to point out that we don't enjoy living in Sydney. We LOVE it!
Last week, I was driving home, fuming after I had read a friends blog.
This particular friend had said that not only would she definitely be staying in South Africa, she also encouraged all those who had left to come back.
Her blog went on to say that by staying in a crime ridden country, she and others like her, were the brave ones. And that those who had left, had run away!
Now driving home shaking with anger and plotting all sorts of activities to get her to see the light, (that inevitably ended up with me trying to beat some sense into her!) I realised two things....
Firstly the reason I was so upset by her comments, wasn't because she had said that we were running away (aka: we were cowards!). It was because she sincerely believed that South Africa would get better. That in 20 years time it would be a great place to live! And that really upset me! Not only was she delusional enough to think that it would be a safe (and great) place for her to live! But that she was willing to bet the life of my husband, my future children and the lives of all those she cared about! And I have to wonder, if she is purposely only reading the bits of news she want to see? Or is she comprehending the whole story, and because she isn't brave enough to leave, we must all come back? Because take it from the person who isn't sitting at home, surrounded by the people she knows and loves, leaving takes much more courage than staying! But I also realised that no matter what I say to her, she is one of the lost-ones and that the truth will only be shown to her at a time when "i told you so" is not appropriate! (Every expat has a couple of lost-ones....friends or family that insist that by trying to make a life for yourself in another country you are making the biggest mistake of your life, as South Africa is an amazing place to live!)
Secondly, I was driving with my windows open!
Yes you read right.
On a beautiful summers day in Sydney, I was cruising down the M4 with my back and front car windows open, my handbag on the front seat, my car doors unlocked.I wasn't being accosted at every robot (traffic light), no one had stuck their head in the windows to offer me a multitude of things i don't need! No one had tried to steal my handbag, Iphone or Ipod all lying on the front seat. No beggar approached my window to guilt me into paying for their drug habit! Nothing!
At the traffic lights, I had a chance to stare at the setting sun, smell the ocean air and laugh at my fellow commuters who all took such trivial things for granted!
When I got home, the first thing I did was share my experience (revelation) with my husband, who laughed at the joy I felt at in achieving such a small thing!
So to answer the first question.....do I enjoy living in Sydney?
Yes thanks. I definitely do!
Thursday, August 21, 2008
Hiking the Manly to Spit Bridge route
This last weekend the man and I have challenged ourselves to a hike!
So Sunday, when the day dawned with spectacular weather - sunny but not HOT - (perfect hiking weather) we decided to hit the famous Many to Spit Bridge trail.
Although our guide book recommended walking the route the other direction...from spit bridge to manly!
So we parked the car at the spit bridge and set off with our day packs and a camera.
First observation...the route is BUSY...lots of people of every kind and description...the serious hikers, the meanderers...the whole family groups with tiny tots on tow.....and the runners who come charging round the corner like rhino's from the underbush!
I would definately recommend the route as the views are great and varied! Everything from a peek onto a pristine little piece of paradise (beautiful beaches) too extravagant city and harbour vista's.
For the average hiker the route is actually undemanding. We made the walk in under 2 hours and all the area's with difficult footing have been concreted or have boardwalks.....no bundu-bashing necessary....the hills were never extreme and the descends always seemed to come at the right time!
After a lunch in Manly, we decided we would actually rather walk back. So we retraced our steps and along the way met some very bemused expressions of people we had passed and overtaken. Some thought we were mad to redo the walk, others were doing the same!
I must admit that I wasn't watching the scenery as much the return trip. For me the return trip was for the exersize aspect of hiking! But we still enjoyed it and managed a creditable time back to the car!
The hike is definately on my list of things to do with guests anytime we have people of reasonable fitness visiting!
So if you're in Sydney, take the time and do the hike.
If you're planning to visit.....add it to your to-do list!
Thats all for now.....
ADIOS...
PS: My thoughts are with the poor baby whale, Colin, who was put down today...poor tike!
So Sunday, when the day dawned with spectacular weather - sunny but not HOT - (perfect hiking weather) we decided to hit the famous Many to Spit Bridge trail.
Although our guide book recommended walking the route the other direction...from spit bridge to manly!
So we parked the car at the spit bridge and set off with our day packs and a camera.
First observation...the route is BUSY...lots of people of every kind and description...the serious hikers, the meanderers...the whole family groups with tiny tots on tow.....and the runners who come charging round the corner like rhino's from the underbush!
I would definately recommend the route as the views are great and varied! Everything from a peek onto a pristine little piece of paradise (beautiful beaches) too extravagant city and harbour vista's.
For the average hiker the route is actually undemanding. We made the walk in under 2 hours and all the area's with difficult footing have been concreted or have boardwalks.....no bundu-bashing necessary....the hills were never extreme and the descends always seemed to come at the right time!
After a lunch in Manly, we decided we would actually rather walk back. So we retraced our steps and along the way met some very bemused expressions of people we had passed and overtaken. Some thought we were mad to redo the walk, others were doing the same!
I must admit that I wasn't watching the scenery as much the return trip. For me the return trip was for the exersize aspect of hiking! But we still enjoyed it and managed a creditable time back to the car!
The hike is definately on my list of things to do with guests anytime we have people of reasonable fitness visiting!
So if you're in Sydney, take the time and do the hike.
If you're planning to visit.....add it to your to-do list!
Thats all for now.....
ADIOS...
PS: My thoughts are with the poor baby whale, Colin, who was put down today...poor tike!
Sunday, July 20, 2008
A day at sea
So another weekend of being a tourist in the city that I live in!
Its quiet strange, have you ever seen the city you live in from a tourist’s point of view?
I know when I lived in Johannesburg, I made a concerted effort to know what was around (in terms of activities or attraction that Johannesburg offered to visitors!) and I was continually amazed at the variety of things on offer. What was even more amazing was the lack in interest from other residents in JHB. They didn’t care and had never taken the time to explore!
After settling-in the man and I started really looking at Sydney for things to do! When we had been here for our honeymoon, we had done the most common tourist things (mostly around the CBD) but now we try to do one thing around Sydney out of the ordinary!
Yesterday it was Whale-watching!
And what a day it was! The swell on the ocean was relatively large, the wind was cold and the whales were shy! But all in all, I would do it again in a heartbeat! I loved the boat’s wild motions and the whales quiet swimming. The whales we spotted (and the subsequently hounded like irritating blowflies) were so large and graceful. They really did nothing spectacular besides surface, breathe two or three times and then submerge again.
They managed to continually surprise our tour guides in their ability to make the forecast of where the whale would surface again! To my irritation and subsequent humour the whales were always just out of camera range.
In the end I learnt to be better with my camera and more relaxed about the whole thing. Maybe the fact I didn’t get the perfect picture is what will drive me to do it again! Maybe it was the fact that these huge water leviathans tolerated our presence and maybe it was that watching them swim was inspiring! These creatures were on a mission. They knew where they wanted to be and why. Watching them made me realise that maybe I should have a look at where I was going and why.
At the end of the day I found three things
1. I don’t get sea sick
2. I was freezing
3. I love whale watching
Its quiet strange, have you ever seen the city you live in from a tourist’s point of view?
I know when I lived in Johannesburg, I made a concerted effort to know what was around (in terms of activities or attraction that Johannesburg offered to visitors!) and I was continually amazed at the variety of things on offer. What was even more amazing was the lack in interest from other residents in JHB. They didn’t care and had never taken the time to explore!
After settling-in the man and I started really looking at Sydney for things to do! When we had been here for our honeymoon, we had done the most common tourist things (mostly around the CBD) but now we try to do one thing around Sydney out of the ordinary!
Yesterday it was Whale-watching!
And what a day it was! The swell on the ocean was relatively large, the wind was cold and the whales were shy! But all in all, I would do it again in a heartbeat! I loved the boat’s wild motions and the whales quiet swimming. The whales we spotted (and the subsequently hounded like irritating blowflies) were so large and graceful. They really did nothing spectacular besides surface, breathe two or three times and then submerge again.
They managed to continually surprise our tour guides in their ability to make the forecast of where the whale would surface again! To my irritation and subsequent humour the whales were always just out of camera range.
In the end I learnt to be better with my camera and more relaxed about the whole thing. Maybe the fact I didn’t get the perfect picture is what will drive me to do it again! Maybe it was the fact that these huge water leviathans tolerated our presence and maybe it was that watching them swim was inspiring! These creatures were on a mission. They knew where they wanted to be and why. Watching them made me realise that maybe I should have a look at where I was going and why.
At the end of the day I found three things
1. I don’t get sea sick
2. I was freezing
3. I love whale watching
Tuesday, July 15, 2008
Its the little things in life
Let’s just get this straight…
I say down under and I mean Australia.
Although to be fair, It’s not like I moved much in latitude.
South Africa and Australia are both considered to be on the wrong end of the globe by the northerners.
So there is the big ugly true! I am a SAFFA (and a newbie too)
I am a new South African living in Australia.
The man (or husband) and I have been living here since Jan 2008 and so far so good! The whole why we are here and why we left story is just to boring and ordinary! So onto the fun stuff, the random things you never knew about living in Australia.
As it is my first blog I will take the easy road and just illustrate a couple of items:
1.They stock the shelves in the supermarket strangely (sometime unlogical?). In a general supermarket the olive oil and balsamic vinegar are not in the same aisle. Neither is the baking powder and flour. Bizarrely, common neighbours on South African shelves, have now moved great distances apart. It’s a small thing, but it really threw me on my first major shopping expedition.
2.There is no haze. Ever been in Johannesburg on a crisp winter day? Next time you are , take a good look at the horizon, and you a see a brown smudge? (a bit like a dirty ring in the sink when you’ve let the water out) Well not in Sydney!
3.They have the coolest birds here! No sparrows and doves in my neighbourhood. Instead I have flocks of loud (and stupid) cockatoos! Not to mention the rainbow parakeets. In Baulkham Hills I often also see Galea’s (pink and grey version of the cockatoo). Even the few doves I have seen are strange, they have domes on their heads! Oh yes…don’t forget the "white" ibis, the grey ones are know in South Africa as a ha-de-da! I have even had owls and kookaburras in my yard. I admit though, I totally LOVE the cockatoos. They are always doing something bizarre and un-bird like!
Its funny how when you move countries, you prepare yourself for the big changes (such as lifestyle and language). You can accept that there will be big changes and yet it’s the littlest things that can make or break your everyday existence so far from home!
I say down under and I mean Australia.
Although to be fair, It’s not like I moved much in latitude.
South Africa and Australia are both considered to be on the wrong end of the globe by the northerners.
So there is the big ugly true! I am a SAFFA (and a newbie too)
I am a new South African living in Australia.
The man (or husband) and I have been living here since Jan 2008 and so far so good! The whole why we are here and why we left story is just to boring and ordinary! So onto the fun stuff, the random things you never knew about living in Australia.
As it is my first blog I will take the easy road and just illustrate a couple of items:
1.They stock the shelves in the supermarket strangely (sometime unlogical?). In a general supermarket the olive oil and balsamic vinegar are not in the same aisle. Neither is the baking powder and flour. Bizarrely, common neighbours on South African shelves, have now moved great distances apart. It’s a small thing, but it really threw me on my first major shopping expedition.
2.There is no haze. Ever been in Johannesburg on a crisp winter day? Next time you are , take a good look at the horizon, and you a see a brown smudge? (a bit like a dirty ring in the sink when you’ve let the water out) Well not in Sydney!
3.They have the coolest birds here! No sparrows and doves in my neighbourhood. Instead I have flocks of loud (and stupid) cockatoos! Not to mention the rainbow parakeets. In Baulkham Hills I often also see Galea’s (pink and grey version of the cockatoo). Even the few doves I have seen are strange, they have domes on their heads! Oh yes…don’t forget the "white" ibis, the grey ones are know in South Africa as a ha-de-da! I have even had owls and kookaburras in my yard. I admit though, I totally LOVE the cockatoos. They are always doing something bizarre and un-bird like!
Its funny how when you move countries, you prepare yourself for the big changes (such as lifestyle and language). You can accept that there will be big changes and yet it’s the littlest things that can make or break your everyday existence so far from home!
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