The Past Month

Well, I haven't blogged in a while. We've been so busy just living life and settling in our routines. Here are some things I've been doing lately. (It's a bit random! :)

We went out to visit Manly, taking the ferry to get there. Almost everyone had told us we had to go see it so we did. It was beautiful, but we forgot our camera. Whoops! I did happen to take a couple Instagram shots on my phone (above). 

Bondi to Coogee coastal walk

We walked the Bondi to Coogee coastal walk which was absolutely beautiful. It made for a great afternoon and there were places to swim and eat all along the way. It'd be cool to do it again when it's really hot and just hop in the sea every so often to cool down. (Side Note: There are actually quite a few of these coastal walks around Sydney. I walked a different one a while back in Vaucluse with the boys I babysit and it was gorgeous as well, with views of the opera house and the harbour bridge in the distance.)

I started oil painting and have a lot of ideas of things I want to paint. It's really fun to mix the colors and think about the layout and overall design of each piece. I've been checking out books from the library about art history and how to draw/paint. 

Also from the library, I checked out some world history books. I was looking into the State Department and working at US embassies around the world. You have to pass a pretty tough test to even be considered. I found a couple books from their reading list and I am actually enjoying them. I've always liked history and reading history in a non-fiction book is much more interesting than reading a school textbook. 

We went to see Australian Rules Football, affectionately named "footy", at the Olympic Stadium. It was super fun! The game is really easy to understand and follow so I was able to know what was going on pretty much all the time. That's not something I can say about a lot of other sports I've seen!

It rained like mad last weekend and into the early weekdays. It was nice when I got to stay home and listen to the drops fall from the comfort of my cozy bed. It was not so nice when I had to walk in it to work.

Other than that storm that passed through, the weather has been beautiful and warm in the 70's and sunny. I always take the boys I babysit out for adventures to playgrounds, parks, the library, or the museum and we always talk about what a beautiful day is. They are so cute. I feel lucky to be working with such a great family.

Coming up this weekend, we're planning on going to the Australian Museum Friday night (it's free for Art and About Sydney) and then kayaking on Saturday. It's looking to be a good weekend! :)

Surry Hills Silliness

Last Friday we went to see a band play at a club in Surry Hills. I think it's the only time I've ever seen a band opening for a DJ. Ha! The band was Gang of Youths and they were pretty good! It's always nice to see live music. We didn't stick around for the DJ. After the band finished up we left due to the high volume of young hammered people. I think 18 is a great drinking age, I just don't want to be in a club where the majority of the people are 18. What can I say? I might be getting a bit old! Although, maybe the band's name should have tipped me off...

Afterwards, we were walking around and saw this funny shop window.

It's little gems like this that make me so happy I remembered the camera! :)

P.S. About half of the guys at the club were wearing bow ties! I couldn't believe it! Is this common where you live too?? If it's a new trend, I'm totally for it. I think bow ties are awesome, even if it did feel a little like prom. ;)

 

Going to China in Sydney

Last weekend we were on a mission to find the most magical and delicious hot sauce in the world: sriracha. We heard from our friend Kaylee that we could find some in Chinatown, so off we went! It was another beautiful day in Sydney. From our house in Glebe, we were able to walk there and we took in the Chinese Friendship Garden on the way as well. 

The garden is very beautiful and well cared for with bonsai, a pond with huge koi fish, bridges, trees, traditional Chinese structures, and even a place where you can dress up in Chinese costumes to wear around the garden. It being early spring in Sydney, I especially enjoyed the flowering trees!

After the friendship garden, we navigated to Chinatown where we saw a cool outdoor art installation, bought some of our favorite Korean snacks at a little Korean grocery shop, and finally found our beloved hot sauce.

Darling Glebe

We've settled in a charming little neighborhood called Glebe in the Inner West area of Sydney. It's nestled between hipster Newtown and the bay on a little hill. It's full of  friendly people, bustling shops, and Victorian homes with the most beautiful wrought iron I've ever seen. It's a wonderful place to call home!

This dog always sits in the doorway of this used book shop on Glebe Point Road. He's well trained and friendly. What a cutie!

The fresh produce at this market is always great quality (as it is at most places in Sydney) and they have great sales. The lack of general space and giant stacks of fruits and vegetables add to the quaintness I like so much. 

And then there are the bars! We've only been to a couple of them but they've been great. Good people, good drinks, good vibe!

 A walkers dream! I feel so lucky that we are within walking distance to so many things!

 This is a very cool, although expensive, antique shop.

 Is that Dumbledore on the right, next to Spiderman?? Not sure what this mural is for but I like it!

My New Littles

On Tuesday I started a new job watching three year old twin boys. They are very cute and very curious about the world. They have great big imaginations and love to play and ask "but why...?" They are absolutely adorable and I'm so happy to have found such a great family to work with.

On Tuesday we went the park, had a picnic, and looked at the endless sea at The Gap park. It was a great first day!

Dessert "Sushi" Bar

Master Chef is super popular in Australia. I see Master Chef stuff everywhere, from billboards to flour at the grocery store. I can't help but imagine that flour saying, "Get your Master Chef flour here! Just like the cheaper flour but with our logo on it so at least a dollar more! But you can bake just like the Master Chefs!" Yeah...right. Do people really fall for that??

Anyway, I only bring this up because we went to a former Master Chef's dessert shop, named after the man himself, Adriano Zumbo.

And it was very fun in so many ways. First off, the place itself is absolutely adorable. The colors are bright and fun, they had macaron wallpaper, and the desserts are served on a rotating track like at a sushi house. Fun! Fun!    

I got the passion fruit and blueberry cheesecake (above), but his real specialty is macarons!...or Zumbarons, as he puts it.

It was such a great treat!

Sydney Fish Market

For Sunday lunch last weekend, we went out to the Fish Market with some friends. Inside the market around lunch time was very crowded with people looking to buy the freshest seafood Sydney has to offer. Spencer and I both not being seafood enthusiasts stuck with the safest choice, fish and chips. I even had tartar sauce! (It's a big deal for me!) It was pretty good.

Also, the birds, specifically the seagulls, are ferocious! They fight over territory on top of the umbrellas in the outside dining area and are quick to grab any little piece of food that goes astray. They are feisty and reminded me a lot of the seagulls from Finding Nemo. It does take place in Sydney after all! :)

umbrellas = seagull territory!

After a while, we went back inside for our friends to get more goodies to take home and I got a chance to take pictures without the crowds.