Roxy Pro

Last week on Philip Island (about 15 minutes from us) the Roxy Pro Womens Surf Comp was being held and Darran wanted to film some things for his new surf TV show that goes to air next month, so I tagged along. It was fun to see what a surf comp is like, seeing that I have never really lived in a place that put on surf comps before. I remember watching surf comps from Hawaii on TV, and thinking that the surfers were truly amazing, but seeing a comp in person was really quite an experience! And really who doesn't like spending the day at the beach near the ocean???
Here Darran is with Georgia (in white) one of his presenters for the tv show interviewing Anastasia Ashley (from California of all places) who is a surfer on the tour. Finding out what surfer girls lives are all about. It is always so fun to watch Darran at work. Gives me a new appreciation of what he does, and what goes into making a tv show or movie work!
I went over on the first day of the tournament. This is just one of the incredible surfers during her first heat. They crowned the Roxy Pro Surf Champ at the end of the comp which was 5 days later. As part of the comp they had a long board, short board, jr. pro and pro divisions. It was really fun to watch, but really windy!
This is Bethany Hamilton of Hawaii. You may remember hearing about her being attacked by a shark in 2003 and losing her arm. Well, she is one incredible surfer!!! I watched in amazement as she tackled the waves and how she kept her balance, it was incredible to watch! And the best part is that the shark attack hasn't stopped her from competing in the sport she loves! I have a great respect for surfers, and maybe that is just because I haven't lived in or near the ocean. But to think that you are out there sharing the water with sharks and other creatures that can eat you just kind of makes me shiver! :) If you are ever in the area where a surf comp is going on...stop and check it out!

How about a little adventure???

Why is it when we are on holiday, vacation or with friends we decide it's okay to try something new and crazy? That we get an adventurous streak in us and we just go for things that we never would do in our "normal day to day life"? Okay I'll be the first to admit that I have done and tried many new things over the past year. I mean, it's not everyday that you up and move from your home and country after thirty years to start a new life in a new country with the man of your dreams, right? And with my move came many wonderful new and exciting adventures (which haven't stopped), and I am profoundly grateful for them. Who knew that I would actually like and not get sick on roller coasters??? :) Life is for living and for trying new and different things that will stretch you, make you grow, and that will touch your life in ways that you never thought possible. Some of those things we embrace and implement into our life and they quickly become apart of you. Other things, (like eating chocolate covered crickets at Purdue's bug bowl) are simply a one time thing that you can say you've done.

Well for years I have had friends who have told me to try sushi. I've had friends offer to take me to get "great" sushi, but alas something either always came up or it was one of those things that we "just really should do" but didn't. Well, I did it! Some of you are probably big time sushi eaters and think that this really truly isn't adventurous. Others of you might think that this is something that you never ever want to try and still there maybe some that are thinking, "Wow, it's about time." Well, I have to say that my first sushi experience was such a positive one, and that I actually really liked it. So much so, that I am now on the look out for a good sushi place locally...what are the chances that I find it?

Is there something that you have always wanted to try or do that you just haven't gotten around to? Is there something that you "just really should do" but haven't? Why not start now? What's holding you back? Now I'm not talking big huge things like sky diving (which I would love to do but haven't yet) it could be just a little thing, like cleaning your kitchen floor (which I finally did at 730 this morning and it's so nice to have done). Whatever your adventure, choose to do it, and do it today. Life is an adventure, why not embrace it?

Directions

Getting around Sydney is actually very easy. They have wonderful maps at the train station, there are wonderful signs posted along the streets to let you know where things are, and the people of Sydney are very friendly and if you look lost, are lost or think you might be lost, they are oh so willing and able to help you find your way.

On one of our adventures through town, Margs and I hiked through the city to find the QVB (Queen Victoria Building) which is one of the oldest buildings in Sydney, that has incredible shopping but is actually known for it's beautiful Victorian architecture. We found it and it did not disappoint! They have kept the original building and renovated it into store fronts. The bathrooms were cool, all original tiles and they kept the extra wide stalls (which were once a necessity to accommodate the women and their big hoop skirts). I love how they preserve their historical buildings!

As we came out of the QVB, I had heard of a large size shoe store that was just up the road from the QVB, so we decided we should go and find it...you all know how I love shoes! And to know there was a shoe shop that catered to size 10 and higher...had my name written all over it!! :) So Margs and I walked up the street, and found the shoe shop with no dramas. We however came out of the shop (without any shoes...I know you are all shocked) and got a bit turned around. Margs thought she saw the big huge cruise ship that had just docked by the Opera House down the street so we started heading to "the cruise ship" but quickly found out that we had turned the wrong way and headed in the opposite direction right toward Darling Harbor, on the other side of the city.

Now Margs prides herself on not getting lost and knowing her way around, which I knew from having worked with her for several years. She is very good and knowing her directions and her way around places...however on this day she was a bit off and we were laughing so hard because instead of turning right out of the shops we turned left. And found our way into Darling Harbor, and were able to explore another area of Sydney we weren't even planning on seeing. It was so fun, and we laughed the whole way through our adventure around Darling Harbor. We thought that since we finally knew where we were we deserved a treat and wanted ice cream....we ended up at a McDonald's of all places, and had a waffle cone with Carmel and strawberries...who knew that Mcedee's had waffle cones? Anyway...they were yummo.
As we were heading back in the direction we were supposed to be in so we could catch the train home, I started to notice other signs that they had in Sydney, and came upon the two pictured above. How cool is it that at every intersection the city of Sydney had written look left or look right, depending on the direction one was facing and the direction of the traffic. Thank heavens for these signs as these 2 American girls were trying to find their way back to the train station! We could have been killed several times by on coming traffic, if it hadn't had been for these signs. Remember this...when all else fails....read the directions!

The Rocks

Okay, I know the past couple posts have been about my trip to Sydney with my friend Margo, and I really thought that I was done, but then realized that I still had a lot to share, so please indulge me as I finish off my trip. The Rocks is an area in Sydney right along the harbor by the bridge that was the first settlement of Sydney, and the city of Sydney has done very well to keep and preserve the historic feel to the area. But they have also blended the atmosphere with shopping, dining and hotels that really make the area quite an enjoyable one to visit. When I first came to Australia with my basketball team, this is the one place over everything that I remembered, and told Margo that we had to go back to The Rocks when we were in Sydney, because I just had to get this yummy philo chicken broccoli roll...funny me thinking that I could remember the name of the place we got it from or where to find it, and even funnier to think that the place would be around some 18 years later. We weren't able to find the yummy philo roll, but we did end up eating great food and shopping in this this beautiful part of Sydney.
The Rocks is where they turned the convicts into citizens of Australia. There is quite a bit of history running through the streets of The Rocks. They have saved many of the old buildings and preserved the architecture, but are also using the buildings as apartments, offices, shops, hotels, restaurants and for haunted ghost tours. Some of the best views and food are found at The Rocks.

So if you ever plan to visit Sydney...make sure you stop by The Rocks and even take in a ghost tour...Margs says they are really really scary! :)

Harbor bridge

The Harbor Bridge is the other well known Sydney icon. And it doesn't disappoint that is for sure! It is a welcome sign to all the boats, cruise ships and ferries that come through Sydney harbor. To many it is a recreational spot (you can climb up to the top where the flags are and over look the whole of Sydney...for a nominal fee mind you). To others it is just a way to get from point A to point B. And to some it is an excellent place to shoot fireworks off of. For me, it is one of special memories. When I first came to Sydney all those years ago, it was one of the first places the group of 15 American Teenagers went to check out all of Sydney. It was a place of excitement, a place where we stood by each other asking each other to "pinch me" to really make sure we were standing overlooking the Opera House. So my trip to Sydney with Margo wouldn't be complete without a trek across the bridge for old time sake.
It is locally nicknamed The Coathanger because of its arch-based design, although this usage is less prevalent than it once was. In March of last year the bridge celebrated it's 75th anniversary. The Bridge was the city's tallest structure until 1967. According to Guinness World Records, it is the widest long-span bridge in the world and is the highest steel arch bridge with the top of the bridge standing 134 metres (429.6 feet) above the harbour.
The bridge began being built in 1923 and was formally opened in 1932. During the time of construction 16 workers died but only 2 from falling from the bridge. It was a massive project to undertake and cost several million dollars, which didn't get fully paid off until 1988.
There are three ways that you can cross the bridge, by car, by train or by foot. Here Margo is just before we started to walk across the bridge. The walk doesn't take that long, and you get great views of the harbor, the Opera House and the city of Sydney. On a side note, Sydney has a great train system, and if you are ever coming over to visit, I suggest that is the way to see the city, as parking can reach in excess of $18 an hour.
And here is a picture of the Opera House from the Bridge through the protective fence. Do you ever get sick of seeing that??? Well, I didn't that's for sure! :)

Avalon Beach

On one of the days that I was with Margo in Sydney, we had the chance to go to the beach at 6am with her cousins visiting from South Africa. Now going to the beach is always fun but lets be honest...at 6am it can be a stretch! I mean I live five minutes from the beach, and I don't think we have ever been there at 6am. So I was intrigued at why someone would want to go to the beach that early. We drove about 30 minutes to a place called Avalon Beach just north of Sydney, and this is what we saw. It was a beautiful beach, a little cove like area actually, with big houses built right up on the foreshore. Different from the beach where I live, but oh so beautiful none the less. The sun was just starting to rise over the water and the lighting was incredible!
Now, many of you may be thinking... swimming in the ocean at 6am is she crazy?!?!? Don't worry I was thinking the same thing, as I know how cool the water can be at our house even in the heat of the afternoon. But after taking a few pictures, we jumped into the ocean, and it was beautiful! Nice and warm! So nice in fact that we were in there swimming, and floating and playing in the waves until about 9:30. What a great way to start the morning off!

A trip with my friend Margo

So many of you know my friend Margo, and many of you may not. For those of you that don't I met Margo when I first started my job at the hospital. Margo and I hit it off right from the start and twelve years later, with lots of life experiences shared and many laughs and tears we are still friends!!!

Well, Margo has family that lives in Sydney and for the past 5 or so years, she has been making the trek down under to visit them. When I was her boss at the hospital (mind you I was a great boss because I would always let her go) I would always say, "One day Margs we'll have to go to Australia together." Well, that one day happened last week! I flew up to Sydney (only an hour and 10 minute flight from Melbourne) and spent the week with her for some good and much needed girl time! What an adventure we had! Good thing we packed our walking shoes is all I can say! We had a ton of fun exploring Sydney and the surrounding area by boat, train, and by foot! We did a lot of sight seeing, picture taking, shopping, eating new and different foods and laughing a lot!

This wasn't my first trip to Sydney. I was in Sydney about 18 years ago when my basketball team came over to play ball for about 5 weeks. Boy has it changed in those 18 years! But one thing hasn't changed...the beautiful Sydney Opera House. It is by far one of the most photographed buildings in Sydney, let alone the world...one that all the tourists have to go and check out, and one that is known all over the world. We were no exception!!! I took a ton of pictures of the Opera House. So I thought I'd share a few pictures with you and a brief history of this remarkable building! They Sydney Opera House was designed by Jørn Utzon, a Danish architect. The government of New South Wells wanted to build a building that could house their musical, and theatrical performances, so a competition was born to see who could come up with the winning design. Out of 233 designs submitted by architects in over 32 different countries, Utzon's design was chosen. It began being built in March 1959 and was built in three stages. First Stage the Podium (which was 47 weeks behind schedule). Second Stage the Roof (where the design team went through at least twelve iterations of the form of the shells before a workable solution was completed. And the Third Stage the Interior. Finally being completed in 1973 having cost $102 million. The original cost estimate in 1957 was $7 million. The original completion date set by the Aussie government was January 26, 1963.
Ten years and 95 million dollars later, Queen Elizabeth II came to dedicate the building where over a million people were in attendance. After the ceremony the building was celebrated with a vibrant fireworks show. The Sydney Opera House contains five theatres, five rehearsal studios, two main halls, four restaurants, six bars and numerous souvenir shops.
Just a side note, there are several shops near the Opera House, and several great restaurants. But if you ever go to Sydney...take time to walk to the other end of the harbor...things are less expensive and they have just as good, if not better restaurants there. Margo and I feel like we know the area personally now, as we spent three days in and around the opera house and harbor bridge. There are great shops, train station and ferry services in the area. Sydney is a very friendly place, and really is an easy walking town. We had a lot of laughs and a lot of fun finding our way through the city.We even took a ferry over to Manly, which is on the other side of the bay from Sydney. This picture was taken on the ferry on the way back from Manly. What a wonderful day that was, with nice temperatures, blue sky and a great friend!

sunsets

I love Sunsets!!! There have been many times in my life where the sunset was incredible on days of important significance...like the day I was proposed to. To me sunsets are calming and so peaceful. So I couldn't resist posting this picture of the Aussie sunset that I took a couple weeks ago. I grew up with the best view of the most beautiful sunsets over Antelope Island, but some of the Aussie sunsets I've seen this past year, have been just as fantastic as those that I grew up with. Sunsets are incredible, and I always am anxious to see what beauty comes as the sun is setting. Hope you enjoy a glimpse of the beautiful Aussie sunsets we get to see regularly.