Christmas Day Harbourside

Beautiful day on the harbour for Christmas lunch - great company, food, wine, views - a different Christmas for us all, but a good one. Now I'm starting to settle into holiday mode - that little piece of anxiety I carry around in term-time is slipping away as I decide whether to go swimming, lunching or shopping. Or see a movie: Frost/Nixon and Slumdog Millionaire are on my list; or have a facial; or just enjoy being with my family and friends - or all of the above!

Festivus!

One of my many houseguests mentioned Festivus the other night - from the Seinfeld episode where George's father has invented a different celebration for Christmas. He held it on December 23rd, which is today, so "happy festivus" to all!
We are B-B-Q-ing often and loving the fresh fruit of summer. Paull is showing Chase around Sydney's sights: barefoot bowling at Waverly overlooking the harbour, Cronulla beach, Bondi beach, The Rocks, Glebe Point Road, East Hills Pub (WTF?)....

Where have I been?

Not to London to visit the Queen, but my daughter has......she returned from Dubai, Edinborough, Glasgow and London today after a three week holiday. Paull flies in on Saturday morning from NYC for three weeks holiday here - leaving minus one degree and walking out of the airport to 29 degrees C (approx 90F). So with two kids home, one friend from the US, and one friend who is staying with us while he completes his paramedic training, all here, Christmas will be packed to the rafters and full of fun! Eliza has arranged a surprise for Christmas lunch; I'll DEFINITELY take my camera to that.

School is in its last week prior to the long summer break, and I have to say that it is moving at the speed of a glacier. A glacier BEFORE global warming, that is. I'm making learning "fun" and doing lots of outside activities too, but Year 6 in week 10term 4 are definitely "over it". I hate to wish my life away, but - roll on, 3pm Friday!!

Finders Keepers

I took myself to Redfern yesterday by train to visit the Finders Keepers design markets at Carriageworks. This fantastic old factory building next to the railway is now a performance and art space. I picked up some quirky presents (mainly for Eliza), loved the "3 Things" Oxfam project, marvelled at the talent,then found a cute little pub for fish 'n chips and a glass of semillion. A lovely day.

summertime

It sure is summer around here. If I don't go walking/running (ralking) by 6.30am it is too hot, especially for two large 11-year old labs (who are showing no signs of age, but bouncing around like puppies). We are grateful for new air-conditioners at school, even though we needed so many other things, like Data Projectors and interactive whiteboards. Settling 30 11/12 year olds after a hot lunchtime run-around is much easier when the room is cool. Days are longer, clothes are lighter, early mornings are beautiful, and the mangoes are here!!
(photo from Google Images because I'm too flat-out (lazy)to upload my own!)