Getting a Groove in Sydney by Suzanne

We have now been here for 12 days and I feel like we are sort of getting into the groove.  We love the weekends, because Ethan gets to stay "home" with us and we do more tourist things.  Today, however, was a rainy Saturday.  We decided not to go do a pretty beachy place since it's not good weather, but instead walked a ways, much of it underground, to find a movie theater and we saw Madagascar III.  It was close to the Chinatown in Sydney, and we found some great deals there!  We now know that if there is anything we want to buy souvenir-wise, that is where we will go.  I did buy Elise some Ugg boots for the best price I have seen!  It was nice to be in a theater- it looked the same as they do in the states, and it was an American movie, even though my kids had seen it before.

One night this week we went to a Noodle Fest down in Hyde Park.  It was gorgeously decorated with so many lights, tables and chairs to sit at, and tons of Asian restaurants set up with booths to get food.  There was live music as well, a fun setting.  The food was overpriced and just OK, but we enjoyed ourselves.  These are the kinds of events that you get to take advantage of, living in the city.

We discover many more shops and food courts every day.  It amazes me how much goes on in a small city block.  There are tunnels full of businesses at almost every turn.  Escalators take you up or down so many levels under every building, many of them I've seen once and may never happen upon again.  We just discovered another grocery store that we didn't know about today right across the street from us.  We have to pretty much grocery shop each day, since our refrigerator is so small.  Plus with our small kitchen and limited kitchen tools, there is not a long list of meals that we can make.  We pretty much go meal to meal with what we feel like.

I've inserted a few more pictures of another outing to Darling Harbour this week.  There is a statue made for the 2000 Olympics that we stood by and one of the kids on a bridge over the harbour.

A few of the terms that are different here:  elevators are "lifts," trash is "rubbish," french fries are "chips," McDonald's is called "Mackers," and Burger Kings are "Hungry Jacks."  Swim suits are "bathers," and of course vacations are "holidays."

We are grateful to be in a place where English is the main language.  However, even though the aussies speak English, when they speak fast, it can still be hard to understand.  Ethan has contacts through his work where he is getting to know some Aussies.  Most of the people the kids and I see are other tourists.  We rarely see people who I think are Americans.  If I do think someone is from America, when I hear them speak they end up being from Australia for the most part.  There are many people from various Asian countries, both working here and vacationing here.  I did meet some girls from Switzerland at the pool yesterday.  It's just very interesting to be among so many people from all over the world.  In general, people are so similar in so many ways, yet so different in others!  On the ferry last week to the zoo, an asian family who didn't speak English was taking some pictures.  The older girl held up "bunny ears" to her baby brother while his picture was being taken.  Clearly this is a universal behavior of children!  :)

I got Brady's hair cut yesterday.  Again, there is a hair salon/barber on every corner.  The first one quoted me $30 so I went across the street and got one for $20.  I have to be honest, I was using him as a guinea pig, and had to test the waters before I need to get my hair done.  This place did a fine job with Brady's hair, so I may use them when it's my turn.  :)

I will post a couple pictures from Chinatown today to end the blog.  That's all I've got for now!  I know most people reading this are in the states, where fall is quickly approaching and it's getting cooler.  I felt a little of your fall weather today in the cool rainy weather here in Sydney.  But I think we'll be back to the warming spring/summer temps here soon and I welcome them!

Suzanne

Elise's Day at Bondi

I am going to my dad's office to do school today.  It will be fun.  We went to Bondi beach.  We rode the bus.  I met someone to play with named Ella.  I got buried in the sand.

bondi beach

Yesterday we went to Bondi Beach and had alot of fun.  We swam for a long time and built a lot of sandcastles.  We had so much fun that day.  Then we got some icecream,well not me because I got a donut, but that was just as good beacause it's a donut and everyone likes donuts right?  On the way there we rode on this huge bus that was like two buses.  We got back home and waited for my mom to get back from the store. When she got back she had candy bars for everyone.That is all for today, so   bye!!!!!!!

                                                                                   LUKE

My Weekend By Elise

I went to the Manly beach.  We went to the zoo.  I saw a kangaroo and koala and a penguin.  I also saw a snow leopard.  We saw zebras and otters too.  I saw elephants also crocodiles and seals.  We saw the bird show and an emu walked out of its cage.  We saw red kangaroos.  I got to pet a kangaroo!

By Elise

The Taronga zoo!!!!

Yesterday we went to the Taronga zoo. It was so much fun. We saw aligaters, giraffes, koalas, kangaroos, eleaphants and so much more. I had a pb and j for lunch that day. The day before I had lunch with my family in the food court and I had mcdonalds.  It was alright. So back to the zoo. I also saw a lion and a snow leopard. Also we saw these mountain goats that climbed up so high on this rock. The way we got here was on the ferry. I liked the ferry ride. And that was my day at the Toronga zoo.


Luke

Taronga Zoo

Yesterday we went to the zoo.We took a ferry to get there and conveniently, it was on the other side of the harbor.  It was filled with animals from home, some from not around here, and new animals to us. My favorite animal to see, was the Alligator. It was so stealthy when it came up on its prey. We also got to see a Tasmainian Devil. Of course they were asleep because they are mostly nocturnal. We saw little penguins, and when we were leaving, I saw a penguin in the Harbor, just like the Zookeeper had told us. There were some amazing views there, and my Dad and I got a picture of each of us, with the Giraffes and the Opera House in the background. It was an amazing expirience. Anyway I have to go, but you will see plenty more of me writing.

Notice the opera house in the back of this giraffe picture!

Brady  

A Brush With Fame on George Street

OK, I know we have all had our moments where we have come into contact with someone from pop culture who we admire, but I must say last Friday night in Sydney, Australia of all places, I had my second favorite encounter with fame.    Now, you might be thinking, why are you ranking these things,   but if you know me, you know that I qualify everything.   So, here are my top five and when I get back to the States if you want to know more I will fill you in on the details of the other four:

1.  Playing pop-a-shot with Will Smith at the Beaumont Club in KC

2.  ?

3.  Interviewing K.C. Chiefs players in their locker room post AFC playoff loss to the Ravens 2012

4.  Vikestuds and High School Friends with Paul Rudd

5.  Meeting Andy Garcia on Broadway at Beauty and the Beast

Now, back to my second favorite encounter.    After a busy first full week of my family being down in Sydney, Suz and I were ready to just go out and have a little time alone.    So in a city that never seems to sleep, at least George Street in the CBD (Central Business District), we headed out looking for anywhere to just go in and have a quiet drink.    After passing multiple trendy and swank bars, our wandering towards Circular Quay found us at a quaint bar called Jackson's on George Street.   We sat at a small table by the entrance just glad to be sitting with drink in hand.    Of course Suz was facing the entrance to the bar and George Street when she immediately says to me, "hey isn't that the Snow Patrol guy?"  I turned around and standing directly in front of me is a guy wearing dingy jeans, an army green jacket and a blue hoodie, with endless locks of black hair.    It certainly looked like Gary Lightbody, but I just wasn't sure.    I am usually good with faces, but he moved into the restaurant part of Jackson's and I had no way of knowing for sure.  

Like a 12 year old tween at a Justin Bieber concert, I was excited and just had to find our for sure if this person was Gary.   After debating with Suz and in my head, I decided I would never forgive myself if I passed up this opportunity to find our for sure.    So I walked into the other room and like a stalker came up from behind and said, "Gary" hoping that he would turn around.    I had a plan if this wasn't him, but sure enough he turned around looking confused and I deftly followed up, "Gary Lightbody?" To my complete astonishment he said "Yes", and there he was, the lead signer and front man of Snow Patrol, sitting at a small upright bar table with a friend.    The friend was very gracious and had the look on his face like,  I've seen this one before.

Many of you may be asking, who is Gary Lightbody and who is Snow Patrol?    They are an indie rock band from Northern Ireland/Scotland and have been around since 1994.  Much of their success however, didn't come until their release of Final Straw in 2003.    Snow Patrol is one of those bands that you have heard their music in many different places without really knowing them.    Here is a link to their official website if you want to check them out.    I love their music and must give Todd Jones credit for handing me a copy of Final Straw back in 2003 and introducing me to this fantastic group.

http://www.snowpatrol.com/#!all

Back to the story though . . . After introducing myself I relayed to him that I was a big fan (stating the obvious I know) and had recently seen them in Kansas City at the Beaumont Club (Good things happen there - - see Will Smith above).     I told him that I was down here for work and would be missing their show with Noel Gallagher (Oasis - -  another great band) at the Midland Theater in Kansas City on November 1st.   I asked if they were playing a show here and to my surprise he said an acoustic gig at the State Theatre on Monday night.    Unfortunately the show was sold out!! No worries though he said, "I will put you on the guest list plus one."     Are you freaking kidding me.    I just met my music hero and he is putting me and Suzanne on the guest list for a sold out acoustic Snow Patrol show here in Sydney Australia.    I thanked him and went back to my seat with Suz at the front of the bar.  

After a few minutes of basking in my glory, I started thinking to myself, will he remember my name and will he really put me and Suz on the guest list?    I have no idea, but I told Suz, this was totally worth it anyway.     Now I was just getting greedy.  I wanted proof that I had met Gary and I had to have a picture.  So how do I do that without really looking like a twelve year old Justin Bieber stalker?    Use my wife of course.    "Suz," I said, "we have to sit here until they come out and you have to ask for a picture with him."    Nice, I know . . . . but it totally worked.   As he and his friend were walking out of the bar, Suzanne sprang into action without hesitation.   "Gary, Gary do you think I could get a picture with you?"   As any good hero would do, he graciously said yes and then his friend stepped up to the plate once again.    He had Suz and I both jump into the shot and captured the image below.  

Just to be safe, I handed Gary a bar napkin with both of our names on it and as he parted, he said, "See you at the show on Monday."   Now the proof is in the pudding as they say, but it is 5:25 on Monday night and the show starts in just over two hours.    I plan on being there a bit early in case I have to pull out the above picture to verify the story.    Gary, I hope your remembered . . . If you get me into this show I promise to move our chance encounter up to the number one slot.    Snow Patrol Rocks!!!!!!!!

Ethan