Wedding and relaxation

Hey guys! Hope you've been enjoying the photos. I didn't exactly tell you what we did after my birthday, so, I guess it is time to update.
Australia Day was Tuesday and it was like a large festival. It's the equivalent of our 4th of July, only they are a commonwealth, so it's not an independence day. More like the anniversary of when the English settlers came. Anyway, so we went down to Darling Harbour and saw the Great Ferry Race. It's a large race with all the ferries and Paul and I just thought it was a bit messy and looked like they could easily hit each other. But, then again, we aren't sea folk. That night, we stayed for the fireworks and they were AWESOME! They were very beautiful and loved watching them. However, our disappointment from the evening: during the firework display, they played a song from Miley Cyrus...AND NO LAND DOWN UNDA'!!! Paul and I felt that was highly unpatriotic and we as Americans snubbed our noses at the stupidity of choosing Miley Cyrus over Men at Work.
Wednesday, we went sailing with Paul's company on the Harbour and it was very nice. Twas a bit cloudy but it held off and we raced other boats! Our boat lost, but it was good bit of fun.
This weekend, Paul and I just relaxed. Went to the beach, ate some gelato, watched the sunset,...all while you guys were having snow!!! Although I am highly jealous, I do wish to say that an entire year of summer is worth it :). Maybe next year.
Anyway, I figured I might as well send along our wedding website in the process because very soon, we will be sending out our Save the Dates (yay!). Check it out and when you get the Save the Date, book your hotel ASAP! All the information is on there, so enjoy. Anyway, I am now working on opening my cooking horizons and tonight, it is Lamb Chops in Ratatouille. Wish me luck! Tomorrow is Pad Thai!
http://weddings.theknot.com/pwp/pwp2/view/MemberPage.aspx?coupleid=9068842843425849

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To set the record straight...

In our albums, we have a couple photos of us eating some meat. Seems out of place and some might think, why in the world would they take photos of themselves eating meat? The answer to that is: it's kangaroo. It's very lean and actually pretty good, although the smell is very different. However, here are our pictures, eating kangaroo. Enjoy

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Manly Beach Adventures

Here's another album!
http://www5.snapfish.com.au/thumbnailshare/AlbumID=3751769014/a=113203351_113203351/otsc=SHR/otsi=SALBlink/

Also, Australia Day!
http://www5.snapfish.com.au/thumbnailshare/AlbumID=3751116014/a=113203351_113203351/otsc=SHR/otsi=SALBlink/

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Sydney Opera House and Circular Quay

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Unidentified animal-For Nichole, Reilly, and Reagan

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Happy Birthday to me!!!

Man! It has been such a crazy weekend for us and so much has happened! Well, I'll start with new friends. I made new friends this week! Huzzah! A coworker of Paul's just transfered 2 weeks ago from Dallas with his wife, Sarah. She's really nice and we seem to get along just peachy. They are a fun couple who like to do couple things, which is great for me and Paul. I also met a previous contact of mine from the Girl Scout Camp I worked at. Her name is Becca and she is an Aussie. She is gonna be a great pal I know it!
Anyway, back to what I did. Wednesday I was on my run on the Coastal Walk when I saw DOLPHINS!!! A family of dolphins were playing in the waves at Tamarama Beach and I had to stop and watch. Thursday, I went to meet Sarah and we pretty much beach bummed all day. Friday, I went down to the CBD (business district) and walked down George Street with Becca. Then, I met up with Paul in The Rocks (the old part of Sydney) where we had dinner with Sarah and her husband Chris. We had dinner and then walked around the Opera House (yeah, I know...I just walk around it like it's a normal part of my life!). It was a quite nice evening leading up to....
MY BIRTHDAY! Now, usually, I get excited about my birthday, but this day, I was really stoked 'cause for the first time in my life (and probably the only time) I get to experience a summer birthday. But, the weather had to have it's say in the matter. Not in The Curse proportions or anything (for those who don't know, the first 16 years of my life, I couldn't have a proper bday party 'cause the weather usually was catastrophic). Yet, it was weird...Paul and I went to go get a burrito in 100 degree weather...so the burrito was spicy and it was hot. I didn't feel intelligent. Yet, Paul and I decided to go on down to the beach, which felt AMAZING 'CAUSE THAT'S WHAT YOU DO FOR SUMMER BIRTHDAYS! However, the weather then turned for the worst. The rain came down. The winds made me feel like I was in the Apocalypse. In other words, I was pretty sure The Curse had found me in Australia and meant to deal with this summer birthday idea in a different way. Yet, Paul and I were determined to finish my birthday the way I wanted it! In The Domain (the garden area...near the Royal Botanical Gardens?), they were holding a free symphony where everyone can picnic and enjoy the cool summer evening. It was wet. But I was gonna do it my way! So, we sat and waited for Chris and Sarah (who baked me a cake!) and the weather cleared wonderfully! I was so happy about it and we had a great time. And, the real icing on the cake was at the end of the concert, they had FIREWORKS!! Can we say ultimate birthday? It was fabulous.
Sunday- I was still on a birthday rollercoaster, but we went to Manly Beach and strolled along the coastline. We had a couple of videos and BEAUTIFUL photos...which we will upload once we have internet...WE STILL DON'T HAVE IT! It's awful and I'm about to pitch a hissy.
Tomorrow I will have to update again 'cause...IT'S AUSTRALIA DAY! Paul gets the day off and we get to go have fun in the sun. So, we are pretty excited. Give us an update in your lives.

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Newest Weekend Adventures

Hi guys! Weekends are usually are our adventure times because during the week Paul works. Boo. However, here's the newest update about we did this weekend:
Friday, we went out to Sydney Harbor Bridge and Circular Quay (pronounced key). It was really interesting seeing the slightly older part of town called The Rocks. It has cobblestone streets and really is lovely at night. They had a open air market that night and I found a couple of items I liked. But going out to eat...SUPER EXPENSIVE!! Sydney is probably more expensive than NYC that we are finding to be true more and more with each meal. We now just share one plate and have an appetizer with it! However, the food is fairly good, although I have yet to try kangaroo...but I will soon! :) Sorry Nichole. Then on Sunday, we went to Tamarama beach, which is next to Bondi and less crowded. We have found a new favorite place to eat. A place called Pompeii with amazing pizzas! The newest goal for me while I am here to perfect my sushi skills! I got a starter kit for $5 and I am ready to go. So is Paul. The upcoming weekend should be more eventful with more photos cause...IT'S MY BIRTHDAY ON SATURDAY! HURRAH ME FOR ME! I plan on having an outdoor fun in the sun day 'cause I will never have the opportunity again in my life. Also, Tuesday of next week is Australia Day. So, get excited and on the 26th, throw some shrimp on the barbie and play some footie (rugby). I am super excited so, will have more cool stuff next week. Love to all!

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First set of photos are up!

Hi everyone! We've uploaded our first slew of photos to Snapfish so that everyone can experience the same adventures we do! We'll still try to upload the best ones to here but the Snapfish albums will have all of our pictures to entertain you whenever you get bored!

Click here to go to the album (you may have to register to Snapfish to access the album, but it's free)

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Paul Skydiving

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I lied...this is the special thanks video

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First video--thanks to Kris, Gina, Mom, Dad, Marisol y Catalina

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A couple of Photos

It isn't much...but there is only so much I can do

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Still no Internet, but lots of fun

I know, I know, I have absolutely no photos to share or videos. But the cable people have not exactly been too friendly in getting us our cable Internet, so I'm just relying on Paul's little Internet tool that he gets from work that is about at fast as dial-up. Great. But, I figured, we have just completed our first week in Sydney and I must relay so much information! So, get ready 'cause here is all is!
We live on Bondi Beach (pronounced Bond-eye) and it is absolutely beautiful. It is very touristy though, but hey, at least we get to see a lot of different people. Tuesday-Friday, Paul has been working very hard and so have I. I have been looking for jobs, but so far, nothin doin! It's hard to find a job that doesn't make you work on weekends, and since that is my time with Paul to explore the country, I will have to hold out. But, I'm not too bored. I have already made a couple of contacts in this country and hopefully, a few will turn out to be good friends. People are generally friendly and want to help whenever they can. Which is great, except one thing I would recommend is customer service. Waitresses just are not as great as I was...and I was not a good waitress. But, then again, they don't have to work for tips so, why work hard when you already are paid? The general attitude here is to relax and enjoy life, which is not too hard to fall into. Wednesday was my first day to actually enjoy the beach...and I got burned. Bad. I felt pathetic. The key is reapply, reapply, wear a hat, sit in the shade when you can, AVOID DIRECT SUN! I have never felt this burned in my entire life and I don't recommend it. So, that is why Thursday and Friday I stayed indoors. Friday after work, Paul and I went out to dinner and then to one of his co-worker's birthday party. It was very relaxed and it was great to meet the other Bainee's as they are called. Many of them are transfers, like Paul. There were some very interesting people from Spain, Ghana, Boston, and Chicago and I enjoyed all of them. Saturday, I took a few videos of the Coastal Walk. The Coastal Walk is path that connects Bondi Beach to Tamarama and Bronte Beaches. I have not seen too much to Sydney up to this point, and I was already impressed with Bondi, but you cannot imagine how much more beautiful a place is where it is not overwhelmingly crowded. I though Tamarama was the most beautiful and I cannot wait to upload our videos so you all can share with us in our most glorious adventure! Patience friends and family! After our small adventures around Bondi, we went to Bronte beach to do a BBQ (yes Chelsea, it is called a barbie) and then go to Flickerfest. What is Flickerfest you might ask? It is a film festival at Bondi that shows little independent films from all over the world. There were a wide range of genre's and Paul and I felt very cultured afterward.
Sunday! Paul decided he was gonna go skydiving. Good for him. Rachel decided to stay on the ground where God originally put her for good reason. Haha, we went with a group of Bain people and I became photographer for the day, which is what I enjoyed doing more. Looking at the faces of my friends really reassured me that I did the right thing in sitting this one out. Especially still suffering from the effects of my burn. But, maybe once I'm better and I have more guts, I will be more inclined to do it. After that fun experience and hours of waiting for the bus to come and pick us up, Paul and I went to look at the world's largest IMAX theater. Didn't see a show, but nonetheless, it was good to see more of the city. Then we came home and now we are preparing for the week ahead! It's so weird, 'cause some of you are going to be reading this on your weekend...that we have already done. Living in the future!!!! Anyways, I hope you find this post enjoyable, as I know it was a long one. Don't worry...I may go to the Internet cafe and just spend some time uploading so that you have more to look at than gorgeous Buncombe kitty in his Christmas regalia. One thing I have been missing is poor Buncombe. I miss the humans too though, so everyone at home have a happy and safe weekend and post some comments! I like to hear from everyone! Cheers mates!

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We landed!!!!

So, I am finally here in Sydney Australia! It is my third day and I am still getting my bearings. But, I knew I needed to update my progress and let everyone know how we are fairing.
On Saturday we made it to the Charlotte airport for our 1:43 flight to the ATL. From Atlanta, we flew to Los Angeles so our plane could gas up to take us to Sydney. I must say, when you think about sitting in a plane for 22 hours, you don't think of the excruciating torment of sitting upright in a crowded plane with the idea that, oh my god, I am here until eternity. Torment! But hey, you gotta pay the price to lay on a beautiful beach in Australia. So, Paul and I get off the plane at 9:00 AM Jan. 4 Australia time...which is 5:00 PM Jan. 3 US time...craaaaazy! Paul and I inspected our beautiful new flat and we are set to go. He started his job yesterday and was instantly staffed on a 4 week case...which means he will be working a lot. Boo. Oh well! I will be able to explore this country and as soon as I have internet in our new abode, I will upload my fabulous videos and pictures. I had an interview for a job yesterday and another one on Friday for tutoring a girl in Spanish. We shall see what occurs. For now though, I am living it up and relaxing on the beach accomplishing one of my New Year's resolutions...get a tan! :)

Special thanks to Marisol y Catalina...Gracias por el cuadernito! Voy a usarlo todo el tiempo! Tengo un video para ustedes, pero ahora no puedo ponerlo en mi blog. Lo siento! Espero que ustedes esten felices y pasen un semestre fabuloso. Hasta luego!

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