We have had a busy past few weeks.  Sorry I haven’t posted sooner, but we just got internet at our new place.  Here is what has been happening with us.

The week of the 11th was crazy; packing, picking out furniture and appliances, organizing delivery, renting the van.  Thankfully, Brandon is in-between jobs, so he had been able to do a lot and make all they daytime phone calls that needed to happen.  We went out with Heidi and Jax for dinner one night; our last night out as flatmates.  Then Jax took us on a surprise adventure into Mosman, to a street that was all decorated in lights for Christmas.  Friday the 15th was his Birthday; the big 30.  We took a bus north to Manly and were early, so we warmed up with a mocha by the beach.  We then did a surf lesson from 9-11 with a group. There had been a storm overnight and the ocean was a bit rough, but the instructors found a shallower, easier place to go.  It was so much fun!  We did so good! Able to stand up and stay up for most of the ride in.  We were honing our skills and balance and got better each ride.  By the end, we were so tired fighting the waves to get out.  Very fun and good exercise.  We ate at Hungry Jacks (Burger King) for lunch in Manly then took the bus back home to get cleaned up.  We then took a bus and train to Kings Cross to our rental agent to sign our lease.  A lot of paperwork later, we got our keys to our new place. 🙂 We took a train, then the light rail over to it right away to measure for our appliances and bask in the views.  That night, Brandon got the chicken salads he wanted to eat on his Birthday.

Saturday, we packed, went and ordered our appliances, bought some basics from the Broadway Shopping Center (in Glebe) and brought them to our new place.  We then had a Christmas party at Jax’s brother Ray’s house down the street.   We had to leave early to make it to my work’s Christmas party in Glebe.  Both parties were very fun.  My work one was at a Spanish Tapas restaurant that had flamingo dancers.  We did a secret Santa with the employees and it was fun to relax with my coworkers and their partners.  We didn’t want to stay out too late, because after church Sunday morning, we got our Goget van and we began the move.  We could have fit everything in one trip if it wasn’t for the cats and all their accessories.  As it was, the van was cheaper to rent for the day, than by the hour, so we had time.  We even went to Ikea and picked up some plants and a few pieces of furniture that was not in stock when we did our original order.  We splurged on hot dogs and cinnamon rolls at the Ikea cafe.  Thankfully, the weather was in the 70s and not raining.  We returned the car very early and made the trek back from Neutral Bay to Annandale.  A 20 min car trip, but one bus, one train, and the light rail if you do it via public transit.  Since our bed was coming Monday, we camped out in the living room on our air mattress.  The cats had the bedroom to get acclimated to the new place.

Monday I was off too, so Brandon and I had breakfast at a cafe down the street at a shopping center/mall building called the Tramsheds.  I went back to the Broadway mall for more basics for the apartment and Brandon received the appliances and tried to get the internet sorted.  I came back and then went grocery shopping at the grocery store at the Tramsheds.  Thankfully, it is not crazy expensive, even though it is near a fancy apartment complex.  It was so hot and sunny out on my treks, I had to come back and recover.  I am happy our apartment is higher up and gets nice breezes flowing through.  We also have air con in the living room, but the remote is still coming in the post.  Our Ikea stuff never showed, so we had another night on the air mattress.  We also didn’t want to let the cats out until all the stuff was delivered, so we left them in the bedroom.

Tuesday I had to work and the Ikea stuff came.  Brandon was a beast and put so much of it together, despite the hot day.  Our bed proved too complex and it didn’t get done until Wednesday.  It is a frame and a mattress, but the mattress lifts up for storage underneath.  Very cool and so much room! We have to be very space-conscious in our new place since we only have one closet total (in our bedroom) and very limited cupboard space.  We unpacked and put all the furniture together and are very happy to say that everything fits. 🙂 I worked all week including Saturday and we were finally able to put some stuff up on the walls.  We were also over at Heidi’s (our old place) quite a bit to clean and help her set up for her Christmas party.  We also had to get our fix of Sushi Train and dessert at a cafe with her, since we left her by moving and Jax is in New Zealand for the holidays.  A windy storm blew the original marquee frame down, so they put a new one up.  The cats got to come out and explore the place, and they have settled right in.  Fiyero especially loved Brandon’s big desk, which adjusts between a sitting and standing desk.

Christmas Eve, we picked up some things at the grocery store for Christmas Day lunch and then ate more sushi after trying out a church in Annandale for the last advent mass.  Heidi, Brandon, and I went down to the ocean fed pool that is along the Cremorne Point walking trail.  It was hot and sunny, and a great day for swimming.  The water was too cool for Brandon, but we still had fun.  Some people brought a swan floatie and entertained us all by trying to get on it and failing hardcore.  We came back to Heidi’s and finished setting up for the party.  We then all cleaned up for church at 5:30 at St. Joseph’s, the usual church we go to.  It was packed and hot.  We ended up standing/sitting on the floor in the balcony the whole time.  Pretty miserable, but a made for a memorable Christmas Eve service.  We then went to get the food Heidi reserved for the party, and then went for a drink down the street at the Oaks.  We met Heidi’s aunt and her friend there as well.  They stayed for some live music and we got an Uber home to save time and since we had bags to carry.

Christmas Day, we opened our presents from my parents, then I watched the first Hobbit movie and played with the cats with their Christmas toys.  Brandon and I did not do gifts this year since we just bought everything for our apartment.  We went over to Heidi’s for a late lunch.  Public transit runs all the time, including public holidays; they just have a more limited schedule.  We hung out with Heidi’s family and played Evil Santa.  We all brought gifts, then could steal as the game went on.  I got a game called Pieface that risks whipped cream in the face.  Brandon got scrabble letters for our fridge.  He has been spelling out fun things since he brought them home.  We had met most of Heidi’s family before; they were great, welcoming and fun to talk to.  We were so happy to have something to do on the holidays!  Brandon got to experience Christmas crackers the first time.  I was hoping for a fan as my novelty toy in the crackers, but we never pulled one with it, just crowns and fun jokes to share with those around you.  We played a card game called Last Card with her cousins, and then tried this very sour candy.  A good day had by all.  Much different menu than a US Christmas.  We had more salads, and less heavy food.  Amazing fruit covered cake called pavlova.  Also, limited chocolate due to the warm weather and melting.  We stayed after people left to help take the marquee down since Heidi was leaving to go up the coast for a week on vacation.  She then drove us home, but couldn’t come up.  Hopefully she will come to our new place soon! Especially now that it is furnished. 🙂

Boxing Day (Dec. 26) is also a public holiday here so we had it off.  I spent it relaxing and watching the second Hobbit movie.  We ate lunch at a cafe in Annandale and have been exploring around our apartment on walks.  There are so many parks and cool places nearby.  So dog friendly too!  There is even a little dog memorial in one of the parks.  My new route to work has been great.  I walk up the road to the main bridge and hop on any bus.  I take it to the end of the street of my work then hop a bus down to it.  Very easy and so fast; only taking 30-45 min.  The last of our Ikea stuff came today.  Finally they had our couch and foot stool in stock.  We also got a table and chairs for the balcony.  The only little things we are missing is art for the main room, lamps for the living room and bedside tables, and internet.  Oh the internet saga.  Brandon has been dealing with it, but we have a temporary internet connection at the moment.  Hopefully the fast, unlimited on comes after New Years.  So much of Australia shuts down from Dec 20 until mid Jan.  People go away on vacation, shops, businesses, and services are just closed or unavailable.  It is really quite eerie and frustrating when you are trying to get stuff done.  Oh well, we knew it was a risky time of year to get stuff done, but we moved anyway.  We have internet for the moment and that is good enough for now.  Better than using up all our phone data.  Brandon will be starting work now that we have internet.  He has a few contract opportunities, but has accepted one from a different, more established start up.  He is excited to be having work again with an income.

Mail-if you want our new address, please let us know.  We will be getting rid of our PO Box the end of January, so please do not send anything else there.  Thank you to everyone who sent us Christmas cards and Brandon Birthday cards!  We appreciate it!!  I hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas and have a happy New Years!!  Talk to you soon!!