Hi all and happy end of May! So begins summer for the northern hemisphere, while we dive into winter here in Australia. So far, so good with the cooler weather here at last. Light jackets and a scarf are all we have needed. Just in time to leave the “cold” of Sydney for awesome Las Vegas!! We have planned a trip with Heidi to celebrate her 40th Birthday in sunny Las Vegas!! 🙂 I am excited for the vacation and to explore a new part of the US. I am just getting over a cold that has spread among my coworkers, so I am glad the weather has been nice, sunny, and dry the past two weeks. The sun makes all the difference in warmth and making people happy. In the mean time, here is what we have been up to the past two weeks.
I am still working on reading the complete works of Jane Austen. I am on the last book (page 4600 of 5000 some). They are good and well written, but a little exhausting. I think I will read something with more action my next book; maybe reread the Hunger Games series. Last week Wednesday, I went to a Secret Foodies night with some girls from Sydney Ladies Social. They announce a theme and a date and you can buy tickets (it always sells out), but you don’t find out the actual location until it is texted to you 2 hours before. The theme was NY NY and they had a New York four course menu with a New York style cocktail and then paired wines with the courses. It was really fun and the food amazing.
Last weekend we had a chill night with House Hunters International and Pizza Hut Friday night. Saturday we went to the Sydney made markets in the Rocks and wondered on the south side of the Harbour Bridge. There is a lot of history and archaeological significance under that side of the bridge, as it was a military outpost initially when Sydney was settled. We then had lunch at the Glenmore Hotel. I met up with some Sydney Ladies Social girls to walk the Bay run, a 6k route in the inner west, very close to my work. We saw a beautiful sun set and got a nice group photo. That night, Brandon and I relaxed with leftover pizza and watched the movie Looper.
Sunday, we went to church, then the Balmain library to pick up my book club book. There were so many delicious looking bakery items and cafes along Darling Street in Balmain, but we resisted and just went home and had leftovers. I was able to talk to my parents and Ciara for a bit, until we went into the city for a musical. We met Heidi and Jax and saw Priscilla, Queen of the Desert at the Capital Theater. It was a great show with upbeat music, amazing costumes, and an amusing plot. Brandon wasn’t as impressed with the drag queens as we were, but still had fun. We had dumplings at home for supper and watched another movie.
I was off Monday and had a dr. appointment, then we met with our financial planner. Everything is on track and hopefully we will get all squared away with an investment fund and some additional insurance. So much adulting!! Tuesday night was book club at the Duke of Clarence. An awesome, hidden, British style pub. We read Tin Man by Sarah Winman for May. I am up next for picking the book and the location as we are taking turns with it. We have been picking mainly female authors and shorter fiction novels, which has worked out well. Easy reads to get through in between my Jane Austen novels.
Friday night, Brandon went to a Meet Up to learn and network and I was busy finding places in Las Vegas to see. I pinned a bunch of places on a map for us to use when we get there, including shops, restaurants, pools, casinos, museums, nature sights, etc. All available for us if we want it. Saturday, I worked, then took the train to my friend’s house out west. We hung out with a few of her friends, drank, had pizza, and danced the night away. She has an adorable red tabby cat and Staffy dog. I got up early the next day to head off on the train to make it back in time for lunch at Taste of Manly. Brandon and I tried a few different dishes including lobster mac and cheese, a loaded burger, a loaded hot dog, and some cheese cake on a stick. So good! They had food and wine stands, live music, and a market. A bit like a small Oktoberfest by the beach. We took the ferry there and back that even has a little cafe/bar on it. A pigeon also enjoyed the ferry ride. Not sure if he meant to get on or not. We went to Sunday night church, then tried a Japanese restaurant by the bus stop that was advertising $1 oysters. They were out of oysters, but had delicious bento boxes with teriyaki meat, sushi, a salad, and tempura. Yum! Just a day of eating. 🙂
This morning was Monday already and I saw some amazing roses on my way to work. I am have to finish up this post and send out some important cards for the upcoming month. 🙂 Until next time!
