In the Groove

First of all, let us apologize for not posting more frequently over the past several days. I don’t want to make any excuses, but we have had just a few things to occupy our time- not to mention the fact that our current Internet connection is episodic at best. Again, no excuses, but we are pleased to report that we are finally settled into our apartment and our school routines, and I am pleased to announce that, while mastery remains elusive, I have been steadily improving my ability to manage the Sydney Buses (despite previous allegations otherwise).

Over this past week, I started classes at the University, which continues to be an eclectic experience, and Callie continued study at Le Cordon Bleu, which continues to produce more desserts than we can conceive of eating. She brought home orange zest cookies, fruit cake, fruit tart (see picture), marble cookies and these wonderfully involved cookies that look like miniature checkerboards. I, on the other hand, was able to bring home a significant pile of reading on a variety of topics from international relations theory to the intellectual concept of the “Asia Pacific.” We also had the burdensome privilege of returning to IKEA today to take back several items that had been purchased unnecessarily. Not to continue our polemic against the Swedish furniture manufacturer (given this is our third post dignifying its presence), but it did not disappoint our already diminished expectations . . . and that’s all we have to say about that.

Additionally, we had the opportunity to visit the Sydney Harbour Rotary Club that meets every Friday morning at Circular Quay (pronounced “key”). Circular Quay is immediately north of the Sydney CBD between the Harbour Bridge and the Opera House, and the club itself meets on a private ferry. We were treated to breakfast and a presentation on Australian road safety, all the while being inundated with welcomes and offers to assist us in any way possible. It was yet another example of the friendliness and hospitality and that appears to permeate the Australian culture.

This weekend, which happens to be Callie’s birthday, also promises to be quite eventful. Tomorrow morning, we are going out on the harbour with the SydneyUni Sailing Club and we are going to enjoy a win for the Wallabies over the All Blacks (Australia is playing New Zealand in “footy”). On Sunday, we are going to climb the Harbour Bridge. Hopefully the weather will cooperate (Monday was the coldest day since 1963) and we should be able to enjoy a unique perspective of the city.

I guess, in conclusion, we feel like we now have a sense of place after living with the Blahuts and having assembled our life in our new apartment. Routines are becoming more established, routes are appearing more familiar, and the city is feeling more accessible. Thank you to all the people who have posted comments thus far- we have enjoyed reading your thoughts and it is nice to have a sense of feedback. Please also feel free to post any questions that you might have, and we will do our best to answer. Go The Wallabies!