Haircuts, Fireworks, and Completed Assignments: A Report

Well, friends, it seems as though you'll have to endure my less-than-inspiring prose once again here at 42 Wallaby Way, as Wilson will be deeply buried in his studies for the next several days.  For all of you ardent readers out there (I know there are probably so many of you who monitor our blog daily), I'm sorry that our posting had stalled for a couple of weeks.  Truth be told, we were waiting for something slightly more interesting and worthy to write about than the rainbow we saw last weekend.

I'll begin with an update on Wilson:  this week promises to be an intensely academic one with two written assignments due, a mid-term presentation, and final cramming for the LSAT - but I should say he seems to have a grasp on everything in typical Wilson fashion.  Our excursion to Uluru (Ayers Rock) and Port Douglas to explore the Great Barrier Reef and Daintree Rainforest at the end of the week will provide him a much needed break (all Testmasters study materials have been banned from the suitcase).  Perhaps the most exciting thing Wilson has accomplished (other than model my chef's jacket and hat) is getting a haircut.  Susie at Catwalk cut almost 3 inches from his locks on Saturday, much to Mike the barber's dismay, who warned via Warren that he may very well look like "he had been riding a trolley with his head sticking out."  Fortunately he doesn't appear to have just exited a wind tunnel - I personally think his hair looks cute, as do the other ladies at Catwalk, who plan to keep the film from their security cameras just in case he becomes President one day.

I, on the other hand, completed my assessments last week with a passing grade and am wrapping up Basic Patisserie with lessons on Buttercream Gateaux (cake) and Cheesecake.  Eddie and I continue to have a great time together, and today we informed the Le Cordon Bleu office today that we absolutely must be placed in the same class for Intermediate (or they would regret that we ever enrolled!).  Also, my brownies are selling well at Caffelatte, which gives me hope that customers might actually patronize my bakery should I open one someday.

This past weekend was actually quite eventful, as Friday evening we, along with the 7 other Rotary Scholars in the district, were graciously hosted for dinner by Patricia Harrison,  President of Sydney Rotary Club.  The views from her apartment were incredible, as evidenced by the two photos I've posted: the activity in Circular Quay and the grandeur of the Harbor Bridge dominate the vista from her front balcony (complete with evening fireworks), while the Opera House and Botanical Gardens grace the view from the back (including the giant bats that make their home in the gardens by day).  We connected with scholars from Scotland, Germany, England, Japan, Canada, and the U.S., all of whom have invited us to join in their Australian adventures, whether it be surf at Bondi Beach, bike to Canberra, explore Wollongong, or attend a costume-required Halloween party.  The next couple of months should be entertaining, so we'll keep you posted.

9 Gold Medals?

Look out Michael Phelps and Stephanie Rice - you'll have some stiff competition in London in 2012.  We've been swimming weekly at the 2000 Australian Olympic training facility in Ryde, and we swim a mean freestyle - at least compared to the elderly that also frequent the lap pool.  I realize that these photos are somewhat incriminating, but I hope they provide a bit of comic relief for those of you who follow the blog.  After all, goggles are a good look.

Aside from our recently developed hobby, things have remained fairly routine here in Gladesville.  I'm studying for a comprehensive theory exam on Wednesday and preparing for our practical assessment to be conducted over three days next week.  It's hard to believe my basic course will end in two weeks, but I'm certainly looking forward to refining my patisserie skills in the intermediate level of study.  Wilson's courses have demanded more of his time than he originally expected, as he seems to have a written assignment due every couple of days.  He is also continuing his preparation for the LSAT, which he is taking at Macquarie University on October 4th - only 4 weeks left!  Until then, we'll just keep swimming, just keep swimming, just keep swimming . . .

Week in Review

Over this past week Callie and I have been quite busy with the arrival of another American friend to our first Australian "barbie."  Callie has been working and I had my first test, and so we have been pretty occupied over the last several days.

Last Thursday we met Daniel Ferguson, a fellow SpeakFirst debate coach who is actually teaching and researching in Japan over the next year, for a morning in the city.  Daniel was traveling in Australia and New Zealand with a group of Japanese teachers, and having some spare time, we decided to get together.  We walked through the CBD to Circular Quay and took the ferry to Manly, which is a beach community on the northern shore of the harbour.  Although it is less well-known than Bondi Beach, its southern counterpart, it is arguably more picturesque.  We spent our time walking among the abundant boutiques and cafes and along the ocean enjoying the clear water and the gently breaking waves.  Our time was short-lived, however, as Daniel had to depart for Brisbane and I had class in the afternoon, but having a chance to enjoy the morning with a friend from home was certainly a nice way to begin our eventful weekend.

On Friday afternoon, I joined Callie at Caffelatte and had a chance to meet Steve and Kate.  Steve, who Callie works with, and Kate, Steve's wife, are absolutely delightful, and we spent the next several hours getting to know each other.  As it just so happened, Steve and Kate were hosting a neighborhood bonfire and "barbie" the next evening, which they graciously invited us to attend.  The food was amazing as was the company, and we were again showered with the hospitality that must be required to live in Australia.  So . . . we have now attended an authentic Australian barbie, and although we didn't have shrimp (or rather prawns), it felt like an appropriate substitute for our usual end-of-summer Labor Day celebrations.

The only disappointment from the weekend was the fact that Australia suffered its worst Tri-Nations loss ever against South Africa, but our disappointment about the Wallabies was quickly compensated by our elation about the Tide and Tigers.  We were able to watch some of the Alabama-Clemson game through Skype, and having both teams win made the week's beginning more enjoyable.  Between studying and working, things have been pretty normal here.  Callie brought home a variety of fruit desserts, and I had a test in Governance and Civil Society, but otherwise things are routine.  The days are getting both longer and warmer, and with the arrival of spring, we continue to enjoy the abundance and opportunity that has welcomed us in Australia.