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WebGoddessCathy |
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<-- my life, by webgoddesscathy --> :: Thursday, April 24, 2003 :: Dear Andy and Jane, Thank you for writing me today. Better late than never. Time for bed now. Miss you! :: Cathy 9:44 AM [+] :: 0 comments Day 2 at Turramurra working. Career-related email newsletter system. It's tough getting up at a reasonable hour when you're not used to it. In the end, I feel better knowing that I'm not wasting the day. However, I was inside most of the day, so you might consider that a "waste". Depends on your perspective, really. Finally stopped in at the little bakery on Devonshire St. (the main street that I use to walk from Central Station to my place). Half-priced baked goods are something I cannot pass up. Such a cute, tiny bakery that I've walked past so many times, staring longingly at the sweets in the window... and now I know that they have delightful little doughnuts at half price at 5pm. Maybe it's just because it's Anzac Day tomorrow. Yes, Canada, we get YET ANOTHER holiday! Good Friday was a holiday. Easter Monday was a holiday (hence, why it was so busy at the Easter Show). And now, Friday is another holiday. Doesn't mean much to me, of course, aside from it being more busy on the sidewalks and in line-ups (queues) and that my housemates will be around. It will also mean that the banks and most shops are closed, which is sad. Had a WONDERFUL night at the Opera House Studio last night. An absolutely brilliant performance by the Chunky Move dance troupe. "WANTED: ballet for a contemporary democracy". Brilliant. :: Cathy 12:53 AM [+] :: 0 comments :: Tuesday, April 22, 2003 :: Word for the day : "heaps" Discovered the delight of this colloqualism over the weekend. It means the same thing, but is used instead of "tonnes" or "lots". Example: "There are heaps of kangaroos over there. Heaps and heaps!" Say it with an Aussie accent and it's a beauty. :: Cathy 6:05 AM [+] :: 0 comments Woke up a little late today after messaging until 2am with friends in Toronto. Well, late for what I wanted to wake up, but it was actually early for me (9am). I had plans to meet my friend Scottish friend, Susan, at Sydney Central Station. We went to the Chinese Garden in Darling Harbour. So beautiful; I actually took photos, which I usually don't do. We had tea in the chinese tea room, out on the balcony overlooking the garden. I had a lovely pot of jasmine tea and chinese pastries, but I took one look at Susan's massive hot scone with cream and jam and knew I'd chosen badly. Then we went to the "Sounds of the Outback" free live show at the Australian Northern Territory & Outback Centre nearby. It was interesting to learn about the didgeridoo, how it's made, how it's played, aboriginal folklore and our presenter was so talented. Of course he made all of us participate, and watched as we all, like idiots, flapped our lips and tried to make the right sounds... Susan and I tried with to make the instrument sing like our talented musician. It's tough when you're laughing, let me tell you! Susan couldn't get it to work, but I would like to report that I DID coax a reasonable sound out of the instrument. And felt ridiculous the whole time! Then we walked around Darling Harbour a bit, got a coffee at Gloria Jeans, my favourite coffee place, continued around Cockle Bay Wharf, up Market Street to Hyde Park (for those following me around on their handy Sydney map... WHAT?! You don't HAVE ONE?!). We went to the Australian Museum. I managed to get in for $3.20 but Susan paid something like double. I don't know why; maybe it was my lovely smile or the way I batted my eyelashes at the man. Whatever. It was worth every penny! There was a really good Aboiginal/Indigenous Australia exhibit where we spent most of our time. Then we found the biodiversity floor and I immediately wished I left more time for it! However, I did see and touch the stuffed crocodiles and turtles and kangaroo and lizard. It was creepy but interesting. Did you know that Australia has twice the number of species of Europe and North America combined? Crazy but true. I tried to spend as little time as possible in the insect department, as I was starting to get a little bit of the creepies, looking at them. Alas, I'd like to go back to that floor, just as I'd like to go back to most of the things I've seen/done here. We'll see if there's time/money/inclination for it later. Then Susan and I met her friends Matt and Sioban for $5 steak dinners at a local pub near the Capitol Theatre (where Hair is playing). We went back to Susan's place to watch Neighbours and Home and Away. My first dip into Aussie TV! Very exciting! Finally got home to Surry Hills to find a lovely Easter card from my Mom and Dad and my cat... with a lovely message inside. My parents are the greatest! Have forgotten my journal in Turramurra so my site update will have to wait another day. Besides, it's getting late and I have another "early", fun-packed day tomorrow. :: Cathy 5:41 AM [+] :: 0 comments :: Monday, April 21, 2003 :: I spent the day at the Sydney Royal Easter Show. Kind of like Toronto's Royal Agricultural Winter Fair. Except more like a combination of that and The Ex. I saw a rodeo, sheep dog demonstrations, horse dancing, the Show Parade (parade of champions), whip cracking, sheep shearing, roping, fantastic fireworks and "Jemma" this odd live theatre show with animals (horses, cows, sheep dogs) and dancing and quite cheesy. We tried to see the racing, diving pigs, but people were overflowing out of the ampitheatre and we couldn't even see by standing on a nearby bench and looking over the heads of the crowds. Seriously, we were desperate to see the pigs. But in the end we admitted that we couldn't see anything and moved on. I should have known that diving pigs would be a big draw. Discovered the concept of "Show Bags". Interestingly, there was a whole pavillion, packed with loads of kids and adults with their children, dedicated to this unique Easter Show feature. Basically, different companies set up a counter (or five, as the case may be) selling a bag of items. They display what's in the bag and they also have a whole section in the show program detailing what's in each "show bag". They all list how much the contents are worth (retail value) and then how much they're selling the bag for. Jan says it's been a big thing since she was a child; everyone would look through the offerings, asking each other which one THEY were going to buy at the show. Richard, the youngest Plain, was disappointed to find out that he could only get one bag. And while he was originally told that he got $10 to spend all day, he ended up getting a huge bag of chocolate and candies for $19. But, Jan is quick to point out, it was worth over $40! He was good about sharing his chocolate, though. So I got to try a Violet Crumble and a Milky Bar. YUM! I'd also like to report that I got a Cherry Ripe chocolate Easter egg at dinner last night and it was the most delicious. And yes, it's important that I tell you about the chocolate that I've eaten here. Shut up. Got a call from my mom and dad this morning (or, their Sunday night). It was nice, albeit short. I'm told my dad thinks I drink/party too much. Ha, what a laugh! I've only been drunk ONCE the entire time I've been here and the morning after that was the first call I got from them. It was just bad timing that they happened to catch me with a horrible hang over. I'm messaging with Sarah and Sharon right now... I'll be back! :: Cathy 7:09 AM [+] :: 0 comments
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