I'm sorry to report that I've not had any particularly extravagant ventures in the last week or so. However, due to many of your comments on my lack of updates, I'm happy to fill you in on the ins and outs of daily life in Australia. I've fizzled in the photography department and therefore have no pictures to supplement these exhilarating recaps.
Mon 10 Dec - I went to boxing after work and did some extra bag work after class. I bypassed the opportunity to go watch a boxing fight in St Kilda to go home and talk to Dan who's been going through some big life things.
Tues 11 Dec - Nearly every Tuesday night (for the past month and next three months) I go to a Landmark Self Expression and Leadership course. I'm always exhausted when I arrive but exhilarated by the time I leave. This night was no different. I'm feeling really inspired.
Wed 12 Dec - After boxing, my friend Jojo came to the house for dinner and to hang out with Dan and Jade. She's very sweet and brought me a Christmas present which was very unexpected and I was thus unprepared. What a bad feeling. No presents from any of you, alright?!?? I don't want to repeat that experience.
Thurs 13 Dec - I had dinner with Heath, then watched an Aussie film, Clubland, with Dan and Jade. You know it's interesting... I don't even hear the Australian accent anymore - ever - at all. I wonder if I will hear and be overwhelmed by the Texan accent while I'm back.
Fri 14 Dec - Three colleagues accompanied me to boxing - Ritz, Katherine, and Narelle. It was great fun to have them in the class and they did exceptionally well as first time visitors. Ritz and Katherine box at another gym so they weren't total newbies. Boxing was extra eventful as the coach (Brando) got a sharp fingernail to his eye during one of our jab response warm up exercises. It was completely accidental and wasn't me or the newbies, but it was really bad - his eye turned Christmas red and he should have left immediately but proceeded to finish the class before getting it checked out. The doctor said it was pretty bad and he would have lost his eye if he hadn't taken care of it. He's back on the road to recovery but still looking bad. The rest of us went for Indian food at Kristel's apartment. She lives in a prime location in the city with an amazing view of the city, river, and Federation Square. Of course she pays in a week nearly what I pay in a month. After that, we were planning to see "the best salsa band in Melbourne" and do a little dancing, but somehow the band was cancelled and the venue was closed for a private function. Oops. We went to a couple other bars in the city - Cookie and St Jerome's - both with outdoor and open rooftop areas. Remember it's summer here.
Sat 15 Dec - I had my second all day workshop for the Landmark course I'm doing. Jade, Tommy, and Phill came with me for a portion of the day to check it out and see what it was all about. The things people shared were incredibly moving and inspiring and all three of them decided to do the course.
Sun 16 Dec - I was still completely exhausted from the prior week. I walked to work Tuesday morning, had a killer personal training session Tuesday during lunch, woke up Wednesday morning with ultra sore legs yet still decided it would be a good idea to walk to work again to stretch out my legs. Ummm... not a good idea. Sunday, I was still dragging. I set out to do some Christmas shopping, but was so wiped out, I bailed half way through the marathon run of shops. The shopping trip was completely unsuccessful and I opted to head home for a much wanted nap. Aaah! Movie night is becoming a regular thing around our house and I settled into another movie with Dan rather than starting to think about packing for the trip home. Not long now.
Mon 17 Dec - After boxing, I went to "Cooking School" with the girls (same group that was at the tulip farm in Tassie). Last night it ended up being a small crew - just Duff, Jojo, and me - for some masterful spag bol (that's spaghetti bolognese, in other words spaghetti with meatsauce). The night consisted of lots of good girl talk.
