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Friday, February 18, 2011
Monday, February 14, 2011
Valentine's Day
Valentine's Day is an international holiday, and Larry and I enjoyed a dinner out. It took a bit to find a restaurant. Not because there is any lack of dining establishments but because most of the really fine restaurants were serving special Valentine's Day menus that feature things Larry won't eat and charge $100 per person for the pleasure. After much research of websites and phone calls, we settled on a sustainable steakhouse featuring Australian grass-fed beef: the Mumu Grill. It's in Crows Nest, maybe 15 minutes away, but we took a wrong turn and ended up driving past the Sydney Opera House. (Yes, that means we inadvertently went over the bridge.)
Amazingly, we arrived just shortly after our booking time and were seated immediately. The steaks ranged from prime rib to sirloin and filet. Larry went with the sirloin and I ordered the Victorian Fillet, which I imagined was filet mignon, wrapped in prosciutto and sage. It was one of the best steaks I've ever had. Served perfectly medium-rare. Mmmmmm.
For those of you wondering how the chocolate tastes over here, well, we've found a chocolate shop in Chatswood that has the most remarkable rose-infused dark chocolate bits. Larry bought me a box of 9 - 2 rose infused, 2 orange, 2 banana, 2 raspberry, and 1 hazelnut. All dark chocolate, all delicious!
Amazingly, we arrived just shortly after our booking time and were seated immediately. The steaks ranged from prime rib to sirloin and filet. Larry went with the sirloin and I ordered the Victorian Fillet, which I imagined was filet mignon, wrapped in prosciutto and sage. It was one of the best steaks I've ever had. Served perfectly medium-rare. Mmmmmm.
For those of you wondering how the chocolate tastes over here, well, we've found a chocolate shop in Chatswood that has the most remarkable rose-infused dark chocolate bits. Larry bought me a box of 9 - 2 rose infused, 2 orange, 2 banana, 2 raspberry, and 1 hazelnut. All dark chocolate, all delicious!
Sunday, February 13, 2011
Monday Morning
Well, it's Monday morning over here, and the week has begun with not one but TWO box deliveries at the front door. The first contained our monthly mail delivery from our UPS box in Farmington. Mostly tax documents and financial statements with a handful of college postcards addressed to Nicole. An hour later, my delivery from US Food, containing a box of Cheerios, Cheez-Its, and Toast 'Ems. I think there will be happiness tomorrow at breakfast!
If only all our furniture and stuff could arrive so promptly.
If only all our furniture and stuff could arrive so promptly.
The Icebreaker
The school held a parent Icebreaker on Friday night. We knew this was a large school but we were not expecting such a beautiful evening! As we walked onto the campus from the parking area, we heard wonderful music - band and soloist - and saw lights and umbrellas spread across the lawn. The band turned out to be the school band. The soloist, also one of the girls. The young ladies passing canapes were self-possessed and lovely. We ended up chatting with two other Year 11 couples, both of whom couldn't praise the school enough. So I guess we got the affirmation we were looking for, in case we were looking for it. At the open bar, I enjoyed a couple of glasses of Australian bubbly, which turned out to be not bad at all.
A Little Culture, Anyone?
After last weekend's massive shopping expedition, when we ordered a washer, dryer, and refrigerator, we were looking forward to doing something fun this weekend. Sadly, the weather was not conducive to the beach as it was drizzly and overcast. So it was off to the Art Gallery of New South Wales, and Larry couldn't have been more excited!
The line to see the Emperor's Entombed Warriors was out the door and around the block (figuratively speaking), so we contented ourselves with touring the permanent collection of Aboriginal, Asian, and Western art. Larry and I agreed that the coolest thing we saw was a sculpture by Antony Gormley. From across the room, it looks like a "blurry" figure, and as you get closer, you realize it is deliberately pixilated. And then you start to wonder what, exactly, the figure is doing - praying? bowing? or something else altogether?
The Praying Mantis also intrigued me. It reminded me of Hopper from A Bug's Life. (Yes, I know Hopper was a grasshopper and this is a praying mantis.)
If you find yourself in Sydney, the Art Gallery is a great way to spend an afternoon!
The line to see the Emperor's Entombed Warriors was out the door and around the block (figuratively speaking), so we contented ourselves with touring the permanent collection of Aboriginal, Asian, and Western art. Larry and I agreed that the coolest thing we saw was a sculpture by Antony Gormley. From across the room, it looks like a "blurry" figure, and as you get closer, you realize it is deliberately pixilated. And then you start to wonder what, exactly, the figure is doing - praying? bowing? or something else altogether?
If you find yourself in Sydney, the Art Gallery is a great way to spend an afternoon!
Tuesday, February 8, 2011
Alone
It's been a quiet week down under. Nicole left Monday for a 3-day school leadership camp, and the house is incredibly quiet without her. You wouldn't think one teenager would be all that noisy, but I find the hours after 4pm very long when I know she's not on her way home. Larry left Tuesday for a quick hop to Melbourne, returning Wednesday evening. So, I've effectively been solo all week.
It's amazing how neat/clean the house remains when there is just one person. I also get to watch whatever I want on TV - I've watched Wuthering Heights (the one with Ralph Fiennes) and Nine. Plus a lot of British sit-coms like As Time Goes By. I caught Piers Morgan's new show - not bad. And on Tuesday evening, I went out with Melissa for Thai Food. My first real Thai dinner.
Because of Nicole's peanut allergy, I've not ever gone for a lot of Thai food. Firstly, she can't even step foot in a Thai restaurant. Secondly, if I eat a lot of peanut, I have to decontaminate before I can even breathe on her. So, with her away, it's the perfect opportunity to go "food exploring."
It's amazing how neat/clean the house remains when there is just one person. I also get to watch whatever I want on TV - I've watched Wuthering Heights (the one with Ralph Fiennes) and Nine. Plus a lot of British sit-coms like As Time Goes By. I caught Piers Morgan's new show - not bad. And on Tuesday evening, I went out with Melissa for Thai Food. My first real Thai dinner.
Because of Nicole's peanut allergy, I've not ever gone for a lot of Thai food. Firstly, she can't even step foot in a Thai restaurant. Secondly, if I eat a lot of peanut, I have to decontaminate before I can even breathe on her. So, with her away, it's the perfect opportunity to go "food exploring."
We started with Garlic Prawns in Betel Leaves. The prawns arrive on a nest of toasted coconut drizzled with sugar and nuts. You wrap up the leaves like a taco and eat. MMMMM. Then we ate Pad Thai noodles. Again, MMMMM. And finally, we ordered Volcanic Chicken. Chicken thighs with lemon grass, dark soy sauce, and baby bok choy. It arrived looking like this (the plate was flaming):
Everything was really yummy, and I can't wait to go back!
I stocked up the kitchen again and managed to even get some work done. Looking forward to having Larry and Nicole back at home again, though. Time to make weekend plans.
Friday, February 4, 2011
Tidbits and Oscar Nominees
It was a busy week as Nicole headed off to school each morning dressed in her new uniform. The hat arrived on Thursday, and it really completes the look! We are more or less settling into a morning routine that includes me buzzing her up to the train station because it's just so hot in the mornings. She does walk home and arrives bedraggled and ready for a icy-pop. Apparently the school building is air conditioned, so she doesn't suffer too much during the day.
Air conditioning is not standard here, though. A few girls have been sharing how they sleep with their doors and windows open to let the cooler night air in. Larry mentioned that a few people have come to work looking a bit on the weary side after a night of little sleep. I'm so glad our rental has central air. What on earth would I do otherwise???
This was my first week of spending a lot of time alone. I spaced out some housework, produced some actual work deliverables, and went to see The King's Speech. Very enjoyable, and Colin Firth was terrific as King George VI. It was painful to watch him stammer and stutter his way through the movie. Helen Bonham-Carter is always interesting to watch, especially since she usually plays such nutty characters (Bellatrix Lestrange, The Red Queen, Mrs. Lovett). How odd to see her playing the woman we came to know as The Queen Mum.
Larry and I went to see True Grit, in my quest to see as many Oscar Nominees as possible. The 10 nominees for best picture are:
I tried a new Australian recipe this week - home made sausage rolls. I adjusted to leave out the fennel (not a favorite here) and replaced it with Italian Seasoning. I used a pork/veal mince and puff pastry. They smelled great while cooking and tasted fantastic! I also satisfied my craving for a really good burger by making my own. Nicole and I feasted on burgers the night Larry was away for his offsite.
At this moment on Saturday morning, Larry and Nicole are making muffins and planning their afternoon at the beach. I am heading out with a new friend to a local mall to do some wandering. Tomorrow, we buy a dryer - MAJOR excitement.
Air conditioning is not standard here, though. A few girls have been sharing how they sleep with their doors and windows open to let the cooler night air in. Larry mentioned that a few people have come to work looking a bit on the weary side after a night of little sleep. I'm so glad our rental has central air. What on earth would I do otherwise???
This was my first week of spending a lot of time alone. I spaced out some housework, produced some actual work deliverables, and went to see The King's Speech. Very enjoyable, and Colin Firth was terrific as King George VI. It was painful to watch him stammer and stutter his way through the movie. Helen Bonham-Carter is always interesting to watch, especially since she usually plays such nutty characters (Bellatrix Lestrange, The Red Queen, Mrs. Lovett). How odd to see her playing the woman we came to know as The Queen Mum.
Larry and I went to see True Grit, in my quest to see as many Oscar Nominees as possible. The 10 nominees for best picture are:
- 127 Hours – Danny Boyle and Christian Colson
- Black Swan – Scott Franklin, Mike Medavoy, and Brian Oliver
- The Fighter – David Hoberman, Todd Lieberman, and Mark Wahlberg
- Inception – Christopher Nolan and Emma Thomas
- The Kids Are All Right – Gary Gilbert, Jeffrey Levy-Hinte, and Celine Rattray
- The King's Speech – Iain Canning, Emile Sherman, and Gareth Unwin
- The Social Network – Dana Brunetti, Ceán Chaffin, Michael De Luca, and Scott Rudin
- Toy Story 3 – Darla K. Anderson
- True Grit – Ethan Coen and Joel Coen
- Winter's Bone – Alix Madigan and Anne Rosellini
I tried a new Australian recipe this week - home made sausage rolls. I adjusted to leave out the fennel (not a favorite here) and replaced it with Italian Seasoning. I used a pork/veal mince and puff pastry. They smelled great while cooking and tasted fantastic! I also satisfied my craving for a really good burger by making my own. Nicole and I feasted on burgers the night Larry was away for his offsite.
At this moment on Saturday morning, Larry and Nicole are making muffins and planning their afternoon at the beach. I am heading out with a new friend to a local mall to do some wandering. Tomorrow, we buy a dryer - MAJOR excitement.
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