a good friday

It's difficult having such a busy schedule and as I mention in every blog...the scarcity of internet access. There is so much I want to jot down in random moments in my day but have no way of doing so and then I forget once finally get the chance.

Let me start by saying that after counting the cash I have left, I made the executive decision not to go on the scheduled surf trip. I'll still go for sure, just closer to home and not this weekend. Oh and might I add that while wallet gets progressively thinner, the Australian dollar is getting stronger, good for them economically, bad for me since my dollars are worth less. Couldn't y'all have waited just a few more months? It's only a few cents but it all adds up, well in my case it all gets spent.

So since I opted out of the trip I've got the entire apartment to myself and I am not complaining by any means. As much as I enjoy everyone, I am thanking my lucky stars I get this time out. It's fabulous.

It's only Friday, so my activities list is short, I'll update another one later in the weekend with the next installment of my adventure list.

Pancakes on the Rocks

 It's a place I'd heard word about since I'd gotten here and it was also where the CAPA program decided we should all get together and mingle. Though some people opted out, I actually decided to go since I've secluded myself from everyone except for Tonia since I'd gotten here. I also wanted to meet other people in the program who arrived not too long ago. Just to see if I meshed with them a bit better. It was a good experience overall, the pancakes were delicious - not to die for, but I'm not too choosy. I order blueberry heaven and it lived up to the name I have to admit. My spited my choice of dinner so this is a one-time-only experience.

Art Gallery of New South Whales

Beautiful architecture

 Every time I see any work of art I automatically think of my two sisters who are both good artists. I admire it so much because I can't produce anything artistic unless decide to call it abstract. The historical pieces were very European influenced and for some reason I found some of the contemporary pieces difficult to understand if I didn't read the descriptions. I guess my mind works in too logical of a way to comprehend them? Who knows. I found myself people watching more than artwork gazing at the museum. I spent a lot of time eavesdropping on the teachers with small groups of students talking about the artwork. Seeing the couples walking around paying more attention to each other rather than the art, and others who really studied the work in front of them. Very interesting. I found a sense of peace from some of the scenic pieces, I really enjoyed myself today. Goes to show one can have a good time, FOR FREE.

Art Park: Hyde Park

Very pleased to be able to add to it. I would have sat and done the rest but I figured that wouldn't be too much appreciated.

 In order to get to the art gallery we had to go through Hyde Park. This park is right in front of the new church I've started attending instead of the Vietnamese one and right across from the starbucks I'm trying to quit visiting.   For the next month or so, there will be different works of art displayed throughout the park. One brilliant artist let onlookers participate in her piece. I thought that was brilliant. I as well as many other were able to make minor contributions to create one great piece.Kinda loserish but I'm not gonna lie, it made my day.

So here I am, Friday night with the entire place to myself relaxing to a mt dew and Disney's Aladdin. Life couldn't be better, thank heavens some comforts of home can be found so far away.

Paddy's Markets

The smells, the crowdedness it's all reminiscent of Vietnam. All except the prices. boo.

 One ridiculously large building labeled Market City, hundreds of vendors, and masses of people make Paddy's Market one of tourist must-shop stops in Sydney. The can't say that the quality is great, but I can't afford any quality here so Paddy's is good enough. Lots of souveneirs ( a lot of yours will probably come from here) and plenty of other sweet nothings no one needs but will end up buying. I liked walking around and seeing all the merchandise from various different cultures. Lots of india inspired clothing, asian things, aboriginal crafts and I <3 Sydney shirts. I found it difficult to resist the temptation to buy everything I seem to like. I'm a junk hoarder, a habit that goes back to my g-pa lol. What can I say? It's in the genes. =)

All by my lonesome, what am I going to do? Shit, I'm gonna explore, call my own shots and do everything I enjoy.

My two good friends Tami and Tuvan bought me a pocket Sydney Guide for my birthday and since I've gotten here I've been checking off the sites mentioned. It fits perfectly because the areas listed in the book are a walking distance from where I live. I can't say enough how great the location of my apartment is. I'm five mins from a station that can take you anywhere in Sydney. The guidelines for my solo weekend are to check off as many places as I can. First destination, Manly Beach! =)

Despite the fact that my group members from Capa aren't particularly my type, this program couldn't fit my cause any better. Besides the fact that I'm not meeting as many Australians as I'd hoped, I'm working with children, taking care of myself, and exploring a completely foreign city on my own makes this fit me. I complained about the commute at first, (and having work at 8am, best believe I will continue complaining about my long commute) but I love having to take the train station, bus through downtown and making detours to whatever place that catches my eye along the way.


On that note, before work wipes me out again on Monday, I have many adventures to embark on this weekend.
'till I update about it again, gday!