Details of my travel whilst on the road

Carrington park and playing with wigs

2009-04-10T21:06:00.007+10:00

Parents house and Zouch

2009-04-10T20:46:00.006+10:00

Mum and Dad's place

Zouch restaurant - where we will have reception.

Back in Sydney

2008-08-12T07:58:00.001+10:00

It has been a busy couple of days!

Katie came up Friday night after work. The removalists arrived at 740am on Saturday and got to packing up my stuff. They were quite quick, mainly because they didn't ask any questions... and they packed a few things that belonged to the unit.

The cleaners arrived early, at about 1030, and set to work where they could. After the movers left the carpet cleaner arrived - it all worked so smoothly. In the end, the place was empty and spotless by 1230.

Sunday was spent running around (from 730 onwards). First to visit a friend in North Sydney, then home quickly before my monthly bookclub meeting. The meeting was a bit of a wash out - not everyone had read it, and no one really liked it - but it was great fun anyway. Sunday afternoon/evening was all about trying to make space for all of my things that were in transit. We underestimated the space needed - and the amount of doubling up we'd have.

We now have double of most cooking tools and cutlery - and crockery actually. We have a spare fridge, washing machine, drier, microwave and vacuum - which we will sell hopefully.

The movers had several attempts to get out of the unpack portion of their service - despite me having paid for it, and that the insurance cover requires them to unpack... It was annoying and tedious. Once they had upended all my boxes, the place looked like a warzone. And I was surprised that they didn't put anything away - like the bookshelf - they packed all the books then dismantled the shelf - but didn't even reassemble it! Oh, and they damaged the wall in two places, and smashed a few things... still it was better than my move up to Newcastle.

Thankfully, all of the crap below has been unpacked... we have found a spot for most of the stuff... but the cupboards are bulging...

More yummy attempts at Korean food

2008-06-25T22:28:00.002+10:00

Here is how the kimchi is looking. It tastes good, but I think it needs more time to ferment - maybe because it has been cold here.

Tonight I tried to make the sweet and sticky potato side dish. I made up a hybrid recipe from some I found online.Above is sauteing the diced raw potatoes, and below is once I added the garlic, onion, soy, water, sugar and honey.

Above is as it all simmered, and below is the fully cooked version - before I condensed and added the sauce to it.

Finished products - the radish kimchi and sweetened potato side dishes. Below is the left over chicken meat, and a ginger, egg and baby corn fried rice. :) Delicious. I am going to get fat again soon at this rate.

a spot of cooking

2008-06-24T20:04:00.000+10:00

It was time to do a little cooking, so I knocked up a few extra side dishes.

Below is seasoned jellyfish and seaweed jelly (with shredded carrot, chilli and some other secret seasoning!)

Marinated broccoli and garlic shoots with garlic, ginger, black sesame and other bits and pieces.

Seasoned beansprouts, with chilli, shredded carrot and what not - see a pattern emerging with the seasonings?

Store bought kimchi
The whole dinner, with rice and BBQ chicken. It was delicious.

:D Very satisfying. And I have loads of side dishes left over to last me a long time.

Mr first attempt at making kkaktugi kimchi!

2008-06-24T19:59:00.000+10:00

Above and below, the white radish and greens all freshly chopped up

Below is the mix of anchovy sauce, fresh garlic and ginger.

A light sprinkling of chilli powder (lots more added throughout mixing)

And all combined - currently fermenting in a tub in my laundry... Cannot wait to try it.

meaning?

2008-06-16T22:28:00.001+10:00

Last night I had a curious dream

Kate and I were driving through rural Brisbane. It was snowing, and the road was covered in swathes of ice - they looked as big and dangerous as icebergs. The road was signposted as 100, we were doing 60 and felt really unsafe. We were worried we'd run out of petrol, but realised there was a 24-hour station ahead, but we didn't stop in.

We were on our way to pick up an old friend (distant friend) from the airport. We must have missed a turn, we reached a fork in the road - a t-intersection. Now on foot we were heading down steps carved from (or covered in) snow. We arrived at a huge complex of modern apartments and garden flats. They seemed to all be vacant, with the same real estate sign in the windows, exposed gyprock and unfinished seals. The stairs joined onto the high walls of a courtyard. We needed to do a loop to turn around and head back to the car, and civilisation. Kate went first, negotiating the slippery steps, she was almost back to the path. I was nervous, my balance was shaky. I lost my footing but seemed to save it. I couldn't tell though if I was going to make it, or fall into the empty courtyard.

As always seems to happen at that kind of moment, my alarm rang. 515am, time to get up and head back to Newcastle for another week of work.

---

On an unrelated (?) topic, i know of two people who had their hopes dashed last Friday, 13th June.

1st day in HK

2008-04-13T01:45:00.000+10:00

The first day in Hong Kong has been great. Very long and tiring, but wonderful.
It was great to see Karina and Katie at the airport last night. The 50 minute wait at customs wasn't too much fun, but the ride home made up for that. We got to bed around 12.30am local time (2.30 AEST), and we up at 8am.

We took a few buses then trains to meet up with some good friends for Yum Cha. Very nice. :) Great way to start the trip.

Afterwards Kate and I went for a walk around a few big shopping centres, then went for sushi dinner in TST. After a bit more window shopping it was at 40 minute bus ride back to Sai Kung, some quick groceries then home. Kate came on the bus to where I am staying, then continued on.

I am amazed just how cheap everything is here. THe HUGE yum cha today only cost $10pp, all the travel for the day probably ran about $4.5, and all the groceries (below) including beer, bread, dumplings etc etc, cost about AUD$11. Nice. A great place to holiday.

Below, some yum cha pics.

Afternoon tea snack - sticky rice and red bean

A lady hand making dumplings in an older shopping centre we visited.

Sushi dinner

The bargain groceries - only AUD$11!

Off to Hong Kong & China

2008-04-10T12:15:00.000+10:00

I am heading off to Hong Kong tomorrow for a full month! I am so excited. I'm sure there will be loads of extra time for site seeing, and a trip up into mainland China.

I have only been to HK once before, and it was a very fast trip. So hopefully we can explore lots more, see some outlying islands, and I will meet more of her friends and family. I cannot wait. Also, should give me a better taste of HK lifestyle. I will be staying with Karina again, a good friend from college. Should be so much fun!

Stay tuned for updates.

Novocastrian Kim Jung Il

2008-03-14T11:02:00.000+11:00

I'm ronrey, so ronrey...

It is now almost 3 weeks that I have been in Newcastle... and counting. I am sure things will pick up in time, but I am pretty bored and lonely at the moment.

On the work front... well it is a new job, you know how that is. I am lucky that the team are all really nice here, but I am still in the throws of learning things, and my projects are only just getting started. So it is going ok.

On the social front... Well. I am glad I have a big TV and a nice view! I don't really know anyone here outside work. I went along to the photography club meeting last Friday - it was interesting but I didn't meet anyone. I have enrolled in a short photography course too - it is only 5 weeks (and really expensive), but it means I have something to do for the next few Tuesdays, and I may meet someone nice I can hang out with.

Otherwise, I went out to take photo's last Sunday which was really fun. (A couple below)

Last night I came down from Newcastle on the train for the weekend. Kate and I are joining a group of friends for the Roar and Snore at Taronga Zoo tonight. It should be great - we arrive at 6.30, get a behind the scenes tour, dinner, night tour, then sleep in tents amid some animals. Then more of the same in the morning. It should be lots of fun - and I am sure thousands of shots will be taken as there are lots of keen photographers in the group.

Housewarming and gardening

2008-03-03T09:21:00.000+11:00

On the weekend Kate, Christophe and Joe all came up for a little housewarming dinner at my place in Newcastle. It was great to see them, and thankfully the weather was fantastic. Stupidly I didn’t take any photo’s of the evening.

We went for dinner downstairs at the Bogey Hole café – I will put a little write up of that on the food page probably. It was nice anyway, a good balance overall of price, speed, location and taste. Afterwards we went for a walk along the beach, and had ice cream.

Sunday we had pancakes and a walk around. The guys headed back to Sydney early Sunday afternoon (on the second attempt). I went out to Bunning’s and bought some plants – including some basil and mint for my balcony planter. As I turned the soil, I found loads of the little critters below. They were about four cm long, and fairly disgusting.

I found they are the reason why everything except the Chilli's always die in that pot. Those bugs are eating the plants! I checked with my dad, and they are called cutworm - and they eat everything. I have to change the dirt and throw all that dirt out... :-( Apparently these bugs will turn into a big moth eventually.

So changing the soil in my pot plants will be the highpoint of my Monday night. I may also search out a massage. A sore back makes you feel 20 years older, and I am sick of it!

Later in the week I hope to go along to a table tennis competition at a local pub, and meet with the local photography club. Should be fun.

Move to Newcastle

2008-02-25T22:46:00.002+11:00

Last weekend Kate and I moved all my things to Newcastle. Actually, we had movers do it (who incidentally damaged 4 things and our house in the process - I will wait to see how the insurance works out before naming and shaming). Below is the crowded lounge room at Rockdale just before the movers arrived. Oh, whoops - you can see the company on the boxes. Anyway - if they sort it out fairly I will be sure to update.

And this is after they had taken all the boxes and extra furniture. What a difference huh!?
This is the first homemade dinner at the new place - a cold platter on the balcony.

And this is the new pad all decked out. All the furniture fit quite well in the end.

And the view is still quite breathtaking! I am sure it will become more everyday soon, but at this stage I am still captivated by it each time we enter the apartment.

I am now back in Sydney for meetings - will return for my first actual day of work in the new team on Thursday.

Oh, other fun and games... I connected the phone 3 weeks ago, so I could connect the internet in time before I arrived. When I got there (having confirmed both installations were complete), I found the phone didn't work. I called 'my' number, and someone else answered! Seems, somehow, that Telstra connected my phone to another apartment - in the same building, just six floors below! So that means that the TPG internet connection (which is tied to the phone number) was also turned on at the wrong place. Such a pain in the ass. So now I have to get Telstra in to check the fault, relocate the line, then wait another week or more for TPG to reconnect the internet!

So I apologise if I am slow on emails in the next week or two. You can still call my new home number - Telstra is forwarding to my mobile.

Anyway, wish me luck in Newcastle! I will keep this blog and the food blog update with latest adventures.

NYE Degustation

2008-01-04T09:43:00.000+11:00

For NYE this year Kate and I decided to have friends over for a dinner party - the girls are below. We did a menu based on Tetsuya and Morimoto's cook book, as well as a page I photographed from the Palazzo Versace cookbook.

First course - Lobster sashimi.

Silk seafood soup: crab, scallop and shrimp mousse adrift in meat consommé, topped with black caviar. (From Morimoto cookbook)
Dukkah tuna: tuna sashimi marinated in soy, sake, mirin and spices, rolled in various seeds and spices. (Palazzo Versace)
Mixed leaf salad: with Tetsuya’s balsamic vinaigrette.

Confit of ocean trout with fennel salad: served with parsley oil and red caviar. (Tetsuya)

This was quite complicated to cook, with a lot of marinating and sauces. To cook it, it had to be on lowest oven setting with the door open! And the tray of celery and carrot below was just to line the tray and flavour the bottom of fish (then discarded).

Japanese beef and vegetable rolls: asparagus, carrot and green onion wrapped marinated eye fillet beef.

WHOOPS - FORGOT THIS PICTURE - WILL PUT LATER.

Baked chocolate & raspberry torte: with citrus zest (low fat!)

At 2am we made lobster congee with the shell and legs of the lobster. It was fantastic.
We had lots of fantastic champagne that night too, including Moet and Chandon and Vintage Chandon.

It wasn't a rager of a night, but we did have an absolute disco ball. :)

It took all day to prepare and cook the food, but was worth it. I had a great night and think the girls all did too.

Happy new year!

Recent environmental portraits

2007-11-27T20:58:00.000+11:00

Very loosely defined. Maybe 'situational portraits' is more accurate.

Cooking with a Master Chef!

2007-11-27T20:53:00.000+11:00

Last Saturday we had the honor of joining Cherie and some friends for dinner with Bo Ying (below) a teacher for chefs in Hong Kong. She whipped up a storm and taught us a lot in the process!

Beans, garlic shoots and mushrooms

Sweet and sour prawns

Lamb chops

baked pork chop on rice

delicious cold chicken salad

We also had a sweet corn soup. It was all fantastic!

Dinner, Regent, hot pot and what not

2007-09-15T21:36:00.000+10:00

Sorry it has been a long time since I posted.

Yesterday I went with friends to Regent Chinese restaurant in Sydney for Yum Cha. I was blown away, I am amazed i had not heard glowing reports earlier - which makes me think there must be other stunning places that i have never even heard of. So I started a new blog to document my search for Sydney's best Yum Cha (and reviews & pics along the way).

http://yumchasydney.blogspot.com/

Last night we had the crew over for hot pot, which was lots of fun. Fairly standard steamboat ingredients.

Tonight my cousin Jono, wife Julie and son Josh came to visit. It was tops to see them, Josh is growing so fast. Below are some pics of dinner - why is it that MY cooking never looks as good in picture... maybe the plates? And I guess all the presentation flaws show up on magnification and under flash. The MEN both had surf and turf - HUGE scotch fillet steaks, with cous cous and prawns, and roast beetroot. The LADIES had salmon in a orange balsamic sauce, again with cous cous and prawns, with orange roasted asparagus and yellow peppers. Julie also whipped up a yummy pasta bake with a tomato sauce she made from scratch. Yummo.

Vietnam 2007

2007-08-15T22:38:00.000+10:00

Vietnam August 4-12

(If you cannot see the images below, the full document is available at: http://www.mattgranger.com/files/Vietnam2007.pdf )

A few quick things about Saigon: the traffic – it’s insane. There are SO many motorcycles. The footpaths are not busy like Hong Kong or Tokyo, but the roads are madness. And the taxi drivers – they may save fuel, but there must be a booming gearbox repair trade – they start in second gear, and are in fourth by about 30kms per hour. This is in there 15 year old Korean 4 cylinder cars too. The prices – I don’t care what the media says, Vietnam is still a total bargain, and the people are really friendly.

Day 1 – Saturday August 4

After a good flight with Jetstar we arrived in Saigon around 20.30 and took a taxi to the city. The flock of cabbies trying to direct us into their cars was a bit off putting, but we found one and got the half hour ride for about $6. We checked into the Phan Lam guest house – it was nice for just $13 per night. Tom, a friend of a friend came to meet us at the hostel. He is an Aussie working in Saigon. After taking us to a travel agent to organise a few tours, we went to the GoGo bar on the main tourist street of district one. It was playing songs like Khe Sahn, and is apparently owned by the state.

Tom had his motorbike, and we hired a second driver and took a tour around the city. Sarah rode with Tom and I went with the other chap. It was really great riding around seeing the city for half an hour, a nice way to get introduced to Vietnam.

Day 2 – Sunday August 5

Up at 7am and out by 8. We took a cab to a tailor that was recommended to me - it was very nice and the quality looked great, but it was a bit too fancy (expensive) for what I was after. We went for a walk and grabbed our first bowl of Pho (Vietnamese noodle soup). We both got Pho Ba, with sliced beef. It was at a fairly dodgy roadside joint, very cheap and delicious.

We walked around and checked out the Notre Dame Cathedral that the French built there – a much smaller and simpler version to the real one in Paris. There was surprisingly a lot of neon used as backdrops for the iconography and statues. Across the road was a beautiful old post office also.

Next we headed to the Reunification Palace and caught the 11am tour. The palace was nice, but the tour was fairly dull. There was an interesting variety of styles of decoration and furnishings – including 50s kitsch, standard issue communist greys and flamboyant excess. There were also a lot of animal parts on display. The info about its role in the war and the reunification was interesting, but a little light on in the tour.

We headed to Ngon for our lunch, which is a really nice and cheap place that was recommended to us by friends. There was a long queue but we were lucky to get a table in only 5 minutes. The air conditioning system there was very interesting, and actually quite common in Saigon – they had tiny jets of mist that sprayed out in front of the powerful fans, which added moisture to the air – not something you really need at 95-100% humidity, but it did cool the place down. I had a 500g river crab – cost around AUD$11!

It started raining over lunch so we caught a cab to Saigon Square, a place famous for buying clothing and DVDs. It is a cross between an upscale market and a very cheap department store – two stories of maybe 150 stalls, undercover and with an escalator, selling a range of imitation designer goods and cheap movies. The single DVDs were under $1 each, and the box sets were around $2.50 per disc.

We walked home via a couple of markets – they were fun but too crowded and hot.

We went looking for tailors again around our hostel, after looking at several we chose a family owned one where the staff were very friendly and we got to chat with the tailor himself. I ordered 1 suit and three shirts that he was going to make copies from my favourite from home.

We went back to the travel agent to book travel to and from Nha Trang. We went to Pho 24 for dinner, was nice but really mainstream.

Day 3 – Monday August 6

Up early again to the travel agent by 8 to Chu Chi tunnels. It was a LONG bus ride; we stopped on the way at the Cao Dai Temple. I couldn’t really understand the tour guides narration, but it seems that the Cao Dai religion incorporates a number of different religions. It was nice, but after 3 or 4 hours on the bus we only had 30 minutes to look around before getting back on the bus to a traditional arts centre that is run by victims of Agent Orange.

We stopped at a roadside diner for lunch. I had self rolled rice rolls – strangely they use cold water to make then, and they keep the papers a bit crunchy compared to what I was used to – took some adjustment, but I grew to love it.

Next to the Chu Chi tunnels - it was really interesting to see it. The different traps and weaponry was really amazing, as was the complicated network of tiny tunnels the army used in the south. We went into the tunnel, but it was not the original. They remade a section for tourist that was 20cms wider and higher than the original, but I was still rubbing against the walls and had to crawl through sections. You can see how tiny some it was – in the picture below the guide is kneeling beside one of the original entrances to the tunnel – so small a child could barely get through.

After more bus travel home we went to a casual dinner near the hostel. It was nice but all the street sellers were coming in to hassle us to buy books and chewing gum. Sarah got a massage from one of the guys riding around on push bikes that shake a string of bottle tops to indicate they are masseuses.

We went back to the travel agent to check on our trains to Nha Trang and found one was in the 6 bed room which we heard was insufferable, so we changed to flying home on the Friday with Air Vietnam. Next to the tailor and my suit was ready and perfect – no alterations needed. Two of the shirts were done too. Sarah placed an order for her boyfriend off measurements, and then we headed home to sleep.

Day 4 – Tuesday August 7

Up early and checked out at 7am. We got the bus heading towards the Mekong Delta – another long and sweaty day on the bus. We caught a 20 person boat to Unicorn Island to try different local produce – and I held a python.

Was fun; then to another island to a coconut candy factory – really delicious. Then to lunch – not delicious at all. We wandered around the island then caught the speed boat back to Saigon. We broke down a couple of times – was fairly worrying as we had a train to catch. The parts of the river were so dirty the water was totally black.

We caught the train around 10pm, sharing a 4 person sleeper room with a mother and daughter.

Day 5 – Wednesday August 8

We slept reasonably well, and arrived around 5.30am. We were overrun with people trying to get us into their hotels and cabs… it was really overwhelming. The city (Nha Trang) was really beautiful though. We ended up choosing a hotel just because we were trying to dodge one very pushy guy.

We hired two motorbike drivers to take us around for the day. We visited an extraordinarily weird oceanographic museum, which featured rotting carcasses of actual sea life, and a huge room of preserved specimens. Bizarre.

Next to a huge Buddha statue, a Hindu temple and I got a cut throat razer shave and we both got ear cleans – with dirty rusty instruments… luckily no ear infections.

That night we realised we were very sunburnt. So we sought solace in a delicious seafood dinner. We picked the items from tanks – four enormous prawns and a lobster to share. The 1kg lobster cost around $40 and the prawns around $9.

Day 6 – Thursday August 9

We arranged to take an island hopping boat tour off the coast of Nha Trang – it was US$6pp including lunch and transfers. The picked us up at 9am, and then transferred to a very crowded boat (the “Mama Linh”) for snorkelling and site seeing. First up we went snorkelling – it was ok, but not a patch on Phi Phi Island in Thailand or the Gold Coast. It was nice to have a swim but the sea life was not that impressive. Next we had lunch on the boat, then some drinks in the ocean at a ‘water bar’ – it was fairly dodgy red wine and pineapple served from a dingy, but hey – when in Rome…

Next up was an even dodgy-er aquarium – so crappy we didn’t bother going through the main hall. We did get a lovely shot in the fake clamshell though.

That evening we took Cyclo (bush bike with a carriage seat at the front) rides along the water front, and out to a recommended restaurant. We went there as the hotel recommended it as a place to try Snake meat. Unfortunately they did not have it that day, so we had a big steamed fish to share. After I was still hungry, so I got a plate of steamed baby abalone from the markets for about AUD$3.5!!

Day 7 – Friday August 10

We had a relaxing day planned – I mean snorkelling and shopping really takes it out of you! J

We went to the large local market and we both bought some presents. Afterwards we both went for a manicure and pedicure. It was my first time – and it was fairly nice, but I made quite a spectacle as evidently they do not get many men in that place. Also, I guess, because I asked them to paint some pretty flowers on my toe nails – not bad seeing we had major language barriers. I mean Sarah got her nails all painted and buffed in the price – it seemed fair to get to of mine prettied up! J

We had a really rushed lunch at a fancy local place, I had another lobster and Sarah had beef noodles (and entrée of rice rolls to share).

That ended up being a scary day. Sarah had a red rash on her neck since Thursday night, and started to feel unwell on the plane back to Saigon – eventually she was sick. When we landed she felt faint, and had to sit on the bus to the airport from the landing strip. The cab ride home was pretty sketchy too.

She picked herself up to meet some friends at the famous Rex Hotel in the city (for the record – not THAT nice a hotel, it is just the history of the place – and it is about 5 – 7 times more expensive than other nice restaurants), but she didn’t last long. Poor thing was sick again and actually blacked out. I was so worried that she had something serious. We went straight home and got her settled. By sleep time she had stopped vomiting and was holding down water – and no temperature. It was a restless night though, wondering how she would pull up the next day. I had visions of finding her in a cold sweat, needing hospitalisation.

Day 8 – Saturday August 11

Luckily that was not the case, and by morning Sarah was feeling marginally better. She still couldn’t really eat, but she could drink again. After a wander in the morning whilst she rested, we set off to Saigon square again for more DVDs and shopping. We went to a recommended restaurant for exotic meats. Here is the part of the email vegetarians or those with weak stomachs may wish to stop reading.

I was so happy to find a HUGE array of meats on the menu, and all at bargain prices. They had everything from deep fried scorpions (80c a piece), 5 spiced medicinal cow and goat penis, kangaroo, crocodile, ostrich, deer, etc. I opted for a simpler set – and managed to squeeze in three types of meat I had never tried before. (See below)

On the left below is grilled dove – turtle dove to be precise. It was fine – like a quail or spitchcock, but a gamier taste. It came with a chilli salt for dipping. It was nice. On the right… actually – I will save that for last.

Below is Snake Hotpot. I was disappointed with snake – this one was very rubbery, and only a skerrick of meat on it – all cartilage and skin. The soup was nice, and it was interesting – and the meat was tasty for what there was, but the texture made it unsatisfying for me. Now back to the item above right – which was an absolute stand out. It is grilled field rat; and it was fantastic. The meat tasted like pork, it was soft, juicy and really flavoursome – aided by the excellent spices they grilled it with. Honestly, it was fantastic. And best of all, for all of that, plus several drinks each and rice, it was about AUD$15 for the lot.

We wrapped up the day with hair washes in Saigon – a 50 minute process including face massage and neck and shoulders, for about $2.50. Then we both got haircuts – for about $3.50. Mine was good (they actually got a stylist to come in from another salon – he arrived on his scooter 10 minutes later). Finally I picked up a ‘copy’ of the Lonely Planet guide to China (to start planning next trip) – haggling it down from 200,000 dong to 80,000 (or about $6) – but I probably still over paid.

That’s the trip! I will wrap it up in lucky 13 pages. Sorry the photos are low quality, I really compressed them to keep the document small – you can always contact me for a high resolution version, copies are available for purchase from the office. J Cheers and happy travels!

Update - New job and travel!

2007-07-26T17:03:00.000+10:00

Hi All

I have some fantastic news! I have accepted a new position with the RTA in communications/marketing, to commence mid August. This has been in the pipeline for a while now, but I couldn't make it public as it was not finalised. Today I received my contract, and I have given my formal notice to current employer, so it is all official. I also learnt more about the role, and it sounds really really excellent!

Other big news, I am going to Vietnam for a week! Between finishing this job and starting the new one (august 4-12), I have booked in for a trip to Vietnam with a great friend from Uni. I am very excited about it - I have always wanted to go to VN. No set plans whilst there - we fly in and out of Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon), so we will see that area, hopefully the war museums and the Chu Chi tunnels, as well as heading a few hundred Kms north to see the country side and the coast. Sadly Katie cannot make it - as her Permanent Residency STILL has not been processed, she cannot leave the country easily.

So those are the big things going on in my life at the moment. Hope you are all well - and will try to post whilst in VN!

Annandale and Wii

2007-07-22T00:31:00.000+10:00

Caught up with Sonny, his lovely sisters and adorable GF today. We went to Paddington markets, then back to Leigha's place for dinner (after coffee), and a night of playing Wii. Great time, and a pleasure to meet Jackie finally.

MLK - lots of news

2007-07-18T23:24:00.000+10:00

Well, a lot has been going on, and more is coming up.

I found out for sure this week that a rotation in Public Affairs at work is off the cards. I saw this coming a few months away, but it is certain now - disapointing.

We have been getting out a bit lately, going to lots of places to eat and visit. Tommorow we are meeting Soki and Carter who are out for Carter's graduation. We will go somewhere for dinner and drinks, should be great. Friday at work we are going for Tapas at lunch to Encasa - meant to be very good there. And friday night we are going with a big group to the seafood buffet at the Sheraton on the park. Sunday to Wollongong to farewell some friends and catch up with others.

There is a lot of other things going on at moment, but machinations are still going on behind the scenes - should be resolved shortly then i will go into it all. All in all, things are good. If I could shake my sore back and this lousy cold weather I would be extremely happy!

great weekend

2007-07-08T21:33:00.000+10:00

It has been a really great few days off. Friday ended extremely well, then we went out for dinner in Beverly Hills with mum (we got a scallop and oyster each on the house - see below). Saturday we went to visit Jono, Julie and Josh (see cute pic with kate below) - then to DFO for too much shopping. I got a jacket, 4 shirts and some recipes. In the evening we went to Makoto for dinner and Gelatissimo for dessert. Sunday a bit of local grocery shopping with mum was really nice before she headed home.

Kate and I spent the day cleaning the hell out of our place. My wardrobe, bedroom, files and the like are all WAY more organised and thinned out. Katie did an awesome job on the bathrooms and the balconey... the place looks mcu better. In the afternoon I went into Petersham for trivia - a really great relaxing and fun way to end a weekend. It was tops - we came close to the prize but came undone on the final question.

Tonight some more organising and tidying up. I just saw that Jetstar has return airfares to Malaysia, Japan, Indonesia, Hawaii, Vietnam and Thailand for aroudn $1000, and to NZ for like $500! I may have to plan a week away soon!

lots of good news today

2007-07-06T16:29:00.000+10:00

including my mum is in town and staying with us tonight and tomorrow, I am still on the milk, and it is almost the weekend, among other things. :D

Got Milk?

2007-07-05T22:49:00.000+10:00

Here's something ironic. I am very excited about milk. And not just any milk - a lactose free skim milk - akin to the skim soy latte variety I have always asserted should not even be called milk (i am not too sure why... probably heard it in a movie and took it as my own idea). Anyway, I think this one is from cows milk, but treated to take out the lactose. Anyway, why excited? Well, it has been a long time since i could take any dairy food without getting a nasty case of tap-ass. Well after loads of no milk no cheese no nuthin, I tried this milk last night and this morning and did not have a reaction.

I don't know if it will last, but for now I am going to make the most of it. I can't tell you how excited I am to eat some cereal each morning before heading to work. I had a bowl today and it was great.

My diet changes so regularly (the only constant being minimum fat/oil) as my stomach decides it doesn't like this or that food type. I am really glad to get this one back - although I have really adjusted to black coffee. It is weird. Last time i tried milk i went for skim soy (in secret) but I still had a reaction, not sure why. But this one nothing.

Anyway, I will try not to analyse it too much and make the most of it until symptoms return.

Tonight I bought some cous cous, and maybe tomato and basil cous cous with lamb, roast capsicum and a minted sour sauce (with diced red capsicum around the outside). See pic. The presentation wasn't as clean and nice as I hoped, but it was actually very yum and the the sauce matched really well. I did need a bowl of extra vege on the side to fill up tho.

it is a weird thing to not recognise yourself

2007-07-01T22:56:00.000+10:00

Good weekend

2007-07-01T21:12:00.000+10:00

Interesting times.

Work has been frustrating lately, I am not getting the opportunity for communications work like I had hoped. I was not well the end of last week, but am feeling better now. And thankfully we had a relaxing and enjoyable weekend.

The weekend was great actually. On Saturday we joined some friends for a walking tour of Dulwich Hill and Petersham to try out the local specialities. We had a variety of Portuguese tarts, as well as visiting continental butchers, smoked meat houses, delicatessens and a Portuguese chicken place for lunch. It was tops. See below. We also visited a huge confectionery wholesaler - metaphors abound, it was awesome.

Saturday afternoon we went to the Peters of Kensington warehouse sale to look at home wares and other versatile solutions to modern living. Actually it wasn't bad, we got two new pans that were on big sales, but still a bit rich i reckon. And finally Katie got lucky at a puma warehouse with a real bargain pair of kicks.

Today we went to visit Christophe at his new place. It was awesome, he cooked us a wonderful 3 course meal and his roommates were really nice.

Cantonese test and happenings

2007-06-19T07:51:00.000+10:00

Hi guys. On Saturday Kate and I went on a day trip to the Hunter Valley with my coworkers. It was great, we went to 5 wineries and had a bbq lunch there. The last one we went to was the best in my opinion - just great, i loved every variety of white and red we tried and the host was excellent. I actually joined up, so that means I will have a good supply of their wines - so you know what you may get for an upcoming b'day present!

Yesterday was the end of session exam for Cantonese. It involved reading, writing, speaking and listening. I have actually been studying a lot over the last week - and all day Sunday. It paid off, and I am pretty sure I did fine - i know i got 28.5 from 30 for the speaking section, and think i should pass the other sections... we will see.

I need a hair cut. And I am mourning the end of The Sopranos. Busy times huh!?

Long Weekend

2007-06-11T23:06:00.000+10:00

I just finished watching the series finale of The Sopranos - my favourite show... it was something else. I need to digest it more before discussing it though....

It has been a quiet, relaxing and yet busy and memorable weekend. Friday night some good friends came over for dinner and a catch up - was great. Saturday we went to visit my cousin Jono, Julie and their boy josh - see below... can you believe he is only 4 months old!! So big!

Sunday we caught up with friends for yum cha. Afterwards we went to see Shrek 3 at the cinema, then met up with Sandrine and her former host mom Sue for dinner and drinks in darling harbour.

Katie had beer battered snapper and chips.
I had Moroccan spiced tuna on sweet potato
And Sandrine and Sue shared the seafood platter.

On the way home sandrine couldn't help but buy this profriter roll gateau... looked very nice!

Life is good, but complicated

2007-05-21T21:37:00.000+10:00

Things are going well at the moment, my health is good and private life is very happy. Work is complicated, but that will work out I am sure.

Last weekend Kate and I went to Mudgee to stay at an historic B&B and visit some wineries, cheese and honey manufacturers. It was really nice and relaxing, although some how we still managed to be exhausted rather than refreshed at the end of it. The place we stayed was lovely, an historic house from around 1880, and our room had a spa in it - literally in it (see below).

We visited some great wineries, an average one too, but we were able to limit our purchases so we didn't come home in debt (thankfully). Good thing too, we have a day trip to the Hunter Valley coming up in a month.

Anyway, that is all the news for now, other than a big happy birthday to Mum for tomorrow. I will be thinking of you mum.

Japan Trip

2007-05-10T22:19:00.000+10:00

Hi, I had an awesome trip.

I should have posted about it all by now, but i have been busy, sorry. I have actually written up a draft and selected some pictures - which i made into a pdf... it is here: http://mattgranger.com/Japantrip.pdf

I will expand it and post on here when I can.

But overall it was an amazing, refreshing, eye opening and wonderous trip.

44 hours til japan & top 100

2007-04-17T16:04:00.000+10:00

I had a thought the other day that i should bite the bullet and compile a list of my all time favourite films (not best - favourite!) I am just a tiny bit busy getting ready to leave work and the rest to go to Japan on Thursday, but I wanted to make a public commitment that I will make a top 100 list. I have always resisted this as it is so hard, but having to write a top five list for a job application a while ago was fun... so I will extend it a little. Probably actually no one cares that I will do this, but I want to, and this may help keep me to it!

44 hours! YAY! Only 8 hours left of work til JP! :D :D :D Oh, and in 1 week today I will have just had the supremo lunch at Iron Chef Sakai's restaurant in Shibuya! SO EXCITED.

2007-04-13T23:29:00.000+10:00

one week from now I will be out with Eriko and Reiko in Gifu, Japan - soon to head back to the hotel to get ready for the wedding tommorow!!!!!! :-D

quick update

2007-04-12T21:59:00.000+10:00

Work is going well and my health is good.

It is only one week until I will have arrived in Osaka Japan! I am getting very excited, I cannot wait. I am using all of my spare time working out the agenda and budget for the trip! It will be so good to visit Japan - I have always wanted to go - and especially to see Kayo's home, wedding and to visit the wonderful friends I made at university. I still need to work out how to prioritise things to see and do in Tokyo, Kyoto and Osaka - if you have been and have advice, please email me! I have worked out what I need to pack, and trying to decide what luggage to use - i think either a small wheeled bag, a large backpack, or a hybrid. Oh, I am also trying to watch as many Hayao Miyazaki films (from studio Ghibli), in case I end up visiting the Ghibli museum in Tokyo.

Otherwise what is new.... I will meet up with all of the graduates in my program this Saturday for a boozy dinner, that should be good, and cousin Jono and family are visiting on Saturday lunch time. Can't wait.

Tonight I made a white miso sauce that also had sake, mirin, sugar and mustard in it. It is great, but I think its best as a marinade or baste - too strong to use as a regular sauce as i did tonight. Still, one more to add to the repertoire.

Anyway, will post before i leave for JP, and during or after trip - hopefully with pretty pictures of the Sakura (cherry blossom).

mattgranger.com update

2007-04-04T21:15:00.000+10:00

Hi all, having just had to pay the subscription renewal on my personal website for domain and hosting, I am going to make more of an effort to get it up to date and worthwhile. I have just posted the first journal entry in a long time.

http://www.mattgranger.com

enjoy.

Pictures from Kayo's Wedding

2007-04-04T20:48:00.000+10:00

Here are a few of my shots - it was a really beautiful wedding.

My favourite picture - of Kayo and Kevin as the rose petals were being thrown after the ceremony.

What a beautiful bride

Nice one of mum and Katie

Katie and Kevin.
Signing the papers (sideways)

Cheeky little bugger ate all the white roses....

It really was the most beautiful wedding I have attended. Just lovely.

The photo speaks for itself

2007-04-02T21:37:00.000+10:00

New table

2007-03-25T21:21:00.000+10:00

Today Sandrine bought a new dining setting - it's so nice that it makes the rest of our furniture look cheap now!

work work work

2007-03-20T22:25:00.000+11:00

God, has it already been 6 weeks since i posted? Sorry. I guess you could say I have been lazy, but i would say busy. Work is going well, all moving in the right direction. Everything else seems to be going along well too - but I have less of an eye on it now that I am busy with work, and fitting in the other everyday necessities around that. I have actually had some great times in the last few weeks, eaten at some great restaurants and learnt a lot - I just haven't had time to share it all!

I have started planning my trip to Japan in April, and am very excited about that - but a bit worried about finance. I have paid off my credit card and gotten myself into a good routine, but i can see myself coming back from Japan once again without savings and back into CC debt. Hopefully I can find cheap accommodation and sights-to-see, and resist the temptation to buy new gadgets!

My love to all, especially those I have been slack in keeping contact with! I promise once i get this new lifestyle full of obligations and commitments under some sort of control, i will start catching up on all of these relationships!

Matt.

Hens Night

2007-02-04T12:13:00.000+11:00

So last Friday I went along to my sister Kayo's Hens night.. I know traditionally guys don't go along, but it ended up just a casual drinks and dinner night, so I was welcomed! Yay.

First we had drinks at the Zeta bar, level 4 in the Sydney Hilton - flash.

Then to the 3rd floor Restaurant Glass. It is the new one for chef luke Mangan - I only ate at his previous place Salt once in Darlinghurst - the week it was closing - and it was fantastic.
This is more a brasserie style place - but being in the hilton it is still very beautifully decorated, and very pricey. Above is the Seared scallops, unagi, cauliflower puree, nashi pear radish & walnut salad, baby coriander, tahini dressing ($24.5) - it was very nice - but not outstanding really. The Unagi was lost in the puree, and whilst the scallops were perfectly cooked, they were a bit small really...

Above Kayo's good friend and co-worker Winnie - and her Salmon. Below is my main, Wagyu rump, fragrant pumpkin puree, tongue, snow peas, bitter chocolate & coffee sauce ($41.5) - the beef was good (except for a piece of grissle), but I had a hard time identifying the vegetables - perhaps they were substitutes... and the sauce was good but wasn't that punchy. Nice though. This was mums Barramundi with calamari and what not.... it is not on the website so I can't put on a copy of the full description - very nice though. As was my sisters Aged sirloin with mustard herb crust... mmmmm herb crust.

Sorry for the poor photo quality - my phone camera struggles in low light. Above is Kayo in the vale with Singaporean flowers her friend Manfred made here, and me! It was a really fun night - we ended up at the Edinburgh Castle Hotel in the city, as we felt we had all blown our budgets already without proceeding to Hugo's bar. Great great night - but where were all the male strippers etc?

The Countdown's begin

2007-02-01T08:08:00.000+11:00

2 days until Katie returns, 3 days until I head to Collaroy to commence orientation for the new job, and 4 days til the job starts, and I have my first cantonese class.

I finished with Budget yesterday - It is good to be moving on but i will miss some of my co-workers. Today I am doing some preparation for upcoming meetings, and getting organised for next week so I do not have to spend the weekend doing it - as that will be the only time I have with Katie after she returns before I head off. I am also going into the city to meet Kayo for lunch, and my mum and sister are coming to stay tonight so they can go and help Kayo with her wedding dress fitting on Friday. I guess I will go to the gym today also.

Well, better get to it.

past halfway, bday celebrations, $2 sushi, & putput madness

2007-01-28T11:20:00.000+11:00

It is now past halfway on Katie's trip to Hong Kong - she will be back in 6 days. I know she is having a great time there, but I miss her - so i am selfishly glad that she will be back soon. Tomorrow I am rostered to work from 9-6, but I am hoping to finish at 1pm so that I can go and enrol in the Tafe course for Cantonese. Unfortunately it begins the following week, which is when I will be at an orientation week on the Northern Beaches. Hopefully I can arrange it so that I can drive down to the training whatever night it is on.

The other week was my birthday, and we had some friends up for the night - it was fun, some pictures below.

The Japanese chicken and egg dish i cooked for dinner

And the birthday cake colin and laura made for me!

During the week I went into the city and had lunch with Kayo. We went to a new sushi train in market city that had an opening special where all dishes were just $2. It was great. See below.

Oh, and for Australia Day colin and laura again came up, and we had dinner (bbq), played a little poker and a round of mini (aka put put) golf. It was another fun night.

Can you guess which smug long-limbed chap won the golf?

Precise....

Katie off to HK

2007-01-17T17:55:00.000+11:00

This morning Katie flew out to Hong Kong... she is going back until Febuary 3rd, for a friends wedding and to catch up with her friends and family. It is good that she was able to head back - it has been a year since she was home last. It's disapointing that I was unable to go back with Kate - I couldn't afford it, and I need to work.

Oh well, she will have a great time - and has earned it with her hard work and saving - and hopefully we will both get to go to Japan in late April for Kayo's wedding.

I am back to work tomorrow, and friday. I will hopefully catch up with some friends of Kates and mine for Yum Cha on Saturday (my b'day), and then good friends are coming up for dinner that night. Should be good!

Other good news - we got a small gymnasium at our apartment building. The strata put a small one into the pool room, it has a treadmill, 2 bikes, a cross trainer, and a few weights machines. It is great - because it is free! Just a $150 key deposit. So today i went down, and it was great to work out again - its has been over 6 months (omg!) since I last went to the gym, as the private gyms are too expensive. So hopefully i will keep that up!

Job for 2007..... finally sorted

2007-01-12T18:31:00.000+11:00

I can finnaly report that I will definitely be starting with nsw Department of Environment and Conservation early Febuary. This is after lots of back and forth, tossing up, and date changes. I have let the other employers know I won't be taking their offers, and have today signed the DEC offer. At this stage I have not told my current casual employer, but I will do so in the next week or so.

It is really good to finally have it nailed down. After passing on my other offers, I was really nervous waiting for this final offer - what if it never arrived and I had burnt those bridges? I would be stuck in a call centre forever!

Thankfully not the case. Sadly I won't be able to join Katie in Hong Kong (she goes back on 17th Jan.), but hopefully she will have a great time, and I will be all prepared for the new job.

Tonight I think we are going ten pin bowling (!), should be interesting....

good food, bargains and decisions

2006-12-30T22:37:00.000+11:00

It has been a great couple of days. Yesterday I went into the city and ordered a new pair of prescription sunglasses (before my private health benefits expire for the year). I grabbed lunch in the city (Yum Cha at East Ocean) - it was strange to eat it alone, but good anyway. I did a bit of thinking in this private time - as much as possible amid the din of yum cha. In the evening Kate and I went in for a farewell party for a friend of Kate. It was fun, just eating drinking and chatting. At midnight they headed to Karaoke in the city (actually 50m from his apartment - RIGHT in the city) - I left after about 40 minutes to head home - Kate and the crew stayed until about 4am.

Late this morning Kate and I went for Yum Chat in Hurstville together. It was a treat to have it twice in a row! Then we had a look around the sales at hurstville and both got some bargains at Myer. Kate got a beautiful Italian made scarf, and a cute t-shirt. I got a new pair of works shoes (over 50% off!), a cool french cuff work shirt ($65 down to just $20!) and new pair of casual shorts, also on a good special!

This evening Sandrine joined us to watch Little Miss Sunshine - it was a nice movie to watch together. We drank some Ricadonna Asti, laughed a lot and it was great to all spend some time together.

Post script.

Ooops, i left out the decisions part! Last night and today Kate and I found opportunities to discuss my job offers for 2007. It is hard to balance the positive and negative points of each to try to objectively rate one against the other - especially when so much is up in the air - more than just subjective, it is just a guess at this stage as I can't know what each job will REALLY be like until i am doing it... and so much of job enjoyment must be related to the dynamic and personalities of the team you are working with. That said, I have pretty much decided, but I won't go on about any decisions until it is all finalised with the various companies.

Hope you all have a good new years eve celebration!

holiday wishes

2006-12-26T21:15:00.000+11:00

We just got back from Young - I had a really fantastic time. It was so nice to see the family and just chill out at home for a few days. Ate and drank a bit too much (but not TOOO much as is often the case), cruised around town whilst kate practiced driving, caught up with Kayo and Sarah, and generally took it easy. Kate drove half of the way home, and did really well - she has improved so much.

The good news i mentioned below was I got another job offer for 2007. I had a good think about it whilst at home, and things are starting to clear up a little in my mind. Not 100% decided yet, but on the way.

Hope everyone has a relaxing time, and does something fun and memorable for new years eve.

Xmas break

2006-12-22T10:27:00.000+11:00

Heading back to young today until tuesday. Can't wait to see the family and relax. Am in a better frame of mind now, and feeling happier after some good news. I have lots to think about over the weekend, and hopefully will have some news soon after.

a sea of anxious tension

2006-12-20T13:15:00.000+11:00

What is happening at the moment? Well, apart from countless trips to go christmas shopping for 'that one last thing', I am still waiting to hear about a job, and wondering what i will be doing in 2007. My stomach has been a bit upset the last few days, and I am 99% sure it is anxiety related... I realised on the bus ride home today that my chest was very tight and my stomach was in knots as i thought about these issues. At this stage I am hopeful to hear about this final job opportunity by the end of this week - I really hope I do hear, so that I know before new years. Either way I will have a lot on my mind of Xmas - well maybe not, If I don't get an offer, then my plans for 2007 are pretty much set. If I do get the offer, then i have to decide which to take. Whilst that looks to be a very tricky decision, it has to beat waiting...

Oh, and the 6th anniversary of my weight loss surgery just passed 2 days ago. I missed it! Oh well, my weight is steady around 110, and apart from the tummy issues at the moment, i feel well.

December

2006-12-08T22:04:00.000+11:00

Well, christmas has snuck up again earlier than demanded, and here we are. I am working in the call centre, and the girls are busy in their 9-5's. Katie was not well today, I am not sure what is wrong but her tummy is upset and she is aching a lot.

This weekend we are planning a lunch at The Little Snail french eatery in Darling Harbour, then some friends are coming up for dinner Saturday night.

I am waiting anxiously to hear about recent job opportunities, and laying plans for Xmas and the New Year. It looks like Kate and I will have to work Dec 27 & 28, so sadly we will be joining the mass of people on the highways on boxing day.

latest

2006-11-23T23:51:00.000+11:00

Well, it has been a little while... what was the last update?

Things are moving along well. Kate and sandrine seem to be handling the shift to full time work well, it is great to see. I am enjoying my time at the call centre I am working at casually - it is a nice group of people and there is a surprising diversity of elements involved. I have also had more interviews recently, fingers crossed.

Last weekend Kate and I went home to Young to see the family. It was my uncles 60th birthday, and my sisters welcome home party. Great times. I also got to meet and spend time with the new children of some of my cousins - very cute.

Tonight a friend from wollongong came up for dinner, as did two other friends. We had a yummy dinner - i think it was ok, although the cooking went a bit of plan, and took way longer than planned. On that, i just watched the Iron Chef that i taped from last saturday. It was probably the best one i have seen - lotus root. Apparently the french specialist chef is coming to Sydney next week... i will have ot see if there are still seats available.. will do that now.

present from katie

2006-11-17T18:40:00.000+11:00

Hi all. This is a really nice statue of the female form that Kate gave me recently. I have often looked at these sort of things, but never found one that really grabbed me. I like nudes, and have a couple of paintings now, and i really really really like this statue. THANKS Katie!

first day of work

2006-11-06T16:42:00.000+11:00

It went well. No hassles whatsoever. I took the bus, and got slightly the wrong one - it went via the airport rather than express - but i still arrived 10 minutes earlier than needed. The group of new employees totals 6 people, and they are all nice. The trainers are also very friendly, and today went by quickly. Should be fine

The weather was accomodating. It rained after I got on my bus, stopped for me to exit the bus and enter the building, and was mostly clear on breaks except lunch time. And as I left for the day, the sun was emerging - and has stayed out since. Beaut. We finished early at 3.30 as we just took half hour for lunch, and we got ahead on work today so we can take some time to watch the Melbourne Cup tomorrow during training.

I am off to collect Kate from work soon, hopefully her day was good too!

shopping

2006-11-04T22:21:00.000+11:00

Today the girls and I went to Westfield Parramatta - mainly for the girls to find some more work clothing. I was also going to get a diary refil for my filofax for 2007. They looked at heaps of stores (but i think i was patient-despite a throbbing headache) and got a few really nice things.

On the way back we stopped at Ikea at Rhodes. Kate bought a new lamp for the living room - the overhead light is still on the fritz. It probably will be forever. The new lamp is 160cm tall, one of the paper 'Storm' series - it is quite nice and suits the room well. Pics below.

It is Sandrines birthday tomorrow, and I am planning to go to the motor show in Darling Harbor. On Monday, Kate and I both start work!

PR!!

2006-11-03T22:42:00.000+11:00

On Thursday Sandrine got her Permanant Residency!!! She was so surprised and estatic!!

I couldn't help but take some pictures as she called her family in france (5am local time!) to let them know - she was so overcome with joy. It was a really great and happy day!!!!!!!!!!!

What a week! Full time work, PR, and this sunday is her birthday!!!

JOBS JOBS JOBS

2006-11-03T20:34:00.000+11:00

More great news! Kate and Sandrine both got full time job offers this week!! Kate is starting this monday, and Sandrine the following! Below are some pictures from the celebration last tuesday evening!!

The end of the night is always fun....

latest

2006-10-30T14:35:00.000+11:00

Well, lots of things happening around the place now.

Kate spent half of last week helping her friends open a new restuarant, and I have been updating my website and what not. Sandrine has recieved a job offer and we are all VERY excited for her! I start my new casual job next monday, and I am hoping to go along to the international motor show next sunday.

I am currently at a Job Network member looking for work - i have applied for two more graduate programs since have been here, and now wainting on the printer to come to life... the PC I am on seems to be possesed... the CD drive keeps hissing, and randomly opens and closely... great stuff.

This morning I had a big blood test - it had been a while so I figured I was due for a check up. It was a comedy of errors the first time around- the pathologist could not read the Drs handwriting, and some of the tests ordered are no longer available... on and on, back to see another Dr, new test request, then I couldnt do it as some new tests required fasting... Anyway! Today i had the lot done (9 vials in total -- vials or viles?)

Better check on this printer.......

jobs jobs jobs

2006-10-23T13:17:00.000+10:00

Yesterday I had a first round interview/assessment for another Graduate recruitment program for a Government department. This one was for a NSW Department - meaning all of their offices are in and around Sydney - meaning if I am successful I could remain in Sydney. It sounds like interesting work, and I think I should have a reasonable chance at it. The assessment involved a writing test (based on the Graduate Skills Assessment format - which I sat in July) and a cognitive and abstract reasoning test. I generally do well on each of those kinds of tests, so hopefully I will recieve a formal interview in the next round.

Today I also interviewed for an Investment Journalist position. The company is interesting and I will hear about the next round of interviews in about 2 weeks.

I also got some casual work today, so thats good. It starts in 2 weeks, and will tide me over until I start in Full Time work.

yeah.

Do I really want to be a Journo??

2006-10-20T20:39:00.000+10:00

The more I look at becoming a Journalist - or anything related to the media industry - the more disillusioned and disinterested I become. Nowhere else seems to have such low starting salaries and the long road to finally doing interesting work. And it seems it is never well paid - unless you get one of the coveted positions as an editor/Senior Writer for a really big publication - or get a name for yourself...

I have interviewed for a few positions - ones in journalism but not anything near the area I am interested in - and gotten nowhere. The entry level positions pay rubbish, and I can only ever get a look in for Finance type positions because of my Economics degree. (And i am NOT that interested in working in that kind of field). It seems even in 5-10 years I couldn't expect to be earning a reasonable wage to start a family etc - I saw a position advertised as an editor, which required experience as an editor and Journalist (meaning 5+ years in the industry) and it only paid $45k anyway! Come on! I can get that straight out in a Communications position in a graduate program! I wonder how different it would be to become specialised in Copywriting and Organisational comms work (including PR stuff) as opposed to straight Journalism - and how the avenues into Arts writing compares....

hmmm.

I don't want to think of only money - of course an enjoyable job is more important than incredible money - but enough money to live and plan the future on would be nice!

what to do... what to do...

Maybe it is just the frustration of being knocked back for positions I feel capable and qualified for (even over-qualified), but its getting annoying. I am really glad to have gotten the offers and opportunities I have to date - but trying to envisage the best path to where I want to be in the future is very difficult. My dream job is writing about film, the industry and film criticism, for a good magazine, and being respected as a top critic in Australia. WIth that, of course I would hope to earn a suitable wage to live comfortably and raise a family. So how to get there? Start making coffee in a film studio? Answering phones and filing at an arts magazine or a junior journo at a mortgage magazine - or as a copy writer or communications consultant for a state or federal agency? Which one will facilitate a smooth (or the smoothest) transition into this? And is this a realistic goal given the limited number of positions such as this going in Australia - or in any major city...? Perhaps being a critic would be really annoying - having to sit through and review films that I normally wouldn't bother with... maybe it would take the joy out of film appreciation... who knows? I Guess I will keep applying for positions that grab my attention now, or seem to offer an interesting career path, and see what offers I accumulate by the end of the year then pick.... And hopefully my skin with continue to thicken in regards to the humbling tide of rejections.

new wine fridge

2006-10-20T20:37:00.000+10:00

So, after a lot of thought, I went and bought a wine fridge off ebay the other week. I finally arranged pick up for today - quite an experience! It was up in Elanora Heights, which too about 75 minutes to drive to from our place at that time of night. It was lots of twisting roads and no traffic, as well as highways and peak hour.

When we finally found the house - the seller was not home - he was out to dinner! So he had left the fridge in his courtyard, and asked us to just wander in (to a block of flats that were hard to access behind a small set of local shops) and help ourselves! We rummaged through his courtyard and garage to find it, amid a bnuch of other junk (and a cute bunny in a massive cage). We finally found it, tested it in his outdoor laundry, and slid the money under the door.

It is hard to capture how surreal parts of the journey felt -but it was interesting! Luckily Sandrine came with me to help navigate - or it would have taken me hours!

Top soil in danger

2006-10-19T17:59:00.000+10:00

So, after some success on the job front - and lots more rejection, the heavens have opened up this week. I had a face to face interview on Tuesday, and have 4 face to face interviews scheduled over the next 5 days! Friday is a second round group interview in the city, Sunday morning is second round written assessment for a graduate position (very interesting - more details when available), Monday is for a Cadet Journalist spot, and Tuesday for a comm's position at a outsourced centre in Martin Place. Actually, all of these are second round interviews - having had a preceeding phone interview.

I heard a stat today that, when looking for a good career focussed position, it is average for university graduates to apply for 200-300 jobs before getting the one they want. This is something like 15-20 applications to get interview, then 10-20 interviews to get a position. This could be total bollocks, but it wouldn't surprise me!

When it rains...!

Making Juice

2006-10-13T09:58:00.000+10:00

Last visit to Young Grandad sorted us out with a range of fresh fruits and vegetables to bring home. We had long since finished all the vegies, but still had a huge amount of fruit left (I guess we got abut 10kg to begin with!). So i bought a little plastic juicer to make some fresh juice - top idea right?

So I squeezed all of these oranges, tangarines, tangellos, lemonades etc etc by hand. It took a fair while and I made a considerable mess in the process. But hey - cant put a price on good health and nutrious fresh juice right? (Well actually, it would be about $5 per 2 litre bottle I reckon). Anyway, for all of that fruit - I only ended up with this much juice....!

That is about 1 litre. It reminded me of my beloved grandma, who ALWAYS had freshly squeezed juice in the fridge, made from grandads fruit. There was always at least 2 or 3 variations going - with 4 to 6 litres cold in the fridge at one time. Every possible combination of fruits where trialled in that kitchen, and I am in awe at how she managed to keep the supply up!

The time has come, I had better go try some................ Well. It is yummy. I am glad I only put one small grapefruit in it, because the tang of the lemonades marches home strong at the finish. But its good, and very very pulpy (lumpy). Healthy, delicious and.... fruity.

petrol

2006-10-11T21:58:00.000+10:00

I filled up today for 105.9 today! From the Rockdale woolies outlet - that was with the 4c per litre discount, but pretty good eh!

updates

2006-10-09T14:12:00.000+10:00

hey, so i found out today that i did not get the journalist position i was in the running for in St Leonards... that's really disapointing. Oh well.

I have decided to put up the recipes of some of the dishes i make on my other blog (see the sidebar) - because they are low fat versions which took a while to modify properly... someone may be able to use them.

Good day

2006-10-08T22:28:00.000+10:00

Hi, we went to Chatswood today for lunch and a wander. I set a personal best record for getting ready - i got undressed, showered, brushed teeth, washed my hair and face, dried, dressed and did my hair in 3 minutes 24 seconds... not bad hey! Pointless, but i was impressed with myself.

We had a good time at the mall - great yum cha lunch, and the girls both got some nice things to being back.

What else is new... i am starting Job Search Training with Centrelink this week - to learn how to find a job... kind of ironic, but it's a requirement of recieving their help. Hopefully i find employment that begins immediately soon!

more job news

2006-10-06T17:06:00.000+10:00

My housemate sandrine may have an inside track to a law job in Sydney, and one smart little Chinese woman (Katie!) just got an interview for a graduate position with just about the biggest Logistics company in the Asia Pacific! So it is all happening! Keep your fingers crossed for us!

Job Offer

2006-10-04T22:52:00.000+10:00

Great News! Today I received a graduate position job offer! I won't go into too many specifics until all the details are finalised, but I am really extremely happy to have gotten this offer. It is a graduate communications position with a national employer - apparently they had 1200 applicants for 56 positions, and there were only 3 communications spots going nationally - and I got one! It is especially encouraging as the group of applicants I interviewed with in Sydney were all very impressive people.

I will let you all know more as it is all finalised - but its great to have some offers! I just wish they started before 2007!

floriade

2006-10-03T10:21:00.000+10:00

Here are a few pictures from our visit to Floriade yesterday. It was really good fun - and beautiful. Seeing I don't know the flower varieties, I won't bother labelling the pictures - its all flowers and stuff!

Back in Young

2006-10-01T19:08:00.000+10:00

It is now sunday night, and we have had a great weekend at home with the family. On Friday we just wandered around town, hung out at home and I did some mowing. Saturday we all went to Canowindra for the Spring festival to see my friend andrew compete in a busking competion - it was good fun, and he won a cash prize! There were some vintage cars on display, a craft market and horse rides - it was a fun day. And talk about a small town - Canowindra makes young look like a city! The golden cocker spaniel belongs to the family Andrew lives with... cute huh!

On the way back to young we stopped at the Japanese gardens at Cowra. It was nice and relaxing, just as i remember it from my childhood!

Bonsai and cute baby ducks!!

Tomorrow on the way home to Sydney we are stopping at Canberra to see Floriade! Undoubtedly that will give some more nice pictures to upload soon!

a few developments

2006-09-27T23:05:00.000+10:00

Firstly, I recieved my first official letter of offer for employment today. I use the word 'first' with hope and confidence. It was a graduate position i heard about a few weeks ago, and the offer just came through. It is an attractive position, and is very promising. At the same time I am still in consideration for two other fantastic positions, so we will wait and see.

The other news is that Kate, Sandrine and I are heading back to young this weekend. I can't wait - it has been TOO long. We will head back thursday evening and catch up with friends and family. Can't wait.

Ikea - again

2006-09-24T22:33:00.000+10:00

After our latest jetsetting visitor took flight today, the three of us headed out to Rhodes to the Ikea store - again. There were a few cool new things we hadn't seen, but it was more to get out of the house and do something together. We ended up buying a pine table and two chairs which were all on special (75cm*120cm table $49 and chairs $25 each!). We put them together, but unfortunately one of the legs on the table hasn't been correctly pre-drilled - so final assembly will have to wait until I get a hold of a drill! And then we will oil them - i know we should have oiled it before assembly, but we want to wait to find some cheap priced oil. But still, i think it was all a bargain - and we may end up getting 2 more chairs in the future. Pics below - i know they are a bit shitty, but they were on my phone camera at night, so yeah.

It has been really hot here the last few days - around 30, which is surely well above average for September. And it was windy as hell today.

What is on for the next week... fun plans...? Um, maybe actually. I am waiting to hear on a couple of jobs, and will be applying for more. I am also hoping to get home for a few days to see mum, dad, family and pets! It has been a long time - too long. Depending on interviews, we may go on thursday then return saturday... not sure. Anyway. I am reaching for things to talk about now... just trying to keep my pledge to update more often!

Tonight i made sushi, which i haven't done for a few weeks.... nup. That is all i have. Will post when something interesting happens!

updating more regularly

2006-09-22T10:14:00.000+10:00

Hi guys, after i posted yesterday i promptly received two comments - which shows people are checking in far more often than I am writing! So I will endeavor to write more often. Here is a catch up.

Well i have been applying for jobs, LOTS of jobs. Thankfully there are a fair few out there that sound interesting on paper, so it hasn't been Toooo hard to find good ones. For centrelink i have to apply for 10 per fortnight, and i have usually been exceeding that. There are a couple of interesting writing positions I have applied for that I am still waiting to hear back from, and I am in consideration for at least 3 (already had interviews) which all sound interesting. Yesterday i had an interview with a relatively new company that is expanding rapidly, and it sounds like a really interesting job with great potential... so fingers crossed.

It has been a bit frustrating that so few writing/journalist/copywriter/communication officer positions are looking for recent graduates. That leaves you in the conundrum of having too little experience or looking at extremely low paid jobs - or both! Often a job paying low $30,000's still wants 2 years of experience - how do you get the experience? Volunteer work!? Luckily I have some paid writing experience and a fair diversity of other research and writing extended pieces - so hopefully someone will want me!

Other news - Tonight a friend from USA is dropping by for 10 hours after landing from the states, before flying up to QLD for a few days. I also have a friend from Canberra coming up for about 13 hours, who is then flying to Lismore in the morning. And then Saturday I have a mate from Wollongong coming up who is flying to Cairns on Sunday - Welcome to the Airport Hilton Hostel. :) Will be good to see them all albeit briefly.

Name Day

2006-09-21T12:07:00.000+10:00

Hey, i just found out that today is my 'name day' in France - so it is Matthew day today! I got a gift from Sandrine and Kate for it, a mortar and pestle - which i have wanted for a while, so thats cool.

Yeah, each day of the year in France is allocated a name - so most everyone has a name day as well as birthday etc etc.

happy name day to all the matthews!

Still job hunting

2006-08-31T14:20:00.000+10:00

Well, It is now a month and a half since i graduated, and I have not found employment yet. I have sent out dozens of applications, and had a few interviews, but so far nothing has come together. The most promising developments at the moment are public service graduate recruitment programs - i am in the works for two at the moment. They both offer good training and opportunities for advancement, but they are based in Canberra and start in February 2007. So it's not ideal, and whilst it is certainly a step in the right direction, they are not in the exact field i am hoping for.

I have applied for a couple of other very interesting positions, but they have a couple of weeks before applications close - so could be a month before I hear about them. It is difficult as many of the low level positions still require a couple of years of full time work experience in the industry - and the experience i have does not seem enough. But two I have applied for are looking specifically for recent graduates - so fingers crossed!

new apartment additions

2006-08-17T21:43:00.000+10:00

Hey all, we got a make shift bar, a new sofa and a full sized fridge.. so we re arranged the furniture. We also got a heap of new wine and cocktail glasses (see below)... we are building up supplies for a full on house warming cocktail party! Oh, and we got some new plants too!

Our New place

2006-07-29T20:58:00.000+10:00

Hi guys, here are some pictures from our new apartment in Southern Sydney.

This is the exterior of the building - it is in a complex with two others. The complex is 1 minute from the station, so it's pretty handy.

This is our living/dining area - and there is a huge entry area we have yet to make use of yet.

It's so nice to have a proper kitchen, with gas cook top and a dishwasher!! We have been cooking lots - see the food blog...

This is my new desk and entrance to ensuite bathroom.

At a recent hotpot party...

The rest of the living area with the TV and dvds etc.

More of my room (new bed too)

Sandrine's room - very nice!

And Kates! You can't see it, but she has a new desk, and a really big spacious wardrobe!

So now people have seen it, come visit us! We will be happy to cook for you (until we get sick of cooking and cleaning up!)

Thesis result and...

2006-07-01T20:19:00.000+10:00

Hi all, just a quick note to let everyone know i recieved my thesis result. It was double marked; the first marker was outside my uni, and a recent PhD from UOW now working at UQ. His comments were quite good, but he reccomended a mark of 81%. The second marker was the head CCS professor at my uni, and internationally renowned - also known as a hard marker. He suggested a mark of 90%!, and in the end, considering my coursework i ended up with an 85% for the year - which means a 1st class honors! :) So thats good news after a lot of hard work.

We signed the lease on Wednesday, so that was good too. On thursday we had a few pieces of bad news, and i managed to cut myself across the second knuckle on my right index finger - needing 3 stitches. So that wasn't so fun.

Otherwise not tooooo much on, just packing, trying to diagnose kates car problems, and a few other bits and pieces. Will be moving up to Rockdale in southern Sydney next thursday.

I've been busy... and lazy

2006-06-24T16:13:00.000+10:00

Hi - its been almost two months since i updated this page! I was sure i had written something since i submitted my honors thesis, but apparently not.

So the news. I submitted my thesis - it feels like a lifetime ago now - and i will finally get my results in about 5 days time. I have been searching for jobs, and i have an interview this monday in sydney with a graduate recruitment firm. I am also pursuing a couple of other very interesting positions.

Other big news is that we have secured a great apartment in southern Sydney, which we will move into in early July. It will be Kate, Sandrine (a french french) and I - it's in Rockdale, and really conveniently located near the station and shopping centre. I went home during the week to organise some things for the move - it was great to see the family too, as they recently returned from Europe.

Last night I had a a college dinner out at Caveau (a french eatery in Wollongong) - which was the farewell dinner for myself and two other tutors who finish up this session. It was really nice - i will post pictures on the food blog soon.

Other news... nothing earth shattering - i better get back to preparing for my interview and writing applications.

Off the road

2006-04-28T23:52:00.000+10:00

Well, i haven't been "on the road" in a painfully long time. Actually, it is only 4 and a bit months since europe, but it feels like a lifetime. I spent those last months writing my thesis like a fiend... a few weeks ago someone asked me about my trip, and i really had a mental blank on 2 of the countries i visited!

Anyway, poor me - I know.

My thesis submission date is rapidly approaching, 3rd May... only 5 days now. After that i am going to Melbourne for 3.5 days - as i have never been and I feel i have earnt it. I got cheap transport ($60 train and $80 flight) there and back, and $22 a night hostel accomodation lined up. I don't plan much except catching a comedy show or two, wandering the city and taking lots of pictures (finally spending some time learning more on my DSLR camera). So yay, thesis almost done, and back on the road ASAP!

Laptop Crash.

2006-04-06T16:19:00.000+10:00

Monday night. 7pm

I came back to my room to find my computer switched off. I tried to switch it back on, no good - figured i had forgotten to plug in power and the battery was dead. Checked all the plugs, still nothing... must be the outlet or the adapter... nothing. Checked another persons transformer and plug... NOTHING. - Cue mad panic and nausea.

Tuesday 9am.
Take the computer to my trusted computer store, pay $50 checking fee and leave it with them.

Tuesday 3pm.
They confirm that the hard drive is dead, not sure yet if data is recoverable, or what else is damaged - will confirm the next morning. Quote a fee of between $20-50 for data recovery if the drive is responsive at all.

Wednesday 10am.

They have not checked any more. I ask if they will write a letter for my insurance company and the run around begins - being told one thing from the boss, then another by the shift manager...

Wednesday 2pm.
Now realising i am desperate to recover some data from my thesis, suddenly the data recovery fee jumps to $130! (to cover labour costs!) And they agree to write a letter to insurance company, but that letter will cost an extra $100! I tell them no thanks, and will pick up the unit at 5.30. Still waiting to hear what else is damaged - whether it will need replacing or just repairs.

Wednesday 5.30pm
At the store they guy double checks if i wanted the data recovered, i say no (got the feeling they had already done it and just playing hardball on the fee after seeing my desperation). They tell me the Motherboard is dead, but lo and behold - the hard drive is fine after all! They would have taken my $130 for doing nothing! (and presumably let me think that it was damaged and irrepairable when it wasnt!) I felt like getting violent - left instead.

Wednesday 7pm.
Took it to another store to double check the computer (didn't trust original diagnosis anymore). They confirmed the motherboard was dead and the cause - promptly wrote up the needed paper work. They showed me how difficult the data recovery was - we put it in an external case (1 minutes work and $25 hardware) and plugged it in - and everything is there, nothing is lost! And the replacement machine has been ordered....

So finally, despite wasting time and money (and stressing out of my brain), the outcome is no where as grim as i had anticipated. If only i had seen the other company firs, and avoided all the haddle and bullshit of the first one.

Now i just need to catch up on 2 and a half days of work. I cant tell you how stressed i was about it all - i couldn't even sleep thinking of the bits and pieces i may loose... oh well. Luckily i had the chapters of my thesis all backed up. Less than a month to thesis submission!!

Melbourne....?

2006-03-19T14:48:00.000+11:00

Hi - well i have been writing my thesis for over 6 weeks now, the same (ish) to go... so not a lot of travelling in the immediate future. That said i am planning to visit melboune the weekend after i submit the thesis, as i have never been! So, if you have tips of hostels, places to visit, or notice any cheap flights from Sydney to Melbourne, please let me know!

Sorry for being slack!

2006-02-27T14:30:00.000+11:00

hi, sorry i haven't updated much lately... actually i really should be posting this on my main website, but its harder to update... I have just been writing my thesis full time for the last few weeks, and not doing much else - well a few things. I will try to update here and my website this week - i will find time!

In the meantime, i think the next little spot of travel will be to Melbourne. I plan to go around the 6th May if i can find a good deal. I have never been there, and will have submitted my thesis by then (fingers crossed!).

MG

Tutor Training photos

2006-02-03T22:43:00.000+11:00

Some mixed pics from out training in jamberoo. If you guys want the rest, please let me know.

tutor training

2006-02-03T22:37:00.000+11:00

2006-01-18T16:38:00.000+11:00

Dinner at a cool restaraunt called Red Ant. With Vicky, Cara, Koon, Kate, Karina and I.
Vicky and Kate at Repulse Bay (nice name huh?)
The sandcastle at sydney airport.
This is Kiki, a pretty cat at Stanely markets, and she happens to be sitting on the painting i bought and brought home!

Karina navigating the Stanely markets.
and an ugly building! So thats it! Lots of pictures finally shared; now i just have to update the food blog!

more from Hong Kong.

2006-01-18T16:31:00.000+11:00

picking out a lobster at Sai Kung where i was staying. We had a great dinner with the O'Carol family to thank them for welcoming me - great evening.
Here is Mrs O'Carrol, Karina, Kate and I.
The lobster i ended up choosing for dinner!
Here is the tail section made up with noodles (they made the head and legs into a delicious congee!)
This was a seafood soup served in a teapot i had earlier in the week.
Me and Domo Bonding.

Finally pictures from HK.

2006-01-18T16:03:00.000+11:00

At the tram that takes you to the peak of the mountain in Hong Kong.
This is Domo, the pet of Janice and Chan.
This is Kate, Janice, Cathy, Bowie and the very enthusiastic Chan in the background.
some prett lady (i love this shot)
The HK harbour skyline. That really tall building (88 stories and hong kongs tallest) is the one Kates brother tommy works in.
More friends! This is Rita, Kate, Me, Yo and Monie
This is Kates apartment block.
The fancy 10 piece sampler seafood entre kate and i had one evening.

Last European pics

2006-01-17T12:21:00.000+11:00

Here are the last pics i will post from Europe, but i will post the Hong Kong ones soon...
Chris and his parents, a pretty group!
in the main courtyard at Versailles

At new years

in costume for a morrocan dinner, the capels get down!

and more

2006-01-17T12:07:00.000+11:00

I overtook this Maserati in the Twingo!

More from the museum in Monaco

Above is the underside of a starfish!

more pics

2006-01-17T12:00:00.000+11:00

from the japanese gardens in Monaco made for Princess Grace.
Angry fish... at the Oceanographic museum in Monaco. It was a GREAT museum.
The Twingo we were driving, its tiny!
A hairpin in the Monaco F1 circuit.
The Xmas bunch; with grandma, sister and husband and uncle.. great bunch.
Which car to take today... the Lamboghini or the porsche..?

more pics

2006-01-17T11:52:00.000+11:00

What is that??
The group in front of the local manor.
an art piece for the benedictine nuns... loads of benedictine bottles.
a video installation transformed to performance art... with Dick playing finger puppets!
big pot and spoon outside the olde hansa in Tallinn.
From the same lookout in Tallinn as in the last post.

Lots of pictures

2006-01-17T11:14:00.000+11:00

So here is a selection of photos from my trip. They aren't in order, but i will try to give some details about them.

Above is a photo from the look-out from old town in Tallinn, Estonia.

Also in Old town, here is Olde Hansa, the restaruant i ate at a couple of times.
Above is a modern art installation at the Tate Modern gallery in London. It was lots of plastic boxes.

A look out from the mountain in Budapest.
Gorbatschow Vodka, it was 60% and cheap... i thought it may have been a reference to the Russian leader who liked a drink, but its actually a 100 year old brand... anyway, it did the job.
Here is sonny and Chris with the beautiful and ever so nice waitress in Prague.
This painting is from the national gallery in Budapest - i think this one was called apprentices yawn.
Above and below are from the Film museum in Berlin, above is from Metropolis, and below from Lola Rentt (Run lola Run).
more to come...

I've been slack!

2006-01-16T22:51:00.000+11:00

Sorry, i've been back for a few days now and i still haven't updated the blog. I will do it properly tomorrow barring any unforeseens. I have lots of great photos to share too. matt

Shopping Overdrive

2006-01-11T13:05:00.000+11:00

wow, it has been a big week! The shopping is too good here, i cant control myself!! Yesterday i got a new pair of jeans, which i had the waist and legs adjusted, for the grand total of HK$168 (AU$29) all inclusive! And they altered them in 10 minutes whilst i waited! haha, that would never happen in australia.

Last night out to a great dinner with Karina and her parents to thank them for their warm hospitality, was really nice. Will post more details and pictures when i return to australia (which is only a couple of days away now!)

Hong Kong

2006-01-06T02:43:00.000+11:00

Hi all, safely in Hong Kong now. The trip was fine, and the family of my friend Karina with whom i am staying are all extremely friendly and welcoming. TOday karina and i went into the local village, then into on of the shopping districts. I bought a digital SLR camera (olympus E500) and a new suit! Both were total bargains!

Tomorrow i will finally meet Katie's parents, and start seeing the sights.

Having a ball! (stay tuned for pictures update)

mg.

in London

2006-01-04T03:50:00.000+11:00

Ok, so the trip back to london was reallz smooth, no dramas and we made the connections well. I now have about 4 hours until my flight to Hong Kong leaves. France was great fun, i think we all really enjoyed it. At times the four of us clashed heads, i think that we had 3 leaders in the group (or rather 3 who are not good followers!), but it was a great trip nonetheless. I will try to post lots of pictures from France soon.

For new zears we went to a house party with the friends of Christophe; it was really really fun, even though everyone else seemed to know each other well and we were strangers, it was not an issue. We got home around 4am, and slept til after 3pm! We didnt actually see sun light on the 1st of Januarty, as we left the house after 5pm. That night we just relaexed at the Capel home, and had an earlz night. On the second we went out to Crepes for lunch, then to Chantilly - but unfortunately we arrived as it closed... :( oh well, still a fun day; especially because on the drive home i bought some horse meat from the supermarket (finally found some!!) So despite going out for a buffet meal that night, i cooked the roast in the evening, and had it for supper, breakfast and on sandwiches on the train. I am really happy as that was the one food i really wanted to have there.

Anyway, better go pack properly for the trip to HK. Check in again soon.

last minutes in france

2006-01-03T20:44:00.000+11:00

we are about to catch a train back to london, then i fly out to hong kong tonight. had a great time here, thanks to the fantastic Capel family!!!

I will post again from London or HK. Happy new year!

photo catch up in reverse order

2005-12-25T21:42:00.000+11:00

Merry Xmas!! These pics go from most recent to least. Above is the Xmas decoration Cat (christophes mother) insisted i wear!

This is Cat and i during that dinner

Me looking all Tarantino-ish with some replica pistols.
One of the many lovely sculptures in Chris grandmothers house

We were very happy to visit the louvre!
and notre damme
from the eifel tower
back at le louvre

remains of frogs legs entree! guess where
above and below are modern art exhibitions

at the arc
one of cats orchids
salmon dinner care of cat
we stole the pink panthers bed

walking the skinny streets of Boisemont.
these are from a dinner partywith friends of sarahs, John and Tracey
Guess ....

now that was cold....

Hi from Paris.

2005-12-25T05:55:00.000+11:00

Hi all, i have just arrived back from Paris on the train. Sadly, Kate Sarah and I are all feeling a bit crap with a cold/flu; sarah especially, poor thing was up all night last night coughing and ended up coming back to christophes parents house in the morning today to recover a bit before Xmas. (send her some good vibes!)

So thursday night we went into paris, walked the Champs Elysee, visited a fun park inside the grand theatre, and went for drinks. Friday we went to the Eiffel Tower, saw a movie on the history of paris, then went for a traditional French meal. Today we got out early and went out to the Louvre (amazing! we spent 3 or 4 hours but could have spent days there) then went to a japanese lunch ( i have been craving it for a month!) then to the Notre Damme, had a coffee on the Seine overlooking the church ( which cost 3 times more than usual coffee shops!) then walked home along the river. Tonight, another 3/4/5 course meal awaits!

Happy Xmas all. Take care.

France.

2005-12-22T08:05:00.000+11:00

We have arrived in France, christophe met us at the station and his father drove us to the family home. We just finished a fantastic meal, and i had an inhilation to clear up my sinuses (i am getting a cold :( poor me ). Now its ti,e for an early night!

will post again soon.

More pictures from London!

2005-12-19T06:21:00.000+11:00

Hi Guys, another nice day in London. Today we slept late after a really big night at an Xmas party in the city (one block from Harrods). So then we went into, Harrods! We also walked around Hyde park, then came back early, retreating from the bitter cold, and to prepare for our trip to Stonehenge tomorrow, and the dinner party Kate and I will prepare tomorrow night.

So here are some more random shots from our time in London. Below, Katie trying on a mask at Harrods,

And Sarah in a striking hat!
Me outside Hampton Court Palace.
Kate in front of the river Thames.
Kate and i at the Xmas party last night (it was open bar, so we were a bit messy!)
and, yes, those cliche'd red phone boxes!
More soon!

Oh, and incidenly, today was the 5 year anniversary of my bypass surgery! Five years ago now i was in intensive care, and at xmas time i was eating half a tablespoon of pureed turkey paste, still totally bedridden. Thankfully things have come a long way since then! But as then, i am still surrounded by friends and loved ones!

London with the girls.

2005-12-18T03:30:00.000+11:00

Hi all, am back in London now, with Sarah and Kate. I came back a day early from Tallinn to surprise Kate at the airport. I am happy to say the shopping drought broke in Tallinn, and i got a pair of shoes and a jacket, as well as some other little gifts.

Since we have been here... on Thursday Kate and I went to Hampton Court Palace, very nice. Friday we went in to see Big Ben and Westminster Abbey, then met sarah and saw the Tate Modern museum, went to see the big tree and carols in the city, then to oxford st for shopping. Today we went into Camden markets, and postponed Hyde park until a later day, as we all need to get ready for an Xmas party we are attending somewhere in the city tonight. So here are some random pics from the last few days for u.

Here is annemarie doing my hair!

Sarah and kate on Oxford st.
Kate and the queens swan at Hampton Court Palace.
This was a photo montage of the queen at the palace, kate and i decided to make our own...Class.. i know!

some pictures from Tallin-Tartu.

2005-12-15T18:42:00.000+11:00

This first one is a statue on the streets of Tartu... kind of freaky at first.

This is me at a lookout at the top of old town in Tallinn. The river through the centre of Tartu, which was frozen over except for a few strips... cold.
I have lots more pictures ready to post, but that will do for now.