Blogs from Balmain, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia, Oceania - page 2

Finally, after just over 2 years of being in Sydney, one of my friends took the plunge and came to visit me (I know Summer came over in Oct 2007, but 2.5 days really wasn't long enough!). Angela arrived on the Friday before Christmas, just as the weather was getting better.....although I was working until Christmas eve, she managed to entertain herself - shopping, sleeping, a bit of sightseeing and more shopping (NB: a bag worth 100 beers!!). Saturday whilst she was still sleeping I nipped out and bought the Christmas alcohol. The day was quiet, and that night we were out til 2:30am at the Monkey in Balmain, for the Northstar Martial Arts Party - and what a night that was! Fortunately, I didn't suffer on the Sunday, but still skipped Stan's session and instead ... read more

Well I have 9 days to go before my big trip and it still has not sunk in that I am going! This is my first blog so still trying to work my way around the system. I leave on November 18th for 6 months. I will spend 3.5 months in South America on my own. From there I fly to Madrid to stay with an old friend and his family, Barcelona to meet my cousin, Switzerland to stay with my friend Sara who lives in Verbier, Sweden to visit another friend, UK (to see my family), Nepal, Hong Kong and then Perth. I have my leaving drinks next weekend and before I know it I will be on the Plane on Tuesday to Chile. Not so sure of my route yet in South America. The ... read more

Hi everyone - just a very quick update for yous! So I have found a great house to stay in and in a few days time I move from 7 Evans Street to 67 Evans Street! It couldn't be more handy and I'm delighted as I love this area but didn't think I could afford a place here....maybe I can't but I'm moving in anyway!!! Its a lovely 4 bed house with garden And BBQ which I am so looking forward to throwing a shrimp on and the people are all lovely. Interesting types like a musician and film producers assistant!! I also now have 2 jobs! I am working in the Orange Peel Cafe, also of Evans Street Balmain, on Sat and Sundays during the day. Its so nice. Today I had banana and mascerpone ... read more

And so the trip is almost upon us....and we are almost packed. Don't ask me how but it has taken what seems like weeks for me to pack. Tom spends 10mins today and he has a perfectly packed ruck-sack...not fair. Anyways we're off tomorrow where our first stop will be London but only to catch a connecting flight to Istanbul. From there we will spend over a week touring the country seeing places such as Troy, Gallipoli, Ephesus. We then head back to London where we'll spend 10 days driving around the English country-side. Following that its Ireland for the sister's wedding and then we head off to France and Spain. Tom heads back to Sydney in mid Aug and I will move on into South America in Sept. So that's all for now...will be emailing ... read more

For those who can read Chinese here is a story which will touch your heart: http://sichuan.scol.com.cn/sckj/20080516/200851693235.htm Here is a quick English translation: “On 12 May, a high school English teacher named Mr. Wu sacrificed his life to save his student. After guiding his class safely to the playground from the fourth floor, Mr. Wu went back into the building in search of his last student who was missing. Fate did not forgive him for such a heroic act, he was killed when the whole building collapsed. He left behind a sick wife and young children.” It hurts my heart to see that somebody like him with no selfishness sacrificed his life to save other and his family has to suffer. Without social safety net or compensation, his family is doomed for financial hardship after losing their ... read more