ANZAC Day

ANZAC Day is a national day of remembrance in Australia.  It is a day that commemorates all Australians and New Zealanders who served in wars.  It is a public holiday and is observed on the 25^th of April each year.  After almost living in Sydney for three years this was my first ANZAC Day in Australia.  I was in New Zealand last year and Bali the year before.  I was glad to finally be here and experience it.  It was quite the experience!

The day starts with commemorative dawn services.  Following the services and parades through the city, many of the pubs host “Two-up”.  Two-up is a traditional gambling game.  Two coins are tossed into the air at the same time and you bet if the coins are going to land on heads or tails.  Two-up is only legally allowed to be played on ANZAC day.  The guy that organises the coin tossing reminded me very much of George Washington!

This year I went to the Australian with the girls and they taught me how to play Two-up.  The Australian holds one of the largest outdoor venues for Two-up.  I started out small - betting ten dollars on heads (holding the ten dollar note on my forehead).  I found someone who was also betting ten dollars but on tails.  I held the notes while the coins were tossed.  And lucky for me, the coins landed on heads, so I got to keep my ten plus the other person’s ten!  I decided to quit while I was a head and just enjoy the day and watch money being passed from person to person.  

 

Overall it was an extremely fun day.  We started the day off in the bright warm sunshine and ended it feeling freezing cold and wet from a random hail/rain storm.  There was dancing in the street, good conversation, bagpipes, and smiles with some of my best friends who I not only get to spend time with on the weekends but I get to go to work with them everyday and couldn’t imagine better coworkers and friends!

Summer 2014/2015

 

This summer was by far one of the best summers down under - so much fun with great people!

Summer started off with a production of the Nutcracker – it’s only natural you watch a traditional Christmasy ballet on the first balmy day of summer.  The first weekend of summer was American expat Thanksgiving at Balmoral Beach.  As always the food was amazing and brings you closer together as an expat family.  Instead of cricket on the beach it ends with a little traditional American football on the sand. 

Our work Christmas party this year was absolutely amazing.  The venue, food, band and company were amazing and made for a very fun night.  It’s going to be hard for the firm to top this years’ location of the Museum of Contemporary Art.  A beautiful summer evening looking out at the Harbour Bridge and Opera House.  When the band started playing it was like being at a wedding – such a fun night of dancing with everyone wearing their “pop of colour”! 

Speaking of dancing there was even some salsa dancing at the Establishment  to add to the summer of fun.  

The weather this December was perfect which meant many a days were spent in Manly.  From beach volleyball games to just lounging on the beach it was relaxing and fun.  I even spent a few hours on the beach in Manly before my flight home to the frigid northern hemisphere for Christmas – taking in those last few hours of sun and warmth.

Christmas vacation in New Jersey was jam packed with fun, despite the fact it was now winter.  Catching up with ex-expats in NYC was simply fantastic.  Connecting with friends who know what it’s like to have two homes is special – there is always that special and unique bond that draws you together.  I also squeezed in as many visits I could with Jersey friends including a little Zumba which I miss dearly.  We also had a mini family vacation in NYC for the weekend to see  a Nets game and the Rocketts!  This was the longest time I was home and got to do so much – was very thankful for that.  But like every vacation it has to come to an end and after the two week mandatory shut down at work I was back in Sydney and at work.

 

The first big event in January was Sydney Festival so I went to Symphony in the Domain.  It was an evening of the orchestra playing classical symphonies under the stars – what a beautiful evening.  

Australia Day long weekend could only mean one thing – time for the tennis.  Continuing with tradition we went down to Melbourne to watch hours and hours of tennis.  We splurged on tickets to Rod Laver for both the day and night sessions on Saturday and Sunday and it was amazing.  We saw some great matches  - edge of the seat matches – a really great atmosphere and weekend.  From Williams to Sharapova to Murray to Djocovic, and Nadal we saw some great names.  

The last month of summer started with a day trip to the Hunter Valley.  Visions of Vienna also came to Sydney in February which was an evening of the orchestra with visions of Vienna screened on the sails of the Opera House.  Chinese New Year is big in February and there were some great exhibits around the city to celebrate it.  

There were also quite a few nights out and beach days with the girls from work who I've grown incredibly close to over the past year and am very thankful for that and the friendship we have created.  Going to work everyday is easy when you are working with some of your best friends - makes for a great atmosphere.  

We also cultured ourselves with a little Shakespeare play under the stars on Balmoral Beach to round out a fun and memorable summer.

This summer was a stand out summer - only 8 months to go until it's back but until then fall is shaping up to be pretty amazing so far!