.:Another week:.

Hey, hey, hey heard that you got the first snow just now in Helsinki. So now it start, countdown to Christmas. I am counting the days here as well. Today exactly 47 days when my lovely family arrives to Sydney. Really can’t wait!

Last Wednesday was a nice stimulation for my ordinary week, because Julia got some freebies for a premier night of a Norwegian play in Sydney Opera house. For us it was really exciting because neither of us have been inside the building so far. The play “Hospital” was based on the 2nd world war in a hospital, which had no patients, only 3 crazy nurses who spoke some sort of nonsense Icelandic (so no English the whole play, except few sentences). The theme dealt with violence, drug usage and sexual desires and cravings and was partly dancing and partly acting. Overall the play was humorous, but in some points I had to wonder how twisted the director's mind has to be… in nutshell the tree nurses were keeping themselves active by hurting each other or them selves with block of wood, humiliating each other, swigging pills, sexually amusing them selves etc… so it was pretty different from the other plays I have seen so far, but still I found it amusing and rating it 3½ out of 5! After the play we were invited to have a drink and some sushi as it was premier night, but we left home quite early.

The rest of the week went smoothly in the office with Anders and Tracey (the intern who we fired this week). Even though we gave her a second change she didn’t show any sort of reliability or initiative, so after Satu returned from Tokyo we decided to let her go.

This weekend I took really easy compared to last one. On Friday I just stayed at home watching TV with Jules. On Saturday I woke up early and went for a jog, and walk to the city visiting few markets on my way there. I met up with Minka and her boyfriend Tomi and e went to Hyde Park to a food and wine festival. The area was packed with people and little tents (representing all the best restaurants and wine bars in Sydney). All the profit went to charity for AIDS patients. I had a trouble to choose what sort of food I wanted to have, but finally made my mind and ate some fried tofu hassle, which is btw one of my new favourites. Tomi had to work later that day so me and Minka made a little tour in the city and later went to her place to have some barbie and watch a movie “dirty love” <-which was absolutely the worst movie I’ve seen for a long time! Oh, one thing… here people sell puppies and kittens in pet shop and it is such a torture to leave the shop without one… seriously I want to have a puppy! When I return to Finland I will have one (dad I know you agree with me, right?). Sunday I met up with Marko who finally returned from Cairns. I haven’t seen him since our trip together, because he decided to stay in Queensland for a while. He was working few weeks in banana bar and told seen some REAL Aussie country life :) The weather was too cold for beach so we decided to visit the Sydney fish markets and take some lunch and spend the day in one park next to the harbour. The day was not too bad to be Sunday. We had some nice greasy seafood and few bottles of champagne… at 7pm we met up with Chris (who I also haven’t seen for way too many weeks) and finally our super trio was complete again. We ended up going around few bars in Rocks. See a video from that night below (yessssss, I LOVE youtube!!!!) From now on I try to record more videos, because I have got comments from some people that I write too much. You lazy people! But I have to admit that videos are fun :) Cha Cha… new story again next week!

News Down Under

June, July, August, September, October… Four months in total have I been away from you guys. Somehow it feels like ages, but on the other hand days, weeks and months fly so quickly.

Today I woke up as usual 7.40am when my alarm went on; Every step I take, every move I make, every single day, every time I pray ill be missing you… I felt tired, which is probably consequences from the weekend, yes again 2 nights in a row –hard core partying, bad bad! I switched the TV on just in case if I would fall asleep again and kept my eyes closed for 5 more minutes. Funny how much difference can 5 minutes make, but at 7.45am I was ready to stand out from the blankets and get some breakfast. This morning the weather was beautiful, sunny and warm (not like the 5 past days). I took my “breaky” outside to our terrace and sat down for few minutes. From my place the views are sensational. From our garden you can see the whole city with its skyscrapers on the horizon and watching down to the hill you can catch the ferries picking up people to work. I made a bit more effort while choosing my clothes today than usual, because I knew that my boss would leave later tonight to Tokyo for a week and I would be in charge the coming days.

I walk to work every day, which takes around 15 minutes. It is still spring in Sydney and even though the changes between seasons are nothing compared the Nordic countries, I love the blooming trees. My favourite is magnolia (in the picture; jacaranda tree on my daily route to work, which is also really beatiful). This morning I was the first one in. My boss, Satu goes for a run every morning (still don’t understand how she can do it) so she comes in usually after 9am. The first half of my day I was busy with preparing several presentations for Satu for the Tokyo seminar. We had also one girl coming in for an interview for an internship, but she wasn’t really what we were looking for and I think she felt the same way. At noon I have my lunch break and head myself to the gym. An hour lunch break is perfect to spend in spinning class and it gives me more energy for the rest of the day, plus I don’t have to drag myself there again after work! The second half of the day I spent with Satu, by listing the things I need to take care of when she is gone. I am a bit affright hence I have so much responsibility, but on the other hand I feel great because she really trust me and my abilities :)

During that day I also had to make decision whether to give a second chance to our other Aussie intern, who started in our office a week ago, announced to be sick the next day and ever since and the weirdest thing was that on Monday, so yesterday she didn’t show up and contacted us at 1pm!!!! via e-mail stating that she is still very sick, pla pla pla… 1pm!!!So my boss send her an e-mail saying nicely that maybe it's better if we would find another intern etc. But since the other girl we interviewed was even worse, I decided to give her ONE MORE change. But if she doesn’t show up tomorrow, my mother Teresa carrier is history!

So now I just got home, had a chat with my Aussie mum like every night :) Soon Im going to have a shower, cook some dinner and watch TV with her. And maybe later on skype with some of you guys there far away! I really miss you all, and few days ago I felt the worst ever. Even thought everything goes smoothly and nicely here and the other day I am having the best time of my life, the other moment can be so different, sad and harrowing. Today is a good day. Hopefully tomorrow as well :) Love you all very much!

Randwick Race

Horse racing is the second biggest and popular sport in Australia, so it was only natural raise our awareness and find out more about the sport. Randwick race is the biggest jockey event after Melbourne cup, which is held in November and ideally located only 20 minutes from the city centre. I was being given before hand information that be prepared to have a big day out, dress up nicely and wear a hat or feathers…

Saturday morning I felt a bit awkward as I walked all dressed up with my highest high heels to the buss stop. I met up with Julia at 11am and we took the buss to Milson’s Point where we were supposed to meet Piers (one Aussie guy) and take a taxi together from there to the races. It was relieving to notice that quite many people were wearing their best and looking all fancy when on their way to the races.

Piers has the nicest apartment I’ve been so far and the best views to Sydney opera house and the Harbour Bridge. Great spot to take some pictures ;)

We had some problems to get a taxi and finally after walking way too far, too long, taking the train to the city and eventually getting a taxi, we arrived to Randwick 2 hours later. Yep, we weren’t the only people going there. I couldn’t stop staring all the people I saw around me, I was speechless. Seeing thousands of people all dressed up, guys looking hot in their suits and girls prettier from another. Champagne, hats, feathers, curls… and f*ck that girl is wearing the same dress as I am, and another one…shit, more champagne!

We met up with two other girls, friends of Piers, but most of the time me and Julia were wandering around, betting some of our own money and a bit more other guys money (didn’t win anything tho). The day was fun but tiring and after spending 13 hours walking around with 7cm heels I collapsed to my bed and slept like a baby… zzzzz

!!!Spring Break!!!

This is it… my first real holiday in Australia. 5 days pure relaxing and getting my mind out from work and daily routines. Our holiday kicked off on 29/10 on Thursday 2pm as I closed the door of my office. The weather was nice and I couldn’t stop smiling as I rushed towards the North Sydney station dragging my red luggage behind me, which I already had trouble to close as I was packing. I met up with Julia in Central station where we took the train to the domestic airport to meet up with Chris and Marko. Our destination was going to be Port Douglas which is 3 hour flight from Sydney and 45mins drive to north from Cairns. As we arrived to Cairns we had a brand new limousine waiting for us in front of the airport and 45mins went quite smoothly while drinking champagne. The resort we were staying was called Port Sea, and we were lucky to stay there for free because Chris’ brother is the GM for the place (good to have contacts). The first night we decided to go out, because Damien (Chris’ bro) was unfortunately leaving to Sydney the next day for a wedding and would stay there the whole time we were exploring his neighbourhood. Port Douglas is a relatively small place and really popular holiday spot among couples and families. Not really an ideal place for singles… but Thursday night was pretty good and we got back to the resort early morning I guess :)

The next day we woke up early (working routine) and I and Julia dragged our selves to the pool. Friday went by just relaxing and resting after the big night out. Later that afternoon we went to check out the beach with the guys and ended up walking the whole beach all the way, which was 7 kilometres long and took us 3 hours. My feed are still giving me a hard time and not even mentioning my inner tights (I shouldn’t have climbed to that coconut tree just wearing bikinis)! The next day we decided to be more active and hire a car. 8.30 in the morning we got our vehicle and started our road trip. Our first stop was in Mossman when we took our first steps in rainforest. We made a quick walk, but got a bit disappointed when we didn’t bump into any exotic animals. Our next stop was higher up to north to Daintree village. We booked ourselves to crocodile cruise to glance some real river beasts. Finally after 30mins we saw one croc behind the bushes. More over we saw heaps of bats and special birds and by the end of the cruise we have seen a total of 3 crocs. Our guide told us that there has been only one accident where a woman was eaten by a crocodile in 1989. She was apparently drunk and dancing pretty wild on the deck and fell on the water… end of story.

From croc watching we decided to drive all the way to Cairns, which is the biggest city in that area, popular amongst pack packers and livelier than Port Douglas. Me and Julia spend the rest of the day efficiently shopping while the guys were watching the game in the pub. Unfortunately Sydney Swans didn’t reach the gold medal :( I was surprised to find a tourist shop that sells Marimekko’s Unikko –bags (terribly over priced). On our way back home we had a bit drama in the air while the guys wanted to stay in Cairns that night, but me and J wanted to get changed and ready for a party in local bar, but after a little emotional burst we decided to head home. Although that night didn’t really go as we planned and after few drinks we headed back home and went to bed. zzzzzzzz

The next morning (Sunday) we participated on horseback riding tour. A mini bus was picking us up at 7.50am. So I guess it was good not to get wild the night before. The horse riding was a blast, even though I probably had the laziest horse in the region, Nugget. Anyway it was a great experience to ride on the beach while breathing the fresh sea air. Julia had the cutest horse 4ever and she was a total pro, even it was her first time on the back of a horse, a natural talent I guess. Later that day we went to do some shopping with Chris, because me and Julia promised to cook that night. It was Marko’s b-day that day and we decided to celebrate it just amongst the 4 of us. We also made some yummy punch with lots of fruits, which Chris “borrowed” from the resorts breakfast storages :) After the dinner we were so full and went for a moonlight walk on the beach. Did good for all of us and after we continued with desert… what else than mud cake and some more punch ;)

Monday was without a doubt the highlight of the holiday, cruise to The Great Barrier Reef. Unfortunately Marko was feeling sick that morning so he couldn’t join us… wonder whether the reason was the punch or?? At 9 our boat, Calypso departed from the harbour and even after sea sickness pills after 35mins I was feeling dizzy and my face turning green. Luckily I survived after a while and could start to focus on my coming challenge, diving. As it was my first time, I was happy to discover that there was only one person diving with me and Chris besides our instructor. The rest of the people on the boat were happy to observe the colourful sea life with snorkels. My first experience of diving was sensational. As I threw myself in to the blue and took my first breath with oxygen respirator I felt like the time had stopped around me. All the corals and the colourful fishes were mind blowing. It was strange to swim around with all the bizarre sea creatures which didn’t seem to mind my present. There was also a shark, but unfortunately I missed it. Guess I was too focussed on other sea life around me, but our photographer took a shot of it. The day was amazing with all the snorkelling and diving, but after returning back to our resort I was exhausted. 45min power nap helped a bit so we could all go to have a nice last dinner in the city together. Luckily Marko was feeling better now so our team was complete again! The whole week we had been checking out one Chinese restaurant, which happen to be really popular also amongst some real stars, such as Bill Clinton and the lead actor from 24h. And, yes the food was heavenly and we were happy. What a great last supper!

Tuesday went by doing our last shopping with Julia us went to ge and later all oft some tan on the beach. It was horrible to realise that our holiday was almost over. 5 days in paradise and the returning to reality was getting closer minute by minute. As we arrived to the airport at 5pm it was time to say good bye to Marko who decided to stay for few more weeks in Cairns. Well it was about a time him to explore some other cities besides Sydney, since he had stayed there already 4 months. Still going to miss him tho. The flight back home went quickly reading “the Devil wears Prada” which I recommend to all the girls warmly. Yep, that’s all folks!