Whirlwind

With the constant movement and motions of my days, I always conclude with a lingering thought: how long have I been doing this? 4 months.

Wow. Another 2 more to go. Waiting on Japan & Hawaii now.

Photo of the day: Anton, our little Santa

He did a great job being a little Santa. Merry Christmas, everyone!

70's Disco & Noche Buena

I'm going to be honest: It does not feel like Christmas.

I think it has a lot to do with the weather we're experiencing (with me linking weathers to seasons innately), or the fact that we're traveling and have this unsettled mind set. Needless to say, the holidays were in full effect here in Australia! As much as I'm missing out at home right now, tending to my bar (since I'm the designated bartender) at a local Fortes residence where we normally host our family Christmas parties, spending time with cousins home from college, reconnecting with loved ones, watching movies the day after Christmas, spending the gift exchange at William's house with all our friends and all the delicious food, I don't regret it too much because know there will be many to come. =)

We spent the holidays with my family and their community of friends, jumping from one party to another. The first was themed a 70's disco party and we sure kept the theme! It was comedic to see so many people dressed up. What a fun idea during the holidays to set a theme, instead of wearing red, green and white.

Our dresses we bought the day of from Vinnies, a local thrift shop.
Each of our dresses were 6 bucks.

Anton

My cousin, Anna and her husband, Christian

I'm always fascinated at how comfortable I feel at any Filipino party. Everyone is genuinely welcoming and always has those key characteristics you can easily assign to one of your own family members within an instant. It's actually been quite some time since we've heard the accent so it was definitely refreshing both in the cultural and comedic sense. Hehe.

Lara and I ate about 20 lbs of food and stared in awe at this colossal piece of meat on a stick (you'll see it in the pictures below). Apparently, in Australia this is the thing here during large parties like this and in the states we have lechon. Something new for us, I suppose.

Here are some pictures from the partaaay:

This guy was the life of the party! He's one of those people we question whether he has children or not since he was such a character at the 70's disco party (i.e. random bursts of body rolling, thunderous laughter and yelling out of jokes), answer: he does.

Adult musical chairs

The adults also had a gift exchange where some gifts were more suggestive than others.
This is my cousin's little gift and my cousin's husband got a pleather whip, no photo taken.

My family in Australia

Our next stop was at another friend's house, they call this the Noche Buena dinner since it is held annually at midnight. More food, more Filipinos and more drinking. Mmmmhmmm.

These crowns were from our holiday poppers

This is what I'm talking about... that meat on a stick.

Our meat on a stick cook, Brian

Although I didn't feel the holiday spirit this year, it was still an awesome experience to be abroad (and in the heat). Hope you all had a very Merry Christmas!!

Photo of the day: Happy Holidays

Here's a little something from Lara and I, a home made post card from the islands of Thailand. Merry Christmas from us both! Wish we could spend the holidays with you all back home. Love and miss you all. =)

Finding a home in Sydney

It's only been 3 days, total that I've been in Sydney and it already feels like home. I'm currently staying with my cousin, Anna and her family who live in Burwood, 20 minutes outside of the city center. They have been so hospitable and welcoming, just like the first time I came to visit. It's nice to finally sit down for dinner together, watch movies and enjoy the holidays together. I like that I can feel the holiday spirit just by being with loved ones-- but I have to admit, it definitely disorients me that it's like 85 degrees and holiday decorations are up.

Lara and I haven't really explored the city just yet, however we have taken a few trips down the street to the shopping area to do a bit of Christmas shopping for everyone. I find it surprising that even though I was shopping, I didn't feel the stress that I normally do while at home around this time. Everyone around me seemed pretty relaxed, despite the holiday crunch time. Holidays overseas, what an interesting experience.

Last night, my family invited Lara and I out to a Sydney FC soccer game. My cousin's husband, Christian prefaced that this should properly be called football in the US since 90% of the sport actually is played using feet. I have to agree, haha. It was great to experience a sporting event and feel the energy from the crowds.

This is the Cove area. My cousin, Anna tells me they pay a special membership fee to be a part of this fan base where they are sent a booklet of cheers to sing throughout the game. When I mean cheers throughout the game, I mean literally the entire game. Hm, must be that alcohol.

Today is Christmas Eve and we're off to a holiday 70's disco party with some of my cousin's group of friends. I'm really excited! Lara and I bought some far out dresses awhile ago from a thrift store down the street. Tonight's going to be fun. =) Will share pictures soon, but for now happy holidays to everyone back home. I miss you all.

Photo of the day: Anton

Meet my nephew, Anton. He's got an Australian accent, a pro at Wii sports, lover and reciter of the movie, Madagascar, favorite food is pork adobo, got all his Christmas present wish-list items circled in newspaper advertisements, part-time Mika & Black-Eyed Peas singer and all around cool kid. Lara and I share a room with this little munchkin and he's been a lot of fun since we've arrived. P.S. we also found out who his crush is per class photo. Haha, it's good to see you again, little one.

Photo of the day: Federation Square & Flinders Station

A panoramic I took of Federation Square and Flinders Station, Melbourne.