This past weekend Australia dedicated a weekend of remembrance to its current and past war veterans. 40,000 people attended the 4am memorial service in Melbourne and thousands elsewhere attended services throughout Australia. They definitely take the time to appreciate the people that have and continue to provide them with their freedoms. I think I just realized now how often the memories of my grandfather's pop into my head. They were heroes in every sense of the word and I feel very blessed to have known and spent time with them!
Torquay?
Anzac Day also meant that this past Monday was a national Holiday (Anzac day was Sunday.) Mike and I made a trip over to Torquay and rented a cabin at a Holiday park right smack dap in the middle of the surf shopping center of town. Nice! No waves but we had one of the best weekends since hanging out in Australia and possibly the best weekends ever! All around stellar company and met some great people! We also spent the night in another little surf village called Ocean Grove which is on the list to crash next!
I received a package from home yesterday with Dunkin Doughnuts Coffee, Time magazines and dental floss. I could not have been more stoked! The simple things in life! Thanks mom and dad!
Adios!
Wednesday, April 28, 2010
Wednesday, April 21, 2010
The Usual Update
Does Kyser Soze really exist? I will leave that unanswered question in the hands of Kevin Spacey. This might have no relevance to my blog but I think it’s a stellar movie. Getting a job, moving into an actual bedroom and adjusting to the daily routine of work is what the usual update has become. Not really as exciting as Kyser Soze ubiquitous life but I have some plans in the near future to continue my journey through Australia and scope out the epic surf that has yet to grace my presence. The work load and sacrifice of stellar surf do serve as a means to an end. That end will be taking a month or so and trekking along Australia’s abundance of coast line! Statistics say that 82.5 % of the population lives near the coast. I guess it just makes sense on an oversized island in the Pacific.
Side note before continuing: This was written on Sunday night, posted and updated tonight. Included are some pictures of the latest work project we just finished! The marathon training is going well and put in 26 kilometers Monday night and tonight. We also have a 3 day holiday weekend coming up and taking a trip to Torquay for some surf and chilling out! I also included a view of the CBD from the balcony of our old apartment. I'll update soon.
On Friday night, Mike and I decided we needed to treat ourselves to a stellar dinner. Thanks to the recommendation from a former co worker of mine (who’s own menu is inspired by the owner) we made reservations at the famous French restaurant, Vue De Monde in the heart of Melbourne’s CBD (Center Business District, I get funny looks when I refer to it as “downtown”.) It is not your typical restaurant and is an experience all of its own! I perused the menu online briefly before heading out that evening and knew that it was not your traditional menu. Fourteen course nontraditional that is! It was amazing! Drank some killer wine and sampled foods that I could not pronounce nor understand the French waiter’s presentation. All in the entire atmosphere was professional but relaxed and people really were enjoying the experience and actually talking across tables. Good times had by all. My favorite dish was the smoked Tasmanian Trout and the deconstructed rhubarb cheesecake! I think we were sat at just after 7pm and walked out the front door just before 11pm. The Executive Chef was nice enough to give us a personal tour of his kitchen as well after the meal. I figured Padrino Soos would appreciate that! An after dinner cocktail was in the workings but the 5am alarm clock quickly put that to rest, literally.
In my next attempt at blogging I’m going to take a few snap shots of the equipment that we are fabricating at work. My co worker, Park, on the project is from South Korea and we spend the day sharing information about each other’s country. I’ve never seen a human being that can weld as quickly and accurately as him. It is an art form and one that he has perfected! I ordered him some auto parts for a car project he is undertaking. He has also traveled all over the world and has some great stories to tell which help make the day go by faster. I’m also looking into getting a deer hunting permit. Take a weekend and enjoy the outdoors and some different Aussie scenery.
The Shop floor
This is a bunch of 1/2 inch piping with aluminum that heats nitrogen and turns it back into gas form. Park and I built 3 of them from scratch.
That’s about it for now. Oh wait, did I mention my favorite sister and brother in law are expecting??? Uncle Saeth? I’m very stoked for the two of them and can’t wait to be an uncle!! I miss them very much and will be looking forward to LOT’S of emails with updates. Thanks in advance sister! Ha-ha. I’m thinking that Oggie (there dog) will have to take a back seat to being the center of their attention for a few months around September of this year.
Side note before continuing: This was written on Sunday night, posted and updated tonight. Included are some pictures of the latest work project we just finished! The marathon training is going well and put in 26 kilometers Monday night and tonight. We also have a 3 day holiday weekend coming up and taking a trip to Torquay for some surf and chilling out! I also included a view of the CBD from the balcony of our old apartment. I'll update soon.
On Friday night, Mike and I decided we needed to treat ourselves to a stellar dinner. Thanks to the recommendation from a former co worker of mine (who’s own menu is inspired by the owner) we made reservations at the famous French restaurant, Vue De Monde in the heart of Melbourne’s CBD (Center Business District, I get funny looks when I refer to it as “downtown”.) It is not your typical restaurant and is an experience all of its own! I perused the menu online briefly before heading out that evening and knew that it was not your traditional menu. Fourteen course nontraditional that is! It was amazing! Drank some killer wine and sampled foods that I could not pronounce nor understand the French waiter’s presentation. All in the entire atmosphere was professional but relaxed and people really were enjoying the experience and actually talking across tables. Good times had by all. My favorite dish was the smoked Tasmanian Trout and the deconstructed rhubarb cheesecake! I think we were sat at just after 7pm and walked out the front door just before 11pm. The Executive Chef was nice enough to give us a personal tour of his kitchen as well after the meal. I figured Padrino Soos would appreciate that! An after dinner cocktail was in the workings but the 5am alarm clock quickly put that to rest, literally.
In my next attempt at blogging I’m going to take a few snap shots of the equipment that we are fabricating at work. My co worker, Park, on the project is from South Korea and we spend the day sharing information about each other’s country. I’ve never seen a human being that can weld as quickly and accurately as him. It is an art form and one that he has perfected! I ordered him some auto parts for a car project he is undertaking. He has also traveled all over the world and has some great stories to tell which help make the day go by faster. I’m also looking into getting a deer hunting permit. Take a weekend and enjoy the outdoors and some different Aussie scenery.
The Shop floor
This is a bunch of 1/2 inch piping with aluminum that heats nitrogen and turns it back into gas form. Park and I built 3 of them from scratch.
That’s about it for now. Oh wait, did I mention my favorite sister and brother in law are expecting??? Uncle Saeth? I’m very stoked for the two of them and can’t wait to be an uncle!! I miss them very much and will be looking forward to LOT’S of emails with updates. Thanks in advance sister! Ha-ha. I’m thinking that Oggie (there dog) will have to take a back seat to being the center of their attention for a few months around September of this year.
Sunday, April 11, 2010
Work, Training, Travel, Moving, more Work!
It seems these days that work is the focus of life. That is fine. It's just an adjustment from living everyday to surf the stellar waves of So Cal’s beautiful coast! I do feel fortunate to have a job and it's creating opportunities that will be very beneficial when I get back to the states! I've actually adjusted well to waking up at 5am. Weird!
A lot has been going on since my last post and I have to apologize for not updating it with more exciting adventures. I could go into detail about work but I'll spare you the time and effort. :) Ha-ha
Easter Weekend: Trip to Surfer's Paradise, QLSD
It is the tourist trap of Australia. That is a good thing and bad thing. Mike and I have been fortunate to have local tour guides to take us around Melbourne and experience the city that tourist don't see. We stayed in the heart of the tourist area of Surfers. Please don't let the name fool you, it is surrounded by epic surf, just not actually in Surfers Paradise. Snapper Rocks is about 30 minutes south right but the airport. I got to see sets of 15 waves (yes, 15 actual waves at one time) rolling off the point as we took off back to Melbourne. That's okay. It was a virgin trip and now we know where to stay, play, and most importantly...surf!!! All in all it was a fun trip. Good food. Fun people. Plenty of rest and relaxation leading to reddish tinted skin.
Moving: This past weekend
Before I give you the 411 on the new apartment let me clear one thing up. Moving in Australia is a big pain. Only because the mix up with Foxtel (cable TV) lead to Saeth not watching the 2010 Masters Golf Tournament and witnessing Phil Mickelson tear the course up! I like that he takes the focus off of Tiger.
We spent the weekend moving into a 3 bedroom apartment 2 buildings down the street from our current location. Less noise, more space, better view and I actually will have a real big person bed tomorrow! It's a nice thought.
1/2 Marathon: Great Ocean Road 1/2 Marathon
Run Run Run! Mike and I are running the Great Ocean Road Marathon on May 15th. I've been running 5-10 kilometers 4-5 times a week throwing in some hill training, swimming and workouts in between. The next couple weeks we will be doubling the distance. Google the course incline sometime. I compare it to the PCH in Cali around Monterey. Lots of hills, plenty of wind and it's 1.5 miles longer than a regular 1/2 marathon. I guess if I can't surf I need something else to look forward to and that is staying in shape until I can surf again on a regular basis. :)
I will take some photos of the city and post them soon. (I know I say this at the end of most of my posts, but I really will try this time!)
That is all for now! I miss all of my family and friends in the states and look forward to catching up this winter....your summer!! Cheers!
A lot has been going on since my last post and I have to apologize for not updating it with more exciting adventures. I could go into detail about work but I'll spare you the time and effort. :) Ha-ha
Easter Weekend: Trip to Surfer's Paradise, QLSD
It is the tourist trap of Australia. That is a good thing and bad thing. Mike and I have been fortunate to have local tour guides to take us around Melbourne and experience the city that tourist don't see. We stayed in the heart of the tourist area of Surfers. Please don't let the name fool you, it is surrounded by epic surf, just not actually in Surfers Paradise. Snapper Rocks is about 30 minutes south right but the airport. I got to see sets of 15 waves (yes, 15 actual waves at one time) rolling off the point as we took off back to Melbourne. That's okay. It was a virgin trip and now we know where to stay, play, and most importantly...surf!!! All in all it was a fun trip. Good food. Fun people. Plenty of rest and relaxation leading to reddish tinted skin.
Moving: This past weekend
Before I give you the 411 on the new apartment let me clear one thing up. Moving in Australia is a big pain. Only because the mix up with Foxtel (cable TV) lead to Saeth not watching the 2010 Masters Golf Tournament and witnessing Phil Mickelson tear the course up! I like that he takes the focus off of Tiger.
We spent the weekend moving into a 3 bedroom apartment 2 buildings down the street from our current location. Less noise, more space, better view and I actually will have a real big person bed tomorrow! It's a nice thought.
1/2 Marathon: Great Ocean Road 1/2 Marathon
Run Run Run! Mike and I are running the Great Ocean Road Marathon on May 15th. I've been running 5-10 kilometers 4-5 times a week throwing in some hill training, swimming and workouts in between. The next couple weeks we will be doubling the distance. Google the course incline sometime. I compare it to the PCH in Cali around Monterey. Lots of hills, plenty of wind and it's 1.5 miles longer than a regular 1/2 marathon. I guess if I can't surf I need something else to look forward to and that is staying in shape until I can surf again on a regular basis. :)
I will take some photos of the city and post them soon. (I know I say this at the end of most of my posts, but I really will try this time!)
That is all for now! I miss all of my family and friends in the states and look forward to catching up this winter....your summer!! Cheers!
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