City to Surf

So I survived the Sydney, "City to Surf". It is a 14K fun run - a fun run with 64, 761 people this year to be exact!! As you can see in the photo to the right it was a packed event. Kieran and I had never done this event before so we were not sure what to sign up for. There were three groups - the serious runners, the semi-serious runners, and the rest of us. We signed up to be "Back of the Pack" which was good since neither of us trained very hard for this. We wound up walking most of it and finished in about 2 1/2 hours. The weather was awesome. We start in the middle of the city and walk to Bondi Beach. It was a gorgeous course with plenty of hills and views of the city and water. Once you got to the beach it was one big party! Very good day. If you are interested in seeing more about the event you can check out http://city2surf.sunherald.com.au/

Otherwise things are going well. The weather is getting much better which has improved everyone's moods. Teaching is fun and I have learned so much. We do not have a whole lot else planned before the wedding. Kieran will be very busy at work right up to the end of the season because Manly just keeps on winning. They have a good chance of winning the whole thing this year. I survived my detox and maybe even lost a pound or two - it is good to have meat and dairy again after two weeks without it though!! We made a field trip to IKEA the other weekend and got a bookcase and some decorations for around the place. We also got a futon so bring on the visitors!! Our apartment is becoming more and more of a home everyday. Well, that is all for now. Keep in touch and I will see everyone soon!

So I have been in Sydney now for about three months. Some days it feels like it has been longer and other times it seems like I just got here! Life has been pretty good lately. I started my new job with the company Sportspro (see my spiffy unform?) and so far it has been much less stress than the one with the Y. I'm still adjusting to things but I think it will be a good fit. I'm at three different schools throughout the week and so far it has been a good experience.

My weekends have gotten busier it seems like as I begin to meet more people. The highlight of the month so far has been the costume party Iwent to this weekend. Kieran and I were invited to go on a party cruise through Sydney Harbour. He had a work function to go to so I went with some of the girls he works with. We dressed up as construction workers. Costume parties are always a good time. We then docked the boat in the city and went to a place called, "The Retro". There are three levels and each level is a different decade theme. There were the 70's floor, 80's and the floor where they played more current and 90's stuff. Very fun place. I can't wait to explore the city more now that I have been getting out. We also have joined a softball team which starts soon so that should be good too.

Kieran and I played babysitter this past Sunday watching after his nephew (soon to be my nephew too!), Nicholas.HE is almost 2 years old and super cute! We took him to our apartment and had a picnic in the park by our place. Then we took him to the beach where he laughed so hard when he put his toes in the water! HE took a bit of a spill and got covered in water and sand (fully clothed by the way) but we had a great afternoon.

All that is really new otherwise is that I started a detox diet. I am not allowed meat, caffine, dairy, or chocolate and I take these pills to help "flush" my insides. Iam not doing it to loos weight but to feel better inside and out. I am on day 4 and I have not had meat yet, but I have cheated a bit in all of the other areas. I have been feeling better though...I give credit to anyone who has done a diet:)

Wedding plans are ticking along thanks to my mom and sister! They have been amazing! Kieran and I went and got our wedding bands the other day and will be working on our programs this weekend. Crazy to think I will be home in two months time!! Can't wait to see everyone. I really hope all of you are considering coming to visit us. We live in such a beautiful area and I really hope I get o share it with all of you. You all are welcome anytime!! Can't wait ot hear from you all!!!

Ticking Along...

So not a whole lot is new and exciting these days. Just working and trying to plan the wedding and get more settled in here in Newport. I am slowly ticking things off of my massive list of things to get, register for, and pay for! I had my last day at my job for the YMCA on June 30th so that should be less stress for me...the photo on the left was taken a few Sundays ago when Kieran and I were driving back from Church. It is the next suburb north of us and where I will be teaching a few days a week in my new job. Nice little shacks they have, huh?

The kids are on school holidays right now so I don't officially start my placement for my new job until next week but I have been working a few days at vacation camp. It is basically glorified babysitting but it's money. Otherwise just relaxing and tomorrow I am going to look for a waitressing job or something for a few nights a week. A little extra money and something to do. I applied to get my Australian Swim instructor certification so hopefully that goes through so I can teach swim lessons. I might look into volunteering somewhere or something too. My new job is only 30 hours week so it will be good to have more to do. I also joined a gym so I have been going there a lot.

Trying to meet people. The photo to the right is of me and some girls I have become close with. The blonde is actually from Maryland and married an Aussie. I met the girl on the far right through Kieran last year when I came so we kept in touch. Very nice girls. I still miss everyone from home though!! Keep the emails and letters coming - they mean a lot. Kieran and I are super excited for the wedding. I plan on coming home around Sept. 30th so please contact me or stop by my parents' house so I can see everyone!

Not a whole lot else to report on. The Sea Eagles are currently in 2nd. They won 56-0 on Saturday so that was exciting. Only a month left in the regular season. We have been watching the Twins on mlb.tv so I have been loving that. Kieran is officially a Twins fan!! We have to go to our engaged couples retreat for the Catholic church this weekend. Not sure what to expect but hopefully we will learn some stuff. Well, that is all I know for now. Keep in touch everyone!!

Bloody Winter!

I really do not know much else these days other than the fact that the weather has been terrible! Winter here does not mean snow but this month it has been raining non-stop! I have seen the sun about three times in the last three weeks - yuck! The photo to the left is of me at the Manly game the other night. I felt like I was at a high school football game with the weather...at least I get to go in the Presidents lounge to warm up - thanks Kieran!! I wish I was in MN having summer but I am making the best of things :)

The only other info that I really have is that I am now certified in CPR/First Aid by the Australian Red Cross. They do not recognize my American Red Cross certs over here so I spent all day Saturday and Sunday getting that taken care of for my job. They do not do the Heimlich maneuver over here so I learned another technique. I also had to learn how to care for spider, snake, and jelly fish stings/bites - yikes!! When you all come visit I will be able to help save your lives...

Rain, Rain go away

Well, Kieran and I have survived the biggest storm New South Wales has seen in over 30 years this weekend!! It rained last weekend basically non-stop from Thursday to Sunday morning. There were winds of 106 kilometers per hour and waves nearly 15 feet! I wanted to take photos, but did not want to wander out to do so.



Our power went out multiple times last weekend and some places are just getting power back. A coal transporter ( a huge tanker ship) ran aground up the coast a few hours away and may become a genuine ship wreck if they are unable to get it back out to sea!! Kieran drove home on last Friday and there was a part of some one's roof in the middle of the main road!! Kieran said he had never seen anything like it...that did not however, stop him from going out to his bachelor party on Saturday. This is party #1 for those who cannot make it Vegas in October. The boys braved the weather and went out paint balling amongst other things. I really don't want to know. :)



Monday was the Queen's birthday so there was no work for me! I went to the local Pub near were Kieran and I live called "The Newport Arms" with some girls I met from Kieran's work. The weather cleared up enough for me to enjoy a bit of sunshine. Kieran stayed home and nursed his paintball welts.

Then after a few nice days Mother Nature decided to pound us with more rain! It has been raining since Thursday afternoon (it is now Saturday night) and I want the Sunny Australia I thought I was going to get when I signed up to come here!! It has been damn cold too which is sad. Ah well - now they cannot say anything about water shortages on the news for awhile!

My big news though, is that I decided to get a new job. I love the school I am at right now, but I do NOT love working for the YMCA. I felt totally alone and unsupported at that job. I signed on mid-May and have seen my boss once since then! Sure I have free reign for the most part as to what I teach, but I get no feedback and have no one to really bounce ideas off of or anything...not really the best for someone just starting out.

Long story short, I am going to be working for a company called, "Pro sports". They send out qualified PE teachers to elementary schools (public) throughout the Sydney area. They currently have around 42 schools. The public elementary schools here do not hire PE teachers full time but this way parents can pay a standard (low) fee for their child to have a PE teacher come and teach them a 45 minute lesson once a week. Same as the Y, but at this place I will always be team teaching with someone else. I think it will be a much better fit for me. I have been so stressed having no one to talk to about my ideas and stuff that this should be much better. The staff all seem really cool and I think I will be placed at a school 5 minutes from my apartment - I have been pretty lucky thus far I must say.

Birthday weekend

Well, I am officially one year older (I am now 25) and I spent my birthday in Australia for the second time. Last time was when I turned 20. My actual birthday was pretty uneventful, but we spent a nice day in the City on Saturday.

Kieran and I took the ferry from Manly over to the City. It is about a half hour ride and totally gorgeous. When you arrive in the city you go right past the Harbour Bridge, Opera House, etc. We took a little stroll around Circular Quay and then got some sandwiches and sat on the Opera House steps to eat...really nice spot to people watch! The sea gulls on the other hand, are torture!!


The Opera House is a very unique building with lots of history. We took a guided tour that lasted about an hour. We got to go in the different theaters and the main concert hall which was huge! Definitely something to check out for future visitors...they have all sorts of shows as well. There were some Americans on our tour who were quite obnoxious. Made me sort of embarrassed actually - just loud. You can check out more about the opera house at this website:
www.sydneyoperahouse.com.

I know some musicians in the family who would be super interested in the organ: like 300+ pipes or something - unreal!

After our tour we got an ice cream and wandered

through the Royal Botanical Gardens (photo at the top of page and far right). Very nice spot for a picnic, nap, run, or all of the above! Not a ton of flowers right now since it is winter, but really nice regardless. Then it was back on the ferry and then home for a quite evening.

Everyday on my day to work I pass the Bia' Hai' temple. I have been curious about what it is like so I ventured there for mass on Sunday. It is a "all-denominational" temple. The ceremony included readings from all different religions and was just very meditative. Not sure if I would go there regularly but still an interesting place in my new neighborhood!

It was a relaxing weekend and I am feeling more settled but still like a tourist at times. School is getting more routine and I am not as stressed anymore. The kids are great and I do not feel like an outsider at all. If you would like to check out their website it is:

http://www.lindfielde-p.schools.nsw.edu.au

Also, Kieran's rugby team has a website: http://www.manlyseaeagles.com.au . They are tied for first place right now so it has been good for Kieran....easier to get/keep sponsors when the team is doing well!

K, I'm off -what do ya think of my first, real blog page?? :)

K, I have a blog so now what??

I really want to keep in touch with everyone and make it easier for them to see photos and learn about where I am and what I am doing so I have created a blog (I thought the fact that I signed up for facebook was nerdy enough, but now I really feel like a computer geek!). It is definately a work in progress so bear with me if it takes awhile for me to ge tthings up and written on here :) Plus this is better than getting mass emails - you can just check it whenever you wish! I still will send emails and hope you will do the same!

If there is someone who you think I did not send this webste info to, please pass it along (cousins, family friends, etc.) because I think this is the best way for me to stay connected with people back home. This is all I have for now, but stay tuned...this weekend I will get more photos and stories up...I promise!

Thinking of all of you from the other side of the globe!!
XOXO