Have we really been here four weeks already?

Hey campers. Time for another update from your long lost Sydneysiders. It dawned on me a few minutes ago (+ hence the reason for this blog entry), that we've now been in Sydney for four weeks. We've achieved a lot but it's flown by. So, I thought I'd share some observations, likes + dislikes etc of our life overseas so far.

Top of the list has to be the food + bottom the roaches. We're settled in the house now + there are bits about it I like + bits I like less. I love the location - city living is good. I heart that it's a 10 minute walk to the CBD (Central Business District / Sydney city centre) and I heart that there is a 50m pool 5-10 mins walk away. I love that there are zillions of lovely little eateries, selling cheap good food within spitting distance of home.

I don't like the fact that, since the weather has started to warm up, the cockraoches are coming out. We've had several in the house + seriously, if someone had told me they could fly, I'd probably be snoozing in my bed in Blackheath just now. But, having shared a shower with one this morning (by that I mean I crushed it to death when it tried to join me in the shower this morning), I'm *starting* to get used to it. According to the Aussies, living with them is a fact of life. And if they're big, as ours are, that's good. They eat the spiders. The little ones, apparently, are bad news + most likely mean your house is infested.

I love how big the house is. I love the daylight that pours in through the skylights. But I don't like how noisy it is at night + I don't like how long it takes to park some nights when you get home from work. Our area is also a hangout for the local 'ladies of the night' and I don't like seeing them picked up by taxi drivers and dropped off in the same spot 10 minutes later.

I heart the mornings. Getting up at 6am + going for a walk around Hyde Park. It's great seeing so many people out exercising - tai chi, boxing, running, skipping, walking. The weather is beautiful at that time + it's nice watching the sun come up and sparkling off the skyscrapers. I like having enough room in the house to have a little pilates studio.

I like how quickly I can get to work in my car + how quickly I can get home, especially if working late. I hate driving in Sydney. Everyone undertakes constantly on the freeways + in the city, so many roads are one way that it takes forever to find your destination as each route you take is a no entry.

I like my new colleagues. They're all lovely. And in fact, Sydneysiders are generally very friendly. I like the shopping + plan to do more once I have my first pay cheque.

So, there's a little round-up. We haven't found a good curry yet. Quest no 2 resulted in bland 5/10 (+ that's being generous), but the quality + diversity of food is making up for it. The weather is improving and the blue skies are great for the soul. In fact, it could stay at this temperature for me, but the heat is a-coming.

Of course, we miss our lovely friends + family and sometimes that can make you feel a little down. But we've got each other to pick ourselves up, we've got a few friends here and are starting to make more. And technology means we're in touch with people from home all the time.

We've got internet connection at home now, so get in touch on skype. I've got some pics of our house + the local area and will add to the blog over the weekend. Of course, the house will look much nicer once our stuff arrives + clears customs in a few weeks...