Strongbow Summer Blossom

With the sun setting earlier and more rain coming in, summer is truly drawing to a close. Summertime in Australia is the best season and this Strongbow commercial, both visual and auditory, captures why a cool crisp cider is the perfect touch to a hot day out with friends...even in a country with no snow.


Song: 'Young Blood' - The Naked and Famous

World Map

Anniversary Present to Dave

National Geographic Executive World Wall Map

It's the Size of a Queen Bed!

It finally arrived! It's only a week late, but I'm glad it got here. We celebrated our three year anniversary on February 10th and I had only given him monogrammed cuff links, which I still think was a pretty spiffy idea. Four days later was Valentine's Day and I only had chocolate sauce and cherries (gag gift!) to show for myself. This was the real present I have been waiting to give him.

Used Tape, But It's Up

I rattled my brain thinking of what to get him. I've said it before and I'll say it again, boys are hard to shop for! I can only get him so many shirts and a guy needs only one wallet and belt.


Thinking of the past three years we've shared together, much of it was spent travelling. Dave had talked about always wanting a world map. The idea just clicked.

A Sign of a Good Present

This is the first step; having the map itself. One day when we're older, with our own house, we'll put it up with a nice frame. I'd like to embroider a piece of cloth with:

David and Shadiyah's Travels

Since 2009

This will go inside the frame on top of the poster. Until then, we can admire the map and think of all the places we've been and start planning for where we want to go next.

Soccer Shady Returns Volume 2

Last year, I embarked on a self-discovery. Well, it was really a re-self-discovery through soccer. I had played extensively in high school and continued my passion (with less commitment) through Fordham's co-ed intramural league. I stopped when I lived in Korea because women's leagues weren't as popular, and I really didn't want to run amidst all that air pollution.

Now living in one of the most eco-friendly countries, soccer has re-entered my schedule. After hitting my targets of having an apartment, a job and gaining my bearings around Sydney, my focus was on my social life.

It's taken the entire year and half I've lived here to finally say I've got friends. Sounds sad, maybe even pathetic, but for the first time, friends aren't as easy to come by. In high school and college, classmates and even dorm roommates were friends. In Korea, I worked in an academy with 30+ expats, whom you're bound to find at least some common interest with even it is late night barbecue after work.

Sydney is a different ecosystem. I no longer had access to those who were doing exactly what I was doing. Work colleagues defined my relationships for a while. Then I joined the American Expat Meet Up group. From there, my network spread by gaining friends of friends as my own friends - people I actually felt comfortable not only calling, but making plans with.

Still it wasn't enough. I had my professional life and my personal life. There was still something missing - something that wasn't part of either.

Soccer was my outlet. At first, I joined to expand my network and play with a soccer ball again. I had a fantastic first season playing centre midfield (never played this position before) and leading my team to the semi-finals. My passion for soccer was reignited, but I still didn't have the social aspect I seeked. The team I had joined were mostly all Jewish girls (it was a Jewish club) ranging from 16-26. They all knew each other or were friends with each other's siblings. They were all social together, but never extended it to the team. They were lovely girls and treated me well, but the connection wasn't there. It seemed like another day at work - share the pleasantries and leave it at that.

Back in January, I hadn't heard from the team until I got an email from our team manager to return the uniforms! I paid over $400 in registration fees and don't get to keep the uniform! Furthermore, the team was without manager or coach. I was back as Soccer Shady and needed more discipline from an organised team.

I committed a soccer sin and joined a competitor - The Waverley Old Boys.

There were only 8 teams in our league and reflecting back on the ones that had strong camaraderie and, hate to say it, but were all older - I remember two teams I liked.

I went to try out for the Dunbar Rovers because, hate to say it but, they practice near my transfer train station. They were also one of the nicest girls I had met in competition. I arrived at Wentworth Park to find that they had switched practice locations. Major sign this team wasn't for me. I couldn't go from one disorganised team to another.

That week, I played with my new team. Again, sad to say, but I chose the team because they practiced only two stops from where I live. I did remember them being a fun bunch of girls who had strong coaches and organisation. I especially recognised the team because this was the very team I had my Bend It Like Beckham moment, scoring off a corner kick.

During our first game together, we were split into two teams to play an inter-squad game. I played hard hoping to gain favour of my coaches and my teammates. Since then, I have practiced with them twice and played in a charity tournament. At each instance, I'm meeting new girls both regulars and brand new to the club. It's refreshing meeting strong determined women from here and abroad who enjoy my passion for soccer. I'm excited to see where this season takes my skill level and my network of friends.

Two Pitches at the Charity Gala Day

Men's Side

Women's Side

New Teammate & Former Coach

*A little awkward when I told him I'm with a different team, but completely understood

Practice Grounds at Queens Park

Happy Valentine's Day From Oz

Found This At My Doorstep

After a whirlwind trip away to Brisbane to celebrate our 3 year anniversary, we decided to take it down a notch for Valentine's Day (only 4 days after our anniversary). I'm glad Dave still made the effort to make a girl smile.

Dinner at Opium Den

Heavenly Beef & Yum Pu Nim (Soft Shell Crab Salad)

I received three red velvet coloured roses (symbolising our three years together) and a box of Lindt chocolates. We bought a bottle of Pinot Noir and went to Opium Den, our favourite local Thai restaurant to enjoy our favourite dishes; Heavenly Beef (spicy curry beef stir fry) and Yum Pu Nim (battered soft shell crab on top of a salad with tangy and spicy dressing). I got Dave to try curry puffs for the first time and he's converted.

Once our plates were cleared, I gave Dave his present: a card detailing all the things we love to do ranging from sleeping, travelling, making dinner plans and goofing around. Last year, I gave him whipped cream as a gag gift. We ended up using on this horrible pumpkin pie I made. This year he got cherries and chocolate sauce. Being the homey and humble couple we are, let's hope we can find some good vanilla ice cream to use it on.

We walked out stuffed, but very content especially with the $55 price tag. We took a stroll at Rushcutters Bay. There were so many couples on picnic blankets. It was the perfect evening. Cool breeze, sun setting, no mozzies (mosquitos) out.

I hope you all have a wonderful Valentine's Day and can share it with someone you love whether its family, friends or partner.

Let's Get Physical

Starring Shave

I Will Always Love You

Destination Unknown

We made it…to the airport. We approached the Jetstar Check-in Kiosk and kept receiving an error message with instructions to approach the service desk.


“You’ve missed your flight.”


There’s no one to blame but ourselves. We opted to take the Airtrain, but had to wait on the platform for 25 minutes coupled with a 20 minute ride, which got us to the airport 15 minutes before our 11:55am flight.


The Service desk assistant offered us seats on the next flight to Sydney – 5 hours from now. Begrudgingly paying $60 each, we swallowed our fate and proceeded to security. There, I was chosen for a ‘random’ check where the officer waved a wand around my body and bags, then placed it in a machine to detect for ‘chemicals’. I looked over at the other line and there was another Asian guy receiving the same treatment.


So when you know you’ve got nowhere to go the first thing you do:

1. Check for free Wi-Fi. Nothing
2. Walk around for to get your bearings for food and drinks. Nothing. Might have a Krispy Kreme to soothe my sorrows in about 2 hours though.
3. Turn on your 3G. Found out Whitney Houston has just died. Waiting for 5 hours doesn't seem so bad anymore.

At only 48, I can’t believe she is dead. Her life post success of the self-titled Whitney Houston album was tumultuous to say the least. I know her death is probably drug-related, but deep down inside, I hope that isn't the case.


I remember my dad, an amazing singer with a permanent singing spot in the Filipino Christmas party program, had her tape. When I was little and tapes were all we had, I listened to it…a lot. She and Barry Manilow competed for my easy listening music time. Snicker all you want. When you’re a child, you don’t have many options especially at a time when allowance was to be used only for school meals, trips to the mall were on your parent’s terms and MTV was not on the approved TV watch list.


I browsed through Google search headlines and my Facebook newsfeed and noticed many mentions of her famous hit “I will always love you” from the film Bodyguard. It’s an epic song with real meaning for me on reflections of this weekend.


On Friday, February 10th, Dave and I celebrated a major milestone in our relationship – 3 year anniversary.


That day at work, a colleague asked me if it felt long or short time.


“To be honest, it’s been a whirlwind. We’ve done more than most couples of have done. We met in a country not our own, travelled all over South East Asia and moved to a foreign country again.”


I paused after I answered because a flood of memories overcame me. It’s been a great 3 years.


For lunch, Dave came by my work and we enjoyed a Spit Roast lunch (local tradie, or tradesman, favourite of rotisserie chicken and sides) in the park at Milsons Point overlooking the Opera House and Sydney Harbour Bridge. This view never gets old.


That day, I worked hard so I could leave the office right at 5:30pm because Dave made me promise. He’s had something planned…


5:30pm came by without notice. I hadn’t wrapped his present and rushed over to the convenience store for a card and a gift bag hoping he wouldn’t see me because he was meeting me at my office again.


I rushed back, wrote into the card, dropped his present into the bag and with no gift tissue paper, stuffed it with actual Kleenex tissue paper.


I met him at 5:40pm and we were on the train back to the city. He wouldn’t hint on where we were going. I followed his lead and we ended back where we started our day, our rail station at Kings Cross. We walked a different route than our usual route home to BlancHaru, a Japanese French fusion restaurant.


“I wanted to take you here because we should try more restaurants in our area.” Hrmm…


We ordered a delicious 3 course menu. I can’t remember (if ever) the last time Dave ordered a better selection than me. Thankfully we’re the sharing kind.

Entrees

Mains

Poisson du Jour & Duck

Dessert

At the end of our meal, Dave looked at me with a big smile. “Do you want to open presents?” I reached over to my bag to pull out his present. “You have a present for me?” He was trying so hard to hide his amusement and eagerness to show me his present.

Monogrammed Cuff Links & Card

He was so excited. He could wear cuff links like a real business man now. I found out from my colleague Matt that cufflinks are meant to be worn with French cuffs. Dave doesn’t have any shirts with French cuffs, but he is determined to wear them somehow on Monday.

He then made me close my eyes and hold out my hands. He laid something light. When I opened them up, there was a little homemade and taped envelope with a big question mark on it.

I opened it up and there were two rail tickets to the Sydney Domestic Airport! My breath was taken away. We were flying somewhere for the weekend, but where?

No matter how much I tugged or pleaded, Dave would not tell me where we were going. “That’s why I took you to this restaurant. It’s close to our apartment and we can get home quick to pack.”

On the Train Headed to the Domestic Airport

We had only 15 minutes to pack – a very tough task for a girl not knowing where she was headed. One clue he gave me was to pack for warm weather. My immediate thoughts were “We must be going somewhere in Queensland.”

I didn’t figure out the destination until the self-checked-in at the Jetstar Kiosks. I tried not to look, but Dave had issues retrieving his information. He bounced from kiosk to kiosk to print the boarding passes. When we finally had them in hand and walked towards security, I looked up and saw the word 'Brisbane'.

Our flight was only 1.5 hours. The seats weren’t bad, but if you wanted any kind of refreshment (including water), we had to pay for it. We also sat behind some Wogs (Aussie speak for Guidos) who I hope were on their bucks night (bachelor party) because they were so obnoxious, hitting on the flight attendant, disrupting the cabin with loud music and asking each other if their diarrhea was ok. God, I hope people from Brissy* aren’t like this!

*Brissy is the nickname for Brisbane. Sounds like baby talk for Jewish foreskin if you ask me!

Because daylight savings time is not observed in Brisbane, we arrived a little after 10pm (an hour behind Sydney). We waited in the long line for a taxi, but decided to go with the airport shuttle, which was $40 together. This was regretful. The shuttle driver was a grumpy gus! He yelled at Dave for not confirming our hotel when asked and muttered under his breath anytime anyone would ask questions about the Brisbane CBD (an acronym used in all major Australia cities for Central Business District). I still didn’t know where we were staying, but seeing the lengths Dave had gone to make our anniversary special, I was sure the hotel would be nice.

At The Novotel

My suspicions were true. We checked in at the Novotel Brisbane. Our suite had a king-sized bed and was very spacious. We immediately unloaded and jumped into to bed sinking into the down feathers.

Customised Photo Book of Us

Dave made me close my eyes again and when I opened them, he presented me a hardcover book entitled Dave & Shadiyah February 10, 2012.

We held the book together. I laid my head on his shoulder. He held up one side, while I held up the other. Flipping through the 60 page custom made hardcover book were photos of our life together ranging from South Korea, travelling to North America and South East Asia and moving to Australia.

In the last 5 pages, he had customised the pages to display the words:

After all these great memories…

All of the time we’ve spent together…

All of the fun we’ve had…

All of the happiness we’ve shared…

I want you to know that…

I love you!

After all these great memories...

All of the time we've spent together...

All of the fun we've had...

All of the happiness we've shared...

I want you to know that...

I love you!

Tears welled up and my heart beat fast as I turned the pages. I turned to look up at him and we were both glassy-eyed. I whispered, “I love you so much.” and we kissed.

“That’s not all,” he said. We made me close my eyes again and when I opened them was a little black box.

“Did you get me cufflinks too?”

Gold Ring

*Apologies for my old woman hands

I opened it and there was a shiny soft gold ring with diamonds across the band.

“All the jewelry I give you is silver. I thought I’d get you something gold. And I’ve never gotten you a ring.”

He went through his adventure to get me the ‘right’ ring. He went to several stores and wouldn’t settle till he found one that was simple, elegant and could be worn day or night. As I listened, I thought to myself, “I prepared him well.”

The tears ran down my cheek this time and we embraced. I am such a lucky girl to have someone so thoughtful, loving and romantic in my life.

The ring fit nicely on the middle finger of my right hand. I admired it and pulled the book out again. We examined each photo remembering the time and place each memory was made.

It was pretty late by the time we were settled for bed. Dave had no other plans for the rest of the weekend, so we were left to make our own adventure. Remembering from Marco’s trip last November, he did nothing in Brisbane, but did go to a koala sanctuary.

The next morning, we woke late. Lucky for us, we were an hour behind Sydney time. Dave searched hard for a scooter rental company with 50cc bikes. In Australia, you must have a licence to drive a motorbike, with exception to driving a 50cc bike in Queensland and Northern Territory. He had gotten the idea three days before when he began researching for a scooter licence for NSW because we are planning on getting a scooter with all of our soccer and volleyball commitments. Too late and no luck. Oh well, we were going to see koalas today!

Novotel Buffet Breakfast is Too Much

We devoured the hotel buffet breakfast and waddled out of the hotel towards Queens Street Mall to catch a bus to Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary.

Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia

We arrived at 12pm, paid $32 each and received a map of the park with listings off all the animal shows. Our first visit of the day was the Birds of Prey show. We took our seat in a small grandstand having to climb over kangaroos who comfortably lay in the aisles. This is going to be an interesting day if kangaroos are this people-friendly.

Kangaroo in Aisle 1

Owl & Vulture

Big Flying Predator

We had seen the bird show at Taronga Zoo, but this was different. They actually fed the eagles and owls whole dead mice where we saw their talons and beaks rip their prey apart showcasing strings of intestine and innards.

Kangaroo Petting Park

After the show, we grazed through the kangaroo enclosure where we found groupings of kangaroos, wallabies and emus enjoying the shade. We could freely pet them, take photos with them and feed them! Don’t smell your hands afterwards. Thankfully the sanctuary provides sinks and soap at the gates of the enclosure.

Hello Emu!

Relaxing in the Shade

Tired Roos

Freedom?

Wish I Could Be a Kangaroo Lying All Day

Some mothers even had joeys in their pouches!

Joey Peeking Out

Emus and Kangaroos Living Harmoniously

That Big Joey Fit Inside the Pouch!

Love's Company

So Approachable

Scratch My Belly

Very Relaxed

Feeding the Roo

Ducks Do Not Like Being Hand Fed

These Kangaroos Like Being Hand Fed

Can't Stop Looking at My Ring

Petting the Koala at the Koala Show

Aftewards, we took in the Scales & Tails (only to see 1 python – not worth it), koala talk (could pet a koala), Platypus feeding and Tasmanian Devil feeding.

Enjoying Our Day Together with the Animals

The Platypus and Tasmanian Devil feeding were the most intriguing. We had never seen a platypus so visible before. At the Sydney Aquarium, theirs is always hiding. The keeper threw in worms and the platypus quickly ate them and went into hiding. Apparently, the noisy crowd makes the platypus shy.

Tasmanian Devil Ready For Food

The Tasmanian Devil on the other hand was very extroverted, perhaps because she knew food was coming. Sadly, the sanctuary had lost another Tasmanian Devil the day before, its sister. The one before us seemed to be still searching for its sister.

Koala Exhibits at Every Turn

Awake

Koalas Sleep for 90+% of the Day

Falling Asleep

Asleep

Dingos

Can Hardly Tell Them Apart From Dogs

Kookaburra

Famous 'laughing' Bird

Huge Lizards Walking Freely Around the Sanctuary

Wombat

I Want to Squeeze It!

After the animal shows, we walked around the park to see more koalas, which seemed to be at every corner. We also saw colourful birds, yellow possum, turtles, crocodiles and wombats, which are very cute looking pig sized hamsters.

Holding Koala 'Matt'

We saved the best for last and took our photo with a koala. Holding koalas are banned in all of Australia, with exception to Queensland. It wasn’t a bad deal - $16 for a single photo. I opted for the single photo + 8 postcards for $25.

Holding Koala 'Barnacle'

It's so sweet to hold one of these koalas. It's like holding a furry baby. They get irritable too when they don't get enough sleep. Their food is only 5% energy, so they are always sleepy and these poor animals are being rotated around for photo opportunities. The sanctuary is a better habitat for them because the wild is almost too urbanised for them oftening getting the bad end of deforestation or becoming roadkill.

Brisbane CBD Contrasts

Walking Through the Botanical Gardens

By nearly 4pm, we had had our share of animals for the day and were ready to be back in the city. The bus (only $12.60 round trip) dropped us off at the city centre. For the rest of the afternoon, we walked through the shopping area, the Botanical Gardens and city centre.

These Lizards Are Everywhere!

Enjoying a Relaxed Stroll (and Sit) in the Botanical Gardens

One interesting sighting was a seeing a group of hip hop dancers performing a choreographed routine around a man in a cowboy hat. At the end of the routine, the dancers huddled low to the ground with the man in the cowboy hat still standing. I recognised him. I figured it was Liberal MP Bob Katter preparing for his campaign.

Pizza & Pasta Dinner

For dinner, we were craving pizza and pasta at a reasonable price. We busted out our Smartphone and searched for ‘Brisbane Italian’. Our Urbansppoon and Time Out Brisbane searches brought us to Cicciolina, a highly-rated (90%+) Italian restaurant only a 15 minute walk away. Skeptical because some of the Urban Spoon ratings were 3 years old, we walked up in reservation. If there were happy people inside, we would go in. We also had no other choice because our feet hurt so bad.

We were not disappointed. We shared fettucini with pancetta, broccoli and truffle white sauce and a pizza with prosciutto, bococcini and basil on hand-made pizza dough with a glass of smooth Shiraz and crisp Peroni beer.

We walked off our food and were back at the Novotel at 8:45pm. Dave snuck down to the pool and found it empty and it closed at 9pm.

We grabbed our swimsuits and went back to the pool. Dave got in immediately, but I hesitated due to lightening and faint rumblings of thunder. We were out of there a little after 9pm. I showered and passed out right away.

The next morning, we woke up at 7am – much too early for the weekend, but we had slept so early the night before. We enjoyed a pancake and omelet breakfast on Albert Street, the street leading to the Botanical Gardens from Queen Street.

We left the Novotel at 10:35 for an 11:50 flight. We opted to take the Airtrain because it cost only $14 and would take us there in 20 minutes. What we didn’t factor in was the wait time on the platform, another 25 minutes.

It’s now 4:15, only 30 minutes left till we board our flight to Sydney. For the last 4 hours, we watched TV, roamed the airport (where I saw Bob Katter and his dancers made the front page!) ate lunch and finished this blog post.

Three years is short – only because we've done so much in that timeframe. The cliché “time flies when you’re having fun” is so true. Even though I’m forced to sit here 5 hours until my flight, it doesn’t seem boring because I get to reminisce on the three years Dave and I have created and enjoyed. Plus, I’m not alone. I get to enjoy this time (even at the airport) with Dave...while listening to 'I Will Always Love You' play over and over on the news.


*Our second flight was delayed another 1.5 hours. We took off at 7pm, when we should have taken off at 12pm. And the Wogs were on our flight home.