I had an unsettling feeling when my company said we all needed to take leave for two weeks during the Christmas and New Year's holidays. I have only been at my new job (can I say new any more?) for two months and had just the tiniest bit of leave accrued. Dave and I didn't have plans for the break, so I offered to work. In the end, I was allowed to work on the Monday and Tuesday before Christmas, but wouldn't be allowed to come back till the 6th January. What was I complaining for? After five weeks of unemployment, what's five days of more beach time?
So after three days away at Forresters Beach with some friends for Christmas, Dave and I finally began to enjoy my forced break when we returned on Friday the 27th December. So on Friday night, we did nothing but watch our latest TV fix - Friday Night Lights.
Snorkelling at Gordon's Bay
On Saturday, we decided that we were too lazy on Friday night, so we went running around Coogee, snorkelling at Gordon's Bay, watched the Melbourne Test of The Ashes at home, I read in the sun at Coogee Beach while Dave played volleyball. We took advantage of our free Saturday to the max. But we didn't stop there. My Irish/Aussie friend Keith had his friends from NYC visiting and asked his American friend to party. So Dave and I went to The Beresford and The Colombian leaving Oxford Street finally at 2:30am. So by Sunday, we were wiped out. We woke up at 11am and then continued to watch more of Friday Night Lights and The Ashes with snoozes in between for the rest of the day. We didn't leave our apartment 6pm. GASP I know! All day, we saw the sunlight peeking through our blinds. We knew fully well that it was a gorgeous day outside, but we were too beat and lazy to go outside. We felt guilty for 'wasting' the day, but sometimes you need a lazy Sunday.
By 6pm, we couldn't stand it any more. Cabin fever had taken over and it was a) time to shower and b) breathe some outside air. Luckily, we saw a bit of sunshine. We took a stroll along the Coogee coastline taking in the beautiful view and perfect weather. Looking at our new neighbourhood (since August), we thanked our lucky stars for being in a position in life where we could be guilt free enough to 'waste' a day watching TV all day, but also appreciate what is around us and to never take it for granted. Some days, you need to recharge and that's OK. No one is judging you. Just make sure you make the most of the other days.
I still have a few more days left before I head back to work. I'm glad I have the time to relax, recharge and of course finish off some blogs! Enjoy the last bits of 2013...there's a lot of living to do in 2014!
A View of Coogee at Sunset
Sit Back and Relax
