Not too bad...

What to say...we're 11 days into it, and things have been good.  Definitely a bit of an adjustment as we get used to the city (and grocery shopping), but it has been nice.  I still feel like I'm on vacation...I just hope it doesn't stop.

I figure today I'd start with things we've learned...I can't say the list is long, but let me see if I can hit the highlights:

• It's possible to fit everything you bought at the grocery store into two carry on suitcases
• I never thought I'd find a place where the beer is more expensive than the wine
• Living near the water really is all it's cracked up to be

So much more though...let's see if I can share a few of the stories.  The first would have to be the grocery shopping.  Quite amusing as we tried getting groceries for the first time...we knew we didn't want to carry them back, so what did we do...grabbed a couple of suitcases and filled them up.  Worked out quite nicely.

Next, looking for a place to live...not as easy as it looks.  It appears that Sydney is at the high end of the market right now (who would have guessed), but we are going out again this next weekend and hopefully we will settle in on something.  We are really looking forward to settling in...the hotel is nice, but I still feel like we're living out of a suitcase.

The highlight of the week though would have to be dinner at The Ocean Room.  Janine (one of the PGS expats) and Niels (her husband) were good enough to take us and a couple of the US visitors to the restaurant.  A bit of a surprise when Janine asked if we minded that she ordered for us, and are we glad she did...it was nothing short of AMAZING.  We had appetizers (I.e. Entre's), main courses and dessert, paired with several bottles on wine that Janine and Niels brought from their own personal collection. It was fantastic. I only hope we can find a way to pay them back for the experience...it's going to be a tough one.

Other than that, things are going well...I think the only bump so far has been the shipping. We've had to send / resend documentation on a couple of occasions, but I figure as long as it makes it...it was a success.  Then again if it doesn't all make it, then the good news is we get the insurance money to go shopping.  Dont' tell Lindsey...she might want to get it lost :-)

Anyway, another long blog...I think my next few are going to get shorter, but what can I say.  Lindsey is in Melbourne for 3 days, so I don't have much else going on...by the way, how is it she's already going to Melbourne, and I'm stuck here in Sydney...I'm jealous.  Back to drown my sorrows in the bottle of wine that costs less than that 6 back of beer...woohoo...talk to ya next time...