Indian Resto on Blues Point

Thursday night is shopping night in Sydney! Malls, shops, and restaurants are open extra late for the peeps. Tonight, we went to this Indian Restaurant in Blues Point to sample their Tandoori Platter and Lamb Curry. The food was good... Extra special of course because of the two glasses of chardonnay shiraz that I had!



We had two orders of roti to go with our pilaf.

The ever-makulit Mike who was sporting his school boy hairstyle today always has a funny face up his sleeve.



My Q&A session was moved to Monday (woooohoo!). I still need to find a way to get a good night's sleep. Must be my bed sheets which need washing. Will try to sleep on the couch tonight to see how that goes.

Weekend Three in Aussie

While the Tanquilut clan merrily celebrated Lola's birthday, I was making the most of my third Aussie weekend.

Last Friday, Mike and I met up with the Reitz peeps in Darling Harbour to celebrate Arcy's 23rd birthday. Minus the Boat Show, Darling Harbour looked pretty nice that evening.



Arcy was quite pleased with the surprise bouquet of flowers (sans the red ribbon) which we gave her.



We later went to V-Bar (in Pitt street) for some drinks. Here's Val and his crazy-eyed picture.



Saturday was shopping day! We went to the DFO Outlet in Strathfield and shopped to our hearts content (and our wallet's discontent). Bring out the credit cards!



Coincidentally, Mike and I had the same colored shirts. Green team!



That evening was part 2 of Arcy's birthday celebration. Clayton and the guys organized a surprise beeday party for their beloved teammate. On the menu that evening was Pininyahang Manok (disguised as Baked Chicken), Sinigang, and Stir-fried veggies. Sabi nga ni Arcy, "Grabe. Nahawakan ako."



We sang our hearts out after dinner in the Videoke place (Red Box) across the street.

Sunday was Hunter Valley Day! And I must say. This trip is hands down the most "sulit" trip of them all. Haha! We visited three vineyards and sampled their awesome awesome red, white, and dessert wine. First vineyard on the list was Mount Pleasant:



Lunch was just wonderful! We had the steak (para sulit!) and on the table were four wine glasses with 4 kinds of wine. Among them... Shiraz, Merlot, and Chardonnay. Of course, not a drop wasted!





Next was McGuigan Cellars... where we sampled about 10 different kinds of wine.





I think my super red ears were an easy indication that I was thoroughly enjoying myself! Wine is now officially my best friend!

Hunter Cellars was our last stop. We sampled about 2 glasses I think. We just had merienda and took pictures of the Alabang Town Center-esque place.





Sunday evening I think I was just too beat from all our weekend activities. But all's good! I was still able to help Arcy and Nieva with their spaghetti (with criss-cross cheese!). But when I got home, it didn't take a long time before I was officially out and snoozing the night away.

Cirque and Strawberries

Last Tuesday, after our frantic Monday dash to Ticketek (with a Twix Mint celebratory chocolate), we finally were able to watch Cirque De Soleil's Varekai . The show was pretty awesome! Of course, no pictures allowed, so all I could take a picture of was the tent.



Some details about the show...

VAREKAI

Deep within a forest, at the summit of a volcano, exists an extraordinary world—a world where something else is possible. A world called Varekai.

From the sky falls a solitary young man, and the story of Varekai begins. Parachuted into the shadows of a magical forest, a kaleidoscopic world populated by fantastical creatures, this young man sets off on an adventure both absurd and extraordinary. On this day at the edge of time, in this place of all possibilities, begins an inspired incantation to life rediscovered.

The word varekai means "wherever" in the Romany language of the gypsies the universal wanderers. This production pays tribute to the nomadic soul, to the spirit and art of the circus tradition, and to the infinite passion of those whose quest takes them along the path that leads to Varekai.

I really enjoyed the "clowns" of the show. They all had us reeling with laughter. The performers were just soooo limber! The costumes where super colorful. "Watching Cirque de Soleil"... I can finally cross that out of my "Things to do before I'm 30 list".

Yesterday, being culinary experts that we are, we made Chicken Curry for dinner! And it was pretty good! If I do say so myself. Haha! The coconut milk made the dish extra creamy and tasty! And for dessert, we indulged in strawberries and whipped cream! Yum yum.

Mountains and A Beach

We had a weekend of mountains and a beach!

Saturday...
Early Saturday morning, our group of 11 all met at the YH Center, just across Central Station in the Central Business District. Our tour guide, Michael from Oz Travel, took us on an hour long bus ride to the Blue Mountains area. My seat on the bus was a booster seat! To some extent, it was nice being taller than everyone else on the bus.



Our first stop was this really nice view of the river/lake (hehe... I've to check my Oz Travel Itinerary for the exact name). We had morning tea there... and a some scandalous moments (Background music, 'Bakit ngayon ka lang dumating sa buhay ko?').





Our next stop was this fabulous fabulous mountain top with a great view of the landscape. It resembles the Grand Canyon so some extent. Here I am with my Korean red hair, squinting at the bright sun.



Here's our Filipino tour group (we miss Cesar, Melvin, and Angelo!). Check out our ocho-ocho boys!



Our stop after that was Wentworth Falls. Although there wasn't much gushing water in the falls.



I think this picture is inverted. Hehe!


Before lunch time, we went to Scenic World, where we saw...

Statues of "natives" worth mimicking...



... and rode the steepest railway in the world!



The famous "Three Sisters" rock formation



... and wandered around the rainforest (although this picture looks nothing like a rainforest!)



We had lunch at this quaint resto in Leura Village, Leura, a "delightful village, made up of delicate shops, boutiques, galleries, restaurants, antique and book shops and quaint tea and coffee houses." We bought chocolate covered coffee beans which got someone a little hyper. Hehe.

We went to this Aboriginal Engraving site next, and after that was some Kangaroo watching. You can tell by my distance from the 'roos just how much I like animals up close and personal. Haha!





Our second to the last stop of the day was the site of the 2000 Sydney Olympics!



We then took the Ferry back to Circular Quay.



It was super cold in the Ferry that I immediately dreaded not bringing a jacket. It was just me, my shawl, and the strong winter wind.


Sunday...

We had a more laid back Sunday. We went to the very famous Bondi Beach!



The beach was huge!And the waves were even bigger. Surfer dudes, bikini-clad girls, and a lot of tourists were milling around the beach... despite the super cold weather.















Fish and chips were in order, of course. And a cone of mint choco chip ice cream. We then finished the day with a small shopping trip in the nearby Westlake mall.

Up next... more shopping at DFO (scheduled for this Saturday) and Hunter Valley (scheduled for next Sunday)!

Weekend Blog

My weekend blog is coming soon... As soon as I find time to squeeze in a blog moment! Like right now... haha!

It's been a crazy morning. Updating tasks here and there. Very familiar, this work pace. Reminiscent of those days when coming to the office simply means working. I need to play catch up to all the weeks when executing my KT plan seems close to impossible. Now there's more direction, more pressure, and not enough time. Dengit.

Weekend was good! We went to Blue Mountains last Saturday (some parts blue, but most parts very lush green), and yesterday we went to Bondi Beach. The beach was nice! It was huge! We walked along the shore and had fish and chips for lunch. Pics to be posted soon.

Mental note to self: Make Wedding Reception script for Ate Mylene's wedding. I can't believe that event's two weeks away. Good luck Tita Gina, Carol, and Ate My! I'm sure it'll be beautiful, touching, and memorable.

Okie! 'Nuf of the blog break. Back to work!

Thursday!

Today, I had my pseudo-QA session with the Sydney senior Manager. I think that shook me up a little. I've been having issues with my KT plan, but i have been trying to really be as productive as possible. But an SME is really key to making sure I don't miss out on anything. I've been diligently raising the issues with Mark, and the meeting in the afternoon sort of put everything in perspective again. I do want to get out of the red zone and join everyone in the green... Poohooo...

Highlight of the day though was our dinner at Giuseppe's Italian Restaurant in McMahon's Point, a ten minute walk from the Miller office. I've been craving for carbonara! Of course, what is a fancy meal without my best friend red wine?



Mike had the Veal something. He seemed pretty happy with it.



After our laughter and my very loud voice filled the small quaint place for an hour, we had Tiramisu for dessert! It was a nice way to end our dinner.





This weekend, 14 of us are going to Blue Mountains. I'm crossing my fingers that we can get something for Hunter Valley on Sunday, too!

Fun Day at Work

Today, our training room layout changed a bit. I was moved to a new location... From right beside Angelo, I am not at the end of the room, in my little, white table corner.



This kinda freed up some of the space and I don't have to play footsie with anyone anymore. Hehe. Of course, I could still see these mocking words on the white board:



This evening, we all went to the CHT Dine Out event and it was loads of fun! We met a lot of the Accenture folks from the Sydney. We had dinner at Lavender Blue and had some modern Australian cuisine. For the entree, I think I had the grilled salmon. And for the main course, I had the North African Chicken with goat cheese! For dessert, it was Brulee for the Day. Yummm!! And 2 glasses of red wine! Magnifico! My seatmate was really fun! She and I spent 10 minutes talking about Zara! Haha!

Anyway, I've no laptop today and this is the end of the road for me as far as internet-ing goes. =( Poohoo!

Second Sydney Weekend

Finally! A chance to update my blog! Tis a Tuesday evening and I'm still in the office. The 56kpbs connection at home isn't really all that suitable for blogging, so might as well stay an extra 30 minutes to blog. Hehe.

Last weekend was our second Sydney weekend. Friday evening, we had dinner at a Japanese resto (Sakae, along Liverpool). Surprise, surprise at Katsudon ang order namin! Pero we had a platter of sushi rin. And surprise surprise naiwan yung ibang japanese rice ng sushi sa sobrang busog na namin. Here's me (I've been mistaken to be Indonesian, Thai, and American!) and Mike (doing his usual crazy pose).





We met up with the others in our favorite bar (Edinburgh Castlereagh Hotel I think it's called). Here's Junel, Val, and Tom. Despite my having a glass of red wine, a Cosmopolitan, and this other drink whose name I cannot remember, I was able to walk back to Pitt street and partially iron my capri pants/shorts with a little help from the Ironing Master. :)



Saturday morning, we took the ferry (Wharf 2) from Circular Quay to go to Taronga Zoo. The view from the Ferry is pretty awesome. Here's the Sydney Opera House on a clear Saturday morning.



We arrived at Taronga Zoo a little past ten I think. There were a lot of kids, students, and tourists! We rode the cable car up to the main entrance of the Zoo.



I won't be posting all the pictures I took of all the animals... Mejo marami kasi! Here are some of my favorites though...

Zebras for Keysi (and Ezil)!


These giraffes were not camera shy at all!


Rhino nga ba?? Hehe!


Timon (from the Lion King) in the flesh!


Tiger in Slumber


Finally a Kangaroo (who aint sleeping)!


Finally a Koala (who aint hiding)!


We also enjoyed the Seal Show. Here we are waiting for the show to start (pero nagugutom na!). We also started eyeing the burgers some of the other people were eating. *Grumble*Grumble*. The show itself was really amusing! The seals were pretty smart.





This is me, a little beat from all the walking. We ate some Chicken Tenders on one of the picnic tables. We also heard this one lady who was fighting with her daughter I think. Scary stuff!



Sunday naman, we had brunch, heard mass, and went to the market and bought our weekly rations (na ngayon eh ubos na!). We had lunch (pininyahang manok!) at Glen St. Back at Pitt, I met up with Arcy and Nieva. We went to Paddy's Market for a little shopping time. I finally bought something I really like! Here's Nieva and Arcy taking a coffee break. Gloria Jeans ice blended drinks all around ('cept for me coz I was flat broke!).



Here's me trying a new look. This is me, Lisa Loeb style, but blind as a bat!



We went back to the girls' apartment and I made "pininyahang manok" again! This time with evaporated milk! It was super yummy (if I do say so myself!). Haha!



It was a good, yet tiring weekend. I think I only felt the fatigue Sunday evening... when I was dragging my feet up to the Town Hall station. Hehe.

Next on the agenda... Blue Mountains and Hunter Valley. Sana matuloy lahat (and sana di kami masyadong mapagod at bawal magkasakit dito!).

Workwise, most of my real KT stuff started this week. I had my first KT Session yesterday, and it felt awesome to take down notes and finally ask questions about the documentation I've read for the past two weeks. The peeps inside the training room where we're at have been more than entertaining!

More pictures to be posted soon!