Sydney is gearing up into Christmas mode which does feel pretty strange. There is something decidedly wrong about people in bikinis next to Christmas trees and people wearing santa hats in the heat! Ashling and I put up our Christmas tree (fake) about 3 weeks ago! It does look very pretty though (I will have to take a photo). I went to my first Aussie Christmas party at Jim and Jill Hingston's (Lucy and Andy's brother and sister in-law's) on 27 November which was lovely. Jill had put on a great spread of food and there were hundreds of kids running around, including their little girl, Chloe, who was on great form chatting away with the guests.

In keeping with trying to make the most of our days off Suvi and I hired a car and drove out to Pennant Hills (somewhere out west of the city) to go and get the obligatory photo of us with a koala. There has been a koala sanctuary there since the 1920s and there are a lot of native Australian animals, some of which are in cages and others roaming free in the sanctuary. The wallobies and kangeroos were extremely tame and the koalas themselves were gorgeous (although their enclosure did smell pretty bad!) We were also quite taken by Matilda the 20 year old wombat. Unfortunately the weather was pretty terrible and to avoid getting absolutely soaked we left the park after we'd seen the koala and sheep shearing demonstrations to take a look in the factory outlet stores near the Olympic Park (great surf wear discounts!)

Raced on Sunday on Pensive a Nsx38 (owned by an Aussie called Bruce) down to Bottany Bay and back. Rather pleasingly we beat Copernicus (the boat I usually sail on) by about 1/2 hour or so which meant that I wasn't late for work. It was rather a rock star entry to the bar though as they pulled the yacht alongside the jetty and I literally jumped ashore in my work gear and went behind the bar!

On Tuesday Suvi and I went into the city and to escape from the sun went around the Annie Leibovitz exhibition "A Photographer's Life 1990-2005" at the MCA at the Rocks/Circular Quay. It was a fascinating exhibition showcasing not only her hugely recognisable pictures of a pregnant, naked Demi Moore, the Queen in the grounds of Buckingham Palace, President Bill Clinton perched on his desk in the White House, Jonny Depp and Kate Moss in bed and Aussie favourite Nicole Kidman looking very statuesque, she had also interspersed the celebrity photos with pictures of her family and partner Susan Sarandon (including almost a photo documentary of her illness from cancer and her eventual death).

Also managed quite a few nights out of late. I seem to have been scheduled on lots of afternoon shifts which is quite nice as it means that I can spend the morning on the beach/having a swim/going for a run or going to yoga and then going out in the evenings too! Aneta and I had a great time after work the other Sunday in the 4 Pines listening to live music and trying on Bob Marley wigs! It was Cat from work's birthday last Wednesday and we went to Manly Wine (fabulous decor) for dinner and cocktails before dancing it up in Shore Club and then on my way home I bumped into another couple of girls from work... so it was into the Boatshed for nightcaps/more dancing! Also went to a housewarming BBQ at Carl's Kiwi friends' place in Bondi on Saturday (I feel sorry for the neighbours) and popped into the most random 90's party at the Bondi Pavillion. On Tuesday a bunch of us went to probably the most iconic Sydney backpacker club "The Gaff" for their coyote night! Although the $200 prize was tempting I decided not to partake in the wet T shirt competition - yes, it was that kind of place. (We may have had a bit of spin on the on the pole though...) Still not yet made it to the Ivy, but think that I might have to go in before Christmas!

I am loving all the emails, facebook messages and skype conversations that I am having with everyone back home, so please do keep it up. It's great to hear what you're all up to and the excitement about the snow (although it does sound pretty miserable!) I received my first package from my Nan for Christmas the other day which is exciting! Not long to go now! Sydney is pretty perfect, but would be all the more perfect if all you guys were here too!!!