Home Sweet Home

Wow.... I'm a little rusty at this whole blogging thing, but I'm ready to dust off the keyboard and have another crack at bridging the gap between today and our last post. So, hold onto your computers kids, this could take a while.

In order to be systematic about this updating blog I'm going to organise it by major events/items that have occurred in the last year. Feel free to skip the irrelevant items that you're already aware of.

The Unit
In January of this year (2010) we moved into our humble 2 bedroom unit at Penshurst, complete with internal lanudry and lock up garage! The whole battle of finding a unit was quite an undertaking with most units in our price range being snatched up at the first open inspection and often for more than the asking price! Feeling a little depleated, Jarratt and I came across this lovely little unit that required a little modernising and snapped it up for less then the asking price, GO US! 12 months on and a cupboard there, air conditioning here, a new laundry there and our little house was fast becoming our home. We still have a few renovating mountains to climb, the kitchen being one, but its all part of the fun.

Renovating Master!

Work
Jarratt and I have been very fortunate to fall quite quickly back into jobs upon our return to Australia. Jarratt, as you know, picked right back up with his old boss and, as for me, after working casually through Term 4 2009 in two amazing schools, I have just finished a year block on a 2/3 class with my contract to continue next year but on a 5/6. Wish me luck!

Christmas
It wouldn't be a very good December blog if I didnt mention Christmas, right? Well, Christmas was MAD this year. With Christmas Eve drinks with friends, Santa's arrival at the Tandek's house early Christmas morning, a brief pit stop at the Wyatts and a mad dash to Maitland to catch Mum between shifts. Boxing Day was spent mostly sleeping! Although we did manage to be awake long enough to trek out to the Hunter Valley Gardens and join in the festive cheer of the Christmas Lights Spectatular. Also gave me a chance to try out my new baby - my Canon EOS 550D with Tripod. The following day, Gyspy John joined us, along with The Swans Supporters for lunch at Muse, which despite the delay was very yummy!

Christmas Morning at the Tandeks.

Hunter Valley Christmas Spectactular!

An aMUSEing lunch :)

Family

In both camps, family is well. Most notable mentions is the recent arrival of little Benjamin and the bump that has began to expand on Caryn. The two doting soon-to-be parents are looking radiant and not in the least bit aprehensive about their Feb arrival. I admire them, I would be quietly freaking out, particularly after a recent conversation with Mummy Swan Supporter! In other news, Mum got re-married this year to the most amazing man. I've never seen her so relaxed and happy, I'm delighted for her and Santa! (haha) As for Uncle John, he continues to renovate and travel and take us to the RSL for lunch/dinner regularly. He has been a real help to Jarratt and I throughout the whole year, I hope he knows how much we appreciate him. The Tandek Kids continue to grow and entertain us and Grandma and Opa are holding the helm of Wyatt ship strong.

Little Ben and Nanna

Too cute for words!

Here comes the bride....

The Tandek Trio

(Bailey, Capri and Tayla - top to bottom)

Friends

Friends have been moving and a shaking things up this year. Laura, up and moved to London, which was enthralling - something she's always wanted to do. I'm so proud of her and am DESPERATE to get to see her in Ye Ol' London town before she heads home! Keels continue to live it up and Freo and Ejay is still a very busy bee. Lin and Andy bought and settled into their very own lovenest. And Bec continues to be my allie in the battle that is primary school, whilst also becoming the best cupcake maker in the histroy of cupcakes. Kev and Jaz surprised everyone announcing their marriage after a trip to Africa. Bridge and George also tied the knot and have added to their score card with a little-one on the way. Dave and Bec, Nic and Nath, also made commitments to each other and have become engaged in spectactular settings. And last, but not least is Lucy and Tom who have undertaken a recent ambitious renovation of their bathroom and the reason we keep one eye on flight prices to Tassie.

Ladies who lunch :)

Wine-o's - HOT TIN ROOF!

Looking Ahead

In Jan 2011 we're off to India, via Singapore, which we're both incrediably excited about - despite the mixed reactions we get when we tell people. We will also ring in the New Year with great friends and head to the SCG to shake our heads in disgust at the Aussies efforts in the cricket.

Hopefully, this will be the first of many posts in the coming year.
We hope you're having a very safe and happy holiday.

Talk to you soon.Love Us, xoxoxo

New York, New York

Sorry it's late (Caryn ;) ) - been a little busy..... but here goes.... team effort this one~! :)


After a long flight we arrived in New York tired from all the movies we watched on the plane trying to get adjusted to the time change. We caught a cab from the airport straight to our hotel and jumped straight in bed after a few problems with payment.

The next morning we both woke up eager to see the sites. Firstly we admired the hotel room; we had spent some money and got a flash room for Christmas instead of a hostel like normal. It was great it had a big TV, its own fridge and even our own star bucks coffee maker. With our spirits high we headed for down town in freezing -6 degree temperatures. Firstly looking at Ground Zero, Wall Street, Brooklyn Bridge all before stopping for our first big slice of pizza. We then headed back to ground zero for a tour with two survivors of 9/11. That night we headed to Madison Square Garden for Cirque Du Soleli’s Wintuk.

Wednesday was Christmas Eve and we headed straight for Fashion Avenue, Seventh Avenue to do a spot of shopping, we got lost in Macy’s, swung by Saks, and despite Bec’s best efforts left Tiffany’s empty handed. We also passed the Library and the Grand Central Terminal. That afternoon we went to Radio city and watched the world famous Rockettes perform in the Christmas spectacular from row C!!! That night we had a dinner at Ruby Foo’s on Broadway.

Christmas morning we opened presents, crossed the road for a hot diner-style breakfast and then headed into Times Square. Everywhere we looked everything was bigger, brighter and better. Then in amongst it all there was the ‘Naked (sleazy) Cowboy’… fighting off Japanese tourists Bec managed to get a photo with him and immediately felt dirty! We then headed for the biggest M&M shop in the world for some red, blue and white supplies. Before walking through a snow covered central park passing the famous ice-staking rink and John Lennon’s Imagine memorial.

That afternoon we went back to our room for a feast of spreads, chocolates and a nap so we were fresh for a fancy night out. We had booked a table at John Georges, a very classy Resturant by Columbus Circle, inside the Trump tower AND overlooking Central Park. Dinner was great we both enjoyed 5 courses of excellent food and wine, making it a very special Christmas. Hot Damn!

Friday morning we headed up the Top of the Rock (NBC Rockefeller centre) for some great views over the city. We also did an NBC tour, went past Schwarz, Barneys, Bloomingdales and Dylan’s candy bar – where Bec may, or may not have lost her mind! We also purchased our first vendor hot dog and coke for the bargain *insert eye roll here* price of 14 US dollars! That night we Thanked God it was Friday and headed to TGI’s for some Baby back (Baby back) ribs and were carded for the first time in this over 21 only drinking country! Woohoo – proud moment for J. After that we endued a very yawn filled game of b-ball; that had plenty of DEFENCE by the NY Knicks against the Timberwolves.

Saturday we rose bright and early to make our way to South Ferry for our 8am boat ride to Ellis and Liberty Island. First stop was Liberty; we grabbed our audio guides and made a beeline for the big lady herself. After waiting, and waiting and waiting to pass through security (where we were shot with some crazy gas?!) we made our way into the pedestal. We wandered through the Museum, gazed up into the hollow structure and took a trip around the famed statue. A little disappointed by size (yes! that’s right, to us size DID matter on the day), we boarded the next leg of our ferry ride to Ellis Island. Ellis Island proved to be less … controversial, than we were expecting and quite boring. Our afternoon was livened up however by the fog that had set over Manhattan and hence trapped us on Ellis Island… but not for too long. After a short wait we returned back to the Island and safely to our hotel. That night the elements kept us in a room with an EXTRA EXTRA EXTRA large (which was only a medium by American standards) size pizza and some trashy television.

Next, being Sunday, we thought it best – being the good Catholics that we are – we attended some church. We had a very traumatic morning before boarding the bus but the sites of Harlem including the Apollo Theatre, Franco the Great, Sugar Row and George Washington’s house on the hill. We ended just before lunch with a half hour hardcore (do you want more) session of hand clapping, knee slapping, halleluiah PRAISE JESUS! Being cleansed and free from sin, we headed for some sex and the city (tour). We visited all the sights from the show (and some from the movie) including sampling cupcakes from Magnolia’s Bakery, Cosmo’s at Aiden’s Bar “Scout” and making personal inspections of some rabbits at the Pleasure Chest. That night – After visiting Katz for lunch (famed deli from When Harry Met Sally) and not entirely satisfied of our Meg Ryan Movie fixed – we headed to the Empire State Building for the last ride up inside the elevator…. However, we were a little early. After 2 hours of lining up we finally made it up to see some spectacular night scenes. That night we nibbled on some pretty find looking breast at Hooters ;) Chicken breast that is!!!

Our final day in NYC was spent riding the free Staten Island ferry for one last look at lady liberty and despite our vagabond shoes wanting to stay we jumped in a taxi made the mad bolt out to JFK for our flight homeward bound.

On Brooklyn Bridge overlooking the Island of Manhattan!

Taking a bite out of the Big Apple Slice.

Overlooking construction at Ground Zero 9/11 Site.

About to head into see the Rockettes.

The famous Rockettes in the Christmas Spectatular.

J on the Top of the Rock with the Empire State Building in the background.

Bec with the massive rip off of a hot dog!

Christmas Day (snow covered Central Park)

Cupcake Heaven - Magnolia Bakery.

Cosmo's at Scout

Nightfall over NYC.

Lady Liberty.