The Pains of Being Named "Cary"

I used to get slightly offended when the barista at Starbucks would write my name “Carrie” on my coffee cup – God forbid if they wrote “Kerry”! But in Australia, apparently my name is Kerry, because to them, that is what my accent is telling them…

…Thus, opening the stage up for the biggest debate of the year: is your name pronounced Cary, or Cary?

To me this is what the question sounds like… but to Australian’s there is a HUGE difference between the name Cary (spelled/pronounced “Carrie”, as in Carrie Bradshaw), and Cary (spelled/pronounced “Kerry”, as in John Kerry). To me, it sounds the same, so I am always torn when trying to answer this question.

According to the postman, my name is Kerry.  But according to my housemates, my name is Carrie. 

I’ve gotten so used to the question that I laugh and let whoever questioning decide what they would like to call me, because at the end of the day – Kerry, Carrie, Cari, Cary, carry – they all sound the same to me!

Now, don’t get me started on the apparent HUGE difference between Harry and hairy… 

1:23:14

At the end of April of this year, I decided to get my exercising act together and set a goal for myself.  The goal in mind was to run the annual City2Surf, which is by far Sydney’s favourite charity run.  The course is a quite hilly 14km (about 8.75 miles) that starts in the heart of the city in Hyde Park and wraps around coastal suburbs ending at Bondi Beach.  Let’s talk more about the course:

Hyde Park >> Up William Street and through the tunnel >> down to Rushcutters Bay >> Up towards Edgecliff into Double Bay >> Down to the marinas of Rose Bay >> Up the monstrous ‘Heartbreak Hill’ >> Slowly leveling out in the outskirts of Vaucluse into Dover Heights >> Finally reaching North Bondi seeing the finish line in the distance >> down the hill to the finish line…

I’ve never ran anything longer than a 5km before, so I was concerned that I would be no match for the annual “fun run”. In front of me were the qualifying starting groups, for those who had always anticipated running the course and didn’t think to only commit on the very last day (yes, true story).  Because I signed up last minute – literally I signed up 20 minutes before admission closed – I was in the later group, accompanied with the other fun runners.  There were many runners like me, running the entire thing at their own pace, but there were also runners dressed in full on costumes. These runners took “fun run” literally and nailed it. Accompanying me on my run was the entire Avengers cast, Lego men and women, Teletubbies, Vikings and more.

I ran the damn thing in 1 hour 23 minutes and 14 seconds. And yes I was damn proud.

Although I couldn’t commit to running the course until the very last day of the sign up, I still did it.  I did it because I wanted to prove to myself that I could, which is the best feeling EVA.

#cornball

STARTING LINE

FINISH LINE

Throw Your Hands In The Air

Many months ago (probably about the time of my last blog post…), I purchased a three-day music festival ticket that seemed like it would be ages away. Well, as you kept refreshing your page to see if I wrote another post, I had a countdown in my calendar to the weekend of July 24^th.  Splendour in the Grass is one of Australia’s most popular music festivals that occur every July. Splendour welcomes all ages, but because the lineup typically lacks a Skillex and/or a One Direction vibe, the dubstep lovers and the teenage groupies typically stay home.

This was probably one of the best festivals I have been to, not only because the setting was in beautiful Byron Bay, but also because the acts I saw were ahhhmazing… City and Colour. Sam Smith. Danny Brown. First Aid Kit. LILY ALLEN. Foster the People. Chvrches. KELIS. Interpol. Foals…. Finally, let’s not forget who I was truly there for… OUTKAST.

Let’s discuss the best moments/sightings/etc. of Splendour in the Grass 2014:

• EVERY FREAKING SONG AND MOMENT DURING OUTKAST. They were amazing and I loved every second of it.
• First Aid Kit’s cover of Bob Dylan’s “One More Cup of Coffee”
• The giant inflatable head of Lionel Richie, which we made the official meet up point for the entire weekend. I also picked his nose.
  
• Sam Smith’s cover of Arctic Monkey’s “Do I Wanna Know”
• Spending a concentrated 45 minutes attempting to make a friendship bracelet in the Arts & Crafts tent
• Grooving to the time lapse show put on by Hot Dub Time Machine
• Kelis proving that her milkshake still brings boys to the yard
• Danny Brown confessing his love for MDMA
• Hitching a ride with a crazy Byron Bay local lady dressed head to toe in glitter and hot pink
  
• Lily Allen being Lily Allen (and for this social media controversy)
• NOT camping outside
• Having an actual bed to sleep on… in an actual house with hot water

There were SOO many more fun, unforgettable moments from Splendour – too many to list! I had such an amazing time with amazing people (shout out Jetstar, Cholo & friends, Little and Ruby) and I honestly cannot wait until next year for Round 2!

Proof That it Does Get Cold

For those of you thinking I am living in a 24/7/365 paradise... 

...Winter does exist here. And it can be cold. So how do we cope? Not well. We purchase an electric blanket that only has two settings (off or stifling), we stay in bed and get fat until the winter passes over and spring/summer blooms into our paradise once again. Please October, will you hurry up?! 

Okay, stop rolling your eyes. I know, it's no "winter vortex". 

Parents Are The Best

Parents are the best. No, I’m not trying to use my blog to publically show my affections for my awesome parents in an attempt to ask for money… I am simply preaching the truth – parents are the best.

My parents came to visit me the other week, and I cannot express how great it was to see them!  They arrived early on a rainy Saturday morning, where I met them at the airport with pretty purple flowers and a big smile on my face.  Although the weather was not ideal, it was still such a happy day because the Plotts were reunited!!! (minus Katy… *sad face*)

The parents stayed in a hotel close to my flat in Bondi, so it was very easy meeting up with them in the mornings when we were in Sydney.  I took them to my favourite Sydney eateries, including Churburger (which dad is still astonished that a milkshake would cost $6… and a burger – without fries – would cost $10…), Hurricanes (yummy ribs joint), Trio (yummy brunch joint) and Icebergs, which is the restaurant/pool club that is located in South Bondi.  I was really excited to take them to Icebergs because it is a local fine-dining establishment, with amazing views of Bondi beach.  They LOVED it!

Because my parents love me so much that they traveled 10,000 miles to visit me, I obviously took off work to spend time with them.  It was a great holiday away from work and away from reality.  Fortunately I got to take the entire week off, but unfortunately that week went by too fast! We fit so much into our quick week vacation that it would be the longest post ever if I described it, so here is the sparknotes:

SATURDAY: Brunch. Rain, rain, rain and more rain. We explored Bondi – in the rain. We took the ferry over to Manly – in the rain. Dad had an episode of almost getting seasick on the ferry back to the city. Mom and I laughed at the Asians using a pole to take epic selfies.

SUNDAY: Bondi to Bronte walk. Yummy fruit salad and banana bread. More rain. The Plotts went to a symphony at the Opera House. I successfully ate my snacks during the performance while Dad was unsuccessful at opening his peanut M&Ms without getting glares from fellow audience members. The Rocks. Plotts (& Bridget) go to Icebergs for dinner; Mom and Dad are in awe as they watch the HUGE waves crashing against the rocks and the side of the Icebergs pool.

MONDAY: The parents force me to show them the Bashful offices, which really wasn’t as bad as expected. Today is also Designated Shopping Day! Dad wishes he was anywhere but Sydney, Australia going store to store with his daughter and wife.  He gets grumpier as the day goes on.  We meet a family friend for dinner at Movida, a restaurant that I have wanted to go to for a while.

TUESDAY: Leave for Whitsunday Islands early in the morning. Our flight is delayed and I am not happy as it is cutting into my planned R&R time in the sun. Finally make it to Whitsundays and we spend the afternoon relaxing and exploring Airlie Beach.

WEDNESDAY: Wake up early for our Whitsundays snorkeling adventure.  We obviously follow the crowd and purchase body suits to protect us from jellyfish. We successfully look like goobers.  Our cruise takes us to two separate snorkel locations where we see bundles of coral, big fish and tiny fish, turtles and clams.  We have a late lunch at Whiteheaven Beach, which is the most majestic beach I have ever been to.  We enjoy dinner and ice cream in Airlie Beach.

THURSDAY: Leave Whitsundays in the afternoon after a morning tan session by the pool. Get back to Sydney in time for a long walk along to coast to Clovelly Beach before heading to Hurricanes for dinner.  Dad puts his bib on because he gets a fine stack of ribs.  We all leave Hurricanes feeling full of protein and starch.

FRIDAY: Wake up early to pick up our rental car and head to Hunter Valley (aka Sydney’s closest wine country). Immediately are delayed due to Easter traffic.  We manage to get to Hunter Valley around 2:00pm, just in time to visit a few vineyards before tastings close for the day. Two tastings in and the Plotts stock up on 6 bottles of wine.  Tipsy Colleen turns into sleepy Colleen.

SATURDAY: Dad plays golf.  Mom and I go to a super cute café before going on a two-hour pony ride.  In the afternoon, we go on a vineyard tour, hitting three more vineyards and purchasing 18 more bottles of wine. I get to keep four bottles.  We leave Hunter Valley after dinner, and head to the airport hotel where we stay as a family for their final night in Australia.

SUNDAY: Walk the parents across the street and say farewell.  I jump into the taxi queue, and wave goodbye with a tear in my eye. 

Montage of fave pics from the week!

Like I said, it was a wonderful – but super short – week spent with my two favourite people in the whole world.  They are my biggest supporters of my Australian Adventure and I cannot thank them enough for being the best parents a daughter can ask for.  I love them so much and I cannot wait to see them again: if that happens to be in a few months, or even if it is in a few years… They are simply the best. 

This Is My Exercise...

133 Bondi to 188 Oxford Street, Paddington
Distance: 4.0 km
ETA: 51 min

The daily routine (and mental thoughts) while walking to work...

8:05 – 8:10 – When I am supposed to be out the door.

8:11-8:15 – When I actually make it out of the door.

8:15 – Say good morning to George, Anna or the older guy that works downstairs at the flower shop (whomever is unloading the van full of pretty flowers).

8:20 – Wipe my brow as I briskly walk up the dreaded Bondi Rd hill towards Bondi Junction.

8:22 – Pass the fresh bread bakery and contemplate getting a take-away coffee.

8:22 – Don’t get a take-away coffee. You have no money.

8:28 – Hold breathe as I walk by the $2 Asian/Sushi pop up store. The musk of cheap Asian food in the morning is not how I like to start my day.

8:30 – Must be crossing the intersection of Oxford and Newland Street. If not, pick up the pace.

8:32 – Pass by the Bondi Junction Hobo. Do not make eye contact with the Hobo because he may beg for money, or growl – or both.

8:34 – Wonder why the Australians spell “tire” with a “y” (“tyre”) as I pass Bondi Junction Auto Services.

8:40 – Must be at the Oxford Street entrance of Centennial Park. If not, pick up the pace.

8:44 – Try not to get hit by a car at the intersection of Oxford and Moncur (also wonder why Australians don’t believe that pedestrians always have right of way).

8:45 – Creep a look inside the Centennial Hotel, which has been under construction the entire time I have been walking to work from Bondi. Also, wonder what is taking the workers so long to make real progress of the renovation.

8:48 – Pass by the Birkenstock store and do an acknowledging nod to the great shoe company (note: it is a 95% chance I am also wearing Birkenstocks).

8:49 – Glance over at Max Brenners Chocolate Bar and wish I was eating a chocolate waffle.

8:51 – Chuckle as I pass a painting of a Middle Eastern version of James Franco.

8:52-8:56 – Window shop at the boutiques I can’t afford

8:57 – Vow to someday go into Velder-Jones, The Wedding Boutique, and Luomo (all custom wedding boutiques) when I am engaged and looking for a wedding dress.

8:59 – Say good morning to the coffee cart man. Maybe he will give me a free green tea or hot chocolate today... 
9:00 – Walk through the doors of Bashful. Bam.

Mythbusted

In totally random and unrelated news, here is a picture of a dog I stumbled upon that looks EXACTLY like the dude from Mythbusters... 

Mind. Blown.