Sydney Swans win AFL grand final!

Closing out Sept, my first month here, and mainly wanted to note, how Australian folks do love their footy (rugby) sport. After 73 years, the Sydney Swans were able to win the AFL grand final. It was quite exciting game. I was able to watch parts of it and watch the city erupt in great pride. About a week after the game there was an event just a few blocks from my building so decided to have a look see. The mayor was congratulating the team and giving them a key to the city.
http://sydneyswans.com.au/

Driving on the left hand side of the road.......

Very important to remember to when driving on the left hand side of the road to keep left!!!

Rented a car last weekend. Went to Bondi Beach. Still kind of cold out, but summer will be coming soon in January, as the seasons are flipped down under.


Purchased a bike and made it fit in the car. Took it home to put together. Not bad, purchased it at Kmart for $115 AUD, so about $90US, so not that bad. Going to bike and explore more next weekend.

Pics from around town....

No real topic at this point, but wanted to post some pictures of random shots of the city my first few weeks here. Here is a picture from University of Sydney, kind of looks Harry Potter, doesn't it?
Went to a nearby park (Victorian Park) also, and this nice family having a picnic gave me a cup of rice pudding. It was quite nice of them, sharing with a stranger. (too bad I do not like rice pudding)




Here is a fruit stand I visit at least 3 times a week. I was told once the summer season starts there will be lots of mangoes and other fruits. Here is the monorail. Just like Seattle, kind of pointless and does not really go very far, just in circles. Reminds me of home ;)

Slightly later in Australia

Even though we are 17 hrs ahead (Seattle Time) in Sydney, Australia, I found it interesting how things are slightly delayed in coming to Australia after it releases in the US. From TV shows to movies. You can see from this picture here, how "The Dukes of Hazard recently was released here on Sept 14th. Johnny Knoxville made a number of appearences throughout Australia. From a red carpet at a movie theater on George Street.... to even an appearence on Australian Idol. TV shows series and episodes are also delayed, not that they need to be translated or anything. You can also see in the pics below how brands that are either gone or bankrupt in the states are doing very well. Woolworths and Kmart, live and kicking. Wait until Walmart comes to town...... There is a Target here, but it has not taken over yet.

Office, set up and ready for business

Thought it would be good to upload some pics of the new office space we have. It is just big enough, with opportunity to grow. The office is in Darling Harbour, in the "CBD" (central business district). It is the 2nd Nestle tower on the right (recently renamed to Pricewaterhouse Coopers). We are on the 20th floor. The lobby is great, like a hotel lobby.


There is a central garden with some cute residents in the pond.










Here is the view from my desk and some shots of the office set up.
All in all, we are off and running, pitching new business and telling folks what we are all about. My view is not so bad either!

Apt Move In

Last Saturday was the Apt hunting day. Visited 4-5 neighborhoods and numerous apartments. Neighborhoods included Ultimo (college area), Surry Hills, Potts Point, and Darlinghurst. The final apt, was a little out of the original price range. It is located in Darlinghurst, just a block from Hyde Park. Placed a deposit and was ready for the move on Monday.

IMPORTANT NOTE, if you ever move overseas, prepare your finances! I unfortunately did not. I needed over $4,000 Aussie dollars (month rent and 6 weeks deposit) to move into this apt. We are a day ahead in Australia, so it was Sunday and the bank in the US was closed. Monday was a holiday. I will leave the unfortunate story at that, but just to say, my sister (Nissa) saved the day and was able to wire some funds to me on Weds, which allowed me to move in! The Park Apartments, looks to have been a hotel renovated into an apartment complex.

It is great, fully furnished, pool, jacuzzi, and a fold out sofa bed, so consider the "Sydney Hotel
Wanichsuksombat" open for business. (did not have to buy anything except some bed sheets for myself and the sofa bed) Come on down and visit if you can. Did I mention that the outdoor pool is heated. (trying to swim every morning before I head to work) The apt is situated right in the center of the city. I walk 20 mins to work in the morning. The place is great, here are some pics of the sunrise I see in the morning from my bedroom or living room.

(in this pic below, if you look closely enough, you can see the sydney opera house sails left above the tree line)

Some pics of the pool and jacuzzi.

1 week and counting

Family pic (left)- SeaTac Airport, Seattle August 29th, 2005. Still missing you guys.

Landed- August 31st in Sydney Australia. Coming in and out of consciousness on the plane, I landed in Sydney. My hotel room was not ready at 6:30 in the morning. So off I went to wander the city in a daze. I walked down to Darling Harbour (my future office location) and ate breakfast, left over from the plane, then I came across this bird. Nothing else to note, just a bird. But I have never seen this type of bird before (maybe a cousin of the seagulls we have in Seattle). That's when it hit me, I am in a different country, I am very tired, and I am wandering around the city aimlessly. Probably not a good idea. Oh, and I do not know one single person here yet.

Long story short for the week, it was full of work, hotel hopping, apartment hunting, and walks around the city getting used to the area.

First Blog

Hello and G'Day!

Promised myself and folks at least 1 week of getting things settled, but now let the "blogging" begin.

A week into it, let me say how much I do miss my family, friends, and Seattle. And you know that you were going to hear me say it. Poker.!!!! Holdem specifically. If I may just whine for a moment on how close I was in a tournament with some buddies of mine. To speak briefly about this tournament, we had a side pot going. Each game was $11, $10 for the main pot we were playing for and $1 to a side pot. First person to 10 games wins the pot. I was originally in last place in the beginning, winning only 1 game, while folks were at 4 games, I wanted to give up. But things started to turn, I started to win a game, then another game, then another. Before you know it I was 9 games and in first place (only one person behind me at 7 games). If you can imagine, the side pot was getting huge, over $350 (surprising how many games you can play in a month) I am so close, I am going to win this, forget the $$, I just want the bragging rights!!!!!

Alas, as timing and luck would have it, I was on a plane to Sydney the next day for 1 year and was unable to complete the tournament. However, if my luck holds out, I can win the 10th game this winter ;) if no one else wins. For those in the tourney, if we can hold on playing game for just a few months that would be great......