Category Archives: Portugal

Alfred Bloody Hitchcock…

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Okay, so one of my FAVORITE things about living in Sydney is Fridays. The reason is that right after school lets out, we head down to the beach for what inevitably always turns out to be a great time. You see, unlike in the States, it is completely appropriate to sit around and sip wine while your kids run around on the beach. It’s just the perfect way to end the week. The kids have a play after a hard week at school. And the moms chill out after a long week of….I don’t know shopping.

Since it has started to warm up a bit we returned to our beach routine today. It was going to be great. Five moms and 10 kids with chips, wine, fresh fruit and even toast with vegemite. We set up our blankets and the party was started. Next thing you know, I am letting out a scream. A seagull had swooped by scraping at my hair as I ate a cracker. We all had a bit of a chuckle as I suggested that this seagull issue would be resolved if I just had a gun (Americans, that is illegal here!). But as quickly as we laughed, one little girl got snipped at, they another got bit as she ate a chip. The girls were totally freaked out. It wasn’t exactly Alfred Hitchcok’s The Birds, but it wasn’t nice. They wouldn’t stop. they just kept coming back. It started to get out of control. Kids screaming from every direction. Here is my friend consoling her daughter & her little friend. They look calm, but I swear Fang was screaming right before the shot was taken.

Mario Andretti and Em came to the rescue while we covered all the food. They circled the group swatting at the seagulls. Here is a still shot of the two of them:

I am so sad to think that Fridays might just not be the same if the seagulls keep their shenanigans up. I blame you Alfred H.!!!

Hip, Hip, Horray!!!

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Before heading to the States we thought we’d try to teach Lana how to ride a bike. We took her down to the oval near the beach for a spin. Let’s just say it didn’t go so well.

So yesterday, I decided to take her back to the same oval. I distracted her brother with his ‘new ‘ scooter (new to us…a neighbor had left it out on the curb for garbage pick-up). When we got there we decided to take the pedals off her bike so that she could try to just get comfortable balancing herself. Her friend Freckles (& her family) met us there. I didn’t know if Lana would get uncomfortable since Freckles is a really good rider. They ended up having had a great time riding around, albeit at VERY different paces. They even ‘disappeared’ for a while to check out the skaters at the ramp at the back of the park.

Since we had the car again today, I took the opportunity to throw Lana’s bike & Nuno’s scooter into the back of the car and off we went again. We met up with Freckle’s mom (Jenny) & little brother, right near their house which is on the other end of the beach. Jenny had taught Freckles (now a pro) to ride a bike by having her ‘roll’ down a hill until she had mastered her balance. This took them 30 minutes one afternoon & then she was off on her two-wheeler. By the looks of it, her 2 year old will be riding very soon too.

We gave it a go and what would you know, Lana is RIDING A BIKE!!! Yes, she still needs a bit of a push, but she’s doing it. We weren’t sure if she’d ever trust herself and just go for it, but with some effort and positive energy (thank you Inger) she did it!

We have an okay video clip here (very difficult to capture when you have to pull a camera out of your sports bra and get a shot after you’ve helped with push off). And while we have your attention, here is a clip of Nuno riding his scooter. Poor kid was ignored for the greater part of two afternoons.

The City to Surf ~ 2009

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Yesterday my darling husband participated in the City to Surf road race. The City to Surf in the largest running event in the world with a record 75,000 runners participating this year. The race starts in the center of the city and the 14km course leads to the finish on gorgeous Bondi Beach. With such a high number of runners we debated not taking the kids into the city as it seemed to be such a mad idea. However, knowing how much the kids would enjoy cheering their dad on and banking on the fact that things in Sydney  are usually well organized, we went for it. Well, our faith in Sydney being a  well run city was very much justified.

We all hopped on a bus in the morning and went down to the “back of the pack” starting area. That is no joke. That is the fourth and last block where non-elite and later entrants wait to start. This group is warned that it can take over 30 minutes before they cross the starting line. Every runner has a chip attached to their shoe that is activated upon crossing the starting line so you get two times: the official race time and your own actual race time.

After leaving the starting area, the kids and I headed to Bondi. The bus left right from Hyde Park which could not have been easier. We walked down to the beach and got mum (mommy ) a cuppa (coffee) & kids a bickie (aka cookie). Then we found a place right up against the barrier. It wasn’t the finish line, but it was close enough. We had a bit of time so I got right into it. Cheering on runners is something I always do because I know how it always helps me to push myself when people cheer me on during races. Well Lana realized that I was one of only three people cheering EVERYBODY on. I reminded her why I do it and that p.s. I am an American, so people count on me to be obnoxious. She preferred the idea of holding the awesome sign she made on her own, but Nuno got right into it.

 

While we waited we saw heaps of people running for charities, some parents pushing prams, a few wheelchair entrants, some great costumes and even some kids running. My favorite was the parent runniing holding their child’s hand (there were two we saw). Yes, we cheered them all on!

The kids were all the while helping me to spot dadddy. Amazingly we did it!

He looked great! And the kids and I were so proud.

It didn’t take him long to finish, collect his medal and meet us at our designated meeting spot. After hanging out for a short while enjoying the view we hopped on a free bus back into town and then another back home. I tell you this only because it was so easy to go into Sydney to be a part of such a HUGE event and the city deserves credit for doing such a fantastic job!

Papi, we were so glad to be a part of your day!

For more pictures click here.

almost

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When I arrived in the States my plan was to post every few days to keep up with all the things we were doing and people we have seen, but it has just been too busy. There have been so many lovely moments, yet each time I was with someone it just felt like it wasn’t enough time. Saying good-bye always came too quickly. Normally after a couple weeks on holiday I am ready to go home…Well, I do miss my husband heaps, but I am not yet ready. The next two days are going to be a race to hug & kiss everyone one more time. I am so fortunate to have so many wonderful people in my life…too bad they won’t fit in the NINE suitcases I am bringing back.

LBI ~ 2009

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The other night after a great day of beach, fresh bread, kayaking, belly laughing, UNO and so much more, I was thinking how awesome my older nieces and nephews are. I know the original Mana Lana & Bonnit are not here, but you are include in this comment. It is so lovely to see what great people they have grown up to be. They are all so funny, smart and have such gentle souls. Not only were they SO good with the little ones, but they are also so gorgeous to their vovo.  And when you’re having a difficult time getting back on your kayak they come to your rescue. Not to mention they kick a#$ at beer pong.

The main reason we came back during the American summer rather than Christmas time was to go on our somewhat annual family holiday. One of my favorite things to do (& Fabiana’s too) is take photos. Not only do we always end up with some classic shots, but looking back on the photos we can see how the kids have grown up. With all of us spread all over the world it is a very special time for us to reconnect. Having these photos will bring us all a bit closer when while we wait for next year. Enjoy them here.

Playtime in America

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Since arriving in the States it has been all go. We had barely walked in the door and Lana already had company which immediately led into a sleepover. CRAZY!!! We have just barely been here a week and I am exhausted from all the partying, as are the kids. But we are not ready to slow down yet. We are taking in every second of family and friends that we can. We have had heaps of time with catching up with people, but yet somehow it never feels like enough…so we’ll squeeze in every second we can. To see some of our pictures click here. There will be many more pictures to come as we still have loads of people to see.

out of nothing at all…

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Well God works in mysterious ways. And last night when my camera ran out of battery I was really upset. But this morning on recuperating reflecting on what a great time I had last night, I realize fewer pictures is probably a good thing….especially for my political career.

A bunch of us went out to Panchos & Gringos. Now I know some of you may want to blame the lime, strawberry & mango margaritas, however, the beauty of this bunch is that this silliness has always been a part of how we interacted from even before any of us drank. From the moment Leslie walked into the bar with Kimmie & the room erupted, I knew it was bound to be a great night.

I know it sounds corny, but last night was a gift. I had such a fun time with some really beautiful people….who just happen to be insane.

 

See all the (decent) photos here.

Yum….my!!!

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I know this post should be titled Bianca’s Graduation. She deserves the honor as she is a very smart and extremely hard working student, not to mention a sweetheart. So yes, congrats Bianca.

However, I can’t help but share how excited I am about having timed my trip to include a party at her parent’s house as their food is always DELICIOUS. They really take the idea of dinner party to another level.

I have two friends in Sydney who were very kindly raving about my cooking. In overhearing this, my darling husband informed them that in Portuguese circles I am barely considered a woman because my cooking skills are so relatively poor. Normally I don’t take to kindly to such comments from him, but he is dead on about this one. I tried to explain to my friend Cherie that no matter what I do I will NEVER be able to throw a party like Tony & Isabel.

To illustrate this point I have taken a shot so the ladies back in OZ can see where I am coming from.

 Click here for more photos from the party. Most were taken by Lana.

4th of July

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Part of the reason I extented our holiday to include another week was so that we could be here to celebrate the 4th of July. It’s certainly a nice way to embrace being American. I also thought the kids would love to see some fireworks. Having arrived yesterday the thought of dealing with the crowds at the mall was too much to even consider.  But when we heard them start last night I threw the kids in the car & we found a spot right near Vôvô’s house to view them. It really is magical…

Well, after waking up with my two jet-lagged kids (Nuno was up at 1am & Lana at 3am) we hung around waiting for everyone to get up and get the day going. 

Arriving at Ti Ze’s house, it was as if we never left. The kids were completely at home.  Soon after we arrived, Auntie Maria & Uncle Rob showed up with the two newest members of the family, Bonnie & Clyde.

The weather was perfect and the kids played in the pool for hours.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

But then my kids started to hit the wall of exhaustion. Nuno came over to me and I kid you not, no sooner was he in my arms then he was asleep. Not surprisingly, my brother ended up using my son as an excuse to take a nap.

 

 

Lana was next. I tried to get her to come back to Vôvô’s with me. But even though she was going to pass out, she insisted she wanted to be with the ‘family’. So there she stayed.

We’re off!!!

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On Friday morning the kids & I took off for our American holiday. No sooner did we arrive at the airport did the party get started. Since we were on Delta’s inaugural flight from Sydney to LAX they were celebrating. There were balloons and a bongo player. We were even treated to an assortment of drinks and pastries all gorgeously presented and served to us by waiters as we entered our gate. There were also television news crews. They filmed us, while we photographed them. Although it was a decent flight, I am still a bigger fan of Air New Zealand for this long haul. They just have more practice I suppose.

After hauling butt through LAX (we had 1.5 hours to make our flight) we made it to our connecting flight back to NYC. Since the kids had barely slept on the first leg, I wasn’t sure how it would go. Fortunately they both passed out and slept though most of the flight.

We were all so excited to be home & we hit the ground running. Ti Ze & Vôvô picked us up and Fabiana had made us a gorgeous meal that was waiting for us when we arrived. Carlos had made some bread. (I am happy to report that his baking is coming along. He’s really trying to get as good as his little sister at baking.)

The kids were thrilled to see Du…AND a young lady who is almost family. The kids were having such a great time that it rolled into a sleep over because that’s how we roll!

 

 

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