Taste Of Sydney - Food Show

The 'Taste Of Sydney' was on and my Mum couldn't go so she gave me two tickets to go and see it with a friend of mine. So on Sunday 11th March 2012 which was the last day of the show I went with a friend of mine called Rachel. Driving in there was okay yet when we hit Centennial Park it was really clogged up. We thought we found a car spot yet it was Lyndey Milan a prominent Aussie foodie just parking her car. After driving around for about 20 minutes I found a very small car park near a tree which I just managed to squeeze into. Then we were all set for the walk back to the show.

It was a very beautiful yet very warm and sunny autumn day so walking back we worked up a bit of a sweat. Walking in the gates was amazing because Rachel had never been there before and seeing her face light up was nice. Everywhere we looked around was food related places with them giving samples of food which you had to off course pay for. Looking through the different foods we could have on the little brochure given to us I spied from a Turkish restaurant Lambs Testicles of all foods. Rachel wasn't at all impressed yet I was expecting about six or eight of them in the serving. When they came out there was only two which I wasn't impressed with because I paid $7 for it. Yet with some type of garnish on the side, they were actually very nice. We also went to a sake tasting amongst a whole bunch of other things also. Going back the traffic was a nightmare because it was the end of a football match at a huge stadium nearby. So this time I'm including some pictures of the day and considerably less then I took. The reason being was I gave my Dad some pics from my camera so he could use them for his work. I thought he saved them all but by some twist of fate he didn't and I ended up deleting nearly all of mine on my camera. This was before I could get to my computer to store them.... Yet that's another story... So here are the pictures I took..

Sheeps testicles

Rachel, Manu and I

Rachel having a nesquick? coffee

Trip Down To Kiama

Buzzzzzzz.... Cracckkkllleeee....... Crackle..... It was my radio clock alarm waking me up at about 5:30am. Waking me up from my slumber which I wasn't too keen to do. On Wednesday a group of us from the writing group went down to Kiama to visit Faye. Faye was another lady who did the course with us all a few years ago and has since moved down to Kiama. It was a huge long day where I met three of the other ladies at the ferry terminal down in Manly at about 8am. From there we caught a ferry to Sydney then train to Central Station where we met up with Louise another member of the troupe. We then caught a train to the the last stop of Kiama which took nearly two hours. Seeing the scenery go past at a leisurely pace was amazing yet Agnes kept herself busy by playing a game on her Iphone for some of the time. It was such a beautiful, sunny warm day and could hear some birds at one of the train stops.
Finally after reaching Kiama we all looked up to the railing where we saw Faye's friendly face smiling back at us. Because there was five of us that day Faye drove us all in two trips to her house only a short while from there. Upon arriving at her house we were all greeted by her bouncy dog who was also so happy to see us and kept wanting to jump up on us all. Walking in I noticed that it was welcoming friendly house which was nice. In one of the back rooms there was food already see up there under some coverings. While Faye was picking up the others we went out to the garden which we saw was quite large and very green looking. As usual I took a few pictures yet can't show you any because they are still in my camera. I'm still working out storage on my computer.
After Faye came back there were cups of tea, coffee and drinks around for everyone. The travellers who included Agnes, Carole, Paula, Louise and I were ever so grateful for the refreshments. We all had a tour of the house and then decided to have lunch during which I decided to have a fall. I actually didn't decide to fall yet as I was walking to the kitchen from the outside I missed a step, tripped and twisted my ankle. I also hurt my side because it was such a heavy fall. It also scared me to death nearly yet I'm still here. Within seconds I had a few of the ladies around me checking to see if I was okay. We had a huge large where we were all very satisfied sitting out on the covered patio. Like lounge lizards just relaxing and talking about anything and everything.
Yet sadly the time came where it was getting a bit later in the afternoon and the train trip back was calling us. Faye did the same before with the two trips in the car and then we bade our fond farewells before our travels. Another two hours on the train, we got back to Sydney in the middle of peak hour which was strange. For me I'm not used to being around so many people yet I managed it. Louise left us at Central and I caught the train with the others where I got of at Wynyard. Walking up the stairs there was a bus already there which was good and I got on it. I wanted to try to make it home before 6:30pm because I wanted to see the Lindy Chamberlain interview on TV. On the bus it was weird not going home with the other ladies yet I did see a lot of them that day. Too my surprise the bus trip didn't take that long and I walked in the door at about 6:35pm just enough time to see all the Chamberlain news on both channels. So that day was filled with quite a few new experieinces like going on a ferry for the first time in many years. It was strange to see how much new work they have done on them and also the trains were a bit different. Yet most of all it was a very special day with some special people in my life who have really been there for me. They are almost like my Aunties yet adopted in a sense off course.
P.S. When My photo's are out of the camera I put them on the blog. Also I'm sorry I haven't done a post in a while because the reason being I forgot the password again..... Yet farewell until next time soon.....

Merry Christmas & Happy New Year!

Well, well, well another Christmas and New year has been and gone so fast. My Christmas was a quiet one. I went up to my parents up on Christmas Eve had dinner then went to a Christmas light street display up in Newport. The whole street nearly had heaps of lights and was also packed with people for 200 to 500 metres or something like that. I took a few pictures with my mobile phone yet they turned out quite dark.

Christmas morning I woke up early and made it to the early morning church service. I got there on time and it was so packed. People were out on the landing bit sitting there also. I hadn't been to a morning Christmas service in years so it was very interesting. After the service I greeted a few people then rushed back up to my parents house who were well and truly awake by this time and sitting on the balcony. We had the traditional blueberry pancakes and icing sugar which was great.

The rest of the day was reasonably quiet yet we did have a big meal which filled all three of us up. My brother was away in America with his girlfriends family which was strange. He'd never been away for Christmas before and I found myself missing him. Mum, Dad and I opened presents ooohing and aahhing over them. We also had a very small dinner of leftovers after the big lunch of duck and other items...

Boxing Day was a quiet day with parents making overseas phone-calls to friends and I replied to quite a few text messages and emails. That afternoon we all went over to my uncle and aunts place to catch up with them. For me I hadn't seen them for about a year and a half so I was excited. The most extraordinary thing happened when we were there which was like synchronicity working. One by one my three other cousins with their new families came walking into the house within a space of an hour or so. That made my day because I hadn't seen them all in ages and I met two of the new kids or babies as well. We all had something to eat and drink catching up all the while. It was so amazing. It had made my day and I found it really, really special.

New Years was another quiet one with seeing the 9pm fireworks down at Dee why beach with some friends of mine. Then went back to their house to chat and watch the midnight fireworks on TV. We all left within the next two hours and I went home. Turned the TV and watched the "Can't Stop The Music" which had the Village People in it. Only having one drink that night I knew that I was not going to have a hangover and I went to bed feeling good about that. I also thought of my brother and his girlfriend who must be tired after coming back some time on New Years Eve.

New Years day or afternoon I went back to my parents for a belated Christmas celebration for my brother and his girlfriend. We had dinner on the balcony and spent most of the evening catching up, talking. Also nearly forgot opening our presents. It was so great to see them back safe and sound in Sydney. I ended up staying the night at my parents which was good. I'm sorry I can't really supply any pictures with this blog post yet my computers memory is running out. Which means i have to get one of those storage back-up thingo's. Yet I'll try to find one.... So you can say that I've already celebrated Christmas this year in 2012 on New Years Day. When it comes to 25th December it will be my second Christmas..... Strange but true....
So I hope everyone had a great, happy and safe Christmas also New Year!! It's a bit late yet I still remembered... See you in my next entry....

30 Years In Sydney!!!

Please note..... Sorry for not blogging sooner... I had trouble accessing my account for a bit....
Imagine a November thirty years ago in Western Australia. Kalgoorlie was the place way back in 1981 where my family was living. Because of my Dad's work we had to move way over east to Sydney to start a new life in a sense. My brother and I as young kids did not realise the full impact of the move until we got there in New South Wales.
We all left our friends and some family over there while we set of on our huge trip. Across the Nullabor plain, through SA, Vic and then to NSW with two kids and a dog who used to fart a bit in the car.When the dog farted all the windows came down with all our noses nearly dying from the smell. My parents were very brave taking this on this enormous trip. Anyway we all survived the trip.

Upon getting to Sydney we all had to learn to adjust to the life here. My brother and I both started school the same month we came to a smaller school of about 14 students from 400 odd students. We also had a much smaller house which was right next door to the church which was interesting.

For me the great feeling of homesickness came over me very early and I think that was because I was older then my brother. Nearly every night I used to cry for WA and wished I was back there. I'd also wake up in the middle of the night and read book until the early hours of the morning. My poor parents were trying to reassure me that we were only going to be here for about 3 to 4 years at most and then Dad's work will move us again somewhere anyway.

Around the time of the anniversary all of us including my brothers girlfriend went to a Mexican restaurant for a meal to celebrate this important time. It also had really good food.
After that meal we were all full up and couldn't eat anything else.

Yet 30 years later we are all still all in Sydney with a lot of time gone underneath the bridge. I still miss WA all the time and try to go back there every chance I get. Last time I was over there was about two years ago and it's been the most visited Aussie destination to me over the years. There is always one thing for sure that I still consider myself a real Western Australian at heart.... Even 30 years later.....
Until next time...... See you later.....

Armenian Cultural Day

On Saturday night I stayed overnight at my parents to catch up with them and as I was getting out of the car I saw next doors tabby kitten over near the bushes. I went over it wondering what it was doing foraging in the bushes and gave it a quick pat. I started to walk off and heard this scruffling (that's how I can only describe it) noise, turned around and saw a baby bird just standing there who the cat had caught. I took it inside to my parents who were watching TV at the time and were extremely surprised seeing this little patient in my hands. Yet I elaborate on that at on another blog entry.

The Sunday morning I went to church for the first time in quite a few months which was interesting and good. Over the past few months the church had finished it's renovations and also in the past couple of weeks changed the church service times. With those changes they have been quite hard on me because it is very different from how I once knew it. I'll also write about that on another post.

So anyway I caught up with a few people and a family I know also who invited me to the school fete at Frenchs Forest Primary School. I said I would meet them there after dropping of some food in the fridge at home which I did. I got a bit distracted having a small something to eat, texted them I was on my way then went up there. Going there I saw a sign for The Armenian Cultural Day in Duffys Forest on a bridge across the road.Arriving there I called them yet no answer. At text came and said I just missed them. So I decided to go to the Armenian School Fair because it was going to close in the next hour or so. Looking in the street directory I couldn't find the school or remember the name of the street. So I had to do a great big huge loop around the streets and traffic light to see the small sign again...yet still be careful of my driving. Getting past that bit I then drove for a little bit more to find a street to turn into then look at my map.

S0 beginnith the saga of finding my way to the Alexander Primary School out in the back-woods of Duffys Forest. Little did I know how far away it really was and how many times I had to stop of and look at the map. On the way there I even got more confused and stopped of at the Japanese School fete or fair yet didn't get very far. Just as I was trying to find the entrance I saw a lot of people walking out and it was THEN...I figured it out that it was basically finished there. I got back into my air-conditioned car which was much needed because it was such a hot day then I managed to find the place at long last. I was lucky to find a car spot because it still seemed very busy there. I was so nervous about going into a place with no-one I knew or a language I had no idea on how to speak. I did something that I don't normally do yet that was because of nerves.

Walking into a huge courtyard I found myself surrounded by people, food stores and other types of stores as well. I felt like a real alien in my own country and city walking around having a look. It was the strangest of feelings because I felt like I was almost trespassing on some type of private function or day. It was like everyone could tell that I was an outsider spying on them or something. I have no idea why I was feeling so vulnerable there yet I was and it was scary as well as totally new.What was also driving me was that I wanted to learn more on the school and also the day. Walking over to the other side of the courtyard I saw some more stalls as well as one with some types of bracelets, a religious poster with Armenian writing on it amongst other things as well. I wished I could read what it was saying yet couldn't. There was some modern singing in the background being performed so I managed to find a seat and watch for a bit. The crowd was grooving along a bit and I found myself swaying a bit also. I felt like asking someone sitting around me what the song was about that they were singing..yet didn't have the guts to do it.

Getting up I walked up a bit further to the see what else was up there and then I noticed the school hall which I nearly missed. Going inside it was like an Aladdin's cave of posters and musical items some f which I hadn't seen before. On the walls were different part of Armenian music like classical, religious, popular, folk and a few other kinds as well. There were also pictures and names of people of I have never heard of before or even seen. I was totally fascinated and wanted to remember as much as I could. I didn't have my normal camera with me so I got out my mobile phone and started taking pictures with that instead. I also walked into the foyer of the school and found this amazing tile mosaic with so much detail to it which covered about 10 feet high and 10 feet wide or bigger. I still had a big urge to talk to someone yet was to shy to do so.

On the way out of the hall I stopped and looked at big coin celebrating Armenian independence to a republic or country. There was two oldish men standing near me and told me it was a coin for their country which set us of into a conversation for about 15 minutes to half an hour almost. We talked about anything from the founding of their country 20 years ago, Armenians around the world, the sad genocide of years gone by, classical Armenian singers, the countries very long ancient history, all the different types of instruments, Armenian's being the first Christians, the Armenian Church in Sydney, the Armenian alphabet, letters and the source of it from nature, a very famous Armenian poet and musician from the middle ages, also how the country was once known as "The one with a thousand churches" amongst quite a few other things as well. Outside I could hear some folk music and dancing yet couldn't go out because I was too busy talking yet it sounded fascinating. One of the men I was talking to actually owned this instrument in the picture here which I found fascinating. He also said how he had repaired the instrument and his daughter learnt how to play it. He also worked with some type of artworks like pottery or tiles. After talking to those gentlemen I felt so relieved and a bit better so I finally introduced myself to them. They told me their names yet I could get my mouth around the words properly yet I thanked them very much for their kind hospitality.

As I was finally leaving decided to have another look at the cross bracelets again. On one of them I notice a name called "St Serge". I asked to owner who didn't know then she asked someone else about it. I was told that St Serge was a saint of winter or the cold or something like that. I decided to buy another one I found because I had no real idea who he was. I also saw these pastry or sweet things on the way out and asked how much they were. The lady ended up saying that it was the end of the day and I can get 6 for $10. I got 3 of each type which was one was plain and the other had ground walnut, spices and cinnamon in it. Also luckily they just had enough change for a $50 note. Again I thanked them very much and left feeling very humbled indeed. That night after getting home and having a bit of a rest I started looking up Armenian information while watching TV. I found myself too fascinated for many hours looking at all these different facts than watching the TV. I was also trying to find out more information about St Serge and his story. I also rang my Mum and told her what I had done that day and how I went to the fair day. She was happy that I had a good and interesting day. That night I went to bed in absolute awe of the Armenian people and culture gaining a whole new respect for them all over again. I've always liked and had respect for the culture yet that day reaffirmed it once again for me.
The schools website where the cultural day is here down below. The school is called is Alexander Primary School. They seem to be a very good and interesting school indeed.
http://www.alexander.nsw.edu.au/index.html

Again thank-you for reading more about my life's journey yet take care until next time soon....

Recovering From Being Sick

Over the last four weeks or so I've been really sick with a flu or cold. PLEASE NOTE: The photo's in this blog are trying to describe how shaky I was feeling. I couldn't find any photo's of me being sick.... There were days where I was blowing my nose every few minutes it seemed like and that my nose was getting sore. I also had a sore throat that with every swallow it was really hard so I bought some strepsils which did help for a few minutes. With the coughing it felt like I was doing it a lot and I was getting no peace from myself. Headache's, weakness and feeling bit feverish were another part of the fun......NOT!

So after trying to rest, be quiet, not see people for fear of infecting them for about two weeks my Asperger's was starting to annoy me and get on top of me. Sure I quite like my own company and do feel comfortable with it yet this was getting a bit to much. I wanted to do some more cleaning of my house and also go out places doing things and I was getting very lonely. I do like people and being around people even though I do get quite anxious with it yet that's normal for me.

I can't remember exactly what week it was yet I started getting really bad dizzy spells on a Sunday or Monday or Tuesday. It felt like that the room was spinning whenever I lay down or moved and it was the most horrible also scary feeling out. It was worse than the most drunk you've ever been times 30. Worse was to come with the nausea and being sick along with sore feeling ears. The writing group was going back after a few weeks back so I had to inform them that i couldn't make it because I was so sick. One of the ladies whom I emailed didn't seem to impressed with that yet I said that I was sorry.

The next day I went to the Doctor feeling like death warmed up and aching all over as well. My nausea was bad when I was waiting in the waiting room. So I had to use the surgeries toilets and empty my stomach contents which wasn't nice. I was worried that I couldn't last out my time in the waiting room.... yet I did. After 20 to 30 mins it was my turn to see the Doctor who examined me. He said I had a build up of fluid in my ears and I had quite a bit of mucous in my throat. I got prescribed some antibiotics and some Stemetil for the nausea instructing me to go home and rest. On the way back home I got the medicines from the chemist and as I walked in my door I felt like a zombie. So over the next week or so I slowly improved yet still wasn't back to full health. I also found that I had been quite depressed with being sick for this long also yet that maybe is normal. So at last I'm coming out of the woods which is good. I'm sorry for being quiet for this month of October yet now you know what was going on with me... I was under orders to get myself better!
Now you will hear more from me on my blog... Take care until next time.....

My Birthday

The eighth of September was my birthday and it was an interesting birthday this year. I had no birthday dinner yet a longish type of grazing on food. It was quite a grey day in Sydney with a bit of rain and I caught a bus into the city with my parents. For the first part of it my parents had a couple of meetings so I occupied myself with a chai latte at world square.

After the meeting I met up with Mum where we caught a bus to Darling Harbour to the exhibition centre. It was "The Fine Food Fair - of Australia" that we were going to for the afternoon and see a lot of different things. That day I wasn't feeling that well and was in quite a bit of pain and discomfort even with the advils I took. Anyway at the fair we were to walk and look through five very big halls of different food, kitchen gadgets, a chef competition, food from different countries and I think also demonstrations or two. Mum was also doing a bit of work along the way which I didn't mind because it was interesting.

Anyway we started seeing different items and trying quite a bit of different food in quite quick succession. We only got up to the second hall I think where I had to much and felt quite queasy. So It was quite funny being around all this food with people offering it to you yet note being able to eat it. There was so much I wanted to try yet I just had to sit down on a lounge until I felt a tiny bit better while my Mum had to keep working. The rest of the time at the food fair I found hard yet was determined to catch the bus back home with my Mum because we make a good team.

We walked from Darling Harbour up to Town Hall where we managed to catch a quick bus. Upon sitting down we both felt happy just to be relaxed and being driven by the bus-driver. We discussed whether or not I come up and stay the night yet I didn't feel well enough to come up. So we said our 'Goodbyes' on the bus and I thanked Mum very much for a very nice day. I went home and heated up my heat-packs put them on myself then I rested for a while. I looked on my Facebook to discover about over 200 or so birthday wishes which deeply moved me nearly to tears. I kept scrolling down, down, down, down, down and down and it brought a huge smile to my face that people remembered me on my birthday. It tool me the next few days to reply to everyone on my Facebook yet I was determined to do it. I also got a few birthday phone-calls text messages and wishes from quite a lot of people as well which meant a lot to me. It filled my heart up with a lot of love and joy!! So thankyou everyone for all your wishes!!!!
Until next time.....