Back to Sydney - Rain, Celebs, and Pouty Lips

After fun times in Tassie, my parents and I returned to Sydney for a few quiet rainy days before they returned home to Hawaii.  We ate Chinese food and had vegetarian dimsum at Bodhi, where I saw Russell Crowe dining a year ago.  Sadly, he was not there.

My parents (and my eating budget) left on Saturday, Jan. 19th, and I was on my own again.  I took up my spot on Kim's sofa, many thanks to her and her roommates, Jackie and Laura and settled in for a week of on and off storms.  I'm told "La Nina" is to blame. 

After traditional Sunday brucnh at Bill's with Ruth, I went back there around noon to meet up with other former coworkers.  Halfway through waiting for the others to finish eating, we saw Nicole Kidman and Keith Urban walk right by our table.

  Totally made my day...didn't get any pictures though.  Nicole Kidman looked absolutely gorgeous.  I don't know whether it's our similarly notable height or striking blonde hair, but people in Spanish-speaking countries always ask, "Like Nicole Kidman?" when I introduce myself.  Maybe it's their nascent mastery of the English language.

I lounged about from Monday to Thursday as it intermittently stormed, which thoroughly discouraged any physical exertion inside or outside of the house.  I did manage to walk around Cremorne Point in North Sydney which has amazing houses I will probably never be able to afford unless I manage to turn the MBA into a joint degree with MRS.  I also visited Victoria Barracks in Paddington and the Real World Sydney house, which is set in the middle of a harbour near McDonald's.   No one lives around there...it's a very touristy area.  Odd.

Thursday Night began the 5-day stretch of incredible unhealthiness and liver boot camp.  The guilty party on Thursday night was free champers (champagne) at the Slip Inn, which led to afternoon drunkenness, eating at Eat Thai, and finishing the night at Green Park Pub.  Partner in crime: Royston. 

Given my involuntary sedentary state most of the Friday, I decided that I would not drink much that night when I met up with a sorority sister I hadn't seen in 3 years.  Unfortunately, my plans were tragically thwarted when Alex ordered me a double vodka and soda at Opera Bar, which was followed by an all-night vodka diet.  The sunset was so beautiful with the Opera House and Harbour Bridge in the backdrop.

  Given the previous night's revelry, we made a repeat appearance at the Slip Inn.  By now, Royston, Harvey, and Aurelie (from the Paris office) had met up with us.  They also were unwitting advocates of the liquid diet.  We continued on to the Cargo Bar sometime after 5 pm and before 2 am, where I inexplicably walked into a glasswall dividing the inside and the outside deck.  I'm not sure I can or want to elaborate how that exactly happened, but it was much faster and cheaper than a botox injection for getting my lip to swell up a la Angelina Jolie...unfortunately at the cost of a split lip.  Needless to say, that put an end to my night when I had to force myself to retire to deal with my bleeding lip. 

The next morning, or shall I say 4 hours later, I was woken up at 7 am to go camping in the Gong...hungover or maybe not even hungover yet.