03 January 2007

Happy New Year!!


Guess where I spent New Year's? (The pic might give you a clue!)

That's right... Sydney!!

On Friday, Anna and I were discussing what to do to usher in the new year. Kinda stuffing around, Anna suggested Sydney! I've always enjoyed watching the fireworks off the Sydney Harbor Bridge, so we thought, hey, why not?! Neither of us had been to Sydney before. We jumped on the internet, found affordable tickets, and started getting excited!

On Sunday night around 7:15, our plane took off! I hadn't been on a big plane for about 4 months, and it was only Anna's second time, so we were hugely excited! In Sydney, we met up with Maxi at the airport and travelled in to the crowded city.

We jostled our way through the crowds, and found a great spot really close to the bridge. It was spectacular to watch the fireworks almost overhead! (I have to admit, though, you certainly do have a better view on the TV, but the atmosphere and crowds were heaps of fun.)

We had to be back at the airport before 6am, so we used our few hours to go sightseeing around a couple major tourist attractions. We walked across the Sydney Harbor Bridge (ok, not the whole way across - we were wearing heels!), which was SO beautiful! It provided such a great view of the city lights. We rested with early morning coffee and smoothies, took a boat ride across the harbor, and of course, got our pic taken on the steps of the Sydney Opera House! (Unfortuately that pic didn't come out, but we did get there, honest!)

We had a great breakfast on the 80min flight back to Melbourne. I was sleepy, but it was so unreal - I felt like I had a whole little holiday in just one night!

The Recovery
Well, I drove back to Ballarat, slurping my V, and obviously feeling a little weary. I had to move to a house-sitting job that day, so decided just to try staying awake all day, and having a good night's sleep that night.

About 4pm, I just couldn't hack it any longer. I lay down and fell fast asleep in a flash. After a solid sleep I woke up with a jolt at 5:50 - I couldn't believe it - it has been forever since I've slept for so long!! I felt SO good! I got up and leisurely got ready for work. Because I ate breakfast so early, I even packed morning tea as well as lunch.

As I drove to work, I noticed that there was not a lot of traffic around... hey, 2nd of Jan, I figured most people would be a little late. When I got to work, no one was there yet. Fair enough, I was about 5 min early. I pulled out my phone to confirm the time - yep, 8:40pm..... WHAT??? PM???

I was so darn confused and out of it! I called mum, but she wasn't answering, so I called Ruth. I was stuttering and stumbling over my words, asking about the day and time. As Ruth assured me that it was 8:40pm, Monday 1st Jan, the clues started to add up... I had only had 1 1/2 hrs sleep, not 14 1/2!!

You have to laugh! Ruth and I were in hysterics - I just couldn't believe that I was showered, breakfasted and at work at that time of night! Ah well, made for an interesting start to the year!