On Sunday evening, we introduced the tourists, Sarah and Duncan, to the wonderful game of cricket. Unfortunately, it wasn't really a fantastic introduction for Sarah and Duncan. The game between Australia and Pakistan wasn't really a competition (Australia won by 9 wickets without raising a sweat). It was also rain delayed; we left at 8.30pm when it started raining. The result was clearly going to be in Australia's favour. (photos)

To fully appreciate and understand cricket, you really have to go to a game. Only at a game can you experience cheering the Aussies on while sitting in a sea of yellow and green sombreros, munching on a $8 hotdog and drinking a $5 light beer. (Well, cheering them on except when Matthew Hayden was batting. At 25 runs off 65 balls, we actually cheered when he got out!)

I think cricketers need a bit of the "queer eye for the straight guy" treatment. Shoaib Akhtar is in dire need of a haircut, Dizzy Gillespie has a mullet and Andrew Symonds looks like a clown. Andrew Symonds can rest easy knowing he can get a job doing children's parties if he ever gets kicked off the Australian team.

Shoaib Akhtar	Jason Gillespie	Andrew Symonds

Andrew and I took advantage of the fantastic weather this weekend and we went to look at the Sculpture by the Sea exhibition. The exhibition, as the name suggests, is held by the sea along the Bondi to Coogee Coastal walk. Although, the display doesn't start until Tamarama Beach. Unfortunately, the crowds also start at Tamarama; I think a lot of people had the urge to get out in the sunshine and take advantage of the first weekend of daylight savings.

The exhibition included both arty pieces and crowd-pleasing pieces. Andrew and I looked at most of the arty pieces and thought "huh?". I've never really understood abstract art. The crowd-pleasing works, such as the big sunnies and the thong bottle, were always surrounded by large groups of people. Tourists having their photos taken, unruly children climbing on, poking, tugging, pulling at the sculpture (where were their parents?) It was impossible to get near some of the artworks, to view and appreciate them properly (*G* we're such artistes!)

My favourite artwork this year was Lola's Daisy chain. Nine-year-old, Lola, with the help of family and friends, created a chain of 35 000 daisies that stretches 1.6 km from Tamarama to Bondi. Her reason for the daisy chain, "I like daisy chains because you start with something little, and end up with something big." Just like her idea for Sculpture by the Sea. An idea that became a submission, that was accepted and turned into a great art work. Good on ya Lola! (photos)

Well, we're in the last week of October, and we've only managed to make it to one Good Food Month Event; the Night Noodle Markets @ The Botanic Gardens. Although, I think it's one of the best GFM events, so maybe that makes up for our lack of participation in the other activites. Finally, the weather came through for us and we were able to make it to the markets last night. We ate scrumptious noodles while we lounged on the grass, mesmerised by a fantastic view of Sydney Harbour. It's a pity it only happens in October, they should make it a regular Spring/Summer event.

I hate to be the one to break the sad news to you but if you haven't yet made it to Noodle Markets this year, tonight is your last chance to get there. Then, no more noodley nights until next year!

I think I'm still too hung over to write this note, so if I don't make sense, forgive me.

Yesterday, we celebrated John becoming an Australian Resident (he's now legally required to like vegemite, own a pair of thongs and drink beer-ya) with a day at Randwick Races. I love the races! What girl wouldn't love a chance to get dressed up and drink champagne? Actually, I think the whole thing with the horses running round in a circle is over-rated. It's much more fun critiquing what all the other women are wearing than watching the horses. Of course, we did make a few obligatory bets; we even came out ahead (I think.)

After the races the girls headed to Newtown for a few cocktails (and some drunken, late-night shopping... not a good idea) and then we met the boys for dinner. We tried, in vain, to get into Sushi Train but the opening special made it a very popular venue. In the end we had to settle for Kai on King. At least it was a sushi-go-round but at full price it didn't taste as good.

Congratulations to John on becoming a resident! We let you in? What were we thinking? (photos)

We figured we should do our duty as friendly Aussies and show the tourists, Sarah and Duncan, some highlights of our wonderful country. We decided a trip to the Blue Mountains was in order so we picked a date and then we made them organise it (*ooops* sorry guys!). Our mini-break finally happened on the weekend and we had a great time.

We managed to fit in:

• Dinner and T2 on Friday night - after a hard week's work we were all exhausted and just wanted to veg on the couch and watch TV. While watching Terminator 2 we amused ourselves by adding "if you want to live" to the end of all of Arnie's lines... "my mission is to protect you... if you want to live" and so on. Well, we found it amusing *g*
  
  
• a long walk on Saturday - our planned route, the Giant Stairway, was closed due to a landslide so we had to take an alternative route, down the Furber Steps. We walked down to the Three Sisters, back up, along the cliff top walk and then down the Furber steps. By the time we reached the bottom my thighs and calves were killing me! We took the Scenic Railway back up to the top and it is still as exciting as it was when I was 12.
  
  
• Christmas in July...um August - on Saturday evening we had a huge dinner of Lamb Roast, twice baked potatoes, pumpkin, zucchini, corn, carrots, broccoli, gravy and mint sauce. Dessert was custard and fruit salad. I think we over-catered slightly. We also played Scene It, a game I got for my birthday. It was great fun but some of the questions were very tough.
  
  

And to top off a great weekend, Andrew and I picked up some pies for lunch from Leura on the way home. (photos)