A to Z Challenge – Page 23 – Sydney Aaliyah Michelle

O – Opera House

Published on April 17, 2012 by Sydney Aaliyah Michelle2 Comments

My first day in Sydney and already I have had the trip of a lifetime. We arrived at 6:45 am. Breezed through customs and got to the hotel around 8:00 am. Had breakfast and then hit the streets.

Living in China there are a number of things that I just have to go without because either they don’t make them there, they don’t sell them there or they don’t have my size. I was able to find four things today that I would never find in China.

Cute shoes in my size – 9West – Westfield off of Martin Place

Australian oysters – Garfish on Manly Wharf

Stongbow Cider – we talked about this before

Peanutbutter M&M’s – everywhere

And, to top it all off, I got to finally see the Sydney OperaHouse up close. It is an impressive building and I was excited about seeing this Australian landmark. I am a little surprised with the fact that it is not really that big. I thought it was much bigger. I am talking, Louisiana Superdome big. It was more like Frisco, Texas Community Center size.

Regardless, the highlight of the trip so far is seeing the Opera House from a boat on the Bay. Beautiful.

N – New Zealand

Published on April 16, 2012April 16, 2012 by Sydney Aaliyah MichelleLeave a comment

N – New Zealand #atozchallenge
I wanted to do a post on New Zealand for N because I was made aware from my former employees in no uncertain terms that Australians and New Zealanders are not the same. Apparently, there is a big difference between the two countries despite their close proximity to each other. Since I am traveling, I am so happy to have found this great post from leftofthesettingsun.wordpress.com who spelled out the differences perfectly. Check it out.

Left of the setting sun in November

Enough is enough. I’m sick of it, do you hear? Every time I turn on the radio or open a newspaper I’m confronted by some idiot politician or half-wit commentator making some stupid comparison between New Zealand and Australia, invariably at New Zealand’s expense. Generally this is followed up with the immortal threat about everyone leaving here to go there. Well, I’ve done that and come back, and I think it’s a bloody stupid comparison. If you want somewhere to compare New Zealand to, try New Caledonia. Or Jamaica. Or even Ireland. Any post-colonial island nation would make a better comparison than Australia, and they aren’t even our closest neighbour (and we certainly aren’t theirs). Here are nine whole significant reasons why Australia is not New Zealand. Anyone who wants to compare the two countries needs to come up with good reasons why most of these aren’t important.

Money

Australia…

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M – Musicians From Australia

Published on April 14, 2012April 14, 2012 by Sydney Aaliyah Michelle6 Comments

Icehouse – 80’s pop rock band who had two big hits in the US Crazy and Electric Blue. The former was written by John Oats or Hall and Oats fame.

Crowded House – 80’s and 90’s rock band that found more fans in the alternative scene then the pop scene. The too only had two hits in the US. One of my all time favorite song – Don’t Dream its Over. You might also remember Something So Strong.

Midnight Oil – The champions of one hit wonders. Beds are Burning. I can still see the video and the crazy looking ball headed lead singer and that dance he did. It was such a rally cry song that demonstrated their quest for social change especially in support of aboriginal rights. I still love this song.

Savage Garden – They are a little singsong poppy for my taste but they did have a couple of big hits in the States. I Want You and Truly MadlyDeeply are pretty good. It was a radio station in my hometown of Dallas that starting playing their song I Want You that got them signed in the US. I have to claim it.

INXS– One of my all time favorite bands. I got to seethem when I was fairly young. It was my first concert. I was a hugefan and was really sad when the lead singer Michael Hutchence died in 1997 under suspicious circumstances. My favorite songs are Never Tear Us Apart, Need You Tonight and Mediate (great video).

L – Lord Dudley

Published on April 13, 2012 by Sydney Aaliyah Michelle1 Comment

I love pubs. There is nothing I like better then going to a local pub and having a pint.

Some of my favorite memories occurred with a pint of cider in my hand. And, I will never forget telling my English friends how much I don’t like Guinness only to discover the miracle concoction known as the “Poor Man’s Black Velvet” (Guinness mixed with Strongbow Cider ). So, good.

Pubs and Pints reminds me of the time that I lived in London and how I was “100% completely happy with life” . Really, I was. I actually wrote that in the journal I kept while I was living there. I was a college student with no stress and hadn’t had to deal with the real world, yet. Oh, the memories.

When I told the same friends who introduced me to the Black Velvet that I was heading to Sydney, he insisted that I experience The Lord Dudley Hotel. They were right before, no reason to doubt their word now.

The Lord Dudley Hotel is a famous pub in Sydney. This is how they describe The Lord Dudley and its patrons on their website.

The Lord Dudley is an enigma in that it does not have a defined clientele. The regulars come from all walks of life. Trades people and office workers rub shoulders with barristers, stockbrokers and politicians. The rich and the famous also find it a great place to unwind. Don’t be surprised to find Hollywood Actors having dinner in the restaurant while prominate sports heroes are enjoying a drink in the front bar. Publican James (Jamie) Couche has created a feel good environment which appeals to everyone who calls in.

It sounds like a place were I can be “100% completely happy with life”. If only for one night.

*I will be updating this post at a later date once I have experienced The Lord Dudley.

K – Kangaroo or Koala – Which are you?

Published on April 12, 2012 by Sydney Aaliyah Michelle5 Comments

Australia’s contributions to the animal kingdom are the Kangaroo and the Koala. Let me interject here for a brief moment to point out that although you have heard the koala referred to as a “koala bear” it in fact is not a bear. It is a marsupial. Both kangaroos and koalas are marsupials.

What is a marsupial you ask?

A marsupial is a mammal of the order Marsupialia, whose young are very undeveloped when born and continue developing outside their mother’s body attached to one of her nipples. Most marsupials have longer hind legs than forelimbs, and the females usually have pouches in which they carry their young.

Yep! I just looked that up. It’s called research.

Besides the fact that both of these animals are endemic to Australia (“research”) and are marsupials. The are also herbivores and can go months without drinking water.

But, that is where the similarities end. While the kangaroos diet is very diverse, koalas eat eucalyptus leaves exclusively.

Kangaroos can jump over 45 feet high but can’t climb. Koalas can climb in trees over 45 feet in the air, but can’t jump. Ok, I made up that 45 foot tree part, but they can climb trees. How else do you think they get to the eucalyptus leaves?

While kangaroos are very gentle social animals who live in groups called mobs, koalas have very little interaction with other koalas. They are socially akward and have low self esteem. Ok, not really. They probably just enjoy being by them selves and they may be alone, but they aren’t lonely. There is a big difference. That’s my story and I am sticking to it.

Perhaps it has more to do with the fact that koalas spend 20 hours of each day sleeping and resting. They only reason they wake up is to eat.

But, kangaroos can’t walk backwards, so they both have issues to deal with.

What marsupial do I most identify with?

Well, I tend to be lazy and I seem to never have any energy. I like to eat, but I need diversity in my meals. And, I am pretty social. Although, I can definitely walk backwards. Not gracefully, but I can do it, I will admit to the koala in me. But, I strive to be the kangaroo.

Which marsupial are you?

Category: A to Z Challenge