Opera

I had a wonderful day at the Opera - The abduction of the Seraglio. I met up with mums friend Valda in the Mozart Cafe at the Opera House. Very expensive and terrible service. It was a gorgeous sunny day. It still thrills me each time I go to the city and to witness how beautiful our city and its harbour is. I felt very proud walking through the thousands of tourists.

The Opera was great. It was spoken in english and sung in German with Surtitles. It was a comedic opera and quite funny. I felt that it was a good Opera for my first time. I was lucky to have Valda with me who was able to educate me on the opera singers and the story. It was a very interesting day. I might even tag along with mum another time.

Off to the Opera darling!

Well, with mum staying on an extra week in Honkers... she needs someone to take her seat at the Opera this weekend, which of course will be me. I have never been to an opera before, so am looking forward to a new genre of entertainment. I'm hoping I will like it. I love classical music and the theatre, but always felt when they start singing it sounds like an operatic shrill of noise. I know I sound quite the uncultured critic - and you opera buffs are poo pooing me. But - I am openminded and I may just be converted. Well at least I am making the effort to do some research - see below.....

Now my introduction to the opera is : The Abduction from the from the Seraglio.
Anyway - this is an overview of the story-----

"With a clash of cymbals Mozart’s breathless overture to The Abduction from the Seraglio races out of the pit. This is the work that launched Mozart’s operatic career, packed full of virtuosic arias and dramatic ensembles. To bring this youthful masterpiece to the stage is playwright and director Michael Gow, whose irreverent interpretation sets the brilliant young composer’s tale of East meets West in that most contemporary of cultural melting pots, the airport lounge.

Konstanze, her feisty companion Blonde, and manservant Pedrillo are hi-jacked by pirates and sold as slaves to a Turkish nobleman. When Konstanze’s lover, the noble Belmonte, comes in search of her, he faces a Turkish harem’s high walls, guarded by the lascivious eunuch, Osmin.

Sung in German with English dialogue and surtitles. Running time: two hours and forty-five minutes including two twenty minute intervals.

So - I'll let you know how it went next week! It all sounds quite exciting really.

17 deg and rising

Ah - 17 deg and higher temperatures expected in the 20's for the rest of the week. Sunshine and warmth. It's still cold, but not like the last few weeks.

It's funny - I remember a few years back when Phil and I were in Europe during their heat wave. In London the news was constantly going on about the heat at 34 deg and how people should prepare for going outside in the heat. We were loving it and saying "what's the problem" - now things are reversed. We are complaining of temperatures as low as 10 deg in the day time, which is summer to a pom!

Does my hair look alright!!

Me and Fairy Lotte

Miss you Kelly

My long time very good friend just relocated to the US for 2 years. Here are some pics of Kelly and some of her buddies. I'm not in the picture because I looked awful. We had a lovely lunch down at Summersalt on Cronulla Beach.

Kelly and Jen

Kelly and Denise

Renovations keep going on

We have been in our house at Woronora for 3 years now and still we renovate. I think we are addicted. Here are some before pictures. I still need to get the afters. We are now in the process of getting quotes to extend our deck outside and beginning on the garden.

I'm so cold

It is freeezing.. Yesterday when I left for work at 8am - it was 2 deg c. Our fireplace has been going 24/7. We also went out on the weekend and purchased a panel heater which are supposed to use less electricity. Our bill doubles in the winter.

West of Sydney they are having to scrape ice off their windscreens. We are expecting snow in Katoomba and Orange today. It's a great thing for everyone down the snowys. It is apparantly bucketing snow. Perhaps I should head on down for some skiing. http://www.thredbo.com.au/weatherandconditions/weather/detail.asp Yesterday they had a windchill factor of -28. Unheard of in Australia.

OFF TO HONKERS

Well the Baker family have left the country. We spent an evening together the night before the inevitable departure. We orderered pizza for dinner and had a 2 hour blackout - so we ate in candle light. Adam and Julia dropped in (Simon's bro and wife) which was great fun. We also had a visit by Simons sisters (Carlie and Alycia). Janine was a bit emotional - but I guess it is a big move. She has been living at mums for the past month.

On the day they flew out was very sad. Especially the innocence of a sweet 4 year old. The last thing I saw was Charlotte turning from the departure doors with her little dolly in her hand with a big smile and loud voice she sang out "goodbye everyone". Then I cried (just a little). Then I walked away with Jim and Phil holding my hands and we proceeded to the bar for a drink - a scotch for Phil and Jim and champagne for me.... It definately helped.

Apparantly Charlotte was very good and slept the whole 9 hours on the place which I am sure was a relief for mum and Janine.

Mum also went with them and is plannign to stay in Honkers for 1 month. Upon arrival she sounded really excited and says Hong Kong is a great place. I'm just so pleased mum gets to see another country.

Simon is now back at work, so Janine and mum are doing things on their own - it sounds like they are managing getting around on the public transport and finding nice little places to eat.