Thanksgiving 2008

Thanksgiving was pretty non-traditional this year. We actually thought we were going to skip it all together since we didn't have anyone to celebrate it with and Rob had a work Christmas party on Thursday, but at the last minute we gathered together a group of Americans in Sydney and had a little Turkey Day feast and celebration!

One of the girls that I work with is from Boston and her mom sends her Thanksgiving decorations every year so she loaned me some paper plates and napkins for our dinner party. I had to be creative. This is our Thanksgiving wreath.

The rain held off just long enough for us to be able to enjoy Thanksgiving up on our rooftop by the pool. I made turkey with cranberry stuffing, corn casserole, green bean casserole and mashed potatoes and the others brought homemade biscuits (delicious...it's been so long since I'd had a REAL biscuit!), garlic bread, apple pie and an almond pastry dessert. We had PLENTY of wine and champagne too!

From back to front: Matt from Pittsburgh (friend of friend), Mike from North Carolina, Dallas from Alabama (I used to work with him), Jeff from Charleston (friend of friend), Rob, Dawn from North Carolina.

The corn casserole BEFORE I spilled the lavender soy candle wax all over it. Oops

All done!

The set up

Dawn, Rob and Dallas

Mike and Matt

Rob and Jeff

Hailey and Dawn

Keep it flowing!

The guys with their matching cell phones

Self Timer action

After dinner drinks in The Rocks at Fortunes of War

At Glenmore Hotel


Overall, it was a successful and eventful Thanksgiving in Sydney!

Palm Beach

Weekend getaway trip to Palm Beach!

Aerial View of Palm Beach



Beach walk








Playing with the camera settings. Action shots of me falling.


Our lunch spot




Nap time






Bush walk










Life Savers

Movie Premieres

Living in a big city has it's perks. Like MOVIE PREMIERES!!!!!! There were three big movie premieres in Sydney in November: Madagascar 2, High School Musical 3, and of course...AUSTRALIA! We didn't actually see the red carpet for High School Musical 3 but here are some pictures from Madagascar 2 and Australia:

Madagascar 2 Premiere at the State Theater


Chris Rock


The back of Ben Stiller-he stayed in the Four Seasons Hotel just around the corner from where we live. We staked it out for awhile but never saw him other than on the red carpet.


Ben Stiller and Chris Rock (you have to look closely)

Here are some pictures from the Australia Premiere at the Greater Union Cinema on George Street. They had huge screens set up outside and they actually played the movie out there, but it was cold and rainy so we left after the actors went inside. I have to say, Hugh Jackman absolutely lives up to his "Sexiest Man Alive" title and Nicole Kidman's body is to die for...even after her baby.

One of the movie screens they set up for the premiere

Wet and cold

Baz Luhrmann (Director) and his wife


Brandon Walters. Adorable little ladies man!


Hugh Jackman-Sexiest Man Alive


Hugh Jackman-this is just before he shook my hand and then said to me, "You're freezing!"


Keith Urban-Nicole's supportive hubby (and I think he is also some sort of country music star or something) :)


Keith Urban


Nicole Kidman!


Nicole


Close Up!




Nicole and Baz


Nicole and Keith


Nicole and Hugh


Group shot


Bryan Brown (you might know him from Along Came Polly-the base jumper)


Winner of Australian Idol


Jennifer Hawkins-Miss Universe 2004