We’ve been taking things pretty much as they come throughout all of 2012. Looking back, I think we’ve managed to pull off a pretty awesome year abroad. Here are a few of the highlights of our great Australian adventure.
- Left Canada on New Years Eve 2011.
- Started a new job with a new employer.
- Moved twice.
- Logged 13 one-way flights across the Pacific Ocean.
- Took six weekend vacations to places like: Wollongong, Canberra, the Hunter Valley, Jervis Bay, the Illawarra region, the Jenolan Caves, and the Blue Mountains.
- Took a longer vacation to Napa Valley, Vancouver, San Francisco, and Reno.
- Visited two Zoo’s, an olive farm, and a distillery.
- Watched fireworks nearly every weekend.
- Tasted a LOT of wine – including degustations at three wine festivals, two wine regions, and ~14 wineries.
- Xavier learned to: Roll over, sit up, stand, walk, run, talk (just a few words), turn on the TV, sign, call grandma on the iPad (and the phone), feed himself, get his own snacks from the kitchen, mock people, kick a ball, draw with crayons, and tire out his parents.
- Xavier had his first hair cut; and Sarah both cut her hair short AND dyed it blue!
- Attended:
- two weddings – one in Sydney, one in Vancouver.
- an online cooking class.
- a chocolate making course.
- four live concerts.
- Had lunch at some very cool places, including:
- Quai – a high end Sydney restaurant.
- Bouchon – a great restaurant in Napa.
- The Governor General’s house.
- A fancy restaurant only accessible by float plane.
- Finished four video games; including one indie title (yes, this is an accomplishment).
- Saw a giraffe, kangaroo, wallaby, wombat, kookaburra, platypus, and koala. About half of those in the wild.
- Discovered a new favorite author, after first meeting him in person.
- Hula danced in front of an audience. (That was just Sarah.)
- Evolved to a whole new level of coffee snobbery.
- Attended a giant conference in the US.
- Worked on some insanely popular software products.
- Completed our Christmas shopping, and cards, on time. For the first time. Ever.
- Met so many new friends!
- Watched absolutely incredible fireworks to close out the year.
In all, it’s been a pretty amazing year.
