Christmas is early.

Thanksgiving completely slipped my mind this year. It has been very busy at work and then my cousin Patrick was here for business from the UK. We spent a few nights with him walking around Sydney and giving him a glimpse of our life. We have not seen each other since 2006 and it was a nice time to catch up. Luckily he had amazing weather and right when he left, the rain started pouring down. It rains a lot in Sydney. I've been noticing the weather now the longer that we have been here. I have concluded that it rains twice as much down here than in the US - which isn't very nice but at least we don't get the snow - which is very nice.

I like my job and it is nice that I have a friend at work. I love the fact that I get to sleep in and I have flexible working arrangements - except that I get to work much later than my previous jobs so I tend to take later breaks. I forgot to call on Thanksgiving and I disappointed my Grandma as she was expecting my call. With the time-zone changes and my new hours, many things have been slipping my mind and I don't really have an excuse. I could feel the disappointment in her voice which was sad. I talked to Patrick quite a bit about family obligations and how is is getting harder to try to please everyone. But you have to do what is best for you.

I am trying to lose weight (a never ending story) and heading to the gym. We are in much better shape than 1-2 years ago - heading to the gym more as I am no longer taking Korean classes. I just hope that we will be able to continue this routine once I start my PhD in February. This weekend we are away at "Learn to Surf Camp" with 6 other friends. It will be a really good time but the weather is looking cold and rainy. Surfing is supposed to be very good exercise. It seems like too much work for me as I am a bit lazy. I just hope that I don't hurt myself or hit my head on the board as the waves come crashing in.

We did have a meal with our lovely ex-neighbors in Manly. Thanksgiving Burritos.