Categories: work, family, friends, teaching, food, sydney
Date: 18 September 2009 21:18:57
My dad had a knee replacement on Thursday evening: visited him yesterday and he seems to be recovering well -- though he was doped up on some painkiller [the name of which I cannot remember] which was interesting to see. He will remain in the hospital there for several more days before being transferred to another one for physio and the like. May God grant him health and a quick recovery.
Headed to Cabramatta with 2 colleagues from my office for lunch yesterday: we went to a Vietnamese restaurant famous for its crispy chicken which is what we had: I having it with egg noodle soup. Cabramatta is well-known for its SE Asian population and the associated sights, sounds and smells -- a great place to visit. It did once have a rather seedy reputation due to a high level of drug use, but it has been cleaned up a great deal and is, for me, one of the best places to visit in Sydney to get an idea of Sydney's multicultural makeup: as well as getting fantastic food [and many other things] at very reasonable prices. It was good to get out of the office and good to chat and talk to 2 colleagues. The 3 men in the Development Team down the road at the motorway office ask my assistant and I to lunch with them each week: while I do not go every week, I will try and make an effort to go perhaps more regularly -- it is good to get out. Just need to fight the [irrational] anxiety that seems to come over me before heading out and makes me often pull out. To be honest, I am surprised they keep asking -- but it is nice to be asked and nice to think they would like us both there -- even if I can not understand why they'd want me there [another issue to work on, I know].
Conversation Class this morning: will probably start off talking about Festivals and Public Holidays: then may move back to our discussion last week, time permitting and if we do not go down a different tangent [I am very flexible: I love what the students bring up], on the States & Territories of Australia and a bit about each area and Australia as a whole.
Off to lunch today at Leichhardt, known as Sydney's Little Italy due to the large Italian population and the wonderful Italian restaurants, cafés, delis and shops in the area. Italian, of sorts, for me: a couple from church asked me to come over for lunch so I, and a friend, are heading over for Vegetarian Lasagne [she makes a wondrous one] and Cheese & Spinach Pie [which I cannot wait to taste!] Very much looking forward to it, and having a great time with great people.
Tonight it is off to Canley Heights [a suburb not far from Cabramatta -- and about 15 mins drive on local roads from me, so again known for its SE Asian culture] and Vietnamese again with the friend I am taking to lunch today [hope she's not sick of me!] and her friends for a farewell dinner before she heads back to the States. It will be sad to see her go, but her partner is there so keeping her here would be a bit unfair!
I suspect 2 visits to the gym next week may not be enough. :)