Audit Training

Over the last 2 weeks I have been flying back and forth between Sydney and Melbourne for training at PwC. Those early morning flights aren’t that exciting, but I am enjoying my time with the new Melbourne grads – they are all champs. The downside to audit training (not closely related to what I will be doing) is all the accounting!

Now trying to recall Accounting 1A from uni is a tad difficult and the only thing I can remember is NUTs and that crazy dude that used to teach it. Now I don’t want to mention names, but if you went to UNSW, you would know! Thus I am no good at accounting and am disgusted by it!

Craig & Jodie’s Wedding

On March 5th 2007, my favourite boss, Craig married the gorgeous Jodie at Clovelly in the gorgeous Eastern Suburbs. The church ceremony was beautiful and there was a very relaxed feel as Craig grinned the whole day.

Jodie looked sensational in her tiered creme wedding dress and her sparkling bridesmaids by her side. Craig wore a gorgeous black suit with creme vest, and was joined by his brother (his exact double!) and Jodie’s brother as his groomsmen.

The reception took place at Pruniers in Woollahra and it was such a great location for the close family and friends that gathered to celebrate Jodie & Craig’s Wedding. The night turned into a very informal party with fabulous food, great conversation, plenty of drinks and even some dancing! I also got a chance to spend the night with my old Telstra Wholesale team who I love to pieces (special mention to Kim & Steve - you have been CORNFLAKED!)

This weeks top stories…

I love my celeb goss, but am deeply disturbed by all the talk about Anna Nicole’s death and Britney Shears! Let’s move on people and admit that crazy bottle blondes should not make cover stories and PLEASE let one trashy magazine NOT feature a bald Britney!

Meanwhile I am loving David Spade’s take on all of this: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=703IZIUqZwA

Hawaii 5-0

On the plane from LAX to Hawaii we played a game called ‘Half Way to Hawaii’, where you have to guess the time in hours, minutes and seconds when the plane is at the halfway mark between the two cities. Given some details like departure time, arrival time, knots and wind speed I managed to come in 2nd (by about 30 seconds!)

By the time I got to Waikiki, I was so tired so just had some dinner and had a good sleep. The next morning I took a bus to Ala Moana where I spent soooo much money at Sephora, Macy’s and…sigh Ralph Lauren. Sephora is the BEST! After dinner I took a walk on the beautiful beach and just walked along the strip back to my hotel with my yummmmy choc chip mint ice-cream.

On my third day in Hawaii I went jetskiing which was just awesome. I was the only one out there so I was able to go as fast as I wanted and it was such a thrill going really fast and feeling the water spray up as I turned corners. After my guide took me back to the wharf on his boat I went back to my hotel and then down the road to Waikiki Beach. I swam in the clear water and met an awesome couple from Sacremento who I chatted with for AGES and then lay on the beach where I got back to being black!

For the next few days I basically hung out at the beach, walked the strip of Waikiki, enjoyed my last few days of awesome cable TV and met some amazing people. The atmosphere in Hawaii is so laid back that I felt very relaxed and comfortable, plus the weather is always fantastic. The best thing though is the $1.75 Margheritas in giant bottles which I consumed hourly as I watched the sun set on the beach – just awesome!

I was so sad to leave on my last day and before heading to the airport I had a fab lunch at a sushi place, which served the freshest sushi, and savoured the last of the amazing mint ice-cream. Oh sigh! I was really sad to be heading home because it meant the end of my trip, but I was really looking forward to seeing my family, my friends and MOLLY!

The Hills

I was excited to be in Los Angeles and arriving at LAX was just so exciting. I was actually staying a few hours from LA, in Anaheim, right across the road from Disneyland. The first few days I just got my bearings, but eventually managed to get out of the OC and to downtown LA.

On my LA tour we started at with a view of the Hollywood sign along the highway to the historic and Mexican-dominated area of Olivera St. We then drove along Hollywood Blvd to see the Walk of Fame and as I walked past Mann’s Chinese Theatre and the Kodak Theatre I felt a litle famous myself! As we drove into Beverlly Hills, I was certain that this would be the place to live. We stopped on Rodeo Drive, where I was so nervous but VERY excited – alas it was just a bit of window shopping, until the day I can afford to venture into the actual store! Sigh! For lunch we headed to the Farmers Market and then off to Venice Beach whilst passing Santa Monica Pier. Our last stop was a quick one in Marina Del Ray, where all the famous and expensive yachts are docked.

That Friday was the best end to the week as I walked into amazing DISNEYLAND. They say it is the happiest place on Earth – and I would definately agree – probably because I am the biggest kid on Earth. The best rides were Splash Mountain (yep, got soaked), Indiana Jones and Space Mountain. I also enjoyed seeing the It’s a Small World attracttion which was incredibly elaborate. To cap of the night I stayed (in the freezing cold) to see the fireworks over Sleeping Beauty’s castle.

I also managed to check out Universal Stuidos where the main attractions included the Jurassic Park ride and The Mummy Returns ride. Although the rides and attractions are pretty awesome, the BEST part is the studio tour, where you see sets from Jaws, Ghost Whisperer, Back to the Future AND…Desperate Housewives! Wisteria Lane is amazing – it looks so picture perfect and just the way it does on TV. 

Laguna Beach: The Real OC

During my last week in Los Angeles I took a bus down to Laguna Beach, where the MTV show is shot. When I arrived down there, the atmosphere was just laid back and artsy. After catching the wrong bus (yeah don’t ask!) and ending up in Irvine County (where LC interned) I finally made it to my hotel on North Coast Hwy.

That afternoon I took a walk down the along the beach and over the Laguna cliffs. It was absolutley amazing and I couldn’t get over the view of the beach and the sunset. Before dinner I walked ages past Ocean Ave and to Laguna Surf and Sport where Stephen worked. Next I walked past Heidelberg Pastry Cafe where Alex and Jessica get invited to Prom (remember the gorilla outfits?)

Before heading back to LA, I went shopping in Santa Ana where there is a MASSIVE mall and ended up getting some gorgeous Paul Frank sunnies – I love em! I also got some yummy butterscotch ice-cream - I love ice-cream too! Hee hee! The next day I left LA and made my way to Hawaii – I couldn’t believe my trip was ending so soon.

I left my heart in San Francisco

When I arrived in San Francisco, the sun was shining so brightly which really cheered me up. So after I checked into my hotel I took a stroll a few blocks (up the SF hills, which work wonders on your butt!) to Market St and found comfort in something so familiar – WESTFIELDS! I managed to figure out the public transport system and planned the next few days after checking email and eating a bagel!

The next morning I took a tram to Pier 39 and took a cruise around the bay going under the Golden Gate Bridge and alongside Alcatraz and finally checking out the sleeping seals lying in the sun (very Molly style). Before moving on I went into the Aquarium, but was completely freaked out by the icky fish, but I did manage to find Nemo and have a corn-dog (this is a Hills reference that only my sister really gets!)

At Fisherman’s Wharf I had lunch at the famous Boudin’s Cafe and bought some of my fav Sourdough bread. I spoilt myself by walking to Giardelli’s and eating an ice-cream the size of my head and chatted to the lady behind me in line, who lived in the same street at my London relos – small world eh?! Before I headed back to my hotel I checked out the shops in Union Square and picked up some M.A.C stuff and some gorgeous Ralph Lauren jewellery (oh I love America!).

The next morning I walked along the GG Bridge and as it was such a clear day, the view from the centre of the bridge is just breath-taking and I felt very peaceful up there. I trammed it to Alamo Square to see the Victorian Houses (ie Full House street – why else right?) and went to Johnny Rockets (a chain of old school diners) for lunch before walking past Haight-Asbury and to the Golden Gate Park. That night I took a cable car to China town where I met some fellow Aussie travellers and then back to my hotel whilst hanging out the side of the cable car – very cool!

What happens in Vegas…

As soon as I got off the plane in Las Vegas, I just knew I was in a different world. Our shuttle drove down the strip, where I stayed at the Circus, Circus, which is a casion/hotel/amusement park/circus and it was MASSIVE. The first night I was so buggered so just enjoyed the comfort of my enormous room and the giant bathtub.

The next day/night I walked down the strip, where I started at the Luxor; braved the roller-coaster at New York, New York; took an elevator to the top of the ‘Eiffle Tower’ in Paris and gambled like James Bond at the Casino Royale. Each casino is bigger than the next and my last stop before I was exhausted was the fountain at the Belagio.

The next day (and sadly my last) I took a bus to Freemont St, where I checked out the amazing screen show and then it was back to the Strip for some pokies at Caesars Place, the Mirage and Bellagio (very Ocean’s 11!). After dinner I ate some Fro-Yo while I watched the Treasure Island pirate show. I have to say that Vegas was definately one of the top cities I visited and the atmosphere is so colourful…and I guess they don’t call it Sin City for nothing!

I ♥ NY

After Xmas I headed to Madison Square Garden and then on to Macy’s and Bloomingdales where the window displays were even more elaborate than the inside of the store. I also strolled down 5th Avenue, past the HBO store where Carrie’s pink shoes are on display (!) and from Grand Central Station to Park Avenue.

That Friday I walked along Park Ave towards Central Park, where I had the best walk in the park. There are so many diverse people just hanging out in the park and I managed to see some famous sites including the Home Alone 2 underpass, Wollman Rink from Serendipity and the rock where Charlotte and Harry have their engagement photo in SATC. After dark, I met Sharmie at the Guggenheim and we walked to Buttercup Bakery - THE BEST CUPPIE CAKES IN THE WORLD!

Before we got caught up in New Years excitment, Justin and I travelled a few blocks to Tom’s Restaurant, which is Jerry’s cafe in Sienfeld! I also managed to get in some pre-NY shopping with a few handbags and goodies for family. As we prepared for New Years Eve at Times Square, we got into the city pretty early and made sure we had enough toilet breaks (and food – by Justin’s definition by the way, which was WAAAAAY too much!). We got into our little pig pen at about 4pm and could’nt leave till 12. So we just chatted with those around us and enjoyed the countdowns every hour!

We were so lucky to see Toni Braxton, P.O.D, Panic at the Disco and Christina Aguilera performing for Dick Clark’s Rockin’ Eve party, hosted by Ryan Seacrest! We were so overwhelmed and joined in all the singing and dancing in the confetti from the comfort of our borrowed blanket! Once 11:59 hit, we were so ready to count down to midnight and it was an experience I will never forget. Later that night (or morning), I enjoyed a few glasses of champagne with the hostel crew and walked (very woozy) upstairs at about 4am to get ready for our Liberty Island trip.

I was so sad to leave New York, my new friends and Sharmie & Juz, and despite a few hectic people at the airport, I managed to say goodbye to New York and hello to Las Vegas!

New York, New York

It was time for me to leave my family and new friends in London and begin the next chapter of my trip.

I hopped on an early flight, stopping in Toronto for a few hours and then on to New York City. I arrived at night and went to our hostel near Central Park, on the upper west side (I love saying things like that!). While I waited I met the night dude A.G and we started chatting about all things Australia. Before getting too sad, Justin and Sheryl walked in and for the first time EVER Justin gave us a hug! Wierd I know!

Anyways we checked in and saw our pretty impressive apartment for the next week and then went out for some traditional New York Pizza. I have to admit that it was the BEST pizza I have ever had – and that includes the one I had in Italy!

The next day – Christmas Day, we ventured to Rockafeller Centre and checked out the massive Christmas tree. Although it was a little sad looking, we were so amazed that we were standing in front of it. We kept walking around the centre of the city and ended up having Christmas dinner at a place called Applebees, which was great because we were so hungry and tired!

On Boxing Day we went to Ground Zero where the World Trade Centre previously was. The site is absolutely massive and the environment was very serene and respectful. Next we did some shopping at Century 21 and then headed to the Empire State Building for a view of Manhatten from above.

On the Wednesday, we took a TV/Movie tour of Manhatten which explored the Friends building, Trump tower, Ellen’s NY set, the Soup Nazi shop and some famous landmarks from other shows and movies. That night Sheryl and I explored Little Italy, whilst Justin ventured out on his own (seriously I have no idea where he went, as long as he got back in one piece).

The next day was our second tour – the Sex & the City tour. This was absolutely fabulous! We ate cupcakes from the most amazing bakery the girls ate at, we drank Cosmos at Aiden and Steve’s bar and took photos on Carrie’s stoop. Afterwards in true SATC fashion, we shopped on 5th Avenue and Madison! I loved it and spoilt myself with Chanel lipgloss & Marc Jacobs goodies!