Inspired

Yessssss! I did it. I actually booked myself on a six-week art course at The Sydney Art School. It starts in November and I cannot wait. I really am so excited that I've talked about nothing else since I booked it yesterday - poor Phil. It's a very basic painting course where I'll learn the basics of tone, shape, colour mixing and these are all of things that I should know and I'll still end up with a finished piece at the end of it. Once I've finished this course, if I want to continue, I can book the same course again and build on what I've already learnt or try a new course at a different centre. This particular course gets filled quickly by returning students and the tutor's speciality is acrylic. She also has a masters degree in teaching art to adults so I have a very good feeling about this.

Whilst I was looking into the courses I also found a creative writing course. I might look at joining that next term although I'm not sure what I'd be working towards. I'm not sure that I have any aspirations of becoming the next best-selling author so I guess it would just be for fun. Either way, I'm definitely going to look into it.

I've been so inspired by this new enthusiasm that I'm going to practice the Uke over the weekend. Maybe when I'm feeling confident enough I'll post something on here but that might be pushing my comfort levels a little bit too far.

In other news, Phil and I went to the Noodle Market at Hyde Park last night which is part of Sydney's Food Festival. There were at least 50 different stalls selling asian food. We walked around until we found somewhere that did satay chicken (my choice) and got a mixed starter each. Unfortunately, once we'd eaten that we were stuffed and didn't get to try anything else. It's on a few more times over the next couple of weeks so we'll go back a couple of times I think. 

That's all for now. Back soon x

Art Projects

I thought I'd post my paintings on here since I just mentioned them on my last post. I'd never painted before apart from in school and to learn how to use a medium like acrylic is harder than I thought. I was thinking about taking some evening classes to learn some of the basic techniques and in fact, I might look into that right now. We should be heading into a new term in a couple of months so maybe now is the time to sign up. Now I'm feeling inspired!

Port Stephens - the view from our cottage on the beach

Sunset Tree Silhouette

Frangipani

Kangaroo Silhouette

The Hawaiian Islands - we went there on our honeymoon and we swam with wild turtles

The Justice League - a painting I did for Phil's birthday

Lame-O

I recently remembered what one of my biggest problems is; I start something enthusiastically but then my interest wains and I don't bother to do it anymore. Case in point, my blog. I also started painting, learnt the basics of the ukelele (or ukulele if you are from anywhere other than the UK) and I might as well add the gym to this list - many times. The stupid thing is, I'm good at these things so why don't I keep them up? I think it can be attributed to one of two things. Number one, I want to see if I can do it and once I know I can, I lose interested. Number two, I'm a wee bit lazy. No prizes for guessing which is correct*.

We've been in Australia for 9 months now and whilst I miss family and friends, I never have instances where I wish I was back home. I think it's because we know we are here for a short time - four years really isn't that long - and life will be waiting for us when we eventually get back. At the moment, I'm happy just plodding along, enjoying each day.

There is so much going on in Sydney at any one time. Over the next 2 months we've got open-air jazz concerts, The Blue Planet Live at the Sydney Opera House, a short stay in Hunter Valley wine region for our anniversary and of course, in between all of these things, we'll be going out for dinner, drinks and to the cinema with friends.

It's just starting to get warm again in Sydney, although it never really got cold. It's anything between 23 and 31 degrees at the moment and we are only just coming into Spring. Soon enough we'll be heading down to the beach most weekends and Phil will be surfing in his new wetsuit.

For now, I might blow the dust off my Uke and play a couple of songs. Until next time... x







*Yes I know Phil, it's number two, now pipe down because you also fit into this category.