Sanctuary by the Sea...

So, today I took a 6 km (little less than 4 mile) coastal/cliff walk from Bondi Beach to Coogee Beach. There are 2 executives here right now from the US and they mentioned earlier this week that they were thinking about doing this walk this weekend. I have been wanting to do one of these, but was a little hesitant to do one on my own, so I basically invited myself along with them. We then had someone in the office ask us if we were interested in doing something called 'Sculpture by the Sea'. We eventually found out that we were talking about the same thing...the coast walk that we were planning on doing anyway was also playing host to the first weekend of an art fesitval where over 100 sculptures were displayed along the first piece of this walk. So, we joined forces with another few people from the office and we set out for an amazing day out in the Australian sun!

We met for an awesome yum cha (dim sum in the US) lunch and then headed to the starting point...the famous Bondi Beach!

Starting to head up higher and away from the beach...

An example of the sculptures along the way...

Me along the walk...check out all the people! And, it was a bit windy up on these cool cliffs!

I think this was my favorite sculpture along the way...so cute and creative!

Me sitting along a cute little rock wall along the walk...

Stunning view of the eastern beaches of Australia...

This is a shot of Tamarama Beach...smaller than Bondi, but better waves!

These were the types of views we had on the other side...the wildflowers reminded me of Colorado!

Me along the walk as we got to Bronte Beach...

On the other side of Bronte Beach...and this picture shows these cool bath things that each of the beaches had...basically just pools where people could go swim laps and the waves came right up into the pools...so cool!

The cliffs that we were walking along were just amazing!

A picture of Waverley Cemetery coming up...

Looking back at Bondi Beach way off in the distance...we have come a long way...but not done yet!

The cemetery up close...it was beautiful...

This is Gordon's Bay...it was one of the most beautiful parts. It was more just pretty and scenic than an actual swimming beach. This was also towards the end of the walk and there were some absolute killer hills during this part. We were up pretty high when I took this picture, but went all the way down to sea level and then back up to where those houses are on the other side...we were pretty tired after this part!

This last picture isn't great...it was the end of the walk, late in the day, I was tired...but this was our stopping point, Coogee Beach.

I call this post 'Sanctuary by the Sea' because those of you who know me well, know that I don't go to church often...or really, at all. I think I have decided that mountains (like in Colorado) and oceans are some of the things that make me feel closest to God. Seeing the intense power and the expansive beauty of oceans like this just amaze me and always make me think of religion and God. He must be a pretty awesome God to have created these amazing things!

All in all, we saw 5 beaches, 1 beautiful bay, tons of amazing art, lots of different types of stairs to get us up and down the cliffs, an old cemetery, some crabs, lots of cute dogs (including a cute Westie named Stanley), 2 weddings, an airplane writing a marriage proposal in the sky, lots of surfers and a few sunbathers with not enough clothes on, ha! It was an absolutely amazing day and I am so glad that I got to see more of the beauty of Australia!

PS...I also have my first Australian sunburn! You could see the type of shirt I was wearing from the pictures...I basically look like I have a red bib necklace on now, ha ha! I think I will actually have to break down and buy some sunscreen if I want to have a real day on the beach...this Australian sun is strong!

Trip Home!

Being half-way around the world for 6 weeks really makes you appreciate and cherish all of the joys of your family, friends and home! Words can hardly even describe my time at home, but hopefully, some of the wonderful pictures I captured can help explain!

I got to take a whole week off work and my sister and I decided that this was almost more special than if I would have been home when Grace was born because I never would have been able to take that much time off at once. I got to spend my whole first weekend with just my sister, Luke and baby Grace and I enjoyed every single minute of holding and hugging my precious niece and nephew and I loved the way that my sister and I could slip back into our easy, finish each other's thoughts type of conversations that we always have.

Here is the first picture I took of baby Grace, as she and I shared a few minutes of quiet time on the floor! Look, she is even looking at me and trying to figure out who I am and where I have been!

On Sunday, my mom came in town for a few days...mostly to bring MY big baby home to me, Evie! I know that she is having the best time with my parents and Izzy and they are taking such good care of her...but she looks pretty happy to be back home (and back on her red chair), doesn't she?!

That whole first week, I spent every waking moment that I could with family and friends. One day, I even got to take Luke to the zoo for some special Aunt Becca and Luke time! We had so much fun and it was a beautiful day. We especially loved seeing the elephants and giraffes, riding the train and seeing all of the fun Halloween decorations at the zoo!

I mean, seriously...look at this face?! Luke has always been a very sweet little boy, but he just keeps getting sweeter and cuter and smarter and funnier by the day. From reading him books at bedtime...to his hugs and playing with my hair...and his sweet little voice saying, 'Becca, I miss you when you go to Austwayia'...and his constant creativeness and funny sayings or songs...I am pretty obsessed with him right now and he was definitely the hardest person to say goodbye to...

I got to meet one of my best friend's new baby...also named Grace! We had Katie and her Grace over to Allison's for lunch one day, so that the 2 Graces could meet. They are both so precious and we all know they will be good friends! Their mamas are both so special to me and I am lucky to get to have 2 little Graces in my life! Here I am with the 2 beauties...

I got to spend lots of good time with my girlfriends too! Coffee with Maggie, dinner with all of the Kappa girls, park time with several of the girls and their kiddos, dinner with my Jr League girlfriends (we missed you, Kate), time with Katie and baby Grace and a very special goodbye party for one of my best friends, Nikki. Nikki is moving with her family to Switzerland for 3 years and I am so thankful that I got to be back in the States to help see her off. She has another week to go before their big voyage...Nikki, I am thinking of you all the time and know that things will be so amazing once you are settled in there. Kansas won't be the same without you...

Here are the girls at Nik's goodbye party...

I was so lucky to be able to celebrate Luke man's birthday right before I left also...he had a great day! I don't have any pictures of the birthday boy on his big day...but I did get lots of last minute holding and cuddling time in with Miss Grace!

My time home was amazing and it really made me realize how much my family and friends do mean to me! As I have said before, I am very thankful for this great opportunity to live and work in Australia for 6 months, but I do miss and think about you all every day! Luke and Grace, try not to change and grow too much while I am gone...or at least have your mommy take lots of pictures to send to me!

I am planning on having a pretty relaxing weekend for my first weekend back in Australia, but I promise I will get back to more fun Australia posts and pictures soon!