Finally created a blog! Not exactly sure how to invite people to follow, but I'll figure that out later.
I'm just finishing lunch at a little cafe around the corner from us called Four Olives, and I'm stealing internet from the cafe across the street. I usually go there to use their wifi, but they don't have good lunch food and their teas are more expensive than across the street. Probably because they offer free wifi. Oh well, I've been there enough!
I'm really excited to start work on Wednesday! I'll be working on the Woolworths account, which consists of several big retail stores including a grocery store, hardware store, beer wine and spirits, and a retailer similar to Target. It's a big team that works across all the businesses, and they just hired 4 new people to join the team, so I won't be the only newbie. To get to work, I'll take the ferry into Sydney, and then walk 10 minutes to my office. Can't wait!
Yesterday, Sunday, we went up to Palm Beach again to do the group workout and try to get in a row. The more I learn about this surf boat rowing, the more I realize how intense Aussies are about their sports! The first part of our workout consisted of jogging to out to the point of the beach and running up and down the stairs that snake up the cliff for what seems like forever! Three times and no rest in between! We all felt like our lungs were bleeding after the stairs, but then we jogged back to the other end of the beach and did sprints up a hill. Then we went to the weight shed and lifted weights and jumped rope as part of circuit training for half an hour. Between the stairs and the squats, my legs were shaking like they used to after a 2K erg test. Now, I can understand these kinds of workouts for college athletics and obviously professional athletics. But the fact that these are just ordinary people with full time jobs, pushing themselves this hard for a sport they do in their spare time..... they are intense!
Now for the best part. I had only been out rowing last weekend when the water was really flat, so even though only Sarah from my crew was up at Palmy yesterday, our Sweep wanted me to get some experience rowing through the waves. So, Ed and a guy he'll be rowing with, Macca, went out in the boat with me and Sarah. And let me tell you, this is nothing like rowing in the US. We drag the boat into the water, budgie up our bottoms, jump into the boat and take off, straight into a huge swell! Our sweep was making calls that I didn't really understand, and then our boat was at what felt like a 45 degree angle and the white spray from the wave was crashing over our bodies and then we were slamming down onto the other side. I think my eyes were the size of saucers while this was happening, and our sweep was laughing afterward, assuring me that he knew we'd be fine. The redeeming quality about the waves, is that when you row back in to shore, you catch a wave, and then you all throw your oars over your head and run up to the stern of the boat and huddle together as the boat surges forward. I definitely got my adrenaline rush for the week.
Next weekend I'm getting scuba certified and we're doing 4 dives at Shelly beach, which is supposed to have some of the best diving in Sydney! I actually have some online reading and homework to do before Saturday, so I better get started!
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