It was anything but ordinary. I got up EXCITED and stayed that all day long. Not that there was anything to look forward too. It was cold, cloudy and raining. But I can’t really explain why but I had the feeling I could EXPLODE any minute. So I had to go out. Boyfriend stayed in (still recuperating from Thursday drinking). And I went to the aquarium. I so wanted to get WET and have some FUN. But don’t think I could take a fish back home.

Back at the hotel I was burning again from tension. I had to do something to put the pressure of. And seeing I didn’t feed that big fish I wanted, I thought of taking a swim. Just when I was ready to make that dip, boyfriend had some great news. Hmmmmm. Just say he was occupied when I was away. Yah, he wants to buy a car. When he told me I was like: ‘you crazy, you can’t buy a car over here. We don’t have a place, and you thinking of a car!’. Just some hours unsupervised and I get this. Oooh, I was TICKING.

Of course boyfriend was charming his way in. Trying to convince me with ‘oooh, but it’s a beauty, you will love it’. And I’m trying to get this idea out of his head by telling we don’t need a car. We have other things to be concerned now’. But yah, when boyfriend has an idea, it is hard to get it out of his head. So after some time he convinced me to have a look with him. He told me I had to see this “‘56 Chevrolet corvette” (a convertible, navy blue). But boyfriend knew I would not fall for just an old car. Unless it was a “Herbie” that would drive my everywhere, I was sure of my opinion: NO NO and again NO.

But yah, that changed when I saw it. Ooooh, it was such a cool car. And in such great condition. Was just fully restored. I must say I was still doubting at first, what do I know about engines and engine sounds. But the final kick was when the guy took us for a spin. After that I knew boyfriend was in love. And to be honest, I like it also very much. After we were back at the hotel (1.37 AM) boyfriend was almost begging me to have this car. Guess what I said? Yah, and saying I’m the boss, pffff. So the next couple of days boyfriend will make an offer. I wonder how things will go.

Oooh, and another thing today (now Saturday). I’m going to a party/drink tonight. One of the guys (the lazy, crazy dude from Thursday) has invited us to his house. And I’m so excited now. My first home drink. I can just imagine what the conversation will be tonight. Hmmm, no soccer I suppose.

So yesterday night was fun. After I made a dip in the pool me and boyfriend went out. Meeting up with some of his friends (he was here all by himself some months ago). So I would finally meet the guys he hanged out. And yah, they were everything I expected: crazy, lazy, nutty,...dudes.

I don’t really know if I told this before, but back home boyfriend is part of a little band. Yah, I’m with a rock guy. Anyhow, these guys were like musicians too. So when these guys aren’t talking about music, they are talking about beer. And if there is one topic boyfriend knows a lot, it is about beer. He is from Belgium, the land of the Jupiler.

Anyhow, there was like a big discussion about what is the best beer in the world. And everyone had a different opinion. And let me say, boyfriend definitely didn’t choose any Australian beers. So one of the guys said to boyfriend: ‘Have a jug of this fine beer’. Some Aussie pride.

So boyfriend had to be the funny guy AGAIN. He took this kind off brown bottle with green label on it and did have a sip. And he said: ‘Fuck, what’s in it. Cow piss’.

Can you imagine sitting in a bar with all aussies? Before I could even say anything, the hole bar was like laughing and having comments. Yah, boyfriend always knows how to make fun with someone else. On a funny way of course.

So the guy who had given him his beer said: ‘You are so full of shit N*. And then he said: ‘But I do appreciate the company.” and he winked at me.

Boyfriend started to laugh, just like the other guys. And I was standing there with my beer in my hand, like ooooh,...what is happening here. Another guy said to boyfriend: “Whattaf*ck, you letting him hitting on her.”

So seeing I was the only one who was not intoxicated; I said to the guy. "Oooh, you are asking for it. He (boyfriend) could give u a ZIDANE for that!”.

And I almost hear the guy thinking: click clack. A zidane?? Maybe he was drunk, or maybe he didn’t follow the World Cup, or maybe he was just slow. But after a few seconds, the other guys started to laugh very hard. And he was like, hmmm. So another guy mention soccer.

And boyfriend, who was still laughing said to the guy: “Yah, you stick with your beers. Let me handle the women”. And then finally it hit the guy.

It didn’t give him a shit that he didn’t get it right away, but for some reason the guys were all making fun with me soccer knowledge. But it was a night with a lot of laughter and a lot of beer (and I mean a lot). So when we were lying in bed, boyfriend said to me: “Ooh, I had fun. And you, you enjoyed it. And the guys, oooh they are so jealous now. Just love it coming home with my soccer girl.” I kicked him for that comment, I’m no soccer girl! LOL

Oooh, and for the people who are interested about aussie pride: Victoria Bitter (try it, it will open your eyes).

So today I went out with boyfriend. We didn’t really know what to do, so we let faith decide for us. We just jumped in the car, and drive off. Just see were we would end up. We wanted to go back to the beach, and explore. We have seen Bondi (very tourist like), and some other ones. We both like the beach very much, and boyfriend would just love to live nearby. So close to the water, and such a nice view.

So anyhow, we were driving, and I did not know when we would be back. So while driving I just screamed out and said he had to stop at the first supermarket. Just to get our stack of food and drinks in case we would get lost. Yah, me giving directions can result in seriously aggravation. So better to have a drink and some candy.

So we stopped at a ‘homemark’. Boyfriend waited outside while I explore the shop. Went to the drinks, bought 4 V-drinks (an energy drank, $ 8.39), a bottle of Aquaqueen spring water ($ 1.00). Then went to the biscuits , and picked up Arnotts Chocolate Caramel Crowns (much caramel, $ 2.95), 4 blueberry bagels (was good, but not so fresh, $ 3.65), Tim Tam chocolate ($ 2.95). So almost had to pay $ 20 (in fact 19.53).

Anyhow, I have two wallets. One for my bank notes and one for my coins. So was standing there, looking for my coin wallet. Have to much coins any why. And my coins are in a little dog, in the tummy (like teddy bear, but in my case a dog bear, hmmmm). Yah, I know, very girlie.

So while I was taking my dog wallet out of my purse, and trying to find like 53 cent, I notice the guy was looking very close at this ORIGINAL wallet. So I said to him, “you don’t mind if I pay with my dog”. And he was like smiling and said something like, "ooh, no problem".

So while I was giving him some coins, he was still smiling. So he gave me some coins back (didn’t find like 53 cent) and he said: “some for the dog”. I smiled and while I was putting the coins back in my dogs tummy, I said to him: “yah, still need to practise my slang a bit”. And he started to laugh so hard, almost bashing his head against the register. Never expected that to happen, everyone was like looking at us. So I grab my stuff, and said, "see you next time". He was still laughing and didn’t really know what to say next (maybe he was a bit embarrassed that he laughed so hard). So I just smiled. While I was walking to the car, boyfriend saw I was laughing a bit. And he asked me ‘what so funny’. I told him the hole deal, and boyfriend started to laugh also. So yah, it was a fun day. And we did make it to the beach. And now i have lots of energy of those V drinks. Have to make a dip in the pool and work it off.

Thanks Gio for the recipe. I understand it perfectly. My biggest problem is like how you said: ‘knowing when it is perfect, so it isn’t hard as brick or to moult’. Just the perfect mix of flour and potato.

But I do the squeezing and I do mix. I so need to find a kitchen to try it out (hmmm). I’m so eager to make some Gnocchi. And Gio, I will tell you how it goes (if I don’t set some kitchen in fire). And maybe I can cook to impress now. Of course you will get all the credits.

And about the ‘pizzamaker dance’. I don’t have a clue how it goes. SOMEONE has to show it to me. But I’m sure it’s not an Italian dance. So to all the NN’ers who does the pizzamaker, show or describe it to us European hippie dancers. Let’s all boogie.

I’m so bored now. Seems the nights over here are not very exciting. I have no problems during the day time, because me and boyfriend cruise around the city and the suburbs. Always things to see or to do. But at night we are back in the hotel. What should we do?? Because it is winter over here it’s dark very early. And night life start over here.

But I’m also not in the mood to go out every night (with some people). To get drinks every night and having interesting conversations. So most night we stay in. Talking about what we done today. Or going downstairs to have a drink with some people in the bar. Or having a swim in the indoor pool. Or just reading the newspaper.

Back home you have lots of things to do. Like cooking, cleaning, doing a bit of work, laundry. Hanging out with friends. Never have the time to relax. But here I don’t have to do anything. They clean, they cook and they do the laundry. Yah, sounds like a real holiday. But even know I’m tired of doing nothing. Seems I need to do something. Anything. So tonight we are trying to decide what to do.

Boyfriend is laying on the bed listening to his ipod. And I’m surfing a bit. Some people asked us today if we would go have a dinner with them. But they are not really fun people. And I’m not in the mood for fancy things. I want a real party. Just some beers and nuts. Some music to have a good dance. Just hanging out with normal people. So need to have serious fun. Want to laugh with silly things. Want to put my dancing shoes on and go for a swing. Maybe even try the 'pizzamaker' dance. Want to act crazy, because it has been to long I did that.

I’m so tired now. Yesterday I wanted to get out of this hotel, and now I want to stay in. Just relaxing because tomorrow I will have a busy day. Seems this winter time is getting to me. Yesterday we went to the Double Bay area. Just lovely. I like it very much. And we went to a fancy restaurant. Always nice to eat somewhere new. Afterwards boyfriend wanted to see Sydney harbour at night. It had something special, although it was a bit chilly.

I watched the news and heard about Howard. Luckily I’m not in Perth. I have my own opinion about this incident, but some will probably know what I think about his statement. But maybe I’m to French, or to European.

So besides that we are doing fine. Boyfriend is back better. I think I will make a dip in the pool over here. Maybe that will do me good, and give me some new energy.

It’s back dark. And it’s just 7 pm. But I do like the city lights of Sydney. Yesterday night was very late (what I didn’t’ expect). So I had some drinks with people over here. And seeing boyfriend was feeling not so good, I had to go alone. So went downstairs to the bar, and was really planning it to be a short evening. Couldn’t stay long seeing boyfriend was laying sick in his bed.

So after an hour, that seems like an eternity, boyfriend showed up. Shaved, washed, the whole deal. I don’t know if he was checking up on me, or he just felt better, but it was a big surprise for me. But glad he did, because it was so BORING. The people I had a drink with had not so much to say. I think we were all bored that evening. So sitting there sipping my drink, I was wondering why we did say ‘yes’ to a drink. And already thinking of much nicer things to do that night.

But then boyfriend showed up. And things did change a lot. Boyfriend did the suggestion to leave the hotel and just go into the night life of Sydney. So yah, we ended up in some bar. And there we did have some fun. Or at least I did. Was so more relaxed then in the hotel. Although I must say I did see some drunk aussies. Or at least I think they were drunk (maybe they wanted to impress us). Aussie charm is not the french way (or the italian way gio)LOL. Hmmm. It was a fun night that turned from boring to exciting. And tonight, we are exploring Sydney again. Just don’t know were we will end up. Oooh, exciting, will tell u all about it soon. And now just have a bite to eat, before we hit the road.

ps: thanks Gio. I'm french, but i do love your little bits of italian in all your english. Ooh, and before i forget it, is there a secret to make the perfect gnucchi. I think i have the wrong potato. LOL

We finally arrived in Sydney (two days ago). After a long flight I was glad to be back on the ground. For a second I wanted to kiss the earth beneath me, but that seems so …. And I was too tired to even try. The flight was ok, but to long. Luckily we had an ipod, so I could listen to songs with boyfriend. And the movies, not so good, no turbulence or passenger 57.

After the customs we were free. Free to discover Sydney. And yah, the weather wasn’t what it was last time I was over there. And certainly not so hot as Paris. But saying it is ‘winter in July’ (sounds like a title song), that is so exaggerated. Ok, it is cloudy some days, probably 18 – 20 degrees, but NO winter at all. Not even cold. The only word I can say to the Australians: PUSSIES

Anyhow, we took a cab to our hotel. Arriving there we had a surprise. The room that was booked seems to be a double. So we have two beds, two king size beds. It’s ok for me, but what went wrong. Boyfriend told the guy, ooh, two for the price of one. The guy laughed and wanted to offer us another room, but it was ok. And if I and boyfriend would have a fight, at least he doesn’t need to sleep on the floor. I’m joking. It’s a nice room. We have a little desk near the window. A tele, a little fridge, and a nice bathroom. What more can we ask.

I’m still a bit tired tonight. And we have a drink with some people later on. Hopefully that will go fine (still adjusting at aussie time). And boyfriend seems to have a lot of problems with the time zone. He hardly can keep his eyes open. So now I will take a shower. And then I will try to get boyfriend to go with me (his feeling a bit sicky). So take care people, and see you all soon.

Friday I slammed my office door behind me. I’m officially on holiday now. Or at least I should be. Boyfriend spend last week mostly at the beach. His trying to sell his boat. And because he postponed the selling for many months, I know that he will really miss his boat.

So to cheer him up, I bought like a mina tar sealing boat (Wauquiez C45s) . One that you need to built yourself. Friday afternoon my fingers were already sticky of ripping the dose open and start myself. But I behaved, rapped it in some paper and give it to him yesterday. His already trying to assemble it. And it gives me the change to do some last things. In some piece and quiet. I’m such smart girl to give him such a nice present (lol).

So anyhow, I’m packing again. Next week me and boyfriend are going away. We’re going down under. I’m trying to decide what to pack now. It is so hot over here (like 34 degrees) that it seems strange to pack some long pants and jumpers. It’s winter over there and very cold. Or at least that is what I heard (hmmmm). But yah, I will have to find that out myself how though the guys are over there. I packed at least one dress, you never know it start to get warmer over there when I’m in town.

And I also need to clean up my place. Yesterday mrs Tinkerbell came unexpected. And because she knows about the trip, she proposed to keep an eye on our place. Giving the plants water and things like that. And I was very flattered with her proposition, but to be honest my first pick for this would be someone else. But yah, saying no to her would probably have done more damage then good.

So yesterday I talked with boyfriend about my concerns. What if she starts to look in the closets? You never know what she finds in there (lol). Although she doesn’t seem to be a person who would do that, you really never know.

And boyfriend just laughed and said, ‘What the f*ck we care. Have her something to wonder about!’. But yah, I want her to think me and boyfriend are a very boring couple. So now it is ‘DefCon’ one over here, trying to hide all the damaging prove (lol). I so wish we had a safe now.

And another little secret, I will need to disturb boyfriend later on. I was looking in his study... Oooh, he so need to put his ‘guy stuff’ somewhere else, instead of just laying there to grab. If she comes in here, she probably get a hart attack. Hmmm, I so wonder what boyfriend will say if I mention him to clean up his study.

So this is my day today. Cleaning and packing. As you all see it is very exciting.

Ps: I didn't know the secret of the pesto Gio (bit ashamed now). And I really enjoy u recipes you put on u blogs. Saved them and when I have the time, I will try them.

So I’m back from Rome. I had such a great time. More fun then I thought it would be. And I even have a little tan. Isn’t that great.

So anyhow, arriving back home was fun. Finally got some time with boyfriend. Got all the details of his party, and I told him like a billion things about what I did over there. Even mentioned that I did take a look at the ‘piazza di Spagna’ (shopping area). Yah, one street I know, and it’s the Prada, Gucci, … street (Via Condotti I think). Not that I would buy something, but I always like just to go window shopping, see what is new.

After that, we went out with friends. And yah, boyfriend did get a bit drunk. Had even to tuck him in his bed. And now he is sitting here with a headache. Didn’t I told you not to drink so much (lol). But I had a wonderful time yesterday night. I so enjoy these hot summer nights.

So to answer Gio question, I never went to Torino for work. If it is for work, it is mostly to Rome. But Italy has more to offer then just gelato. I spend many weeks with my parents in Italy. I guess that is the reason why I like so much Italian things. So when it is not for work, most of my holidays were and are spend in Rapallo. It is not so far from the city of Genoa and it is located in the Tigullio Gulf. More located in the north of Italy. Maybe Gio can explain where it is located in Italy. So anyhow, because of my childhood holidays I did get a taste of the Italian life. And I still enjoy it a lot. And yah, I’m embarrassed that after so many visits my Italian is like so bad. Hmm, or better, I still don’t speak Italian. Just some basic words. I know, I should try to do something with that. If I only could find some time.

And now I’m off to my work. Just have to do little things this week before I can slam my office door behind me. And hopefully I can enjoy some weeks of holidays then. So catch u all around next time people.