Whenever I'm upset, I don't sleep.  Worries that seem solve-able during the day wake me up at night and bring me out to the couch.  On Tuesday night, I didn't even bother trying to sleep.  I brushed my teeth, washed my face, grabbed a pillow and blanket and went straight to the couch. 10pm in Sydney is 7am in New York.  My parents, sisters, brother-in-laws and nieces were all at my parents house, on their way to my Grandma's funeral.  I was filled with regret.  I regretted moving 10,000 miles to Australia.  I regretted leaving New York in 1996 to move to Colorado.  I regretted that since I'm eighteen, I've always lived far away from my family.  Most of all, I regretted not being there.  I slept on and off through the night. 

On Wednesday morning, I talked to my Mom, who told me I'm being ridiculous and she loves that I'm happy. 

Then, I tried not to feel regret, because in spite of it all, I am happy.  Each day is exciting and different from the last. 

This past week we had a goal:  Buying a car.  Glen and I drove around, scoping dealerships and researching, before finding the car for us - a 2003 Toyota Landcruiser Prado.  The car buying experience is different than in the US.  We had an inspection done, which in turn the dealership fixes any problems that are found.  One leaking rear shock, a broken fog light and new windshield later, the repairs are being made and the car should be ours tomorrow. 

In the meantime, I'm learning Sydney's public transportation and have been catching ferries, buses and trains.  I've also been driving Celia's car.  Today, I drove across the city to the Northern Beaches.  I drove across the Harbour Bridge...on the left side of the road...Australians are so picky about that!  ;-) 

I've also found a new passion:  Shopping.  (Unfortunate timing, considering we don't have jobs.)  I went shopping with Nikki in Bondi on Thursday night. It was so nice to spend time with her, and when we were done we went to eat at what looked like a little hole-in-the-wall Japanese restaurant, only to be served the greatest sashimi I've ever eaten.  Ever. 

Glen and I went to the super trendy Paddington Neighborhood and the Paddington Markets on Saturday.  Luckily, I don't have expensive taste...but I did manage to snag a pair of tiny boots that I've noticed women all around Sydney wearing.   

One morning, I video chatted with my friends Larissa, Peyton and Sarah in Breckenridge while they drank wine and I sipped coffee.  They put the phone on the table and we chatted like I was right there with them.   

On Friday morning, Glen and I had a huge run on Bondi Beach.  Just when we thought we were too tired to run anymore, we realized the parking meter would expire in 20 minutes.  I grabbed the car keys and ran ahead another three kilometers, arriving at the car with three minutes to spare, making me the hero of the day.

That night, we went into the city to sample the Noodle Markets (Local Asian Restaurants set up booths, where you can sample tastings from their menu).  It was a blast, but in usual Friday night event fashion, it quickly got crowded and the lines became so long, we wandered the city in search of a restaurant that served noodles...and found one without problem.

On Sunday, I drank (too much) wine with my sister-in-law, Megan.  I stopped drinking when, to my horror, I heard myself saying "I've never seen Drach Zunk."

I've called and video chatted with my family more than I ever did in Colorado, because I miss them so much. 

This week has been an emotional rollercoaster, filled with sadness, happiness, excitement and regret.  That's okay.  Those emotions are all a part of living, and living life is exactly what I came here to do. 

Beautiful Bondi Beach, start and end of the longest run I've done in Australia, 15 kilometers/9 miles!

Hopefully we'll have this car tomorrow!  That bar on the front is called a 'Roo Bar.'  So if you hit a kangaroo, it doesn't hurt the car...but likely hurts the kangaroo.  Even so, I really, really, don't want to hit a kangaroo. 

The ultra cool Paddington Neighborhood, home of the Paddington Markets!