Stacks Taverna - Darling Quarter

For one of Mr.HEA's farewells, we made a visit to the refurbished Darling Quarter. We don't get out much and so Mr.HEA was aptly impressed with the massive change the area has undertaken. Not enough for him to stay in Australia though, Dyamn...but jokes aside, the restaurant we picked was a friendly one with great atmosphere.

It had a cook your own steak if you so choose, and when we arrived, we saw two disgruntled mothers there cooking a whole family's meal. We chortled slightly at their expense thinking that it must suck thinking you are getting the day off by going out to eat, but then getting roped in to work anyhows.

The steak was cheaper that way however so I guess there is a hook. Many others joined them later anyhow, so the concept must appeal.

We had some other delectable dishes, washed down with a Sexy Time Cocktail jug (I dare you to order it in Borat's accent, preferably with a waitstaff of the opposite gender, #ChallengeAccepted). The Redskins infused vodka in the Redskins cocktail was a lot more popular however, with big chunks or strawberry and a much stronger flavour than the Sexy Time.

Not a bad place to consider if you have a large crowd to feed and not all of you are keen to spend heaps and still want to have a fun time.

 

Chilli & Garlic Prawn Pappardelle $32.00

Tomato Pesto, Sunblushed Tomatoes, Wild Rocket & Chilli Oil

 

Souvlaki Chicken $18.00

Chicken Marinated In Lemon & Oregano With Spiced Garlic Yoghurt & Parsley

 

Byron Bay Pork Belly $29.00

With Sauce Soubise, Dirty Granny Cider & Roasted Apple

 

Pan Seared Kangaroo Loin $29.00

Creamed Celeriac, Balsamic Onions & Truffe Jus

Yellow and Orange

It was Daffodil Day today, a lovely Yellow burst of surprise walking out of the train station to see the yellow flower heads pop out from the buckets. I find Daffodils a very cheery flower and have been fascinated ever since seeing a picture of them in a book once as a kid.





The yellow and orange didn't stop at the lovely drops of sunshine brightening up our work places today. Taste of Orange! Was a nice surprise. I miss taking the bus to Martin Place and seeing firsthand the promotional activity that always revolved around there. This week, my colleague told me about the lunchtime free food and wine tastings of Orange and we were there in a jiffy. Bearing in mind I still had to come back to work, I did not go all out with visiting the stalls, picking out wines which attracted me to the label or logos only.

Wines tasted:
NB: My tasting notes are not professional. i was told many a time that I am entitled to form my own opinion about wines and not be influenced by the general reviews, so here is my take. I generally find Orange wines to have delicious and surprising undertones, I always find a different unexpected taste from that of the grape published. Like the Belgravia Gerwurtztraminer I served at my wedding, it had yummy Turkish delight notes to it. Yum yum. So the following is a list of the odd thing I found in each wine I tasted from the following estates.
Belgravia Reisling - Floral notes
Brangayne Pinot Grigio - Nutty Mineral taste
Logan Vintage 'M' Cuvee - Bitter Orange rind
De Salis Fume Blanc - Paddlepop aftertaste but what the website says: Lychee, passion fruit and lime on the nose, the palate is seamless tropical fruit with lime leading to a fine chalk textural dry finish.
Cooks Lot Late Harvest Botrytis Chardonnay - Liquid Honey with hints of candied pineapple

Delectable and rustic food savoured:
Goats cheese, Spinach and Nuts roll
Potato Frittata with Rocket Aioli
Pork Terrine with Apple





One day if I am ever lucky enough, I'd like to visit Orange, try the fine wines, the delicious produce and just escape the modern and fast-paced city of Sydney, but until then, I will just have be content with Orange coming to Sydney.

Current Wish list

Current Wish list by happy-e-after featuring a pea coat

Tory Burch pea coat / Pierre Hardy wedge booties, $810 / 3.1 Phillip Lim leather satchel / Burberry scarve, $395

Still thinking of the London trip in December even if the wild winter weather in Sydney is relenting slowly but surely.

When someone embarks upon a long distance relationship

Life has been tough working on the long distance. But in truth, it hasn't really begun yet because I haven't yet gotten to begin the Skype and Viber calls.
I keep missing the boy when he What's apps me and it really sucks. For a moment I begun to believe I really suck at this game. But first let me back track a little.

Day 1:
I probably struggled a little when I came back into the room after the airport and after saying goodnight to my in-laws, being all alone, shed some private tears.

Then I decided to nurse my heart with Modern Family episodes on the TV setup Mr.HEA left me with and I slept quite alright.

Getting up on Day 1 was tender, I was fragile. I wasn't sure what state I should be in, but the in-laws acted normal so I had no reason to act otherwise. Walking to work in the new neighbourhood and learning this new routine, I kept checking my thoughts, taking deep breaths before the tears rolled down my cheeks. And this was my revelation, I kept thinking like he was never coming back...or that I had lost him. But how odd is that when I really could fare worse, it could be like the Time Traveller's wife (I don't know why but this story relates best to me at the moment for solace) when her husband dies and she knows she only gets one more chance to see him in her future. I am luckier, I have Mr.HEA to Skype, Viber and What's app and email if I so fancy. The point is, he is away, but not gone.

So I straighten myself up and carry on.

An observation though, people tend to want to offer hugs and words of kindness and support. I feel touched, but I can't take them right now. The funny thing is, Mr.HEA's cousin's done the exact same thing as Mr.HEA and left her long-term partner behind. Sharing with him, he tells me he gets that too, but they also feed him cause they are possibly worried that no one is feeding him anymore. Funny.

Thanks everyone who have tried to get in contact to help me grieve/ tide over the period, but truly, your kindness makes me weak at the moment and I need strength more than anything.

And my solution is to focus on the other things that I can do without being reminded of Mr.HEA, and thank goodness there is plenty.

I work, and pour myself into my job. I catch up with my friends that are not mutual friends of ours, I talk to my mum and brother and have a good laugh. I watch comedies and organise things around the room to make life as normal and comfortable for myself as I possibly can instead of moping around. And I take the time to take care of myself, investing time in my beauty routine and getting more exercise and beauty sleep.

Day 2:

Today I am a lot stronger and didn't have to take as many deep breaths to collect myself. I did learn that my GM views my long distance relationship as a business risk though and I do not know if I should feel honoured that I am viewed to be that important, or if I should be upset that the business could be so unfeeling about my personal life. Anyhoo, I am not making a big deal out of this until they do.

I keep missing Mr.HEA's What's App msges. I guess using the iPhone 3 does make this What'sApp thing a lot harder with all the delayed responses. I am sad I haven't been getting to hear his voice, but I just have to keep patient and vigilant for the phone notifications and not let it get the better of us.

Also got a little distracted because I had ordered mum flowers online for her bday and got jipped because the delivery was two flowers short





and there was certainly was a lot more foliage than the picture showed!
What a rort?!!!

Sometimes a little retail fury is just what the doctor's ordered for some long distance strength. That and some gin.

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

Day Zero: Celebrating the Mundane

Life seemed to be all about celebrating the mundane before Mr.HEA left. Holding hands, cuddling on the couch in front of a movie, eating dinner, brushing our teeth together. All things we just took for granted when we first moved in together after getting married.

It wasn't till we were moving out of our marital home thar we realised how important the opportunity to live with each other was and how we squandered it away.

Ten car loads later our house is now void of our personal stuff and it is on the market for rental. One suitcase and carry on bag is packed in his teenage bedroom in his parent's house, ready to be hoisted into the car this afternoon, airport-bound. And makeup, jewelry, bags, shoes and clothes abound have been crammed into the teenage boy's room as the parents now are left with a daughter-in -law who they have graciously accepted as their own.

Whilst I was hesitant to accept their generosity at first because I was resilient, stubborn and morose, I have come to realize that they are losing a son too and am hoping for me to fill that void. I must accept that they have offered me a home and that I should learn to make it mine and as seamlessly as possible, integrate into their lives so that I am no trouble to them.

Gosh this is going to be tough, but the spare time from not needing to run a household, the chance to hang out with all my girlfriends again,an opportunity to focus only on work, the shopping trips to Europe and the Game of thrones and Mad Men episodes I now get to watch in the evenings whilst not ironing clothes...all somehow makes me believe that there is method to this madness that we are about to embark upon. See you on the other side, a.k.a Day 1.