Corinne Elaina

free:art

2010-05-23T06:00:00.007+10:00

Right now in Sydney, the 17th Annual Biennale of Sydney is taking place. Every two years, art from around the world is show-cased throughout Sydney and Cockatoo Island. We had the privilege of spending most of last weekend on Cockatoo Island soaking up the very industrial, very abandoned vibes of this fantastic place filled to the brim with historical significance.

After taking approximately 2000 pictures, both our cameras and our bodies were in need of rest and relaxation. This weekend found us wandering through Darling Harbour, listening to the sounds of the Jazz & Blues Festival and enjoying an impromptu rain storm, followed by a luscious sunset.

rain:rain

2010-02-13T18:09:00.004+11:00

As I looked out toward the cityscape from my 11th floor cubicle this week, I was witness to gorgeously warm sunshine and fast moving fluffy white clouds: heaven. The moment I stepped out of my mammoth office building, the rain began. It was just a sprinkle at first, but after some dinner and a concert, it turned into a pure unhindering torrent.

After 45 minutes of searching, we found an available taxi and made our way home. Having convinced myself that our apartment was floating away, I was pleasantly surprised that everything was intact and dry.

The city is recovering today from the up to 88mm of rain that fell last night. The reprieve allowed us the opportunity to venture out to Newtown, go to the library and visit the market. It is a beautiful day after all. The picture above is a panorama of a street in Newtown. I love the flamboyant use of color on these very old majestic buildings.

happy anniversary

2010-02-04T19:25:00.002+11:00

I realize that anniversaries typically celebrate the one year milestone, but in this case, despite the small tenure, there is plenty of cause for celebration. Not only did we actually travel from the USA to Sydney, but we managed to use thrift, imagination, and determination to stake out the beginnings of a new life. I also got a job to boot! Yesterday was our two month anniversary in Sydney and I am still amazed at how it feels like a century, yet at the same time, it feels so short. I hope we get the opportunity to celebrate many other milestones is a city that is big and clean and lovely and fascinating. Here's to life! Cheers!

australia day retrospective

2010-01-29T20:05:00.011+11:00

For weeks Australian media encouraged folks to get out and celebrate Australia Day (January 26th). We were somewhat skeptical as to the number of people who would be out and about on that day. We left early in the morning and started our long journey. We visited Darling Harbour and the Maritime Museum. After emerging from the relative cool of the museum, we were surprised by the throngs and throngs of people.

People were polite and the streets remained clean. We were all sweltering in the gloriously humid sunshine, but no one seemed to mind. We were all sweating through our shirts!

As we continued on, we stole a bit of the breeze just under the Sydney Harbour Bridge. Beautiful views of the Opera House sat prominently and oodles of sailing boats speckled our view.

We walked from Circular Quay toward Hyde Park and discovered a fantastic car show lining the entire way. Reconditioned vintage cars lined the streets.

After hours and hours of exploration, we grew tired, but powered on and walked back to our apartment.

Australia Day was a success!

working girl in the old new city

2010-01-23T21:27:00.003+11:00

My name is Corinne and I'm a working girl in Sydney, Australia. I completed my very first week of work. Needless to say, my head hurts a little bit. But, with a little enthusiasm and lots of hot tea fueling my little engine, I'll be knocking some socks off in no time.

Being submersed here has been a joy. Sydney houses, streets, fountains, cemeteries, buildings... old (i love old!). Ancient intertwines with the new in a fluid, sweeping motion. On New Year's Day, we had the opportunity to tour Gore Hill Cemetery. This gorgeous place made me feel as though I were entering the "Secret Garden." New life springing up from every crack and crevice, mixed with old memories - not unlike the sense I feel as my eyes sweep up from street level to building top within the city. Fabulous!

Brambles and shackles
Honey and lust
Gooey and sticky
Iron and rust
Sweat and solitude
Milky and clear
Perfect and wild
Ancient and dear

a message from our room

2010-01-17T19:38:00.003+11:00

Living in Australia is much more than we ever thought it could be. We came with no expectations and, somehow, it has changed the way we look at things. Our newly gained perspective makes me reminisce differently about the past. All of the financial anchors in our lives gone, we stand stripped and pared down. We are simpler, cleaner and thinner. Happiness is following. Everything is an adventure - even traveling to the local grocery store. We've been here for about six weeks and it feels like 10 years at times and only a few days at others.

Sometimes people talk about dreamtime, and although I don't understand all of the connotations to that, I do understand that time passes differently here. I look up and a day has flown by without me even realizing. Maybe it has something to do with distractions, but I'm positive there is something magical here.

So, this message comes to you from our room - a place where we'll make our home over the next six months. With any luck I'll have the persistence and ambition to keep this thing going, unless I'm dreaming.

I start work tomorrow. I will be working in Australia. Just to say the words aloud make me giddy.

Ta for now.