Mardi Gras Sydney 2012

The 2012 Sydney Mardi Gras Parade filled the Oxford St, Flinders St and surroundings with glitter, colour, fun and proud.

According to the festival CEO, Michael Rolik, "almost 10,000 people took part in the parade of 134 floats." 

In spite of the rain, tens of thousands of Sydneysiders and people from overseas showed up to watch the parade, support the cause, have fun and, above all, celebrate tolerance.

According a research by the Destination NSW, Mardi Gras attracts more than 20,000 overseas and interstate visitors injecting around $30 million into the state economy.

The Mardi Gras, which is currently the second biggest festival in NSW, started in 1978. Thankfully much has changed since then. While at that time, the police tried to stop and prosecute people, now they march together.

Marriage equality and gay rights, as in previous editions, were the main themes throughout the parade.  Same-sex marriage has been debated for a while now in Australia.  

Same sex-marriage is currently nationwide recognized in ten countries: Argentine, Belgium, Canada, Iceland, the Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, South Africa, Spain and Sweden. Other countries that already recognize it in some regions are: United States, Mexico, Brazil and Israel.

Some photos from the event:

 A float sponsored by the giant Google

 The parade had representatives of Catholic, Jew and Muslim groups

 The police as well as firemen and nurses paraded

 The "love over hate" statement was present in the colourful cars

 A real stylish tank was used on the parade

Many public and private companies took part in the event

Residents with privileged view enjoyed the party

A straight couple enjoying the parade with a good view

Some articles around the world about the Mardi Gras in Sydney this year:

Kylie top Mardi Gras attraction

Organisers celebrating Mardi Gras success

Equality the message of 2012 Mardi Gras

Rain failed to dampen Sydney 2012 Mardi Gras

Kylie Minogue celebrates 25 years in pop at Sydney Mardi Gras

All the action: Mardi Gras Sydney 2012

Mardi Gras to screen worldwide online

International visits surge for Mardi Gras 2012

Police pleased with Mardi Gras crowd behaviour

Outdoor Cinema: Moonlight & OpenAir

The outdoors cinema season is almost gone, and I just remembered I still have not used my tickets to Moonlight!

Luckily there are plenty of good movies they will be showing around there until the end of this month. Now it's a matter of waiting for a non-rainy day to go. Hopefully, there will be at least one this month...

Some of the movies I am willing to watch are: The Iron Lady (today), The Descendants (Sun 4 Mar), Hugo (Fri 9 Mar), The Artist (Sat 17 Mar), The Grey (Wed 21 Mar) and The Vow (Sun 25 Mar - last day!).

Bondi OpenAir is also still on, but on its final week. So you better hurry for this one. The last movies scheduled there are: The Rocky Horror Picture Show (Thu 01 Mar), The Muppets (Fri 02 Mar), The Descendants (Sat 03 Mar) and Young Adult (Sun 04 Mar).

I've been to Bondi OpenAir last year to watch Tourist and I really liked it. You can take a look at my review here: Bondi Openair Cinema 2011.

I will let you know what I thought of Moonlight later on... ;)

Northern Beaches Book Fair

You may remember my post about the book fair here in the northern beaches. No? Well, here is a link to refresh your mind: Book Fair in Warriewood

The first 2012 Lifeline Northern Beaches Book Fair has just started and will be going on the whole weekend.

This is such a good book fair with more than 18,000 titles across 50 categories. They are all in very good quality and the fair is quite organised. The starting price is as low as 2 dollars! What a bargain!

Opening times:


Saturday 25 Feb - 9am to 5pm
Sunday 26 Feb - 9am to 2 pm


Location: Ted Blackwood Hall, Cnr Jacksons and Boondah Roads, Warriewood.

I really recommend it to all the book lovers in Sydney! Believe me, there are pre loved titles for all tastes there.

That time of the year...

At this time of the year there is no escape. We get a bit reflective.

We distract ourselves with shopping, gifts, Christmas tree, Secret Santa, parties.

We keep our mind busy thinking about what clothes to wear, what food to cook/eat, what to pack for the upcoming trip.

However, when the Christmas songs start playing and the Christmas lights go bright, our mind goes away. It goes to our childhood memories, to our roots and, of course, to those that were part of all that. Those that are so far away...

We remember this is the fifth end of the year in a row living on the other side of the world. We get homesick, no doubt.

We balance the whole year, what went wrong, what went right; the unexpected, the long waited, the learning, the good and the bad, the tears and the laughs.

This is that time when we catch ourselves balancing our whole life. The steps we’ve taken, how we got where we are; the obstacles, the victories. And we consider our plans, our motivations, what keep us here.

There is a gap. People that are not by our side, like pieces missing on a puzzle. But we soon find them right inside, close to our heart. They’ve been there all along.

In the end, we look around and we feel happy. Somehow things make sense. 

We never know what tomorrow brings. But, right now, we are where we’re supposed to be. And, for now, that’s enough.

I wish to you on this end of the year that, after balancing your 2011, you feel wholesome and invigorated to go for it in 2012. Above all, I wish you to look around and feel blessed with everything you already have.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

(top photo by greenplasticamy)

NYE Last Minute

Can you believe we are only 15 days away from New Year's Eve? Are you all planned out? No?! Don't worry! Wherever you are in Australia, there's still time to plan yourself to do something.

Sydney has the most famous Australia's NYE with its Harbour Bridge as the queen of the night. 

If nothing else, you can have fun just going to see the fireworks on the Harbour Bridge. It's free and  there are some spots where you do not need to get so early, The Rocks for example. 

Be aware, though, that you won't be allowed to drink at many places around the city on this NYE:

New Year's booze ban - Sydney Harbour dries up to welcome in 2012 - The Daily Telegraph

To get all the official info about the New Year's Eve in Sydney, visit: http://www.sydneynewyearseve.com/

Traditional NYE parties in Sydney:

The Star (former Star City Casino)

Opera House

Party Cruise Options

NYE pub parties in Sydney:

Barzine List

PartyStar Directory

One of my favourite events website, WeekendNotes, has made a list of Free New Years Eve Ideas in Sydney. Check it out! 

New Year's festivals are quite popular all around Australia. Some happen on the new year's eve, some happen on the first day of the year, and some start before NYE and finishes after the first day of the year!

The most popular ones are:

Harbour Party

Shore Thing

Field Day

Pyramid Rock

Peats Ridge

The Falls Festival

Summadayze

Harbour Bridge Fireworks from The Harbour Party at Luna Park last year (photo taken by my husband). That was a nice party, which I definitely recommend if you're staying in Sydney! ;)

Expat Women: Confessions (book review)

I have a confession to make: I was ashamed to speak English when I left Brazil six years ago to study in US. I never thought I'd get this fluent! I was also afraid to make mistakes speaking Spanish when I went to Argentina for work some time ago.  I have another confession to make: I am always in doubt if I should repatriate. And I feel guilty sometimes for not being there for my family. I feel I'm missing so much!

Now, I know what you're thinking: that's not a confession at all, that's just something many of us expats have gone through. Exactly! It may not look like a confession but, how many times are we that honest? How many times do we talk about our fears and disappointments? And how hard is it to admit that things are not going as planned or that we're struggling to cope?

Modern women are increasingly conditioned to act like we are superwomen, even to ourselves. When we leave our country we normally hear people saying how wonderful their life abroad is. What no one says though is that there will be many let downs. There will be times when you feel frustrated, angry, sad.

However, the important thing here is to know that you are not alone. The experiences will vary to everyone, but everyone will have ups and downs. Positive results will depend mostly on how you deal and see those moments. 

Well, now I have another confession to make: I have been depriving you from a great tip... I've read an excellent book for expat women seven months ago and I swear I had the intention to tell you about it, but you know… didn't happen.

So here I am to tell you about this great book called Expat Women: Confessions - 50 Answers to Your Real-Life Questions about Living Abroad.

This is a book that will help you at any time of your expatriate adventure. It aims to help long time expats, newcomers and even expats to be.  It will be your experienced expat friend, providing good advise for those moments you feel lost. As Robin Pascoe, author of four books about expatriation, wrote on the book foreword: "It will be your friend, that gives you guidance, tips that you may or may not like but that are true."

Don't worry though,  this friendship does not need to end when you finish your reading. You can keep receiving expert advises from the very popular Confessions section of the ExpatWomen.com website. Every month there is a new question answered, and you can even send your own.

Expat Women: Confessions is divided into six comprehensive chapters:  Settling In, Career and Money, Raising Children, Relationships, Mixed Emotions and Repatriation. This a nice designed ebook with easy to read font and well organised chapters. The only let down for me was the lack of hyperlinks, which would definitely be a plus.

The authors Andrea Martins and Victoria Hepworth are experienced expats themselves and have helped many expats before. Some time ago, Andrea was actually so kind to tweet about a certain profile I was looking to finish a magazine piece I was writing. Many thanks for that, Andrea! They certainly have the wisdom and empathy necessary  to the subject. 

Andrea is an Australian who has relocated many times. She's lived in Indonesia, Mexico and Malaysia. She is the founder of the ExpatWomen.com website. Andrea realised that not all expats handle the same way this experience when she met April, a happy 25yo girl, who ended up confessing she wasn't coping well with the assignment in New Mexico and was even taking medication. Victoria is a New Zealander, who have also lived and worked in many different countries, such as: Japan, China, Russia, Sweden and India. She is a psychologist specialised in cross-culture issues and trailing spouses. She is also the founder of Lifeline Shanghai.

If you are an expat mom, grandmother, spouse, girlfriend, employee, entrepreneur, married, single, divorced, alcoholic, cheater, betrayed, pessimist, optimist, crazy, sad, happy, retared… Then this book is for you. Reading about other expat issues and the valuable tips to surpass it, will be your starting point to turn whatever problems you have around. 

I am sure you will find at least one advise that fits perfectly into your current situation, but the chances are that you will find many.

Download your copy here!

I am back...

After 3 weeks on holiday, 1 week sick at home and 1 whole week back at work, I'm now back to my beloved blog. Just to let you know, I had restricted access to the Internet while traveling. And I had no willing whatsoever to use it while I was sick. So just now I'm slowly returning to my virtual life.

I have started already to reply all the emails you've sent to me and I'm also analysing all the partnership/sponsorship proposals received, so I'll get back to you all as soon as possible.

I am sorry for the disappearance, but you know that it happens here on this blog sometimes right? Oh, and before I forget, I wrote a Bio for this blog (the About Me link up there ;). It was about time hey! Please read there to know some of my excuses for not posting so often :/

I did return with my mind full of stories and new ideas though, including for a new design (I know you want it!). I just hope I can find the time to bring it all to light.

Once more, thanks for your patience and please keep coming back, you won't regret! :p

Upcoming International Gigs in Australia – Still in 2011!

 

Stevie Wonder

October 26 at Lyric Theatre Pyrmont, Sydney NSW

Price: $255.00 - $455.00

Tickets here!

 

Kings of Leon

November 4 & 5 at Acer Arena, Sydney NSW

November 8 at Entertainment Centre, Brisbane QLD

November 9 at Convention Centre, Gold Coast QLD

November 11 at Entertainment Centre, Adelaide SA

November 13, 14 & 16 at Rod Laver Arena, Melbourne VIC

November 19 at NIB Stadium, Perth WA

Prices: $101.50 - $169.00

Tickets here & here!

 

Janet Jackson

November 5, 6 & 8 at Opera House, Sydney NSW

Prices: $119.90 - $299.90

Tickets here!

 

Vanilla Ice

November 9 at Manhattan Hotel, Ringwood VIC

November 10 at New Albury Hotel, Albury NSW

November 11 at Shopping Town Hotel, Doncaster VIC

November 12 at Chelsea Heights Hotel, Chelsea Heights VIC

November 13 at Jupiters Casino, Gold Coast QLD

Price: $58.95

Tickets here!

 

Good Charlotte

November 10 at The Forum Theatre, Melbourne VIC

November 11 at Coogee Bay Hotel, Sydney NSW

November 12 at Eatons Hill Hotel, Brisbane QLD

Prices: $33.40 - $43.60

Tickets here & here!

 

Katchafire

November 18 at Coogee Bay Hotel, Sydney NSW

Price: $41.60

Tickets here!

 

Jason Mraz

November 19 & 20 at Opera House, Sydney NSW

Prices: $69.00 - $89.00

Tickets here!

 

Elton John

November 26 & 27 at Lyric Theatre Star City, Sydney NSW

November 30 at Entertainment Centre, Brisbane QLD

December 3 & 4 at Hope Estate, Hunter Valley NSW

December 6 & 7 at Rod Laver Arena, Melbourne VIC

December 9 at Coopers Amphitheatre, Adelaide SA

December 11 at Burswood Dome, Perth WA

Prices: $ 119.00 - $405.00

Tickets here & here!

 

Foo Fighters

November 28 at NIB Stadium, Perth WA

December 2 at AAMI Park, Melbourne VIC

December 5 at Adelaide Oval, Adelaide SA

December 8 at Football Stadium, Sydney NSW

December 10 at Metricon Stadium, Gold Coast QLD

Prices: $106.00 - $131.80

Tickets here & here!

 

The Misfits

November 30 at Capital Theatre, Perth WA

December 1 at Manning Bar, Sydney NSW

December 2 at HiFi, Brisbane QLD

December 3 at HiFi, Melbourne VIC

December 4 at Fowlers, Adelaide SA

Prices: $63.10 - $64.50

Tickets here!

 

Eminem

December 1 at Etihad Stadium, Docklands VIC

December 2 at Football Stadium, Sydney NSW

Prices: $150.00 - $299.90

Tickets here & here!

 

Sade

December 2 at Rod Laver Arena, Melbourne VIC

December 3 at Leconfield Wines, McLaren Vale SA

December 6 at Kings Park & Botanic Gardens, Perth WA

December 9 at Entertainment Centre, Sydney NSW

December 10 at Hope Estate, Hunter Valley NSW

December 14 at Entertainment Centre, Brisbane QLD

December 17 at Rochford Wines, Yarra Valley VIC

Prices: $109.90 - $398.00

Tickets here!

 

By the time you read this post, some of the gigs above may have been sold out already. But remember you can always try to find tickets on Gumtree and eBay.

Nancy Wake (1912-2011)

The White Mouse With a Lion's Heart

I've never heard about this woman until this week. Like many other heroes in our history, she was almost forgotten until her death; and she'll probably be dissipated from people's memory pretty soon.

Well, not from mine. Her story really inspired me.

We have a few similarities: same middle name (Augusta), same occupation (journalist) and same outlook on life. Henri Tardivat, a longtime resistance buddy, once described Ms Wake as "the most feminine woman I know, until the fighting starts".

Nancy was everything I admire on a woman: she was smart, intelligent and well educated; she was a journalist that believed she could change the world (and she indeed changed it); she was independent (on a time that women had not even half of the rights we have today); she was happily married (but love didn’t prevent her from fighting for what she believed); she was brave, determined and passionate.

She once said, "I hate wars and violence, but if they come I don't see why we women should just wave our men a proud goodbye and then knit them balaclavas." Her biography says “she was a pioneering feminist that spoke loudly with words and backed them up with actions.” I couldn’t agree more!

 The Go Get It

Born in Wellington (NZ), she was the youngest of six children. When two years old, she moved to Sydney (AU) with her family. Her father soon returned to New Zealand and never came back, leaving her mother Ella Wake to raise the children by herself.

At 16, she started working as a nurse. Soon she went to New York (US) and then to London (UK), where studied journalism. She worked for an American newspaper as a correspondent from Paris.

The Journalist

One of her first assignments as a journalist was an interview with Adolph Hitler. She decided to do something against the Nazis after witnessing the impact of the regime first hand.

She witnessed horrible scenes in Vienna that were carried for her whole life, "The stormtroopers had tied the Jewish people up to massive wheels. They were rolling the wheels along, and the stormtroopers were whipping the Jews. I stood there and thought, 'I don't know what I'll do about it, but if I can do anything one day, I'll do it.' And I always had that picture in my mind, all through the war."

The Warrior

France was occupied by the Nazis in 1940. That’s when she and her French husband, the wealthy industrialist Henri Fiocca, became active in the resistance movement.

After receiving espionage training from the British, Ms Wake helped saving thousands of Allied lives by setting up escape routes and sabotaging German installations. She became one of the most-wanted in the Gestapo’s list. But she was a clever and sneaky one, and they were never able to get their hands on her. That’s when they came with the nickname she’s known till today: “White Mouse”.

The Survivor

She was such a survivor. She lost her beloved husband to the Gestapo; he was captured and tortured before his execution. Nevertheless, she kept strong, she kept going. She married again, in 1957, an English ex-RAF fighter pilot, John Forward.

They came to Australia in early 60s and retired in 1985, same year she published her autobiography, entitled The White Mouse. The book became a best seller, and it has been reprinted many times.

She was then by herself again when her second husband died in Port Macquarie in 1997. Once more, she kept her head held high, and went back to London. Ms Wake peacefully died last Sunday, August 7, at the Kingston Hospital.

The Awarded

It took a while, especially in Australia, for her to be recognised. Ms Wake was however awarded France’s highest decoration, the George Medal for bravery, Companion of the Order of Australia, Badge in Gold, the US Medal of Freedom, the Defence and the War Medal, and more.

Her incredible life was chronicled in three books. Australia author Peter FitzSimons has written  the comprehensive book called Nancy Wake, A Biography of Our Greatest War Heroine. Her story will now be feature in a movie by Australian director Bruce Beresford, who’s already casting it. Some actresses quoted to play her role are: Emily Browning, Nicole Kidman, Naomi Watts and Rachael Taylor. Guess the title of this production expected for the second half of 2012? The White Mouse, of course.

Cirque du Soleil - Saltimbancos

It is colourful. It is funny. It is dramatic. It is entertaining. It is delightful. It is amazing.

After 12 years, the Saltimbancos are back in town. One of Cirque du Soleil's oldest shows is packed with 50 great artists, great lights, great music, great costumes and great movements.

I've never been to any Cirque du Soleil before, so I can't really compare. Some people think it's the best, some don't. I can just say that it fulfilled my expectations.

My favourite part was the pole acrobatics. Their costumes exposed to the mixture of colourful lights gives us the impression that they don't have skin, that we can see their bare muscles. It reminded me that Robbie Williams' video where he ends up dancing as a skeleton; the song is Rock DJ.

If you don't know what I'm talking about, check the video below. Wait until the part when you can see "his" naked muscles. It's really cool.

 

I also have to mention the duo trapeze with the twin girls, the guy on the bike and the guy juggling with eight (!) balls. And, of course, the playground number; probably the one with more people on the stage at the same time (it can get distractive so make sure to keep an eye on the swing, where all the action actually happens).

The troupe will be in Sydney until August 14th. Then they finish the Australian season in Woollongong (Aug 17 to 21). You can still find tickets. Prices vary from 69 to 149 dollars. I got great seats on Category 1 for $109. If you wanna go better than that, there are the front house seats, or Premium as they call, at $149. The Category 2 ($89.00) seats aren't bad as well.

I wouldn't suggest the $69.00 seats as they are a bit far away and it's important to see some actors expression at some points to find it really funny, for example, the talented Eddie, the clown (photo below). But by all means, even if you can only get the cheapest seats, go for it ‘cause it's still worth it.