Midnight snack

This is what Richard's bedside table looks like. I'm sleeping with a cookie monster. I can hear him crackling the wrappers from the other room. It's amazing he's not diabetic.

Another trip to Yarra Valley

Took the parents for some wine tasting Yarra Valley because it's always so fun to go there. It was another beautiful day, though a bit brisk now that we are fully into winter. All the vines are trimmed down. The views of the mountains remain gorgeous. First stop was De Bortoli cellar door. I always see this wine in restaurants so I presume that it's a good sample of the region' better wines. I would say that they are pretty good. and We got a good deal on half dozen bottles of the 2008 Shiraz viognier for $50. Its a lighter version of the normally sharp Shiraz. We are stocked, but not for long.

I think the parents enjoyed themselves. Didn't indulge too much. Mom was only into the whites and dad tried a few sweet versions of a reisling. Found some yummy cheeses at the awesome dairy. And then ate more cheese at Domain Chandon restaurant. Not so crazy about the meals there. So if you go, just get the cheese and charcuterie platters with a hefty glass of something tasty. The views and the grounds are amazing. I've already planned my next wedding.

Now that I'm comfortable with the yarra valley, I want to check out the mornington peninsula vines next.

Trip to Tassy

It was a special weekend a few days ago, 3rd year wedding anniversary and Richard's Birthday all wrapped up in one go.
So we planned a mini getaway with some cheap deals to take us to Hobart, Tasmania. Yes, I know its not really the right time of year to go to that part of the world where its colder than it is here in Melbourne, but all we really wanted was to get away from the city on a little adventure. I had liked the place so much during my first visit with Lindsey back in May, that I wanted to share the experience with my Aussie husband who had never been before.

A quick hop over on the plane, we arrived super early and decided to drive around to Port Arthur since we couldn't check into the hotel for hours. From Wikipedia: Port Arthur is a small town and former convict settlement on the Tasman Peninsula, in Tasmania, Australia. Port Arthur is one of Australia's most significant heritage areas and the open air museum is officially Tasmania's top tourist attraction. It is located approximately 60 km south east of the state capital, Hobart. In 1996 it was the scene of the worst mass murder event in post-colonial Australian history.

As you can see it is a place that is said to foster "bad vibes." So just as well we didn't linger to pay the steep entrance fee to visit the historic site.

We caught the Saturday Salamanca Market the next day where we brunched at a nearby restaurant and later sampled Tasmanian Leatherwood honey from some of the vendors (our favorite). It was a beautiful day and the market was alive with the population of Hobart picking through produce stalls, craft tents and souvenir shops with wares made out of local Huon Pine or wool. I like to see what the local jewelry artists produce. We picked up a couple novels at the used book stall. I got Philip Pullman's Northern Lights, something I have been wanting to read for a long time. I am fully engrossed, can't put it down, and look forward to bedtime when I can get back into it. About to pick up book II from the library tomorrow. I love books that catch your attention in such a way, haven't had a book like that in a long time.

Hobart is a port city, as all Australia capitals are. Over it looms the commanding Mt. Wellington allowing for the perfect blend of mountainous and seaside for those who can't decide which they prefer. Just 30 minutes drive in an upward direction you can reach the peak of the mountain and get spectacular views of the countryside. Go back down the mountain and reward yourself for the efforts with a stop in Cascade Brewery to sample some of the fresh brews and take in the view. I like the Apple Cider, Draught. I don't recommend the tour that they offer, as you don't really see much of the process.

 

And then we caught the ferry the next day to Bruny Island before getting back on the plane. Just a short day trip, we took full advantage of the gorgeous surrounds and proximity to the best oysters in the world to picnic. Stopped into Get Shucked to pick up a dozen freshly shucked oysters sold out of a take-away stall, then to Bruny Island Cheese Company to stock up on freshly made cow's milk cheese to go along with our freshly baked bread that we picked up at a french patisserie earlier in the morning before leaving the city. Can you tell we are total foodies?

Pretty ugly right? I don't think there is any property that doesn't get a beautiful view. Those bogans in Tasmania are pretty damn lucky. I totally want a holiday house here.

2010 Birthday

Happy birthday to my darling husband. Won't get all gushy here. But wanted to show off my culinary feat for the day. Orange poppyseed cake (with lemon cream cheese icing): Turned out kinda like a big muffin. 

We celebrated the event combined with our 3rd anniversary over the weekend with a trip to Tasmania. Yes I know its a bit cold going in that direction but it was a cheaper option for a mini get away. More about that in photos later. 

La di dah.

Melbourne Central Shot Tower

What to write about... Pretty eventful week with an excuse to leave the house for something every day. Which Translates into reasons to spend money. Tuesday I spent the day at Melbourne university to meet contacts at CSIRO and the Nossal Institute which was very intellectually stimulating. Got my mind thinking about other options to stay in Melbourne. The experience proved just how much I am in need of a meaningful occupation. But I don't know... I'm still pretty stuck in despair and i am associating this place with pain and disappointment so much so that I really want to move away and start anew elsewhere.

I got the chance to stopover in Carlton at the Seven Seeds coffee shop. I have to take Richard next time to sample the flavors in the little coffee gallery. Thankfully the weather was nicer to make my wandering more pleasant. But it has turned windy and cold once again, taking me ages to get dressed in the morning with all those layers. My new boots take 5 minutes each to put on, I timed it. I much prefer flip flops and foot freedom.

Parents Visit (part 2)

The parents made the long journey across the great ocean to see their world-traveling daughter.

Only minor panic when we learned that their flight out of San Francisco was canceled. The reroute to Sydney turned out to be a good thing allowing us extra time to visit the iconic city and visit with the in-laws. They stood up pretty well despite the jet-lag and were royally stuffed and trussed by all the wonderful cooking that Richard's mom undertook. Only two days here, we took little day trips out to Manly, Bondi and the City Centre to see the Opera House and Bridge at a leisurely pace eating yummy food and drinking tasty coffees (though not as good as in Melbourne) along the way. 

In Bondi, it was a beautiful day, not as cold as in Melbourne.

Then we left for Cairns, in Tropical North Queensland. Destination: The Hilton (of Course) and the Great Barrier Reef! This was also just a quick trip so we tried to pack in as much as possible in each day.  First day: Venture out to Green Island for a day trip of snorkeling (and diving for the brave), its one of the closer islands out towards to reef. Trial snorkeling in the AM, Mom saw a baby ray and Richard swam with sea turtles, lots of big and colorful fish. Dad was re-aquainting himself with this inner-fish. Then we took a glass-bottom boat tour to see what could be found further out. 

Sharks!

Look at that coral, and big giant fish.

Next day we rented a car and drove out to see some of the Daintree Rainforest, just the outter edge, via the Coffee Museum in Mareeba (CoffeeWorks). Tons of sugar cane fields along the roadsides and coffee plantations out in the Atherton Tablelands.

Coffee Museum

Rainforest walk

We spent the last lazy day exploring the Northern Cairns resort beaches before heading back to Melbourne.

MJD Foundation

Started working on a small project for the MJD Foundation, based out of the Northern Territory of Australia and started by good friend Libby. I am very happy to contribute and be involved in the good work supporting MJD sufferers and their families. 

Machado-Joseph Disease (MJD) is a hereditary neurodegenerative disorder that is found to be significantly prevalent in the Northern Australian indigenous population. Found worldwide, it is thought to have been carried to this country by Portuguese traders and sailors. MJD occurs due to a fault on chromosome 14q resulting in the production of an abnormal protein called 'Ataxin 3'. This protein causes nerve cells to die prematurely in the cerebellum resulting in muscular weakness and progresses over time to total lack of voluntary control and very significant permanent physical disability. Similar to Huntington's disease, MJD manifests with similar symptoms though without any cognitive deterioration.

Here’s the latest news from the MJD Foundation

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A Small Grant Travels a Long Way

On June 8^th, the MJD Foundation launched new aircraft wheelchair lifts at Vincent Aviation,
Darwin International Airport. "This is a very proud moment for us and it sends a powerful
message of how a relatively small amount of money can have a huge impact on people's lives".

=>Read More about the project here

Go to our photo gallery here.

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Welcome to our new Manager, Community Services

Simone McGrath joined the MJD Foundation in June 2010 and is the MJD Foundation's Manager of Community Services based On Groote Eylandt. 
In addition to supporting the MJD Foundation's core activities across research, education, equipment, improved services and advocacy across the region,
Simone will be responsible for the establishment and operation of our new MJD Therapy Program.

The MJD Therapy program will bring therapeutic treatments such as hydrotherapy, physiotherapy, speech/swallowing exercises etc to MJD sufferers for the first time.

Simone will establish the MJD Therapy Program on Groote Eylandt before rolling it out to other Indigenous communities affected with MJD.

Simone.McGrath@mjd.org.au

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 Gifted Vehicle

In May 2010, the MJD Foundation received a donation of a Toyota Landcruiser Troop Carrier from the NT Governement's Community Benefit Fund.

The vehicle will be shipping to Groote Eylandt free of charge by Perkins Shipping, and will be allocated to Simone to help implement our MJD Therapy Program.

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Newly Recognised MJD in the Top End

In late 2009, the MJD Foundation received correspondence from the Sunrise Clinic in Ngukurr on the Roper River in the NT.
In May 2010, the MJD Foundation visited Ngukurr with Dr Malcolm McDonald to investigate what was thought to be 2-3
MJD cases.

What we found when we arrived has deeply worried us.  In addition to the 5 local people now identified with symptomatic MJD,
there are likely to be a few more we weren’t able to see. MJD gene studies have confirmed the diagnosis.
Going back through histories and records it also appears that a number of Ngukurr people have died from undiagnosed MJD over the last 3 decades.  

Libby Massey from the MJD Foundation supervised the process of collecting historical data and constructing a family tree.
It has emerged that there are at least 90 people in the community at risk for MJD - possibly more than 100.
Give the phenomenon of the Anticipation effect (which sees the next generation exhibit symptoms earlier),
we expect to see many of these cases sooner rather than later. 

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Matt runs the Great Wall of China Marathon for MJD

In May 2010, Matt Ashcroft ran the Great Wall Marathon and raised over $4,000 for the MJD Foundation.

To see more about his amazing effort, click here.

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Rotary Club of Sydney Cove build stair rails at Baniyala

A dinner party conversation in Sydney lead to the Rotary Club of Sydney Cove offering their volunteer services
to the MJD Foundation to build some urgently needed rails for an MJD sufferer in Baniyala, Arnhem Land.

Read more about the project here.