The Simple Things

Like I said before, I love Manly in the summertime. Sometimes, we are so busy and do so much traveling that it is nice to spend the summer weekends at home and just enjoy the simple things. Some of my favorites that have become my weekend ritual:

• Running - I am back training for another half marathon. I hope to do three this year and really improve my time. I love running. It is so invigorating and satisfying when you are done. Plus it is a complete hour or two where its just me, my music, and some beautiful scenery. I have been running with my friend Laura and typically like to run first thing in the morning on the weekends. 10k and 600 calories all before breakfast. Then I have all day to do whatever I want.
• Brekkie - This has become my favorite thing...brekkie at one of the many cafes along the beach. I love the sound of the plates clinking and the whirring of the espresso machines, the smell of coffee and pancakes, the sights of my neighborhood bustling about and of course the tastes! I have a few favorite cafes and just enjoying taking an hour or two to sit and relax. Even when its raining, I can pass the morning by with my coffee, french toast and some magazines, the newspaper, or a good book.
• Volleyball - I love love love playing volleyball. I always have. And beach volleyball is even better...sweat, sand, and sun. So almost every day I head out for a class or gather some friends for a few games. I could play for hours.
• Beach - Manly beach is gorgeous on a sunny day with turqouise blue water and the sound of the waves. And what better to do after getting so sweaty and sandy from volleyball? I love the beach and the ocean. It makes me feel like I am constantly on holiday. So relaxing. I remember the first time I saw the ocean, I thought to myself "I need to make it a priority to see the ocean at least once a year because it does a wonder for the soul". And now here I am with a view of the beach from my balcony.
• Reading - When I was in school or when work is busy, I sometimes am mentally drained and don't like to read or do anything but lay on the beach and do absolutely nothing. So I haven't done much reading in the past. But my work-life-balance here is so much better than in the states and I have been enjoying reading some good books on the beach or at night after dinner. I finished Eat Pray Love, The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo trilogy, The Boy with the Striped Pajamas, and have now started another murder mystery. But I have so much on my list that I want to read.
• Thai - Thai food is a new discovery for me here in Australia. There is nothing like it. It is spicy and sweet and a complete taste sensation. We eat it at least once a week. There are two Thai restaurants in town that are both my favorite. My favorite dish...green chicken curry. Just add some red wine and I am in heaven.

Now that I think about it, I get to do these things each weekend so I am pretty much living my perfect day every weekend.