Saturday.
Sydney. Randwick is the suburb where our cousin, Steph, lives and is our first home base here. I was admittedly pretty grumpy in awakening. Jet lag is the probable culprit. I woke up too early sure that I had under packed abommitably. When Steph picked us up the previous morning, the outside was freezing and this second morning was cold enough for Julia to put on all her warm clothes at same time. Just as I had read and been advised, the daywarmed up, we stripped off layers and I dug out sunglasses. After breakfast, I wanted to walk and Steph took us to Coogee Beach. We have many Australian beaches in out travel plans but the first sight of the Pacific was magnificent! Sun, blue skies and waters, white caps, jagged mock outcropinngs, white sand and many people reveling in the lovely day. Julia couldn’t wait to be on the beach today although we resisted taking shoes off and letting the waves run over our toes. We were still cold and the wind whipped our hair. There were a number of swimmers, all without wetsuits which encouraged the belief that we too would be in the water soon. Continue reading
Dallas airport.
Ringing in a new year in what might be considered the most classic, but for me the least characteristic way—on a crowded dance floor gyrating with a throng of strangers in party hats and noise makers to a band playing the ancient music covered by high school bands in the late 60’s (no complaints about the music. It was very delightful). Before the parties heated up, Cheshire and I walked around an upper deck in the cool night air. A few stars were out, we could watch the quiet dark sea and the wake made by our boat. It was my favorite part of the evening, perhaps of the cruise. Minutes before midnight, we joined the throng dancing. Twenty seconds before midnight we began counting down as if this was a novel experience. At midnight, music played, people cheered, hugged and kissed, balloons, streamers and confetti fell from 10 floors above. In a minute, we we stood knee deep in balloons and streamers. It was almost strangely satisfying. It was as I had always imagined. 
Chasing Joy 