Perhaps it’s the fact that the changing of the seasons to spring, has brought with it the delightfully hopeful heir of good things to come, but I’m feeling particularly grateful for many things in life right now.  Since they don’t celebrate Thanksgiving out here, I figured now was as good a time as any, to thank Australia for what it has contributed to a particularly good week.

Thanks to the Sydney Ferry, the “Friendship”, for coming back to the dock after I missed the boat by just a few seconds.  Without the dock crew who spotted me and the captain willing to back the ship up, I would have had to walk in the opposite direction for the train, and would have been late for my class.  The ship remained true to it’s name.

Thank you Bacino Express in Kirribilli, for letting me come back the next day to pay the $1.30 balance for my mocha.  How very neighborly of you.

Thanks to all the obsessive lap swimmers at the pool, who are ten to thirty years older than me.  Though being outpaced by you makes me feel a bit pathetic, it’s exceedingly good motivation to get myself into shape.  I will probably never swim as fast as you, but at least I will look like I can.  And thanks to all the fit men in speedos for giving me something to watch through the window of the gym.

Thank you Sydneysiders for actually picking up and reading the abandoned newspapers on the train, rather than throwing them under the seat.  It’s so much nicer to see the occasional neatly folded paper on a seat, rather than the entire floor of a train can covered in discarded pages.

Thank you Sydney Harbor National Parks for putting reserves at all of the most beautiful points in the harbor.  I have never before felt like I was going to be swallowed up by nature in the middle of the city.

Thank you Arnott’s Biscuits for making Tim Tams, particularly double coat and dark chocolate flavor.

Thank you Sydney, for being small enough that you always know what’s happening in the city, and big enough for you to still get away from it all.

Thank you Australia, for amazingly good wine.  Even the $5 bottle I purchased last week, was actually good after it had been open for a day.  Yellowtail is an American’s marketing invention people!  Don’t let it fool you.  And thank you local BWS (That’s Beer Wine and Spirits) for being open twelve hours a day.  Or should I be thanking the patrons who make that possible?

Thank you Australia, for smelling good.  Maybe it’s the sea breeze wafting in through the harbor, maybe it’s the gum trees (eucalyptus to us in the States) or maybe it’s just an overabundance of trees and plants in general, but I now know why people take invigorating breaths of fresh morning air in the movies.  It’s nice to do that and not be acting.

Thank you Australia, for clear water, beautiful beaches tucked into every nook in the coast, and for not burning me yet with your powerful sunshine.  Perhaps if I remain grateful for everything you’ve had to offer, I can avoid that painfully pinkish fate.

Roll on summer!