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| Photo by Anna Hwatz on Flickr |
Here are my eight reasons why I love this place.
Quality of Air
In New South Wales (the state where Sydney is), the average daily air quality index is around 30 which is rated as very good. The city streets and the suburbs are lined with giant trees, that's why I always look forward to walks in the parks and to waking up to the smell of fresh air. Malinamnam ang hangin!
A Mix of The Old and the New
Bilib na bilib ako sa mga architects and engineers who created the buildings and common places in Sydney. Some of the architecture here were built in the 1800s but they are still functional and well restored. In downtown Sydney, you will notice that modern and ancient architecture stand side by side that for a moment you'd get confused as to which era you belong, but for me this gives it a certain vibe of cultural and artistic dissonance that I appreciate so much.
Multiculturalism
Refugees, migrants, students, and holiday visa workers are all welcome here. I've met a couple of Europeans and Asians who quit their full time corporate jobs and decided to come here to work in a farm sorting potatoes! How cool is that?
Hillsong Church
Holding services in a converted warehouse in the city (as well as other campuses), this church has raised up great leaders and made impactful worship songs that have attracted a huge following. Ibang klase lang talaga how they make songs that seem to echo what your heart wants to say in a prayer.
They have a new setup for Saturday night services, called Keeping It Real where speakers, instead of preaching, form a panel to discuss a common issue/struggle/problem they have encountered and how they became victorious afterwards. This new series is the most authentic, practical and enlightening service I can get.
My BSF Group
One thing I really look forward to every Monday is going to our Bible study group. The insights I receive every week from the grandmas and the younger fellow believers are tremendous. BSF is an international organization that teaches the Bible for free. They give us free reading materials to help us digest and reflect on a book of the Bible and apply it in our daily lives.
What I really admire about the grandmas in our group is their humility, wisdom and gentleness. I always find myself leaning in every time they give their answers to the 7-day questions.
Double-decked Trains
OK, I know not all countries can have large railway tracks, that's why Sydney is lucky to have a large space for them. Their trains are massive and they have two levels of passenger area. Although the intervals of train arrivals are longer here (10-15 minutes during peak hours), commuting for me is still such a comfortable experience.
Fresh Produce
My tummy is always having a feast! Australia is undoubtedly blessed with rich and fruitful soil. I have not been to the farms but seeing the variety of fresh produce being offered in the market (and also by watching the telly), I can tell that the land is very fertile. These are the average prices of some of my favorite food to eat:
1. Rocket, 1kg = $3
2. Raspberries per pack = $5
3. Brocolli = $2
4. Ground Beef, 500g = $3
5. Hass Avocado = $2
6. Truss Tomato = $1.20
7. Brushed Potatoes, 1kg = $2.33
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| Photo from ABC net |
Winter Spring Summer and Fall
Since June, I've always come home to darkness. I knock off at 5.30 and my house is 10 minutes away from the office. But just yesterday, when I left work at 6, I was treated to an amazing sunset ushering the coming of spring. It is such a magnificent feeling to witness the changing of seasons. Now my closet has been compartmentalized, one section for winter/autumn and the other for spring/summer ("and I have an additional excuse for more shoes"- Lyubo), and certain activities are set aside for more season-appropriate ones. As a girl from the tropics, I find this quite a big deal. Now I finally understand it when they say "seasons of life". :-p
Thanks for reading! =)
