Adventure, baby!

Google

My husband is a Xoogler

We’ve had a huge few weeks. Alec was offered a job in a start-up in New York. We’ve decided to make the big move and give it our best shot! I’m so excited and terrified at the same time.

Alec’s last day was Friday. There’s no turning back now!

This weekend is packing and moving weekend. It is not fun. I’m hot and sticky and tired and over it. After tonight, I will be officially homeless for a few weeks while I try to transfer with work and wrap things up here before moving over to join Alec. At least I’m going to a house of some dear and generous friends of ours with air con and a pool tomorrow – cannot wait! Luxury!

The last bunch standing at Alec’s farewell drinks, held at Gallon in Pyrmont.

A Google Halloween – 2010

Even though we don’t traditionally celebrate Halloween, I love that Google makes a big deal out of the day purely because it’s a bit of extra fun in the week. Here are a few pics from Googl’ween!

Ohh scary spider in reception.
The cafeteria gets a makeover.

There was a pirate wench in reception.

Stephen Conroy made an appearance handing out filters.

Victoria loving the pumpkin carving.

The bogan and Raggedy Ann make small talk.

Serial killer pumpkin.

Award-winning spider pumpkin.

On the weekend, I went to a party hosted by a friend and dressed up as Malice in Wonderland.

You’re next, not-so-innocent pooch!

California and NYC Trip

I haven’t felt much like blogging lately, so this is a brief account of my recent USA trip. It was mostly for work, but I managed to squeeze in a trip to NYC and Monterey. Most of the trip, when I wasn’t working, I was catching up with friends and family.

First stop, San Francisco.

Catching up with Isis, Mansi and baby Maya.

Dinner at Greens Restaurant in SF with Jamie, Lisa and Isis.

One of Mansi and Jason’s Abyssinian cats. 

Another of Mansi and Jason’s pets!

Filming an AdSense video with Victoria in Mountain View.

Drinking the Koolaid on campus.

Next destination, NYC! I stayed with Masa for a few days in Brooklyn.

View from the Brooklyn shore.

Making a new friend in the park.

One of seven bridal couples I saw having photos taken in the area.

View from the Metropolitan Art Gallery rooftoop garden.

Doing what I do best 😉

Goofing off with Masa.

Dinner with Janice and Calman.

Hello Jersey Shores!

At the Google NY office with Olah.

And Nadia …

… and Isa!

Then it was back to Mountain View…

On campus, taking in the sites.

Nom nom nom.

My friendly tour guide, Gus, and giant green Android.

Making a new friend! Meeting Zoe Pollock.

Alec met me in Mountain View. We were able to spend a long weekend in Monterey.

My favourite animals at the Monterey Bay Aquarium, the jellies!

Drive down the coast to Big Sur. Amazing scenery.

Gorgeous water.

Gorgeous, jet-lagged, husband.

Beautiful!

Admiring the view.

The red woods in Big Sur.

Small husband…

Tiny wife.

Meeting the locals.

My brother and Michele drove down to nearby Carmel for the end of the weekend.

Back in Mountain View with the Ring family – Jeannette and little PJ.

Making more friends on campus! Meet Lola.

Bye Bye J-Vo

My dear friend JennJenn is heading off the the Mexico office soon. I’m not really great at telling people how I feel in person, or even showing it through writing. This seems to be surprising to a lot of people as they think of me as a writer, ergo, I must be good at every kind of writing. Also, I’m a prodigious talker, ego, I must be ace at expressing myself verbally. Ba-bow. It doesn’t work that way. Turns out, I’m much better at showing how I feel through photographs.

So for my very dear friend’s farewell, I put together a book chronicling her time at the office over the four-and-a-half years she graced us with her huge presence. In the words of a much better wordsmith than myself, Jenn is the biggest, little person I know.

My friend, I am going to miss you a lot.

I promise we will be visiting you soon. Love you lots.

Michael Paynter Live at TGIF

Sometimes I remember how amazing it is to work where I do. This Friday was one of those days, when at TGIF we had not only wine tasting from Oyster Bay, but also a live performance from a Sony artist, Michael Paynter. I hadn’t heard his music before, but thought he had a fantastic voice. Thanks so much for coming in and performing for us Michael!

Rocking out at TGIF.

Great to meet you Michael! Love your work.

Farewell J-Vo

My dear friend Jenn is moving to Mexico City soon. She wanted to have a last night out with her fave Google gals, so we had a fun pole dancing class at Studio Verve followed by a dinner banquet. Jenn is an amazing athlete – as demonstrated by her superb tricks on the pole.

Holy moly, how does she DO THAT?

Demonstrating a much easier trick, the flying fox.

Sexy ladies, woo!

Dinner with wonderful friends.

We colour co-ordinated. Nice one girls!

Thanks for a fantastic night out Jenn. I miss you already.

Google Christmas Film Fest

The annual Google Christmas party was a blast this year. For a totally different approach, we had a Google Film Fest night at Fox Studios where we walked the red carpet dresses as our favourite film characters (I was channeling Cher from Clueless), were entertained by a live band, then settled in to watch movies we’d made while snacking on popcorn, lollies and ice cream. Except for the lack of vego food and the unexpected cold breeze, it was my favourite Xmas party to date.

Fantails!
 
Let the movies begin!
 
With my friend Katia, dressed as “Juno”
 
“Whatever!”