January:
New Year’s Eve 2001 started with a big bang. We celebrated at a friends penthouse with lots of fireworks exploding at eye level – awesome! Tony (centre right) with friends Leanne (right) and Marina (left).
February:
We finally got access to our 4th investment property and renovated our butts off. It was a grueling 3 weeks and most of you have already seen the amazing transformation in the before and after pictures.
March:
We took a 10 day trip to Myanmar (Burma) via Taipei. A quick trip to Taipei’s Hwahsi Night Market included dinner and comments like “what on earth is that?”
Our time in Yangon (Rangoon) and surrounding areas was less rushed, partly due to the high heat and humidity. However it was a really humbling experience to visit such an untouched country. Let us know if you missed out on the trip email and want a copy.
April:
There was a lot of study – particularly for Tony who was creeping toward his MBA goal.
Tony did take some time out for a spot of go kart racing all in the name of fun.
Sigrid caught up with Uni buddies Louise (now in Sydney) and Gail at Louise’s 29th Birthday.
We also escaped for a romantic escape at Le Meridian which included a viewing of Scorpion King at Crown’s Gold Class – very decadent.
May:
Tony’s parents Peter & Christine sold their beautifully renovated Moonee Ponds home in preparation for their move to New Zealand – Peter had accepted a job based in Auckland.
June:
Tony successfully completed his second last MBA subject. June (like May) was a family oriented month as we finally said a sad farewell to Tony’s parents (right).
July:
Sigrid & Tony said another sad farewell this time to Sigrid’s 18 year old dog Chloe (seen below with her best friend Sharma the beagle). If not for her failing body, her spirit would have survived at least another year.
July was also the time to celebrate Sigrid’s Nan’s 85th birthday – what a milestone!
August:
Was a time of renewed travel – a visit for us to Auckland to catch up with Tony’s parents, sister Anna and her husband Mark (who had traveled from Florida) and Tony’s Gran who was about to celebrate her 80th birthday.
We had a wonderful time together with Nick, Michelle, and Jai and even managed to squeeze a short trip to Waitomo Caves, Lake Taupo and Rotorua (love those hot pools!). Sigrid finally got to catch up with friends she hadn’t seen since 1990 on a European Contiki trip – Kevin, Kaye, Hugo & Riana.
Anna and Mark then visited us in Melbourne where we dined with the magnificent views of Café La at the Sofitel.
August continued with a weekend away to beautiful Monreale Estate at Olinda in the Dandenong Ranges to celebrate our 5th anniversary. It was a rare weekend of rest, relaxation, recuperation with gourmet dinners and relaxation massages home delivered.
We were also greeted each morning by a persistent group of hungry chooks. Despite the feeling we were being followed by our feathered friends, we enjoyed walking the grounds and feeding the freshwater trout.
September:
Another month of family celebrations and milestones. This time it was Sigrid’s Dad’s 70th birthday which was celebrated with two surprise parties.
The first party for work colleagues and clients at The Mandalay was cleverly hidden by a phony invitation to our accountant’s Birthday.
The second, a gathering of family and friends was a casual family lunch at a local Indian restaurant.
October:
Saw the final completion of the other half of our kitchen. We’ve lived with a half finished kitchen for around 3 years now so this was a major achievement – and is a delight to cook and create in.
Tony’s parents also visited us which enabled us to enjoy one of the famous Anderson BBQ’s on the new outdoor setting.
November:
Started with Sigrid’s staff member Matt’s wedding to Cathy at The Mandalay over Cup Weekend. It was a beautiful day, and the rain held off just long enough.
We managed to catch up with a few friends before visiting Auckland once again to investigate real estate in New Zealand.
December:
We decided to take a weekend away to Bright in Victoria’s high country to enjoy Boynton Winery’s anniversary weekend – two days of incredibly good food matched by equally good wine. The views, particularly over the vineyard to Mount Buffalo were absolutely spectacular. This was just what the doctor ordered.
