The Haka...the scrum...Australia rugby!

It was quite a night. Scoring tickets to the Australia-New Zealand rugby match, mind you. My Australian colleagues invited me to the big match played at the Olympic stadium last night. Just me and 78,944 cheering fans. Adorned in my Wallabies shirt (kindly loaned to me by a fanatic Coffey fan), I settled in for an amazing night. First, the Haka. Performed by the New Zealand team, it is a mixture of cheer, dance and intimidation tactic. Then onto the game....two, 40-minute halves of all out, absolute, unprotected running, kicking and tackling. In the end, the Australians proved victorious and I gained an absolute appreciation for the game and those hulky men of steel.

Photos courteous of foxnewsports.com.au

Ah...Australia!

More than 24 hours, 8,000 plus miles and numerous time zones later, I've arrived in beautiful Sydney. A bit jet lagged, yes, but ready to take on the city and prepare for meetings which start tomorrow. The incoming flight provided breathtaking views of the early morning city, coastline and recognizable Opera House.

Yummy Summer Fruit...Fire Island

Berries are popping up everywhere here and my thoughts turn to sweet, tart, refreshing, fruity summer desserts. Here are a few culinary ideas from Food and Wine and Coastal Living.

Beach House Comforts

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No problems sleeping here on Fire Island...no ac...no stress. Just a cool ocean breeze and the hum of the insects outside. Here are some wonderful looks for a beach house bedroom from Pine Cone Hill.

One Child at a Time

If you didn't read Nicholas Kristof in the New York Times a few days ago, here's your chance. In his column, the Luckiest Girl, he writes about a poor African girl given a chance in life due to -- a goat. On a continent where education is difficult to obtain, particularly for girls from poor families, her family was able to send her to school due to money it earned from the sale of milk. The cow was supplied by Heifer International. This is the kind of story we can all connect to, even those who still don't understand why we send millions of dollars overseas each year to help build schools, vaccinate children and help to secure free and fair elections. It's the sort of "aid works" story that reassures me that my choice of career in international development is exactly the right one. It's the sort of story that I hope will inspire you the next time you are thinking about making a charitable donation or wondering if you can make a difference.

Photo courtesy of Heifer International website.

Panzanella and Peace of Mind

Back on Fire Island....ah. I can let out a long sigh and settle into a new routine. Today, preparing couscous salad...tomorrow panzanella, a traditional Tuscan tomato salad which uses stale, yes I said, stale bread. It will remind me of that delicious sald we had at our villa in Tuscany the night before our wedding.

Take me Away

I'm still lusting after this hotel in Mexico...it's a bit of a secret where it is and the name but if you ask, I might tell.

Tretorn is Back!

Looks like Tretorn is back! Those were coveted shoes in college...

With this advertising campaign, I'm craving a new pair!