Blogger Brain Dump

I haven't been able to blog....here is a blogging brain-dump.

Halloween party....50+ friends, rented a frozen drink/slushy machine....big hit. Found a butcher to order a brisket for me...$10.00 per kilo....Australian candy, texas brisket and the Monster Mash on the CD player.

Peonies and jacaranda...Spring has sprung. Purple flowers hanging from boughts. Raining flowers each time the breezes blow. Look out over the hils and you see the red tiled roofs and purple flowers, blue sky and blue water....fantastic.

Talk radio... No national radio here...an example of topics discussed, "The council is charging $15 bucks to go to the shore for the New Years Eve fireworks. That is outrageous! The shore belongs to Australia!" (Of course, the reason they are charging is because so many people set down their blankets around noon and get soooo rip-roaring drunk, that by midnight so many have become sick and the ground so rubbish covered that the Councils have to have a huge cleanup the next day.) Callers and hosts alike are also heard saying "What's the government going to do about that?" as the ongoing question to every problem...as a self-reliant American who basically wants the government to fund the military, roll Easter eggs on the lawn, light the Christmas tree and otherwise stay out of my life, this mantra is a bit disturbing...oh well....when in Rome....

Tiger Woods...He is here for the Australian Masters in Melbourne. Only The Bamster or, to a lesser extent, Jesus Christ incarnate could generate bigger headlines. Tiger is BigDogDaddy's firm's, Accenture, spokesperson. So, a group of Accenture folks from Sydney are travelling down to Melbourne this weekend to watch the golf. BigDogDaddy will be one of those. A glass of wine, a breeze from the Antarctic and Tiger in his red shirt...not bad.

End of the school year....Roller coaster plunging down from the apex....grip tightly. Since Year 6 is the last year of Jr. School (High School starts in Year 7), Skierdude has lots of activities: 1.)Year 6 Beach Day (during school); 2.) Year 7 Orientation (during school, parents needed first two hours); 3.)Year 6 breakfast (during school); 4.) Year 6 Disco Dance (a Friday night); and 5.)Speech Day (this is the awards day at the convention center on the last day of school). Let's not forget Ponygirl....Year 4 beach party, 3 ballet rehearsals and her ballet recital. She also has Surf Education at Manly (during school) for the next three weeks. All these activities require food, susnscreen, towels, and appropriate clothing/shoes to be packed and ready before they head off. Skierdude's experience at the disco dance....I will have to fill you in on that one after it occurs. I am looking forward to December 9th.

Messiah....What better way to ring in Advent then being given the chance to sing this massive work (unabridged) in the Sydney Opera House. Now that I have mastered the British names for music values (crotchets, breves, semi-breves, etc.), I can fully dive into this project. We are expected to sing it from memory. I have always thought memorizing bible verses was hard...now I know how to do it....put it to music. Singing the words of Isaiah really fill the soul. I can't even describe what singing the Hallelujah Chorus feels like.

Off to pick up Skierdude from Balmoral (sailing) and then back to Redlands for Ponygirl (ballet). Dinner is made and just needs to be warmed and the fridge is full of milk, fruit and veggies...life is looking up in the land down under!

24 Hours...

Ok...I am going to irritate some people with this entry. I know some of my friends are going to be dismayed by my wading into a subject I could easily leave alone...but, this is what the blog-isphere is for...getting things out there so they stop swirling around in my brain. So, stop reading now if you don't want to know my opinion about a certain political bit of news this week. I promise to return to anecdotes about our life in Australia in my next entry.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Many of my friends and family are aware of my conservative political views. BigDogDaddy gets particular enjoyment out of seeing me get wound up when I am asked my opinion about an issue that involves personal liberty and freedom. With his half-smile and raised eyebrow, he silently communicates..."Hey, you did ask her..." when those debating me look over to him. Well, I politely sat as a very sweet friend of mine, over lunch, waxed poetically about Ted Kennedy. I sipped my Coke Zero.... Then, she said, innocently, "As an American, I know you must agree." "Are you asking me what I thought of him? Because you won't like my answer." "Oh, absolutely!" she said. I mean who would criticize a Kennedy...

"My feelings about Ted Kennedy," I said, "come down to two words." "Which two?", she asked. "Twenty-four hours", I said. "This man, who had seen great tragedy and suffered great loss made a huge mistake by driving too fast and the wrong way down an unpaved road. We all make mistakes...even tragic ones. However, after his car plunged into a tidal basin off the island of Chappaquiddick, Kennedy swam to the shore and then, instead of calling for help from the nearby houses or phoning the police, sought help from his friends and his lawyer and hid in his hotel room all night."

"You and I are both mothers," I said. "Imagine not knowing where your daughter is for TWENTY-FOUR HOURS! Really, try to imagine that. It took Kennedy twenty-four hours to report the accident. Mary Jo Kopechne had to be FOUND in his car before he went to the authorities. I have told my children thousands of times that being a person of character means you do the right thing when no one is around. Kennedy's complete lack of character, in my mind, made him unworthy to serve the state of Massachussetts. Kennedy, through the benefit of his father Joe's whiskey deal he secured while serving as US Ambassador to the UK, would never have to work to provide food and shelter for his family. Why didn't he retire from public life and dedicate his life to serving our country by doing philanthropic work. He could have spent his time speaking out on the difficult battle many Americans wage against alcoholism. He could have lobbied Congress for stiffer sentences for drunk driving. He could have used his wealth to create foundations for the causes he believed in. True, the good people of Massachussets re-elected him after the incident, but a true man of character would never have offered himself up for another term."

I went on to tell her about my car accident in college. "As a passenger, the girl I was driving with made a sharp right turn into a shopping complex from the middle lane of a six-lane highway. My side of the car was creamed. As I went to the hospital, my father was answering the phone call of the girl's father, a bigwig from Connecticut. He told my dad that he had "been in touch" with his lawyer in case my family decided to sue. No, he didn't ask how I was, no, he didn't take any responsibility for his daughter's wacked out driving...he only thought of himself. A dear, beloved man I know, on the other hand, did get charged and convicted of a serious driving offence. He could have easily driven out of that state and avoid driving in that state forever...they probably wouldn't have found him, or he could serve out the punishment given to him. He was "scared and overwhelmed" just as Kennedy said he was after the incident. Well, this dear, beloved man showed up at his appointed time months later at the correctional institution to take responsibility for his actions. He told me he couldn't live with himself if he ran away what he had done. He showed his character. We all make mistakes, we all will get forgiveness when we ask, but we also have a responsibility to each other, ourselves and the God who made us to "make good" those things we have done wrong. Kennedy was never charged for his mistake. Many would say his battles for the "common man" overshadow his faults. I say, the common man would have served jail time for what he did."

"Twenty-four hours. You don't know where your daughter is for twenty-four hours. Someone does know. Someone knows she is lying upside down on the roof of a car at the bottom of a tidal river. The coroner thinks she found an air pocket that could have kept her alive for as long as three hours. Then, that someone goes on to say "Vote for me. I will be your leader and champion!" I have never wished the man harm and his ultimate judgement is not up to me, but I will not be joining you, my dear friend, in the laud and admiration of this man. Not today, not tomorrow. I will sit quietly and drink my Coke Zero and pray that those men and women who say "Vote for me. I will be your leader and champion!" have the character that we, Americans, deserve."

Homecoming

Skierdude is coming home this weekend. He has learned a lot about being on his own these last three weeks. He didn't make his bed before the school day started...so he had to vacuum the dormitory and common areas. (He is the vacuumer in our house, so I'm sure it made him feel at home.) He and 5 other boys were late to class after lunch...they had to organize the storage room. He has turned in his laundry on time...it comes back magically folded. Cool how that happens. The snow last week was so heavy that Skierdude called during the day to tell me how big and beautiful the flakes were.

His care package included the most decadent, ridiculous and delicious of American foods...Chocolate chip pop-tarts and marshmallow fluff. (Thanks to www.usafoods.com.au) Many of his Aussie friends teased Skierdude about the unhealthiness of these products. He said they didn't turn down the chance to try the fluff on their toast, however. I also included pretzels and a new toothbrush....I do have a conscience. This latest one I sent, I included some JuicePlus tablets to ensure he is getting some vitamins from vegetables. I tucked them around the ski socks, poptarts and chewing gum.

Skierdude has gotten a chance to taste some new foods. He now loves poached and fried eggs. He loved fried rice. "It's good as long as you eat around the vegetables. It had egg on top." He has actually been eating lots of rice. Australians love curries: chicken curry, lamb curry, vegetable curry, etc.. These are NOT Skierdude's favorite. Curries are served over rice...hence, the large quantities of plain rice being consumed. As I told him, "Just add a little salt and some butter and rice is delish!" Food on the mountain at Thredbo is, as you can imagine, really, really expensive. Skierdude has had to learn to budget his weekly allowance and pack a sandwich that will fit in his pocket on the weekends. It's amazing how "un-picky" one can become when you have limited funds and an unlimited appetite...

On the home front, Ponygirl has decided to take a break from riding to attend ballet classes twice a week. The class follows the Royal Academy of Dance curriculum. It is extremely formal and she is learning quickly. She says she likes the barre work best because she can keep her balance much better. It should be a great experience. She is also finishing up her soccer season and has joined the Drama afterschool club.

The house is much quieter and I do not need to buy milk three days a week. I even have leftovers in the refrigerator. Stormy is doing his best to keep up the noise level. Whoever said cats are quiet and docile animals have not met Stormy. His favorite circuit course is to leap on top of the television, to the mantle above the fireplace and then fling himself onto the coffee table. I have been trying to set boundaries for him...it's not easy training a cat. He is getting better but a I think he probably does whatever he wants when we are not at home.

So, wish us well for this weekend. Skierdude's flight comes in at noon on Friday. I get to experience the fun of picking him up from the Sydney airport...just like the rest of Sydney-crazy busy, tons of impatient taxis, and exorbitant parking fees. Hopefully, Skierdude's parental units (us) won't be too micro-managing. He's been on his own for three whole weeks afterall....

New Aussie slang to add to your dictionary:

Fair dinkum- real, genuine.
Ex: We will have a fair dinkum Aussie Chrissie this year. (A real Australian Christmas.)

Matilda- bed roll, sleeping bag
Ex: Pack your matilda. (Imagine that phrase on a school packing list...)

Pom- an Englishman.

My favorite slang derived from this Pommy Towel (As dry as...): this refers to the supposed poor bathing habits (once a month) of Englishmen.
Ex: It's as dry as a pommey towel.

Another funny one: Pommey shower- to use deoderant
Ex: Don't forget to pommey shower.

I am always happy to add to one's high-brow vocabulary. Drop some of those phrases at your next dinner with the boss...

Socks!

Ok, as Skierdude prepares to depart for Jindabyne tomorrow, we are busily packing clothes, ski, boots, helmets, poles, padlocks, ski wax, textbooks, paper, pens, sheets, towels, gloves, hats, comforters and socks. Who knew one person could need so many socks? Socks for the school uniform (grey), socks for skiing, socks for tennis shoes(thick athletic), and wool socks for his snow boots. Since when did footwear get so specialized? And how, exactly, do you label socks with a child's name? To go with those socks, is all the footwear to go with it...black school shoes, ugg boots to wear in the dorm, snow boots for walking between the buildings and tennis shoes for the gym. Oh, I forgot the 10 pound ski boots.

With 40 kids attending Winter School, I cannot imagine the luggage that will need to be loaded onto the buses. Matthew is clocking in at 4 large carry bags, one crate for textbooks, ski boots, a school backpack and skis/poles. Multiply that by 40 people...over 200 pieces of luggage. It should be a sight.

So, as my 12-year old heads off to a once-in-a-lifetime adventure, I pause to think of all the socks that have entered my life since his birth. The soft booties he wore as an infant, the stretchy ones with rubbery-tread on the soles as he learned to walk, soccer socks of every color, muddy socks from the neighbors trampoline, wool socks for scout campouts, dress socks for church, and the many lonely socks that have lost their mates "...somewhere Mom, I don't know."

I am sure some of the care packages I send to Jindabyne will include a pair or two of replacement socks. He is living with 20 boys after all...but it will be a pleasure to tuck a pair in among the poptarts, granola bars and throat lozenges. After all, those feet have taken us all to many wonderful places.

Pray for lots of powder on Thredbo mountain...

My Newest Love

I love many things in my life. My family, my ugg boots, the new Laura Ashley duvet, Jesus, skim cappucinos and many other lovely things. My current love is found in the CBD (central business district) of Sydney. The love affair started in December of 2007, when I first stepped into the beautiful, chrome and glass David Jones Food Hall in search of a hostess gift on my first trip to Sydney. David Jones in the CBD is the premier department store of Sydney. One building (6 floors) holds only women's clothing, shoes and handbags. (One floor is dedicated to children's wear and toys, but the rest is high fashion). Across the street, another six storey building houses David Jones' bedding, electronics, menswear, and kitchen-ware. The two buildings are connected by a tunnel underground.

My true love is located in the basement of this building. The David Jones foodhall...how do I describe it. Imagine a giant city market made of marble, granite, brass and glass. In the far corner is the wine room. Packed with wonderful French, Italian, New Zealand and Australian wines, you go here for the wine merchant's advice. Next to the wine corner is the florist. Lillies, sunflowers, roses, dahlias, orchids....every type of bloom imagineable. Then....the chocolate stall. Beautiful boxes and cellophane packages filled with every flavor from all over the world. I can buy Ghiradelli chocolate here for a taste of home. Want a romantic night with your sweetheart?...this is the corner for you. Flowers, chocolate and wine.

Jams, crackers, teas, Italian tunas, capers....any exotic pantry items can be had easily. Shortbread from Fortnum Mason, honey from Israel, and even chocolate chip Pop-Tarts show the variety in the dry goods section.

Now, cheese....mountains of it. Soft, hard, blue, smooth, sharp, stinky...the only thing between me an heaven is the thick, curved glass display case. Fresh pastas are piled high, along with ready-made sauces and soups. The fish's eyes are clear, the sausages are plumb and the lamb chops are thick and red. The produce is beautiful as well. Next to the fruit section is a busy young lady making smoothies.

The hall is packed at lunchtime. Among the display cases are small "bars" with high bar stools where you can grab a quick bite. There is the Noodle Bar, Grill Bar, Espresso Bar, Juice Bar and Pasta Bar. I have never sampled this fare. The line is long and constant.

As you exit the food hall you are "forced" to walk through the chocolatier and patesserie. Shiny breads, pastries and meat pies call out for purchase as you walk by. As you look to your right, truffles shaped like snowmen, christmas ornaments, rabbits, piggies, leafed in gold, dusted in cocoa... The only thing that keeps me in check in such a place are the exorbitant prices. Thank goodness for that. You also cannot buy too much if you live, like we do, on the North Shore of Sydney. Schlepping canvas shopping bags through the very fashionable downtown area of Sydney, hopping on a train and then grabbing a ferry is tres gauche.

When you come to visit, we will walk to the ferry, cross the harbor, squeeze on a train, and enter those glorious glass doors of David Jones. We will sip skim cappucino's, crunch on a shiny, perfectly shaped croissant and spend an hour or so absorbing the best of the best in foods from all over the world. Love...thy name is David Jones.

Conversations

I know, it's a shock...I am actually creating a post!!! I must take partial blame for the neglect of this site. Day to day living in a foreign country has proven to be a time-consuming business. It has also included many, many conversations. I will reproduce some of them here.

First off, the internet. There is good news and there is bad news. The good news-everyone in Sydney that would like internet service can have it at a reasonable price. The bad news-since it is subsidized, it is equally----BAD, SLOW, RATIONED!!! Backing up my computer's hard-drive to an online storage website usually takes 3-5 days in the US. Here.....four and a half weeks! I could not open the internet during this time, hence, no blogging. No worries...I would just upgrade my service.

Conversation #1:

IP: (Internet provider)G'morning this is ____ how may I help you?

Me: I would like to see if there is a way to make my internet service faster.

IP: Fasta?

Me: Yes. It took us a month and a half to download some items to an internet storage sight. Apparantly it was on a dial-up speed.

IP:Yeah. Afta a certin numba of 'ours, six ah think, the intahnit connection speed revahts to dial-up speed.

Me: Well, I am willing to pay for an upgrade of service. How much would your upgrade packages cost?

IP: Look, the sahvice you have is the bist one we offa.

Me: Really? Dial-up speed?

IP: We haven't got the infrastrucha to hindle any more speed. New South Wales doesn't provide money for more wireless grids.

Me: The government gives you guys money?

IP: Keeps the cost down.

Me: Oh, okay. Thanks for your help.

IP: No worries!

Winter School:
Surferdude will soon be changing his name to Skierdude. The school the kids attend, offer grades 6-10 the opportunity to go away to the "Winter Campus" in Jindabyne, NSW (think The Man from Snowy River movie) for the 3rd quarter and attend school. For 10 weeks, the kids live in dorms, attend classes (one teacher from each grade comes and lives at the High Country Campus) and ski. Skierdude has been begging since we moved here to attend. He will be leaving the end of July. He comes home every 3 weeks. We have purchased skis, boots, poles, a helmet, the ski uniform, the winter school uniform, socks, gloves, hats, a cell phone, a lambswool duvet & cover, and ski wax. We have also made our final payment for the extra tuiton this junket requires. So....I was bit surprised to have this conversation.

Conversation #2

(Where the children's school loses $12,000 of our money, then tries to charge us 18% interest on the amount not paid.)

AB: (Accounts department Bloke) G'day

Me: Hi, we just received this rather alarming letter from you about our account being in arrears $12,000. The relocation company that handles our tuition said it was for "Winter School". I don't know what happened, but we have paid this tuition. We would not have been accepted into the winter school program unless we had paid. Here is my son's acceptance letter to winter school.

AB: Look, we git so much money rahllin' in here, that, unless it was specificly mahked with 'is name and "wintah school", it just gits put into the soup, so ta speak.

Me: $12,000 dollars.

AB: I'm sure we kin find it.

Me: $12,000 dollars

AB: Jis give me the dates and the amounts, plus the account numbah and I'm sure we'll find it.

Me: $12,000 dollars

AB: (Smiles, expecting me to be satisfied and leave.)

Me: You lost $12,000 dollars, wired from a bank in three installments, each labelled "(child's name)-Winter school". Then, you sent a threatening letter to the relocation company handling this account, basically slandering my husband's name, then you charge 18% interest on the total amount. I take time out of my day to resolve this and I don't get a "sorry" or an "oops" or a "geez we screwed up"!!! I don't want to see one penny, one shilling, one drachma of interest on my next statement. Do you UNDERSTAND???

AB: (still smiling) Ah look, the interest will be on ya next statement...the computah ahtamaticly puts that on.

Me: (teeth clenched) Then HACK INTO IT AND TAKE IT OFF!!!

AB: Ah look, as soon as yah prove yah paid it we'll refund ya the money. No worries 'bout that.

Me: (whispering now...not a good sign for me. I'm only kinda mad when I shout.) I want you to mark my file as "Crazy American Woman". Every statement, every letter, every bit of printer cartridge you use on this account comes straight to me "Crazy American Woman" at this address. I am going to talk to everyone from the headmaster to the janitor about how this office views the hard-earned money of its customers. I will get you a copy of every statement you need, and then I will never set foot in this room again.

AB: (still smiling) Look forward to 'earin' from ya then...

Markets-
Sydney has beautiful, open air markets. Some focus on crafts, some on fruits and veggies, some on clothing...on a clear Aussie day, these are the best place to be in all the southern hemisphere. There is a particularly great one I go to on Wednesdays. It is a produce market. Fresh lamb, cheeses, breads, chicken, fruits, vegetables, flowers...and of course two coffee stands with big, gorgeous espresso machines allow for a lovely morning for as long as the cash holds out.

Conversation #3:

(Where I visit with a young Frenchman working behind the Patisserie stall.)

FL: (French lad) Bonjour!

Me: Hi. Are those soft pretzels there, next to the Brioche?

FL: Oui, oui. They are very soft.

Me: I will take two of those and two baguettes.

FL: I notice you are wearing gloves.

Me: Yes, I am freezing....I never imagined I would be so cold in Australia.

FL: Oui, my house it has no heat.

Me: I know, we don't in most of our house either.

FL: Now we know why kangaroo so hairy now, oui?

Me: Oui. I don't mind shivering when I can look out over the Harbour though, no?

FL: Oui. Beauty makes zee heart warm.

Me: Absolutely!

So, I promise to be a better blogger. Keep sending those comments! It may take me a while to download them, but they will make "zee heart warm!"

Remember, no worries. Aneurisms yes...worries, no.

Bacino Baby!!!

Ok, I have done it....I have found the best coffee in the world. In Sydney, coffee could be an Olympic Sport. Every food stand, no matter how small, boasts a beautiful stainless steel espresso machine. Next to "HONK", the "SHWWWWSHWWW" of the milk foamer is the second most common sound in Sydney. Now that Sophie, from the coffee stand down at Cremorne wharf, has passed away, I have been sampling different coffee stands around the city.

Saturday morning, the kids had the 2nd of a three-week soccer training at Macquarie University. We must be there at 8:00 AM, so after a morning filled with finding shin guards, soccer cleats, filling water bottles and driving half-an-hour, I head off in search of some kind of liquid stimulant. I find a panel van set up at the training. There are the obligatory banana (pronounce bahnahnah) breads and muffins wrapped in "cling" as well as some packets of sugar and sweetner on a foldout table. In the back of the van, honest to God, was the most amazing stainless steel and copper espresso machine. I got a steaming hot skim latte (pronounced /lahhhtay/) at the soccer field!!! I was joking with the server. I said, "In America, you would be lucky if someone had run by to get coffee in a box with a spigot served with powdered creamer." He laughed. I always notice that the "front of the house" guys at coffee stands have all the fun. The poor barista usually has his/her back to you filling coffee order after coffee order after coffee order.... This will be good to remember if the kids want to work at a coffee stand.

Coffee seems to also have a fixed price. (Maybe it's a city ordinance...) No matter where you go the prices are Regular- $3.00, Large- $3.50. One and Two dollar denominations are in gold coins, so finding gold in your purse is so exciting..."I have enough for a coffee...." I know I should just get more sleep...then I wouldn't need coffee, but then I wouldn't get to hear the "SHWWWWSHWWWWSHWWW" sound. Ponygirl always says "Mom...there's your favorite sound..." I know my favorite sound should be the sound of children playing, the lapping of the ocean, kookaburra's screeching at 6:00AM... but no... it is the clinking of gold coins in my purse and the coffee frother.

OK, so when all of you flock to come visit me I will take you to Bacino (pronounced /bahcheeno/)Espresso. It is the smoothest, most delicious coffee in the world. The one in Kirribilli allows you to look out at the opera house from under the pylon of the Sydney Harbour Bridge.....There is also one in Mosman that is cursed with the worst location in the world, but it is always packed!!! So, come to Sydney and we can chat up the front-of-house guy, play with gold coins, and enjoy a delicious cup of espresso....you too can become a Bacino Baby!!!

Vocabulary updates:

White Ant-an Australian termite. It eats wood away from the inside without you knowing it. It is used to describe someone who snipes or undermines someone or some organization/project behind the scenes.

Mufti Day- A day where someone who normally wears a uniform is allowed to wear normal clothes. Civvies. (This term refers to Arabian-based British soldiers who would wear a robe and fez on their day off...just like the Islamic mufti). Ponygirl & Surferdude have a Mufti Day on Tuesday.

Cling- Plastic wrap. Those of you who watch Nigella Lawson already know this.

Rego- /reh-jo/ license plate. "What is yo rego numbah?" (Uhhh.....?)

What I like this week:

1. Bottleshock: I love this movie. I saw it on "Cheap Tuesday" because it was a day of downpours. Bill Pullman as a Napa vintner (a word I learned from the movie...adding to the ole vocabulary), Alan Rickman as a failing British wine merchant/snob....name one movie either of these guys were in that hasn't been good if not great! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DYs0kblXToA It did well at Sundance, which usually means I will hate it, but this was such a great way to spend a rainy day. GO SEE IT!!!

2. Birthday Cakes: April is the month I get to make two. I do not have a mixer here (higher voltages will burn out American ones) so a big thank you to my neighbor who lent me hers. It must be 40 years old by my God can it mix. I would do anything to keep that machine alive.

3. Buses, trains & ferries: I got so sick of fighting traffic that I used the great transport system twice this week. It's nice to let someone else do the driving for you. (A honk free day in Sydney is like a cool breeze during a Texas summer...rare and spirit-lifting,)

What I don't like this week:

1. The Eastern Suburbs: This is the very shi shi poo poo part of Sydney. I go to a bible study @ St. Mark's Anglican Church each Thursday. One of the ladies in our group had a baby, so it was my turn to bring her some food. All the streets are very curvy, narrow and BUSY. Porsche's, BMW's, Volvo's, & Mercedes' (by far the most popular choice) fly around this area. Most of the drivers I see this time of day are women with big, black sunglasses. As I was taking all the food out of my car (I was parallel parked on the street...the only option), I realized that all these bug-eyed, glossy-haired women with their toddlers in the backseat would rather kill me then slow down. Because I was in front of the church, God must have sent a shield down to protect me. I actually made it to the other side. (Hardly any buses go to this part of town so I will have to drive. With all the amazing cars and shops, buses might bring down the rents

2. BigDogDaddy being out of town: I stay up too late doing too many projects. Plus, he always empties out his change at the end of each day...he leaves the gold coins on the nightstand for my coffee addiction...I have had to scrounge this week. He will be home Saturday...yeah. I don't want any caffeine-deficient headaches!

Did You Know Cars Could Get Viruses?

"Mom", Ponygirl asks "what's a cozzy?" Since I had no idea what she was talking about, I asked, "What do you mean?" "Well, my teacher asked me if I had my cozzy with me. I didn't know what that was." I didn't have any clue, so I called my Australian neighbor. "What's a cozzy?", I asked. She told me it is a bathing costume...translation, a Bathing Suit!!!



So, I will use Aussie abbreviations to tell you about my week. (I will hightlight them in blue.)



My cute, black Holden station wagon was hiccupping between gears and it eventually stuck in 2nd gear. Since the car has under 4,000 miles and is only six-months old, I slowly chugged along to the Holden dealership nearby. Once I dropped it off, I walked several kilometers to the bus station and then proceeded to wait two days to hear back about the cause of the problem. (Note: We only have one car, so it was a bit of an inconvenience.) Having left 4 increasingly pushy messages, I hopped on a bus on the 3rd morning of my car's internment and went to the dealership to find out exactly what was going on. Every nation has its own temperament...Australia's is being laid back, America's is pushing forward...these make for interesting interactions. Apparantly, my brand-new Holden needed a new "tranny" (transmission). This diagnosis led to a long conversation about whether I even wanted a car that I considered a "lemon". With a sincere smile and a calm, whispery voice, the service rep said "No, no. This is unusual. Something obviously happened to this car when it was made...Like a virus." I widened my eyes, put on my best southern drawl and smiling sweetly said, "Are you saying my car caught a cold???!!!!" That was the last smile of the day. To make a long story short, no one at the dealership thinks I am some female air-head anymore and the car has a lovely, new, warranteed, Holden-paid for tranny!

Friday night we drove to the Waratahs Rugby game. The Tahs are Sydney's Rugby Union Club Team. BigDogDaddy bought us some great seats. Being that close to the action really does hammer home the point that rugby players are truly a different breed. The captain of the team had been injured the week before and had stitches on his face. Halfway through the game, he ran to the sidelines where they wrapped his head up with gauze and applied tape to hold it. Blood was running down his face...the stitches had been ripped out. After his trip to the sidelines, he CAME BACK IN!!! Half the team had the gauze bandage/tape treatment. When think of an NFL player like T.O. playing rugby, I can only guess how quick his agent would have him in the locker room and on the disabled list. I know NFL guys are tough, but rugby players are tougher/crazier....take your pick. The attendance was 20,000. The Tahs won and we saw some exciting try's scored.

More vocabulary from this week:

Training: this is used instead of the word practice. Ponygirl has done a good job at swim training this week.

Doona: What Surferdude needs for Winter School in Jindabyne. It is like a duvee'. It is covered with a doona cover.

Abseiling: This term refers to what we would call "rappelling" in the US. Surferdude did this activity during his Year 6 camp this week. It is done during "canyoneering". He wore gloves, but his hands are stil sore.

Things I like this week:
1. The gorgeous weather. It has been so nice here.

2. Cheap Tuesday matinees: On Tuesday's, movie theaters offer 10:30 AM movies for $10.00. They are packed with moms and retirees.

3. Nectarines & blueberries: The last of the season...they are so good!

4. E-cards: I don't miss birthdays!

Things I don't like this week:
1. Long walks to bus stations- The term "loaner car" is not common here. I've now noticed how many of my friends are always driving people to car dealerships.

2. Honking- I was taught in driver's ed that the horn is to be used to warn other driver's of potentially dangerous situations. Silly me. In Sydney it is just another way to communicate impatience and frustration. Honk away...It makes feel as though I belong.

3. Huge time difference between US and Oz. By the time I am home and able to talk to my friends/family, it is 2:00AM US time.

Keeping Perspective

The new school year starting, BigDogDaddy's hectic work schedule and the unbelievable heat wave have made our January and early-February really, really busy. We have had information night, sailing for PE, 7:00AM squad swimming for both kids (they found out how good my kiddos were last year), new homework expectations and outgrown uniforms to deal with. Surferdude's focus in Year 6 is on Australian government and he is currently in Canberra with the entire grade for four days where they will tour the capitol. We have also enjoyed some of the special events this Aussie-summer like kayaking at Balmoral Beach and watching outdoor movies under the stars. Also, the Australian converter plug for our American Wii finally arrived in the mail. Mario Smash Brothers Unite!!!

The heat has also been an issue this year. Trains in Sydney experienced massive problems because the tracks would get so hot. This caused many to miss connecting trains and ferries. Plus, any wind that would blow through the houses offered not one bit of relief. The wind, if there has been any, has been hot and sticky. We are blessed to at least have some air-conditioning on the third floor of our house, so at least we have been able to sleep.

All of the above would test the mettle of any family. It is perfectly justifiable that some of us have been a little snarky and distracted, but life has a way of slamming you with perspective. Saturday afternoon, the kids and I took a walk down the Cremorne Reserve to the McCallum Pool for a swim. http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:McCallum_Pool_Sydney.jpg On the way, we saw some Sydneysiders enjoying the really hot day on a picnic blanket. I saw one of the men flick his cigarette on the ground without stubbing it out. As I walked by, I thought "Jeez, he better stamp that out. It could cause a bushfire." Sure enough, when I turned around he had retrieved it and thrown it into the bay. Well, the next morning, we awoke to learn that bushfires were raging south of us in the state of Victoria. This was truly a catastrophe. (Unlike some people I know...I don't use this word lightly.) Rural Australia doesn't have ANY infrastructure for communication. People were caught completely unaware. The fire consumed 150kms at a time and then the wind shifted. Recovery workers are finding many of the victims on the roads in their cars as they tried to outrun the blaze. It is a truly horrific job and lots of prayers should be said for these brave people. There is an outcry here regarding the absolutely ridiculous non-management of the national parks in Victoria (and in the USA as well). They have the moronic policy of leaving dead trees and branches where they lay. This added so much fuel to these fires. Many I have talked to are ready to take on the Green Party to reverse this policy. We shall see. When asked by a reporter, "Did you lose everything?", one lovely lady whose town was completely destroyed answered..."I didn't lose anything. I am standing here looking at my children, husband and dog. Nothing else matters." As I said earlier...perspective...

All of Australia is donating blood, organizing fundraisers, and sending money. One man in Sydney has organized a truck to take down donated bicycles and scooters to the children living in tent camps in Victoria. No matter where your land of origin, when it comes to this, "We are all Australian".

So, as I sit in my hot, humid house and shuttle children through clogging Sydney traffic, I will remember to hug the only three things that really matter. I am sending each of you a hug full of love via the blog-o-sphere.



Things I like this week:

1. The new name of the Cremorne Point Wharf coffee stand "Sophie's Place"

2. New girlfriends- I hosted the school's bookclub. We had a record turnout and many new ladies. The book choice was great (The Guernsey Potato Peel....Society) and I did my best to bring some southern hospitality and cooking to cosmopolitan city folk. (Menu: Mexican Wedding Cookies, Sourcream pound cake, lime curd, shortbread:bought those, and good ole-fashioned sausage balls.)

3. Movies under the stars. Kung Fu Panda never looked so good. http://www.austadiums.com/stadiums/stadiums.php?id=80
http://www.timeoutsydney.com.au/film/openair-cinema.aspx

4. www.usafoods.com.au : I can order Jif, Crystal Light, grape jelly and Bisquick. Yea!!!


Things I do not like this week:

1. Evil/stupid people whose sparks cause bushfires.

2. Playing politics with tragedy. Kevin Rudd has been having difficulty getting his stimulus package through Parliament. It is the second cash giveaway in six months. He has now tied federal relief for Victoria onto his stimulus bill. ("Rebuilding Victoria will be a stimulus") If you don't vote for the $1,000 per person cash giveaway, you are voting against the bush fire victims....embarrassing. Why don't y'all pass a law requiring the clearing of debris from the forest floor of the National Parks.

3. Sydney traffic police who ticket moms/nannies sitting in carpool lines. If the sign says "Parking 5 minutes" and your car is against said curb waiting for the carpool to begin for 8 minutes...you can receive a ticket in the mail for $200. Talk about a cash cow!!!

Happy New Year, Mates!!!

Welcome to the year 2009!!! I have been enjoying a nice, long visit to the USA and took a break from blogging. Now, it is back to living in the Land Down Under. Sydney is experiencing a heat wave. Last night, at 9:00 PM it was a balmy 30-degrees celcius (86-degrees Fahrenheit). Everyone expects the heat to break next Tuesday. Let's hope so, we only have air-conditioning on one floor. Many of our neighbors aren't that lucky.

I approach this New Year with a new and positive attitude. BigDogDaddy's industry has taken a huge hit in the USA, so we are all grateful for the work here in Sydney. I also am comfortable driving on the left-side of the road (at least as comfortable as I will ever be.) I am also grateful for all the times I have been utterly and totally lost in Sydney...now I have a good feel for how the city is set up. It will also be great to begin the school year properly (it begins January 28th). So, it is onward and upward down under!!!

This New Year, we are also finding ourselves embracing the Oz lifestyle. Our main wardrobe this week has been swimmies, boardies and thongs along with our sunnies shading our eyes. We are also slip, slap and slopping. (see earlier blog entry for vocablulary definitions) We also have all windows open hoping to catch a breeze and not a bird. Next Monday, we will be one of the many enjoying the ferry races, big ships regatta and fireworks of Australia Day. The harbor will be teeming with fun activities. One difficult tradition to embrace is vegemite. Aussies love it! In the supermarket there are tubes of it, jars of it and blister packs w/crackers. They eat it on toast, biscuits(crackers) and Domino's pizza sells "Vegemite cheesy bread". I must say, we have all given it a go. It is vile stuff to the American palate. It isn't just nose scrunching bad, it is "wipe-your-tongue-off-with-your-napkin" bad. It is a brewer's yeast extract blended with celery, onion and salt. It is basically boiled-down, sticky, black beer. Since we have yet to "acquire" the taste, our complete transformation into Aussie-Americans will be slower than usual. If you want to try it yourself...have some napkins handy.

So, as all of my loved ones and friends in America enjoy the lastest installation of the Ice Age, we wish you a very warm Happy 2009!


Things I like this week:
1. The cool, new Qantas A-380. It is a double-decker, luxurious way to cross the Pacific Ocean. Former Australian prime minister John Howard was on our flight (first-class, of course).

2. Summer Aussie fruit. Kiwi's, cherries, mangoes, berries...yum!

3. School uniforms. Each child got a new pair of black, hard-soled school shoes....done with back to school shopping!!!

4. Vince Flynn's new book Extreme Measures.

Things I don't like this week:
1. Heat and humidity.

2. Traffic around our area...lots of beaches=lots and lots of cars. Many of them with boats, kayaks, surfboards, longboards attached.

3. Parking...it goes hand-in-hand with traffic. Everyone is trying to beat the heat.