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...