Canberra...a cross between DC and New Orleans

Many people have asked me "Why did you go to Canberra?"
I'm not sure what the answer is...but it is somewhere between:
1. Wanting to add another state/territory to my list of Australian locations visited
2. Seeing the Australian capital city
3. Determining if it's really boring (as everyone says)
4. Bill Bryson's writing on the city

Here's a little tip if you ever visit the place: the bars stay open until after 2 am. While most people find this fact exciting, this little Texas girl couldn't understand why she was still being served at 4 am...and her liver revolted the next day (not to mention her head!).

Alas, a shower, brekky, and sunnies made a trip to Parliament House and the War Memorial possible. Friends helping me act like a crazy tourist made it memorable!

Enjoy the photos of my last road trip in Oz:

Camping?

Ok, I need an expert opinion...does this sound like camping:
1. Hot Water Showers
2. Short Walk to a BEAUTIFUL Beach
3. Electricity to Cook
4. Wine Glasses
5. Sleeping in a Tent

I went with my flatmate, Amanda, down South for the Easter long weekend (the Aussie's get Friday and Monday off). With practically half of the city leaving town, I thought it would be best to do the same. When Amanda offered camping with her family, I decided I would have my first 'real' camping experience - since I've never slept in a tent before.

Well, I can't really say that this weekend was "roughin' it". With one twenty cent piece, I got 3 minutes of hot water in the super clean shower - I even considered NOT wearing my flip flops in the shower (but don't worry Julie, I decided to be safe even if it did look TEN times better than any youth hostel shower).

While Amanda and I shared a two man tent, it came with two single air matresses that were just as nice as the mattress I sleep on in Sydney. Meals were prepared in the kitchen of the camper van or on the electric barbie...plus I got to chill out on fabulous beaches, roast marshmallows, and read as much as I wanted.

A most fabulous weekend...even if it wasn't REALLY a camping one...

Another Weekend, Another Beautiful Beach

Why are the beaches in Australia so beautiful? Is it because the Aussies are so clean and environmentally friendly? Or could it be the lack of Ozone layer that makes the sky bluer? Perhaps the length of time since I've been to a beach in America makes me forget the beauty there? Maybe the beaches in Texas really aren't that nice?

All I know is that I went to Bronte Beach this weekend...and it's gorgeous (even if I'm not so gorgeous in this photo of it:)

Celebration of Green

I've decided that St. Patrick's Day is the best color day of the year! Everyone wears green. If there were a holiday where everyone wore blue, it might be tough for me to decide...but there's not (yet - still pulling for Blueberry Day or Smurf Day or other such Blue Day) so it's easy for me to pick St. Patrick's Day as the clear color day winner.

I had to force my flatmate, Amanda, to put some green on before we left the house. But that wasn't so bad, because once we walked into the local Irish Pub (Kelly's), I felt at home in the sea of greens.

While we didn't stay at Kelly's (just think really loud Irish band playing music that was just a wee out of tune), we did have a stupendous night celebrating Patrick the Saint...err...green...err...something to do with Ireland?

LOVELY Adelaide

Not only should everyone come to Australia, but also they should visit the lovely town of Adelaide...because I had the most lovely time this weekend...so if you want a lovely weekend yourself - book in for Adelaide...ok so I wasn't paid of the South Australia Tourist Board - but I should have been...instead, enjoy the retelling of my weekend away:

I flew out (from Sydney) at the crack of dawn on Friday morning (and somehow managed to pack everything including toiletries in a carry-on bag). It was so early, I decided I earned a hot chocolate to celebrate the occasion - but was made to stand outside the boarding area until I had finished it as hot beverages are not allowed on such a little plane (which looked normal-sized to this Texan!).
Upon arrival, Pete came to pick me up in the SUV some friends away on holiday lent him for the weekend. He let me stop by the house to thrown down my bag and grab a slice of toast. But then Mrs. March, Pete, and I jumped back in the SUV (stopped for a quick coffee/hot chocolate = my 2nd hot chocolate of the weekend) and drove to McLaren Vale. McLaren Vale is a Wine Region about an hour south of Adelaide. We stopped through a few wineries for wine tastings - including the place where Pete's brother got married the weekend prior and Pete's friend Simon works. Simon offered me a bottle of Shiraz (and being a fan of Shiraz I didn't say no - though did have a long think about the size of my suitcase). After three wineries, we decided we better have a light lunch before heading back for tea with Nan for her birthday. So we went to Blessed Cheese which had amazing food even if it was just sausage rolls, dips, cheeses - it was still really high end, homemade, and EXCELLENT - which might account for the fact that it took 30 minutes to be served making us VERY late for tea...

After making several phone calls to inform the entire family that we would all be late for tea, we continued on the road and eventually turned up at a little coffee shop where cousins, siblings, Aunts, Grandma, and Grandpa were sipping on a coffee and eating cake. I was still full from lunch but decided I couldn't be rude and drink nothing...so my 3rd hot chocolate of the day was consumed. I had to MAKE the family sing Happy Birthday in the coffee shop because it was Nan's birthday and they were thinking of NOT singing. I was rewarded with a little laugh and smile from the birthday girl (the one in yellow).

Friday night was the first time I got to meet Pete's girlfriend, Jaye. She's a worship leader for a mega-church in Adelaide (called Paradise). Though it was different from any church I've ever been to, it most reminded me of a big church in Sydney with it's style of music and sermon style.

After church, Pete, Jaye, and I met up with another couple to hit La Trattoria - an Italian restaurant which won World's Best Pizza Maker at a contest in NYC a few years back. I had one of their gourmet pizzas and it was fabulous (though I'm not sure how that ties into the 'best pizza MAKER' title...).

Saturday morning was when drove me around the city to see the North/South/West/East Terraces (gardens). They are really pretty and surround the central business district (CBD or 'downtown') of Adelaide. It gives the city a feeling of being in the middle of a big open field. We walked through the East Terrace and one of the Universities in Adelaide to find the Adelaide Art Gallery.

While the collection wasn't big, the gallery had WAY more than I expected for such a small place - ok, that's not quite true - it had lots of different things from lots of different periods (which was amazing) but not much of anything in any one time or genre. I spent a good five minutes gazing at an engraved silver piece from the 1840s. But the further back we got, the more modern the pieces and the more difficult for me to move from one piece to another. One piece in the modern art section looked like a frame with a canvas painted black - but the longer you stared at the canvas, the more a young boy appeared to stare back at you. It was haunting and intriguing. In another room a LARGE, neon yellow rhino was mounted on the wall - the whole thing - from horn on the left to tail on the right...I was nervous it would pull the wall down any moment. After picking up a few postcards to send home, Pete and I took a stroll around a main street in Adelaide where I did a bit of shopping - because I (of course) forgot work pants. And while I was on holiday and didn't need to think about work until Monday, I was flying in Monday morning and heading straight to the office - thus I searched for about 30 minutes until I found SOMETHING that would work for work.

OK, I'm tired of blogging about this trip...which must mean that you're tired of reading about it...so here's the 'quick' version of the rest of the weekend - if I get 3 people to comment that they want the long version - I'll update!

After that, we picked up his girlfriend Jaye and went up to "the hills". Where we stopped by her dad's house (first time Pete met her dad which I think was just a spur of the moment decision but interesting to be there to watch), walked through Hahndorf (great little German town with fun little shops), then went further into the hills where we met up with a bunch of Pete's friends for dinner. One of his friends just built a house on the family 'farm' (for lack of a better word - big open space where they run sheep, but not a ranch...). Simon and Laura got married 6 months ago and she got pregnant about 2 months ago (which I think was a bit of a surprise that they getting excited about more and more each day). They've got a great house and a beautiful view. They live just round the corner from Simon's brother - who now has 7 puppies that we go to go play with!!!

We had a Roast (pork). And everyone brought a salad or bag of chips...then we took our wine and went to the living room to chat and play balderdash all night. This was really fun even if I wasn't very good at it. The boys just laughed and joked all night long which made me laugh and joke all night too.
Sunday - I woke up at 8 am to wee and then went back to bed because I was still sleepy and no one else was up yet. Next thing I know it's 11 am and everyone's waiting on me to shower so we can be off, haha. Pete's sister Georgia and I went to King William Street - close to their house but kind of a posh shopping street - where I had my fifth (that's right FIFTH but not last) hot chocolate of the weekend. Then we walked around until it started sprinkling. Jaye and Pete finally came by to pick us up (Pete had to go drop of the car he borrowed for the weekend) to take us to 'the bay' (which according to the facebook post by Pete is Glenelg, South Australia). It's a fun little place - boardwalk, ocean front strip of stores/restaurants/art, lots of shopping and surf shops. We had a look at the water, shops, and this place kind of like Gameworks or Dave&Busters (except no alcohol so it's meant for kids but parents play along too) called the Beach House. We got yummy chili hot chocolate (yes, this would be my 6th) that Pete and Georgia said tasted like heartburn chocolate. After that, it was time to head back to the March's house (pete's parents) for tea (dinner). His mom made Green Chili Chicken and salad (with a homemade salad dressing) and flat turkish bread...this was after the appetizers of spring rolls and cheese/crackers. It was SO yummy. Watched a little So You Think You Can Dance-Australia. Then went to bed as I was getting up at 4:30 am to get to the airport by 5:15 am to be on a plane by 6:05 am to be back in Sydney by 8:30 am (and go straight to work for 8 hours) the next day...

Girls vs. Boys

This weekend we went to the pub. Nothing fancy - no plans - just went...some people met up with us...just a nice afternoon/evening of hanging out with friends.

Now, I didn't expect to go to the pub...or take pictures...or see friends. So I just sort of woke up and went...as did my friend Scott.

Then, why do I look like I rolled outta bed and Scott looks like he's ready to hit the catwalk?

Sometimes, I hate being a girl :)

Chillin'

Batemans Bay - Look it up on a map of Australia. It's in New South Wales. I went away with some friends for the weekend and I'd like to sum up how it went:

And now for another Thousand Words:

We began our adventure with a stop in the LITTLE town of Berry. One of the Claires (yes, I went there with TWO friends named Claire) went to dance class in Berry growing up and I convinced Claire S. and Claire W. to bust a few moves in front of the building.

However, Berry is famous for one things (in my friend's book, anyway): DONUTS! I have heard stories about the Berry Donuts and the stops on the way home (ie Batemans Bay is home for all these lovely ladies!). The Donut Cart - yes, I can attest, it is on wheels but more like something you see outside a construction site than an ice cream cart - cooks the donuts after you order them so you always get hot, fresh donuts. I learned just how hot the donuts were when I dropped the bag on the ground next to the car (don't worry two donuts were saved by the 5-second - the rest were saved by the bag). After cooking, the donuts are rolled in cinnamon and sugar. Here's the only way I can describe the taste - think of the best funnel cake you've ever eaten, subtract the powdered sugar, add just a hint of cinnamon ease of eating in donut form. They were SO good.

It was pretty late when we arrived in Batemans Bay so we immediately crashed out. But that allowed us to wake up 'early' (11 am) to meet some friends in a funky little town full of crazy shops for lunch. No, this is not my baby! It usually takes 9+ months to make one, so this one cannot be mine. But we met Emma and her mom Jesse for lunch at a cafe in Mogo. I also found a great scrapbook shop in Mogo and stocked up on the basics so I can get started on all the Sydney memories I have!

After lunch, we FINALLY made it to the beach. Donuts + Beach = Amazing Weekend. Everything else was just icing. Bourlee Beach was wonderful. The girls MADE me get in the COLD, COLD, COLD water. Somehow I survived for two (count them TWO) 5-minute dips! I have to say that the cool water makes sitting on the hot beach quite lovely. But this Texas girl is not used to getting in freezing cold ocean water. While at the beach, we met up with a slew of other people as well as 'running into' several (keep in mind, I was in a small town in New South Wales - everyone knows everyone or knows someone who knows everyone). I even learned about a new type of boat - the Surf Boat. The Navy (the Australian Navy that is) hosted its annual Surf Boat competition at Bourlee Beach over the weekend. Four people row, one steers, and they get the drowning person to the shore...well, back in the day when we didn't have jet skis or motorized boats. Now, they just use the Surf Boats to race around buoys.

After a shower, a barbie, and a vodka, it was time to head into 'town'! The courtesy bus picked us up...I don't really understand how this happened or what this meant. But two places will come by in a van and bring you to their place of business. They don't have that in Sydney! Again, I was amazed that everywhere we went we ran into person after person that my friends knew, went to school with, babysat, etc. In this photo, Justin and Claire (front row); Kate, Claire, Jess (second row); Neighbor who jumped on the bus with us (back row).

By Sunday I was in full relax mode. We headed down to Long Beach where we chilled on the shore until Claire's dad brought the boat around. Then we attached the inflatable 'tube' (there wasn't a hole in the middle, so I wouldn't call it a tube, but that's what everyone else called it) and enjoyed a morning of fun! To me, it was the best parts of waterski-ing without all the trouble...but then I've never stood up on waterskis so I don't think I'm the best judge. After boat time, I got a chance to try out the hammock...and that's when I truly understood what makes Batemans Bay so very special. Can't wait to go back!

Twilight Parade

Arlington, Texas is a big suburb - but twice a year it feels again like a small town revolving around two parades - the BIG parade at 4th of July and the growing craze near Christmas called the Parade of Lights. It was this Parade of Lights that stuck with me and peaked my interest when I found out about the Chinese New Year's Twilight Parade.
I was excited to see the parade started with a lighted Ox - It is the Year of the Ox! I didn't know that every third float would be a lighted animal of some sort. Although I couldn't catch pics of them all...have to say my favorite was the seahorse (which sort of looked like an ant-eater at first).

The lighted floats with people on them were something of sight! Too bad they moved by too quickly for my camera to get a decent photo. I realized about half way through the parade that we were standing half a block away from the Grand Stand (where it was completely packed and unviewable). This meant that all the floats and performers 'made up time' from their performance in front of the judges by flying past the next block. I was lucky to catch the pics that I did...

The funniest float (to me) was this one with cardboard cutouts of people rather than real people...can't say that I understand what they were thinking. But the pagoda hut at the front was pretty breathtaking.

In between floats came groups of people - which did not show up in my photos except as dots where their twinkle lights were set. However, the people were totally cool. A drum group - I would say about 100 drummers! A martial arts group where each member held a big stick (don't know the proper name), whip, or nunchuck. At the call of the leader, everyone stopped and performed the same martial arts moves (with sounds) on an invisible attacker. A whole slew of beautiful women in different costumes strolled by - the most memorable were the women in an outfit resembling a Chinese Lantern around their hips...the bottom of the lantern stopped about their knees and the rest of the costume was completely straight thus they had to shuffle down the street!

Eventually, other random things appeared including this TV Station Van decked out in neon lighting. This seems like a lot of work for one parade - do you think they have it like that all year round?

And I couldn't post this without thanking the friends I dragged along to the somewhat lame event. Scott, Emily, and David endured an hour of the funny floats and crazy costumes. Hope they had as good a laugh as I did!

Learning To Cook

So I'm not sure how I missed out on learning how to cook. I helped my mom in the kitchen (probably not as often as she liked but still!). I haven't lived with someone who makes me dinner for YEARS now. But it wasn't until I moved to Australia that I realised I don't really know how to cook. You know - just look in the fridge and make something.

Sure, my dad taught me how to boil eggs (and the come out PERFECT - no green film between the york and the white - cooked all the way through without cracking the shell - perfect). I picked up how to make Mac and Cheese all by myself (once I learned how to read the directions on the package). I even progressed to not needing to measure out the ingredients to add to the Kraft package just winging it on what looked/tasted right. But I never learned that 'art' that is cooking. I still go to the store and try to think of a whole entire meal and then buy each ingredient.

I've watched my friends here in Oz...they're pretty decent at just buying some stuff and then having different meals for a few days. And I wonder, where do people learn to cook? Well, I found out - everyone here is required to take one course of the American equivalent of home economics. With that basic cooking out of the way, they can experient and just sort of get it...why didn't I think to do that way back in Junior High?

Like the 4th of July...but not.

On 26 January, Australians celebrate Australia Day! Now, I pretty much lied to high school kids about a month ago when I said "Everyone gets dressed up on the Australian National Colours hand celebrates a day full of Australian pride" because no one (except me) wore Green and Gold. Though there was plenty of flag colours - blue, red, and white (see how I kept thinking about July 4th?).

My flatmate said it would be fun to have a picnic (sort of like a 4th of July picnic...) in the park near our house. I invited everyone I knew in Sydney and only a couple showed up. But thank goodness Pete's cool and many of his work co-workers came out to partake. It was a overcast day - so we spread a big blanket out under a shady tree and put cheese, crackers, chicken, chips and dip, rock melon (err...cantalope), pinapple, and watermelon slices (again...the spread just begged for 4th of July references). But nothing compared to Pete's awesome Lamington cupcakes. Now, Lamtingtons are not supposed to come in cupcake form, but sometimes we improvise we we don't have the right pans in our house. It was my first taste of Lamingtons and boy are they yummy! Check out Claire and Ash sharing a Lamington above.

After nibbling on everything, Richard pulled out his cricket set - and we all took a turn at bat (is it 'at bat' in cricket?). I was impressed with my two hits! But everyone else was much better at bowling, fielding, and hitting. It made me want to play again...unfortunately, my legs starting stinging while I was out on the field. As I made my way back to the shade of the tree, I realized my thighs were a bright shade of pink.

It wasn't until I started applying suncream, that I remembered I had let my friends write "AUSSIE" in green and gold zinc down my right arm. Guess I'll know better for next time!

That night and the next day, my legs ripened to the brightest pink colour I have ever seen after sun. Four days of constant application of aloe has resulted in tannish-pink sink that might begin peeling at any minute. On one hand, my legs are no longer white. On the other, I just doubled my chances for skin cancer...oh and have this amazing shorts line...don't think that's going away for the next few years.

BDO

I'm pretty sure I lied to all my Australian Friends. I could have sworn that I've been to a music festival before - and I have! I've been to Northgate Music Festival...in College Station, TX. It books TX or local bands trying to make it on the scene to play a variety of different venues over 3 day/nights. However, I learned that it doesn't compare to the likes of Lollapalooza, Lilthfair, Warped Tour, and the like...but Big Day Out (BDO) does!

I can't say I knew much of the music - maybe 2 songs each band played, if I was lucky. But, every band played GOOD music...so an excellent day was had by all! Unfortunately, it was HOOOT. The best way I can explain this...I drank 4 bottles of water, 1 bottle of coke, and 3 slushies throughout the 10 hours I was at BDO and only used the toilet once - not to mention the misters we walked under or water we poured over our heads to keep cool...As you can see to the left, the girls (Claire, Jess, and Ash) and I made shirts just for BDO 09. It was fun to see different costumes (Dino Flintstone), outfits (twinkies in black shorts and green leafy wrap around tattoos on the left thigh), or matching shirts (Australian Flag shirts, Bintang Bali Beer shirts, etc.). The best was the group of 10 guys who dressed up as Where's Wally? (think Where's Waldo then be Australian).

When we got super tired, we headed up to the grandstand at the main stage to have a bit of a rest. Since I was running around with my friend from Bateman's Bay, I got to meet so many people from their hometown. At right, top row - Justin, two guys I don't remember their names; bottom row - Claire, Me, Elle.

In full festival spirit, I searched out a corny dog...only in Oz they call them Dagwood Dogs. AND they do the neatest trick...instead of putting out pump bottles of ketchup, they will dip your dog in a vat of ketchup (err...tomato sauce) covering it with yummy sauce all the way around. No need to pump, dip, or mess!

OK, on to the bands...the whole point of the day. I got to see Neil Young (I wish I could have been more excited about him but it was 9:40 pm when he went on and I was thinking more about a cold bath and my bed than the fact that I didn't like him leading with his rock set and would have preferred he played more folk songs). I caught a couple songs by The Ting Tings including their big song (That's Not My Name...or whatever the real title is). The Greats and Birds of Tokyo were amazing as well. But the BESTEST band of the day was by far - The Living End! The music was fun, got me dancing a bit, and I knew a two songs. Plus, the band itself puts on a great live show...including the upright bass player (Em - I could only imagine how much you would have loved to see them) standing on his instrument to play and then jump off...see right.

It definitely was worth taking a day off work to have this BIG DAY OUT!

My mom is going to kill me for this...

I have so much work to do this week because I am taking the day off on Friday. But I finally got pictures downloaded from my camera and I had to put some up!!!


How random is this?!? We were walking around downtown on a FREEZING cold night when we came upon a crew of carols...they wanted to sing "Let It Snow" so we obliged, and joined in a bit. Thankfully, Darah snapped this catchy picture so that we could remember the host of "The Nightie Before Christmas" Party - where you dress up in your Christmas PJs and carol around downtown Dallas.


Note1: He is wearing a Christmas Tree Sumbrero
Note2: He is wearing Christmas Bulb sunglasses
Note3: He is wearing gold wings...



While I was home, I found out that there are places in Texas where you can smoke indoors and drink 'tea' out of mugs. Yes, they allowed us to BYO beer...but then hide it away and brought it out in coffee mugs. Why? Why must we act like underage celebrities in LA nightclubs? I am neight underage nor in LA (celebrity status is still up in the air, ha). At least the mug was large enough to hold all 12 ounces of my Texas beer!



Did I only wear one shirt while I was home...goodness there are tons of photos of me in this totally awesome Down Under tee! But notice the hosts of the housewarming party - Katie and Paul - cleverly coordinated Christmas colors to be in the spirit of the season.



Katie and Paul have a lovely new home...hopefully, the damage from the fire has been repaired (no, I did not start the fire...I swear...ask Paul if you don't believe me!).



So, this is why my mom's going to kill me. But I can't pass up posting THE only photo of me and mom while I was home. Yes, we had just had lunch at Chipotle...but still it's me and my momma! It was so great to be home with family for the holidays. It has been so long since I had seen everyone and I am so glad I got to catch up with at least a few people in the middle of craziness called Christmas/New Year's Eve. Let me know if you got pics of me over the break because I would LOVE to see them!

Sleeps...

I pass a supermarket each morning when I exit the train station for work. As I walk by, I think of the photo I wanted to take but didn't get to before the sign was stolen...

In Australia, there's this phrase people use to talk about how excited they are about an upcoming event, trip, or holiday. It reminds me of being a little kid and not being able to fall asleep because I'm so excited about something.

The first time I heard it was on the way to surf camp when speaking with one of the instructors he told me he was going surfing in Bali soon..."Seven sleeps until Bali!"

I heard it several other times around the office or through friends...but I didn't realize the extent of the phrase until I saw a sign outside the supermarket that was a countdown...

"20 Sleeps Until Christmas!"

Each day they tore off a number...until some little hooligan stole the sign :( How was I to know how many sleeps until Christmas?!? Guess everyone else figured it out...

Back in Oz!

If you're reading this, you're received my Christmas card and had to come find out if I really had a blog - or if I had updated it lately. Well, here I am...updating my blog!

I'm back in Oz. I arrived yesterday morning at 7:50 am (the plane was on-time!). After whizzing through immigration, baggage collections, and customs, I spent 10 minutes in line for a taxi. Now 10 minutes may not seem long to any American, but the peeps over here think that is a LONG time to spend in any queue.

The taxi got me home safe and sound. After a quick run through the shower, I headed off to work - yes, I went to work all day after traveling for 17+ hours! The jet lag wasn't too bad (although I reread some emails I sent out yesterday and now know I wasn't on my A game).

Still trying to unpack, get moved into my new room (taking over the 'middle-sized' room since my flatmate, Jesse, left us for Paris), and fall back into the swing of things...oh and finish watching all episodes of How I Met Your Mother...