Time to Catch Up

Sorry for my hiatus from the blog, but I just couldn't be bothered (my new favorite Australian saying, for when you don't feel like doing something, "can't be bothered" :) ) and in all seriousness I have been keeping pretty busy.

I re-read my last blog post and realized almost all of what I had written needs to be disregarded because Australia had different plans for me...I was once told by a wise man (Kieran) that whatever plans you make here, never work out, but in turn something unexpected happens and it just works.  Let me begin to explain....

I hope you all had a Merry Christmas and Happy New year and that 2011 finds you all healthy and happy :).  My Christmas didn't go quite as planned, but it worked out perfectly.  Kie and I decided to go to his cousin Brendan and Sean's house for a massive (another adopted Australian word) feast they hosted with all of Kie's cousins and aunt and uncle.  (Background- Kie had never met his family here until he came to Australia 2 years ago).  We had a barbie with every type of meat you could imagine and heaps (another Aussie term) of sides and desserts!  I tried pavlova (a popular Australian dessert) for the first time.  It was very sweet but good!  Kie's family is wonderful.  He has many 2nd cousins, but 2 younger ones, Shawny (8) and Holly (5).  We brought Shawny a purse and a necklace and gave Holly a dress up kit.  They are adorable!  His family gave me a box of chocolates and a bottle of chardonnay--so unexpected and so thoughtful!  It is funny how I realized how I forget (or maybe I intentionally block out) what it feels like to be around family.  It is hard to explain, but it is a warmth that I love, and it feels good to feel like a little part of a family here, so far away from home :).

Boxing Day (the day after Christmas) we had decided to have our Berwick Chrissy.  I took the job of peeling potatoes! It turned out delicious and I found out I have became a fan of yorkshire pudding.  Yorkshire pudding is something the English, Kie and Tony, traditionally eat at Christmas.  I can only describe it as a croissant marries a biscuit!  I think I may add that to my personal Chrissy traditions :).

Now, I know what you are thinking, 'Didn't Ash have to work Boxing Day?,' and indeed I did, but the Australian spirit (aka the beach) got the best of me, and I took a personal leave of absence from Moods.  Very out of character for me, but the Holiday part of Working-Holiday took over! (but this all works out in the end I promise...keep reading...).  So we (Kie, Tony, Bridie & I) had spent the next few days before new years at the beach.

Bridie, Tony and kie with our Frisbee 

Bridie and I working on our tan

Sunset at the Seaford Beach

On New Year's eve, we spent the day at the beach and the night in the city!  We went to the Crown casino, and when I say Casino it was full of restaurants, clubs, bars and even your designer stores. (The pics are all on Tony's camera and I will need to get them soon!).  We rang in the new year with a bang, although they do not celebrate with balloon drops and confetti nor do they play, 'ol lang syne,' but nonetheless it was a great time!

So after New Years, I had began to make plans to travel to Western Australia.  The beaches are suppose to be incredible.  I tried to book my plane tickets on 3 different occasions, but as you can guess, plans never work out.  For whatever reason, I had difficulty using my banking card online and just as I was about to take my 10 min walk to the bank, I received a phone call from the temp agency offering me a job with regular M-F hours and more pay!  I had to accept!  So now, I am the proud employee of Hallmark Headquarters in Australiasia!

The first day on the job, while I was waiting to meet my supervisor, Nardia, I began reading about the history of Hallmark.  I had known the HQ were in Kansas City, but I didn't realize the Hall family was originally from Nebraska!  My hometown connection :).  Sometimes I joke around and pretend I am a spy from HQ in the U.S.  My role is, Support Services Coordinator, and I do basic admin work and also help cover the receptionist.  I am filling in a role for my new Australia friend, Jacoba, who has moved temporarily to another department.  As fate would call it, Jacoba is an Australian who loves Americans.  Hard to believe, but not every Australian Loves Americans :).  Jacoba is actually heading back to the States for the 2nd time in April!  She plans to go to NY, Niagra, Boston area and then to LA.  (Although I am from the States, I have unfortunately not traveled as extensively in the states, and it makes me useless to her to tell her where to go or tips, so if any of you are familiar with those areas and have suggestions, please send them my way so I can pass them to Jacoba :) ).  Jacoba is also thinking about getting her working holiday visa in the U.S. next year!  She has completely taken me under her wing and has made me feel so comfortable at Hallmark.  She has even introduced me to Tim Tams (australian cookie), and I have been told that now I am officially Aussie once having a Tim Tam.  They are chocolate heaven with a cup of tea!  Yes, I do drink tea now....In fact, we have tea time everyday at 10:30 and then afternoon tea at 2:30! Oh, how I love Australia!

After my first week on the job, Jacoba had invited me to come over to her house after work Friday.  We had some "nibbles" and wine on her patio, then we got ready to go to a concert.  I went to see my first Australian band, Thirsty Merc!  It was a great time!  This weekend I plan to meet Jacoba just outside the city at an Irish pub for one of her friend's birthdays.

Last weekend Kie and I decided to go to Sorrento Beach, along the peninsula of Melb.  It was gorgeous there!  The pictures don't do it justice.  The town is beautiful and quaint. We had lunch of fish and chips and calamari.  The calamari here is awesome!  Even Kie was never a seafood person, but i have made him a fan of calamari.

Sorrento Beach!

Kie and I enjoying the views of the beach

Sorrento

My attempt of capturing the town

The beach in Rye (on the way home from Sorrento)

Rye Beach

On the drive up the coast

On Sunday, we went to the city to hang out.  We ate lunch at a restaurant in one of those alley ways that I love.

Where we ate lunch

Another alley way that I love!

View of the city

On Wed., the 27th we celebrated Australia Day!  It is a bit like our Independence Day. From what I've gathered it is celebrating the first fleet of British that arrived in Australia, but more importantly a barbie is mandatory and the beach is strongly encouraged!  Kie, Tony, Bridie and I went to Mordiallic beach for a barbie of burgers, chicken skewers and sausages.  It was delicious!

Kie and me on the way to celebrate Aussie Day!

Mordiallic Beach!

The boys manning the Barbie

Bridie and me with our Aussie tattoos!

Kie and me celebrating Australian day in Australian Fashion!

Group photo!

Some more exciting news!  I have been contacted by an Australian family that is friends with a lady I worked with in Omaha, (Gale, if you are reading this--You Rock!!! Thanks for giving Sam my info :)!!!)  Sam and her family live in West Melbourne and we have made plans for brunch on Sun.,Feb. 20th.  I can't wait! She sounds amazing!  Kie and I are planning on going down Great Ocean Road (if you watched Oprah you would see it, if not you will just have to wait for my account :) ) and on our way back stopping to meet Sam and her family!

Alright, I am sure I am forgetting some other major info, but I am going to try my hardest from now on to keep this thing updated!  Right now though, the beach is calling me!! This weekend is suppose to get up in the 100s!!! (Don't worry mom I will go armed with my sunscreen!)  I look forward to hearing updates from back home!

I'll leave you with a few pics of what I have found funny in Australia...

Shopping Trolleys, not carts!

Drive thru "bottle shops"

They don't sell alcohol at "petrol" stations so they have these drive-thrus all around!

I love and miss you all!!!xx