Nat & Chrissi

The neverending list

noreply@blogger.com (alycepaige) — Mon, 07 Dec 2009 11:04:00 +0000

Cravings are weird when you cant just run to store and pick it up...the current list.
Gardettos
Hersheys syrup
Double stuffed Oreos
Lucky charms
Candy corn
Cracker jacks
Fruit roll ups
Ranch dip
Cheddar and sour cream chips
Banana peppers
Velveeta cheese
Larosas wing sauce
Sturkey spice
Sturkey dressing
Gold bond powder
Cream of wheat
Easy cheese
Honeycomb
Chocolate jello cook and serve
Chex mix
Caramel topping
Bisquick
Aunt jemima syrup
... It's the curse of wanting what you can't have.

Best thing about Australia? Great exotic fruit. Good produce. There just isn't the same variety as there is in the states. Weird the things you miss. What are your favorite foods that you eat all the time?

chrissi alice

Better late than never

noreply@blogger.com (alycepaige) — Thu, 26 Nov 2009 12:12:00 +0000

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!! love you all and will miss you this holiday season. ;)

chrissi alice

noreply@blogger.com (alycepaige) — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 07:05:00 +0000

I doubt you can read it. It's called HAIR ARTZ. a MOBILE HAIR SALON. seriously!!! I tried to get pic. But obviously unsuccessful but it's sorta proof it exists if you take my word for it ;)!!

chrissi alice

How cute

noreply@blogger.com (alycepaige) — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 07:10:00 +0000

I love my baby. Nat loves that she is on the bushes.

chrissi alice

Aussie word of the day

noreply@blogger.com (alycepaige) — Thu, 15 Oct 2009 07:23:00 +0000

Todays word: JUMPER

ANSWER to yesterdays phrase: flat out means "busy" sometimes it ends with other funniness like "flat out like a dog on lino" picture a dog trying to run on linolieum..dog on lino. Or "flat out like a drinking lizard". Now imagine a drunk lizard. Most people just say "flat out"

chrissi alice

Aussie phrase of day

noreply@blogger.com (alycepaige) — Wed, 14 Oct 2009 09:39:00 +0000

It really isn't any fun If you guys, other than Carol..thanks btw, don't try to guess!

Todays phrase:
Flat out

Answer to arvo: used as a shortened word for "afternoon". It's too much effort to say afternoon!! Cause Aussies lingo is basically cutting word in half and adding a "y" or "o" at end.

chrissi alice

Aussie Word of the day

noreply@blogger.com (alycepaige) — Tue, 13 Oct 2009 13:25:00 +0000

Arvo.
Do u know what it means? Take a gander...

Answer to "chuckin' a sickie" is what Americans coin as "playing hookey" callin in sick even though u r not.

chrissi alice

Guess that Aussie phrase

noreply@blogger.com (alycepaige) — Mon, 12 Oct 2009 09:50:00 +0000

Chuckin' a sickie

chrissi alice

Eventful week

noreply@blogger.com (alycepaige) — Sun, 04 Oct 2009 08:31:00 +0000

Carol was saying that I don't post enough pictures so here goes. Aunt Faith (Mother in law's sister) came into Brisbane this week. It was actually perfect timing because I was on semester break so I could entertain her. It was such a treat to have her here. She reminds me A LOT of Hope, so it was like having Hope here. It was also nice to have family here. She arrived on Tuesday but I had to stay home Wednesday to wait for routine inspection of property. Thursday I went to pick her up at her hotel and we went shopping at outlet malls by the airport. After some detours (gps and construction don't mix!) we FINALLY got to the DFO (Direct Factory Outlets). It was the first time I have really gone shopping and found anything i liked. Faith (being just like Hope) wouldn't let me pay for anything, although I was prepared to buy. I feel in love with this dress but it unfortunately didnt have my size. I am debating going to buy smaller size and figure out a way to fix into it. =) Its awesome dress.
So all day Thursday we were shopping, but never got much farther than DFO. We then went to pick up Nat and work and went back to our house and then out to dinner at Nandos!! We love Nandos--(www.nandos.com.au). When we dropped her off at the hotel, she gave us a care package...chocolate is not good to send cause it melts, but when you come on plane, its perfectly fine!! I got Cracker Jacks (was craving caramel popcorn); milkduds; reese cups; peanut m&ms; candy corn (yummy!! and FUNNY when you give to dogs hahhaha); some sloppy joe mix and other seasoning; Hidden Valley Ranch Dressing Mix (cause ranch here tastes like mayonnaise); and TUPPERWARE!! I am so excited to have Tupperware (or rather Rubbermaid) that closes...awesomeness.
Friday Faith and I got together for lunch and went to Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary (www.koala.net). It was the first time I have seen Koalas upclose and actually got to hold one...for like 2 minutes, enough time for them to take a picture. They are like babies. They grab on to you like your the momma and are really soft, but dont smell so good. They are so LAZY!! They were all either sleeping or eating...but they all had a different look to them, mainly reminded me of bunch of old men.

We also got up close and personal with a few other animals.

That was an eventful day! We also drove around a bit to where Faith used to live so she could reminisce. Again, went to pick Nat up at work and went out to dinner at Lone Star, yum. I wanted to go to a nice place that we had found, but we don't get out much so it was Lone Star. We came back home and skyped with Hope, Faith, Nat and me. It was nice to see mom. I wish she could have been here!!

Saturday Nat slept in a bit (i try but I don't get past 6:30am)--he wasn't feeling well so I figured he needed to sleep it off. I think he has allergies or something, or the remnants of the dust storm last week. Faith treated us to the Story Bridge Climb. (www.storybridgeadventureclimb.com.au) We met up for lunch at SouthBank -- basically a Brisbane beach in the city with markets, street performers and food court. It was pretty muggy though. We caught the ferry (water bus) to the climb. I took a couple pics of the city so you get an idea of what it looks like. The river is like a snake so it winds around. It really is a pretty city. Hard to believe that there are 14 million people in Brisbane alone, when Faith lived here 15 years ago, there was only 14 million in entire COUNTRY of Australia. Its rumoured that 10,000 migrate to Bribane A WEEK...growing pains coming soon?? Sorta sad, give it a couple years and it will be more like New York than Cincinnati (future blog, I am making a list of similarities between Cincinnati and Brisbane). Nat and I agreed that we really felt like TOURISTS this weekend.

THIS IS THE STORY BRIDGE THAT WE CLIMBED:

And finally, here is a pic of my "aussie-wanna-be" husband. These hats are surprizingly popular and I must admit, it is pretty cool. But I am convinced that i am much cuter in it than he is.

I think that is it for now. i am going to try to take some pictures at school this week so you can see where I go everyday. Basically I am trying to prove Carol wrong and flooding you with images! =)

Love you all!!
c.ALIce

Koalas

noreply@blogger.com (alycepaige) — Fri, 02 Oct 2009 22:12:00 +0000

Aren't they cute?

chrissi alice

Dust to dust

noreply@blogger.com (alycepaige) — Wed, 23 Sep 2009 06:30:00 +0000

It's like a thunderstorm without the rain and in place of rain is dust. Cover your mouth and eyes cause it sucks to have dust there. It's my first ever, kinda cool.
It's like a thick fog where you can't see much of anything but it's not fog. It's dust.

chrissi alice

Video of Girls and Nat

noreply@blogger.com (alycepaige) — Mon, 14 Sep 2009 20:29:00 +0000

Check out video at http://alycepaige.blogspot.com/

Girls arrived safely. Read all about it on other blog!

Home sweet home

noreply@blogger.com (alycepaige) — Mon, 14 Sep 2009 05:35:00 +0000

Long time coming but the girls are finally here safe an sound!!!

chrissi alice

Down to the hours

noreply@blogger.com (alycepaige) — Mon, 14 Sep 2009 03:31:00 +0000

On way to airport to pick up girls. Whoo Hoo!!

chrissi alice

Almost

noreply@blogger.com (alycepaige) — Sat, 12 Sep 2009 09:01:00 +0000

The girls are almost here. We will pick them up from the airport on Monday afternoon. We went out today and got food, bowls, toys and treats. There was this adorable puppy at puppy store that was hard to resist bringing home. Can't wait for girls to get here cause hopefully the puppy-wanting phase will go away!!

chrissi alice

Countdown

noreply@blogger.com (alycepaige) — Wed, 09 Sep 2009 22:16:00 +0000

FOUR MORE DAYS!!!

chrissi alice

Bioscience midterm

noreply@blogger.com (alycepaige) — Mon, 07 Sep 2009 11:39:00 +0000

Missed more than I thought I did so little disappointed but better than most...82.5. 33 out of 40.

chrissi alice

noreply@blogger.com (alycepaige) — Sat, 29 Aug 2009 02:37:00 +0000

Looks like chipotle. Acts like chipotle. NOT CHIPOTLE!!!

chrissi alice

Check it out...

noreply@blogger.com (alycepaige) — Wed, 19 Aug 2009 10:45:00 +0000

http://www.dogwalks.com.au/cpg/thumbnails.php?album=182

album of our girls while in quarantine.

Things to write home about!

noreply@blogger.com (alycepaige) — Mon, 03 Aug 2009 10:29:00 +0000

Today we got a call from moving company and apparently our shipment will be delivered on WEDNESDAY!! I am SO freaking excited to sleep in my bed. I am hoping and praying that everything comes undamaged. I am also anxious for knives that cut and clothes and shoes. It will be an AWESOME day. We did end up getting 35% reimbursement from moving company for the long delay...I haven't seen the money in my account yet, but they said it was coming.
Also, we are DAYS away from the girls being here in Australia. They leave Monroe Ohio on August 11th and get to Sydney on August 14th. PLEASE PRAY that Quarantine doesn't raise their daily per Diem until after they are finished with 30 day stay. Right now it is $30.10/day for both dogs and they are "threatening" to raise rates to $73/day in August (but apparently they have been saying that for 2 years) --- which is NOT what we budgeted for and would double our quarantine expense. They will be delivered here on September 14 and I cant imagine how exciting it will be!!
When they get here it will be final and permanent. They make house feel like home.
School has been going well. I am trying really hard to keep up and learn everything I need to learn and retain all the information. It has seriously taken over my life. Nat has been very supportive and has even taken me to the movies nearly every weekend. Its a nice break for us to have a date night and we enjoy the cinema.

Well thats it..i am pathetic and am in bed by 9-9:30pm (5:30AM comes too soon!!)

Love you all
Chrissi

ok ok i slack i slack...

noreply@blogger.com (alycepaige) — Mon, 20 Jul 2009 10:39:00 +0000

there is really no good excuse for not updating our blog. no good excuse at all. I could run down some key moments for you.
1. LOVE that my mom is now on Skype--her camera sucks and we need to practice waiting for the delay and not talking over each other...but its very cool! WAY TO GO MOM!!
2. LOVE skyping with sisters and in-laws. Its always a pleasure to chat with everyone. Even if its just sitting and staring at Cheryl giving Etta lovin' -- it still makes my day!
3. Unfortuantely skyping will be limited now because of school, but still available early on Wed (your tues night) and Fri (your thurs night) and of course the weekends.
4. Found out today in class that after my first semester of Clinical I will be awarded a certificate and I will be able to get a job within aged care...yeah...paying job! Fingers crossed anyway.
5. Hung out with a REALLY cool girl...Felicity...and am missing other cool girl...DANIELLE (are you EVER coming back!!?)
6. Nat loves his job, has time-consuming project right now that requires him to work over the weekends and stays late at work, but he enjoys it. He is an awesome hubby...especially with helping around the house.
7. Nat started playing sand volleyball on Tuesday nights. I warmed up with him last week and was WORE OUT after like 10 minutes. It took me the next 45 minutes to stop wheezing.
8. Speaking of wheezing..we FINALLY got a vacuum cleaner this weekend. It was WAY overdue. I had been wheezing since Fluke got here, and even after he left...but I am way better now that we have vacuumed the house and the couch. Of course we got a Dyson, but considering no name vacuums were $250, spending $370 was worth it for knowing you had a good one. It was marked down over 50%. Here in AU they prefer canister/barrel vacuum so preferring upright worked in our favor. Nat would have preferred barrel, but I preferred the price!
9. I am waiting for the month where money isnt tight.
10. First day of school was good. I think I will like my Clinical Practice 1 class. Lecturer is super funny and easy to understand. Tomorrow will be the test--PHARMACOLOGY!!! shoot me now! I had always heard horror stories...just start praying now!
11. We havent really had any great adventures lately...I went to Gold Coast with Cheryl (Nat's boss' wife) to see whales, to no avail, but we were at the beach so that was good enough for me. She also introduced me to an outlet mall...now if only #9 would get settled.
12. Found out last week that our shipment wont be delivered until mid-August. We are disgruntled. It was supposed to be AT THE MOST 3 months...and now it is going into 5 months. I would really like some new selection of clothes. I am tired of wearing the same outfits. NOT TO MENTION MY BED!!! I know we talk about it alot...but compared to what we have now...I want to sleep through the night. At this rate, the girls will get here BEFORE the bed. What is really frustrating is that the shipment has past all the checkpoints, and now its just sitting in Melbourne until July 30, then it will get sent here and not get here till around Aug 10--THEN they schedule delivery...UGH!
13. Girls had their vet appointment on Thursday last week. Blood work and external parasite check. Vet seems to think Etta has fleas which could delay her arrival...so please please please let it not be fleas!!! We miss our girls TERRIBLY! Nat was TOO close to buying puppy this weekend...I must monitor our mall visits to stay away from pet stores. less than 30 days and they will be in AU, less than 60 days and they will be HERE!! I hope time flies!
14. Write comments. I like to know you are reading.
15. I cant think of anything else right now...plus I have to get to bed so I can rise and shine tomorrow am. Tuesdays are going to suck...i have class from 8-9AM then 3-5PM...I guess I need to learn how to study somewhere in the middle.
16. Love you all!!
17. Miss you all!!
18. Bye.

Geting Better...

noreply@blogger.com (alycepaige) — Sun, 05 Jul 2009 10:01:00 +0000

So tonight I made chocolate chip cookies from scratch. They arent bad but would be SO much better with real chocolate chips. At least this time they are gooey and not hard as rocks! Flour lesson learned! I also made Chicken Divan and it was awesome!! The cheese is a little different, but overall it tastes the same...so I guess I will be ok here.
I went to to Tupperware party on Saturday afternoon, after I talked to mom, Cheryl Carol Hope and Steve on Skype. It was pretty good. Always awkward meeting people for the first time. After the party I stuck around a little longer and had some good conversation with Sarah, Felicity and Wendy. I think that was more fun than the party. I ended up getting home later than I intended, but I also put myself out there. Monday night there is a group of girls (from same general group) to that going to see a movie. Felicity is a God-send, as well as Hans and Danielle. I wish Danielle was here to play with us. I am hoping that there is a woman's bible study/small group that I can get involved in. So far so good...met two girls...and they are both awesome!
I have been having this issue with DirecTV. We left DirecTV connected so Cheryl and Carol could use it. They pay the monthly but its in our name. Well they decided they didnt want it anymore so we needed to cancel it. They wanted to charge me $280 cancellation fee. It was RIDICULOUS. I wouldnt recommend them to anyone. It took me like 3 phone calls, and 5 emails (apparently they took me seriously when I asked for the address to report them to BBB). They cancelled my service on Friday night (even though I had not asked them to) and I got an email this morning saying that they wouldnt charge the early cancellation fee. I explained to them that I moved out of the country and they STILL refused to waive it. It finally got sent to a "specialist" that "apparently" waived it. We will see with our final bill! The emails were pretty heated. I could not fathom a company refusing to waive a cancellation fee, especially since they couldnt provide service. They just kept telling me that we signed a contract. In one email they said "we must assume that they (being me) have considered all other options and circumstances that might transpire while they are still under commitment." Thats right, because when I signed up I looked into my magic crystal ball and said "oh yes, we will be here in 2 years..." RETARDED!! Anyway, in the end I "apparently" got the fee waived...so YEAH!
Nat has been pretty hermit-ish the last couple weekends. We tend to stay home and veg out. Not all that bad, but there is so much to see and do. He does work all week so it is sorta his only time to unwind, so I understand.
Also I would like to introduce you to FLUKE. He was rescued from a pound on Friday. He was to be euthanized so we saved his life. He is absolutely adorable and very gentle and calm. He has made himself right at home. I am not sure what kind of dog he is, but definately some kelpie (AU Sheep dog). We are supposed to have him up to 6 weeks or until someone adopts him but I am very allergic to him. I have to call the lady tomorrow and tell her she will have to take him back. I have been drugged up on anti-histamines and asthma meds (and using inhaler 4+ times a day, which is unusual) plus my nose is a mess. He has a lot of dander and I cant bear it! I hate to give him back, but I cant breathe and I kind of need that. Hopefully she can find someone else that can take him.

well i think that is it for now! The girls will be leaving USA in 6 weeks! HOPEFULLY we will get out crate in 2 weeks and I start school in 2 weeks (OH DEAR!!)
Love you all!!

Mrs. P

Mini-Update

noreply@blogger.com (alycepaige) — Mon, 29 Jun 2009 10:46:00 +0000

I guess I have been sorta slacking in the blogging category. Last week was pretty busy but other than that I really have no good excuse. I will say that i was waiting around for Nat to contribute but I have a feeling we would be waiting a long time.
Its been pretty lazy around here. Weekends are set aside for resting and grocery shopping for the most part. And visited pet stores to see the cute puppies. I swear if they weren't $900/each we would already have a house full. As for school, I finally got my class times and with all the lectures, tutorials and labs I have a total of 12 class times for 5 classes. Time to start living at QUT!! I passed my first aid class on Friday so I am geared up and prepared for first semester of nursing school. I have about 21 days until my first day. I love to countdown! I will need to buy some books, approximately $900AU worth. That is NO FUN! We still have a couple more months before the expenses slow down. We will be ok it seems, hopefully, as long as financial aid goes through, otherwise I have no idea how I am going to afford $9000AU a semester!! God will provide if need be. He has been very generous up until this point. I have some prayers out there that have the ear of God. I am working on myself...just taking a little discipline.
I am excited about nursing, but also a little timid. Its been a long time since I had to study and retain information. I am worried my brain is dead.
Nat really seems to like his job. They are giving him challenging puzzles for him to figure out which makes it fun for him. He really likes to figure things out, I on the other hand get a little lost when he tried to explain it to me.
Our crate is in Melbourne and will be there for another 10-15 days and then (fingers crossed) we will have our shipment. Nat returned some final paperwork today so we should be good to have it delivered in the next couple weeks. I am SO excited for my bed!! The girls wont be here till Mid-September and we miss them terribly!! I am not sure we can go another weekend staring at adorable puppies without bringing one home...MUST BE STRONG!!
We had some EXCITING news on the homefront. Congratulations are in order for a special someone. We of course are thrilled, but sorta bummed we wont be there to experience it. If you are reading...CONGRATS.
We had a great conversation with Hope and Steve on Sunday. Its becoming a routine event. We dont mind at all. I am hoping that my mom gets her skype set up this weekend while my sisters are there so we can video chat with her as well VERY soon.
I have been trying my hand at cooking. Its quite annoying that they dont have anything pre-packaged (such as cookies, crescent rolls, biscuits, pizza dough, etc) and I have to resort to make everything from scratch. The difficulty is that we are metric system and most of the recipes I have found here in Au use ml and g...I am not sure how to convert 150g into cups. My first experience with pizza dough was not so great and the cookies were a DISASTER. Note to self: use all purpose flour as opposed to self-rising...there really is a difference!!
I was blessed last week with bunches of care packages. Hope sent us several care packages with books and gum. My sisters FINALLY got around to mailing my list...they kept saying they would mail it when I stopped adding things. So I am perfectly content with my ranch dip packets, gum, dressing and spices. I am rather surprized they got through customs!! YEAH!! I am good with koolaid for eternity!! SO much better than tang!
Well I cant think of anything else to write about. If you want to know about anything specific feel free to ask on comments and I will respond. Its hard sometimes to know what to write about when it seems so mundane to me.
Love you all
Chrissi

Nothing Special

noreply@blogger.com (alycepaige) — Mon, 15 Jun 2009 12:05:00 +0000

I fear that writing here too much ends up being quite redundant. I supposed there are new interesting things going on in life but nothing worthy of blogging about..cause who really cares about broken dishwasher and lack of water pressure. Who has ever heard of a "water saving shower head" -- doesn't that defeat the purpose?
I have been having itches to get into a good bible study. Nat has been reading non-stop for weeks and I figure its something I can do while I wait for SOMEONE to call me back on all my job applications. Plus, like I said, an itching (or urge is probably a better word). I read Carols blog and now I am a bit scared that HE will ask me to give something up and turn my world upside down...I guess that is what HE is supposed to do.
I have been trying to figure out my potential class schedule. I dont get to actually "fight" for them until June 24. It sorta sucks because I was thinking that I could cram all my classes into 2-3 days and then not have to go up to campus (hour busride) everyday...but doesnt look like its going to work out for me. From what I see, I will have to be there everyday. Funny about those nursing classes...its a lecture, a tutoring session and a lab...so for 5 classes I have 12 class periods. Cant turn back now.
So this weekend we are going on a trip with Natalie to Mt. Tamborine. I think it will be awesome! Another hiking adventure. We were lazy this past weekend, sitting around the house and going shopping (with our eyes).
We got a nice surprize last week by getting a call from dad (Ken). It was nice to hear a familiar voice and I think Ken was desperate to know about Nat's work...since Nat is a HUGE slacker and wont blog. He was doing so well! I also got to Skype with my sisters, chat online with Vanessa and Skype with Hope and Steve. A good week I would say of being loved from all angles. Also a shout out to Hope for saving us from starvation--you really are the BEST mother-in-law EVER! I would send you a thank you card, but card stores here are LAME and only have really BAD generic thank you cards or birthday cards...where is a Hallmark when you need one?
Hans and Danielle are off to the states. Before they left, she gave me a couple places in Brisbane that may sell "american" things. Like Dr.Pepper and Cherry Coke...and Chocolate made by hersheys. I am going to go on a little adventure tomorrow to see what they have. I figured out the bus route and I am planning on braving it. I would take the car, but I dont really like driving downtown plus its a small fortune to park. This grand mall also is rumored to have a starbucks...who am i kidding, thats all i really want. An hour bus ride for a Caramel White Chocolate Mocha (hey I have to WALK to bus stop so that will burn all the calories off--right?)
I have to ride the bus up there (downtown Brisbane City) again wednesday to get Hep B shot II -- just trying to get used to it. I also want to drop my resume off to a couple places in the mall at Browns Plains (opposite direction, closer to home) just to fare the bus trip there as well.
I have like 35 days till school starts...it is not coming fast enough, but I am sure when it gets here I will wish it wasnt. I am planning on looking into summer courses as well (just to get a head start and get some classes out of the way)--we will see when the time comes.
Our crate was supposed to dock in Melbourne today, but they havent updated our tracking so we are not sure if it has. I am hoping that it doesnt have to sit in quarantine for 3 months or something crazy because that would SUCK! I am hoping (crossing fingers really tightly) that we will get it by July 1 and everythign will be in good condition. nat and I really miss our girls. We still have about 3 months until they will be here with us. I saw them on Skype while talking to my sisters and ETTA is FAT. She must be a nervous eater (mother like daughter)--I am really worried because she needs to weigh under (or VERY close to) 30 lbs to travel, and she is pushing way past that. Anyone want to help Cheryl help Etta lose weight? (ie, take my dogs for walks). That is SUCH a funny request. =) hahah
Well I cant think of anything else...love you all.

Chrissi

Three Day Weekend

noreply@blogger.com (alycepaige) — Mon, 08 Jun 2009 23:09:00 +0000

Nat was off work on Monday so we got to spend a three-day weekend together. On Saturday we trimmed up the brush in the yard (as much as we could for now). It looks so much prettier when there is definition between the bushes. After that we decided to go on an adventure. Since we are utterly broke, we had to do something cheap. We drove up to Brisbane Forest to go for a trail walk. it was still pretty slushy from all the rain we have been having, but nice none the less. The clerk lady was very helpful with giving us some suggestions on where to go for good trails and good camping. It was a short walk, but still a couple miles.
Sunday was a lazy day. I think Nat slept till noon or something crazy and we went grocery shopping...that was pretty much it. We sit and watch alot of tv, and I am pretty sure I have maxed out my quota of Will and Grace (3 day marathon!! =)) Nat has been on a reading kick, so that doesnt leave much for adventure. I had my reading kick of the century and I have gotten half way through Angels and Demons and just cant finish it. I hope our children get their attitude for reading from their dad, cause I think books are boring. =)
Yesterday (Monday) we went to the Ipswich Nature Center at Queen's Park. We went with our new found friends Hans and Danielle. They really are super cool... They are leaving this week to go back to the states for a couple months. I am jealous that she will be eating mexican crack dip -- thats the only thing that really makes me question my choice to move here....no crack dip...or any good mexican food (i guess the border is a little too far for them to cross!) Too bad I am not an asian food lover....if so, I would be in heaven.
Anyway...I was hoping to finally see my first koala but was disappointed. We did however see lots of lizards and kangeroos of various sizes (and names, but they all looked like kangeroos). We had some good fun with a talking bird (cockatoo) that was very amusing and liked to show off, and apparently really liked to get "scratched", or that was the only thing it knew how to say. I swear if Etta and Sadie could talk that is what they would say too! We had nice conversation and walked through the park and a japanese garden and hung out a bit at the cafe. I am posting some pics below for you to see. I have no idea the names of most of these animals but they are all LAZY!! I wasnt sure if it was nap-time or if all Aussie Animals are just lazy!
Last week I finally got all my paperwork finished for QUT...well at least enough to be accepted with idea of classes. I am going tomorrow to get my Hep-B vaccination and student ID. I also have to have First Aid Certification so I need to sign up for that as well. Its still more than a month off before I even start. I have tried to get a job, but I havent heard much back from the prospects. I think this week I am going to finish up my aussie resume and go fill out some applications. I think it would be fun to work at movie theatre or something like that. It will be easier now that I have some sort of idea when my classes will be. It will be nice to make a little money on my own, hopefully it will help with tuition…cause its not cheap. Luckily its only a 2 year program. I am not for sure how we are going to afford it without financial aid, and that is still up in the air as far as what we can get (if anything). I really hate how money rules life…even when you think you have it all settled it creeps back up on you and kicks your butt.
Nat and I have been living without the use of credit cards, which makes it very difficult. We have been very lucky to make it this far this month. I think it may be a blessing in disguise that we have been denied for every credit card we have applied for. It definitely makes us feel like losers, but at the same time it’s a tough lesson in budgeting. The first couple months are definitely the hardest, but I guess I am becoming a better cook because of it.
We really really really miss our girls. We still have another 3 months before we get them in the country. They most likely wont get delivered to us here in Brisbane until Mid September. Our crate however should be here within the month. Have I mentioned how I WANT MY BED!!! This cheap bed is crap. I would like to sleep THROUGH the night. I swear I wake up every 45 minutes to hour. All well—I can survive couple more weeks.
Well I am getting off here and going to be productive and good housewife.