Colin and I have been meaning to take up swimming for a while now. I am a terrible swimmer and I get a little claustrophobic when I stick my head underwater, which makes me his new project. Tonight was the night. First we had to drop a movie off at the nearest movie rental store, which is in the next suburb over. I was a little anxious about the time because the pool closes at 8 and we were just leaving home at 6:20. We quickly bike over to the movie store but decide to take a different route to the pool, in the dark, and we’ve only ridden past the pool once before. We get incredibly lost. I didn’t recognize anything and when we finally figured out where we were I was astounded that we had gotten ourselves that turned around. Over here I have no concept of North, South, East, or West unless I can see ocean.
We end up getting to the pool just before 7. We run into our respective change rooms and as I’m about to walk into the little change booth, I notice a sign saying, ‘This is a change room, not a toilet’. Shudder. There are little baby cockroaches in my room but the tiny ones don’t bother me as much. As I root around my knapsack I realize that in my haste I forgot to pack a bathing suit top. What to do, what to do? I dissect my bag hoping that I just missed it and it’s hiding in there somewhere. Nope. I eventually decide to wear the ol’ bra and we’ll just use the outdoor, and hopefully dark, pool. I wrap up in my towel and go to meet Colin in the waiting area. He’s standing there holding my bathing suit top and asks me, “What took you so long?”
I think if any female had been in the opposite situation, the UNIVERSAL course of action upon the discovery of her mate’s swimming garb would be to walk over to the men’s change room and just yell inside that you’ve got his bathing suit. Alternatively, you could just send a nearby man in there with the suit.
I look at Colin holding my bathing suit and ask him what he thought I was going to walk out here wearing. “Couldn’t you figure out what was taking me so long?” I don’t even remember what his reply was because I was so stunned. I don’t blame him. I blame his gender.
We only did laps for 30 minutes but we had a great time and were pretty tired when we left. I was grateful for the bathing suit because the outdoor pool is extremely well lit AND there was a kids swim club practicing beside us. I think we’ve found our new hobby.
E.
Monday, May 31, 2010
Monday, May 24, 2010
The Weekend
I knew the day would come when I'd likely have to go to the doctor here. Fortunately the office I work in is half dental, half medical. At about 3pm Friday afternoon I figured I'd see if I could get into the walk in clinic before the end of the day. 20 minutes after I put my name down they called me in. It was a little strange because the doctor had her desk and examination bed all in the same room. I sat down at the desk, told her what I thought was wrong with me, she asked me if I wanted her to do any further testing, I said "no thanks." Then she said, "okay, that costs extra anyways" and then wrote me a prescription. I had to pay $50 for seeing the doctor because I don't have an Australian medicare card, but I'll likely be reimbursed most of that amount with the health coverage we have here. Then I walked down the street, dropped and picked up my prescription (it only took 1 minute for it to be filled), and went back to work. How easy was that!?
Ironically I waited before taking the prescription because I wasn't 100% positive that I needed it, and sure enough, I didn't! I wasn't feeling well Saturday, so we stayed close to home. With the exception of our usual Flemington market trip that we take on Saturdays. We're now seasoned marketers, so we know which vendors we like, what we want, and how much we should be paying. Once again I searched for figs, and once again was disappointed that only one man carried them. I will hold out until I find a vendor with manners. Fig season is basically over so if I find someone carrying them they were likely bought from my nemesis and then resold for higher profit.
Sunday we went to a Blues and Jazz festival at Darling Harbor. It's such a fun part of town, and most weekends plays host to free events. The highlight was a Canadian musician named Harry Manx. We also swung by the snow travel expo to enter a draw for a 10 day all expense paid trip to the Canadian Rockies! I felt pretty cool walking around the expo knowing that I had been to a handful of the mountains. On the draw form we had to write down 20 words or less why we thought we deserved the trip. I wrote on mine that I am a Canadian citizen trapped in Australia and feeling very snow-sick. Colin wrote that he's a poor physio student in need of a break. I hope we were pathetic enough to win.
Here is just a tiny peak at Darling Harbor:
Colin has finals beginning in 2 weeks. CRAZY! In other Colin news, please log onto facebook if you want to see a video of Man vs. Duck. Enjoy!
E.
P.S- It's gotten a bit chilly out and I've noticed that our roomates don't open their window anymore. Their room smells TERRIBLE. Every time their bedroom door opens I get this old, sour stink that infiltrates my nostrils. They eat in there and often dry their clothes in their room as well. Is there a kind way to bring this up in conversation or do I just hold my breath and hope that they too notice the stench?
Ironically I waited before taking the prescription because I wasn't 100% positive that I needed it, and sure enough, I didn't! I wasn't feeling well Saturday, so we stayed close to home. With the exception of our usual Flemington market trip that we take on Saturdays. We're now seasoned marketers, so we know which vendors we like, what we want, and how much we should be paying. Once again I searched for figs, and once again was disappointed that only one man carried them. I will hold out until I find a vendor with manners. Fig season is basically over so if I find someone carrying them they were likely bought from my nemesis and then resold for higher profit.
Sunday we went to a Blues and Jazz festival at Darling Harbor. It's such a fun part of town, and most weekends plays host to free events. The highlight was a Canadian musician named Harry Manx. We also swung by the snow travel expo to enter a draw for a 10 day all expense paid trip to the Canadian Rockies! I felt pretty cool walking around the expo knowing that I had been to a handful of the mountains. On the draw form we had to write down 20 words or less why we thought we deserved the trip. I wrote on mine that I am a Canadian citizen trapped in Australia and feeling very snow-sick. Colin wrote that he's a poor physio student in need of a break. I hope we were pathetic enough to win.
Here is just a tiny peak at Darling Harbor:
Colin has finals beginning in 2 weeks. CRAZY! In other Colin news, please log onto facebook if you want to see a video of Man vs. Duck. Enjoy!
E.
P.S- It's gotten a bit chilly out and I've noticed that our roomates don't open their window anymore. Their room smells TERRIBLE. Every time their bedroom door opens I get this old, sour stink that infiltrates my nostrils. They eat in there and often dry their clothes in their room as well. Is there a kind way to bring this up in conversation or do I just hold my breath and hope that they too notice the stench?
Monday, May 17, 2010
π
Change happens and I can’t alter that truth. It’s getting cold out now and all I can do is put on a sweater and wait for this season to pass. As we move into autumn, Canada heads into spring. Life continues around us and without us. It doesn’t matter where I am because change is inevitable. I’m not home sick, I just wish for time to stand still while I’m gone. People aren’t allowed to get married, have babies, move away, or grow up while we’re gone. And when we said goodbye to everyone, it was under the impression that we would see each of you again. These last 10 days have been the first time I’ve felt the 12 000+ km that span between us and almost everyone we love, and it’s an isolated, sucky feeling.
We’ve been gone 104 days now and seeing Colin motor through this semester has been a comforting reminder that this time will pass and one day be a distant memory. I’m trying to appreciate it for what it is, because it is truly a once in a lifetime experience, but the joys and sorrows are challenging when you feel like a far away fraction of something bigger and better.
Just before I was born, my mom explained to my brother that a family was like a big love pie and the more people, the more pie to share. We like to tease her about this analogy because my brother was 4 at the time and only saw his slice getting smaller and smaller. I’m from an awesome family, and I married into an awesome family, and I’m basically only a crumb at this point because there’s so many of you, but I’ve never felt so loved. Being away from the rest of the pie is a bittersweet reminder how good it is to reside on the same plate. (Too far?)
E
We’ve been gone 104 days now and seeing Colin motor through this semester has been a comforting reminder that this time will pass and one day be a distant memory. I’m trying to appreciate it for what it is, because it is truly a once in a lifetime experience, but the joys and sorrows are challenging when you feel like a far away fraction of something bigger and better.
Just before I was born, my mom explained to my brother that a family was like a big love pie and the more people, the more pie to share. We like to tease her about this analogy because my brother was 4 at the time and only saw his slice getting smaller and smaller. I’m from an awesome family, and I married into an awesome family, and I’m basically only a crumb at this point because there’s so many of you, but I’ve never felt so loved. Being away from the rest of the pie is a bittersweet reminder how good it is to reside on the same plate. (Too far?)
E
Monday, May 3, 2010
An Evelyn update
Last night I stayed up until 2am thinking that I would try and skype my nephews baptism. My efforts were redundant so I went to bed at 2:15, then got a phone call at 7:30 because someone was sick at work. So much for laundry today. I actually started closing my eyes at 4pm while working because it burned too much to keep 'em open.
If you want to eat restaurant food, it is about 20% more expensive to stay there vs. getting it as "take away" and eating it on a park bench. You can take a wild guess as to where we dine.
My fashion forward friend, Jen, told me that Australia is ahead of Canada in style. I'm sure its the the one thing that comes to Canada after Australia. But you've been forewarned, the 80's are coming back with a vengeance! Bad haircuts (especially rat tails) and fanny packs are making a comeback. Beat the rush and get yours today! I will try to post some indiscreet pictures.
And last but not least: last night on the train my ears were being violated with terrible and loud music, so I turned to glare at the offender only to find myself staring at an aboriginal midget. I decided that she was allowed to listen to her music as loudly as she wanted.
You're now up to date!
E.
If you want to eat restaurant food, it is about 20% more expensive to stay there vs. getting it as "take away" and eating it on a park bench. You can take a wild guess as to where we dine.
My fashion forward friend, Jen, told me that Australia is ahead of Canada in style. I'm sure its the the one thing that comes to Canada after Australia. But you've been forewarned, the 80's are coming back with a vengeance! Bad haircuts (especially rat tails) and fanny packs are making a comeback. Beat the rush and get yours today! I will try to post some indiscreet pictures.
And last but not least: last night on the train my ears were being violated with terrible and loud music, so I turned to glare at the offender only to find myself staring at an aboriginal midget. I decided that she was allowed to listen to her music as loudly as she wanted.
You're now up to date!
E.
Saturday, May 1, 2010
R-E-S-P-E-C-T
As loud as I may be sometimes, I'm actually quite the introvert. Lately though, my world has been turned upside down and shifted to a different continent. In February and March I was bombarded with difficult days and stretching situations. I kept thinking that this was just too hard because so many doors were shut in my face. Sometimes even literally. I realized that in life you have two choices: to freeze in the headlights, or grow a pair and keep going. I have good days and bad, but today was great!
This morning we went to Flemmington Market which takes place every Saturday in a giant industrial warehouse. It's filled to the brim with fruits, veges, seafood, meat, crappy nik naks and clothes. There are thousands of people milling about; half are buying and the other half are yelling "$1" It's crazy & loud. We bought lots of goodies, and our friends bought a giant bbq. Around 2:00 we started heading out and Colin & I noticed that there was 1 guy in the whole place selling figs. Perfect, I thought, I could make a cool fig recipe that I've been wanting to try. We take a look at them trying to decide if we want the nice box for $15 or the crappy one for $10. This guy didn't have any other customers there and the market was going to be shutting down in the next half hour, so he throws the grossest $15 box into Colin's hands and says $10. hmmm...okay why not. I start digging into my pockets scrounging out my $5 bill and change that hopefully added up to $5. I had spent literally 3 seconds taking money out when all of a sudden this guy starts yelling at me and telling me to "stop mucking around!" I froze. I looked at him expecting him to smile and laugh, but he just stared me down. I took the box from Colin's arms and threw them back into this big Aussie's arms and said, "You can keep them. You're a dick." And then I walked away from my dessert.
I don't know what I would have done a couple of months ago, but I'm pretty sure it would have ended in tears. Today I felt empowered. Nobody yells at me when I'm trying to purchase figs! I wish I had done it a little different, but hindsight teaches us how to be better. Next time I'll just put the box down and tell him that I don't buy produce from weiners. And then the time after that I'll just laugh and walk away. The point is... someone yelled at me and I didn't cry! I'm such a mature 25 year old.
My birthday was last Tuesday and I didn't tell anyone at work. I told myself that it was too awkward to bring up in a new job but I still spent the day feeling a teensy bit sorry for myself. Yesterday one of my coworkers randomly asked when my birthday was, counted the 3 days in between April 30th and April 27th, realized we worked together that day, and then gave me crap for keeping it a secret. Then they took me out for lunch and we're having cake on Monday. It was overwhelmingly kind and made me feel warm and fuzzy.
E.
This morning we went to Flemmington Market which takes place every Saturday in a giant industrial warehouse. It's filled to the brim with fruits, veges, seafood, meat, crappy nik naks and clothes. There are thousands of people milling about; half are buying and the other half are yelling "$1" It's crazy & loud. We bought lots of goodies, and our friends bought a giant bbq. Around 2:00 we started heading out and Colin & I noticed that there was 1 guy in the whole place selling figs. Perfect, I thought, I could make a cool fig recipe that I've been wanting to try. We take a look at them trying to decide if we want the nice box for $15 or the crappy one for $10. This guy didn't have any other customers there and the market was going to be shutting down in the next half hour, so he throws the grossest $15 box into Colin's hands and says $10. hmmm...okay why not. I start digging into my pockets scrounging out my $5 bill and change that hopefully added up to $5. I had spent literally 3 seconds taking money out when all of a sudden this guy starts yelling at me and telling me to "stop mucking around!" I froze. I looked at him expecting him to smile and laugh, but he just stared me down. I took the box from Colin's arms and threw them back into this big Aussie's arms and said, "You can keep them. You're a dick." And then I walked away from my dessert.
I don't know what I would have done a couple of months ago, but I'm pretty sure it would have ended in tears. Today I felt empowered. Nobody yells at me when I'm trying to purchase figs! I wish I had done it a little different, but hindsight teaches us how to be better. Next time I'll just put the box down and tell him that I don't buy produce from weiners. And then the time after that I'll just laugh and walk away. The point is... someone yelled at me and I didn't cry! I'm such a mature 25 year old.
My birthday was last Tuesday and I didn't tell anyone at work. I told myself that it was too awkward to bring up in a new job but I still spent the day feeling a teensy bit sorry for myself. Yesterday one of my coworkers randomly asked when my birthday was, counted the 3 days in between April 30th and April 27th, realized we worked together that day, and then gave me crap for keeping it a secret. Then they took me out for lunch and we're having cake on Monday. It was overwhelmingly kind and made me feel warm and fuzzy.
E.
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