There will be no great adventure this weekend!

So here it is Satuday evening and I am sitting here blogging....whoo hoo! The reason is because as of Thursday I caught a cold from the youngest child and it subsequently knocked me on my ass. Thursday and Friday I felt like 10lbs of shit in a 5lb bag (I also taught that expression to the Aussies) but today I feel much better then I did, that is for sure. I went out for a little bit today but have to take er easy this weekend so that I am able to fully recover and have great adventure next weekend. That is why "there will be no great adventure this weekend." I am hoping next weekend to do something great, and pretty soon I will have a week off so I need to start planning for that. I think I will head north and check out the reef while I have the time off, but we will see. So for now I just have a few random bits of info and minor rants to keep you entertained :)

The picture I have uploaded is quite funny actually. You remember the special magpie I took a picture of flying into the neighbors window?? Well seems as though the neighbor got tired of this too. So I have spent the week watching this poor woman go to war with this damn bird. She first tried a few CD's taped to the window, but the bird flew into the spot where there were no CD's. Then she moved them to the spot where it was flying, and the bird moved down the fence to the third window down. So she put up CD's on that window too. This caused the bird to disregard the CD's totally. I would watch her come out with a broom as the bird flew back and forth and desperately try to shoo it away. It would leave for 10 minutes but then promptly return. So then she taped bags to the fence, that when the wind blew would make a little noise and move a bit. However the issue is, only when the wind moved. So the bird just landed on top of where the bags were and continued his flight to and from the window. This frustrated the poor neighbor woman and you could see it in her face as she began to throw open the door and swat angrily at the bird on the fence. Then she taped balloons to the windows beside the CD's and since she did that I haven't seen the bird around so hopefully, for her sake, she won the war of magpie and neighbor. I know it might seem stupid to write about this, but I have found it ever so amusing, and I also felt bad for this poor woman, who should have got a 22 and shot the damn thing to start with, but persisted for success. Even the vegetarians said they would have shot the damn thing long ago! So the picture is the last of the neighbor womans window deterrents still up.

I have posted a bunch of photos on facebook for your viewing. Some have been on here, but some have not. So if you are my friend on facebook you can check those out.

Now one of my pet peeves about being down here is that they require bag checks as you leave most stores in the major shopping centres, even small purses. In Canada a store clerk has the right to check your backpack or large bag, but is not allowed to check your purse. Not that I particularly care because I am trying to steal anything. I just find it funny that the bus drivers have an open cash drawer 24 hours a day when you board the bus, but you think everyone is shoplifting from K-mart???? There seems to be little to no logic behind some of the rules and things around here, and since I often carry a backpack with my own water, camera, wallet, phone etc. around with me when I go out, I have become subject to the constant bag checking. Again it is not that I am trying to hide something, but it sure does get annoying having to show my bag to everyone as I exit the store.

Anyways moving on..... I had two different experiences today, neither I would call bad, just funny. I went to one of the shopping centres to see if the post office was open. I needed some shipping materials for presents :). While I was there I was browsing in a cosmetic store. I just went to have a look, it looked interesting from outside the store so I went in. It was funny because one of the women selling the horribly over priced, supposedly designer cosmetics (I don't know how a designer can make cosmetics seeing as it is all basically the same damn thing anyways) who obviously had her make-up gun set on whore, asked me what make up I used. She was very impressed with the look of my face and said that I looked so pretty. Anybody that knows me knows why this is funny. I don't wear make-up! So I was quite surprised, and flattered by the compliment. I do think it was genuine because she wanted to know what I used that made me so pretty, not trying to sell me something. So I guess Matt is a lucky man, lol.

The second experience I had was getting on the bus to return home. Yes that's right, a bus story! Is anyone surprised?? Well thankfully this one isn't about crazy people with guns or threating to stab me. I got on the bus and asked the bus driver if he went to the "Stanhope shopping centre, by the Blacktown Leisure Centre" (I had to stop there for a minute before finally returning home). He sat back in his seat and looked up at me with a weird look and said "What??" as if I was speaking Japanese. So I repeated myself to him. Then he said "Where are you from??" In a quizzical interested way. I told him I was from Canada and some what new to the area. At first I was afraid that I had confused the place I wanted to go with some other place, or something that didn't exist. Then the bus driver said "Oh! It was the weirdest thing. You spoke like english was your first language but I had no idea where THAT accent was from." to which I replied "Haha well to me you all have accents. How much to Stanhope??" I think this is the first time that I have been here that someone has commented on my accent. It is weird for me to think that I have an accent, and I wonder what I sound like to these guys. Anyways those are a few little experiences I had today. I am signing off for the night, and am going to get some much needed rest. We will see what tomorrow brings. Oh and I would like to mention that at 8:02pm I am sitting with my window open, lying in bed (in shorts and a tank-top) listening to the locusts still making noise. Take that to all you people that insist on telling me about the snow and cold!

Random bits of Info

So today I have decided on a mish mash of information for you to enjoy. I am first going to take a suggestion from one of my followers, and give you a brief profile of the people I am working for. I hope this will help you better relate to my stories. So...

Peter (Dad): Peter is a early thirties engineer. He works for Philips medical electronics. He holds a pretty high postition in the company, but often can work from home for parts of the day. He is tall (about 6'2" ish) semi geeky looking with a New Zealand accent. He is an engineer, but has has been a paramedic and helicopter pilot. He is very smart, and has bits of peculiar knowledge about a variety of subjects. He is much like my father in the way that he really enjoys jimmy rigging random contraptions together (although always useful) for a variety of purposes. Peter interested in having the children absorb as much information as they can at this age, and be successful in life.

Charli (Mom): Is a about to be thirty registered nurse working in a seniors care home as the care manager. She is average height and really skinny, with short aburnish hair. She too is from New Zealand, and therefore speaks with a New Zealand accent. She is easy to get along with and super down to earth. Charli appears to want the children to feel secure, comfortable and confident in life. She is a very optimistic person whom, I can get along with on a sisterly type relationship. Charli and Peter also have their own business here in Australia and the USA distributing baby monitors.

Liam (Oldest Boy): Liam is 3 years old, the end! Haha he acts like a typical 3 year old boy and since the boys are used to different nannies in and out of their lives he tests to see what your made of. He is very well educated with ABC's and 123's, he just needs to focus his attention.

Jake (Youngest Boy): Jake is 17 months. He is pretty average, and easy going. He will try to play up the "but I am just a baby" thing to try to get you to do things for him, and can at times have strong stubborn side. He is pretty cute and fun loving.

Also the whole family is vegetarians, who are aware of the environment (to a certian degree).

We all live here in this four bedroom house quite happily at the moment, with Tyler the cat and Maxie and Blondie the two chickens. I hope that helps to better understand the peeps. If you have any questions just TV they have here. If you'll notice it is friggin huge. It is actually not a TV we have a projector, so it is like I am at the movies all the time! lol. Although I don't watch much TV here and I don't miss it either.

The other picture I posted is of a magpie. These birds are very common and all over the place. Well the one that I took a picture of is very special, and I mean that in the most olympic way. Every day this thing comes and sits on the back fence, and everyday this damn bird flys back and forth from the fence into the neighbors window and back to the fence. It does this for half the afternoon. I think it hit the window too many times, and obviously has some sort of brain injury! I just thought I would share the oddity that is that bird that I watch everyday. Also speaking of stupid! The damn flies here are SOOOOO annoying! I think they must be stunned by the heat (it was 35 degrees today while you suckas were having a snow storm) because as you are walking they will land on your face. When you shoo them away they fly up and and then land on the exact same spot you just shooed them from. It is enough to drive a sane person crazy!

My final tidbit for this evening is evidently being environmently conscious and walking in this place is like sacrificing your own life for the earths! Being a pedestrian around here is taking your life into your own hands. Drivers don't give a shit if you would like to cross the street at a marked crosswalk, maybe you should think about doing that in a car, if you'd like to cross the street. And you can forget crossing at an unmarked but still legally binding crosswalk. Forget it! Unless there is a large metal wall shooting up from the ground these Aussies willlllll NOT stop for you to cross the road at anytime.

Well that is all for tonight. I am hoping to take the boys to the Aquarium in Darling Harbour either on Friday or at the latest early next week. I will keep you posted!

Day trip into the city

Today I took a trip into Circular Quay (pronounced Key). This is where the famous Sydney Opera House and the Sydney Harbour Bridge can be found. It was good to get out and see around a bit more, and negotiate the transit system a bit more. It is actually proving to be quite easy to get around via public transit. Although today as I ventured out for my day trip I made a very Canadian mistake and waited for the bus on the wrong side of the road....duh! I don't know why I did this because it was not my first time taking the bus, but I guess just a slip of the mind. Oh well about 1/2 an hour later another bus arrived to take me to Parramatta. Parramatta is a suburb type place not far from here, and from here you can take a ferry ride into the city, for a realitively low cost......well what these crazy Aussies consider low anyways. The other thing that I LOVE about taking the transit here is the bus lanes! There are whole seperate roads that go beside or under the regular roads just for buses. So it really is quite quick to take the bus. Something I am not familiar with traveling the transit in Halifax. Also you should have the correct fare, but it is not necessary. The driver can make change for you right there as you get one. Some of the buses in the city are prepaid only but all the buses around here you can get change. Although the super shitacular thing is that it is bloody expensive. Here you pay for how far you want to go. So it can cost quite a bit to use transit depending on where you are going. Then again there are various options such as buses, trains, ferries etc to choose from.

Anyhow on with the day trip! I made it to Parramatta, despite my error to start. When the bus stopped at the interchange I asked the bus driver where I should go to catch the ferry to Circular Quay. To which he replied "umm the ferry....I dunno" So with that helpful information I headed off the bus at a transit interchange (bus/train station) to try to find my way to the ferry. I walked the wrong way for about a block before finding a map that instructed me to turn around and go back the way I came. After a few map consults and a smidge of wonder I finally found the ferry. It was located on a back street, and I must say, not very well signed. I still had 1/2 an hour before the ferry departed so I took a few pictures and just mosied about looking at the art work and such. We boarded the ferry and off we went. As we cruised along I took notice of the beautiful, huge fancy homes along the edge of the Parramatta river. I thought to myself..."I wonder how someone gets a nanny gig with those people??" However I doubt that those people would be as down to earth as the family I am with now......well that's how I justify it anyway ;). It was a semi nice ferry ride. I mean nicer then the Halifax-Dartmouth ferry but jammed with families of tourists taking billions of photos and videos and letting their children act like idiots none the less. I did enjoy the sights and plan on going back soon, and planning a better trip. Today was more about finding my way around rather then sightseeing per se. I did get to see the bridge and the opera house. I saw some people doing the bridge climb, which will be me in the coming weeks. I marveled at the sight of a harbour connected to a city of millions of people that doesn't have turds and tampons floating in it. That must mean the Aussies have some magical place to put their sewage, that is not their cities harbour. What a weird concept eh? Then I hit the city and walked until I thought my legs would fall off. I got all turned around and missed the ferry that I was going to take, but it gave me an extra hour in the city. I didn't go and see too much, I just peeked around and got a feel of the city. The real sight seeing will happen another day.

Part of my shopping excursions since I got here have been to find Australian Christmas ornaments for my nephews. I have started the tradition with them that every year for Christmas, along with their other gifts, I buy them an ornament for the tree. This way they will have an ornament for every year once they get their own tree. So since I am here for christmas I thought it would be nice to send them an Aussie ornament. Well who knew Australians don't believe in having their own take on Christmas. All over town there are plenty of ornaments with Santa, snowmen, reindeer, penguins, ice, etc. on them. Except for Santa what the hell do any of these other things have to do with Australian Christmas!! Where are all the Koalas and Kangaroos with Santa hats on??? Where are all the Wombats in stockings?? You know Australian stuff. I have looked all over this place since I arrived, from gift shops to department stores, and nothing! I even looked online. But TODAY! Today was the day that I found an Aussie ornament. They are semi ugly and definately wouldn't be my first choice if I had a choice, but since I don't they will have to do. So I bought two and will be mailing them later this month. Oh and come to find out $30 is pretty cheap for a Kangaroo scrotum Seeing as in the city the can go for up to $50! Geesh those are expensive nuts!

So now I sit writing to on here and thinking of what new things I will do next weekend! I am sure me and the boys will do something cool this week, I will keep you all posted. I wanted to say thanks to everyone that is following this and giving me feedback. It makes me smile knowing the people I care about are following along my adventures a world away.

First day off.....ahhhh!

So today was my first official day off since I arrived. It was great! I am looking forward to another tomorrow :). I slept in (til 7:00am) and when I heard the children getting up I didn't move, because it was my day off! Whoop Whoop! I got up and had a long shower, took the time to dry my hair and straighten it and then had breakfast with the family to start my day. Now let me tell you.....just because you have a plug converter doesn't mean that all things are able to be used elsewhere! I nearly turned my hair dryer into a frikkin flame thrower! I plugged my converter in, plugged my hair dryer in and began using it as normal. Then I began to smell this strange smell. Then as I moved my hair dryer a bright orange hue inside the barrel of the hair dryer caught my eye. It was then that I realized that the smell was coming from inside the dryer! I turned the hair dryer and looked down the barrel, and it was at that moment that I saw a small blue flame inside the hair dryer along with a red hot element. I then decided it was a good idea to stop what I was doing. Turns out Australia has wayyyy more voltage then we do in Canada. So moral of the story: the low setting on my hair dryer is like high at home, and even then you should give it a few cold shots to cool down the element...geesh!
After breakfast I hopped the bus to the nearest shopping centre, Rouse Hill Town Centre. I walked around aimlessly without a care in the world, it was great! I went from shop to shop browsing and looking. I ended up only buying a phone card to call home with but enjoyed seeing everything. I also learned two things. 1: I am soooo not trendy enough for most of the shops at Rouse Hill. 2: If I lived in Australia on my own I would be dirty, smelly, hairy, hungry and homeless. Everything here is sooooooo expensive! I went to the department store (Big W), very very similar to Wal-mart, and I bought 1 bottle of shampoo, 1 bottle of conditioner, 1 bottle of body wash and 1 small 100ml bottle of nail polish remover. I payed $31 for just that! It is nuts! The shampoo that I buy at home I pay 6 something for it because it is organic. I was surpised to see that they had it here, but here it is over $13! Just crazyness. I doubt I will be buying a lot while I am here.
After I came home I chilled with the fam for a bit then they were going over to a friends place and bowling. I opted not to go and spend the evening by myself. I think this was a great plan! I walked up to the Parklea Market that I went to last weekend. It is so close that I might just go back tomorrow. I took a picture of the the outside of the market as I approached it. I hope you notice that the white roof is all the market and extends far more then in the picture. While I was there I was looking for things to send to people at home. I know...how generous of me, not buying anything for myself and only thinking of others...I know, I know, but its what I do ;) So Matt told me to send him something 'quirky' from Australia. So Off I went for something quirky. Well I found the most wonderful thing at the market! However I did not buy it :( Sadly it cost too much. How can you get more quirky then a bottle opener made from a Kangaroo Scrotum!?! Hahahah I laughed right out loud in the little shop. It was the funniest thing I ever saw! "Here open your beer with my Roo nuts!" They also had a letter opener made from Kangaroo nuts, and just a scrotum with a hollowed out spot for a lighter! Haha. If it wasn't $30 I would have bought it for him! I still might decide that the funny factor is larger then the money aspect and under the Christmas tree will be a pair of Kanga nuts! Hahaha I am still laughing about it!
After the market I decided it was time for meat! The family I am with are vegetarians. So although I have been eating well since I arrived I couldn't help but notice there was a steakhouse just up the road. So they went out and I went in search of meat and beers! I went up to the local steakhouse and felt like an ass when I said "table for 1" but hey who cares anyways. My only regret is that I didn't bring my book or something to do while I was waiting. The service was terrible! I sat and waited nearly 20mins before I had to ask the hostess if someone was going to wait on me or if I had to make it myself. If it wasn't for the fact that the only other place close that serves meat is Hungry Jacks(Burger King) I would have left. However it was lucky for me that I stayed. They offered to buy my drinks for the evening and gave me a voucher for a free entree on my next visit. So I had 2 big bloke beers (about the same as 4 draught beers at home) that weren't that great but I chose a cheap beer anyway, and had a big steak. They were pretty good after I got slightly boshey (a word I picked up meaning crotchety or bitchy) with them about their poor service. After my meal I walked home, taking notice of the slightly humorous street sign and stopped at the lake to watch a wild pelican (See photos). It was overall a great day. I really didn't mind spending most of my time by myself, it actually was rather nice.
Tomorrow I think I will take the bus to Parramatta and a ferry ride into Darling Harbour (the classic view of the opera house and bridge harbour). Things are looking up the more I stay here and now I really do think my time will fly by. I know this is long, but hey, I have had a good day with lots to talk about :).

Settling In

G'Day peeps! I know I have been slacking in the blog department. I haven't updated all week. However I have spent this week settling into my surroundings and getting comfortable with my family. I still miss people from home, but it is becoming managable through facebook and phonecalls.
I have spent this week playing the role of Nanny Hard Ass. I mean not in a terrible way but the kiddies have been testy, and I have spent the week setting my boundaries so they know what to expect. I have seen a significant drop in testing from the older one, and the younger one is pretty easy going anyways. I have had to lay down the law firm this week to establish a base for the next 6months. So far it is has been working. I have been getting out and about with the kids and finding out what is around me. Today we took the bus and it was actually pretty easy. I think once I get to know things a bit better it really will be a breeze. I am,, however, very much looking forward to having the weekend off. It will be really nice to strike out on my own and have a little peek around. There is only so much you can do toting two kids along with you.
Today I had an interesting thing happen. Some might say I 'erred' as a Nanny, but if you have sense then you will see why I am right. So we went to one of the huge shopping centres not far from here today. We went to get Christmas decorations. The kids really wanted to, and it was a great first little bus trip so off we went. So the 3 year old brought his cell phone. Yes, that's right his cell phone. I had told him to leave it at home, but wasn't about to fight with him about it. I had warned him before we left that it was to stay in his pocket. So throughout our time at the shopping centre he had taken it out of his pocket several times and even dropped it a few time. Each time this happened I told him to put it in is pocket or he was going to loose it, and when he did, I didn't want to hear it. So I think we all know where this story is going. He lost his cell phone! Some may say that I should have checked the bench before we boarded the bus, but I say that is the exact reason why you don't give a cell phone to a 3 year old. I mean the parents were dissapointed but not angry with me (well at least they didn't express any harsh feelings about it). But I mean COOMMMMON! I think it was a lesson learned. I said it would get lost, and ta-da no more celly! That is my little rant for the evening.
I am finally getting used to the differences around here. One major one is even their damn crows have accents! I am not lying. Their crows sound like they are slightly laughing/crowing at the same time. It is wierd! Also there is a lot of different birds around here. I wouldn't think that anyone coming to Canada would think that much of our wildlife is 'exotic' but it is around here. I have seen small groups of wild parrots and cockatoos flying around the park, and each different bird makes a strange noise that it takes some getting used to. Also some of the words for things that I have to get used to and feel silly saying, but the children don't know what I mean when I say 'sidewalk' instead of 'footpath'. That is just a few examples of many things that take a minute to get used to.
Well I am headed to bed for now, but I may update again tomorrow depending on what I end up doing. Peace from down under!

Camping..

Today I am feeling much better about being here. I had a very welcomed phone call this morning and it really lifted my spirits for the day. I am still very jet-legged and I am hoping to get over that soon. I do feel better each day, but it is a big adjustment for sure.
The picture I posted on here is a picture of the river where we were camping. It was really quite nice there, however I think I would have enjoyed it more if I wasn't reeling form such a long trip and being plunked in the middle of a country I have never been before and barely know the people I am with. We drove at night to beat the heat of the day so that meant me staying up late into the day(about 1 am). I was so freakin tired I couldn't see straight. The family I am staying with are members of a 4 wheeling club. Although we actually didn't get to go 4-wheeling on this trip (I was a smidge dissapointed) we did go down a really windy dirt road with a large drop off on one side. The area was nice with a river for swimming in, and there were heaps of nice people around with there families. So funny story...before we went Peter assured me that on this property there were lots and lots of Kangaroos. I would be able to see a Kangaroo on the first weekend in Australia. Well the only kangaroo I saw was flying under the passenger side tires at about 75 clicks as we mowed it over! No before you go making comments, the reason we hit the kangaroo was because we swerved to avoid a really big wombat and the kangaroo jumped out in front of us. However that was the only Kangaroo I was able to catch a glimpse of that weekend. I would have like to explore the property a bit more, but maybe some other time.
I am still feeling rather homesick, and it already feels like I have been here for a long time. Although I can hardly believe that it is almost December and soon enough it will be the new year. Charli(mom) told me that I would have a week off in January because her mom is coming to stay. Hopefully this week I will be able to head up to the Great Barrier Reef.
Yesterday I went with the family to Parklea market. It is a HUGE weekend market near the house. It was so much to take in and the kids were tired and hungry so I didn't get a good look at a lot of stuff, but I plan on walking up this weekend, sans kiddies. They had everything and anything you could ever want at this market from budgie birds to bras, veggies and electronics. It was pretty intimadating when we first went in. All of a sudden people are hollering at you from their booths, showing you things and trying to sell their goods. It was crowed, noisy and smelly (some good smells, such as the spices and such) but it really was an interesting place with great deals. So some of you should possible expect purchases from Parklea market ;).
Today I have spent more time with the boys. They are testing me, as I expected, but so far nothing I can't handle. The other thing I am adjusting to is the weirdo noises their weirdo birds make outside the window and in the back yard etc. They have some strange creatures around here that is for sure.
Finally today I would like to say thanks to the people that have been sending me messages on facebook. It really means a lot to me and helps me to get through the tough days. So keep em comin!

Made it!

So here I am....I made it. I wish I could say that I was more excited to be here, however at the moment, I am not. I have only slept about 8 hours in the past 3-4 days, so being over tired does not help. Plus I had no idea how homesick I would be right away. I am having trouble with the time difference and not being able to talk to people on the phone very often. I have only had a breif conversation with my Mom and thats it. I tried to call someone else, but miscalculated the time difference and gave them a shitty wake up call (still sorry about that). Not to mention that I had kinda a shitty send off, and just have a lot on my mind. So all those things combined make me want to curl up and sleep the next 6 months away. I am sure I will feel better in time, it is just different. Oh and to top things off we are going camping this weekend, actually in like 45mins we are leaving to drive to the campsite. Not that I am complaining about being here but geeze louise I just got here, I have the worst jet-lag ever, I miss my family and friends, so hey lets stay up late, drive into the night so that I can sleep on a camp bed in a place with no cell coverage or internet! Sounds like a perfect plan to make me feel comfortable eh? I think that I am being more harsh because of the lack of sleep.
On another note, my travel here went okay but not great. Since I only had a short time between flights anyways I knew it would be tight. Then we were 45 minutes late leaving Halifax so all my connections were made Amazing Race style with me running across strange airports and arriving at my gate as they were bording. But the main thing is that I made it! I am very tired so I am keeping this breif, I will let you know how the camping went on Monday.