Run Pam Run!

This past weekend, Pam ran her half marathon. As one of my favorite Aussies would say - Impressive! Go Pam!

Alexandra Beach, Sunshine Coast

My quest to see all the beaches of Australia continues, and the race was a perfect excuse to get to the Sunshine Coast and Noosa Heads, 2 great beach spots in Queensland on the Australia bucket list.  My boss actually let me borrow the company car which was such a great treat.  Both spots were very relaxed.  It is safe to say, Queensland beaches are probably the best in the world... or at least the best I've seen!

Mural in Sunshine Coast

Sparkling waters of Noosa

Not much else to report from OZ... work is keeping me pretty busy.  I am honestly having waves of home sickness lately and feeling a little disconnected.  I have no idea what's on American radio, what's in the magazines, and I'm having dreams about hanging out with friends and family!  I'm counting on everyone to keep me in the loop.  Cheers!

Aussie words

Here are some new Aussie words I’ve learned!  My kiddos are funny and just LOVE to tell me when I say something wrong.

Q: What is a dummie?

A:  A pacifier of course!

It’s not jelly Melanie… it’s JAM!

Who wants a cuddle???

I'll take a HUG!

Push that trolley!

A shopping cart or buggy to us Yanks.

I’ve also learned some phrases I should NOT say….

In our favorite US baseball stadium song, of course we sing “root, root, root for the home team”.  Well during the Olympics I said, “Who are you rooting for?”  Everyone got a good giggle and said no, no, no… you can’t say that here! Rooting here is doing the horizontal tango, if you know what I mean!

And then I was telling friends how I was "chatting up this girl" (in my mind, just talking to her for awhile about lots of things), and when you chat up someone here, you are making the moves… hehehe... silly American.

S'more night!

Last night was a special night at the house... I taught my fellow Aussie and South African friends how to make America's favorite campfire treat - s'mores of course!  Can you believe these are not known around the world? 

For all those foreigners out there who don't know what this tasty treat is made of,  please let me enlighten you.  First, a graham cracker goes on the bottom, then a square of chocolate (we a used Hershey's chocolate bar of course), and then you put your roasted marshmallow on top.  Complete your s'more with another graham cracker on top and enjoy your sweet, sticky, crunchy treat.  

Taking them global. I am sensing a job opportunity here... maybe the S'more truck?

Uncle Sam wants YOU to enjoy these s'mores responsibly.

This teacher gives Brett and Stacey an A+.

The big 3-0 in Bris

I made it!  The big 3-0.  It feels pretty good so far.  Turning 29 last year was way harder for me.  I had my little meltdown knowing the inevitable 30 was approaching.  I questioned everything I was doing and just felt a need for something more.  Well it certainly feels good to put some of that self doubt and confusion from the 20's behind me and to enjoy where I am right now.  Not that I have it all figured out, but I am feeling pretty blessed and excited for what a new decade holds.

A friend we stayed with recently turned 60, and she told us how she made a list of her top 60 life moments of her 60 years.  I just love this idea and decided to make my own top 30 of 30.  You should try it.  It is amazing the childhood memories and fun times that pop up from deep down in your brain! Some are pretty personal so I won't share the details, but it just puts a lot into perspective. Making memories with family and friends, sharing laughs, new experiences, and enjoying the simple things in life of course dominates the list.  I wish I could teleport home for a night to celebrate with my family and friends in the US today - missing everyone for sure.  But welcoming the dirty thirty here in Australia is pretty amazing!

It was a big city weekend in Bris and Pam and I got to hang out after 4 weeks apart working in different cities!  I was given lots of libations to help get the party started.  My boss at work donated some bubbly for the cause and Moscow Mules were on the menu.  

On Saturday, it was off to the coffee academy.  You all know about my LOVE for coffee, so this was pretty great.  The pulsing headache left over from Friday night was not so great, but I pushed through.  The large amounts of expresso helped me along!

What happens at the coffee academy?  Lots of milk frothing to start.  You need to get that milk turning and churning at just the right temperature to make the froth for all coffees.  Sometimes you do a low fast pour and sometimes a high slow pour depending on the type of coffee you're making.

Making expresso - the base for every single coffee here.  There are no American coffee pots.  It needs to be made quickly so the grinds don't burn. 

We had to make one of each coffee: caffe latte, flat white, cappuccino, mocha, hot chocolate, chai, macchiato, long black....

Best part of the day- tasting our work!

On my actual birthday, we explored the New Farm neighborhood and ended up at Bitter Suite for birthday beers.  This is a great food and drink spot.  http://www.bittersuite.com.au/

Bris Beer Flight

Sunday Funday

Cheers to decade of new adventures!

I was born in the USA

I am so excited! And have sooooo much energy from a sugar high because after much anticipation, my all American care package has arrived!  Here's to you Uncle Sam... and to Melissa and Laney! You girls rock.

Picture this.  It is midnight, everyone is asleep, and I am covering myself in red, white, and blue while inhaling s'mores, well s'mores with uncooked marshmallows really.  My roommates may think I'm a bit strange until I teach them what a s'more is tomorrow.  My Aussie and South African flatmates don't know what they are missing!

Hershey bars, America's favorite marshmallows, graham crackers and enough USA swag to make George Washington jealous.

The week is flying by now that I am back to work.  So far it has been like riding a bike.  And this weekend Pam is in town for some birthday celebrating in Brisbane!  The dirty thirty is knocking down the door.  Cheers to the weekend!

Love Triangle

There is a pretty serious love triangle going on here between me, America and Australia.  In my head it goes "I love America, I love Australia, no I love America, wait I love it here...."  Safe to say I have strong feelings for both and am glad they are not making me choose between them.  I am having some periods of home sickness kick in now from time to time, but then it's followed by moments where I feel so happy to be here - all part of the process I guess.  It is such a funny thing – feeling such a strong need to show off my American pride, but still so damn excited to be in Australia!  

As you know, I have been pretty bummed about the Olympic coverage here.  Not bummed enough to let it spoil my day, but I really wish I was seeing more of our athletes.  Of course it makes perfect sense if an Aussie is in the event, they show it.  But I can’t believe I missed all the fantastic drama of the US gymnastics competition.  And NBC has the online video footage blocked.  I already told my parents to pick up one of those US highlight DVD’s that will come out after the Olympics so I can relive it all!

Here are 2 of my favorite Aussie commercials out right now which make me all happy.

If this commercial doesn't make you want to visit, not sure what will.... take a look!

http://video.news.com.au/2242040672/EXCLUSIVE-Theres-nothing-like-Australia

Back to work

It's been a crazy busy week at work and learning the new clinic.  I'm learning some Aussie sign language, too.  The kiddos are just darling and quite funny.  My boss is super pregnant and the little ones have been asking her about how the baby will get out.  One boy was convinced it would come out of her mouth.  Another suggested she use the key in the lock and open the door to let her out!  The families have been very welcoming.  I have one mum who is American and she already invited me over for Thanksgiving dinner.   A very “small world” moment happened when I found out an Australian mum spent a year abroad for university at Indiana University of Pennsylvania! (Which is close to Pittsburgh for those who don’t know.)

On my days off, I have been keeping busy trying some new recipes.  Here are few on my new favorites if you're looking for new inspiration.

Attempt at Thai...

http://aww.ninemsn.com.au/food/cookbooks/789483/pumpkin-basil-and-chilli-stir-fry-pad-pet-fak-tong

Followed by a delicious dessert! I’m not sure who this brown eyed baker is but wow… these are so worth it.

http://www.browneyedbaker.com/2012/01/20/peanut-butter-pretzel-rice-krispies-treats/

Enjoy!