Only in Oz

This place is literally down the alley, around a corner, in a small basement gallery! If you didn't look close enough, you'd miss the little bean sign completely.

Enough said. Taking Friday Happy Hour to a whole new level.

Around town

Have no fear, we're still here.  A few people have been wondering if we're still alive since the blogs are few and far between, but don't you worry, the crocs didn't get us yet! Blogging has just been off the radar for a bit while I settle in to work.  On the weekends, we've been staying busy around town and looking for cheap ways to pass the time.

The Brisbane Museum is free and had some cute exhibits.  Call it a girly day complete with fashion from Aussie designer Gwen Gilliam and chocolate.

Love this - I need to keep this in mind when deciding on what clothes to keep and carry along the journey.  And sometimes a girl just needs to buy some new clothes to feel current and cute!

We stumbled upon this adorable chocolate shop  http://www.sanchurro.com/ on Grey Street in the South Bank.  I loved their spicy Mexican hot chocolate.

I'm certainly not forgetting about love, but while I'm looking I'll take some chocolate - yes, please!

We found a great spot in the Gold Coast at Burleigh Heads.  This is a more laid-back part of the GC complete with cute cafes, boutiques, markets, and yummy eats.  If you make it there check out Quest Coffee http://www.questcoffee.com.au/ and Justin Lane Pizzeria and Bar.  Great atmosphere, pizza, and grown up beverages.

Next week, Pam and I are off to the Northern Territory to Darwin, Kakadu National Park, and Katherine Gorge.  It is a totally different part of the country that is closer to Asia than other Australian cities.  We'll see some of the Outback, salt water crocs, and I'm gearing up for more camping (I'm can't believe it either - I've signed up for MORE camping).  I think it's time to watch Crocodile Dundee this week to get ready!

Aussie lunch

I wanted to like it.  No, I actually wanted to love it.  I wanted to write a fantastic amateur foodie review of the much loved Aussie meat pie.  But, the reality is the flaky dough filled with goodies on the inside was just okay.  On a scale of 1 - 10 - 10 being the best - Pam gave the meat pie a 4.  The chicken pie (more like a chicken pot pie as we know it), well Pam gave it a 5.  The yummy looking vanilla slice dessert was so sweet it made my teeth hurt.  We agreed on a 4.  Looks like I'm sticking to peanut butter sandwiches.

Pies and a vanilla slice

Maybe it is one of those foods you just love because you were raised on it.  Like chip chopped ham or fried bologna sammies.  Well one thing we know about Pam is that she has great food instincts.  Her quote was, "I would rather be eating SpaghettiO's."  Enough said.  Sorry Australia - maybe I'll like kangaroo better.

Balance

It is one of those random nights where I just can’t sleep….agh… Insomnia has kicked in big time.  My mind is racing and I need to write to get it all out.  I can’t believe it has been 4 months abroad!  It feels like time is flying by and the 4 month marker has made me reflect a bit.  And I don’t want to forget why I came here.  When I was in the States, I was working, working, working and made my career my identity.  I realized last year that my job wasn’t the only part of me, and I needed to put some more focus on my interests and relationships.  Besides all the amazing new experiences, coming around the world to Australia has helped me to get some space and think.

One cool thing I’ve realized here is how much I do enjoy my job and why.  I love working with kids and families because it takes the focus off of me.   We all probably think about ourselves more than we’d like to admit (what about me? how does this benefit me?) and at work, it is so rewarding to help others and make the kids and parents feel good.  At the end of the day, my efforts will help make someone feel better.  That’s awesome.  I can be having a totally down day and one kid will laugh or say a word and then it all feels a bit lighter.  A good friend told me once when I was down to volunteer and just help out because it would make me feel better… she’s a smart girl.

Since work of course is a reality of life, how DO you keep some balance? I’ve noticed since working again the time I was devoting to the blog, researching cool places to go and see, finding new music, tinkering on my uke, and trying new recipes has all decreased.   This bums me out. When I wasn’t working, these interests kept coming up over and over.  I was inspired and new ideas came so easily.  For me, I guess I just need to stay connected to my creative side.  Since it is impossible to do ALL of that while working, I’m making a point going forward to do at least one of the following each week to keep the creative juices flowing. 

1.     Try a new food.

2.     Make a new recipe.

3.     Look up a new band and download some new songs.

4.     Go to a cool place new place– could be a coffee shop, beach, hiking spot, music venue…

5.     Make contact with a friend or family in the US  -Skype, text, phone, FB – just make a little time to connect.

6.     Spend more time with people I’ve made connections with in Australia.  The time I’ve spent with locals has been so enjoyable, but it is so easy to fall into the work routine.

7.     Add one new thing to my workout.

8.     Pick up my uke and practice the 3 little chords I learned.

9.     Read before bed instead of browsing FB.

10. More blogging!

Well, it’s all out there for the world to see…you can all make sure I follow through! Would love to know how you keep balance in your life.