kangaroo sightings

Four months is the longest that I have ever spent out of the county. Definitely at any one time, quite possibly cumulatively as well. It's interesting the things that I miss in the US. Number one on my list is my family of course. I had a much needed visit with my Grandmother and I got to meet my new nephew for the first time. Cutest baby ever btw. Number two on my list is friends. I unfortunately am not going to make it to SF on this trip, but I will be spending a substantial bit of time in Raleigh. Hopefully I will be able to catch up with some friends while I'm there. Number three is burritos. I desperately want to pop down to the Mission for an authentic burrito, but will most likely be settling for some kind of Moe's in the near future. Number four is fast and cheap internet. While I'm here though, I do miss the weather in Australia (it is REALLY cold in Cincinnati, OH and Knoxville, TN) and driving on the left. I got rather used to it and now feel completely out o

This post is long overdue... So first let me start off with Melbourne Cup Day, since that is what made our trip to New Zealand possible. This was the first time that I have gotten a paid holiday from work for a horse race. We heard that it was a sight to behold and were debating whether or not to travel on that day. We opted for NZ but luckily, on our trip home from the Melbourne airport, we got a little taste of what Melbourne Cup Day is all about. I have never seen so many well-dressed, sun burnt, drunk people stumbling home in all of my life. For those that were not drunk, it was obvious that either the sun or the previous drunkenness was already taking its toll and it was a bit like watching a massive walk of shame. I hope to join the masses next year (for the race, not the walk). I will wear sunscreen and a massive hat and perhaps maybe even drink a little bit of water! As for 'crossing the ditch,' which is slang for traveling to New Zealand, in one word... fantastic! We f

I somehow managed to get tackled during my last TOUCH rugby match. Some guy though it would be a good idea to run straight towards me at speed while I thought it would be a good idea to hold my position on the tri line. The good news is that they didn't score on that possession (we still managed to lose the game), that I walked away from the incident, and that the guy apologized repeatedly. The bad news is I came away from that game with a jammed finger, a bruised knee, and a scratched shin. I'll spare everyone the pictures, but my finger is still probably twice the size it should be. So much for touch, eh? I do think that I gained a bit of respect from me team that night. It hurt, but there was no way I was not walking that one off...

Let me start out by asking how long you think it would take two otherwise intelligent engineers to realize that having a balcony means balcony furniture, which means cheap chairs from the hardware store ($15 AUD with beer holder!). This is what Brendan used to sit on (to work at the desk that he got off of the curb in front of our building). Yes, it is the hutch to the desk that he got off of the curb in front of our building. Thanks to our brilliant breakthrough though, we have not had to sit on the floor of our apartment or the deathtrap of a hutch for the last few days. And in case any of you are thinking about how silly we are, why did no one suggest this to us earlier?!? 6 weeks! That is how long it takes! In other news our stuff was delivered today! before after This is Brendan sitting at our table (actual table elevated above the floor) before eating dinner (chicken, rice, and vegetables that were cooked in cookware other than the infamous 3 pots). Brilliant! There were a few c