kangaroo sightings

Brendan and I decided to attempt to cook a Thanksgiving meal with our minimal cookware in Australia (no, we still have not gotten our furniture). It was one day late because we opted to go out for drinks with some friends on Thursday. So, on Friday in 3 pots and 1 pan, we managed to make a feast of chicken (turkeys are too expensive here!), stuffing, sweet potatoes, green beans, gravy, and apple pie. The source of some of the food was a bit dodgy, but dammit it tasted good (the secret was lots of butter and Sara Lee pie). Brendan carving the chicken, our serving platter, and our feast on our dining room table. We also used the good china.

How cool is that?!?

We got 'em! It only took 3 weeks...

The long awaited update to my blog - last updated 4 weeks ago! I suppose the saying is true that time flies when you are having fun. Some brief updates on my last 4 weeks (in order of how I think of them): I found an acceptable apartment in St Kilda (near the beach) and bought a refrigerator (two strange things: I own a refrigerator but not a house and I'm taller than my refrigerator - it's so cute and efficient though). I went back to SF for a week and got some much needed friend time. Brendan came back with me to Oz. We bought a washer, dryer, and futon (although the futon was purchased about 3 days ago, so there was a lot of floor sleeping time). We had our stuff packed and shipped from SF while I was back and the latest update is that it is to arrive to Oz customs 22 Nov (that's a long ways off still!). I've started playing rugby (crazy polite touch rugby, but still rugby - note that "tag" rugby means tackle but fortunately I did not learn that the hard wa...

I don't really know how to describe my last 2 weeks in Melbourne. I have had the craziest luck and I don't know whether I should be laughing or crying. There was the day that I set out on my apartment hunting adventure. I had a list of 22 apartments over a span of 7 hours. I got lost, agents didn't show up, apartments were already leased, I got lost some more, agents left early... it started raining... Then there was the day that I went to see one apartment, and then couldn't get back to work until 4 hours later. It was the Friday before the Grand Final and I honestly had to call my boss and say the words, "I'm sorry. I cannot make it back to work yet. I am currently stuck on the wrong side of a parade." No matter how far I walked, I couldn't get across, around, or under the parade. And then, while talking to my boss, my prepaid phone ran out. I tried to take advantage of being downtown and setting up my bank account... no, it was parade time. Or there...

Brendan and his parents came out to visit last weekend, which was fantastic! I love it when I have people to hang out with in this country!! Saturday, I attempted driving for my second time to go to the airport and pick them up. Crazy right-sided driving on the left side of the road. Still incredibly difficult! I must have let my guard down a bit though b/c I got honked at more this time than last. I also got a pretty good piece of a curb (I hope Mark doesn't read this...). It also didn't help that on the way back from the airport, we had 4 people and 8 suitcases in one car. Brendan decided to use his parents as luggage mules, so that we don't have to ship our toys via the boat. I have no idea how I am going to move out of my serviced apartment by myself now based on the amount of stuff in there... Saturday we went to a few house inspections (Fitzroy) and then wandered through QVM and the CBD. We saw Fed Square, the Yarra River, the Docklands... we had beer and coffee spora...

Stupid grill/oven thing that looks like a microwave! I have no idea how to use you and you have ruined so many of my meals! If anyone who is reading this has any idea how or what to cook in this contraption, please let me know. I thought I was going to set off the building smoke alarm tonight! So, despite my best efforts, it was cereal for dinner (b/c I am also not interested in eating out by myself again). In other news I went to some inspections (open houses) this weekend, which consist of apartments being opened for 15 minute windows (all of which overlap). It completely reminded me of SF (in a bad way) except that the agents were at least on time. They still rolled up in their incredibly expensive cars and put forth only enough effort to open the door. I'm honestly surprised that some of them bothered to put pants on. But, despite the complete lack of effort or care, the places were still packed, which is why I suppose that they don't have to care. Buildings in Melbourne ...