Hammock Up!

I was speaking with Jimmy the other day and he thought it would be funny to post the picture of him on here...so enjoy! LOL.

Australia Day

We woke up on Monday morning and decided to head down to the city of Newcastle where all of the events were being held. There was all types of activities going on, but the one that Jimmy was interested in was the 1 mile swim (I think it was one mile...although the say it in Kilometers here). Anyways, Jimmy decided to enter the race because he wanted practice for his upcoming triathlons. It was a pretty lazy day, but let's get serious...we were drinking all day on Saturday so we needed a day to relax. We rode down to town on our bikes and I watched Jimmy swim. I was proud so I took some pics...they aren't that good but I know which one he is... After the race we went home for a bit and came back for fireworks. It was fun. It was like 4th of July back home. Ps- I do have a picture of Jimmy "hammocked up" (for those of you who don't know what that is...it means he was wearing a speedo in the race). Although I have a picture of him...he would kill me if I posted it on here. I still can't take him seriously when he wears it.

The Long weekend

On Saturday morning...Jimmy and I got ready for the long weekend (Australia Day was on Monday). Rod, Doyle, Megs, TK, and Ben all came over on Saturday arvo (Australian talk for afternoon) for a BBQ and to stay the night. After a few hours at our place in the 100 degree + heat and playing Cricket, we all decided to go to the beach. We all ended up staying in the water for some time because it was ridiculously hot!!! It then started raining while we were in the water and was going to storm very soon. We all went back to the house and had some snacks and sure enough then came the storm... After we ate dinner and got dolled up :) we went out to a local pub in Newcastle. It was a great time! Oh and if any of you were wondering...Jimmy's razor was set on setting "4" but for some reason it turned out to be about setting "1" or "2." I'm not allowed to cut his hair anymore...although I blame that damn razor! :)

Interview

So yesterday I had my first interview...although it was with a recruiting agency. I basically went over my resume and then had to take a few computer tests. I did a good job on the Microsoft word (I better have done a good job- I've only used it for years...), excel was a little rocky only because the computer didn't want my shortcuts it wanted basic steps on how to do certain things. Apparently I type on average 56 words per minute..thanks for making me take that typing class mom! The last test I took was supposedly a common sense test, although I think it was common sense for the people that live here because I didn't score too well on that. Anyways, yesterday going to my interview I had my first official public transportation experience by myself. It wasn't bad. I took the bus- a little expensive if you ask me... $3.20 each way (that is in Australian dollars mind you). A little fun fact for all of you out there- the Australian dollar, as of today, is worth .65 cents in U.S. dollars. So basically it is to my benefit. Anyways, I am headed off to the pool soon to go for a swim. It will be about 35 degrees Celsius, which is approximately mid 90's Fahrenheit. I will update you all with any job info that I get. Keep your fingers crossed for me!

New South Wales

A couple of pics of where I live. The places across the water is the house I live in...not the one on the right but the one almost behind the tree. The picture of the little path is called the boardwalk...where I try to run at least a couple times a week.

Monday morning

I woke up a little lazy if I have to say so myself on Monday morning...although when Jimmy got back from his ride he informed me that there was a cruise ship docked in the harbor for the day. Once I finally got myself out of bed, I went for a run and saw the cruise ship. It looked so cool, I had to walk down to the harbor and take a few pictures. I decided to take a few more so all of you could see a little bit of the area that I live... Enjoy!

Exactly a week in Australia

This past Saturday made my stay here exactly one week. Jimmy and I had his parents and his sister over for the weekend. Once they arrived here on Saturday night, we all had dinner and socialized a bit. The following morning, we all ate breakfast and while Jimmy left with his dad to go to the hardware store...called Bunnings Warehouse over here, not Home Depot...I went for a walk on the boardwalk with his mom and sister. The boardwalk is just the walking path around the water with is just behind his house. We all made our way to the beach and while his entire family went for a swim, I baked in the sun. Gotta love that in January! I think it was a pretty successful weekend. We will know with time...

Enchilada success!

I made my first meal completely by myself...in a different country that is.  I was craving a little mexican food and decided that I would make my mom's recipe for enchiladas.  Since mexico is so far away from here than it is back home, I had to settle for a "enchilada kit" that contained the tortillas and the sauce.  I was a little disappointed at first because that's not how they have been made at our house, but it ended up working.  Jimmy loved the enchiladas...pat on the back for me!

Any ordinary Thursday

This morning I woke up and went for a jog (for the third day in a row!) and I am proud to say that my knee is keeping up with me. I left the house to go exercise at 6:55...not by choice, but Jimmy gets up at that time every morning to go and exercise. I guess it is good having someone here to motivate me because we all know I wouldn't go and exercise just by myself. We then went to the local pool (sort of like the rec center for those of you who live in T town) and I actually swam 5 proper laps (there and back counts as one). I have to tell you though, this was my second time swimming laps with Jimmy (exercising maniac) and both times I almost had a heart attack! I am apparently out of shape. It was fun though. So now I am hanging out at home and just got done applying for three different jobs that are all in sales/marketing- also not really my cup of tea but I guess I am trying to be open-minded so I can get some kind of work. Now I have to waste about three hours until Jimmy gets home so we can have dinner. Most of you might be thinking why don't you go to those beautiful beaches in Australia? Well believe me I would love to, although the beach is about an hour away on foot and it is currently 38 degrees celcius...which for those of you like me who don't understand celcius and never will...it's about 100 degrees right now. I'm trying to sit in this non-air conditioned house trying not to sweat. Will someone please tell me why I couldn't wait for the hot weather? Winter sounds lovely right now.

Not living in Mom and Dad's house anymore...

Just the other day, Jimmy and I got back from grocery shopping. We were putting everything away and he said to split up the chicken in two different freezer bags so we could set them aside for dinner later on that week. I sort of sat there for a minute and sucked it up and touched the uncooked chicken. Now if any of you know me at all, I get extremely disgusted by meat sometimes and so I haven't ever really had to touch raw chicken...my dad always did that sort of stuff ;). I finally seperated it and set it aside. Jimmy then told me, you have a choice to make. I was thinking what was he talking about? He said that I could either de-bone the bbq chicken that we just bought or fix my flat tire on my bike. Yes I have a bike...it will be my means of transportation including the bus, train, and those old fashion legs of mine. Anyways, I said- now that's not a fair trade because I don't know how to fix a flat tire...again my dad would do that for me. I ended up doing the chicken which I never had to do that messy work before. I guess you could say that my dad did a little too much, but it was the way it was. About half way through me de-boning the chicken I told Jimmy that I remembered why I get so grossed out by meat sometimes. He told me as soon as I get a job and start making money I can hire someone to do that stuff for me, until then I have to do the dirty work myself. Fun stuff.

Finally here!

So once I got off the plane...everything went smoothly in terms of getting through customs and getting my bags. Once I was walking out, I saw James and just to jump back a bit- I didn't want to get one of those carts, but since I had three bags I thought it would be a good idea. I was having a difficult time turning it because of course I picked the bad cart. Once I finally got it down, I was walking out with a person that I was on the plane with. While I was chatting with him, I got distracted and that is when I saw Jimmy. As soon as I saw him, my cart got caught on the wall and all of my bags flew off of the cart and everyone started laughing. What did I say about the cart? I knew I shouldn't have gotten one of those! It was so embarrassing, although you can always count on me to pull something like that off. Once all of the airport drama was out of the way, we drove back to Jimmy's house and I got settled in. I'll tell you one thing- it is a hard transition trying to get used to what drawers all of your clothes are in. Also, trying to get used to the fact that I will be living here for some time and I don't feel like I can completely be at home. It is only the third day that I am here so hopefully that changes really soon.

Plane ride

That was a long 18 hour plane ride if I can say so myself! I left out of LAX around 6:45 at night and flew to Tahiti where some people got off the plane and more got on. It took a little less than 9 hours or so to get there. I was a little upset when I thought we would have to stay on the plane while people were getting off, but then we had to get off and switch planes. I was excited that I would atleast get to smell the Tahiti air- but let me tell you...it is nothing special! It was muggy and smelt really bad so I was happy to get back on the plane even though it was for another 8 hours. A little advice for those of you who ever want to see Australia...get a non-stop flight! Also, 18 hours is too long...14 is much better!

Last night at home...

So I am all packed and ready to go. It is so weird to think that in a couple days I will be in a different country starting a new chapter in my life. It hasn't hit me yet in terms of saying good-bye to my family. I have a feeling that it is going to be a long night. I'd like to think that it won't be that long until I see them again, considering I will be coming home in June and Jill is going to come and visit me after she gets out of school. Anyways, this will be my second...and last post until I get over there and have something interesting to write about. Until then...

Summer 2008

So basically I am going to take this opportunity to let you all in on all of the changes in my life over the past 7 months: In June 2008, I took a girls trip to Las Vegas and eventually met this great guy named James. Jimmy and his friends were on a 7 week holiday in the United States and Europe. When I first met Jimmy, I totally hit on him in front of my mom in an elevator in the New York New York Casino. I had asked him what floor he was on to be polite and I heard it...the amazing Australian accent that is! I sort of scared him off but we ended up meeting again at the pool the next day and our two groups were pretty much inseprable for the next two days. After Vegas we kept in contact and I bought a random ticket to Boston and flew there with Britt a week and a half later. I spent a few days with him there and was able to visit my friend Lori that lives in Boston. We still kept in contact through telephone and text message while he was in the United States and heard from him again once he got back in Australia. While Jimmy was in Europe with his friend Rod, Britt and I went to Cabo on vacation with her family. I had recently quit my job at Albertson's and was trying to find out what I wanted to do with my life because I had recently changed my mind about pursuing law school. I had some time to get away and once I got back and heard from Jimmy, I decided to buy a ticket to Australia to go and visit. In September 2008, I flew the long 14 hour flight to Sydney, Australia and spent a month there getting to know James and experiencing a whole new culture. I fell in love with it there and how beautiful it was. It was very difficult to leave. Once I got back in the United States and was driving home from LAX (with that beautiful view...haha) I decided that I wanted to apply for a working and holiday visa. I wanted to see if my feelings would be the same for Jimmy in a more realistic setting. I got approved for a working and holiday visa and bought a ticket back to Oz. I am leaving the United States in four days...I'm a little nervous as to what it is going to be like living in a different country. I am planning on coming back in June to visit, and then going back if all works as planned. You all probably think that I am completely insane...and believe me I think that of myself very often! I will update you after I am down under... Merissa