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.