On a side note, the birds here must go to sleep every night with their little beaks tucked under their wings EXHAUSTED. The noise, noise, noise, noise! They wake up just before the sun comes up, and they do not stop until it is dark outside.
They fly, they chirp, they sing, they call, they twitter, they hop, they go on and on! The other morning I thought the smoke alarm was going off - it was a bird. They are beautiful and darling, and the whole thing is very endearing!
One of the magpies, a huge black and white thing, comes into the yard when Pat is hanging out the washing (yes, I wrote that right!). He wanders around right up close like a neighborhood cat!
Rainbow Lorikeets make a crowd in the trees out the back, particularly at dusk. They sing/squawk/squeal until each one has made it's own place in the tree. The Kookaburras "go off" regularly throughout the day, but particularly at dusk. They claim their territory, and this seems to be a long and important process that takes quite the discussion outside! The Galahs are in the fields pulling worms at school or on the roadside. The Rosellas! They're beautiful.
Mind you, before coming here, I did not like birds. Did not. Now I do.
And today was the best! At school, I'd sent two boys on an errand, and when they returned they were in stitches laughing. "Mrs. Mollahan! We have a funny story to tell the class!" (pronounced 'clahhss') Apparently two Ibis were flying (or running? It was hard to understand through their laughter) and they both banged into a pole out in the patio!
Wednesday, September 15, 2010
Wow
What a difference a generation makes: I'm excited for my son to go to Vietnam!
Ross leaves this Saturday for three weeks in Vietnam with his Society and Culture class. 25 students will travel to Singapore and then on to Hanoi. They'll train to Sapa and then Mai Chau. They'll see the beaches at Sam Son, then to Danang. They come home via Singapore, spending two days there.
They'll do tai chi in the parks at 6 a.m., ride rickety bikes through the cities, attend cooking school, visit holy places, trek through rice fields and do a home stay.
He's taking his Malaria tablets and has had the appropriate shots (gulp). Camera and bug repellent, check. Money belt and toothbrush, check.
I'd love to be a fly on the wall when this trip takes place. I'll wait to see the photos (fit for Mom) when he returns!
Ross leaves this Saturday for three weeks in Vietnam with his Society and Culture class. 25 students will travel to Singapore and then on to Hanoi. They'll train to Sapa and then Mai Chau. They'll see the beaches at Sam Son, then to Danang. They come home via Singapore, spending two days there.
They'll do tai chi in the parks at 6 a.m., ride rickety bikes through the cities, attend cooking school, visit holy places, trek through rice fields and do a home stay.
He's taking his Malaria tablets and has had the appropriate shots (gulp). Camera and bug repellent, check. Money belt and toothbrush, check.
I'd love to be a fly on the wall when this trip takes place. I'll wait to see the photos (fit for Mom) when he returns!
Saturday, September 11, 2010
In the Kitchen
I do not like to cook. But I am having fun with some of the Aussie ingredients around here. Is it the soil? The blue sky and beautiful sunshine? The lack of serious hormones fed to the cattle? The food here tastes great.
I tried Thai last week with not much success, save for yummy coconut milk and lemon grass! The lasagna recipe I've learned here is made with cheese sauce and cream! What's not to love?? The carrots are sweet. The potatoes are small and tender, not big husky Idaho skins! And Pat's fish! Last night I put it in some foil with butter and lemon ("Ross, can you go pick me two lemons from the tree in the yard?"). Dreamy.
We're missing Bisquick pancakes like no other, but we've learned they will remove a box at customs if you (Stephanie) try to send it. And they will hassle you (Tim) in the airport if you try to carry it in your suitcase. So we will wait till January for pancakes American style.
We have solved the chicken enchilada mystery. One store north of here carries enchilada sauce - in a jar and for a price!
I need to stick to learning Thai while we're here!
Some food funnies:
Cheddar cheese is called "Tasty Cheese."
Sharp cheddar is "Strong and Bitey."
One can buy marshmellows in small candy bags to nibble on like gummy bears.
One can buy a bag of "Pineapple Lumps." wow.
Cereal squares the size of brownies, made like particle board but with raisin bran flakes are called Weet Bix. One breaks them in a bowl with milk like Shredded Wheat.
You cannot find Shredded Wheat. Or Cream of Wheat.
The vegie section is tons of fun with all kinds of crazy new fruits and vegies!
It's hard to find skim milk.
It's easy to find cream, custard, cream, and cream!
Bacon is like Canadian bacon - beautiful.
Feta cheese and Ricotta cheese is sold in bulk. They use it in everything.
I bought a kangaroo roast this week.
To buy crocodile I have to go to a butcher 20 minutes in the country.
The icecream is made by Cadbury. That's like having Ghiradelli Ice Cream!
Aussies are all about chicken salt. They put it on fries, potato chips, and popcorn. It's delicious!
Sweet Chili sauce is put on everything like we do with Ranch, but Ranch is hardly ever used, except by us!
Ketchup is called Tomato Sauce (pronounced to-mah-to sauce).
Coca Cola is $30 for a 24 pack.
Don't get me started on prices!!
I tried Thai last week with not much success, save for yummy coconut milk and lemon grass! The lasagna recipe I've learned here is made with cheese sauce and cream! What's not to love?? The carrots are sweet. The potatoes are small and tender, not big husky Idaho skins! And Pat's fish! Last night I put it in some foil with butter and lemon ("Ross, can you go pick me two lemons from the tree in the yard?"). Dreamy.
We're missing Bisquick pancakes like no other, but we've learned they will remove a box at customs if you (Stephanie) try to send it. And they will hassle you (Tim) in the airport if you try to carry it in your suitcase. So we will wait till January for pancakes American style.
We have solved the chicken enchilada mystery. One store north of here carries enchilada sauce - in a jar and for a price!
I need to stick to learning Thai while we're here!
Some food funnies:
Cheddar cheese is called "Tasty Cheese."
Sharp cheddar is "Strong and Bitey."
One can buy marshmellows in small candy bags to nibble on like gummy bears.
One can buy a bag of "Pineapple Lumps." wow.
Cereal squares the size of brownies, made like particle board but with raisin bran flakes are called Weet Bix. One breaks them in a bowl with milk like Shredded Wheat.
You cannot find Shredded Wheat. Or Cream of Wheat.
The vegie section is tons of fun with all kinds of crazy new fruits and vegies!
It's hard to find skim milk.
It's easy to find cream, custard, cream, and cream!
Bacon is like Canadian bacon - beautiful.
Feta cheese and Ricotta cheese is sold in bulk. They use it in everything.
I bought a kangaroo roast this week.
To buy crocodile I have to go to a butcher 20 minutes in the country.
The icecream is made by Cadbury. That's like having Ghiradelli Ice Cream!
Aussies are all about chicken salt. They put it on fries, potato chips, and popcorn. It's delicious!
Sweet Chili sauce is put on everything like we do with Ranch, but Ranch is hardly ever used, except by us!
Ketchup is called Tomato Sauce (pronounced to-mah-to sauce).
Coca Cola is $30 for a 24 pack.
Don't get me started on prices!!
Wednesday, September 8, 2010
Urunga Ball
Yes, the two words are in the same title! Little tiny Urunga had a Ball last Saturday night, and it was fantastic! Black tie, sit down dinner, the works. Pat was loaned a suit and shoes by a friend's tall son. The coat didn't quite work, so after one trip to the Salvation Army he was set with a $5 coat! A trip to Target for a shirt and bow tie and done. My ensemble was a team effort of friends loaning me dresses, bling, and shoes, all for $0!
Anyone who was anyone was there, city counsil members, the bank tellers, the pharmacist, the hardware store man, the hair salon girls, the teachers, the nurses, the police department, the ambulance drivers, the restaurant owners, everyone. 180 people in large tents that were set up on the river front. The kitchen arrived in a truck and served up a fine dinner. A famous cricketer spoke (over our heads, for sure), a comedian performed, and then a band played dance music for the rest of the night. The energy was terrific, and by song #2 the floor was full until they stopped at 1 a.m.
Pat was able to talk with the guys from the local department, which was great for him. I came over and was introduced, made some small talk, and then was basically distracted away so the guys could "really talk!" Australians aren't very subtle, and I should have known better anyway!
At one point I said to someone, "If all of us are here, and we all have children, do we really know what ALL the children are doing this evening??!"
Very fun night!
Anyone who was anyone was there, city counsil members, the bank tellers, the pharmacist, the hardware store man, the hair salon girls, the teachers, the nurses, the police department, the ambulance drivers, the restaurant owners, everyone. 180 people in large tents that were set up on the river front. The kitchen arrived in a truck and served up a fine dinner. A famous cricketer spoke (over our heads, for sure), a comedian performed, and then a band played dance music for the rest of the night. The energy was terrific, and by song #2 the floor was full until they stopped at 1 a.m.
Pat was able to talk with the guys from the local department, which was great for him. I came over and was introduced, made some small talk, and then was basically distracted away so the guys could "really talk!" Australians aren't very subtle, and I should have known better anyway!
At one point I said to someone, "If all of us are here, and we all have children, do we really know what ALL the children are doing this evening??!"
Very fun night!
Tuesday, September 7, 2010
Ho Hum
So what do we do when we aren't sightseeing or traveling or enjoying beers in a pub with no beer? Most of our year here is the day-to-day schedule and routine. I leave for work each morning around 7:30 - 8, except for three mornings when I go with my carpool girls, Annie and Kat, to the gym. We either do a cardio/weight workout, or we do aqua-aerobics. I have American witnesses who have come with me who will vouch for the fact that it is not "tea bag" aerobics! It's a really fun, hard workout, and I wish we had something similar in Corvallis. If we do, let me know!
Ross leaves the house around 8, either by big white plush school bus or by one of his mate's newly acquired car (driving age here is 17). He's at school till 4 or so depending on free periods. Tuesday nights he stays for a late class, Society and Culture, which ends at 6:30. I pick him up those nights since the great fruit and veg market is up near his school (out in the countryside).
I stay at school till 4 or so, and get to drive home most days with the carpool girls. It's a great way to learn even more about the area, the education system, and Australia in general. Last week we laughed ourselves silly the whole way home to terrible jokes, some Aussie, some naughty, some neither. Most days, though, we're rehashing the day's events, discussing issues, logistics, and students. Mix that with a little raising-teenager commiserating, recipe exchanging, and I took the dog to the vet/where does one buy new tires cheaply sharing, and you've got our car rides.
This sounds like home, right? The cool thing, though? Monday when I got home, I asked Ross if he wanted to go walk on the beach, and he took me up on it. We drove 7 minutes, past the kangaroos in the park, to the beach and walked while the sun set (not at the beach - we're on the east coast!). Some other evenings I arrive home to a note that says, "I'm at the jetty fishing. Come find me! Pat" I drive downtown, all of 4 minutes and walk out the boardwalk across the river to find Pat along the jetty rocks. Other afternoons I have to run errands. Like home? Well, here it means going the 4 minutes into town to the one street to get to the post office, the bakery next door, the bank across the street, and say hi to the girls at the hair salon next to the bank. It's wonderful!!
It reminds me of when we lived without a microwave years ago. We got along just fine. I'd had one for years and used it. I use the one I have now all the time. But when you don't have one, it's actually okay. Living without Fred Meyer store is like that. We're fine without, but as soon as we go home, I'll love Fred's again!
Wednesday nights Ross plays basketball with a community team.
Most afternoons, though, we're at home like boring usual, checking email, facebook, watching Australian Idol and hilarious Australian commercials (they have the most interesting sense of advertisements).
You've probably gathered that Pat is either fishing, or at lawn bowls, or doing every part of the housework and yardwork that can be done. He's also been doing all the paperwork and phone calling for our travels and our visa stuff. The visa stuff has been a super headache, which isn't worth going into, but let's just say it's all good, all solved, and was all-consuming for a period of weeks! He spent time on it that I didn't have with teaching, so thanks to him for making it all work out!
Ross leaves the house around 8, either by big white plush school bus or by one of his mate's newly acquired car (driving age here is 17). He's at school till 4 or so depending on free periods. Tuesday nights he stays for a late class, Society and Culture, which ends at 6:30. I pick him up those nights since the great fruit and veg market is up near his school (out in the countryside).
I stay at school till 4 or so, and get to drive home most days with the carpool girls. It's a great way to learn even more about the area, the education system, and Australia in general. Last week we laughed ourselves silly the whole way home to terrible jokes, some Aussie, some naughty, some neither. Most days, though, we're rehashing the day's events, discussing issues, logistics, and students. Mix that with a little raising-teenager commiserating, recipe exchanging, and I took the dog to the vet/where does one buy new tires cheaply sharing, and you've got our car rides.
This sounds like home, right? The cool thing, though? Monday when I got home, I asked Ross if he wanted to go walk on the beach, and he took me up on it. We drove 7 minutes, past the kangaroos in the park, to the beach and walked while the sun set (not at the beach - we're on the east coast!). Some other evenings I arrive home to a note that says, "I'm at the jetty fishing. Come find me! Pat" I drive downtown, all of 4 minutes and walk out the boardwalk across the river to find Pat along the jetty rocks. Other afternoons I have to run errands. Like home? Well, here it means going the 4 minutes into town to the one street to get to the post office, the bakery next door, the bank across the street, and say hi to the girls at the hair salon next to the bank. It's wonderful!!
It reminds me of when we lived without a microwave years ago. We got along just fine. I'd had one for years and used it. I use the one I have now all the time. But when you don't have one, it's actually okay. Living without Fred Meyer store is like that. We're fine without, but as soon as we go home, I'll love Fred's again!
Wednesday nights Ross plays basketball with a community team.
Most afternoons, though, we're at home like boring usual, checking email, facebook, watching Australian Idol and hilarious Australian commercials (they have the most interesting sense of advertisements).
You've probably gathered that Pat is either fishing, or at lawn bowls, or doing every part of the housework and yardwork that can be done. He's also been doing all the paperwork and phone calling for our travels and our visa stuff. The visa stuff has been a super headache, which isn't worth going into, but let's just say it's all good, all solved, and was all-consuming for a period of weeks! He spent time on it that I didn't have with teaching, so thanks to him for making it all work out!
Sunday, September 5, 2010
Fishing NSW
Fishing in NSW has been the fishing experience of a lifetime! Thanks to Graeme & Paul.
Garfish, bream, tailor, mullet, flatheads, darts, bull sharks, eels, blackfish & jewel fish, catfish, whitings & shovelnose sharks.
What about bait? Well, Paul taught me about the pippi at Pippi Beach in Yamba. When all else fails & you run out of bait, do the twist in the sand near the waters edge for pippis, a type of clam.
Fishing for garfish, mullet & bream, Graeme had us using bread, successfully!
Fishing for blackfish? Well, they are a vegetarian fish and the use of sea cabbage or river weed works.
Fishing for jewel or big bream or eels or sharks? A variety of baits work including live mullet and beach worms. Now, what's a beach worm? Well, imagine an earth worm with a head bearing 10-12 tiny feelers & can range in length from 2-5+ feet in length.
Thanks Graeme, I never thought I could learn so much about fishing! You are a patient instructor & have probably forgotten more about fishing than I have learned in my lifetime!!!!!
So, check out the photos....
Garfish, bream, tailor, mullet, flatheads, darts, bull sharks, eels, blackfish & jewel fish, catfish, whitings & shovelnose sharks.
What about bait? Well, Paul taught me about the pippi at Pippi Beach in Yamba. When all else fails & you run out of bait, do the twist in the sand near the waters edge for pippis, a type of clam.
Fishing for garfish, mullet & bream, Graeme had us using bread, successfully!
Fishing for blackfish? Well, they are a vegetarian fish and the use of sea cabbage or river weed works.
Fishing for jewel or big bream or eels or sharks? A variety of baits work including live mullet and beach worms. Now, what's a beach worm? Well, imagine an earth worm with a head bearing 10-12 tiny feelers & can range in length from 2-5+ feet in length.
Thanks Graeme, I never thought I could learn so much about fishing! You are a patient instructor & have probably forgotten more about fishing than I have learned in my lifetime!!!!!
So, check out the photos....
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