Arriving in Adelaide Thursday

Well I got my visa this morning. Seems they didn't realise that they had my UK Police check already and were just sitting around waiting on it. No one got in touch with me to let me know this of course. I rang yesterday to see where things were at, and my CO looked through the paperwork again and found it. I'm letting this one slip though, without doing too much complaining. It's over and yours truly is an Australian resident, with nothing to do for another year and a half as far as immigration paperwork goes. See ya Thursday Adelaide!

Cultural Differences Between Yanks and Aussies

The other night while watching Flight of the Conchords, a ridiculously boring Kiwi TV show that has somehow managed to win a Grammy, Steve made a comment which highlighted quite obviously the fact that we are from different countries. There was a segment on the show where the two Kiwi blokes in the US are being told how Kiwis are the most hated 'race' in America. When one of them asked the Yank who said this "What about black people?" the response was "Yeah they pretty much hate your guts too." (Keep in mind this is a comedy and that in this instance, the Kiwis were being confused with the English.) Anyhoo move on to various shows of racism towards our 2 Kiwi friends, the last of which being them boarding a bus and being told by the passengers to move to the back. Steve looked at me and said "What's wrong with the back of the bus?" You know, I did take him to the Ford Museum in Michigan but I think he missed the Rosa Parks exhibit...

Something else I came across while posting this, that is worth a read.

Australian TV worth watching

So I just watched this half hour comedy show that was f'ing hysterical, called the Ronnie Johns Half Hour. Aside from the strange looking semi-retarded wanna be pseudo-American cowboy bits, it was awesome! I'm starting to enjoy some Australian tv (not including Neighbors and Home & Away of course), like The Farmer Wants a Wife (Steve even took some time off from the car forums to watch this with me when it was on) and McLeod's Daughters (how in the world do they get away with pronouncing that Mick-lowd's?!). It's happening...I'm being assimilated. Pretty soon I'll be saying 'I Reckon' without even thinking about it:/

Everything happens for a reason

While it has been terribly frustrating to spend the last week or so waiting on the visa letter to come in the mail 'any day' I have to think, when I see the Australian news in the morning, that everything happens for a reason. They've had record breaking heat for the past 11 days, in the high 30s. For those of you who think in Fahrenheit, this is like 110 degrees or so. There are bush fires in the hills, and as we have no air conditioning in the house, I am so glad we're not there for it. (The guy who build our house must have been a total cheapskate!) When it gets this hot, where do you put your possessions that can't stand the heat...do I shift my make-up and Tylenol to the fridge?

Rotorua Thermal Springs

Sounds oh so much nicer than it looks...or smells:/

Watching one's husband jump out of a plane...

is slightly disconcerting. We went to Taupo this weekend so Steve could do just that, and stopped in Rotorua along the way. Now, it was a tandem skydive, so the Swiss fella on Steve's back did most of the work...at least in keeping him safe, as Steve was allowed to steer. I haven't seen a bigger grin on his face ever, aside from our wedding day.

Omega Rental Cars - Rubbish!

Just a quick note that if you visit New Zealand, do not rent from Omega rental cars. They are the only rental company that trys to scam you on petrol by starting you off with half a tank...well, just slightly over, and they expect exactly as much back, or they charge $2.50 per litre. They also upgraded us to a larger car without asking, which of course meant more petrol, and when Steve complained and tried to get a discount due to this at the return, the manager told him to get lost, basically. And she took our copy of the rental agreement from him. Now...no one is rude to my husband...unless they want to have to deal with me! I've sent in a complaint, as I have her business card, to both Omega and the automobile rental association of New Zealand. As we've mentioned before, customer service in New Zealand is atrocious, but this place is even worse than the norm. Thumbs down!

An Anti-American American?

I often have a look at World Hum as they have some interesting articles, half of which I tend towards disagreeing with. The more I travel and live abroad, the more I think most travellers have their heads up their asses. Ok, so I'm being harsh, but what I mean is that the myth of the enlightened traveller gets dispelled the more you travel and see;) I don't think this person is Anti-American, but I think it is interesting how you can get a dissertation topic to turn out anyway you want it to. She says all of her interview subjects have been to America, but for how long? And of the people I speak to while abroad, those who have a negative attitude about us quite often have not ever visited or if they did, were there on holiday and for a short period of time. To this comment:

"Anti-Americanism is an issue that is not going away any time soon, but if a few of us make an effort when traveling abroad to break the stereotype, we might be better ambassadors for our country."

...all I have to say is, if you have a bad opinion of my country, based on biased media reports, a short trip there, or discussions and/or interaction with a tiny minority of the 300 million Americans that exist, get over it.

I Love it When People Get Locked in the Kitchen

When you live in a hostel, and your bed is not just your bed but your sofa and dinner table, you have to enjoy the small amusements...such as people getting locked in the kitchen. Occasionally, the wind slams the kitchen door shut, and it can be a bitch to get back open. Those of us who have been here a while know to turn the handle all the way to the left and slam a hip against the door. The newbies and passers through yank on the handle and push and yank on the handle some more and push some more and...[you get the picture] until they finally bust through and almost fall down from the effort. It can be amusing.

Not so amusing is the parasites, and I'm not referring to bugs...just a couple of English and German blokes here at the moment. One of the regular passers through is a fella who drives up on the weekends to sell at the local markets. When he comes back on Saturday, he sometimes has some food to share and as yesterday it was pissing down all day, I guess the vendors were giving away what would spoil to each other, so he came back with potatoes, 3 types of bread, 3 types of homemade ravioli (mushroom, spinach and pumpkin...amazing), cheese, salmon, spinach, lettuce, pasta sauce, and olive oil. Anyway, he was going to cook it up and share it with all who were interested. Sure, we hung around to get some, but the greediness and vulture-like quality of some of our hostel dwellers were sickening. They took huge amounts of what was meant for all, one even stole a bag of lettuce. This morning when I was making a potato, spinach, egg and cheese skillet from some of the leftovers which the fella gave to us at the end, one of them even came around looking at my food, intently. People are truly amazing!

Last days

Next Friday is my last day at my job. I'm thinking about this as I sip my cappuccino, made from the office machine. I've been extremely spoiled at this job--the work has been good, for the most part my co-workers have been awesome (I've discovered I much prefer working in a team of men. They're just so much easier going.), the leaving teas are killer, the location is perfect, the pay has been pretty good, and there is of course the coffee machine, plus the daily biscuits (cookies) and crackers. I am so never working non-profit again.

Modified to add: Surprise surprise my contract has been extended again, although I'll be moving to another department for the next couple of weeks.

Hiking Rangitoto

We did a day trip to Rangitoto on the ferry. Long hike---about an hour each way and all uphill on the way out, but well worth it. This was our 2nd meet up of the InterNations group, a global expat site that has local communities all over the world. I've been heading up the Auckland community, and hope to do the same when we get to Adelaide, as they didn't give the smaller cities in Australia communities yet;) I think many members weren't up for the hike, as it only ended up to be 6 of us, but it was a good time regardless. And yes, we walked from the edge of land you see, up much further than where we took those pics.

Koo-moo

I think that's how it's pronounced anyway. I went here this weekend. This was actually pretty cool. Kind of like a very mini Taste of Chicago where 2/3 of what was on offer was booze! I had fejoia wine, pear cider, wheat beer and a frozen butterscotch daquiri thing, plus sausages, cheese and crepes:)

No children please

Yesterday Steve and I went to an outdoor free music event. They hold these every Sunday in the Domain, which is a large park with different areas for different things. It was a saxophone quartet and was fantastic. This week it was in a smaller area of the Domain called the Wintergarden. Now, the one thing that surprised me about going to this was that there was a LOT of children there. Back home, this would be considered an adult event and if there were kids running around, it would be frowned upon. I realise kids need culture too, but can't they get it at home or places that are designated for children? A lot of people with children will most likely be offended by my attitude, but I don't think children have any place at an event like this. I love my cousin's kids, I enjoy my friends' children on occasion, and I'll enjoy spending time with my new nieces and nephew when we get back to Adelaide, but when it comes to my social life, I don't want children anywhere near it. I think there's a different cultural attitude toward family friendliness down here, which is probably good for the majority, but a real sucky aspect of life down under for me.

Yoga!

I went to the best yoga class I've been to in years last night. I'm convinced that yoga is one of those activities that can be as satisfying as sex, if done the right way. I still feel good today. And to top it off, it came with free dinner & dessert afterwards. The place I went to is run by a Hari Krishna group, and I think part of the beliefs/tenets have something to do with service, so it's a non profit run by volunteers, who cook for and feed you afterwards. I just have to find a 'sister' location in Adelaide now! (If you know of one, let me know;)

Boobs on the beach

Yesterday Steve and I spent the day on Waiheke Island, as it was a bank holiday here (Auckland Anniversary Day). Went on the ferry (pics later) then hiked around the island to a couple of vineyards, the main 'city' and the beach. I had forgotten that in some places it is (?? legal) commonplace to see a few (*cough* skanks) topless women laying about. Seriously shocking to the sensibilities, to be quite honest, when you're not used to that. I wouldn't mind most likely, if it was just me walking along the beach;) I'd probably be thinking "yeah more power to ya ladies...the men have their tops off so why shouldn't we" but somehow when one's young impressionable...er, husband is getting an eyefull, I develop teurette's (*see above*).

I think what upsets me most about moving overseas is that I feel at times I am expected to adopt new values just because. I don't mind accepting the fact that people have different values, but NOTHING makes me fiestier than all of a sudden being expected to accept that tits on the beach, flip flops being called thongs, and ketchup on hotdogs are the norm! To each his own, and empathy for all, as always, but agreeing to disagree and different does not always equal better has to be the rule imo.

Snapshot of Australia

Wow, did you know 43% of Australians were born overseas or have one parent who was? I have to read this for my visa:

http://www.immi.gov.au/living-in-australia/values/book/english/lia_english_full.pdf

Medicals requested

Well I finally got my request for medicals in the mail and am going tomorrow, where I assume I get to have blood drawn etc, and know I have to pee in a cup:( I hate going to the doctor, unless it's my doctor back home. I also have to have a chest x-ray, to make sure I don't have TB:/ Fun stuff, but at least it will be over and we are one step closer to getting our visa!

Morning Tea at a Kiwi office

They often have morning teas here when a staff member is leaving (I think more people should leave so we can get free food more often). The combination of foodstuffs on offer, however, is always very strange. Keep in mind these events (which consist of more than just tea by the way) happen at about 10am. Today we had meat pies, bacon & egg pies, muffins, brownies, sausage rolls, ginger squares and apple pie square thingies. Odd for a nation that reals back in horror when it is suggested to mix sweet and savory together:/

Social Security...what a joy!

Ok, so back when I did my name change I got, among many many other things, a new Social Security card. In order to do this, I had to visit my local US Consulate with verifiable documents in hand, which meant I first had to get my new passport (also done by the Consulate) to show some ID with my new name. They then sent in my documents, and a few months later, my brand new SS card came in the mail (to my mom in the US, as I requested for security reasons)...with my middle name spelled wrong. She then had to call our local SS office, who advised they would send out a form for her to fill out (which I now know is easily downloadable from the internet...as it is the same form I initially filled out for the new card with name change!). When she received the form, it also said I needed to send documentation of the name, which of course they had in the first place. Upon trying to call the local office, the line was busy...for weeks, so when she called the SS 800 number they said "Oh yes, we get many complaints about that office. Best to go in person or have your daughter go to her local Consulate." Yeah, like going in person would be any better...she would have been there all day I bet and they wouldn't have known anything. Took me almost a week, 2 phone calls and 2 emails to get a response from the Consulate here. They're crap at responding to phone and email enquiries, but very helpful when you finally reach them. Hmmm, the best of Kiwi and American customer service combined? Anyhoo, the Consulate said they had to forward my request to the regional office, in.....wait for it....the Phillipines! So I have been 3 way emailing back and forth for about a half an hour between myself, Auckland and the Phillipines, the last of which still has my paperwork on file. They're sending me a new card. Um, thanks Mom by the way.

Gold coins only

There is an ad in the staff kitchen today for the Heart Foundation, which is having its annual 'pick yer pocket' week in February (the week of V day to be precise). Having worked in non-profit for many years, I never give money to charity, hence my annoyance at the fact that I am solicited more on Auckland streets for charity than I was back in Chicago by the homeless (this held true in the UK as well). The thing that strikes me Down Under (noticed this in Australia also), is that they specify 'gold coins donations', which for those of you not familiar with the currency down here, means $1 and $2 coins only...no 10, 20 or 50 cent pieces wanted. You would think they would take every cent they would could get, rather than be fussy about coinage:/