Observing the Aussie Way

The first few weeks of living in a different country are a bit like having a new baby without any help or any of those lovely gifts you receive for a baby shower. Your days are spent in a bit of a fog and you need to accept that getting one thing done (like buying a toaster) should be considered an accomplishment.

This however, does not go over well with my "put everything on a list and get everything done" nature.

But alas, this is how it shall be for the next few weeks and maybe even months which is something I'll need to get used to. I'll start working on that after I get over whatever virus/cold has taken hold of my head. Yes, I'm sick and I believe I picked it up from Kaia and Ben so it's my turn. It's not very comfortable being sick when you are sleeping on a rental bed with one pillow and no cable tv.

Enough feeling sorry for Maura - on to more observations:

1. Lemonade = Sprite
   
2. They don't carry rootbeer here and Ben is still grieving over this.
   
3. You are able and expected to bargain a deal on anything in the stores -- this would be like going into a BestBuy and saying "hey, I'm not paying $1,599 for that refrigerator". It's very interesting and for those of you who know I like to haggle at the Kane County Flea Market you know this is kind of shopping is right up my alley. So far I've done fairly well at getting money off on a refrigerator and washer/dryer along with free shipping. Here's the kicker: the delivery person will hook up the refrigerator and the washing machine, but someone else needs to install the dryer and that will cost me $99! GRUMBLE.....
   
4. I enjoyed a lovely Sauvingon Blanc the other day called "The Arrogant Frog" - however, it doesn't taste so good when you have a stuffed-up head.
   
5. Jumper = sweater, skivy = long-sleeved tshirt or turtleneck.
   
6. The Melburnians are all commenting on how cold they are - they are coming off a very hot summer and moving into autumn - and they think 60 degrees and sunny is cold.
   
7. I have now driven twice to Target with no accidents - although the turn signal is on the other side of the steering wheel so I keep flipping the wipers on. Maybe it is better to walk.