Yeah, so a couple nights ago I was walking into my room out back and as I passed the curtain I spotted this massive spider just hanging out on MY curtain. It was about 10 pm and the only person still up was Craig who was in the lounge and unable to hear my screams. This resulted in me being stranded in the far corner of my room unable to leave because that dang spider blocked my only exit. Not to mention the fact that I could not monitor its unholy movements because it was on the wrong side of the curtain.
After about 10 minutes of plotting an exit and swallowing my fear I ran through the door to go get backup (Craig.) He came out armed with a thong (flip-flop) ready to kill the beast and.....SURPRISE! No evil arachnid. The mofo left and I had no idea where he had gone or how long ago he had escaped. More importantly I did not know if he was still inside my room or if he had the courtesy to find his own room. I had to resign myself to the lounge inside the house for a while until I got enough backbone to return to my dwelling. Please believe I seriously considered sleeping on the couch in the house but I didn't want my employer to judge me. It was bad enough having to run inside and ask him to be an exterminator. I think you can probably guess that I still live in fear that he is with me still. I love this room, why shouldn't he? I bet he's hiding in my comfy bed. I looked but I know he's tricky. They are not to be trusted.
CommunityChannel aka Natalie Tran pretty much hits the nail on the head when it comes to these terrifying, God forsaken creatures.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bKNsv4R3xtA&feature=relmfu
WATCH IT.
Saturday, 15 October 2011
Thursday, 13 October 2011
The Mitchener Drinking Club
Hey there, kids!
A couple days ago I was stalking an old friend on Facebook and he had written this thing about Skype drinking dates. I immediately felt so emotionally connected to this idea that I asked Casey, Martha, and Mama to join me in our own as soon as possible. It's usually dinner time/wine time in the States while morning here so that narrowed my options a bit to mimosa or the Breakfast drink. [For those that are missing out, the BF drink is something Cori and I created. We felt like there were not enough breakfast drinks so we created our own freaking amazing option. I will not tell you what is in it because it is a)secret and b)something you probably won't try if you found out what's in it- wuss.]
I chose mimosa because hard liquor is so much more expensive here and the mimosa required fewer ingredients. So after I dropped Taylor off at school I came home and met my girls for our date. Casey, who got serious demerits, did not drink as she was about to go out. (It's called pre-gaming, Case.) Other than that we all had our drinks and caught up. Part of this included looking at the glorious naked tease photo of a Canuck hockey player. I forgot his name, but honestly, who cares? I tried to find the link for y'all, but apparently "naked canadian hockey player" brings up a whole other series of pics from Google. Search at your own risk. Or pleasure. Whatever.
Anyway, the ladies and I decided that we should have the Mitchener Drinking Club, which I like to think is a happier, alcoholic version of Ya-Ya Sisterhood. I intend on documenting our adventures and making a book of everyone involved. The best part is I am not limiting entry to Mitcheners. You can be from any family and all names will be changed in the book. Just ask and you can join us!
In other news, Bella got her ear operation done (just grommets to drain the fluid in her ear) so now she can hear! This video is before her surgery. She is doing animal sounds and you can tell what she heard is not exactly what we were saying, but she's smart and got around quite well for being one of the worst cases that Doc had ever seen!
A couple days ago I was stalking an old friend on Facebook and he had written this thing about Skype drinking dates. I immediately felt so emotionally connected to this idea that I asked Casey, Martha, and Mama to join me in our own as soon as possible. It's usually dinner time/wine time in the States while morning here so that narrowed my options a bit to mimosa or the Breakfast drink. [For those that are missing out, the BF drink is something Cori and I created. We felt like there were not enough breakfast drinks so we created our own freaking amazing option. I will not tell you what is in it because it is a)secret and b)something you probably won't try if you found out what's in it- wuss.]
I chose mimosa because hard liquor is so much more expensive here and the mimosa required fewer ingredients. So after I dropped Taylor off at school I came home and met my girls for our date. Casey, who got serious demerits, did not drink as she was about to go out. (It's called pre-gaming, Case.) Other than that we all had our drinks and caught up. Part of this included looking at the glorious naked tease photo of a Canuck hockey player. I forgot his name, but honestly, who cares? I tried to find the link for y'all, but apparently "naked canadian hockey player" brings up a whole other series of pics from Google. Search at your own risk. Or pleasure. Whatever.
Anyway, the ladies and I decided that we should have the Mitchener Drinking Club, which I like to think is a happier, alcoholic version of Ya-Ya Sisterhood. I intend on documenting our adventures and making a book of everyone involved. The best part is I am not limiting entry to Mitcheners. You can be from any family and all names will be changed in the book. Just ask and you can join us!
In other news, Bella got her ear operation done (just grommets to drain the fluid in her ear) so now she can hear! This video is before her surgery. She is doing animal sounds and you can tell what she heard is not exactly what we were saying, but she's smart and got around quite well for being one of the worst cases that Doc had ever seen!
The girls are cute as ever. I went to the Taronga Zoo, which I believe I mentioned in my last post and can now say with confidence that kangaroos are real. Tonight and technically tomorrow night I will be going out, but as Mike and Ravin can tell you, I will probably flake on Saturday. How sad that Craig has already pegged me as a grandma and he was the first to laugh when I said I would be going out both nights. I am so cool.
Anyway, I need to plan my first trip. Where do you think I should go? Melbourne? Perth? Straight into the Outback and see it first? I am up for suggestions!
I am also interested to know if anyone has good ideas to get kids to eat. I would love some dinner ideas. Taylor won't eat much more than nuggets and ravioli. I even made her real fried chicken one night and she demanded the frozen crap. Boy, did that feel good. I'm up for ideas!
Can't wait to tell you all about the stories I get tonight! Love you and remember: if you google "naked hockey player" I would make sure SafeSearch is on.
Friday, 7 October 2011
Shelby!, Cinema, Singers, and Southern
Many fun things to report! I am still enjoying Sydney! I have made friends with a group of girls who are so fun and enjoy drinking like I do! Last night we went out to a bar which was expensive but fun. It's called Cargo Bar and is on the Harbour. Beautiful views! Some secuirty guard at the next bar told me he should be my boyfriend and then admitted that he was a mere 18 years old. Yeah, no thanks amigo. I finished my beer and made the girls high tail it out of that place moments later.
I went to go see The Help, which was amazing. It made me miss home so much and all I wanted to do afterwards was go listen to Southern accents. It also made me miss home because my movie ticket cost $18. Yeah. JUST the ticket. I wanted popcorn too so two hours of nostalgia cost me $23. I should have stayed home and watched Steel Magnolias ("Shelby!"). I'm just kidding, go watch it. It is a fabulous film. I have to say though, considering that a movie costs 5 dollars in Clemson and 10 in Augusta, nearly $20 for a ticket hurt. Not to mention, apparently CDs cost an arm and a leg too. Craig told me that a new album costs $23. Seriously? Who's music is really worth that? I mean, besides Kelly Clarkson (whose new album "Stronger" drops Oct. 24- go buy it). He got all cross when I told him Target sells new albums for about $13. On the movie subject, I took Karen to see Crazy Stupid Love which is still the best movie ever and Ryan Gosling's abs are still too beautiful for words. Emma Stone is still my hero and everyone should go see this movie. Even if it costs 20 bucks.
Taylor and I went to the Taronga Zoo a few days ago. That absolutely changed my life. I want to work in a zoo at some point. Elephants are the coolest animal ever and I also want a pet tiger and kangaroo. I think we could all get along well. We all have sassy personalities and from what I can tell we all love a good meal.
It looks as though they just lay around for good portions of the day which I can do happily. I am doing it right now actually. Team Ex is gone for the weekend and I am not moving one inch from this couch other than to get food ro change the DVD. Except I barely have to do that since at the moment I am streaming TV online.
The only thing I am missing are all my friends and the cast of Arrested Development. And wine. I have also bought on my Kindle (thanks, family!) Ellen's new book and it is amazing! I often annoy Craig and Karen by laughing about something that they won't get because it's one of those you-have-to-read-the-whole-chapter-to-get-it jokes. I highly recommend it if you just want to laugh.
Earlier this morning I was slightly productive and got a laser hair removal treatment. It was really interesting! Didn't hurt at all and I do believe it will be a lot easier than shaving all the time. A friend told me that they do it here for a great deal less that America and that was pretty much all it took for me to book an
appointment. I have to go again in six weeks so I will keep everyone updated on the process. I am sure you are all riveted with anticipation.
Well, enough of all that. Love. And remember: Tigers are 5-0 and will soon be 6-0 :)
I went to go see The Help, which was amazing. It made me miss home so much and all I wanted to do afterwards was go listen to Southern accents. It also made me miss home because my movie ticket cost $18. Yeah. JUST the ticket. I wanted popcorn too so two hours of nostalgia cost me $23. I should have stayed home and watched Steel Magnolias ("Shelby!"). I'm just kidding, go watch it. It is a fabulous film. I have to say though, considering that a movie costs 5 dollars in Clemson and 10 in Augusta, nearly $20 for a ticket hurt. Not to mention, apparently CDs cost an arm and a leg too. Craig told me that a new album costs $23. Seriously? Who's music is really worth that? I mean, besides Kelly Clarkson (whose new album "Stronger" drops Oct. 24- go buy it). He got all cross when I told him Target sells new albums for about $13. On the movie subject, I took Karen to see Crazy Stupid Love which is still the best movie ever and Ryan Gosling's abs are still too beautiful for words. Emma Stone is still my hero and everyone should go see this movie. Even if it costs 20 bucks.
Taylor and I went to the Taronga Zoo a few days ago. That absolutely changed my life. I want to work in a zoo at some point. Elephants are the coolest animal ever and I also want a pet tiger and kangaroo. I think we could all get along well. We all have sassy personalities and from what I can tell we all love a good meal.
It looks as though they just lay around for good portions of the day which I can do happily. I am doing it right now actually. Team Ex is gone for the weekend and I am not moving one inch from this couch other than to get food ro change the DVD. Except I barely have to do that since at the moment I am streaming TV online.
The only thing I am missing are all my friends and the cast of Arrested Development. And wine. I have also bought on my Kindle (thanks, family!) Ellen's new book and it is amazing! I often annoy Craig and Karen by laughing about something that they won't get because it's one of those you-have-to-read-the-whole-chapter-to-get-it jokes. I highly recommend it if you just want to laugh.
Earlier this morning I was slightly productive and got a laser hair removal treatment. It was really interesting! Didn't hurt at all and I do believe it will be a lot easier than shaving all the time. A friend told me that they do it here for a great deal less that America and that was pretty much all it took for me to book an
appointment. I have to go again in six weeks so I will keep everyone updated on the process. I am sure you are all riveted with anticipation.
Well, enough of all that. Love. And remember: Tigers are 5-0 and will soon be 6-0 :)
Thursday, 29 September 2011
Beginning of a Super Long Weekend
This morning I was able to sleep in until 10 am. That's right. A good, solid 11 hours of sleep for me. It felt so good! I got the day off today and Monday is Labor Day here so I get that day off too! I suddenly have so much free time I have no idea what to do with myself. Suggestions are welcome.
At the moment I am waiting on Mom to get on Skype. We were supposed to meet 15 minutes ago, but I guess it's a good thing she's late otherwise I would be watching the BBC version of Pride and Prejudice and not writing this insanely boring post.
I went to the Legends of New Orleans Jazz concert at the Opera House two nights ago and it was spectacular! Jon Cleary is Elton John meets Van Morrison meets zydeco. Watching him on the piano was absurd. And he did a song in the style of Jelly Roll Morton who wrote my university's Tiger Rag, so you know I loved that one! The Dirty Dozen Brass Band was next and they were really cool. Turns out the did a duet with Norah Jones that I had on my iPod so the fact that I already had their music made me happy. Allen Toussaint came out last in a sparkly jacket any flaming gay male would envy and since I was pretty toasted at this point in the night I greatly enjoyed his set and got up and danced. A big and joyful thank you to my family who gave me this present. It was a stroke of brilliance! I wish you all could have been there!
Uh...my laundry is done which means I have to go hang things on the line out back. The idea is wonderful but honestly, my arms get tired from reaching up there for 20 minutes. Can't someone else do it? I am too short for all that.
I have a feeling today will be filled with Pride and Prejudice, The Help movie and possible The Guard movie. For everyone that enjoyed In Bruge- look up The Guard. I can't wait to see it!
Love! And remember: Don't go number 2 in the bathtub while other people are in it, the way a certain child did last night. No one likes to clean that sh-- up.
At the moment I am waiting on Mom to get on Skype. We were supposed to meet 15 minutes ago, but I guess it's a good thing she's late otherwise I would be watching the BBC version of Pride and Prejudice and not writing this insanely boring post.
I went to the Legends of New Orleans Jazz concert at the Opera House two nights ago and it was spectacular! Jon Cleary is Elton John meets Van Morrison meets zydeco. Watching him on the piano was absurd. And he did a song in the style of Jelly Roll Morton who wrote my university's Tiger Rag, so you know I loved that one! The Dirty Dozen Brass Band was next and they were really cool. Turns out the did a duet with Norah Jones that I had on my iPod so the fact that I already had their music made me happy. Allen Toussaint came out last in a sparkly jacket any flaming gay male would envy and since I was pretty toasted at this point in the night I greatly enjoyed his set and got up and danced. A big and joyful thank you to my family who gave me this present. It was a stroke of brilliance! I wish you all could have been there!
Uh...my laundry is done which means I have to go hang things on the line out back. The idea is wonderful but honestly, my arms get tired from reaching up there for 20 minutes. Can't someone else do it? I am too short for all that.
I have a feeling today will be filled with Pride and Prejudice, The Help movie and possible The Guard movie. For everyone that enjoyed In Bruge- look up The Guard. I can't wait to see it!
Love! And remember: Don't go number 2 in the bathtub while other people are in it, the way a certain child did last night. No one likes to clean that sh-- up.
Monday, 26 September 2011
GREAT NEWS! We now have wireless internet and so far (like, the last 2 hours) it is working like a bloody charm! I am so happy! I will post pictures and videos and fun stuff all tomorrow! Taylor is home for spring break for the next two weeks, but she will have to be my second priority over this! So excited!
So exhausted tonight! Last night I sat for the neighbors who had the sweetest kids, but they did not get home until midnight and I had to get up early this morning, so I am bushed! Luckily, drinking wine and the excitement of internet has really kicked up the adrenaline. I feel like I have so much stuff to share but I forgot it all! Let's see...
Went to go get Yum Cha (who's heard of it?) with the fam. The line was too long so we got Japanese instead, but TONY- I did you hair-pulling-the-paper trick you taught me and they started trying to pull out each others hair to perform the trick. How did you avoid this? :) They also were only slightly impressed, like you were, so I may have been doing it wrong. I was wishing you were there to come up with fun bored-time games. Feel free to pass them all along! I miss our antics at the Reny!!
I went out again with a fun girl named Cecile from the Netherlands the other night. We went to some mediocre bars and found less than mediocre people. One guy at the end of the night came up and read my palms. Seriously? Not only did he really do it, but he told me I had a short life line. ----
Alright.
One) If you are going to be hitting on a girl, DO NOT read her palm
Two) If you are going to be hitting on a girl and insist to read her palm, DO NOT tell her she will die soon.
Why should I even have to say that? Freaking idiot. I swear...
I got sat on in the bus the next day by some portly 65 year old which was...awkward. The bus started moving and he wasn't prepared and naturally, thanks to Jesus and his hilarious sense of humor, I was in the seat easiest for him to land. It's okay though- I kinda liked it.
Gross. Even the sarcasm felt weird.
The family (I think I like "Team Ex" for their nicknames. They are the Extrems. I dunno...we'll ponder) is still super. I met some other au pairs and I can tell I have really been blessed. That is, I made sure that the family I work for wanted a lazy au pair for good money and did not want to kill me or sell me in the end. The parents are so badass. I think all of you would enjoy their company.
Went to the beach a couple times here recently. Beautiful locales! Even more beautiful guys if you can believe it! I shall take numerous pictures, ladies! Do not fear! Gracious, I get verbose a few wines in, don't I? Okay, time to go. I shall return tomorrow!
Love you guys. Stay healthy and don't do drugs. Remember: Don't store your screw cap wines at an angle! Stand them straight up!
So exhausted tonight! Last night I sat for the neighbors who had the sweetest kids, but they did not get home until midnight and I had to get up early this morning, so I am bushed! Luckily, drinking wine and the excitement of internet has really kicked up the adrenaline. I feel like I have so much stuff to share but I forgot it all! Let's see...
Went to go get Yum Cha (who's heard of it?) with the fam. The line was too long so we got Japanese instead, but TONY- I did you hair-pulling-the-paper trick you taught me and they started trying to pull out each others hair to perform the trick. How did you avoid this? :) They also were only slightly impressed, like you were, so I may have been doing it wrong. I was wishing you were there to come up with fun bored-time games. Feel free to pass them all along! I miss our antics at the Reny!!
I went out again with a fun girl named Cecile from the Netherlands the other night. We went to some mediocre bars and found less than mediocre people. One guy at the end of the night came up and read my palms. Seriously? Not only did he really do it, but he told me I had a short life line. ----
Alright.
One) If you are going to be hitting on a girl, DO NOT read her palm
Two) If you are going to be hitting on a girl and insist to read her palm, DO NOT tell her she will die soon.
Why should I even have to say that? Freaking idiot. I swear...
I got sat on in the bus the next day by some portly 65 year old which was...awkward. The bus started moving and he wasn't prepared and naturally, thanks to Jesus and his hilarious sense of humor, I was in the seat easiest for him to land. It's okay though- I kinda liked it.
Gross. Even the sarcasm felt weird.
The family (I think I like "Team Ex" for their nicknames. They are the Extrems. I dunno...we'll ponder) is still super. I met some other au pairs and I can tell I have really been blessed. That is, I made sure that the family I work for wanted a lazy au pair for good money and did not want to kill me or sell me in the end. The parents are so badass. I think all of you would enjoy their company.
Went to the beach a couple times here recently. Beautiful locales! Even more beautiful guys if you can believe it! I shall take numerous pictures, ladies! Do not fear! Gracious, I get verbose a few wines in, don't I? Okay, time to go. I shall return tomorrow!
Love you guys. Stay healthy and don't do drugs. Remember: Don't store your screw cap wines at an angle! Stand them straight up!
Sunday, 11 September 2011
Birthdays and Wines!
Very sorry for the delay in updates. I have been away from my computer recently. I had a wonderful birthday dinner- Duck Ragu made by Megan and her boyfriend which was almost indescribable in its deliciousness. The next day, Friday, we went to Hunter Valley to visit Karen's family. I sat with the girls Friday afternoon and then Saturday got to go on a wine tour! I got pretty blitzed since we started around 10 and went til 5 or so. We visited 5 different wineries, 3 of which I do not remember. Apparently I liked the wine though, because I brought a bottle home with me. Now, we did go to a place called the Smelly Cheese Shop and I bought Cow's cheese with sundried tomato and garlic. Oh. My. Gosh. It's like goat cheese but softer and saltier. Yummy. I was told I would get to see some kangaroos there but I never did so I am not yet convinced they are real animals. To me, they are still mythological.
Today I have Piper and Bella since daycare doesn't have space for them on Mondays. Apparently it is a very sought after daycare. We went to the park and I think in a little bit we will head up to Target, get some coffee and wander, then go pick up Taylor from school.
I've gotten pretty good at using the vernacular, but sometimes I forget that there might be a different word than the one I know and usually Craig takes that opportunity to pounce on the American vocabulary.
Example: "I put the bag in the trunk already."
"You put it where?? The boot."
They use "lounge" not "den" (because that's where lions live); "serviette" not "napkin" (that's a diaper); "footpath" not "sidewalk" is also used. I'm not sure I like any of these more than my words.
One more thing before I run and play with Piper. Karen and Craig taught Taylor how to say big words a couple years ago because they thought it sounded so funny. The other night I heard Taylor saying she "learned informational points about zebras in school" that day. I intend to teach Taylor "alliteration!"
Today I have Piper and Bella since daycare doesn't have space for them on Mondays. Apparently it is a very sought after daycare. We went to the park and I think in a little bit we will head up to Target, get some coffee and wander, then go pick up Taylor from school.
I've gotten pretty good at using the vernacular, but sometimes I forget that there might be a different word than the one I know and usually Craig takes that opportunity to pounce on the American vocabulary.
Example: "I put the bag in the trunk already."
"You put it where?? The boot."
They use "lounge" not "den" (because that's where lions live); "serviette" not "napkin" (that's a diaper); "footpath" not "sidewalk" is also used. I'm not sure I like any of these more than my words.
One more thing before I run and play with Piper. Karen and Craig taught Taylor how to say big words a couple years ago because they thought it sounded so funny. The other night I heard Taylor saying she "learned informational points about zebras in school" that day. I intend to teach Taylor "alliteration!"
Blog I wrote on the 7th
Today I have done very little on account of my being really, annoyingly sick. I’ve felt it lingering for a while now and yesterday it finally reared its stupid, diseased head. Karen thinks she caught a cold from work so we are both at home sick today. How fun! It would have been really fun if we had both been feeling good. Tomorrow is birthday and Megan was nice enough to invite me over for dinner (duck ragu!) and drinks! Then Friday it’s off to wine country, Hunter Valley, where I will have a wine tour on Saturday! I plan to be completely better by then so I can enjoy all the wine I get.
Aside from that there is not a whole ton going on. I finished The Help and loved it! I hope to go see the movie some day this week. Anybody seen anything fantastic I need to go watch? Karen, Nicole (our neighbour) and I went out in Leichardt the other night and had a great time! We went to a tapas bar and then a karaoke bar which was hilarious. Casey- I had a spicy apple mojito and thought of you. There was a crushed red pepper and sugar rim. Oh wow.
Sorry for such a short update. My brain is sort of mush due to my cold. I will report back when I am more coherent and have things going on. By the way, no word yet on Leonardo. Wait for it....
From Taylor (age 5): errtdrtuguhy hjyik,9oy98i65i8jmyvk jnhmgyhrgfuryfuyh hsuyuywus hwyhuwsyus tytyzatzyttyasdffgjhhhjjfhfbhg bgghhzxu mnmnnhh mum,dadpiper bella taylor 23948088776g
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