Fairy Bread

Sunday, August 25, 2013 - Day 31 Living Down Under

What a busy weekend!  Charlie and Chaney went to a birthday party for a boy in their class.  We learned about two Australian traditions.  Besides cake, fairy bread is served.  Fairy bread is white bread with butter and hundreds and thousands (sprinkles) all over.  It is typically cut in a triangle shape.  Apparently this is a tradition at kids' parties here in Australia.  The parents at the party seemed surprised that we had never seen fairy bread before.  They assumed that we did it in the U.S.   The other tradition we learned is that when they sing "Happy Birthday" they conclude the song with three rounds of "hip hip hooray!"

Fairy Bread (I know you want some.)

At the birthday party, enjoying the fairy bread

while Chaney goes through the bowl of lollies looking for her favorite.

Charlie is sick today with a 102.2 degree temp.  :(   So Charlie and Daddy stayed home while Chaney and I went to a classmate's house for lunch.  They served lamb, a popular dish down here.  I had never had it before and I'm not sure I like it.  I'll give it another try.  The classmate's mom made a traditional Australian dessert called pavlova.  It was delicious.  Seriously delicious. She had never made it before and she did a great job as it's not an easy dessert to make.  She was really trying to introduce us to traditional Australian dishes which I thought was super thoughtful and sweet.

Pavlova
 It is a meringue dessert with a crisp crust and soft, light inside. The dessert is believed to have been created in honor of the Russian ballet dancer Anna Pavlova either during or after one of her tours to Australia and New Zealand in the 1920s.

Charlie will probably be home from school tomorrow, even though the school doesn't have a policy of when a sick child stays home or comes back to school.  "If they are well, send them!"  I think we will stick with the U.S. school policy of being temperature free for 24 hours.  Erich will take and pick up Chaney from school. 

Questions the Aussies have asked me...

• "We put milk in our coffee and you guys put cream.  Is that really cream or is it milk?"  Cream to them means heavy cream. They don't have half and half over here and I've been explaining what it is.  (I've been asked this three times.)
• "When you guys eat your peanut butter and jelly, is that jelly like our jam or is it like your Jell-O?"  (Australian's word for jelly is jam.  Jelly to them is Jell-O.) They just want to clarify and make sure we don't put Jell-O on our PB&J sandwiches. 

My Random Thoughts and Observations...

• They call a sweater or sweatshirt a jumper.
• Saturday night the Canberra US Military Wives group got together to play Bunco.  I had a good time and met a few new American ladies and a few really nice Aussie ladies. 
• Candy is called lollies.
•  I was tucking Charlie into bed and he asked me a question about the U.S. Embassy here in Canberra. He asked, "Mommy, does the Embassy have American plugs or Australian plugs?" I told him I didn't know. He responded with, "I hope it has American plugs since it's a little piece of America."

A Sneetch and A Popstar

Friday, August 23, 2013 - Day 29 Living Down Under

It was 4 weeks ago today we landed in Canberra!  It seems like its only been about 2 weeks.  And then I think about how long we've been in this hotel and it seems like 2 months. If we are still here in 4 weeks, I will be totally nuts. Totally. 

They have Domino's Pizza here!  We haven't ordered any yet but I did check out their website and I wanted to share with you some of their specialty "Chef's Best" pizzas.  BBQ Duck & Blue Cheese, Chicken & Cranberry, Shiraz Lamb & Tomato, BBQ Pork & Hollandaise, and Blue Cheese & Bacon.  Which kind do you want to try?  Personally, NONE of those sound good to me.  A LARGE pizza is about 27.5 cm.  That's about 11 inches. 

Today the kids got to dress up like their favorite book character. I would like to present a Star Bellied Sneetch and a Princess Popstar.

 

 

 

 

Today, at the all school assembly, Chaney received a class award.  The timing is perfect.  She really needed this extra confidence.  

 

 

My Random Thoughts and Observations...

• Tonight we are having a girl slumber party in one bedroom and a boy slumber party in the other.   It was Chaney's idea.
• We have been utilizing a converter app on our phones.  It helps covert all the centimeters to inches, kilometers to miles, Celsius to Fahrenheit, etc.  Did you know that -40 C = -40 F.  Go chew on that one...
• Yellow onions are called brown onions down here.  But they are yellow...
• I went to the mall today so I could get a present for a classmate's birthday party tomorrow.  I seriously can't believe I'm going to say this, but the mall isn't as irritating as it was a month ago.  I know, I can't believe it either.



 



 

 



Vroom Vroom

Thursday, August 22, 2013 - Day 28 Living Down Under

Around here they have cameras all over the roads taking pictures of violators.  They snap your picture while you are breaking the law and then they mail you a ticket.  So far,  I haven't gotten one. (knock on wood) They will give tickets for 2 km over the speed limit. (That's  about 1.5 mph over).  They will snap your pic if you are holding a cell phone while driving.  You can't text or be making phone calls, even at red lights. (A friend got a ticket over $300  for using her cell.)  And you better not pull over that white line when stopping for a red light.  Or bam, you get a ticket.  It's only a matter of time before one of us gets a ticket.  Who do you think will be first?  Erich or Me? 

Because of the cameras,  most people obey the laws.  They seem to be kinder drivers that are more considerate of others.  They slow way down and observe the lowered speed limit in construction zones, they (usually) don't try to bully their way ahead when two lanes become one, they don't ride your tail if you are going slower, and they allow people to merge in front of them.  I spend 2 hours a day in the car driving right now since the kids' school is so far from our hotel.  I'm seeing a lot of road time.  It's so nice to drive in an atmosphere like that!  

We kept seeing cars with a big L or P on the back and we were wondering what they meant. When you turn 16 and you pass a drivers test,  you have to have the L, for "learner" on the back of your car for one year.  After that,  you have to have the P, for provisional. You get your full license when you turn 19 and have had your P for at least a year! 

They have random breathalyzer tests morning and night. (Yes! The morning! For people that have been out all night partying or started too early.) (But is there really a too early?)  If you get stopped at a random check you have to do the test or you will be arrested. No other choice.  The legal limit is lower here.



Thank goodness for these signs on the street! They keep me going the right way!

Our household goods are still in Sydney and we got word that the quarantine will start on August 29th.  We don't know exactly what that means other then that's when they start going through our stuff.  Fingers crossed they don't find a problem! We still don't have a better time line than that.  It could be 2 more weeks.  Or it could be four...  Tomorrow will mark 4 weeks since we arrived in Canberra.  I can't believe it.

Random Observations and Thoughts...

• You know the dot at the end of the sentence that we call a period? They call is a "full stop."
• The legal drinking age here is 18.
• Instead of saying "he has a handicap", they say "he has handicap."
• A group of kangaroos is called a troop or a mob. 
• September 1 is Father's Day here. 

Life Savers

Tuesday, August 20, 2013 - Day 26 Living Down Under

So Erich found musk flavoured Life Savers and brought them home and I decided to try them.  First of all, they smell like a cheap bar of flowery soap.  And, I will add, that they also taste like a cheap bar of flowery soap.  You know the old lady behind you at the drug store that has dumped half a bottle of her rose perfume on herself?  It tastes like that.  I'm going to send you some. 

Chaney did really well going into school today!!  The other day we were talking about how she feels when she gets upset when it's time to go into school.  She told me, "I just have dragons in my head that are breathing fire."  I thought that was a really good description.  She just gets so mad when I go to leave.  Fire breathing dragons.  Hopefully we can get rid of the dragons.

Random Thoughts and Observations...

• Even though they still call me mommy, they've decided to start using the Aussie word when writing.
  
• I have yet to see a fridge with a ice maker.  But, today I saw my first fridge with a water dispenser on the front.  But then I found out you had to remove a water jug and fill it at the sink to get the dispenser to work.  The jug holds about 4 glasses of water.  Totally not worth it. 
• I got to have lunch with another American today.  Her house was lovely and very warm and homey.  I really can't wait to get into our home. 
• It's really beautiful here. Breathtaking views. And the mountains are higher then I expected.  I haven't yet been able to get a photograph that captures how pretty it is.  I'll keep working on it. 
   
  

• A lot of restaurants are only open for breakfast and lunch. Today I ate lunch at my first restaurant (I'm not counting McDonald's or the mall food court.)
• They play a LOT of American TV shows.  I've seen a small handful of current shows like The Dome, Ellen, Conan, NBC Today Show (they show yesterday's show every morning), the soap opera The Bold and the Beautiful, and Dr. Phil.  And they show a ton of old shows.  I've seen shows I had completely forgotten about.  For example, I've seen Laverne and Shirley, Friends, M*A*S*H*, Perfect Strangers, Full House and the Simpsons.  (I haven't been watching all those shows!!)
• When you use a credit card here, they really check your receipt signature against your signature on your credit card.  Every single time.  And they really check it out to make sure the signatures match!  I've had to slow down writing my long name so it looks as good as it does on my card!  And by the way, my name usually doesn't fit on the line. It's too long. (In case you were wondering.)
• Instead of saying "he went to the hospital"  they say "he went to hospital." 

**I want to make sure you know that I'm not complaining or making fun of how the Australians live their life.  I am just noticing and pointing out the small differences in how we live in the United States. (Okay, okay.  Let me be honest.  I am complaining about the lack of ice makers.) 

One Mini m&m

Monday, August 19, 2013 - Day 25 Living Down Under

Yesterday the kids had their first play date.  The kids had a great time playing with two girls from their class and I enjoyed talking to the other parents.  I've noticed that if there is any background noise at all (i.e. kids playing) I have a much harder time understanding what someone is saying with the Australian accent.  I really have to concentrate. 

Today I went to Target for the first time.  Yes, it was in the mall.  It doesn't seem as cool or as big as the Targets in the U.S.   But I look forward to investigating it more.  I was on a mission to look for costumes for the kids since this Friday is "dress as your favorite book character" at school.  We have nothing with us to use.  Charlie is going as a Sneetch from the Dr. Seuss book The Sneetches.  I bought a big yellow t-shirt.  I will attach a green felt star to the belly of the shirt. 

"Now, the Star-Belly Sneetches had bellies with stars. 

The Plain-Belly Sneetches had none upon thars." 

Chaney picked "Barbie Princess Popstar" as her favorite book.  I found a pink frilly dress for her.  She is thrilled that it looks like the dress in the book.

"Tori is a princess.  She lives in a castle. 

She wears fancy dresses every day."

Target. In the Mall.

Erich recently bought Charlie a toy car at the store.  What do you notice about it? 
The steering is on the left! When driving, I still look at the car in front of me and
wonder where the driver is. 
And then I realize I'm looking at the wrong side...

School drop-off went well this morning for the first time since early last week.  It's exhausting.  Homework time after school was like pulling teeth.   I'm getting glimpses of what it's going to be like to have a teenage daughter.  "I'm NEVER.  Doing.  Homework.  Ever.  And you can't make me."  Deep breathing helped me and we got through it.  It's amazing what a 6 year old will do for 1 mini m&m.

Our social calendar is filling up!  I have two coffee dates this week with American ladies I met last week at the Canberra US Military Wives group.  Saturday the kids have a birthday party. Saturday night I have bunco with the Military Wives group and on Sunday we have all been invited to lunch by a family of a girl in the kids' class.

Random Thoughts and Observations...

• Do you know what they call movers that come and pack your things and move them to the next house?  They call them removalists.  For some reason I find that funny.
• I miss Walmart type bags.  You know, the plastic ones.  I didn't realize how much I used them until I don't have them anymore!  Canberra is a "bag-free" city.  No plastic bags anywhere.  If you forget your cloth shopping bags, you have to purchase these large heavy-duty reusable plastic bags.  So, mom, use Walmart bags as filler in packages you send us!
• I had to buy a scarf today.  The climate is cold but bearable.  Until the wind blows.  And the wind blows a lot.
• There are roundabouts everywhere here.  Everywhere.  The one lane ones are a breeze.  The two lane ones took me a while and I'm still a bit nervous when driving through one.  Three lane roundabouts I am still avoiding.
  
• They use the word arvo for afternoon. 
•  We are still having fun with balloons!
  

Legit

Saturday, August 17, 2013 - Day 23 Living Down Under

• The weekend!  Woot! Woot!  Chaney and I surprised the boys this morning with pancakes for breakfast.  The kitchen supplies here in the apartment leave a lot to be desired.  I had to cook each 4 inch (10.16 cm) pancake one at a time.  The boys were pleased with our surprise. 

• Yesterday, Charlie got an award at school.  It was given to him at an all school assembly.  Each class gives two awards every week.  Chaney was excited for Charlie but quickly followed up with "I want an award too!"  Being twins they have always gotten things at the same time.  This is the beginning of a great lesson in "we don't always get what our brother/sister gets."  It's a tough lesson!  We are very proud of Charlie. 

• I wanted to share with you guys the kids' thoughts about our time so far in Australia.  So, I asked the kids the following question: How do you feel about our time in Australia?

                     Chaney :  Good.        (pause)        I think that's it.  (shrugs shoulders)

                     Charlie: (thumbs up)

                     Ellengray:  (I expected longer answers.)

• Chaney was going through a box of toys looking for her play cell phone and we asked Chaney to go get on her PJs.  She turned around and snapped at us, "I NEED to call my boyfriend." After a few seconds, I recovered, and I asked her if her boyfriend is just a boy that's her friend.  Her response, "It's my imaginary boyfriend.  And no, it's someone that loves me and we go on dates."  I think I just got a glimpse into our future and I need to go pour myself a large glass of wine. 

• Today, Erich took the kids to the cool science place called Questacon. 
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  

• We see these signs around town:

  

  If you hit a kangaroo,  you call this number.  They go out and check to see if there is a baby in her pouch that survived the accident.
  
  

• Since grocery stores are in malls (*sigh*), you take your cart (trolley) down the escalator to your car in the car garage (car park).  The wheels on the cart are magnetized and stick to the escalator so it doesn't roll away.  Brilliant.

 

• You know you've become part of the local scene when you receive your grocery store frequent shopper card in the mail.  We are now legit. 
  
  
  

Shocking

Thursday, August 15, 2013 - Day 21 Living Down Under

So I went to the chemist today. (That is what they call a pharmacy.)  Guess where it was.  In a MALL. *eye roll*  I needed some cold medicine for Charlie and me.  We seem to be catching every little cold or virus that we've never been exposed to before.  While I was there, I looked for rubbing alcohol.  You know, regular old isopropyl alcohol.  It was $12.99.  No joke.   Today's shocker #1.

Chaney didn't do well today with school drop off.  I feel so bad for her.  But overall, things have been better this week. And she does calm down once she is inside the classroom and I've gone.  Hopefully tomorrow...

In the U.S. some songs are released with a radio version if the original version has bad words or offensive, off color language.  Not here.  I heard a song on the radio today (and luckily I was alone in the car) that used the F-word AND the N-word.  I almost spit out my gum.  Shocker #2.

I visited Kmart today for the first time.  And if you were wondering, yes, it's in the mall.  It seemed a lot like Kmart in the U.S. but a lot of items are in different places than in a U.S. store.   It took me a while to find the four things on my list .  I had to ask where to find each one.  Contact paper is with school supplies and paper towels are by the cleaning supplies.  In the U.S. there would've been an whole row of paper towels to choose from.  Here there was one kind.  It's these differences I find interesting.  

Another interesting grocery store find:


I was tired of square and rectangular shaped crackers.  I was excited to find these.  Who doesn't just love drumstick shaped crackers?! (shocker #3)