Delicious Christmas Dinner

I just thought I would share with you all some pictures of our delicious Christmas dinner which we shared with two of my Canadian friends from my course. Unfortunately the pictures are in reverse order, but they all still look DELICIOUS! Jesse and I made our famous chocolate cake for dessert, it was yummy if I do say so my self. As you can see our turkey was rather large, but the fact that our oven is small didn't help the matter, we've got about half a turkey left from that so lots and lots of turkey sandwiches! Speaking of turkey sandwiches I think I'm going to go and make myself one...YUM 

xo

Christmas wishes

MERRY CHRISTMAS EVERYONE 

xo from sunny Australia 

Christmas at the beach...

It's been awhile since my last post, so many fun things have happened since I've been to Melbourne I thought I'd let you all know what's going on. 

So basically the weather has been amazing here in the last couple of days and I've been spending my days lounging on

 the beach.  It's been amazing!!!!  I went to Back Beach yesterday, where I went swimming for the first time since I've been here. Now I don't want to complain but it was FREEZING!!  Very refreshing however so that was nice.  The beach was incredible!!  I wish I had taken some pictures, but I was

 just dying to get into th

e water so no pictures this time, but I will get some. Jesse and I also went to the beach on Sunday which was great, the beach in Geelong is in a bay so it's a lot smaller than the one in Torquay.  I am heading to and Aussie BBQ this afternoon with some friends I've made from school, so I'll be sure to take some good pictures for you all to enjoy, and maybe even make you a little jealous.  

Here are some pictures of the day Jesse and I spent at the beach; 

There's Jesse playing in the water for the first time in Australia.  Some sailboats in the harbour by the beach, somewhere in there is the boat we will be sailing on for New Years Eve! The palm tree that we spent a couple hours under enjoying the wonderful weather. 

Off to the cottage BBQ now

xo

Look at all our presents

Our tree is full of wonderful presents, jeepers it really does seem like a lot of things for two people, oh well, haha.

Can't believe I have done so much christmas shopping so far away from christmas.  Yes, it's only a week away, but that's about 5 or 6 days away from when I usually shop for christmas presents.  I suppose only having to buy for Amy over here made it easier.

Anyway hope everyone elses holiday shopping is going well.

Jesse

Driving around in a Ute

Yesterday at work I got to drive around the Ute for a while.  That was kind of fun, if you don't know what a Ute is refer to my previous post.  I hadn't realized how much I missed driving until then, it was fun.  It was a little weird getting used to switching gears with my left hand, but other than that it was alright.  I wasn't really on any roads so I didn't have to deal with oncoming traffic, perhaps that will come later.

I also got my first pay check which was nice, good to have some +'s in my account for once.

Christmas is around the corner and I still haven't bought amy anything, any suggestions, just write it in code, I'll figure it out, haha.

I also have my first day off tomorrow which is nice, might try to buy some christmas presents, not sure yet, it's not supposed to be a very nice day out

If there is a picture on this blog posting it is not meant to be there, well it sort of is, but I don't think it will work, it is just a test.  If it does work just ignore it.

Day to Melbourne

My trip to Melbourne was heaps of fun! 

We toured around to lots of little spots, one of the best I'd have to say was this little street that was just filled with cafes and little shops.  This is all of us enjoying some coffee and relaxing.  

Saw the Yarra River, which was pretty dirty, but I was told that when it's sunny and warm outside the water is beautiful.  (I'll have to go back and take a look for myself) I also took a tram for the first time yesterday, we went down to Brunswick street where we went to a bar/cafe called Retro where we enjoyed a few drinks at happy hour. 

This was a huge Christmas tree that we passed on a much needed Starbucks break.  ( I am missing Tim Hortons like you wouldn't believe) Coffee and tea here just isn't the same, and you just can't beat the prices and sizes of what we have in Canada. 

Christmas is coming!!

I can't believe that Christmas is coming...being here with no snow and the weather getting hotter and hotter makes me completely forget that Christmas is just 10 days away.  I am pretty close to being finished my Christmas shopping which is a wonderful feeling, the stores are getting a little crazy, so the sooner I get out of there the better! Oh I suggest that you all search 6 White Boomers, it's an Australian Christmas song, it's basically their replacement for Rudolph. Their 12 days of Christmas is also different so if your bored and curious search that one as well. 

I am still in shock that I am on a 4 week holiday...it just doesn't seem right, unfortunately I can't say that I've done anything exciting yet, although I do have plans to head to Melbourne tomorrow with some friends from class and do the touristy thing so that should be fun.  I'll let you know how it goes, and hopefully I'll be able to get some good pictures since I feel I have been slacking.  I really am not sure what I plan on doing while I am off, I do have 2 assignments that I need to finish before the end of the break so I think I'll get them done early so I have lots of free play time later.  Speaking of assignments I think I am going to go and start one now.

xo

Working late

It's been a few days since I've posted anything, I've been busy working.  I had two straight 12+ hour days the latter one ending around the time of the colourful sunset.

I'm making decent money and the job is not too bad, I don't think that I will work here for too long, but atleast through the end of 2008, hopefully get a different job in the new year when more places are hiring.

Christmas is bearing down on us here and we're noticing the differences.  The lack of snow really makes it easy to forget that christmas is coming.  They even have a different jingle bells here:

Dashing through the bush,
in a rusty Holden Ute,
Kicking up the dust,
esky in the boot,
Kelpie by my side,
singing Christmas songs,
It's Summer time and I am in
my singlet, shorts and thongs

Oh! Jingle bells, jingle bells, jingle all the way,
Christmas in Australia on a scorching summers day, Hey!
Jingle bells, jingle bells, Christmas time is beaut !,
Oh what fun it is to ride in a rusty Holden Ute.

Engine's getting hot;
we dodge the kangaroos,
The swaggie climbs aboard,
he is welcome too.
All the family's there,
sitting by the pool,
Christmas Day the Aussie way,
by the barbecue.

Oh! Jingle bells, jingle bells, jingle all the way,
Christmas in Australia on a scorching summers day, Hey!
Jingle bells, jingle bells, Christmas time is beaut!,
Oh what fun it is to ride in a rusty Holden Ute.

Come the afternoon,
Grandpa has a doze,
The kids and Uncle Bruce,
are swimming in their clothes.
The time comes 'round to go,
we take the family snap,
Pack the car and all shoot through,
before the washing up.

Oh! Jingle bells, jingle bells, jingle all the way,
Christmas in Australia on a scorching summers day, Hey!
Jingle bells, jingle bells, Christmas time is beaut!,
Oh what fun it is to ride in a rusty Holden Ute.

A ute for those that don't know is a truck/car combination sort of like an old el camino.  They are everywhere down here.

It's the weekend now, relaxing, unfortunately the rain is making doing much outside less fun, but the weather should be getting better soon.  Missing the snow though, no skiing or snowboarding for me this christmas, I'll just have to ride waves instead.

No waiting on chairlifts for me.

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holiday!!

ooops I was just told I misstyped on my last post...what I meant to say was that I AM NOW officially on summer/christmas holidays for a couple of weeks now. 

YIPPY

xo

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SUMMER HOLIDAYS!!

HURRAY 

2 courses down only 4 to go!!!! 

I am not officially off for summer/christmas holidays!!! 

xo

I'm an erection specialist

That's what the company I got a job for does.  They pitch tents.  Alright enough word play, I got a job setting up Marquee's (tents) for events and stuff. 

It's decent work and coincidentally one of my neighbours works there too and I should be able to carpool with him which makes things a lot easier.

Day 2 tomorrow, it's not bad work, not too labour intensive, but it rained all day which sucked, so it must only get better from here.

Jesse

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Job Hunt

So, I've been looking for a job in numerous locations.  I've given up waiting for that perfect job that would actually put my business degree to good use.  I interviewed at a company the other day that sets up parties and events, it's basically light manual labour, but it's casual work (they call when they need me I guess) and it's decent money.  So don't know for sure on that one yet, but he's supposed to give me a call tomorrow or the next day to let me know.  I'll keep looking for better stuff, but I need something to get some money down here.

And as a sidenote, those of you who have fake christmas trees for christmas, yes, we got a real one, I carried it 1.5km on my back so that we could have it. 

Cheers

Jesse

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web address

oops

here's the site 

http://web.me.com/fostera/Our_Place/The_front_door.html

our place

Hi everyone, 

Here is a link to the website I created with pictures of our place down here.  Sorry it took so long, but there here now, so enjoy!!

xo

Amy

schooling...

Well I haven't posted in awhile...so here's an update on what I've been doing with my time for the last week and a bit. 

School started last monday with a bang, we have classes from monday-friday 9-4 with an hour break for lunch at 12.  As of right now I am learning how to teach, phys ed, health and how to be an effective teacher.  Phys ed is really allowing me to bring out my inner child, although I have been doing somethings that I probably haven't done in years and am now learning that I was much more flexible when I was younger. Muscles that I didn't know I had are actually hurting, I think it's time to get into shape.  I've met some really great people so far, and we've actually had a lot of time to get to know one and other, but most of my friends are Canadian which is sort of ironic being that there are more Australians in my program.  However we are starting to broaden our friendship circle.  It's just so easy to make friends with fellow travelers because we all have something in common there. 

I am going on my first observation starting tomorrow, it's pretty exciting but a little scary at the same time. I think this is just observing but then again I'm not too sure being that I might have to teach.  Although I'm sure if I had to teach I'd manage.  The only thing I'm a little worried about is the fact that I have a Canadian accent and don't always use the same words as they do so I am going to have to get used to the fact that the kids may not completely understand me all of the time.  I am heading to this school with a friend I met in my program so that's reassuring knowing that I will know someone well there. 

I am happy to say that I think we will be putting some pictures up of our place for those of you who are getting really curious.  

Well I think it's about time to get up and start my day....talk to you all soon 

I hope you are enjoying the snow!!!  

xo

Hockey Night in Melbourne 2

Second screening of hockey games in Melbourne went well, the quality of the video was much better and they played the Montreal Boston game from last Saturday night.  That shootout loss put a damper on the night, but it was still a lot of fun.  Unfortunately, they skip through all of the commercials and intermissions so they got through two full games in a little over 3 hours, a little exhausting, but still a lot of fun.  They are playing a Toronto game in a few weeks, but also a Vancouver Edmonton game, don't know if we'll go to that one or not.

Jesse

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I have come to a conclusion

Well, I suppose numerous conclusions, to be even more specific no conclusion whatsoever, but a few possibilites one of which could be a conclusion.  Confused? Good, now you are in my mindset.  The possibilities are as follows: It is not necessary to provide good customer service in telecommunications company, or it is impossible to have good customer service.  It has to be one of these two because it seems that every internet, phone, tv provider in the world has terrible customer service, much worse than any other field.  Albeit the world might be a bit exagerative, but atleast Canada and Australia.  We recently got interner (finally), but doing so was impossible and it was harder to get through to a real person than even Rogers and Bell.  So, which is it?  it doesn't matter or is it impossible, I wonder if a new company could come out that focused on customer service, would they survive or is the sheer magnitude of these large companies too strong.  Perhaps before my time when these companies were growing their customer service was better.

Well, that's my rant for today, next step trying to set up Cable, we'll see how that goes.

Jesse

Internet comes tomorrow

That is all

Steaks. Finally!!!

Cooked up steaks tonight in the BBQ finally, had a baked potato and homemade caesar salad. We also made some compound butter (it wasn't a good as the stuff that ginny made). I still want to find out what exactly was in that. I do know that I should have finished my thought inside the brackets, but decided not to go back and change it. Anyway, very good first dinner on the BBQ, too bad it made Amy feel
Sick. Still have to make ribs at some point, unfortunately I haven't found a BBQ sauce that I want to use to make my special rib sauce. I'll figure it out. On to the job search come Monday.

Jesse

Orientation

So I had my first orientation in Wednesday, got my schedule and met some fellow international students. It looks like this course is going to be pretty intense. Lots of work in a really short period of time.
Thursday and Friday were orientations for only international students, pretty long. Mostly about basic university stuff nothing too exciting. Bought some books as well but they seemed not to buy enough books for everyone. School starts on monday with a gym class.
I'll keep you posted!!

Xoxo

Good morning Canada

G'day, it is friday night we're going to bed, but just as a precaution, there is another hockey night in Melbourne and they will be playing the flames avalanche game that just happened last night for you guys. And also the first Habs game I will be able to enjoy down here. It's the Saturday night game agaist the bruins, I hope they can take some revenge drone the 6-¹shalacking they took last time. Anyway had tv propane tank delivered today so steaks tomorrow night, can't wait.

Jesse

New BBQ

We got a new BBQ finally, no propane tank yet, not sure where we pick one of those up yet, but we'll be BBQing soon.

Can't wait to have a nice steak. Heading out for a drink with someone Amy met at her orientation

Jesse

Directions

Coming back from shopping in some shops around our house I was asked for directions. Luckily they were not hard directions. So I guess I must look as though I am starting to fit in.

Blogophile

I'm blogging today for no other reason than I haven't blogged in a while. There is not much new on this front, the apartment is starting to look really good, we have almost everything that we need. Amy insists on not taking pictures until it looks perfect. (you might not get to see pictures by the time we get back.

There have been a few problems withthe apartment, nothing major, just a leak under the sink and a couple power problems. They are supposed to be coming tomorrow to fix them.

We had our first attempt at makig salsa down under (australian salsa sucks). I did not bring the recipe so I was going by memory. I added too much vinegar and it doesn't fast quite right. I'm going to make another half batch and mix them together to fix the problem.

That's about it for now, Amy has orientation tomorrow so I guess that means time to start the job hunt. I already have a few leads and I haven't even been looking so it looks pretty promising.

Jesse

Testing

We've been having trouble sending posts this is a test.

Amy all tuckered out

Hockey 'day' In Melbourne

So we went in to melbourne. The action got under way at 3pm. We figured that they would draw out the games over a few hours each or something to keep people in the bar drinking and stuff, but they powered through the games and by a quarter after 7 they were over and people states piling out of the bar. Either way, the games were entertaining and we met a bunch of canadians. The pens red wings game was crazy, but for whoever posted that it would be, please post your name if you plan to post anonymously, not sure who it was. We'll be going back for the next hockey night in Melbourne, not sure when it will be, but I hear they do it every couple of weeks.

Jesse

On the train to Melbourne

We are currently on the train heading to Melbourne. It should take us about an hour to get there and then it's off to Charles Dickin's Pub. It will be really awesome to see some hockey, I must admit that I am even missing it. I'm trying to see a kangaroo off in the fields somewhere.

amy

Baking in the new place...yummy yummy in my tummy

Cupcakes and chocolate chip cookies!
Did a little baking tonight, thought it might be a good way for us to get to know our neighbours. I tried out a new chewy chocolate chip cookie recipe, so let's just wait and see how they taste. ( I can't eat any right now , I ate a little too much batter ) our house smells wonderful!!!

Well off to bed, then off to Melbourne tomorrow.

Xo

Hockey night in Melbourne

Tomorrow we head into melbourne for the first time since the airport. There is a bar in melbourne that plays hockey games in Saturday nights (they are a couple of days old, but it's still something). Tomorrw they are playing two games, oilers devils and red wings penguins. Do not tell me the results if you know them. Anyway we will probably run into a bunch of either ex-pat canadians or travelling ones so I'm looking forward to it


Jesse

First night in the new place

We spent our first night at the new place last night, the bed was really comfy, it was great. We cooked a delicious spaghetti dinner as well. Testing out the new oven and stove, we are getting he fridge and washing machine this afternoon, so we will have to actually get some groceries. I am pretty wxcited to be able to cook again. We are off to get some more things for the living room today. Fingers crossed we find a decent couch. Pictures to come later on when things get all settled.

Automated calling

So it would seem that there is some kind of a language barrier when it comes to the automated calling. Jesse is here trying to get us Internet and the automated system just isn't understanding. This is the 4th attempt at calling, and I'm really enjoying how hilarious his fake Australian accent us. Just picture him pacing from room to room talking in a fake accent. HILARIOUS!!!

Insomnia or excitement??

Well the day has come, we are officially moving everything over to our new place! As you can see from that wonderful picture of me, we have a pretty awesome kitchen.

If you are wondering about the title, well it's currently 4:30 in the morning here and I'm wide awake. I can't really decide if it's insomnia or excitement, although it may easily have something to do with the construction that was going on outside. Either way, I'm really excited to have a place of our own!!

Well I think I'm going to attempt a couple more hours of sleep, cheers

Xo

I decided to post it

Haha, inside joke to anyone who has read the below posts

Continued from below, read below first

we would not break the bank. Unfortunately it seems that it may take a couple of weeks until we are able to have high speed internet installed at our new location. Until then we still have our iphones, but we can't over use them or we may end up paying through the nose.

Amy is asleep now, she was exhausted, we did a lot of walking, carrying and hauling (the bigger items really aren't carried). I think I might be off to bed, might post a picture of Amy in our new place, but I'm not sure, she didn't want me too. But if you are reading this you likely have either seen it, directly above or I decided not to post it and go to sleep instead.

Thanks everyone for all of the comments, we like checking them and hearing from everyone back home

Jesse

Last night at the hostel

It has finally come, the last night at the hostel. It was a very nice hostel, with very nice people, but it was a transitional place where our main goal was to find a place ofnour own, so we are glad that the transition is over. Today was quite a long day as we found out that we had gotten the place early in the morning and had to buy a bunchbof stuff to furnish it. These were the items we could buy at the mall close to the hostel, but would have a hard time transporting to the new place. We were driven over there today so it was our best opportunity to do it. We bought our kitchen stuff mostly and stuff for the bathroom. The bed we will get tomorrow and will be delivered. We also arranged to rent a fridge and a washer that should arrive tomorrow as well. We have been looking a second hand couches and will likely find a cheap one tomorrow. It will take a few days to get everything we need and we've had a lot of time to plan stuff while looking for a place so that.... Continued above

We just found out that we got the apartment that we were looking at that we really wanted. We get the keys today at 4:30. Very exciting. We'll post pictures when we get there

Jesse

Yummy kangaroo steaks!!

We still aren't brave enough to try it though, but it does exist.

Beautiful day on the water

Jesse enjoying the view

Picture # 2

Beautiful day in Geelong

Sitting down by re water on a beautiful Sunday. Tons of people out and about, you can see some sailboats in these pictures and a marina. It says it's 23 out but it feels hotter than that, it should be interesting when the temperature reaches the 40s

Jesse

Anticipation

The anticipation is killing us, we are just waiting to ear back from the real estate agent to see if we got the place or not. We're getting a little tired of the hostel and just want to settle in to a place that's ours. Anyway we'll send pictures when we finally get a place.

Jesse

Shopping for stuff

Went around today and looked at different stores to price kitchen and bed stuff as well as second hand furniture for when we get a place. It doesn't look like we will be able to get a furnished place, so we'll have to buy stuff and try to sell then later. Also went to see the owner at a restaurant we ate at who said he might be able to get me a
Job. He said he was going to call some friends and he'd get back to me. Haven't even started looking for a job yet and I've already got some leads so it looks pretty promising for a random job

Jesse

Jesse and I went to this really great Italian restaurant called Rimini last night. Everything about this place was awesome, the food, the people, it was really a fun place. We started off with some garlic bread ands bottle of wine. For dinner I had papalini ( cream sauce with bacon and onions ) over feticinni noodles, and Jesse had chicken parmesian, however the chicken was the size of the entire plate it was huge. So we attempted to finish our meals but decided to take the rest of them to go for later. This was when jesse met Leo, the owner of the place. He asked where we were from and when we told him Canada he said well bring your wifey over here and have a drink with me, and by wifey well he was talking about me. So Leo gave us both a drink in the house and we then spent the next hour talking. This was the first time since we got here that I really felt welcome. We left the restaurant feeling really happy about coming to Geelong. So everyone should visit Rimini.

Xo

Out to dinner

Out for a dinner at Remini's Italian restaurant.