Short and Sweet

The other night Todd calls me on the way home from work and asks if I need anything from the supermarket. I responded that we needed rice and then he asked if he could get a “Whitman's Sample Pack” from the store. “It is all gluten free!,” he explained excitedly. Of course, I am a very silly girl and so I was thinking it was going to be one of those small little sample packs… because samples equals small. Right?

Well instead, Todd came home with the hugest box of candy I have ever seen. He explained that it was a “present” for me. I swear, that boy has all his excuses down pat. He also protested that he is just trying to bring me interesting things that I can blog about so I don’t bore you, my poor chocolate-less readers. Believe me, I would share but Todd might make up another excuse about how the chocolate might melt/get detained/ not get through quarantine… whatever. J Man, he sure does keep me on my toes. My life will never be boring with him! J  

Chinchilla is nothing like Gilmore Girls

One of my favorite shows as a kid, actually one of my favorite shows to date, is Gilmore Girls. I love the dialogue, the wit, and most importantly, the small town feel. I have something to tell you all. Maybe that sort of small town exists in Connecticut, but they sure breed ‘em different down under.

What they are known for... they raise 25% of
Australia's watermelons! 

Todd and I went to Chinchilla last weekend to look at the construction site and small town where he will probably be working his next job. His old boss from the dam is working on the Chinchilla job and he is in desperate need of more surveyors. The logistics are fuzzy at best at the moment so I will leave that out until contracts are signed and dated, but I can give my impressions of the town itself. 

Downtown area

Turns out that middle America and slightly middle Australia (3 hours from the coast) are almost exactly the same. I would have sworn I stepped into Kansas if it wasn’t for the accents and the distinctive weathered brick architecture that is common throughout Australia. We were only there for 20 hours or so but our impressions were good. Apparently it is astronomically better than most towns that are flanked by a construction site. The town has all the basic amenities along with 4WD tracks and a weir that permits water sports; although only 4 boats are allowed at a time, which tells you something about its size.

The pub

The most memorable experience was when we went out to the local pub, one of two. When we walked in, the room seemed to go silent for a few seconds while everyone looked up to see who was entering. I am sure if we were locals, we would have been greeted by some words and backslaps, but instead, everyone returned to their beers. The feeling that we were actually in a movie scene only grew, as I felt several eyes follow our movements throughout the room. The food was overpriced and “meh” but typical bar food. Definitely not a place I would frequent for their cuisine.

It was really good for Todd and I to go and get a feel for the place, and I told my mom she should be really happy because it is definitely not some place I would want to settle down in forever!

The camps where the construction workers live...
definitely not a place I would want to live!

My plans for global domination are going well. In actuality, I have been looking a lot into doing freelance work and telecommuting work that could supplement a business idea that I have had for some time. I am working incessantly with Adobe Photoshop and Dreamweaver to get to know the programs and once my plans are complete, you all will be the first to know.

PS. And most importantly: Happy Birthday Jan and Mark! J Sep 23 babies! xox

Fishing and some etc...s

My ability to stay on task at the moment is, to put it frankly, pathetic. I should be writing so many blogs that you all should be screaming (via email, phone, carrier pigeon, whatever it takes) to tell me to desist. In any case, my point, is that I have enough free time that I should be talking your ear off.

Some of the things I should have mentioned:

• -       Todd showed up to the airport to pick me up in a dress shirt, nice slacks and formal shoes. I looked pretty nice myself but he really outdid himself (loved it) J.
• -      I LOVE my herb garden. It is quite small, and yes I know it is probably not good farming etiquette because the plants will probably grow into each other, but for now, for my purposes… perfection! 
• -       Todd took Al, Caitlin (Al’s gf) and myself to the dam last weekend to show the progress that has been made. It was so amazing to see and I am so incredibly proud of him that I promise I will write a detailed description in a blog to follow. I just want to fact check some things with him so it sounds as impressive as possible J
• -       While Al was in town we went to Montezuma’s, the only “Mexican” restaurant in town and I was once again blown away by the expensiveness and inauthenticity of the food. Sorta led me to think that I should open a restaurant here because most Australians need a serious education in good food.

Ok, now that the little things are covered, on to the main event: deep sea fishing! Todd had a cousin in town last weekend who loves to fish and as a result, Todd, Danny (the cousin), Roman, Pete, and I went deep sea fishing on Sunday. We rolled out of bed at 5:30am and headed to the docks passing Surfers where there were many a group stumbling home after a long night out. The captain of the boat is a one-man show. He is the owner/receptionist/captain/supervisor of the small fishing company and as Todd put it “a real fisherman.” He certainly wasn’t kidding as this gnarled toothed, wizened, wrinkled man was probably in his fifties but looked like he was pushing 70. Not that his age detracted from his fishing ability AT ALL. We went four miles off shore, stopped at several places, and each time, he would lower his bait and lure into the water and within 3 minutes, would pull out the largest fish that anyone was catching by far.

Pete and Danny

The group of us kept watching him closely and joked several times that he must be putting a large fish on the end of his line and then pulling it in for show, but in truth, he was just showing how experience really does matter.

I did fairly well myself managing to pull in four fish, of which two were keepers and quite tasty later on in the day when we had a big feed with Danny’s wife and kids. While Todd and Roman were quite bored with the sport after a few hours, I definitely enjoyed myself and found that this contemplative, yet communal, activity is definitely something that is in my blood (thanks Dad.) 

They look dinky but they sure were tasty :)

Just when you think you know a place…

Returning to Australia has been a wonderfully comfortable and familiar experience with more than a dash of new surprises. Living here for 13 months previously, I thought that nothing would surprise me on my return. Turns out I was wrong. Shops have closed and new ones have replaced them, bathrooms have been remodeled (yes, I notice this stuff), friends have gone and it turns out that I still have a great deal to learn about the Australian culture. Todd has a whole new group of friends that I must introduce you all to  - sorry Mom for the new names. 

-      Vivi - Todd’s last housemate; an engineer from Columbia

-      Sonja- Vivi’s friend; from Germany

-      Pete – Sonja’s housemate; electrician from England

-      Jason – Todd’s new housemate

They are all incredibly nice people and I am looking forward to getting to know them, although I can’t help but get a bit nostalgic.

On the new experiences front: I went to the doctor with Todd the other day and it was so incredibly different.  We sat in a waiting room with doors all around.  There were names and numbers on each door and Todd was told to wait for door number three. We waiting for around thirty minutes before he was hurried in… and hurried out 3.5 min later, prescription and referral documentation in his hand. I felt like Todd just went to a vending machine, put in some money, and out popped a prescription. I don’t know why it was so unsettling; maybe because this rushed atmosphere seems out of place in laid-back Australia.

Of course the important things are still the same: the beach is even more beautiful than I remember and Todd and I are having a blast together J

In other news, I have a little herb garden out on the patio, I am cooking up a storm again, and I already feel like these months are going to fly by.

This weekend Al (old friend- yay!) is coming to visit the Goldie and we are going deep sea fishing on Sunday so I will definitely have lots to jabber on about. Till then… xox. 

Stating the obvious: I love to cook

I love to cook. I am not quite sure where it started. My dad is certainly not the chef he likes to pretend he is (sorry dad, your pasta is still fantastic) and it is not like I grew up in households focused on preparing complex meals. My mom’s house was focused on healthy, quick, food and I have learned some of my best cooking lessons from her: specifically, not following a recipe and improvising with whatever was currently living in the refrigerator. So I wouldn’t really say I was “taught to cook” but I have certainly picked up some fantastic tips and unbeatable family recipes along the way.

My grandmother (mom’s mom) is a fabulous entertainer. She is probably the classiest woman I have ever met and I remember how much I used to dislike being told how to speak, sit up, set the table etc. Now as I look back, I wouldn’t have it any other way. I remember countless family parties and get togethers; the table dressed with the finest china and silver and a perfectly dressed table that groaned under the weight of food. I have always felt and continue to feel that when I visit my grandparents, I am taking a glimpse into their past and into the culture of middle class Americans from fifty years ago.

I love the historical past. In high school, I once told my mom that if she bought me gowns like the ones women wore in the 1890s that I would wear them every day to school. I have to say that I was almost entirely serious albeit a little relieved when she said no. In any case, whether it is silly or not, I always feel like my time in Connecticut is a step into a cultural past and more importantly, into the past of my family. 

My trips are always filled with family, food, and culture.  We always see at least one play/ musical/ ballet/ or concert and I without fail I still dress up when I am going to theater because that is what my grandparents taught me.  Even if everyone else in the theater is wearing jeans and a t-shirt, I will forever follow the lessons of my grandmother and I hope that one day I will be as fabulous an entertainer and teacher as she has been to me. 

22 Days and Counting!

As I walked into the airport this morning I felt another rush of excitement.  You see, I have been mainly calm and apathetic about my ticket to Australia but then, all of a sudden, the anticipation catches up with me and I begin to dance a little jig. Sometimes in my mind, most often quite literally, but the neighboring stares don’t bug me. I am sure they wish they were going to Australia for three months too!

I am on my way to Connecticut to see my grandparents and other east-coast family and this is my second to last flight before my 13 hour doozer. Dozer? I guess a little bit of both as I will definitely doze on that flight. Ok, enough word play for now although I am having quite a bit of fun!

 I am really looking forward to touching down in Brisbane in 22 days. I shall expect a full welcoming party with fireworks, chocolate, dancing bears, etc and I think I will actually get more than I bargained for! In all seriousness, Todd has very amazingly organized a trip to Fraser Island for the weekend I get there. So after 13 hours of flying, I will be dragging my tired self up to one of the most beautiful places in Australia (and probably the world). Fraser is known for being the biggest sand island in the world and absolutely unbeatable in its diverse and spectacular terrain. Poor me, right?

Many people have asked what I will be doing while I am there and the short answer is that I really have no idea. On a vacation visa I will be unable to work but I will certainly keep myself busy.  There is a food kitchen that Todd has volunteered at a few times that I hope to become acquainted with and I really want to supplement the class I took this summer on web design and really get my hands dirty.  I was much busier with the kids than I initially expected and so I feel like I am falling behind my own goals for web design domination! In any case, I am not a couch potato (or a potato of any kind) and so I assure you all that I will keep myself and my brain fully occupied and exercised! 

The Call of the Loon

The call of the loon, long and mournful, is a sound I will forever connect to the Minnesosiates community at Hand Lake. I have been coming here since before I can remember and yet this may be one of the last times I come back here. This place that was such an integral part of my childhood has been changed forever.

My Grandpa Smith passed away in January and so the family gathered at the lake this past weekend to celebrate the life of Grandpa Joe and his beloved wife, my Grandma Win, who died a few years ago. This morning we gathered on the shore of the lake and sang and read a poem that ended with the words, “Love doesn’t die, people do. So, when all that’s left of me is love, give me away.” Family and friends then stepped forwards to pick up wrapped boxes of intermingled ashes that we took to spread around this place that they called home for so many years. They were friends for seventy-eight years and partners for sixty-seven years. Truly an amazing feat.

As we all gathered around the table, and many of us fought back tears, stories and reflections were shared; one of which I would like to repeat here because of it’s incredible nature. My Grandma and Grandpa were held at a Japanese concentration camp in the Philippines during World War II. My Uncle Fred (my dad’s older brother) was born there and they were thankfully released in 1945. At one point during their imprisonment they were moved on the night of December 26th from one site to the next along a road that the Allied Forces often bombed because a large Japanese base was nearby. Years later, my Grandpa was talking to a soldier that was in the American Air Force and stationed miles from this site. When they mentioned that they had moved from one location to another, the soldier asked during which night this had occurred. When he answered, “the night of December 26th,” the soldier looked at him in awe and said, “that was the only night that we did not bomb that road because the fighter planes had run out of fuel and could not get off the ground.” To imagine that my grandparents, and therefore, my own life was rhetorically saved by an empty tank of gas is truly amazing.

Stories like that just blow me out of the water. The unpredictability of life and the importance of treasuring our time together seem to be a common theme for me right now but at least I know that with this mindset I can live without regrets and follow in my grandparents’ footsteps: living each day to the fullest but always remembering to stop and appreciate the little things, like the call of the loon.

In the kitchen there is a door frame with our heights over the years-
Jan STILL grew from last time! 

Jessica (my cousin)'s boy (Emmanuel) being introduced to sparklers

Jan and Jo-Jo (one of Mary's grandchildren)

Uncle Fred blowing out the candles on one of three cakes!
(with Sebastian's help of course (another of Jessica's boys)