Updating the blog

I felt a moral responsibility to update my blog, as I have not been in Australia for almost a year now. I will most surely not be any more diligent about recording Samoan adventures than I was Australian, and it is the children who suffer most. If I knew how to delete a blog altogether, I would, but I don't think computer programmers have invented that function yet. So I will patiently and dutifully update this possibly never again, or at the earliest, when I move again, and let that be a lesson to us all.
That is all, fa'afetai.

Happy Anzac Day!

Anzacs, yeah. Today was a public holiday to honor the Australia New Zealand Army Corps vets. Most businesses close for the day or at least the morning out of respect. However, the little Hannah's Cake Shop that could opened early to captitolize on the pre-dawn ceremony crowd. It's all about the mighty dollar. Had I been Australian, or New Zealander, for that matter, I would have insisted on the day off. Or at least time and a half, but didn't feel like I had much ground on which to argue. Oh well, I'm practically invaluable there. And the boss' favorite. (note to self: don't give out blog address to any co-workers)

Anyways, I got to go with the family to Forster (about 4 hours (Australia time) N of Sydney) last week. They have a nice beach house up there. It was very nice and enjoyable. Unfortunately, I don't have the patience to upload the two pictures that I took there, so I'll just include a random beach scene found on the net:

Uh, Ha ha. I don't know how to do that. Anyways, had a good time! Oh, except for the octopus scare! The little girls and I were Captain Cook- ing around the rocks when we were surrounded by two huge octupus- with a tentacle-span of at least 18 inches! It was frightening. One tried to get me as I clamored for the safety of the shore. I can still feel those big orange eyes burning into me...

My parents are coming up in a few weeks. I am really excited! We'll go to Uluru ( a big rock; I'm told it's a can't miss) and then up to the top end and then a few nights in the blue mountains before returning home on May 27. It should be fun!!

Good night! Love everyone! Unless you are a stranger that has stumbled upon this by accident. But God bless you too.

In the past month...

So, things have been going great down under! This is what I've been up to: The end of Feburary I went to Townsville with a girl from the church in Brisbane. We took 2 days to get up there, doing plenty of sightseeing on the way. To the left is Sarah who I went with. We had lots of fun. We went to several beaches, did hiking, and went snorkeling on the Great Barrier Reef. I drank at least a liter of salt water. The waves were 2 meters high. Yikes! But I saw some pretty fish. Below is a picture of a spring in Townsville that we went hiking around. It was beautiful.

I also feel compelled to include a picture of the taxi driver from my first cab ride. He insisted on buckling me in. That was weird.

After returning from Townsville, I stepped up my job search. I started work at a cake shop last Thursday, the 6th. Although I have to be at work at 5.30 in the morning, and got entangled in a spiderweb on the way the first morning (it is dark and spiders apparently are really busy making webs after hours), I really enjoy it. I work in the kitchen (all us foreigners are kept in the back) preparing the pastries, tarts, and quiche and ice the cupcakes. As a fluent English speaker, I am really a hot commodity amongst my co-workers. Several want me to teach them English and I've been invited to one girl's next "Thai Party." Although I suspect the invitation is primarily so she and her fellow Thai friends can practice their conversational English, she probably also enjoys my company. I'm going to invite the French-speakers to watch The Pink Panther with me because it will be so funny, I'm sure.

On Sunday, a handful of people from the Sydney churches went to a small congregation in Wollongong to worship, then had a BBQ and day on the beach. As the ocean is still mostly salt water, I did not get in the water but it was a beautiful day and we had a good time. Naturally, I will have to become better friends with these people, now that I've posted a picture of us together. Luckily they are nice.

I am really enjoying myself here, but sure do miss everyone!

My 1st several weeks!

I have been in Australia for about 3 weeks now. This is what I looked like before leaving [left inset]. (I'm waving goodbye) I've only seen Sydney so far. I took a job as an au pair in a Northern suburb of the city. There are 4 children ages 13, 11, 8, and 5. I have my own seperate apartment which is very nice- have a beautiful view of the harbour bridge!

I haven't done a whole lot so far- I went to the beach the first full day I was here, have been to Darling Harbour several times, the aquarium, the botanical gardens (my favorite) and the zoo. Last night I saw Shakespeare's As you like it at the Opera House- that was very good.

Tomorrow night I'm flying to Brisbane and am going to drive to Townsville with a girl. It will take several days to get there (I've already done some driving on the left side of the road...in a Mercedes...I've landed in an affluent neighborhood...the kids eat things like sushi and salmon for afterschool snacks). We will visit the Great Barrier Reef and probably play lots of car games. It's a long drive. I'm really looking forward to it.

That is me on the steps of the Opera House. Please don't zoom in; I'm making a ridiculous face. The place is very impressive at night.

This picture was taken for Pappy's enjoyment. There are many beautiful parks, gardens, and trails in and around the city. This was in the botanical garden. Lovely.

Sorry for another ridiculous face, but there is a shark in the background! We received free admission to the Sydney Aquarium. It was an alright time.

Below is the living room of my apartment. This job does not pay as much as another one I was offered (I'm looking for a job for the mornings, but not very diligently), but having my own living space is very nice.

NEWS BRIEFING: This morning I accepted the teaching position in American Somoa, but just made a one year commitment. (I'm assuming/hoping the offer is still available. If not I'll be embarressed.)

Well, I am getting all my stuff together to leave. Less than 2 weeks!