Monday, May 18, 2009
keep your pants on....seriously
http://au.news.yahoo.com/a/-/world/5577152/alfie-baby-father-revelaed
Saturday, May 16, 2009
Couple Fun Tidbits
oh yeah! spider camped out outside our new house. raid anyone?
Look familiar? doesnt it remind you of Walmart? imagine walmart in a mall...and a kroger and IGA with all the other mini boutiques and food courts...
Hill I hike to the mall. Its about a 2km walk (1.3 miles??) this is first hill, ther other ones are minimal in comparison
some fun.
I went walking the other day up my monsterous hill to get to the mall. I have finally got it down to about 20 minutes. First day I think it took me nearly 45. Oh I exaggerate, but the hike is getting easier.
I decided to stop for lunch. The more I eat here, the more I dont want to. You think you are getting one thing, but you end up with something totally different. case and point. I ordered a BLT. Granted I am not a hug fan of pork, but I can handle a BLT every once in a while. Plus for some reason it sounded good. Apparently they butter the bread when making any sandwich, even if it comes with mayo. i imagine crisp warm bacon, on top of cool leaf lettuce and tomato with hint of mayo. I basically get a fatty slab of thin sliced ham, warm and soggy on buttered bread with LOADS of mayo. i think they need it to keep the shredded lettuce on the sandwich. I must say though, my favorite place to eat so far is SUBWAY. How can you really go wrong with normal meat on normal bread?
I know eventually I will have to drive here. But I am allowed to wait till we get a reasonably sized car. Ute over here is a car/truck. it feels like a semi--or f350 on AU roads. Nat insisted I drive. It was in the comfort of the subdivision..he was sweating bullets the whole way...hahaha! Insist me to drive now PUNK!
things i want
milk duds with popcorn at movies...i substituted rolos...close enough i guess
coke that doesnt taste like diet even when it is "fully loaded"
wings..smothered in wing sauce...when you say wings...smother them!
chips...natural cheetos...figures NOW i would have a craving
fat burgers...ya know the ones that hang over the bun!! sandwich, cheeseburger..size of burger..cheesy!
my dogs...seriously 4 more months!! Nat is starting to PET ME!! (I cant say I mind in some cases lol...hahah..couldnt resist)
home cooked meal--i am SO sick of eating out.
friends--cause 8+ hours a day alone sucks!
miss you -- love you all!
Pics of house
Update and pics at http://natandchrissi.blogspot.com and also on facebook. They took way too long to post, so go there if you care. (and comment!!)
Thursday, May 14, 2009
TGIF
Hello all! I guess I have a lot of catching up to do!
last weekend we shopped around for cars and got rough idea on furniture. Ill try to recount this week, although the days are running into each other. We went to IKEA and got some essentials that we have but on a boat somewhere on the Pacific. SO we go some dishes, pots and pans, measuring cups, oven mitts...it really is amazing what you need in JUST the kitchen. Imagine the list..cleaning supplies, bathroom, bedroom, closet, kitchen, etc etc! Some stuff we have coming, but I think we learned from this experience what is necessary asap. Regardless we got some essentials cheap to hold us over till Mid-July.
Monday
We were supposed to meet up with owners for dinner. But they had to cancel, which was a total bummer but I totally understood. So all in all, we received from them 5 pc sectional couch, 7-seater dining room table, 2 bar stools, some yard equipment and desk. What started out as table and chairs, ended up being alot of what we needed furniture wise. They got the tile, carpet and couch cleaned for us. I dont think I did anything too interesting this day. I watched a really cheesy horror flick and looked for jobs online plus called around to all the car dealerships. nat and i went out sunday to lots to get some options, out of about 10 we saw on sunday in lot, 6 were sold by 2pm on Monday---UGH UGH UGH. I did finally find one that i like that we put deposit down to see on saturday. What is really cool is that they will actually bring the car to you! at least we have something secured until we can make it there (EVERYTHING closes at 5-5:30 so it makes it sorta IMPOSSIBLE) In lieu of dinner plans, nat and i got hungry jacks (i am SO sick of eating out!!!)
Tuesday
Tonight we had dinner plans with people from Hastings Deering. The girl Nat is replacing is 6 weeks from busting and it was her farewell party. We went to Cactus Jacks, a "mexican" restaurant. It was no Margaritas or El Rancho Grande. I am wondering if those places actually exist!! It was decent food nonetheless. I walked up to the mall today just to walk around. It is quite the hike up a hill. I took pictures that I am going to post. We got to Cactus Jacks around 7 and didnt leave till nearly 10:30...Aussies can TALK!! It was great! There was rarely a dull moment in the conversation and although I didnt work with them, I felt somewhat included.
Wednesday
I was supposed to go to QUT and have the beginning of my Hep B shots for school and I was also going to get my student id and take care of anything else I needed to do. I cancelled. I only had about $50 left and it would easily be over $100 day with the fee for shot as well as taxi. I opted to wait to figure out bus system when I get to house, since I will be coming and going from there. Apparently its very confusing. I have lunch plans with Natalie on Monday so hopefully she can help me out. In lieu of QUT I watched Biggest Loser with my sisters...how awesome right? We got on skype video call and they set the camera right in front of the tv. It was nice to "hang out" with them. Much better that visiting QUT!!
For dinner Nat and I ordered pizza hut. I was sorely disappointed. Nothing here tastes the same. I am about to crawl into a hole of not eating cause its not worth it. That is the main reason why I am SO excited to have kitchen so I can start cooking what I know I will like (and it wont cost me a fortune!) There are definately things I miss. Wings...with good sauce. Ranch dressing that doesnt taste like honey mustard horseradish. hamburgers with MEAT. familiar cheese. crack dip. even the coke tastes funny. Maybe it is all mental, but it matters to my brain. I got strawberry sundae from McD---smelt like old mans stinky underarm. (funny side story, as i sat down to eat my sundae, a little girl was playing hide and seek with kids in next room over (playroom) and then they started sticking their tongues out at her. No kidding, that girl leaned back and haulked a loogie on the window...like 3 times. After that i vowed not to eat stinky strawberry sundaes in the presence of spitting children.)
Thursday
Yesterday I went out on my own and went shopping. I had to run errands and go to bank, look for mattress and appliances. I have been extremely frugal. I compare all the prices from one store to the next and try to haggle. Last night (stores open late on Thursdays so Nat could go shopping with me) we finally got all the necessity appliances. I think we got a really good deal compared to the competition, plus the sales guy was super nice and lenient! Check that off the list. We are desperate for a mattress. They are so hard to shop for. It has been way overdue finding a mattress. We would otherwise be sleeping on the couch/floor. I got an email from owners of house...consider for a moment how unbelievablely cool this is.
Hi Chrissy and Nat,
We finally got everything packed up and have arrived safely in Hervey Bay, but I just wanted to let you know that you wont have to worry too much about buying kitchen stuff as we have left you a few things to get you started.
* Crockery & cutlery
* glassware
* Pots and 1 pan
* Plastic containers
* A roasting dish and roasting trays
* Iron and Ironing board
* mop & bucket
* Various washing buckets
* cooking utensils
* Foils and glad wraps
* toilet brushes & toilet bins
* TOilet paper basket
* hand held vaccum and extension cord
* 2 x heavy duty extension cords in the garage
I tried to keep everything at least matched. If you dont need many of the items, you can just toss them in the trash. Anything we have left behind is for your use and not part of your lease contract.
We have also left you a bottle of Northern Territory Brew. (as we are not drinking anymore)
Im not sure what this one tastes like, it was an unwanted gift.
ANything else you need, just let us know.
Thanks again,
Lisa and Dean
Seriously!!! So now we get to go back to IKEA and return most everything we bought. Honestly I will need to see most of it to know what exactly it is. How cool though! So much of the stuff we need and some stuff we didn't even think about. highlight of my day! Last night I put my resume into a couple places. Photography jobs are more prevalent here so hopefully that will work out to give me something to do until i start school in July. Overall Thursday was very successful.
Friday (so far)
Today Nat and I get to go sign for our new house! I am SO excited to get out of this hotel room. It hasnt been bad, but I just know what the house looks like and I want to be there! WE sign for house, go get AU licenses, pick up credit cards from bank, finish mattress shopping and possibly go car shopping. Finding a car is priority this weekend since Monday will be the final day Nat will have car provided by company. We have car secured to look and appointment tomorrow morning that I think will work. It really is a daunting task to find a decent car for a reasonable price. They dont have quite the selection or competition as in the states. 1999 cars are going for over $10,000. I think we may go see Angels and Demons tonight, but that highly depends on if we find a car, because if we do, we will be taking me driving on side roads before I bring that bad boy home! So I am off to get dressed and go check out some furniture stores to compare mattress prices more diligently. I need to write them all down and try to remember if I thought they were comfy. Nat will be coming home early at noon so that we can run all these errands.
Tomorrow we have more car shopping and hopefully mattress finding. Our appliances will be delivered and hopefully we will have mattress by Monday so we can move out of this hotel into HOME!!
I am really trying to be good. Life has been sorta hectic but I dont think its going to get any better.
love you all
Mrs. P
last weekend we shopped around for cars and got rough idea on furniture. Ill try to recount this week, although the days are running into each other. We went to IKEA and got some essentials that we have but on a boat somewhere on the Pacific. SO we go some dishes, pots and pans, measuring cups, oven mitts...it really is amazing what you need in JUST the kitchen. Imagine the list..cleaning supplies, bathroom, bedroom, closet, kitchen, etc etc! Some stuff we have coming, but I think we learned from this experience what is necessary asap. Regardless we got some essentials cheap to hold us over till Mid-July.
Monday
We were supposed to meet up with owners for dinner. But they had to cancel, which was a total bummer but I totally understood. So all in all, we received from them 5 pc sectional couch, 7-seater dining room table, 2 bar stools, some yard equipment and desk. What started out as table and chairs, ended up being alot of what we needed furniture wise. They got the tile, carpet and couch cleaned for us. I dont think I did anything too interesting this day. I watched a really cheesy horror flick and looked for jobs online plus called around to all the car dealerships. nat and i went out sunday to lots to get some options, out of about 10 we saw on sunday in lot, 6 were sold by 2pm on Monday---UGH UGH UGH. I did finally find one that i like that we put deposit down to see on saturday. What is really cool is that they will actually bring the car to you! at least we have something secured until we can make it there (EVERYTHING closes at 5-5:30 so it makes it sorta IMPOSSIBLE) In lieu of dinner plans, nat and i got hungry jacks (i am SO sick of eating out!!!)
Tuesday
Tonight we had dinner plans with people from Hastings Deering. The girl Nat is replacing is 6 weeks from busting and it was her farewell party. We went to Cactus Jacks, a "mexican" restaurant. It was no Margaritas or El Rancho Grande. I am wondering if those places actually exist!! It was decent food nonetheless. I walked up to the mall today just to walk around. It is quite the hike up a hill. I took pictures that I am going to post. We got to Cactus Jacks around 7 and didnt leave till nearly 10:30...Aussies can TALK!! It was great! There was rarely a dull moment in the conversation and although I didnt work with them, I felt somewhat included.
Wednesday
I was supposed to go to QUT and have the beginning of my Hep B shots for school and I was also going to get my student id and take care of anything else I needed to do. I cancelled. I only had about $50 left and it would easily be over $100 day with the fee for shot as well as taxi. I opted to wait to figure out bus system when I get to house, since I will be coming and going from there. Apparently its very confusing. I have lunch plans with Natalie on Monday so hopefully she can help me out. In lieu of QUT I watched Biggest Loser with my sisters...how awesome right? We got on skype video call and they set the camera right in front of the tv. It was nice to "hang out" with them. Much better that visiting QUT!!
For dinner Nat and I ordered pizza hut. I was sorely disappointed. Nothing here tastes the same. I am about to crawl into a hole of not eating cause its not worth it. That is the main reason why I am SO excited to have kitchen so I can start cooking what I know I will like (and it wont cost me a fortune!) There are definately things I miss. Wings...with good sauce. Ranch dressing that doesnt taste like honey mustard horseradish. hamburgers with MEAT. familiar cheese. crack dip. even the coke tastes funny. Maybe it is all mental, but it matters to my brain. I got strawberry sundae from McD---smelt like old mans stinky underarm. (funny side story, as i sat down to eat my sundae, a little girl was playing hide and seek with kids in next room over (playroom) and then they started sticking their tongues out at her. No kidding, that girl leaned back and haulked a loogie on the window...like 3 times. After that i vowed not to eat stinky strawberry sundaes in the presence of spitting children.)
Thursday
Yesterday I went out on my own and went shopping. I had to run errands and go to bank, look for mattress and appliances. I have been extremely frugal. I compare all the prices from one store to the next and try to haggle. Last night (stores open late on Thursdays so Nat could go shopping with me) we finally got all the necessity appliances. I think we got a really good deal compared to the competition, plus the sales guy was super nice and lenient! Check that off the list. We are desperate for a mattress. They are so hard to shop for. It has been way overdue finding a mattress. We would otherwise be sleeping on the couch/floor. I got an email from owners of house...consider for a moment how unbelievablely cool this is.
Hi Chrissy and Nat,
We finally got everything packed up and have arrived safely in Hervey Bay, but I just wanted to let you know that you wont have to worry too much about buying kitchen stuff as we have left you a few things to get you started.
* Crockery & cutlery
* glassware
* Pots and 1 pan
* Plastic containers
* A roasting dish and roasting trays
* Iron and Ironing board
* mop & bucket
* Various washing buckets
* cooking utensils
* Foils and glad wraps
* toilet brushes & toilet bins
* TOilet paper basket
* hand held vaccum and extension cord
* 2 x heavy duty extension cords in the garage
I tried to keep everything at least matched. If you dont need many of the items, you can just toss them in the trash. Anything we have left behind is for your use and not part of your lease contract.
We have also left you a bottle of Northern Territory Brew. (as we are not drinking anymore)
Im not sure what this one tastes like, it was an unwanted gift.
ANything else you need, just let us know.
Thanks again,
Lisa and Dean
Seriously!!! So now we get to go back to IKEA and return most everything we bought. Honestly I will need to see most of it to know what exactly it is. How cool though! So much of the stuff we need and some stuff we didn't even think about. highlight of my day! Last night I put my resume into a couple places. Photography jobs are more prevalent here so hopefully that will work out to give me something to do until i start school in July. Overall Thursday was very successful.
Friday (so far)
Today Nat and I get to go sign for our new house! I am SO excited to get out of this hotel room. It hasnt been bad, but I just know what the house looks like and I want to be there! WE sign for house, go get AU licenses, pick up credit cards from bank, finish mattress shopping and possibly go car shopping. Finding a car is priority this weekend since Monday will be the final day Nat will have car provided by company. We have car secured to look and appointment tomorrow morning that I think will work. It really is a daunting task to find a decent car for a reasonable price. They dont have quite the selection or competition as in the states. 1999 cars are going for over $10,000. I think we may go see Angels and Demons tonight, but that highly depends on if we find a car, because if we do, we will be taking me driving on side roads before I bring that bad boy home! So I am off to get dressed and go check out some furniture stores to compare mattress prices more diligently. I need to write them all down and try to remember if I thought they were comfy. Nat will be coming home early at noon so that we can run all these errands.
Tomorrow we have more car shopping and hopefully mattress finding. Our appliances will be delivered and hopefully we will have mattress by Monday so we can move out of this hotel into HOME!!
I am really trying to be good. Life has been sorta hectic but I dont think its going to get any better.
love you all
Mrs. P
Wednesday, May 13, 2009
Note to self
BLOG SOON!!!!
1. date with sisters.
2. food.
3. adventures.
4. awesome owners.
5. QUT.
6. Control Issues.
1. date with sisters.
2. food.
3. adventures.
4. awesome owners.
5. QUT.
6. Control Issues.
Monday, May 11, 2009
beautiful and boorrringgg
so the house hunt is over and i can't car shop on my own. Nat goes to work at like 7.30am and gets home about 5.30pm. i am usually up before him in the morning and cant get back to sleep...yeah I know...totally out of character,but I imagine its like getting up at noon in the states =). Today I called around to car dealerships to see if the cars we looked at yesterday in the lots were still available. out of say 10 cars we considered, 6 were already sold. The car turnover is mind-blowing. Fortunately they have a deposit deal where you put down deposit of like $50 to hold the car so they wont sell it before you actually get a chance to see it. One cool aspect though is that they will actually bring the car you are interested in to your doorstep. Bad part about car shopping is that the dealerships close PRECISELY at 5pm. They do not mess around with closing time. Actually almost everything closes at 5pm...the mall, some grocery stores, department stores. There are few things to do after 6pm (and its dark by then too).
nat and i ran quickly to the grocery store at 6.55pm, it closed at 7pm. When we left, they practically had all the lights turned out and were prepared to lock the doors. Closing time is no funny business here. So nightlife is far and few between. I am not sure exactly what an aussie does when they get home from work and cant go shopping.
Its interesting to live in an environment that for the most part is very non-materialistic. There is just not a focus on it at all. They are also VERY enviromentally conscious. They just lifted the ban of using water to wash car or water yard, or anything else "wasteful" -- they have recycle pick up like US but I am sure here that they recycle bin is bigger than normal trash lol...
So Nat and I were really looking forward to dinner tonight, but unfortunately they cancelled on us. I can understand though, they are leaving on Wednesday and still have a lot to do, but I guess there were alot of setbacks today. Tomorrow we are going for mexican...i am sure it will not be anything like in US. I highly doubt they have crack dip, or even mexicans for that matter...would be QUITE the hike for them.
I have made lunch plans with Natalie, a friend of Robbie Ballmeyer. We finally communicated today and made plans. I am SO excited to meet her. She seems like she will be SO much fun to hang out with. What Aussie wouldnt be fun?!?!? They are so incredibly laid back and friendly. I am going to have to learn to be nice!!! I think she will be a great asset when it comes to decorating the new house. IKEA here we come!
So, I thought that selling everything was so liberating, but didnt realize all the esssentials we had to have. Our stuff wont get here till early July and it has everything for our kitchen..plates, cups, silverware, utencils. we have NOTHING. we went to IKEA and got some essentials. I am thinking on the way home we will have twice as much as we came with...i guess you can never get rid of all the STUFF.
It really is beautiful here. Every sunset is amazing and the sky seems like its so close. The moom seems bigger, the stars brighter...oh funny, imagine a sky WITHOUT orion! I really am on the other side of the world!
so its time for all you slackers to start blogging again...a thank you to the lovely abbi for starting up again. Love you much....
nat and i ran quickly to the grocery store at 6.55pm, it closed at 7pm. When we left, they practically had all the lights turned out and were prepared to lock the doors. Closing time is no funny business here. So nightlife is far and few between. I am not sure exactly what an aussie does when they get home from work and cant go shopping.
Its interesting to live in an environment that for the most part is very non-materialistic. There is just not a focus on it at all. They are also VERY enviromentally conscious. They just lifted the ban of using water to wash car or water yard, or anything else "wasteful" -- they have recycle pick up like US but I am sure here that they recycle bin is bigger than normal trash lol...
So Nat and I were really looking forward to dinner tonight, but unfortunately they cancelled on us. I can understand though, they are leaving on Wednesday and still have a lot to do, but I guess there were alot of setbacks today. Tomorrow we are going for mexican...i am sure it will not be anything like in US. I highly doubt they have crack dip, or even mexicans for that matter...would be QUITE the hike for them.
I have made lunch plans with Natalie, a friend of Robbie Ballmeyer. We finally communicated today and made plans. I am SO excited to meet her. She seems like she will be SO much fun to hang out with. What Aussie wouldnt be fun?!?!? They are so incredibly laid back and friendly. I am going to have to learn to be nice!!! I think she will be a great asset when it comes to decorating the new house. IKEA here we come!
So, I thought that selling everything was so liberating, but didnt realize all the esssentials we had to have. Our stuff wont get here till early July and it has everything for our kitchen..plates, cups, silverware, utencils. we have NOTHING. we went to IKEA and got some essentials. I am thinking on the way home we will have twice as much as we came with...i guess you can never get rid of all the STUFF.
It really is beautiful here. Every sunset is amazing and the sky seems like its so close. The moom seems bigger, the stars brighter...oh funny, imagine a sky WITHOUT orion! I really am on the other side of the world!
so its time for all you slackers to start blogging again...a thank you to the lovely abbi for starting up again. Love you much....
Saturday, May 09, 2009
Life in a day.
Today Nat and I decided to get up early and go car shopping. Nat currently has a loaner car from Hastings Deering but we really need to invest in our own car. We are having some issues at the moment. 1. There are not really any cars under $13-15,000. 2. We dont have that kind of money on hand. 3. They arent super keen on giving loans out to people like us. So we are sorta in a perdicament. I am sure we can figure something out, but it is becoming quite the hassle. I was hoping not to spend that kind of money on a car we will have for only 2 years, but its sort of a necessity.
After a couple hours daydreaming about what we couldnt afford we had an appointment to meet with the owners of the house again today. They are moving to Cairns and are packing up. It is unusual to have contact with the owners. Most transactions would go through the agent/property manager. We had a great chat with them the first time we met them and this time was no different. Again we were there for over 2 hours. They are attempting to get rid of some of their furniture, ie dining table, end tables, couch...and we were obliged to take it off their hands! =) We ended up with table with 6 chairs, 2 bar stools, 5 lazyboys (sorta like detachable sectional), tv stand, and one large and one small trendy coffee tables. We are negotiating for the fridge so we wont have to buy one of those (they dont come standard in AU). Overall it was a good deal. We went furniture shopping after we left and were relieved to have taken care of some big purchases without even having much of a hassle. I think they were relieved to get rid of them.
While chatting, we were discussing different locations that we should go and visit. Lisa (the wife) started making us a list. We arranged to have dinner on Monday night, where she promises a more defined list of local and New Zealand must-go-to spots. They really are a great couple and I hope we find more couple like them that arent moving far far away. They are very close to our age and are very trendy. He has worked as a graphic designer and currently makes these amazing cravings out of wood. Their house and all its decor (including furniture) fit right into my tastes and I can totally see how I will decorate. We sign our lease next Friday and then we can move in right away. We are trying to figure out our options of sleeping arrangements until our boat brings over our belongings.
So dinner plans on Monday with Lisa and Dean. Dinner plans on Tuesday with people from Nat's work. Campus visit to QUT on Wednesday. Thursday, no plans but I am sure shopping is involved. Friday sign for new house. Last night we had dinner at John's house (Nat's boss). We will still have hotel until following wednesday, so that will give us time to make arrangements for whatever we might need. We have more of a social life here than in the states!
I have a connection here through a friend that spent some time here in Brisbane a couple years ago. I am hoping to get together with her and be great friends! She has offered to be my tour guide. I am hoping also that she will be a great asset in finding a church home. She graduated from Cincinnati Bible Seminary and I am pretty sure her dad is in ministry here in Brisbane at a Baptist church, but I am SURE that it is structured WAY different than what I grew up with.
I feel like I may be leaving out some details, but I cant remember what I have emailed to my sisters and what I have wrote here. All well, I cant give ALL the details. I am outta here now, Nat and I are on our way to dinner and movie (Star Trek---what am I thinking?!?!?!).
Love you all....
Mrs. P
funny thought
I was trying to set up my voicemail on my phone and redid it like 10 times because i didnt want to sound like an aussie...=) its suttle, but its coming on! It doesnt help to hear the instructions with aussie accent then try to talk without sounding like one...at least for me.
"good day. sorry i missed you ringing. i'll try bout ringing you when i have a chance. no worries." LOL
After a couple hours daydreaming about what we couldnt afford we had an appointment to meet with the owners of the house again today. They are moving to Cairns and are packing up. It is unusual to have contact with the owners. Most transactions would go through the agent/property manager. We had a great chat with them the first time we met them and this time was no different. Again we were there for over 2 hours. They are attempting to get rid of some of their furniture, ie dining table, end tables, couch...and we were obliged to take it off their hands! =) We ended up with table with 6 chairs, 2 bar stools, 5 lazyboys (sorta like detachable sectional), tv stand, and one large and one small trendy coffee tables. We are negotiating for the fridge so we wont have to buy one of those (they dont come standard in AU). Overall it was a good deal. We went furniture shopping after we left and were relieved to have taken care of some big purchases without even having much of a hassle. I think they were relieved to get rid of them.
While chatting, we were discussing different locations that we should go and visit. Lisa (the wife) started making us a list. We arranged to have dinner on Monday night, where she promises a more defined list of local and New Zealand must-go-to spots. They really are a great couple and I hope we find more couple like them that arent moving far far away. They are very close to our age and are very trendy. He has worked as a graphic designer and currently makes these amazing cravings out of wood. Their house and all its decor (including furniture) fit right into my tastes and I can totally see how I will decorate. We sign our lease next Friday and then we can move in right away. We are trying to figure out our options of sleeping arrangements until our boat brings over our belongings.
So dinner plans on Monday with Lisa and Dean. Dinner plans on Tuesday with people from Nat's work. Campus visit to QUT on Wednesday. Thursday, no plans but I am sure shopping is involved. Friday sign for new house. Last night we had dinner at John's house (Nat's boss). We will still have hotel until following wednesday, so that will give us time to make arrangements for whatever we might need. We have more of a social life here than in the states!
I have a connection here through a friend that spent some time here in Brisbane a couple years ago. I am hoping to get together with her and be great friends! She has offered to be my tour guide. I am hoping also that she will be a great asset in finding a church home. She graduated from Cincinnati Bible Seminary and I am pretty sure her dad is in ministry here in Brisbane at a Baptist church, but I am SURE that it is structured WAY different than what I grew up with.
I feel like I may be leaving out some details, but I cant remember what I have emailed to my sisters and what I have wrote here. All well, I cant give ALL the details. I am outta here now, Nat and I are on our way to dinner and movie (Star Trek---what am I thinking?!?!?!).
Love you all....
Mrs. P
funny thought
I was trying to set up my voicemail on my phone and redid it like 10 times because i didnt want to sound like an aussie...=) its suttle, but its coming on! It doesnt help to hear the instructions with aussie accent then try to talk without sounding like one...at least for me.
"good day. sorry i missed you ringing. i'll try bout ringing you when i have a chance. no worries." LOL
Friday, May 08, 2009
Thursday, May 07, 2009
Wednesday, May 06, 2009
I'm home
in a sense...if home is where your heart is and my heart belongs to Nat, then yeppers I am home. I am not sure how much I will be writing here, and mainly it will be regurgitated from other blog (http://natandchrissi.blogspot.com) so bookmark the other one if you want to have all the details.
Some things to consider.
1. If this is winter, I am hestitant of summer weather and DEFINATELY need to invest in shorts and skirts and throw away all my sweatshirts/security blankets.
2. Nat is miserable without me...coke and beer is all he has -- sounds like a bad Springer Episode.
3. If you want to stop drinking coke, move to AU. $3 for 20oz. Also, stop eating...$9 for sandwiches is sorta ridiculous. Also, dont smoke, you;ll go broke at nearly $10/pack. I imagine there arent many Aussies that eat out often, and if they do, they are millionaires.
4. There is a bird outside our villa that sounds like a chainsaw cutting up a small child.
5. No Koala sightings yet...crickey!
6. It is a new feeling when you get stared at while you talk...I wonder if aussies think US accents are as cool as we think aussie accents are. if they do, i wont conform and stay strong with US accent, just to be loved!
7. I have grocery shopping plans with Nat's boss's wife, Cheryl. At least I won't have to WALK!!
8. TV...hmm, honestly I dont think I will be watching much. They dont have grey's Anatomy, Private Practice, Biggest Loser, NCIS...or anything else I watch.
9. MUSIC...no hiphop, top 40...from what I have heard, its all sorta electronic emo....all well, at least I have Etta James on my IPOD.
10. I am off house hunting...wish us luck and PRAY!!
Later
Chrissi
Some things to consider.
1. If this is winter, I am hestitant of summer weather and DEFINATELY need to invest in shorts and skirts and throw away all my sweatshirts/security blankets.
2. Nat is miserable without me...coke and beer is all he has -- sounds like a bad Springer Episode.
3. If you want to stop drinking coke, move to AU. $3 for 20oz. Also, stop eating...$9 for sandwiches is sorta ridiculous. Also, dont smoke, you;ll go broke at nearly $10/pack. I imagine there arent many Aussies that eat out often, and if they do, they are millionaires.
4. There is a bird outside our villa that sounds like a chainsaw cutting up a small child.
5. No Koala sightings yet...crickey!
6. It is a new feeling when you get stared at while you talk...I wonder if aussies think US accents are as cool as we think aussie accents are. if they do, i wont conform and stay strong with US accent, just to be loved!
7. I have grocery shopping plans with Nat's boss's wife, Cheryl. At least I won't have to WALK!!
8. TV...hmm, honestly I dont think I will be watching much. They dont have grey's Anatomy, Private Practice, Biggest Loser, NCIS...or anything else I watch.
9. MUSIC...no hiphop, top 40...from what I have heard, its all sorta electronic emo....all well, at least I have Etta James on my IPOD.
10. I am off house hunting...wish us luck and PRAY!!
Later
Chrissi
Monday, April 27, 2009
Saturday, April 25, 2009
Wednesday, April 22, 2009
Our Adventure
Nat has done some great documenting of his first couple days in Brisbane. Go to http://natandchrissi.blogspot.com and check it out.
I would write a long blog about what is going on in my life, but 75% of it I cant share right this second...but you will know soon enough. I am sure most of you know already, but until there are more details, I am not at liberty to share.
Also, if you didnt know, I got accepted into Queensland University of Technology to study nursing. It is a 2-yr bachelors program and classes start on July 20th!
I would write a long blog about what is going on in my life, but 75% of it I cant share right this second...but you will know soon enough. I am sure most of you know already, but until there are more details, I am not at liberty to share.
Also, if you didnt know, I got accepted into Queensland University of Technology to study nursing. It is a 2-yr bachelors program and classes start on July 20th!
Monday, April 20, 2009
Wednesday, April 15, 2009
new blogging...
so i know that i rarely write on here anymore. but i will be writing on http://natandchrissi.blogspot.com more about the adventures we have in AU. so fill free to bookmark or follow there as well...
i am excited about April 24 Girls Nite out!
i am excited about April 24 Girls Nite out!
Sunday, April 12, 2009
Friday, April 03, 2009
Thursday, April 02, 2009
Sunday, March 29, 2009
Is it over yet?
I have not sat down and wrote a blog in a while and I felt like I was due. i am not really sure where to begin though. I have all these lists going through my head of things to do...mail taxes, fill out QUT application, go to bed...then the list for tomorrow...oh dear! When will it be over?
I chuckle because I have been without a job for nearly 3 months and still I fill up my day with so much stuff. Granted I am not sure how we would have handled this move if I would have had to work 40 hours a week. I have been quite the suzy homemaker...its not too shabby, but people SERIOUSLY need to learn to pick up after themselves.
A couple weeks ago, in an effort to help Cheryl, I decided to repaint the kitchen. We were trying to think of ways to make it look larger without a total remodel. There were these boxes above the cabinets that stuck out, served no purpose and I thought without them would make the kitchen appear taller ang bigger...plus give more space to store stuff. After tearing them all down, we realized why they were there in the first place. Apparently the previous owners...pre mom and dad (12 years ago) had a leak in the kitchen. Instead of fixing the leak, they put a metal pot in the attic to catch the water and built a casing above the cabinets. So by the time we took off the casing, the damage was done...and thus a GAPPING hole in the kitchen ceiling.
So I had been frantically trying to find someone to come fix the hole. I finally found someone and he is coming on Tuesday Morning to fix the hole, and some other stuff...this week. Then I have to paint the kitchen BEFORE the countertop guy comes to install the new countertop. SO the simple, painless repaint turned into an almost entire kitchen remodel. Little stressful.
Thursday morning we had the movers come and take away our stuff. Granted all we could really fit was the king sized bed and a couple boxes...minimalists now whether we like it or not!! All last week we also had a plumber come in and redo almost all cheryls plumbing plus some new fixtures and vanity (in exchange for 46" TV). I thought that was a good deal. Friday morning (which felt like Saturday ALL DAY) we finally sold our car to an adorable little couple from Morrow. Friday night we prepared the garage and work room for Moving Sale. Saturday we had moving sale from 8AM-3PM, but really 2PM (when people FINALLY STOPPED coming..it was a good day!). Then i went to accountant to pick up taxes...Is today Monday??? My back is killing me. I am so tired but my super comfy bed is gone and there is nothing that quite compares to it.
Becky let us borrow her car...THANK YOU JESUS, because otherwise I would have driven Nat to Peoria today, and driven back tomorrow so that Cheryl could have her car to get to work. Did I mention that also on top of all these things, I had a HardDrive (only backup to all my pictures, and i mean ALL) totally crash and die, and there is no way I am spending $1500-$4000 to get data recovered, cause I am not sure I have any emotions left to really care =). Dont worry, I have some DVD backups, but I have slacked alot lately...ooops.
So the outlook for the next three weeks
Kitchen will be finished...new walls, new countertops, new beautifulness
Nat will have his last day at Accenture and on plane to Australia
I will know for sure and maybe all this will finally sink in.
Next six weeks
Nat will be gone
I will shoot wedding
I will be on a plane to Australia...
I am sure there is way more than that happening...need to somehow fit in trip to Peoria and Kentucky and see some friends and finish packing stuff to store and get taxes back...OK, so maybe when I get to Australia it will settle down...HAHAAH ya know after I find a place to live, a car to drive, the bus system, a job, possibly school...hahahahahah...2009 is KICKING MY ASS!!
So I am leaving on May 4. April 10 we are having a going away shindig at Hofbrauhaus in Newport...good Friday i know, but there really werent any other dates feasible. We need to schedule a slumber party...so the countdown to my departure has begun....35 days and counting...
I am shocked how seamless everything is falling together.
I chuckle because I have been without a job for nearly 3 months and still I fill up my day with so much stuff. Granted I am not sure how we would have handled this move if I would have had to work 40 hours a week. I have been quite the suzy homemaker...its not too shabby, but people SERIOUSLY need to learn to pick up after themselves.
A couple weeks ago, in an effort to help Cheryl, I decided to repaint the kitchen. We were trying to think of ways to make it look larger without a total remodel. There were these boxes above the cabinets that stuck out, served no purpose and I thought without them would make the kitchen appear taller ang bigger...plus give more space to store stuff. After tearing them all down, we realized why they were there in the first place. Apparently the previous owners...pre mom and dad (12 years ago) had a leak in the kitchen. Instead of fixing the leak, they put a metal pot in the attic to catch the water and built a casing above the cabinets. So by the time we took off the casing, the damage was done...and thus a GAPPING hole in the kitchen ceiling.
So I had been frantically trying to find someone to come fix the hole. I finally found someone and he is coming on Tuesday Morning to fix the hole, and some other stuff...this week. Then I have to paint the kitchen BEFORE the countertop guy comes to install the new countertop. SO the simple, painless repaint turned into an almost entire kitchen remodel. Little stressful.
Thursday morning we had the movers come and take away our stuff. Granted all we could really fit was the king sized bed and a couple boxes...minimalists now whether we like it or not!! All last week we also had a plumber come in and redo almost all cheryls plumbing plus some new fixtures and vanity (in exchange for 46" TV). I thought that was a good deal. Friday morning (which felt like Saturday ALL DAY) we finally sold our car to an adorable little couple from Morrow. Friday night we prepared the garage and work room for Moving Sale. Saturday we had moving sale from 8AM-3PM, but really 2PM (when people FINALLY STOPPED coming..it was a good day!). Then i went to accountant to pick up taxes...Is today Monday??? My back is killing me. I am so tired but my super comfy bed is gone and there is nothing that quite compares to it.
Becky let us borrow her car...THANK YOU JESUS, because otherwise I would have driven Nat to Peoria today, and driven back tomorrow so that Cheryl could have her car to get to work. Did I mention that also on top of all these things, I had a HardDrive (only backup to all my pictures, and i mean ALL) totally crash and die, and there is no way I am spending $1500-$4000 to get data recovered, cause I am not sure I have any emotions left to really care =). Dont worry, I have some DVD backups, but I have slacked alot lately...ooops.
So the outlook for the next three weeks
Kitchen will be finished...new walls, new countertops, new beautifulness
Nat will have his last day at Accenture and on plane to Australia
I will know for sure and maybe all this will finally sink in.
Next six weeks
Nat will be gone
I will shoot wedding
I will be on a plane to Australia...
I am sure there is way more than that happening...need to somehow fit in trip to Peoria and Kentucky and see some friends and finish packing stuff to store and get taxes back...OK, so maybe when I get to Australia it will settle down...HAHAAH ya know after I find a place to live, a car to drive, the bus system, a job, possibly school...hahahahahah...2009 is KICKING MY ASS!!
So I am leaving on May 4. April 10 we are having a going away shindig at Hofbrauhaus in Newport...good Friday i know, but there really werent any other dates feasible. We need to schedule a slumber party...so the countdown to my departure has begun....35 days and counting...
I am shocked how seamless everything is falling together.
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