We have been told by several people since moving here that there are two Australian movies that we must see to gain insight into the culture. The first is called "Cracker Jack" and the second is called "The Castle".
We watched Cracker Jack last weekend. It is about a lawn bowling club and the troubles they are going through as an old club. It is not the best we have seen but was interesting to a degree, once again it is about lawn blowing : -) There wasn't anything too bad in this movie, just some language and an implied sexual relationship.
The second, The Castle, we have not seen yet and will let you know how it is once we see it. Every time we go to the movie store it is out, so it might be awhile. We can't say if there is anything bad in this one seeing as though we haven't seen it ourselves yet.
I don't know if these can be found in the US but it might be fun for some of you to watch them, just to hear some of their sayings and to see some of the cultural differences.
On another note, it took us an hour to travel 10km last night. We didn't get home from our friends house until 12:30am. We had the flat of all flat tyres and then we had the flat of all flat spare tyres. UGGGGGGG, flat tyres are very annoying...but even more so when it is almost midnight and you have a baby in the car. Oh and the fact that the jack didn't work was not helping the situation. Thankfully our friends were not in bed yet and came to our rescue!
And another note, baby showers are not a thing to do here. In fact wedding showers have just become popular in the past ten years. Don't look for baby registries because they don't exist. Funny, at least to me that this hasn't caught on. I mean, it is pretty expensive to outfit yourself for a new baby. You would think people would just naturally come up with the idea so that they would not have to spend a million dollars buying baby things. Plus, it is just another way to have a party of some sort and that is fun!
I had an ultrasound on Thursday to see if the guesstimated due date was correct. Looks like the little bub will be coming into the world sometime at the end of November, around Thanksgiving. This makes me a little sad because there is a good possibility that I might be in the hospital on Thanksgiving which means there is a good possibility that I might miss out on some very good food. Instead of being with friends I may have to eat food at a hospital who does not know what Thanksgiving is, let alone celebrate it, let alone give the patients something that resembles turkey and cranberries. Am I being a tad selfish? Perhaps, but I really like cranberries:-)
27.5.06
20.5.06
Jolene's new sport
Jolene has taken up a new sport thanks to Eric and Jean Bibby : -) She is following after her father.
17.5.06
Australian Wildlife
A couple weekends ago we traveled 3 hours inland to Charlton, VIC for a stay with some friends who attend the Geelong church with us. It was an organized "young adults" trip to spend a weekend away and to see some different parts of Australia. We had a great time getting to know our hosts, taking in a local footy match and attending the local church. The churchfolk where mostly farmers who were very interesting to talk with and reminded me of many small farming communities in the States.
Saturday night we built a bonfire from some dry brush and tree clippings. After putting a few branches in, I sat down by the fire and I felt something on the back of my neck. I quickly flicked at whatever it was and after realizing it was probably more than just a leaf, I went to look in the direction the thing might have gone. After a bit of searching in the dark we found the Huntsman spider in the video crawling away from the scene. While pretty big for a spider, they aren't dangerous but are creepy just the same. Who knows how long it might have been crawling up my back before it got to my neck?
-b
Saturday night we built a bonfire from some dry brush and tree clippings. After putting a few branches in, I sat down by the fire and I felt something on the back of my neck. I quickly flicked at whatever it was and after realizing it was probably more than just a leaf, I went to look in the direction the thing might have gone. After a bit of searching in the dark we found the Huntsman spider in the video crawling away from the scene. While pretty big for a spider, they aren't dangerous but are creepy just the same. Who knows how long it might have been crawling up my back before it got to my neck?
-b
12.5.06
Tickle Me
Just a few things I found humorous this past week, I guess you will get some insight into the type of humor I have : -) I enjoyed writing it out, made me chuckle, sorry if it doesn't do the same for you.
I was in the grocery store buying food, of course. Often I look at all the sale prices and see how much they are saying you will save by buying a product that is now on sale. They always advertise the amount you will be saving just to help you feel good when you buy the things you really don't need. There was one that I thought was worthy of writing about. I actually forget what the product was but this is what the tag said..." On sale for $4.53, was originally $4.58, your savings, $0.05!". I know isn't it great! I would save a whole $0.05 if I bought that product! Oh my goodness, quick get another cart (trolley here) and fill it to the brim with this great discounted item. The company must really be sacrificing for the customer to put such a steep sale price on it!
I used to work in a structural virology lab. We were working with bacteria, viral proteins, and other exciting organisms. I still get e-mails from the Structure Group reminding me of all the fun I miss. Here is one that I got this week...
Subject line: [structure-group] Liquid nitrogen left on again
Message:
Folks,
I found EM suite large nitrogen tank leaking nitrogen again today. If you got nitrogen after lunch, please be aware that you are not closing the valve all the way. Please, please crank it down very tight. I know its awkward; use the leather gloves to get a better grip.
Thanks! Valorie
It is such a bummer when the liquid nitrogen is left on, you come back from lunch and the whole place looks like it is getting ready for a rock concert : -), you expect to see guys with 80's hair cuts and skin tight pants to come strutting out of the men's bathroom. "Sigh", so much fog you can't see your feet in front of you! The troubles we deal with!
Actually the liquid nitrogen can be fun to play with, but remember kids you must always have an adult with you! Liquid Nitrogen can burn you!
Ok so I am weird, thats what four years of biology, chemistry, physics, and other things will do to a girl...that and sniffing to much formaldeyhyde and ethanol during genetics lab : -)
7.5.06
Jolene's 1st Birthday
Jolene celebrated her first birthday this past Friday!
I can't believe it has been a year since she came into our lives. So much has happened since that point in time, you never know where God is going to lead you.
We celebrated this monumental event by having a few families over from church who have children around her age. Jolene has jumped into the social network! Eleni, Ethan, and Rueben all attended. We had a cookout, although it rained so we ate inside, then Jolene opened her gifts (I helped, otherwise we wouldn't have finished until midnight), and then cake and icecream.
It was nice having some of our church family over since our family family couldn't be here. Nothing replaces family though, we were a little sad that we couldn't fly everyone over for the event : -(
Jolene loved her cake! At first she took a few small nibbles and then after realizing that something from heaven had descended upon earth, she dug in! Actually she picked up the whole piece and proceeded to stuff as much as possible into her mouth : -) We are starting her chocolate addiction early! Fun times and good memories.
Earlier in the day I went to playgroup with Jolene. I took a cake there as well and all the girls sang happy birthday and even gave her a few small gifts. I really was not expecting them to get her anything, but it was very nice of them. It made me feel like I was beginning to be part of the group.
I have discovered something new that Aussies do...
they hold their fork in their left hand and the knife in the right. It doesn't matter if you are left handed or right handed, the fork always rests in the left hand. I am not sure where this rule began but it would be interesting to see if American schools of etiquette would say the same thing or if this difference is just cultural.
I just found this off of the Ball State University site of all places : -)
There are two ways to use a knife and fork to cut and eat your food. They are the American style and the European or Continental style. Either style is considered appropriate. In the American style, one cuts the food by holding the knife in the right hand and the fork in the left hand with the fork tines piercing the food to secure it on the plate. Cut a few bite-size pieces of food, then lay your knife across the top edge of your plate with the sharp edge of the blade facing in. Change your fork from your left to your right hand to eat, fork tines facing up. (If you are left-handed, keep your fork in your left hand, tines facing up.) The European or Continental style is the same as the American style in that you cut your meat by holding your knife in your right hand while securing your food with your fork in your left hand. The difference is your fork remains in your left hand, tines facing down, and the knife in your right hand. Simply eat the cut pieces of food by picking them up with your fork still in your left hand.
I looked on a couple other sites just to see if good old Ball State was right, seems they are on track.
2.5.06
Morning Commute
Just thought I'd post some more pictures. I took my new camera with me one day when I rode my bike to work and took pictures along the way. I think its a pretty scenic trek and perhaps will give you all slightly different taste of Geelong.
You shouldn't have to sign in, just click on the slideshow thumbnail.
Commute Slideshow
After a long draught I went on a music-purchasing binge for the last couple days. Sounds that we're digging (I haven't found the first two on iTunes or AllofMP3 so I'll have to purchase elsewhere I guess):
Jolie Holland
Xu Xu Fang
Mattafix
The Strokes
Zero 7
Gnarles Barkley
Wolfmother
later,
-b
You shouldn't have to sign in, just click on the slideshow thumbnail.
Commute Slideshow
After a long draught I went on a music-purchasing binge for the last couple days. Sounds that we're digging (I haven't found the first two on iTunes or AllofMP3 so I'll have to purchase elsewhere I guess):
Jolie Holland
Xu Xu Fang
Mattafix
The Strokes
Zero 7
Gnarles Barkley
Wolfmother
later,
-b
We are the backbone of what America is, legal or illegal, it doesn't matter
Just a quote I read from an immigrant.
I actually think it does matter. There are certain rules that one must abide by and personally I don't appreciate those who are doing it illegally. I am speaking from the experience of spending thousands of dollars to come live in Australia. Yes, it took a lot of money and yes, it took almost a year, but it was the right way to do it.
Australia would be a great place to come illegally and live off the government. Don't have to pay taxes and get a big fat check in the mail fortnightly because your income level is below a certain amount.
Maybe I am seeing it wrong, do illegal immigrants pay state and federal taxes? Do they pay Medicare and Social Security taxes? Do they get Medicare and Welfare? I would say that the latter is the only one you might be able to say yes to as a whole. Prove me wrong if you know any good hard data. I am just assuming this from the natural state of human beings. I read an article on CNN about it and I think many of the proposals are reasonable. They include...
- illegal immigrants to obtain legal status, and eventually citizenship, by working for six years, paying a fine, undergoing a background check and learning English.
- a guest-worker program that will allow immigrants into the country to fill jobs that Americans can't or won't do
- Bush has adamantly opposed "automatic amnesty" for illegal immigrants already in the country, but he has expressed support for "a bill that says somebody who's working here on a legal basis has the right to get in line to become a citizen."
I have heard from news reports that American immigration agency is eternally slow and
needs fixing. I say "fine fix it, I'm sure it needs fixing because it is a government run project". I still don't think though it is an excuse for being illegal. Go through the steps, even if it takes a year or two. We did, we lived in limbo for that long surely 1 million others can too.
I know that some of these people come from really hard back grounds and countries that are not providing basic rights to their people, but there are still rules.
I know that it could mean splitting families up, fine give legal status to all those in a family, but something needs to be changed.
I actually think it does matter. There are certain rules that one must abide by and personally I don't appreciate those who are doing it illegally. I am speaking from the experience of spending thousands of dollars to come live in Australia. Yes, it took a lot of money and yes, it took almost a year, but it was the right way to do it.
Australia would be a great place to come illegally and live off the government. Don't have to pay taxes and get a big fat check in the mail fortnightly because your income level is below a certain amount.
Maybe I am seeing it wrong, do illegal immigrants pay state and federal taxes? Do they pay Medicare and Social Security taxes? Do they get Medicare and Welfare? I would say that the latter is the only one you might be able to say yes to as a whole. Prove me wrong if you know any good hard data. I am just assuming this from the natural state of human beings. I read an article on CNN about it and I think many of the proposals are reasonable. They include...
- illegal immigrants to obtain legal status, and eventually citizenship, by working for six years, paying a fine, undergoing a background check and learning English.
- a guest-worker program that will allow immigrants into the country to fill jobs that Americans can't or won't do
- Bush has adamantly opposed "automatic amnesty" for illegal immigrants already in the country, but he has expressed support for "a bill that says somebody who's working here on a legal basis has the right to get in line to become a citizen."
I have heard from news reports that American immigration agency is eternally slow and
needs fixing. I say "fine fix it, I'm sure it needs fixing because it is a government run project". I still don't think though it is an excuse for being illegal. Go through the steps, even if it takes a year or two. We did, we lived in limbo for that long surely 1 million others can too.
I know that some of these people come from really hard back grounds and countries that are not providing basic rights to their people, but there are still rules.
I know that it could mean splitting families up, fine give legal status to all those in a family, but something needs to be changed.
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