the place to be

Apparently Australia is the place to be :-) I've been watching Sunrise the last few mornings with my cousin, its like the Aussie version of the Today show. Well yesterday, they showed Tim McGraw arriving in Oz and this morning Usain Bolt (sp?!) arrived. Also if you haven't heard apparently Oprah surprised her studio audience with a trip to Oz. She is coming in December and bring 300 people from her audience and 150 crew members with her to 4 different destinations and is going to film 2 shows at the Sydney Opera House which everyone here is calling the Oprah House now...all I can say is wow, thats just nuts! Talk about an expensive holiday!

It really is an exciting time to be here! The new prime minister, who just so happens to be a woman is being sworn in this week. And beautiful spring weather is in full force, I can't wait for a summer Christmas!

A few things i've come to learn about life in Oz...
1. Not only do they drive on the left side of the road, the trains are on the left, escalators are on the left and when passing people on the footpath (aka sidewalk) they generally stay to the left. I find that the hardest, I guess its just a habit I need to break.
2. Aussies LOVE their tea. They call it a 'cuppa', and I probably have at least 2-3 a day. Depends on where I am and who i'm with, sometimes its more like 4 or 5. Everyone has a kettle, which is my new favorite kitchen gadget.
3. There are no drive through banks, coffee shops, etc. But there are tons of cute coffee shops and cafes, which I love!
4. No, kangaroos do not just run around everywhere. I'm sure they do in the outback but I live in a city and the only time i've ever actually seen any was at the zoo.
5. I love, love the Aussie accent! I'm pretty sure I could sit and listen to them talk all day.
6. Some of the lingo... boot=trunk of the car, arvo=afternoon, bottle-o=liquor store, grog=alcohol, ring=call. They also use words like: heaps, no worries, cheers, etc. I just love it all :-) I could write a whole post just on the lingo.

I'm sure I could write a whole post about all the things i've learned about live here so far, but i'll spare you. Life certainly is different here but in a good way. I kept saying all along I was ready for a change and needed something different. Well I got it alright. I needed to be taken out of my comfort zone, some place I could relax, clear my head and get my priorities back on track. Not that things were out of control or anything but for a few years now my life had become consumed with my job which is silly for a 25 year old. I'm thankful to be where I am and for this time in my life. And I can honestly say that no matter what happens, I'll have no regrets.