hallowhat?

Well, looks like I'm going to make it through the first holiday after all.

This is definitely a different kind of October ... Here I sit, on the eve before hallow's, and I am sad to say there is not a shred of the usual festivities in my sight-line. No carved pumpkins with candles burning in them to create that really delicious and nostalgic smell, no cardboard skeletons dressed in pirate costumes hanging from the door, no charlie brown or his great pumpkin, no ghastly amounts of chocolate and tootsie pops and rockets being consumed ... It's very strange indeed.

And at the same time, I'm okay with it. Don't get me wrong, I love October 31st as much as any 5-year-old in a spiderman outfit... but I am having the time of my life in the down and under, and halloween is only sort of celebrated here anyways. And, by celebrated, I mean used as an excuse to put on a short dress and some animal ears and get excessively more drunk than usual. This being proved by the onslaught of very loud and decorated people in the house outside my window ... (dear god, how old am I?) It's obviously not as big a deal as it is in good old canada, but in light of "when in rome", I've decided not to worry too much about the lack of zombies and smoke machines and phantom of the opera.

So instead I spent tonight being a really cool and finding fun costume ideas in the sad little excuse for a closet that I managed to carry with me to the other side of the world. I've got a few ideas brewing, it's now mainly between random people from different decades or wearing my canadian flag as a dress ... hey now guys, I'm working with what I got here. And tomorrow night, being the grand evening itself (I suppose that would make this devils night...) who knows what will happen? perhaps a costume-clad walk on the beach, or a horror movie marathon in togas. It's time for the ultimate test in creativity and thriftiness ...

So I wish you all in the great white north a lovely and spooky hallow's eve, please collect lots of candy and cocktails and costume compliments for me in my absence, and I will see you all next year! Which leaves me 365 days to think of next year's prize-winning dressup idea ... ohhh the possibilities are endless.

Happy Almost Halloween To All;

from a girl with way too much time on her hands.

three weeks yesterday

Well helloooo children and friends!

Apologies for the lengthy gap between posts, I can tell you right now it is sadly not because I have been out and about with no time to update between adventures... in truth; I am lazy, and it's been a relatively uneventful week. Magical, as always, but nothing too ridiculous or outrageous to report.

Most of my time has been spent working at the lovely Cargo store, which is great for my wallet and my sense of productivity, but bad for adventures... seeing as the only three days off I had in the last week were splattered with rain, boo. BUT, tomorrow being a free friday before a workload of a weekend, hopefully the weather lords will be on my side and send me some sunshine. I have been here for three weeks now and my tan is severely lacking, with no improvement from my usual pastiness except a light brown paintsplatter of freckles all over my nose. Which is not so cute when it's unaccompanied by a sunkissed glow... hopefully tomorrow will change all that.

Other than that, my days have been filled with delicious foods - the most recent being heavenly sushigoi, garlic naanbread goodness, and kebabs from a random seaside stand - and (mostly) imaginary shopping. I did manage to snag a few things from the store ... I mean hey, at 30% off and a weekly payday under your belt, off you just can't say no, can you? And I was relatively responsible.. with all the gorgeousness floating around I was lucky to escape with just one very cute beach shirt, a skirt that may be my favourite piece that I own to date (polka-dotted of course), and a dress that I never would have bought if I wasn't on the other side of the planet. Two words; leopard print. I know it sounds scary, but I promise it looks great and I will soon have pictures to prove it :)

Anyways, it's time to sink into the couch and watch the last half of dirty dancing ... mmmmm crazy swayze ... and enjoy a night where I don't have to set an alarm. Love love love.

Speaking of love, I will leave you today with wise words from my friends The Love Machine and a lovely shot taken by Adam some two weeks ago on an adventure into downtown sydney ...

Love Is On Your Side.

studying abroad

In light of my two-week anniversary here in australia, I have decided to create a little semi-educational segment for you all entitled...

Things I have learned from the Aussies:

1) Dogs are more obedient than we think ~ dogs don't wear leashes here. I mean, maybe it's just a coogee thing, but every time I walk past a family or jogger or couple with a dog, they're just wandering along and their dog is trotting just ahead or just behind them. The one exception has been our friend the Rave Dog; a particularly fast canine friend who runs without a leash or any sense of hesitation or direction. Luckily though, he has a collar that blinks like a multi-coloured strobe light, so he can always be found.

2) BYOB is not just for parties ~ At almost every restaurant here, they have something called a "corking fee". This is a genius little business in which you pay money (usually anywhere from $2-$5) to bring in and drink your own alcohol with your meal. Four words; Canada get on it! ~ I have since been informed by some faithful blog-readers that this already exists in canada... so, I either need to get out more, or they need it in more places.

3) Job interviews are unnecessary ~ You don't need a cute outfit and a good handshake to get hired in Australia. All you need is the ability to be thrown into a job that you've never worked before, in a place you've never been, immersed in a culture you're not familiar with, and work it like a champ. And you'll be just fine. It is the system of "trial shifts", and it is brilliant.

4) Retail gets you addicted to certain words ~ Pop, as in, "let me just pop that in the changeroom for you!"... Heaps, as in, "we got heaps of stock yesterday"... Doll (pronounced dahl) as in "how are those fitting for you doll?" *note; all of the above phrases must be said with a sort of aussie-flavoured twang ;)

5) The price on the tag is the price you pay ~ while the cost o' livin is a bit on the upside over here, the wonderful thing about it is that all taxes tips etc are included in the price. That dress, is $39, and you will pay, $39 for it. That sandwich is $4.50. You will pay $4.50. Once again, brilliance.

6) Birds (and giant bats) have no fear ~ They will swoop at you without a second thought. You can't really distinguish them either, because the bats are about the same size as large seagulls and just as fearless. Just, cover your hair and food. At all times.

7) Buy your food before you sit down and eat it ~ Once again the aussies have revolutionized the food service industry... You wait in line, you order your meal, you pay the price that was listed on the menu, you go and sit down with a little buzzer, and one drink later you are summoned for deliciousness. Then, when you're full and want to go home, that's what you do. No waiting no tipping. Otherwise known as, ideal.

8) Steak is the cheapest thing on the menu ~ Every wednesday at the lovely beach-side palace - just a stroll down the sand from our apartment - they have the deal of all deals; $5 rump steak (haha, yeah, rump steak) cooked to your liking. An extra $2 gets you fries & salad. And, going back to the whole pay as priced thing, that's it! No tax, no tip. If you're feelin a beer too, you'll be looking at a whopping $12 for a damn classy meal. Other than that, food prices can be pretty rough, but it's these little hidden wonders that make this place magical. Look mom, I'm saving! :)

9) The ocean is saltier than you think ~ Seriously. It's insane. I guess I haven't been to the ocean since going to Miami and that was at least 5 years ago, but ohhh mannn. When your face down on a surfboard trying to paddle through wave over wave, and you get a mouthful of that sea salt water, you're going to be choking for a good 15 minutes.

10) Raccoons are made of possums ~ Take a walk through the park on the way to Kings Cross in downtown Sydney, and all you will see is bush-tailed possums and their babies scampering around the grass and trees. They're like the raccoons of the South Pacific, without fear of humans or boundaries regarding food. See photos from a few entries ago...

and now I am falling asleep on my kayboardnfgi'o [eng\m\',v;'b>mfopEFJ|'mdvl......

blue crushed

What do you do on a Tuesday night? Me, well, I like to sit on this comfortable couch watching How I Met Your Mother while apple crisp bakes in the oven. That's right. I said it. Life, my friends, is grand :)

And not just today.. While today was fabulous just like all the others have been here in the cooj, yesterday we finally paid respect to the namesake of our surf-side residence by trekking it out to maroubra beach and renting surfboards for a day of ocean adventure. And maaaaan was it fun... While Adam has been hitting the waves for at least a month, katie and I are more or less newbies on the whole surfing side of things... I'm gonna go out on a limb and say she even had one up on me. Looking back on it; Did I spend three hours bobbing in the ocean and not stand on a single wave? Yep. Did I get repeatedly barrelled by the wrath of mother nature's waves? Uh huh. Did I rent a "SuperSoft" (no joke, that was actually the brand name...) surfboard only to get hit in the head with it not one, two, but THREE times? You bet ...

... Was it the best $25 I've spent since I've been here? You better believe it :) Ocean-beating aside, bobbing up and down on a board with your feet in the pacific and the sun on your back is quite a nice experience. And I wasn't completely useless, I managed to body surf few waves without being tossed, and next time I promise you this: That board will feel my feet!

One bus ride home later and we were all sitting on the couch eating delicious mexican food (real tacitos! like not the 7/11 ones! It was magic) and so concluded a truly wonderful day.

AND, a few days ago I saw three whales while I was walking home from work.

Seriously? I love it here.

Here are some random goofy shots from our day in the sun and sand and (finally) surf ♥

no. big. deal.

all wet-suited up and ready for action...

post-surf. and still alive and smiling!

beach bums.

♥

That's all for now folks! It's almost time for apple crisp... ;)

kx and habitual napping

Blahhhhh don't want to go to worrrrk....

Is it bad that I'm four shifts in and already complaining about it? Nahhh...
I actually do love the store, and while working is painful and torturous in the sense that I am surrounded by beautiful clothes and the inability to buy them... I do love the dear Cargo Store. It's just that I am sitting here, snuggled in bed, and the last thing I feel like doing is getting up and washing my hair and making myself look presentable...

The only thing making me want to move from my fortress of comfort is the fly that's been stuck buzzing in my window the last two and a half hours... that, and the squaking noises that seem to be moving up and down the sidewalk outside. Honestly, I can't tell you if it's a loud bird or a sick child... or maybe both.

Anyways, after a fabulous night out in Kings Cross (downtown Sydney) Friday night, it has been a very lazy and (for sme of us... ie... me) unproductive weekend here at Surf Side Three. Friday night we hit up the World Bar, and I think it's safe to say it will become a routine weekend spot. With three different rooms on two levels and a mix of live, dance, and dance dance music, a grand night was had by all. Except my poor feet.

Alright, no putting it off any longer, time to be productive!

aus-goggles

FINALLY! - some very out of order and random shots from the last beautiful week and a half. Enjoy folks!

Day 4ish ~ fun times in Paddy's market in downtown Sydney. When I say they had everything, I mean, everything....

Day 4ish ~ Me and the boy on the beachside

Day 1 ~ Home Sweet Coogee Bay <3 This is also my walk to and from work everyday. Not bad, right? :)

Last Night ~ Possuuuummmms... Okay, actually, I don't think they were possums... but whatever they were they were everywhere in en route to the bar district in downtown Sydney last night! They're like, the australian version of squirrels.

Last Night ~ En route to rip up the world bar downtown.

Day 7ish ~ Miss Katie May on one of our many beach walks.

Day 7ish ~ Beach Boys

Day 1 ~ Strolling through coogee central; See that sign "Cargo Store"? That's my store ladies and gentlemen! Well, not my store, but the one I was lucky enough to get a job at. It has been pretty sweet thus far.

Day 1 ~ Our lovely airport Greeters :)

-------------------------

Time for bed, Goodnight for now kids!

sundance.

Goooood Morrrrrning Sunshiiiiine!

That's right kids, we finally got a sunny beach day on our hands here in coogee! While my productive boyfriend was up at the crack of dawn to go off and shoot downtown, I happily spent a laaazy morning sleeping in, followed by a much needed dish-washing showtune-singing dance party. Good thing the apartment was empty this morning... though I may have severely embarrassed myself in front of the neighbors... but oh well, hopefully they'll pass off my manic dancing and singing as something like, "oh, she's just one of those Canadian types..."

On another note, the boys and I had a lovely dinner last night at a place by the beach (don't remember what it's called) but every wednesday they feature $5 steak, ie, magic on a plate. It was delicious, and a perfect end to International Suit Up Day.

The internet in the house isn't too ample, ergo, I shall have to wait until I hit up an internet cafe before I can upload some photos... but fabulous pics are coming soon, I promise!

As for now, I am off to set up a bank account and go for a much overdue beach adventure with Donald, Woo!! Happy Thursday Everyone :)

one wednesday later

Okay, so, I know the last post was about two seconds ago... Buuuutt let's pretend for a second that I'm actually that on the ball and wrote the first entry hours off the plane, and not this morning, one week into everything...

That being said, week 1 has come to an end here at surf side, seven days of madness and magic. A few unexpected detours but a lovely week nonetheless, full of sand and food and music, sometimes all at the same time. We could honestly have done with a little more sun this past week, it's not quite summer yet here in coogee but you can feel it creepin in. The job train is in full steam, I've been lucky enough to obtain a position at a gorrrgeous clothing store called Cargo, and at 30% off everything it might be counter-productive in the whole money-saving situation.... aaaahhh... but I'll be good I promise ... for now ;)

Other than that, it has been days full of beach walks, chish & fips (that's right, it's a seafood place, and it's delicious) and adventures with cameras. A few days ago the four of us trekked into downtown Sydney on a cell-phone buying and shopping mission, and explored the most fabulous shopping maze that is paddy's market! just the absolute cooooolest stuff in there, I am officially taking orders for souveniers :) whatever you want, they've got it..

Still have yet to see a ton of wicked cool wildlife, aside from some pretty goofy looking heron birds that like to wander around the park beside our house, and about a zillion crabs on the rocks over at the far side of the beach. Katie and Donald spotted a pod of dolphins AND whales crossing the bay this morning, I really wish I didn't bail on that errand to stay home and make breakfast... but damn, it was pretty delicious.

And today, well, who knows....

[Pictures coming soon]

And so it was.

"Let Your Soul and Spirit Fly, As We Sail Into The Mystic"

No more countdowns, no more time limits, no more deadlines ; It's here... WE'RE here. After a grueling 25 hours of travel on three flights over six continents, miss katie-mai and I landed safely in the gloriousness that is Sydney Airport. We were greeted at the gates by two gorgeous gentlemen holding ginormous sparkling signs reading "Katie Smith; The Duchess of Orleans" and "Jillian Bailey; The Baroness of Blackburn", and right then, we knew we we had made it. One very hilly cab ride on the wrong side of the road later, and we were at the surf side house on 3 dundas st, otherwise known as, our lovely home for the next three months. And so began the first phase of our world adventure in...

CHAPTER I - COOGEE BEACH