monopoly money and warm eggs...

so, where has the sydney summer gone???... it went from a sunny 100 degrees F. to about a rainy 55-60 degrees F. overnight and it’s been like that for a just about a week now...

has the australian summer gone away already???...

i have noticed that some of the little trees’ leaves, have begun to change color a bit... (remember we will enter autumn next, not spring like u guys)... but they are few and far between... those little trees that is... most won’t drop leaves at all... like the eucalyptus and palm trees... which are my personal favorites if i may add!!!... most awzzies still insist however, summer is not over yet...

guess we’ll just have to wait and see...

okay, so let’s get back to some of the practical stuff... how about we start with the eggs... yes eggs... guess what? they don’t refrigerate ‘em here... seriously, in the gross-ery store that is, they are in a random non-refrigerated aisle... nor do they have ANY coffee creamers here either... no yummy pumpkin spice, hazelnut or french vanilla flavors... UGGHH!!!?!!!... but i digress... back to the eggs... so, one of my house mates... the kiwi (new zealander for those that don’t know what a human kiwi is...) also is not in the habit of refrigerating ‘em, which is customary in her culture... but has since started to refrigerate them here as to be conscious and thoughtful of her housemates... just lovely... which... brings me to the next topic...

housemates... my housemates... luv ‘em all... seriously, GOD is sooo cool how HE just works things out and brings people together... rachel is the kiwi, matilda the swede, vanessa the cannuck and amy the awzzie... and they are just great peeps in their own right... it’s a good mix and it’s working out well... like i said before, it’s like we are becoming a family... it’s just good... and even though we are very different... we are also very similar... we come from different cultures, backgrounds, stories, etc. ... however at the core, we are very much the same... it’s really cool...

now, let’s talk money... monopoly money... otherwise known as australian currency, in my world anyway.. the dollars are shorter and far more colorful, with a random plastic lined cut-outs on each bill... they come in denominations of: 5, 10, 20, 50, 100.

and the coins... RIDICULOUS!!! just ridiculous... the sizes, the sheer weight... OUT OF CONTROL!!! ... a silver 20 cent piece is bigger and heavier than a U.S. silver dollar... a silver 50 cent piece looks like the 20 cent piece except it has angular edging to it... it's like, the higher the dollar amount in coin the smaller the size... a 'lil weird ay?...

i posted some googled pics of 'em... which reminds me... other pics of other stuff will come eventually... promise!!!... just hasn’t been a priority... ya know, with the whole moving across the planet thing coming into play ‘n all... and trying to acclimate and adjust to sooo many major life changes in a short period of time also sorta plays a big role in that... if ya know what i’m sayin... anyway...

appliances... the dishwasher has two separate pullout drawers (basins) and extreme wash cycles... the long cycle takes 1 hour and 42 minutes... and if not pre-rinsed or even the slightest bit overloaded, it won’t clean well at all... we also have this thing called a jug and it’s basically an electric kettle... and it’ sooo COOL!!! it boils a ‘jug’ full of water in like 3 minutes and then it clicks off when done... luv it!!! absolutely luv it!!!

houses... are way rad here too, however they are much closer in proximity to each other than in n.y. ... a lot less property, a lot more house... they are pretty much right on top of each other... but they have flavor and flair... and really cool architectural designs... mostly reminiscent of a southwest/tiled roof vibe... they’re cool...

it seems like the awzzies know how to fit A LOT of house into a small space... each room feels so big... showers and baths are big, and in the same room, but separate from each other... while toilets are completely separate in a completely separate room... however, the houses don’t seem to be made as well here... not very insulated and very noisy... sometimes it sounds like a bunch of elephants are hangin out on the 2nd floor, but it’s just a girl walking down the hall... sometimes it feels like i'm in the front row of a rock concert listening to a guitar solo, but it’s just a neighbour playing a guitar...

BUT..... amidst the myriad of meaningless technical differences... some major similarities remain...

people are the same... neighbors/neighbours are the same... although a bit friendlier here if i might add, but that’s true for most places outside of the greater n.y. area anyway...

i lived at a #9 in new york and i live at a #9 in new south wales...

i had a drumming neighbor in new york... i have a drumming neighbour in new south wales... which for most, would annoy, distract and bother... however, i find it randomly and remarkably reminiscent of home... and rhythmically soothing... at times...